Addicted to busyness and productivity, people are seeking ways to chill out and escape their running wheel lives. It is estimated that a $121 million industry has risen to address sleep, self-improvement and meditation. Leath Tonino, a self-proclaimed overachiever shares how doing nothing may be the newest antidote to doing too much. You can’t hurry your way to slowness or buy … [Read more...]
When is your Green Zone?
Your Green Zones are the times of the day when your energy is at its peak, according to author Carey Nieuwhof. SmartBrief surveyed readers to arrive at the chart shown here. Overall, cooperating with your energy levels produces far greater productivity than competing with them.” - Carey Nieuwhof Source: SmartBrief on Careers, October 8, 2021. Link. Nieuwhof discusses the … [Read more...]
First, do good. Dr. Bellows on beneficence versus maleficence and oral care
The veterinary oath does not contain any language about doing no harm, shares Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP. It is a basic principle errantly drilled into veterinary students and practitioners, he says. Nowhere in the veterinary oath is the mention of doing no harm, otherwise known as nonmaleficence.” - Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP Bellows shares information about the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 7, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post Highlights from the 31st Carthage Swine Conference. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Sept 30, 2021. Link. Goodbye Google: 7 privacy-first search engines everyone should try Source: Fast Company, September 29, 2021. Link. Jared Newman offers search engine options that remove the … [Read more...]
USDA vaccine candidate successful in blocking ASF
One of the USDA African swine flu vaccine candidates has been shown to prevent and effectively protect both European and Asian bred swine against the current circulating African strain of the virus. Source: Feedstuffs, September 30, 2021. Link. A major step for science and agriculture, a commercial vaccine for ASF virus will be an important part of controlling ASF in … [Read more...]
LED technology helps locate cows needing attention
Complimentary Commercial Content Allflex Livestock Intelligence, a livestock portfolio of digital products within Merck Animal Health, introduced new ear tag technology featuring a light-emitting diode last week. The AllFlex V2 monitoring ear tag allows for precision cow management in the pen. Different LED light patterns indicate individual cow needs based on critical data … [Read more...]
Beef up your momma cows
Feeding pregnant cows with a balanced ration will yield calves with more muscle mass. The nutrition part of gestation is critical! It matters the entire time due to fetal changes throughout gestation.” - Ruel "Buzz" Iliff, DVM Source: BEEF, October 5, 2021. Link. Cows can’t handle fetal development entirely on their own. They need a balanced ration for the entire gestation to … [Read more...]
Caring for molting chickens
Molting starts with the head and works its way down to the tailfeathers, says Marissa King. During a molt, the flock is working hard making sure new feathers will offer just as much warmth and protection as old ones. She offers some tricks to help a flock’s molt go smoothly. Molting can be a very painful and stressful time for your chickens.” Source: Hobby Farms, September … [Read more...]
Scratches, bacteria contribute to EPD
The search for the cause of equine pastern dermatitis continues adding new research results regarding bacteria. We really can’t conclude that any bacteria cause EPD. At this point we can only show that it’s associated with it.” - Sarah Kaiser-Thom, DVM, PhD Source: The Horse, October 5, 2021. Link. EPD is common, and people have this empirical knowledge about it, like it … [Read more...]
Halloween safety tips for cats
A new infographic from the AAFP will help cat owners take precautions for their feline friends during Halloween activities. The tip list appeared with the announcement of the newly redesigned Cat Friendly website which is now organized by categories like Behavior, Veterinary Care, and Being a Cat Friendly Caregiver. Source: Cat Friendly … [Read more...]
Dogster’s 2021 top dog Halloween costumes and accessories
While many dogs get really spooked this time of year, others tolerate Halloween costumes. The tricks’ part? Who knows? The treats? Just keep the calories down. 😉 Source: Dogster, October 5, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
5 supplements dogs need or don’t
NOTE: The word SHOULD in this article is strong and potentially dangerous language for pet owners. There is also a link to “top” supplements to help with everything from anxiety, digestion and joint health to dental and immune support. Ugghh! Turmeric, coconut oil, probiotics, glucosamine and fish oil are supplements Jennifer Yau says dog owners SHOULD give their dogs. At … [Read more...]
Them’s the Rules: Bio containment? Viral escapes? What?
Complimentary* Bio-containment expert Lisa Kercher, PhD, discusses virus research, bio attacks and what type of regulations exist in the US to prevent catastrophes including viral mishaps! Source: Chats with the Chatfields, You Tube, September 16, 2021. Link. “How to work with animals in containment was the longest amount of training I had,” shared Kercher. The scariest … [Read more...]
7 symptoms of a nervous breakdown (includes video)
"Nervous breakdown" isn't a clinical term and it's not considered a mental illness, says Erin Engle, PsyD. It is more of a catchall term that references multiple psychological ailments in situations where a person cannot function normally because of overwhelming stress. Engle shares a few common signs that someone is feeling overwhelmed and not having an entirely healthy … [Read more...]
Stalkerware apps are stealing personal data from smartphones, maybe yours
Stalkerware is the term for rapidly expanding group of smartphone apps that may look like useful calculator or calendar apps. Instead, they record every keystroke users make and gather personal data, including location, passwords and photos. They lurk in the Apple App store and Google Play. Source: New York Times, September 29, 2021. Link. It’s extremely invasive, it’s a … [Read more...]
