University of Kentucky’s Vince Venditto, PhD, is busting myths about vaccines to help inform your decision to get vaccinated. I would personally get any of the approved vaccines, absolutely. I will also wait for my turn to ensure that those at highest risk can get vaccinated first. . .” - Vince Venditto, PhD, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of … [Read more...]
We’re underselling the Covid-19 vaccine
David Leonhardt explains why the vaccine news is better than you may think. He parallels the growing vaccine reluctance with the near mass confusion on mask-wearing. He admonishes the experts who don’t seem to trust the public to hear the full truth. . . . We should be greeting < the vaccines > with the same enthusiasm that greeted the polio vaccine.” - Paul Offit, … [Read more...]
SARS-CoV-2 virus drift and shift raises concerns
For animal health pros born before 1990, antigenic drift and antigenic shift are not mere terms. Rather, they have been part of life experiences. Canine coronavirus, bovine viral diarrhea and equine herpes virus are among viruses our industry has chased with vaccines and vaccine updates. Rapid advancements in genotyping and mass spectrum technologies have been helpful as we … [Read more...]
Vaccination in this pandemic time and before
Commentary Throughout this last year, we have seen more information on vaccines than ever. A plethora of it continues to be spewed on vaccine development, virus science and immunity. Much of it lacks the basic context for why vaccines work and why they are critical to disease management and population safety. Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM, wrote a revealing … [Read more...]
Cut seasons short for more profits
Jordan Thomas tackles human nature’s influence on the cow-calf operation. He says the focus on calf numbers likely keeps cows in the herd that don’t belong. Extended calving and hay-feeding seasons are a symptom of this tendency. Long hay-feeding seasons and long calving seasons are really just manifestations of the same fundamental problem” - Source: BEEF, January 2020. … [Read more...]
Titers and other vaccine considerations for horses
David Ramey, DVM, wishes discussions about equine vaccines were easy. Instead of being a simple linear vaccine equation, it has a lot of +/- variables in it. This makes discussions about vaccines fraught with all sorts of nuance and complications, he says. The result is that many throw up their hands rather than talk about them. Not simple, the horse vaccine equation looks … [Read more...]
Veterinary Integration Solutions introduces Consolidate That! podcast
Complimentary Content Consolidate That! is a new podcast from Veterinary Integration Solutions that is hosted by Dr. Ivan Zak and Ryan Leech. It focuses on critical corporate topics in the veterinary business. The episodes will center on improving clinical care, customer and employee experience, combining proven processes with modern technology, and ways to expand … [Read more...]
Drs. Weese and Anderson continue review of Covid-19 in animals: Plus, the new variant
In a recent post < link > we shared the first six blog posts in a series from Scott Weese, DVM, and Maureen Anderson, DVM. Since then, their review of Covid-19 in animals by family has continued. They also address the new variant SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. Source: WormsandGerms Blog. COVID-19 in Animals Review. Part 7: Cattle, November 10, 2020. Link. SARS-CoV-2 in … [Read more...]
Backyard wildlife; Beware the January thaw
Commentary In some parts of the U.S., we usually have three or more days where winter temperatures moderate and we thaw out. At the same time, daylight hours are increasing. This period begins the breeding season for some wildlife species. Skunks, raccoon, foxes, bobcats and coyotes start looking for mates and food, and they’re driven by hormones and hunger. Breeding … [Read more...]
Nail trimming 101 (includes video)
An industry colleague recently said, “. . . the ability to trim a dog’s nails should be a prerequisite to being allowed to own a dog!” While his point was extreme, basic nail care can be easily managed at home with proper education and training. Teresa Manucy, DVM, shares information about how to trim, equipment and the process. A demonstration video from Katy Nelson, DVM, … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen demystifies vaccinations
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, tackles myths about pet vaccines in the latest edition of Is This a Thing? My pet got all of its shots Cats don’t need vaccines The internet says lepto vaccine is not needed It’s better to titer first so vets don’t just give vaccines to make money My pet is so old it doesn’t need vaccines any … [Read more...]
Sleep loss hijacks brain’s activity during learning
New research suggests disrupted sleep may lead to more problems than the occasional all-nighter. Source: Science Daily, November 11, 2020. Link. Research summary: Sleep is crucial for consolidating our memories, and sleep deprivation has long been known to interfere with learning and memory. Now a new study shows that getting only half a night's sleep - as many medical … [Read more...]
Disagreement doesn’t have to be divisive
Rather than engaging in potentially difficult or uncomfortable conversations, many of us try to avoid them altogether. But there may be a more effective approach. . . “ Source: Harvard Business Review, November 16, 2020. Link. When someone has a sharply different point of view than your own, the natural tendency is to either avoid a conversation with that person or to try to … [Read more...]
Resilience needed for ongoing success
For many of us, and in most businesses, change is constant. Whether a business is adapting for relevance, roles are expanding for progress or departments are realigning for efficiencies, something new is at the heart of the change initiatives. And, never has this been truer for all of us in a global pandemic. Source: Turknett Leadership Group, December 17, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
For aspiring animal scientists, it all starts in AnSci 101
Lots of opportunities for animal health pros to get involved. Many animal health professionals take an Introduction to Animal Sciences course early in their coursework. When the conditions are right, an introductory course can serve as a springboard where students find additional opportunities and formalize their interest in the subject. Conversely, an ineffective intro course … [Read more...]
