Complimentary Commercial Content A recently published study suggests that CBD+CBDA are each metabolized differently in dogs, with P450 enzymes, particularly CYP1A2 and CYP2C21, playing major roles with CYP1A2 being the likely primary metabolizer of CBD. Pharmacodynamic modeling suggests minimal risk of significant interactions with other concomitantly used drugs at current … [Read more...]
Pearly whites: The importance of dog dental care (video)
Includes Commercial Content Drs. Jenifer and Jason Chatfield discussed dental care with R. Michael Peak, DVM, a board certified veterinary dentist. Peak explains the role of proper dental hygiene in promoting overall canine health, and the common dental issues that can occur if dental care is neglected. Peak highlights the importance of regular dental check-ups, brushing … [Read more...]
2024 Call for Projects seeks to help advance the human-animal bond
Ceva Animal Health has launched a worldwide event that aims to discover and support new solutions for the well-being and care of companion animals and their pet parents. The company seeks to harness the expertise and creativity of individuals, startups and organizations with this effort. The goal is to address key issues in animal health and benefit companion animals … [Read more...]
Washington, D.C. residents release the terriers
Washington is full of rats. Several dogs and their owners are happy to help with that. The images may be disturbing to some, but these terriers are doing what they were bred to do and helping curb a growing rat population. Source: The Washington Post, The Society of Environmental Journalists, September 14, 2023. Link. The rat hunters’ primary motivation . . . is making … [Read more...]
Dogs’ internal compass and the earth’s magnetic field
Activity along the north-south alignment of the compass axis is observed in many animals. Dog researchers have found a measurable change in the dogs’ behavior based on the conditions of the magnetic field. <researchers> found that dogs choose to pee and poop under certain conditions with their bodies aligned along the north-south axis and avoided orientation along the … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 18, 2023
Ways to connect with customers, 15 AI Tools for businesses, legacy payment processes drain profits, CBS assertions on pet insurance and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 18, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Limiting your sarcasm
Most of us experience sarcasm every day but probably haven’t thought much about what sarcasm is or its real effects. John Millen urges us to take a look at our relationships at work and at home. Think about how humor and especially sarcasm are used. Are you being cynical? Defensive? Passive-aggressive? Sarcasm is the body’s natural defense against stupid.” – Anonymous Source: … [Read more...]
The expanding threat of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases in shelter dogs
A recent study from the University of Georgia suggests that shelter dogs in the eastern U.S. may be disproportionately affected by the relentless spread of ticks and mosquitoes to new regions. Climate change is a factor as carriers expand their ranges. The resulting risks affect dogs and humans alike. Source: Vet Candy, September 2023. Link. The study underscores the vital … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy in pets: A look at adverse event rates
Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is a concern for people and pets alike, especially if it results in reduced rabies vaccination coverage writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DACVIM. He also acknowledges that concerns about adverse events are real but ultimately de minimis making the risk:reward worth it. Weese shares results from studies referencing adverse events in dogs and … [Read more...]
Total e-commerce sales vs. total retail sales in North America
Retrospective metrics show where and how discretionary money is being spent, including the expansion of online purchasing. This article shows growth rates from 2019 to 2022 in the retail sector. Online retail sales grew much faster than total retail sales during the pandemic, significantly increasing the e-commerce penetration of retail in North America. Analytics show … [Read more...]
The manager squeeze: How the new workplace is testing team leaders
In today’s work environs, being a manager is a tough job often devoid of the perks historically associated with the position. Gallup research indicates: Managers are more likely to be burned out and disengaged than their teams Budget cuts, added responsibilities and restructured teams add complexity Managers now have more work to do on a tighter budget with new … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 14, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 7, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the September 7th AHD Bulletin – 7 dangers dogs may face in the fall. Link. Leading behavioral change. Link. Cryptosporidium parasite is endemic to even the tidiest dairy farms. Link. Health management of early weaned beef calves. Link. Views of this … [Read more...]
Fall and winter prep for smaller swine herds
Colder months bring unique challenges to small swine herds in terms of disease prevention and control. Swine extension educator Casey Zangaro reminds us that not all swine operations are optimized for heat, light and biosecurity. Keeping the heating, lighting, nutrition, health management, environmental management, bedding and recordkeeping on point assists in the upkeep of … [Read more...]
Surfactant from bovine lungs keeps premature babies breathing
A colleague shared this post about Bovine Lipid Extract Surfactant, a unique substance made up of fats and proteins found in the lungs of cattle. Most premature human babies are born without enough surfactant in their lung tissues to keep the tiny alveoli from collapsing. BLES works better than any synthetics to date. It has the ability to mimic the complex mixture of proteins … [Read more...]
Six signs that cow may be lame
The economic impact of lameness is significant and the second most important step for effective lameness management, after prevention, is identification, explains Carly Becker an extension educator. Practicing locomotion scoring is one way to help identify animals with gait, posture and movement issues and can easily be done when moving animals to and from pens. Becker shares … [Read more...]
Preweaning protocols during a strong cattle market
Weather and vaccine choice play roles in calf health response, writes Heather Smith Thomas. She interviewed Daryl Meyer, DVM, and Chris Chase, DVM, PhD, who shared their experiences with video sales, preconditioning vaccines, optimal nutrition and weather interference during processing. In calves over 3 months of age, most of the injectable vaccines you’d give will not have … [Read more...]
