Proper injection technique is a cornerstone of Beef Quality Assurance, writes Lillian Hulse. Her article summarizes expert insights from a Doc Talk episode featuring Dan Thompson, DVM. They are presented as a guide covering: a) injection types, b) needle selection, c) best injection sites for cattle, d) safety and hygiene rules, and e) cleaning and maintaining … [Read more...]
CAAMS seeking DVM feedback regarding antimicrobial use in dogs
Companion Animal Antimicrobial Stewards committee is recruiting participants to participate in a research study to learn more about veterinarians’ preferences for perioperative and postoperative antimicrobial use in dogs. To participate, you must be a licensed veterinarian who treats dogs greater than 18 years of age. Source: AAHA Trends, February 4, 2026. Link. Link to … [Read more...]
FDA approves new generics for cattle; a BRD treatment and a dewormer
The Food & Drug Administration announced approvals of two veterinary treatments targeted at cattle health issues on January 22nd: Dewormer: Defendazole (fenbendazole) oral suspension, by Norbrook Laboratories Ltd. (ANADA 200-831) contains same active ingredient as Safe-Guard (NADA 128-620). BRD treatment: nixiFLOR (florfenicol and flunixin meglumine) injectable … [Read more...]
Treatment duration for pneumonia in dogs and cats: Systematic review
The most commonly used antimicrobial treatments for dogs and cats are not evidence-based, writes Scott Weese, DVM. Most antimicrobial treatment durations currently used in dogs and cats are probably way too long when we compare them to what’s done in human medicine for comparable conditions. Some of the differences are striking. Weese says a new systematic review entitled … [Read more...]
Study: Rate of penicillin administration affects a horse’s arterial blood pressure
In a study of 29 horses under general anesthesia, researchers compared two methods of giving penicillin: 1) a fast injection over one minute and 2) a slower one over 10 minutes. Both methods caused a drop in blood pressure, but the fast injection led to a more dramatic decrease. Source: Paulick Report, October 1, 2025. Link. In equine anesthesia, every decision—from drug … [Read more...]
Review: Generic versus pioneer drugs for cattle
This is a timely article as calves are being weaned, cows turned out on pasture or stalks and preparations for colder weather are underway. Andrea Bedford, PhD, details the rigors of NADA and ANADA products, where generic equivalents may differ and where they fit in decision-making for veterinarians and producers. Source: Bovine Practitioner, September 17, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
Setting client expectations for canine infectious respiratory disease complex
CIRDC is a clinical syndrome caused by a range of pathogens, not a specific disease. Coinfections are common, writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS. Acknowledging the challenges of client conversations, he models communication scenarios in this article. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2025. Link. Providing clear information about the approach to treatment is … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Matching the drug to the bug to treat BRD
K. Shawn Blood, a Zoetis DVM, reviews the four most common classes of anti-infectives used in cattle treatments and their modes of action. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right anti-infective since respiratory disease is a complex disease system. He notes that many outside variables can negatively affect treatment outcomes. Source: Progressive Cattle, September … [Read more...]
Cats love their concrete
Bruce Kornreich, DVM, PhD, ACVIM, shares why cats and concrete go together. Whether for scent marking, a scratching surface, or temperature regulation, cats enjoy concrete. Cat owners might consider adding a concrete block to catios. Source: Popular Science via AVMA SmartBrief, July 17, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Dealing with pasture lameness
Producers are well into the summer grazing months when many “turn ‘em out to let them grow.” Among the things that need monitoring are grass height, fly load, supplement availability and lameness. J. Tarpoff, DVM, MS, reviews some of the common causes of lameness and the key differences between the clinical signs in this article. The estimates of 88 percent to 92 percent of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 10, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 3, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 3, 2025 AHD Bulletin – WOAH, invest in vaccines to defend against growing disease threats. Link. Redesigned Secure Beef Supply website, new biosecurity resources. Link. 13 plants that gardening experts say repel mosquitoes. Link. New York judge says a … [Read more...]
Vent gleet in chickens
Cloacitis, commonly referred to as vent gleet may also be called pasting or nasty chicken butt. Regardless it is the inflammation of the chicken's cloaca. Vent gleet isn't a specific disease but more of a gastrointestinal condition that can be caused by a number of different reasons, including many types of organisms such as fungi, protozoa, parasites, yeast, and bacteria. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 22, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 16, 2025. Link. Most read posts from May 16, 2025 AHD Bulletin - NAPHIA’s 2025 State of the Industry Highlights Report. Link. Dog trainer’s graphic explains dog park risks. Link. A review of respiratory viruses and performance horse health. Link. Let’s review: Foot rot. Link. Medgene … [Read more...]
Tractor Supply launches service to streamline pet prescriptions
Tractor Supply launched Tractor Supply Rx in a bid to enhance convenience for customers ordering pet and animal medications. Its features include automatic delivery through the Autoship program, access to expert pharmacy advice and a price match guarantee. The objective is to provide an easy, one-stop shopping destination for the 38 million Neighbor’s Club members, of whom 75 … [Read more...]
Improving productivity key to reducing antibiotic use in livestock
Commentary Seeing research and projections like these are important in managing the effects of livestock production practices domestically and globally. The information in this article is likely to elicit a “well duh” response from many animal health professionals. Regardless of species or country, improving adherence to best practices requires continual education and … [Read more...]
