Efforts to explain the sudden death of especially racehorses took the form of a teleconference focused on the loss of Medina Spirit on December 6, 2021, at Santa Anita Park. The California Horse Racing Board hosted a media teleconference where veterinarians provided context to the investigation’s findings. It's not uncommon for sudden death cases to have no cause of death … [Read more...]
Treat the cat, not the test
Symmetric dimethylarginine is a biomarker used to assess glomerular filtration rate in the diagnosis, classification and monitoring of chronic kidney disease. Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP, presents acceptable analytical variability in SDMA immunoassay values and notes that clinician expectations for test performance expected much less variability than shown. When interpreting … [Read more...]
February 2022 is Responsible Pet Owners Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month highlights the key components of responsibility about pet ownership and how owners meet their animals’ needs including*: Food quality and portions Getting enough exercise, love and attention Proper identification Pet proofing and safety in home and yard Socialization beyond the home Regular veterinary check-ups * Our additions … [Read more...]
Anti-mink farming bill should concern poultry, confined animal production industry
OPINION It’s easy to forget about mink production, especially if you live in a region where mink have never been raised, writes Roy Graber. The fact that a provision that would outlaw commercial mink farms in the U.S. made it into a larger legislative bill should be concerning to anyone involved in animal agriculture, he says. Animal agriculture has been under intense … [Read more...]
A coronavirus variant once helped the global pork industry. Could one protect us?
In 1946 veterinary researchers at Purdue University reported that something invading the guts of young pigs was causing diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss, ultimately killing most of them. The culprit was a coronavirus we know as transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). TGEV has never harmed a human, and its relationship to SARS-CoV-2, the driver of COVID-19, is … [Read more...]
Urban wildlife and SARS-CoV-2 variants
Scott Weese, DVM, has kept information and perspective on SARS-CoV-2 updated and fresh over the past two years. He writes, “While control of the pandemic at this stage is pretty much still solely dependent on addressing human-to-human transmission, as things slowly get more controlled in people, other sources of infection and other sources of variants become more relevant. The … [Read more...]
Knowing open cows more important than knowing pregnant ones
The most important controllable component of any breeding program is to identify your open cows, says Donna Amaral-Phillips, PhD. The faster open cows are identified, the sooner they can be rebred. Lost pregnancies are not just frustrating. They often cause long-term financial impacts. The more cows with extended days open, the greater the total cost.” - Donna Amaral-Phillips, … [Read more...]
Goals for first lactation dairy cows
We’ve shared considerable calving information in recent weeks. Healthy calves grow to be healthy cows. Rudimentary? Yes, but often unspoken. Calves and heifers that grow well and become productive cows is a target for every dairy farm. Mike Van Amburgh, PhD, shared some growth targets for dairy replacements, writes Abby Bauer. These include doubling a calf’s bodyweight … [Read more...]
All about bees
The veterinary feed directive put bees prominently into the mix of animals veterinarians must consider with specific products. We’re sharing a link to the special edition of Successful Farming that features six articles about bees and beekeeping. They are good resources to learn more about beekeeping from crops to insemination to mead wine made from honey. Source: Successful … [Read more...]
Caring for the outdoor cat
Sharing items to consider before letting cats roam, Michelle K offers preventive measures to ensure outdoor cats stay safe: Identification Regular wellbeing check-ups with veterinarians Leaving out food and water Provide indoor stimulation to reduce the desire to go outdoors Because of all of the potential threats they’re exposed to, outdoor cats, on average, … [Read more...]
Could it be an allergy?
Getting a good history and a complete picture of anything that might have changed in a pet’s environment is important for any allergy diagnosis. Ultimately, getting history depends on fully engaging the pet owner to identify possible causes. Consider this article as a resource to help pet owners think about possible causes when they suspect a pet allergy and to realize the … [Read more...]
Grooming’s important role in pet health
Complimentary Commercial Content included Regular grooming does more than help pets look fresh and smell clean, shares Julia L. Rivera. It also is an important part of a pet’s proper hygiene, which can reduce the risk of skin issues, matting, ear infections, fleas and other health issues. Social media is expanding significantly which gives groomers, retailers and brands … [Read more...]
Secrets to maintaining relationships a long time
To honor the modern Valentine’s Day . . . Maintaining a long-term relationship is hard. There could always be inevitable arguments and unnecessary drama. However, if you would always be sensitive and be supportive to your partner, most of these problems would vanish into thin air, just the way they manifested. Source: Medium, February 1, 2022. Link. Also see: Search … [Read more...]
Emotions – make them work for you
Emotional intelligence is finding the balance for better control of yourself and relationships with others. Source: Inc., January 19, 2022. Link. The rule of resilience is all about learning how to deal with the emotions that rise when you fail repeatedly, or when you face pressure or difficult challenges. INSIGHT: Procrastinating on a decision IS a decision. … [Read more...]