Provide enough space to get all the benefits of turnout
Last week we shared the importance of horses having a pasture friend <Link>. Research from Ohio State University suggests that horses need a minimum amount of space to derive all the benefits of turnout and to stay out of each other's hair. Source: EQUUS, August 29, 2023. Link. Study data showed horses kept in pens that allowed 342 square meters* per horse had reduced … [Read more...]
Some lameness may be in a horse’s head
The definition of rein lameness is difficult because it's a lameness that can be appreciated only when a horse is being exercised under saddle or wearing a bridle and being exercised. A link between TMJ inflammation and lameness has been studied by James L. Carmalt, MA, VetMB, MVetSc, PhD, FRCVS, DABVP(Eq), DAVDC(Eq), DACVSMR(Eq), DACVSe, and his colleagues. If you have TMJ … [Read more...]
Covid-19 evolving in white-tailed deer
A study from Nature Communications highlights the white-tailed deer species is a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 that enables continuing mutation, and the virus’s circulation in deer could lead to its spread to other wildlife and livestock. And the evidence is growing that humans can get it from deer, which isn’t radically surprising. It’s probably not a one-way pipeline.” Source: … [Read more...]
Counting calories, treats, client education. Avoid the math.
There are lots of variables when calculating the maintenance energy requirement for a pet and its owner. One of them involves honesty about how many treats and how much table food must be accounted for in addition to any prepared diet. The math need not be scary since charts are available and are easy to share with pet owners. MER Calorie (kcal) needs = 1.6 [70 x (weight in … [Read more...]
Nine out of 10 cannot recognize crucial signs of anxiety in dogs
Not being able to recognize when a dog is frightened or stressed can have serious consequences, according to research from Edge Hill University linking dog attacks and misunderstandings of dog behavior. The study suggests this contributes to the rise in dog attacks in the UK, as the majority of dog bites occur in the victim’s home and involve a familiar dog. Source: Dogs … [Read more...]
Understanding head butting by cats
Cats headbutt to connect to familiar people, making headbutting a cat’s way of choosing a person. So, to a cat, headbutting makes the person special, writes Stuart Hovis, DVM. Cats have glands on their cheeks, forehead and chin that contain pheromones. When a cat headbutts, they are rubbing pheromones on the person. Source: Pet MD, March 11, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Enrichment ideas for senior pets
Enrichment doesn’t end because cats and dogs get old. Steve Dale shares the necessity of helping pets as they age and some ideas for pet owners to improve their senior pets’ last years. There’s increasing evidence that stimulation resulting from an enriched environment may delay or even prevent onset on canine or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, the pet version of … [Read more...]
Practical advice about heartworm preventative lapses
ICYMI. Andy Moorhead DVM, MS, PhD, Dip. ACVM, shares case examples that represent real-world lapse scenarios and offer guidance on heartworm diagnostics, management, client education and prevention. Not every lapse in preventive adherence . . . carries the same level of exposure risk, nor do the same set of diagnostic recommendations or client communication considerations … [Read more...]
What is written on a dog’s face?
Boarding and daycare personnel often spend as much or more time with pets than their owners. These persons focus on animal-to-animal interactions and behaviors routinely. However, but it is also important that we understand how dogs communicate with people. Linked below is a research paper that evaluates the impact of facial phenotypes on communication between humans and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 11, 2023
12 pet industry companies named to 2023 Inc. 5000, vaccine hesitancy, remote vet visits, groomer software, small business Saturday ideas, youth-centered programs to attract more DVMs, Disney World’s pet hotel and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 11, 2023. Link. September is National Preparedness Month. Remember to update your emergency action plans. … [Read more...]
Mastering the art of arguing productively
Commentary Only once we understand the other side of any issue can we be confident that we fully understand our own, writes Yonason Goldson. His perspectives on argument, societal intolerances and ultimately win-lose thinking is worth the 4-minute read. We probably don’t need the new word, quodlibet because we’ll struggle to pronounce it. It is easy to agree with his … [Read more...]
Report from KVP International highlights sustainability efforts at Mars, MWI, Zoetis
Shared by an industry colleague, this Bowman Report Special Edition looks at sustainability in the veterinary industry. Contributions from Mars Veterinary Health, MWI Animal Health and Zoetis reveal the steps major animal health companies are taking to become more environmentally responsible. Also, a Packaged Facts analysis spotlights important insights into what consumers want … [Read more...]
Things that fit through a surgical mask
This Facebook Reel stopped me in my tracks. It is a vivid illustration of particle size and just how vulnerable animal health pros are to particles, viruses, bacteria and more. Yes, we already know much of this information, but reviewing it with your teams could deepen the understanding and importance of infection control. Source: Lawton Green, Facebook Reel. Link. (0:30) … [Read more...]
Call to action: Educate the public about the cost of pet ownership
Commentary Veterinary teams are consistently criticized about basic pet care costs. Sadly, those same people rarely complain about the cost of new toys or treats and have no idea what basic care for pets costs annually. Pets provide joy and companionship, but costs can add up quickly, especially for first-time owners who don’t know what to expect.” – Adriana Morga Every … [Read more...]