Considerations for refrigerators and freezers
Includes Commercial Content Summer temperatures often bring questions about refrigerator temperatures. Whether in the feedlot drug shed, a retail location or the veterinary clinic, many animal health products require temperature-controlled environments. We downloaded the refrigeration guide linked here from The Scientist. It provides expert advice on choosing the right cold … [Read more...]
Minding the microbiome podcast
Focusing on the GI microbiome, Jenessa A. Winston, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, shares simple strategies practitioners can use to manipulate the microbiome and manage GI disease. She discusses the early research efforts to identify the gut–(specific organ) axes work. Winston shares concerns about the longer-term impact of prescription courses on the microbiome. She shares some Rx … [Read more...]
Smart antibiotic kills deadly bacteria while sparing the microbiome
Animal health pros will enjoy learning about the possibilities synthetic lolamicin might provide. In a new study, researchers identified a compound that kills pathogenic bacteria while sparing friendly gut microbes. The last time a gram-negative selective antibiotic was introduced for human use was in the 1960s. Bringing lolamicin to market will take several years, but … [Read more...]
Loncor® 300 (florfenicol) joins Zoetis cattle anti-infective portfolio
Zoetis recently acquired the marketing rights for Loncor® 300 (florfenicol) from Elanco giving producers another option to treat BRD. Loncor 300 adds a fourth class of antibiotic to Zoetis’ cattle anti-infective portfolio. Source: BEEF, February 13, 2025. Link. Loncor 300 (florfenicol) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic active against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive … [Read more...]
Ceva launches Kesium® (amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets) a generic bioequivalent to Clavamox® chewable tablets
Kesium® from Ceva Animal Health is a broad-spectrum oral antibiotic (amoxicillin) with an β-lactamase inhibitor (clavulanate potassium) for the treatment of bacterial infections in dogs and cats. Ceva is launching a portfolio of anti-infectives with the introduction of Kesium, the first chewable branded alternative to Clavamox® Chewable tablets. Source: Ceva Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Mycoplasma bovis: Tough to treat, difficult to prevent
Includes Commercial References Newport Laboratories’ Jason Anderson, DVM, writes about Mycoplasma bovis, calling it problematic, insidious and hard to control. M. bovis is found in many different disease presentations. Affected cattle may display nasal discharge, cough, labored breathing, drooped ear, head tilt, head shaking, difficulty moving, swollen joints, inflamed … [Read more...]
Does bacteremia always need to be addressed in dentistry?
This article from Samuel G. Babbitt, DVM, DAVDC, is timely as National Pet Dental Month starts next week. He shares the results of a small study aimed to assess whether transient bacteremia developed after dental scaling, root planing and dental extractions, as well as whether the amount of bacteremia warranted antibiotics. The study authors concluded perioperative use of … [Read more...]
Updated Beef Quality Assurance National Manual now available
An updated BQA National Manual has been released by by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Information in the manual can help producers raise high-quality cattle. In addition to online availability, the manual and related resources, state BQA coordinators offer them at no charge. SOURCE: NCBA, December 19, 2024. Link. More than 30 cattle producers, industry leaders and … [Read more...]
Review: Conjunctivitis medications: topical and oral solutions
There are almost as many medication options to treat conjunctivitis as there are reasons for inflammation of the conjunctiva. Renee Carter, DVM, DACVO, outlines different treatment options for the various causes of infections in the eyes of cats and dogs. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2022. Link. Image credit: PetSure … [Read more...]
Lameness comes with a hefty price tag
When thinking about the effects of lameness, most managers typically consider the cost that goes into preventative measures or treatments such as trimming, bandages, blocks, and antibiotics, Eric Ronk shared recently. He describes these as direct costs but asserts the importance of considering the economic impact on other areas of the operation, including fertility, culling and … [Read more...]
Preventing antimicrobial resistance in horses
Diane E. Rice shares what equine veterinarians are doing and suggesting to improve antimicrobial stewardship and avoid improper antibiotic use. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl., ACVIM, and Wendy Vaala, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, provide three commitments for horse owners that will impact AMR in a positive way: Do all you can to prevent disease and, therefore, antibiotic use … [Read more...]
New definitions, recommendations for managing UTIs in dogs, cats
Kate Boatright, VMD, shares updated information related to antimicrobial stewardship, and the management of sporadic and recurrent urinary tract infections, including how the presence of bacteriuria should be interpreted and treated. Urine was once thought to be sterile, but new analyses have found numerous bacterial and fungal species exist in both human and animal urine, … [Read more...]
BQA practices now saturate every phase of the beef industry
Today, approximately 85 percent of U.S. beef comes from BQA-certified producers, writes Clint Peck. He shares the history of capturing the value, challenges and opportunities BQA certification presents. We noted the comments about involving smaller producers and the need for continuously educating cattle producers about best practices. Source: BEEF, October 18, 2024. … [Read more...]
Blueprint for receiving new feeder calves
The objective of a receiving strategy is to make the transition from calf origin into the feedlot or backgrounding yard as seamless as possible. Jessica Sperber says the first 14 days upon feedlot arrival are critical in calf development and set the performance trajectory of the calf for the remainder of the feeding period. The main concerns are feed intake and water … [Read more...]
Medical-grade honey’s superior antibacterial activity
Honey is known as a natural, effective and safe alternative to traditional antiinfectives. But not all honey is alike. Researchers have discovered that medical-grade honey, particularly manuka honey, exhibits significantly stronger antibacterial properties compared to non-medical-grade honey. Source: Vet Candy, October 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]