3 tactics that will help deal with burnout the right way
Burnout expert Kelley Bonner notes few are talking about how to deal with the underlying issues that masquerade as burnout. It isn’t simply a synonym for stress, the WHO definition suggests; it’s the result of deep, long-term stress that hasn’t been dealt with, either by the sufferer or their employer <Link>. . . . burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from … [Read more...]
Mechanical engineer explains the science of masks after 2 years of lab testing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its guidelines about masks and respirators often over the past two years. The most recent update on January 14 states that cloth face coverings offer the least protection from the coronavirus compared with surgical masks or N95-style masks. The CDC’s updated guidelines clearly lay out the hierarchy of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 10, 2022
Last week’s most read post Catching up or just back to normal? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, February 3, 2022. Link. =========================== It’s coyote mating season, and in my neighborhood that means trouble Source: Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2022. Link. The reign of terror in my Northridge neighborhood … [Read more...]
It’s not just you.
Learn how your focus is more scattered now and ways to get it back. Your attention didn’t collapse; it was stolen by big and powerful forces. You haven’t become weak. You’ve been hacked.” - Johann Hari Brain fog is a common theme in discussions with animal health pros as they envision an end to pandemic interruptions and adjust their 2022 behaviors. Hari shares five key … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 3, 2022
Last week’s most read post USDA grants emergency-use authorization for RHDV2 as virus spreads. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 27, 2022. Link. =========================== Losing our cookies? Source: Media Post, January 20, 2022. Link. B2C brands are dealing with the impending loss of third-party data … [Read more...]
New study examines social behaviors of dairy calves
This article adds to the recent post on calves referencing articles in the Bovine Veterinarian. Link. A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada) examines young dairy calves’ motivation to seek companionship from other calves. The study results indicate that young calves are motivated for full social contact . . .“ Source: The … [Read more...]
Straw diet can benefit horses
Researchers suggest straw is a good forage option for overweight horses and others who might benefit from reduced energy intake and the resultant lower blood insulin levels. Blood collected from the researchers’ horses revealed that in addition to satisfying hunger, the half-straw diets altered each horse’s metabolic profile in beneficial ways. Straw is a useful supplement to … [Read more...]
The energy field of horses
In this age of mindfulness and stress reduction guidance, Joan Ranquet’s article caught our attention. She explains, we all are electromagnetic beings with an energy field around us often called the aura. Frequently referenced as a “sixth sense,” this phenomenon is also called morphic resonance or swarm theory, she writes. Most of us have experienced this with a dog or cat, if … [Read more...]
Raising emus and emus as pets (video)
Sharing her experiences with raising emus, Alexandra Douglas found that emus make the best pets when they are young. Emus are very dangerous if you do not understand them, she says. Male birds are friendlier at least until breeding season. Emus are sociable creatures, they like water and do best with at least one other emu in their flock. Source: Backyard Poultry, February … [Read more...]
Are deer in Covid’s crosshairs?
Active monitoring of deer herds to detect and understand chronic wasting disease began in the 1970s and has ramped-up across the country as more of it has been found. New studies document the potential zoonotic disease transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from captive deer to free-ranging white-tailed deer. A less ‘human-centric’ perspective on Covid transmission and the need to … [Read more...]
3 must-see videos on feline health
February marks National Cat Health Month. Acknowledging the feline focus, DVM 360 features three videos that offer expert insight into maintaining feline patients' overall well-being so they thrive now and beyond. Source: DVM 360, February 1, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Dealing with cats with urinary troubles
When cats are presented with urination issues, open-ended, follow-up questions by the veterinary nurse helps the veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis. writes Paula Plummer LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM). She reminds veterinary nurses why being knowledgeable about pathophysiology is important to the conversations with clients about their pets. Plummer shares useful information when … [Read more...]
Rethink what a sore cat looks like (podcast)
Reviewing her recent article, Wanda J. Gordon-Evans, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR, explains why evaluating for musculoskeletal pain in cats is different and challenging, but so important. She shares great basic examination tips, some nuances about history taking, and encourages us all to rethink what a sore cat looks like. Source: Clinician’s Brief. Link. 32 minutes. Also … [Read more...]
7 ways to help puppies socialize with other dogs
There are at least three television shows airing now that deal with canine behavior issues. As much information as there is about socializing, there’s always a need to reinforce what’s known and encourage owners to learn and do more. Socialization is very important in a dog’s life. It is crucial for its development and for its safety too. All dogs need to interact with … [Read more...]
Chatfields chat about itchy pets
Complimentary Sponsored Content We’re reposting this episode. Highly viewed in early December 2021, it is timely as winter days lengthen ahead of spring. Dr. Jen the Vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined in the Chat Room by Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, to discuss common reasons pets itch. Skin issues are always in the top 10 reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. Note … [Read more...]
Tips for pet parents with full-time jobs
Published pre-pandemic, this article indicates the issues of work, life and pet balance have always been with us. Various media have covered the challenges of returning to work and leaving a pet behind as we transitioned through the challenges of 2020 and 2021. Alex Haslam shared sound tips to help owners and pets make smooth transitions to new schedules. Taking care of a … [Read more...]