Spectrum of care: more than treatment options
From the paper: Offering and providing an spectrum of care can be difficult but can also provide substantial benefits for all stakeholders in the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. In providing a SoC, veterinarians have a responsibility to provide context for each option, discussing the advantages, disadvantages, and most likely outcomes for each option; the … [Read more...]
Public agritourism and cuddly animals have inherent disease risks
Greg Cima provides a call to action for veterinarians working with clients whose operations or activities include sharing live animals in public settings. Pathogens are an occupational hazard in animal agriculture. Zoonotic risks are inherent in public venues and interactions. Animal shedding of E coli O157:H7 and Salmonella organisms is highest in the summer and fall, when … [Read more...]
October 2021 skies offer much to see
Turn off smartphones and blue screens and look to the sky in October. The longer nights give us a chance to take pleasure in the sky, according to Michael d'Estries. He says October will present a Hunter’s Moon and meteor showers. Source: Treehugger, October 1, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: A bit of sky watching in the fall air could be what the stress doctor ordered! Also … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 30, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post More effective communications. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Sept 23, 2021. Link. But for a genetic parasite, humans might have tails Source: New Scientist, September 24, 2021. Link. Bo Xia’s tail bone injury led to a genetic investigation of why apes, and therefore humans, do not … [Read more...]
Bot flies annoy cattle, horses, pets and humans
The last days of summer weather often spark more bot fly activity before the first frost wipes out the egg-laying females. Bot flies are chunky, beelike flies usually with rounded heads and rarely seen. Like other true flies, bot flies have only a single pair of wings. There are six important species of bot flies that affect the U.S. livestock industry: Hypoderma bovis, H. … [Read more...]
Highlights from the 31st Carthage Swine Conference
An emphasis on people, training, culture, retention and advancement are key priorities for today’s swine producers according to Claire LeFevre, DVM. She summarizes priorities from presentations at the swine conference. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 28, 2021. Link. Presenters discussed using the TN Visa Network which allows professionals from Canada and Mexico to … [Read more...]
Nuisance birds on the horizon
Birds like European Starlings will soon descend on feedlots and dairies, often roosting in nearby towns. Flocks ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 birds start showing up in October and will stay through March. The goal of a bird eradication program is to make the birds so uncomfortable that they don’t want to be there. One starling will eat about a penny’s worth of feed per day.” – … [Read more...]
University of Florida’s Ram Test and Sale kicks off new program to grow sheep and goat businesses
The University of Florida will hold its first Ram Test and Sale event this Saturday as part of new program to grow the sheep and goat industries in the state. This initiative is made possible by a gift from one of the state’s sheep farmers. The gift also supports upgrades to the UF/IFAS Sheep Unit in Gainesville and will allow researchers to expand the UF sheep and goat … [Read more...]
Getting started with goats for milk
The popularity of self-sustaining food production on small acreages or large backyards includes rabbits, poultry and goats. Heather Smith Thomas writes about raising goats for milk and how their short generation makes goats a great project for 4-H kids. Dwarf goats don’t produce the volume of milk of large goats but their milk is high in butterfat and makes good cheese she … [Read more...]
University of Missouri project studies increasing prevalence of chronic wasting disease
Chronic wasting disease has been spreading throughout the United States for decades, despite efforts to contain it. Since it was first discovered in Colorado in 1967, the disease has been identified in deer in 26 states, and the Midwest has recently seen a particularly sharp increase of its prevalence. Researchers at the University of Missouri have found chronic wasting … [Read more...]
Helping neglected, abused or abandoned horses
It’s important that you know what to do to stay within the law before reporting a horse in trouble, writes Jennifer Williams, PhD. Neglect, abuse and/or abandonment are considered cruelty to animals and are a criminal offense in many states. . . . it’s important to understand how terms like “abuse” and “neglect” are defined in your local and state laws. And then you need … [Read more...]
Evaluation of antimicrobial prescriptions in dogs with suspected bacterial urinary tract disease
A study published in the August 16 edition of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine evaluated antimicrobial prescriptions for dogs in the U.S. and Canada diagnosed with urinary tract disease. Understanding antimicrobial use is a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Decreases in duration and increased use of recommended first-line antimicrobials were … [Read more...]
VVCA member benefits worth the price of admission
Complimentary If only for the lunch and learn events, membership in the VVCA is worth the small fee. Plus, employees of sponsor organizations receive membership at no cost. Telemedicine is here to stay – for us personally in our own health, and for the health of our pets. Consumer demand won’t let us go backward at this point. Virtual care is … [Read more...]
End-of-summer canine checklist
AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein provides an end-of-summer checklist to make sure dogs are in top shape for fall. He reminds dog owners to watch temperatures and use summer thinking until the cold sets in fully. Source: AKC TV. Link. INSIGHTS: This video and others are good resources to use on social media, link in newsletters or targeted communications. … [Read more...]
Dehydration symptoms everyone should know
Kansas City Chiefs fans were reminded of the ill effects of dehydration when Coach Andy Reid was taken to the hospital following the recent football game in GEHA Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Dehydration does more than just make you thirsty. It can be dangerous to your health, share authors Linda Melone and Maggie O'Neill. They share a slide show outlining 13 … [Read more...]