Chicken science may have just crossed a road in moving towards genetically engineering chickens to be resistant to the bird flu. A study published in eLife < link > shows the results of editing part of the DNA in chicken cells. The change prevented the bird flu virus from using the cells to reproduce themselves. Source: Forbes, June 2019. Link. While an important step … [Read more...]
Chatting with the farrier
Natalie Voss shares some questions to ask the farrier while holding a horse instead of just being quiet. Here’s a sample: When do I call you? What should I be watching for this season? Do I see you enough? Source: AcreageLife, February 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Good information to share on social media and in newsletters. … [Read more...]
Swine research; alive, proactive
National Hog Farmer’s December 2019 edition is dedicated to myriad research projects that challenge the status quo in swine production. Weaning and transport stress, cross-fostering and odor control are among the research presented, in addition to getting a handle on emerging diseases. Source: National Hog Farmer, December 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Mastitis steals nutrients, as well as milk
Everyone is aware that cows with mastitis give less milk. Ron Munneke looked beyond the milk loss of clinical cows to consider how subclinical cases affect milk production. The immune cells burn up a lot of energy during the hunting and killing process of the invading bacteria. Source: Progressive Dairy, December 24, 2019. Link. Once the immune system is activated, the immune … [Read more...]
A new twist to tick infections
Scientists have found that temperature has little impact on the types of bacteria ticks carry. What they did find was humidity and competition among bacteria had the greatest influence on the combinations of pathogens carried by Ixodes Ricinus, one of Europe's most common tick species. Humidity, competition among bacteria influence pathogens ticks carry Source: UPI, December … [Read more...]
Diverse thinking adds value
There are many reasons to encourage diverse thinking in your workplace. Social justice and political correctness may be admirable, but their contribution to your bottom line is marginal. The real payoff of diverse thinking is the added value for your organization. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, December 2, 2019. Link. The term “psychological safety” refers to the concept of a … [Read more...]
2020: back to work we go
A new year, a new decade and new opportunities ahead. It’s not easy to get back in the swing of things, shares Art Markman. If you’re feeling sluggish and unmotivated, you’re not alone. To snap back into work mode, he recommends the following: Focus forward Get specific Make the right social comparisons Source: Harvard Business Review, January 3, 2020. Link. Treat … [Read more...]
5 forces transforming the animal health market
Animal health is subjected to many forms of pressure driving changes. Michael Helmstetter explores five forces giving rise to a new breed of our industry: Growth, consolidation and competition Increased investment Evolving consumer behaviors Digital transformation Alternative therapies Source: Forbes, December 10, 2019. Link. . . . animal health is subject … [Read more...]
Most-read posts from January and February 2019
AHD selects actionable articles from more than 250 media sources we continuously review. These include about 40 sources directed to veterinarians and veterinary staff, more than 150 sources that focus on animal owners and popular press, blogs and social media. Source: Animal Health Digest, Most-read posts, January 2019. Better ways to say, “You screwed up.” Link. … [Read more...]
Top 10, most-read and best-of lists
Clicks count for media publishers. We learn what grabs readers’ attentions. Top article lists also help ensure the most interesting content is renewed for those who missed something earlier. Here are some best-of lists to peruse as you ramp up for 2020. Source: AHD, Search results for: most read. Link Source: DVM 360, Search results for: top stories. Includes the … [Read more...]
Opinion: A new decade begins
Our industry has experienced innumerable changes since the turn of the century. Some worth noting include: Resizing of major pharmaceutical companies and distributors through mergers and acquisitions Veterinary school graduates are now predominately female Expansion of corporate ownership of veterinary clinics Massive growth in the companion animal sectors … [Read more...]
Gallup; Top 10 articles of 2019
Consistent measurement and developing solutions are part of Gallup’s value proposition. Beyond metrics, articles about a challenge often include a program to address it. Here are Gallup’s top articles of 2019 that represent areas of improvement for small and corporate businesses. We are not endorsing any of the programs. Source: GALLUP, December 17, 2019. Link. Discover … [Read more...]
Failure to decide is a decision
Many people believe that deflecting is a way to delay decisions they don’t wish to make. In the moment, this might work. But as time progresses failure to decide most frequently puts us in a reactive mode. Lisa Earle McLeod says the biggest challenges with decision-making are not the decisions we make, it’s the decision we don’t make. She calls it the default decision. It’s … [Read more...]
Myths about mental illness cause high rates of unemployment
Awareness of inequalities with respect to race, gender, age, sexuality, class and other related factors, as well as the benefits of diversity, is growing, but society has a long way to go with mental illness, writes Bandy X. Lee. She says, to dispel stigmas surrounding mental health in the workplace, we need first to tackle several myths: Everyone has different abilities … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Alarm bells going off for African swine fever
Dr. Bob Rowland, co-executive director of the North American PRRS Symposium, reveals two big headlines from the recent conference. He also explains how the symposium has evolved to include all emerging diseases and offers an update on diagnosing challenging diseases. Source: The Pig Site, November 26, 2019. Link. “You can almost see the alarm bells going off in terms of … [Read more...]
