As winter snow and ice season advances, we use more ice-melt to clear streets, driveways and sidewalks. C.J. Puotinen cautions pet owners about potential ill effects from these products. It is good content to share on social media and in newsletters this time of year. The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center classifies all ice-melting products as chemical irritants and warns … [Read more...]
5 keys to modern radiation protection
Complimentary Commercial Content It’s become easier to establish and maintain safety standards for staff who conduct imaging procedures, writes Deborah Cameron. She identifies five key tools or processes for modern radiation protection. Using them means that safety steps are more likely to be taken on a daily and weekly basis, so practices are alerted to small concerns … [Read more...]
Peace of mind medicine: The importance of telehealth and virtual care in veterinary medicine
Complimentary Content Guest Jessica Trimble, DVM, explains the importance of offering virtual services, and how they can affect both clients and staff in this edition of The Vet Blast Podcast. She discusses benefits and challenges of implementing virtual care and telehealth. Source: The Vet Blast Podcast, DVM 360 , November 17, 2022. Link. (18 … [Read more...]
Not One More Vet – November 2022
NOMV’s latest newsletter shares efforts to support the transformation of mental health wellness in the veterinary profession. Source: NOMV, November 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 21, 2022
With content relevant to owners and employees of pet boarding and daycare facilities, groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, veterinarians, trainers and holistic pet care providers, the IBPSA weekly Fast Bites is one of the member benefits for these pet care services businesses. We’re pleased to share our Animal Health Digest with IBPSA members and to include Fast Bites for our … [Read more...]
Most read AHD posts
These posts meet our criteria for high readership. They reflect our readers’ interests, challenges and opportunities. Source: Animal Health Digest. Some most read posts from recent AHD Bulletins include: Confronting your biases (video) <Link> African swine fever . . . catching up <Link> Need to vent? <Link> Veterinarians shouldn’t do it all … [Read more...]
Antibiotic versus antimicrobial: What’s in a name?
Acknowledging World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, Scott Weese, DVM, shares his perspective on when to say antimicrobial versus antibiotic, noting they are pretty much interchangeable. . . . antibiotics are a subset of antimicrobials.” Source: Worms and Germs Blog, November 21, 2022. Link. Weese shares generalized definitions: Antimicrobials: substances that inhibit or … [Read more...]
Prepare for possible recession
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” – Anonymous As 2023 approaches, preparing for potential recessionary effects* is important. Speaking at the AVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum, economist Dana Peterson shared why a recession seems eminent in 2023. R. Scott Nolen shares an overview of her comments and assertions including: Housing market changes … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 17, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Horse owners’ survival guide for fall. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, November 10, 2022. Link. ================================================================= 45 days remain in 2022 Source: time and date.com, November 17, 2022. Link. 43 days remain excluding holidays but only 30 days … [Read more...]
African swine fever . . . catching up
Commentary It is a rare day without some media reference to ASF. Foreign countries are experiencing active infections in domestic herds and wild hogs. We believe it is important to expose all animal health pros to the efforts in the U.S. to block ASF from entering the country. ASF is a potential One Health issue paralleling HPAI and FMD in its potential effect on food … [Read more...]
Hemp may get cows high, THC found in milk raises concern
Commentary This caught my attention along with a comedic image of stoned cows and memories of cutting and burning hemp along horse pasture fence lines. This Science article notes hemp is cheap, widely available and a nutritious (possible) feed alternative comparable to alfalfa. But tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations in the milk are concerning. Source: Science, November … [Read more...]
USDA updates National Bovine Brucellosis Surveillance Plan
Brucellosis has been eradicated from domesticated cattle herds in all U.S. states. However, B. abortus is still present in wild bison and elk in the greater Yellowstone area. The updates seek to increase the ability to detect brucellosis with a high degree of confidence and avoid potential zoonoses. Source: Feedstuffs, November 11, 2022. Link. Also see: Brucellosis: … [Read more...]
Equine anaplasmosis easily confused with Potomac horse fever
Darned ticks! Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum* that infects white blood cells. The Anaplasma organism typically infects horses from late fall to early spring and is spread by Ixodes ticks* which also spread Lyme disease, says Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM. *previously known as Ehrlichia phagocytophila and Ehrlichia … [Read more...]
Topical anesthetic may be a solution for needle-shy horses (video)
A recent study to evaluate the efficacy of using topical lidocaine to numb injection sites has confirmed veterinarians’ clinical impressions. Decreasing injection reactivity improves safety for equine veterinarians and handlers. . . . application of topical anesthetic just two minutes in advance of intramuscular injection can effectively reduce the behavioral reaction of … [Read more...]
Raccoons, distemper, dogs, cats and us
Commentary As winter approaches, raccoons seek to fatten up in preparation for torpor, a semi-hibernation. They group together in what is called a gaze or nursery. In 2016, John Hadidian told National Geographic, “Raccoons have adapted to urban living. They've figured out how to cope with these environments just as well or better than they used to do in the wilderness." … [Read more...]
