The best animal care begins with providing daily hydration. We focus on it more during the warmer months, but it remains a daily need. Jared Mitchell, DVM, CVMA, shares why keeping dogs and cats hydrated is so important and how to help ensure enough water is being consumed. He also writes about recognizing dehydration and what to do about it. Water is known as the forgotten … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 2, 2022
Fast Bites topics this week include blood testing for cancer, the 20 most pet-friendly cities in America, new Equity Action Plan from the SBA, pet insurance progress and concerns over pet relinquishment growing in the United Kingdom. Fast Bites serves as an information source to the more than 7,000 members in the pet care services industry. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 2, … [Read more...]
2nd annual Clinic to 5K Virtual Race to continue support for veterinary wellness
“Our mental health and wellbeing require a sustainable effort. Last year’s event was a huge success serving as a way for our hardworking veterinary teams to relax and have some healthy fun while supporting the profession,” said Relief Rover Founder and CEO, Dr. Cindy Trice. Ten dollars from every registration will be donated to PRIDEVMC, an organization that supports the … [Read more...]
1 in 2 vets exposed to online abuse – British Veterinary Association
Recent statistics from the Voice of the Veterinary Profession Survey show that online abuse of veterinary professionals is as common as in-person abuse. Fifty seven percent of veterinarians in clinical practice reported they felt intimidated by clients’ language or behavior during the past year. This is an increase of 10 percent since the question was last asked in 2019. The … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 28, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Asian longhorned ticks are on the move. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Link. =================================== Love is the key to career success: Marcus Buckingham Source: Harvard Business Review, April 15, 2022. Link. (video) Buckingham says you don’t have to love all … [Read more...]
Weaning beef calves: higher feed costs but short-term savings may affect long-term profits
Opinion The story seems to repeat year after year. There’s always something to question. This year cow-calf producers face higher feed costs and extended drought in some areas which will likely raise questions about preconditioning expenses. Wesley Tucker shares his perspectives on investing in preconditioning protocols. His tips can help cattle producers sharpen their … [Read more...]
Hoof ulcers: Don’t blame the ration
Gerard Cramer, DVM, DVSc, isn’t too concerned about subacute ruminal acidosis. Instead, he sees laminitis more broadly. Along with sole ulcers, common contributors are white line lesions, digital dermatitis, foot rot and toe ulcers. . . . the most common contributors causing lameness are standing time, flooring problems, and failure to control digital dermatitis.” - Gerard … [Read more...]
Horse trailer safety checklist
Hauling horses is not for the faint of heart. Speeding down the highway with a prized and beloved animal in tow is stressful on its own. But doing so with a trailer jerked from its resting place and forced into duty without much thought could become the proverbial accident waiting to happen. We’re sharing a trailer checklist to help horse owners be sure a trailer is ready to … [Read more...]
Dog and cat kisses can turn deadly
Scientists have begun to describe all the bacterial species living in dogs’ and cats’ mouths and compare them to our own. Their work is revealing a host of potential pathogens lurking in each slobbery kiss or scratchy lick. About 10 to 15 percent of dog bites become infected, as do up to half of cat bites.” Wash those hands, pet lovers! As difficult as it will be, consider … [Read more...]
Do prescription dog foods really help?
Opinion One of the main objectives for Animal Health Digest remains to provide animal health pros with information animal owners may read, take to heart or better understand. In this article, Nancy Kerns focuses on prescription diets and admits to some peeves and challenges of educating pet owners. She says change is coming and the newly crowded veterinary diet market … [Read more...]
Bacterial UTIs and antimicrobial stewardship
The latest guidelines for bacterial cystitis offer new recommendations regarding which types of bacteriuria require antimicrobial treatment, which antimicrobials should be considered first line and duration of antimicrobial treatment. Patricia Dowling, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (Large Animal), DACVCP, shares three types of UTIs and three treatment approaches. Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
Equine health educational resources are a click away
Sponsored Content Considering foaling season is ending soon and the positive responses to the recent equine toxins infographic <Link>, we’re sharing more equine resources from the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance digital library. Any equine enthusiast will agree that horses enrich their lives, but they also come with some predictable health risks and associated … [Read more...]
Pets being poisoned by careless handling of cannabis
Increased access to legal marijuana products in Canada and some U.S. states may be behind the growing number of dogs, cats and other pets ingesting the drug, most likely in the form of THC-dense edibles that look and smell like normal food, according to a study in PLOS ONE. The survey notes most exposures were accidental which emphasizes the need to promote pet owner … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 25, 2022
Pet therapy helps human well-being, technology influences on pet care industry, keeping Macs secure, pet industry hits record $123.6B, videos for small businesses to consider and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, April 25, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Antibiotic-resistant MRSA strain genes spilling over to native hedgehogs in Europe
The coronavirus pandemic has served as a stark and tragic example of how closely animal health and human health are linked. Think about what we’ve seen in the last three years: Covid found in about 29 animal types <Link> HPAI spreading from wild fowl to poultry and now to eagles and other wild birds We’re just learning a MRSA strain may have been transferred … [Read more...]