Q-4-2020 Veterinary Innovation Podcasts now available
Here is the latest list of podcasts since our October 6, 2020 post. < link >. Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zakharenkov, DVM, continue to provide animal health pros access to discussions with animal health innovators. Listening to podcasts is an excellent way to learn from progressive animal health who are inventing the next iterations of animal health. Wilkie and Zakharenkov … [Read more...]
Most common dairy farm inspection debits
From behind the scenes, a Minnesota, dairy farm inspector shares violations that occur over and over. The list reveals how much observational diligence is required on dairies. . . . to market Grade A milk, farms are required to undergo routine state and milk buyer inspections and pass federal milk inspection requirements. Source: Farm Progress, December 21, 2020. Link. Repeat … [Read more...]
Horses need to be taught to accept having their feet held
Idaho horseman and clinician Martin Black talks about working with horses, learning how to make it easy for them accept a raised foot and avoiding having the horse lean on the farrier. Source: Western Horseman, July 26, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: Training horses to tolerate foot care is similar to working with puppies and kittens on having nail trims. Consistent work and good … [Read more...]
4 strategies to overcoming pet obesity
Laurren Zimmerman shares experiences gained as a certified canine athlete specialist and multi-time national finalist and winner across multiple organizations. She shares four important strategies pet owners can use to help their dog safely lose weight: Rule out underlying health conditions with primary veterinarian* Strength training with flexibility work Clean … [Read more...]
NEW app for the puppies!
Complimentary Content from Purina Purina announced a new app for puppies, well, for their owners. 😉 The My Pup app promises to help pet owners train, learn and grow with their puppy, offering week‑to‑week guidance, articles, videos and expert tips. Source: Purina, December 21, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: We’ve not yet reviewed this app. However, it may help to fill some of … [Read more...]
Nearly 4 months to get into flow with new pet
New research commissioned by Royal Canin® indicates it takes three months and 23 days to finally get the hang of things with a new pet, according to new research. The OnePoll survey found 80 percent asserted the first year of owning a pet is the most important. It also revealed that year isn’t easy as 64 percent believe the first year is the most difficult. Source: 72point. … [Read more...]
Steve Dale’s holiday safety tips
For more than two decades, Steve Dale, certified animal behavior consultant, has been communicating with more pet owners than any other pet journalist in America. He’s not E.F. Hutton, but when Steve speaks, pet owners listen. Organizing his list in holiday fashion, Dale provides 12 Christmas pet safety tips to ensure a safe howliday. Source: Steve Dale’s Pet World, December … [Read more...]
Updating clinic materials yields a new book for pet owners
Complimentary Commercial Content Sometime last spring, Marty Greer, DVM, JD, shared she was working on updating her clinic materials for pet owners while her practice was closed during the early days of the pandemic. She offered the same Bridge Club networking group a welcome surprise in early December. Her materials updating work had expanded into a new book for puppy … [Read more...]
That is logical
Becoming a logical person involves cultivating intellectual habits and skills that, though they may seem simple and obvious, are only achieved after years of struggle and education. Source: The 10 habits of logical people, Foundation for economic education, fee.org. January 21, 2018. Link. The authentically logical person keeps his logic rooted in truth and never lets it … [Read more...]
It’s okay to write down the unwritten rules
Many of us have struggled with the unwritten rules, the things you don’t ask or say. . . or the topics you dare not breathe a word about. Authors Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy say, “It’s good practice to write down the unstated cultural and emotional norms that exist within your team or company. They might have changed since you all started working from home, or perhaps … [Read more...]
Training Industry’s top 10 magazine and web articles from 2020
Like skiers racing ahead of an avalanche, training industry professionals have progressively adjusted learning strategies to address goals and objectives to support WFH and remote learning. Agile learning strategies used creativity and innovation to close skills gaps and prepare employees for immediate continuity and for future roles. Source: Training Industry, December 20, … [Read more...]
Covid fatigue is winning at the worst possible moment
Covid-19 fatigue is manifesting in an alarming number of people shrugging off safety measures and consuming less news about the pandemic, according to a new Harris Poll conducted exclusively for Fast Company. 27 percent of Americans say they’re less likely to engage in certain safety precautions than they were six months ago, curtailing things like frequent handwashing, … [Read more...]
Another new virus is coming. So, scientists study bats.
The coronavirus outbreak is nowhere near over and researchers are already trying to discover what will hit us next. Their goal is to identify other viruses that may be highly contagious to humans and use that information to stop them. It may seem early to study this, but scientists say that its highly likely another novel virus will jump from animal to human host and spread as … [Read more...]
Honey, I shrunk the goat
When considering a backyard pet, a manageable 4-H project for a child, or smaller livestock for a homestead or hobby farm, consider these small goat breeds. Theresa Miller offers a concise catalogue of compact caprines. Source: Backyard Goats, October 9, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Lyme disease ticks produce antibiotic that protects them from human skin bacteria
Vet Candy shares new research findings that help answer some questions about Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick. Puzzled by the ticks’ immune system, which keeps them safe from contracting pathogens themselves, a research team led by Univerisity of California’s San Francisco's Seemay Chou identified a natural pathogen of ticks and established a mechanism for it. “Ticks pass … [Read more...]