Factors that affect the decision whether to groom a cat . . . or not
Embracing various arguments about cat grooming, Ellen Carozza, LVT, VTS (CP-Feline), confirms that a cat’s physiology is built for self- grooming. There are cats that will need some help grooming regardless of coat length to keep them clean and comfortable, she says. Each cat’s grooming needs is case dependent . . . many cats need help due to comorbidities, age, and coat … [Read more...]
Keep your eye on the coconut . . . oil
Includes Commercial Information Jackie Jurchenko, MSc, shares information about using coconut oil with pets in this article and infographic. She explains the different types of coconut oil, their properties and potential uses such as: Is coconut oil safe for dogs' skin? Coconut oil for dogs' itchy skin. Coconut oil for dogs' skin allergies. Source: Top Dog … [Read more...]
Senior pets deserve individual care plans
Mary Gardner, DVM, advocates for individual care for senior pets versus the cookbook approach too often adopted by medical professionals. These factors provide context for each pet’s story: its ailments, its personality, and the pet owner’s four budgets: financial, physical, time and emotional. Source: AAHA Trends, November 2022. Link. Also see: Search Results for: Mary … [Read more...]
Canine Leishmaniasis: Update on epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Commentary We’re providing this paper as an update on the status of leishmaniasis. We captured these statements for animal health pros to consider: Canine leishmaniasis is expanding to the Northern Hemisphere, where it is barely known, due to climate change and the importation of dogs. Sandflies are the only proven vectors of Leishmania infantum, but direct … [Read more...]
Top 10 pet toxins: in the Chatroom with the Chatfields
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined by Dr. Renee Schmid from the Pet Poison Helpline and Safety Call International to chat about the top 10 toxins in pets in 2021. Includes V’s view from vet school. The Pet Poison Hotline is available for anyone concerned an animal has ingested or been exposed to a potential toxin. Animals are … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club – Cushing to discuss cannabis
Complimentary Content The Bridge Club will address what a practice can do with cannabinoids, state-by-state issues, what veterinarians can say and if selling is allowed in an upcoming virtual event. No fees but registration is required. Mark Cushing, JD, is the guest speaker. Virtual event via Zoom: December 7, 2022. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. CST Source: The Bridge Club. … [Read more...]
The catnip craze: How and why it works
Catnip sensitivity is hereditary in only about 50 percent of cats and doesn’t develop until a cat is about three to six months old. Senior cats seem to lose their sensitivity. Average-aged cats with the catnip sensitivity gene, get a strong instant high by inhaling nepetalactone, the organic compound found in catnip. Nepetalactone binds to receptors inside a cat’s nose, … [Read more...]
Optimizing nutrition for cats and dogs
Opinion Pet food content consistently asserts the changing landscape of pet nutrition and how pet owners are seeking diets that parallel their own nutrition choices. Beyond brands, ingredients, kibble versus frozen, and fresh versus processed are among the considerations. Pet owners are responsible for their pets’ proper nutrition Too many dogs and cats are obese … [Read more...]
Association of Shelter Veterinarians announces academic journal
Achieving a long-time goal, the ASV has launched the Journal of Shelter Medicine & Community Animal Health. The publication is the first academic journal devoted to shelter and community medicine and is a rolling admission online, gold open access journal. It will provide evidence-based research affecting the welfare of animals in shelters and communities for veterinarians … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 10, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Vaccinating unhealthy animals by Scott Weese, DVM. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, November 3, 2022. Link. 50 therapist-approved tips to stave off holiday stress Source: PARADE, December 6, 2021. Link. For many, the holiday season is particularly difficult. The pressure to show up a certain … [Read more...]
Selecting the RIGHT replacement heifers (audio recording)
Selecting replacement heifers is expensive and time-consuming, writes Lindsey Sawin. Knowing the breeding objectives for a producer’s herd may be the most challenging part of the process. Sawin shares some parameters and tools commercial cattlemen can use to select the right females for their operation including: EPD: expected progeny differences CED: calving ease … [Read more...]
Pigs may help treat, prevent diseases in humans
2019 Png vectors byLovepik.com Scientists at the National Swine Resource and Research Center at the University of Missouri have become the go-to source for genetically modified pigs. The animals are used by researchers across the U.S. to study various diseases that affect humans. The work is categorized as translational medicine where therapies and treatments … [Read more...]
Training pack goats
Goats are almost the most ideally suited animal for packing, says Jaclyn Krymowski. Their moderate frame size and cloven hooves mean they can access rugged places horses and mules can’t. Plus, they have a natural walking pace like people. As browsers, they leave less environmental impact behind them. Source: Backyard Goats, October 5, 2022. Link. Pack goats are not limited … [Read more...]
Horse owners’ survival guide for fall and winter
It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom until March, asserts this author. She shares resources to help horse owners and their horses get through winter . The article contains links to relevant ideas and activities: 15 steps to ride in an hour. Link. A winter spa day when its too cold for bath. Link. Curing winter boredom with barn aisle exercises. Link. Source: … [Read more...]
The pros and cons of orthobiologics in horses
Orthobiologics* appear to be key tools in improving equine health and welfare, writes Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, summarizing a presentation at the September Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners Convention. All orthobiologics use the body’s natural physiologic processes to reduce inflammation and facilitate the repair of injured tissues. Oke shares key concepts … [Read more...]