Got sheep? “It’s inevitable when you have a flock of sheep, there will be illness and there will be injuries,” says Jana Wilson. She shares a checklist of items sheep owners should use to deal with both emergencies and regular maintenance. Wilson praises Kirk Hubbard, DVM, for his role in a webinar hosted by Purdue University that dealt with first aid for sheep and goats … [Read more...]
3 main causes of feline stress and solution for each
Stress may be the most common nonmedical reason cats choose to urinate where they shouldn’t. It tends to have one of three causes: difficulty with other cats who live in the house (social stress) separation anxiety boredom, inability to express natural instincts to hunt and forage for food Source: Tuft’s Catnip, July 30, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: This is good … [Read more...]
Coping with pet grief
A recent Morris Animal Foundation-funded study sought to understand if and how pets grieve following the loss of a companion animal in the home. While many reported changes in behaviors were similar between dogs and cats, there were some key differences. Source: Morris Animal Foundation, September 10, 2020. Link. Researchers captured information in behavior categories that … [Read more...]
Employers can legally require COVID vaccines. But will they?
Should . . . and could . . . we make the vaccine mandatory for employees? The pros, cons and options get discussed surrounding this hot topic. Source: Human Resource Executive, December 21, 2020. Link. In guidance released December 16, 2020 < link >, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said employers can require that employees get vaccinated as a condition of … [Read more...]
5 ways to promote kidney health in dogs or cats
Some foods, herbs and supplements can benefit dogs and cats in need of extra kidney support. Barbara Royal, DVM, CVA, shares five ways to use them: Prioritize hydration and circulation Feed appropriate food Provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support Keep micronutrients in balance Don’t forget about the microbiome Source: Animal Wellness, January 15, … [Read more...]
10 states with the worst air quality
More than four out of every 10 Americans live in regions that have observed unhealthy ozone according to the American Lung Association. Smog, soot and other particle pollution have substantial implications for health and can even increase the decline in air quality. There are a couple surprises in the top 10 list of states. Source: The Outdoor Wear, November 20, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health launches intranasal BRD vaccine for calves at 1 week of age or older
Complimentary Commercial Content Merck Animal Health has announced that Bovilis® Nasalgen® 3-PMH is now available to veterinarians and cattle producers to protect cattle from five of the most common pneumonia causing viral and bacterial pathogens. Approved for use in dairy and beef cattle, this is the first intranasal vaccine effective in providing early, broad-spectrum … [Read more...]
Those lousy goats
A goat owner cradled her prize goat during a recent Nat Geo Wild episode. Full of worms, it was fading fast. The TV vet rubbed the goat’s hair, inspecting skin and some crusty patches. Admittedly, I shuddered a bit thinking about what all could be crawling into the owner’s lap even though I remembered goat lice are goat-specific. Goats are becoming more popular and are … [Read more...]
Make sure horses get enough water
We can’t assume horses will break through a thin layer of ice or be willing to drink water that contains chunks of ice. Some will not do either. The authors share three ways to reduce the risk of dehydration even in the coldest weather. Keep buckets and troughs ice-free Check all automated waterers daily Mix up some mashes Source: EQUUS, January 8, 2021. … [Read more...]
While late, horses still need a fall wellness exam
Winter is in full swing, but with all the confusion from Covid-19, not all horses received their normal exams. Christine Barakat, DVM, stresses the importance of comprehensive wellness exams to help prevent problems. She shares a partial list of the topics likely to be addressed in them and why. With mares foaling now, veterinarians receive calls to assist. Performing exams … [Read more...]
The dentistry gap
Dawn Singleton-Olson reinforces the importance of comprehensive oral healthcare assessment and treatment (COHAT) to address the nearly 70 percent of cats and 80 percent of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of periodontal disease. “Pet owners truly want what is best for their animals, but often don’t understand how critical dental care is to the overall health of their pet … [Read more...]
To overcome vaccine hesitancy, we need a better patient experience
HBR’s summary led me to review this article first in the human context and again thinking about animal health vaccination experiences. By thinking of the vaccine as a consumer product, vaccination as a service, and a high NPS (net promoter score) as a goal, we can better design the end-to-end vaccination process and bring this pandemic to a close as quickly as … [Read more...]
Covid vaccines: fact versus fiction
University of Kentucky’s Vince Venditto, PhD, is busting myths about vaccines to help inform your decision to get vaccinated. I would personally get any of the approved vaccines, absolutely. I will also wait for my turn to ensure that those at highest risk can get vaccinated first. . .” - Vince Venditto, PhD, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of … [Read more...]
We’re underselling the Covid-19 vaccine
David Leonhardt explains why the vaccine news is better than you may think. He parallels the growing vaccine reluctance with the near mass confusion on mask-wearing. He admonishes the experts who don’t seem to trust the public to hear the full truth. . . . We should be greeting < the vaccines > with the same enthusiasm that greeted the polio vaccine.” - Paul Offit, … [Read more...]
