Allergies, infections, hairs, blocked tear ducts and yeast are reasons dogs eyes can get gunky or stained. The author explains the reddish stains are caused by iron released from the breakdown of red blood cells which becomes part of a pigment-containing molecule called porphyrin. Porphyrin is in dogs’ tears and causes the actual staining. The author shares a few tips to … [Read more...]
Dealing with despair
Despair comes quietly in our heads, hearts and bodies, but if we don’t handle it well, it can have negative impacts on our entire organization. Source: Forbes, July 12, 2022. Link. It is the leader's job to acknowledge differences and enable others to hold them, if those views do not conflict with the organization's vision, mission, and values. INSIGHTS: The pandemic, … [Read more...]
Changes coming to compounded animal health medication
Complimentary Content Thank you, Nicole Clausen, Veterinary Care Logistics, for bringing this to our attention. FDA's Guidance for Industry (GFI 256) will affect how you order and prescribe compounded medications, according to Wedgewood Pharmacy. We noted these statements in its document: Veterinarians are responsible for understanding all applicable state regulations … [Read more...]
Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023.
The clock is ticking. Start now to educate producers ahead of this important transition to livestock antibiotics being available by prescription-only status. The new rule covers injectable tylosin, injectable and intramammary penicillin, injectable and oral tetracycline, sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine, and cephapirin and cephapirin benzathine intramammary tubes. Also, … [Read more...]
10 years and counting elevating care for cats
The Cat Friendly Practice® program is a global initiative. It is a team education approach for veterinary teams to ensure an entire staff is educated and knowledgeable about cats’ needs and behaviors. Developed by the AAFP and leading feline experts, the program seeks to improve the improves the overall delivery of care to cats. All clinic staff who work with cats must meet a … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 4, 2022
Last week’s most read posts The oral microbiome, new in the clinical practice of dentistry. Link. Grief balloon ends up scaring a pony. Link. The all-important pre-purchase exam of a horse. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Link. ========================================= AVMA delegates pass policies … [Read more...]
Heat stress negatively affects bull fertility
It’s hot and it hurts bulls’ fertility. A bull’s ability to produce quality quantities of semen is important to successful breeding and rebreeding programs. If heat stressed, bulls could have lower sperm concentrations than normal. Plus, heat stressed bulls produce semen of lower quality than bulls who weren’t heat stressed. Source: Progressive Cattle, July 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Anthrax confirmed in Colorado
The Colorado State Veterinarian's office has confirmed the first cases of anthrax in cattle in Colorado since 2012. The herds were located in Sedgwick County in the northeast corner of the state. Anthrax can occur naturally in Colorado's soil. Bacterial spores can lie dormant in the ground for decades and can emerge in greater concentrations after rainstorms, flooding or … [Read more...]
Protecting the swine herd
Complimentary Commercial Content Companies serving the swine industry take pig health as seriously as producers. The resources and industry support they collectively provide is important to animal health, production profitability, food safety as well as many One Health concerns. We’re sharing a recent YouTube video from Boehringer Ingelheim Swine Health, U.S. We believe … [Read more...]
Anaplasmosis: not “if” but “when” in some cattle herds
Anaplasmosis is a common disease with worldwide distribution in cattle. It is transmitted through tick and fly bites , as well as blood contaminated instruments like needles, tattoo tools, castration equipment and dehorning instruments. Once an animal becomes infected, it is infected for life. Successful antibiotic therapy curing the clinical signs of infection results in a … [Read more...]
Destroy a dairy cow in three months
A dairy cow can be destroyed in three months with worn or incorrect milking system liners and poor hygiene. Aging liners are the single biggest cause of chronic mastitis in herds. Multiple studies prove if dairy farmers use old liners on fresh cows, the damage to teat-ends starts immediately.” Source: The Bullvine, August 2, 2022. Link. The liner is the interface between the … [Read more...]
Goat hoof problems
Caprines, like their bovine cousins, can have hoof issues and lameness causing a reduction in food intake and weight gain, reduced milk production, lower reproduction rates and pain. Kate Johnson shares causes, treatments and prevention for common hoof challenges. Source: Backyard Goats, July 17, 2022. Link. Three of the most common goat hoof problems are: hoof … [Read more...]
Why horses kick
Horses kick to deliver different messages to their herd mates, writes Jennifer Williams, PhD. She shares what a horse's kicking means and what can be done to deal with this potentially dangerous behavior. Source: EQUUS, July 23, 2022. Link. Some situations will compel practically any horse to lash out–to protect himself or to relieve pain. Yet in other cases kicking is a bad … [Read more...]
How to safely travel with horses
Whether horses travels by road or by air, owners must be aware of the complications that may occur due to transportation, including traumatic injuries, diarrhea, muscular problems, respiratory problems, overheating, colic and even laminitis. The AAEP encourages equine veterinarians and horse owners read Practical Guidelines to Assess Fitness for Transport of Equidae to … [Read more...]
The price of canine cancer treatment stunned her
Kim Kavin’s 12-year-old mutt, Blue, was diagnosed with a tumor. An oncologist offered hope, but it would be expensive. Kavin had already $2,000 in three days and the next CT scan was going to be $2,500. Radiation therapy after that would be $9,500. Blue received stereotactic radiation, a gold-standard radiation treatment for humans. Fortunately, Kavin held a pet insurance … [Read more...]