Compounding considerations: pros, cons
When animal-use approved drugs are not available, veterinarians can turn to a compounding pharmacy to meet the needs of individual animals. The authors share the various considerations, opportunities and challenges. Compounded medications can be useful when FDA-approved medications are not available, but they should not be selected on the basis of cost alone.” Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Pilot program to promote mental health and wellness for veterinary teams
The Veterinary Wellbeing Alliance is launching a pilot program that aims to help veterinary professionals reduce stress and burnout. The Veterinary Wellbeing Alliance was created through a partnership between the Veterinary Medical Association Executives and the wellness platform Listeners On Call. The VWA has received generous support from 16 professional and industry … [Read more...]
How cattle vaccination and nutrition connect
Complimentary Sponsored Content Shelby Roberts, PhD, discusses the symbiotic relationship of sound nutrition and proper vaccination which helps to maintain healthy immune functions in cattle. Vaccinations and nutrition have a symbiotic relationship in terms of maintaining healthy immune functions in cattle.” - Shelby Roberts, PhD Source: Alltech, March 8, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Asian longhorned ticks are on the move
The Asian longhorned tick reached 17 states by last fall. In the United States, the tick has been found in or near counties with large horse, cattle and sheep populations. They do not discriminate however and will use a human or a pet as a host, just the same as livestock or wildlife. The Asian longhorned tick is known to carry the virulent Theileria orientalis Ikeda … [Read more...]
Hunting feral hogs makes the problem worse
Hunting and killing may help with the feral hog population numbers, but it’s not the solution to this disastrous problem, according to John Tomecek, associate wildlife professor and extension wildlife specialist at Texas A&M University. Hunting spreads hogs across the landscape. Feral hogs move in groups called sounders. The best way to get rid of them is to get rid of a … [Read more...]
Spring grass and horses
Juliet M. Getty, PhD, provides guidance on fresh grass and the potential problems it can cause for horses. She continues with tips on monitoring grasses throughout the season. Source: Equine Wellness, April 15, 2014. Link. Tasty spring grasses can offer too much sugar and starch for the insulin resistant horse, thereby increasing the risk of laminitis. However, with careful … [Read more...]
Why cats eat grass
Some cats are drawn to eating grass which is often followed by vomiting up the greens. Tom Fish digs into this behavior with cat experts. There doesn’t seem to be much consensus, but some theories include: . . . eating grass makes the cats throw up less digestible parts of a protein-rich meal Grass is a source of needed trace minerals, micronutrients, and vitamins A, B … [Read more...]
8 reasons dogs don’t listen
Dog owners will appreciate the advice and perspectives from this article. Consider it for social media, newsletters or with appointment follow-up communications. When dogs don’t listen, it has more to do with weaknesses in training strategies than anything else. Lynne Fedorick, CPDT-KA, shares reasons dogs don’t listen. Dogs think proactively. They are doers. They don’t … [Read more...]
Dealing with dog training sabotage
Behavior issues remain a top cause of dogs being relinquished. While sabotage might sound harsh, dogs need consistency to establish and keep behavior patterns. Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA, discusses why a family needs to get on the same page to avoid confusing their pet. The pet’s confusion issues are often compounded when a being boarded or going to a daycare provider. No matter … [Read more...]
Safe encounters of the K-9 kind
A large percentage of dogs are not socially adept at meeting new dogs. Pat Miller offers tips on managing intentional get-togethers between dogs that haven’t met before. Few dog owners handle the frequent and often-tense encounter with another dog in a way that protects their dog, preserves his good behavior and supports positive feelings about other dogs.” - Pat Miller, … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club to talk about mental health, therapy
Complimentary Sponsored Content Mental health considerations remain a leading topic and challenge in the veterinary profession. The Bridge Club will lead a discussion answering questions about counseling stigma, finding the right therapist and what happens during your first appointment. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. Register to join the virtual event via TBC Zoom … [Read more...]
Who owns that pet? (podcast)
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle the tricky topic of how veterinary clinics determine who is a pet’s owner, who can make decisions, and, ultimately, who is responsible for paying. The situation is more common than you think and can be an issue for daycare and boarding locations, as well. Source: Veterinary Viewfinder podcast, April 6, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Counseling pet owners on pediatric nutrition
Choosing a pet food IS overwhelming with the number of commercial options available, a plethora of advertising, label vernacular and popular trends. Kate Boatright, VMD, shares three key areas in which veterinary team members should be competent discussing with owners of puppies and kittens: The best food for the new pet How much to feed When to switch to an adult … [Read more...]
First aid tips for pet owners
Spring and outdoor activities are wonderful but come with risks of injuries for pets. Pet owners need to be prepared to offer first aid to their pets when an injury occurs. First aid is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it can help save a pet's life until it gets veterinary treatment. The AVMA offers several resources suitable for social media, newsletters and … [Read more...]
Veterinary app to provide education, real-time disease surveillance for rural practitioners
Real-time information, smart phone technology and artificial intelligence converge to support rural practitioners. The Veterinary Syndromic Surveillance System website and app are now live. The platform will provide veterinarians a tool to access and input disease information into a central database and more readily see local disease risks and trends. The new app is … [Read more...]