Deep slumber as important for horses as for people
We know that restorative sleep is important to equine health, but mostly leave it up to the horse, writes Kim Mariette. Environments such as bustling modern barns, modern equine facilities and even nearby construction can be disruptive and make it difficult for horses to get REM sleep. Source: EQUUS, May 28, 2019. Link. To achieve REM sleep a horse must lie down in either … [Read more...]
Cat Friendly column celebrates first year of content
2019 was the inaugural year for the Cat Friendly Column produced by the American Association of Feline Practitioners to compliment the Cat Friendly Practice effort. The December issue is dedicated to the most popular articles from 2019. What can I catch from my cat? Link. How to feed a cat. Link Cats should love their carriers. Link. Feline poison prevention. … [Read more...]
As seen in AAHA NEWStat
With a focus on accredited practices, AAHA’s NEWStat is a reliable source for practices and the animal health pros who work in them or with them. The following links share recent sponsored content and a feature on how big-box veterinary clinics are redefining consumers’ concept of pet healthcare. Source: Big-box veterinary clinics redefining consumers’ concept of pet … [Read more...]
New course teaches how to run a no-kill shelter
Learning how to set up and run no-kill shelters for cats and dogs is the goal of a new certificate program at Southern Utah University. In partnership with the Best Friends Animal Society <link>, the program will be offered mostly online, so students anywhere can sign up for the courses. Source: Salt Lake Tribune, December 10, 2019. Link. The credits earned will … [Read more...]
Veterinary medicine; whitest profession in America
The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges’ director, Lisa Greenhill, MBA, EdD, shared information and corrective steps to address a history of discrimination and marginalization within the veterinary profession. At the current rate of change, black women will achieve pay equity in 100 years. For Latinx women, it will be 125 years until the wage gap … [Read more...]
Telehealth: 2019 regulations set the stage for increased access and use
Jeff Lagasse says 2019 was an interesting year for human telehealth. A framework is starting to emerge, and while it's not fully mature, it is no longer the nascent healthcare delivery approach it once was. Understanding and monitoring the human telemedicine developments is important for animal health companies. The technology infrastructures will be similar and resolutions … [Read more...]
Organic label doesn’t guarantee that holiday ham came from a happy pig
There’s an assumption that certified organically raised animals live happier, more natural lives. The reality, writes Michael Haedicke, is more complicated. Government regulations for organic farming contain few specific protections for pigs, poultry and other animals raised for human consumption. So, conditions on organic farms may not actually be all that different from … [Read more...]
Rats, cats and feral hogs invading national parks
A new study published in the Biological Invasions journal says our national parks are under a deep and immediate threat from invasive, non-native species. The researchers are urging the National Park Service to create and implement a systemwide approach that involves everybody from National Park Service leadership to their staff and park visitors. Source: CNN, December 4, … [Read more...]
2019’s top news stories from DVM360
For publishers, what readers click on is like taking blood pressure and pulse metrics. DVM360’s top news stories from 2019 is no exception. From spay/neuter age debates through 12-month heartworm protection to shortages of veterinary associates, it shares the top stories. Source: DVM 360, December 6, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: For marketers and sales reps, top 10 lists help … [Read more...]
5 tips for better blanketing
Horses will appreciate their caregivers following this advice when selecting and using his blankets this winter: Check the fit of blankets each year Consider getting your horse “underwear” Multiple blankets? Mark them according to the appropriate conditions for their use If temperatures fluctuate, blanket for the anticipated high of the day Remove blankets … [Read more...]
Why do some vaccinated horses still get sick? (podcast)
Elizabeth Davis, DVM, explains how vaccines prime the immune system and why some horses might still get sick. The idea of vaccination is intended to provide, in a very safe way and at a small level of exposure to the immune system, so that on future exposure to the immune system at the time of disease challenge, that the horse is is protected. Source: The Horse, October 22, … [Read more...]
Understanding swine gut microbiome at different growth stages
What pigs are fed and at which growth stage makes a difference in the swine gut microbiome, according to new research. University of Arkansas researchers completed a comprehensive longitudinal study that remarkably expands the understanding of the swine gut microbiome and addresses ecological questions: How does the swine gut microbiome change from birth to market across … [Read more...]
Increased feeding frequency in dairy cows shows promise
Underscoring dairy cows as production animals, researchers sought to measure the results of feeding up to three times per day or more. Feed delivery frequency affects feed intake, digestive physiology, animal health, hormonal profile, milk production, resistance to thermal stress and economic returns. Source: The Bullvine, December 4, 2019. Link. . . . in the 3x feeding … [Read more...]
Ketamine, K-holes, pony medicine and disassociation
In the past few years, ketamine has found its way back into needy nostrils, writes Anna Silman. She describes the off-label uses of ketamine over the past 50 years. A Schedule III drug for veterinarians, ketamine is still a concern when clinics are vandalized or when inventory shortages are discovered. We’re sharing this article so veterinary teams can see the attraction and … [Read more...]
Opinion: the dental divide
The holidays are a great time for veterinary teams to make some decisions about dentals < link >. Melissa Detweiler, DVM, discusses the challenges of her love/hate relationship with common oral health procedures and the conversation and marketing that go with it. Beyond the gold standard, she says are two options; skip it or treat what she can. I believe there is another … [Read more...]