Cat health from the south end of a northbound cat
Poop is important to your cat’s health, so it stands to reason that the place where it exits would be, too. Caroline Golon shares ways to help care for a cat. . . tail end first. Source: Catster, March 10, 2021. Link. Golon shares common health issues associated with a cat’s rear including dingleberries, scooting and when to help the cat clean its rear end. INSIGHTS: For … [Read more...]
Caring for the outdoor cat
Caring for an outdoor cat may be an oxymoron if considering lifespans. Indoor cats outlive outdoor cats by as much as 10 years. The author shares some proactive measures to help keep cats safe while they’re away from home including microchipping, vaccination and parasite prevention. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Before opening the door to feline freedom, consider investing … [Read more...]
Universal PiMS integration and building an ecosystem using the Mella desktop app
Complimentary Commercial Content During this online event that takes place August 9, learn how the Mella thermometer integrates with PiMS systems. This empowers veterinary staff to include temperature screening with each exam and get that information into the PiMs records. Register here: Link. Source: Mella Pet Care, Linked In, July 25, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
More on blue-green algae: When in doubt, keep out!
Toxic cyanobacteria or, blue-green algae is primarily a concern during the summer months, when it can be found in small lakes or ponds. Dogs can be exposed while swimming in lakes, ponds and pools of water caused by seasonal flooding and standing water, like that in abandoned swimming pools. Dogs are exposed by drinking or licking toxic water. Drinking directly from a pond, … [Read more...]
Reptile- and feeder rodent-associated Salmonellosis: Alberta
Reptile contact is a very well-known risk factor for acquiring Salmonella, especially in kids. Scott Weese, DVM, shares the challenges of feeder rodent-associated Salmonella sp. outbreaks as a reminder for reptile owners and handlers. Weese shares some important basic preventive measures when it comes to Salmonella sp. including: Feeder rodents should be handled like … [Read more...]
Creating an outdoor space for dogs and their people, PACCC webinar
Dogs need to go outside, and we can help overcome the reasons we don’t want to let our dogs outside when the weather isn’t great.” Webinar participants will learn about solutions to make play yards and backyards safe, fun and clean 365 days per year. Free to those who register, PACCC welcomes pet parents and pet professionals for this informative webinar. Webinar: August … [Read more...]
Coalition of veterinary groups launches telehealth initiative
The Coalition for Connected Veterinary Care launched this morning at AVMA Convention 2022 in Philadelphia. The founding members are the AVMA, Veterinary Study Groups and Merck Animal Health, along with more than 30 veterinary organizations and companies that have signed on so far. The coalition will develop education and resources to help veterinarians integrate telehealth … [Read more...]
Potentially deadly bacteria been found in U.S. soil and water for the first time
Note: This piece is important considering how frequently potential non-human disease hosts are transferred across the world in shipping containers, hay and grain, between shelters, in a variety of animal trailers and on migratory species. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked healthcare workers to look for symptoms of melioidosis in patients. Melioidosis … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 28, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Petflation: Inflation’s impact on pet industry. Link. 988 mental health hotline is live. Here’s what to know. Link. Collaboration offers digital cattle record access. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 21, 2022. Link. =================================== How much should I spend to keep my … [Read more...]
Impact of housing environment and management on pre-/post-weaning piglet productivity
Newborn piglets have limited energy reserves, poor ability to regulate their own body temperature and a high surface area to volume ratio. Factors in their environment such as temperature, humidity and drying time affects their first eight weeks of life. The summary shares livability perspectives including, farrowing, the creep area, transportation from farrowing and placement … [Read more...]
ASF moves in two distinct ways based on European incidence
Using European African Swine Fever historical data and spread patterns, Dennis DiPietre and Lance Mulberry hope to gain insight into the unique pathways, natural blocks and accelerated spread corridors within the U.S. In the EU, ASF moves in two distinct ways: The first case or two appear suddenly in an area with no discovered disease nearby. The disease gradually spreads … [Read more...]
Measuring lameness prevalence in dairy cows: Effects of case definition and assessment frequency
Identifying lameness is challenging. Without routine assessments, on-farm and consistent case definitions, understanding the percentage of dairy cows lame at any one time makes it difficult to determine the effect of lameness prevalence. Still, lameness at any level can cause pain, reduce milk production, shorten longevity and diminish reproductive performance. Researchers … [Read more...]
Checking pregnancy status early* can help with culling decisions
Cows that get pregnant early in the breeding season tend to stay in the herd longer than those who get bred late in the season. And those cows are also more productive as they produce calves with heavier weaning weights over the long term, according to Brad White, DVM and Bob Larson, DVM. Earlier preg checks may have some economic value as well. Source: BEEF, July 20, 2022. … [Read more...]
The secret language of heat stress: What dry cows are telling you.
Dairy farmers and veterinarians are noticing the effects of heat stress in the dry cow herd. While dry cows can stand a bit more heat than the milking herd, their comfort is important for optimizing future production. Research has shown that dry, pregnant cows or nulliparous pregnant heifers exposed to heat stress will make less milk in their next lactation, and their gestated … [Read more...]
Preventing thumps
Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, thumps for short, is a metabolic disorder in horses. Typified by rhythmic twitching of the muscles near a horse’s flanks, thumps is a warning that his internal calcium reserves are running low. Laurie Bonner and Melinda Freckleton, DVM, share how to address active thumps in horses when they occur and how to avoid future incidents in horses … [Read more...]