SARS-CoV-2 virus drift and shift raises concerns
For animal health pros born before 1990, antigenic drift and antigenic shift are not mere terms. Rather, they have been part of life experiences. Canine coronavirus, bovine viral diarrhea and equine herpes virus are among viruses our industry has chased with vaccines and vaccine updates. Rapid advancements in genotyping and mass spectrum technologies have been helpful as we … [Read more...]
Vaccination in this pandemic time and before
Commentary Throughout this last year, we have seen more information on vaccines than ever. A plethora of it continues to be spewed on vaccine development, virus science and immunity. Much of it lacks the basic context for why vaccines work and why they are critical to disease management and population safety. Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM, wrote a revealing … [Read more...]
Face masks cause problems for dogs that eat them
There’s a new problem in town, obstructing dogs’ stomachs and intestines: the face mask” – Jennifer Woolf, DVM, MS Woolf reminds us that dogs can smell the lovely bouquet of odors trapped in the fibers of the mask, and that bouquet smells like food so the dog eats the mask. Once inside, the mask becomes a foreign body, will not act like food and can cause multiple … [Read more...]
Covid found in western lowland gorillas at San Diego Safari Park
“The discovery of Covid-19 infections in gorillas is not at all surprising,” says Scott Weese, DVM. “We have assumed gorillas (and other non-human primates) that are relatively closely related to humans would be very susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, just like we are.” Sources all point the transfer to an asymptomatic staff member who had been following safety … [Read more...]
Milk filters, teat dips really matter
In order to help prevent infection to dairy cows, dairy pros must address cleanliness practices in barns and parlors. Greg Strait, Penn State extension educator, addressed milk filters as an indicator then emphasized teat dipping, cow prep, cleanliness of free stalls, and cleanliness of bedded pack and more during a recent discussion. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, January 11, … [Read more...]
Titers and other vaccine considerations for horses
David Ramey, DVM, wishes discussions about equine vaccines were easy. Instead of being a simple linear vaccine equation, it has a lot of +/- variables in it. This makes discussions about vaccines fraught with all sorts of nuance and complications, he says. The result is that many throw up their hands rather than talk about them. Not simple, the horse vaccine equation looks … [Read more...]
Building rapport with cats; the eyes have it
The human animal bond continues to generate more questions and research. A recent study, “The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat-human communication,” < link > has shown for the first time that it is possible to build rapport with a cat by using an eye narrowing technique with them. Source: PHYS.ORG, October 7, 2020. Link. This study is the first to … [Read more...]
Can cats and dogs get along?
William, 7, got his dog. Now, sister Violet, 5, wants a cat. Their parents have heard for ages that dogs and cats don't get along. Yet, many homes have cats and dogs living peaceably together. The authors offer tips and a deliberate process for a multi-species household. Source: Puppies & Pooches, December 22, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: This article is suitable for social … [Read more...]
Rationales for a dry January (includes videos)
Dry January began in 2012 as an initiative by Alcohol Change UK, a British charity, to ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline and save some serious money by giving up alcohol for 31 days. Dry January is a useful tool in determining to what extent we have become dependent on alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic," Sharon Wilsnack, PhD. Source: Today, January 7, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Poultry owners seek qualified veterinary practices
Backyard poultry continues to increase in popularity. Poultry owners often find it difficult to secure veterinary services and guidance as most poultry DVMs are deployed in large operations. Companion animal practitioners can take poultry under their wing by incorporating into their practice medical care for these birds and by counseling clients on proper fowl husbandry.” - … [Read more...]
7 important things to know about rabbits
We’ve learned new pet owners often need basic husbandry guidance to understand pet needs. Eve Cohen, DVM, shares rabbit information important for those owning or considering acquiring a rabbit: Rabbits are social animals Rabbit’s life expectancy Rabbits are prey animals Housing: outdoors vs. indoors Safe flooring Rabbit nutrition Bunnies aren’t … [Read more...]
What eating in front of the TV does to your body
Eating in front of the TV is a great idea if you’re looking for a way to eat copious amounts of food without ever hearing the ‘I’ve had enough’ signal from your body.” - Lori Hammond, hypnotist Source: MEL, January 8, 2020. Link. Shows these days tend to be more suspenseful than ever. “Television today is riddled with faster-than-life scene changes,” says psychologist Glenn … [Read more...]
Drs. Weese and Anderson continue review of Covid-19 in animals: Plus, the new variant
In a recent post < link > we shared the first six blog posts in a series from Scott Weese, DVM, and Maureen Anderson, DVM. Since then, their review of Covid-19 in animals by family has continued. They also address the new variant SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. Source: WormsandGerms Blog. COVID-19 in Animals Review. Part 7: Cattle, November 10, 2020. Link. SARS-CoV-2 in … [Read more...]
Updated OVMA guidance document: Covid-19 and veterinary clinics
Here is the latest version of the OVMA’s document, “A guide to mitigating the risk of infection in veterinary practices during the COVID-19 pandemic” Source: , January 4, 2021. Link. January 2021 Practice Guide to Mitigating the Risk of Infection During the COVID-19 Pandemic … [Read more...]
Dairy farming; being cruel to animals is a perception and sometimes a reality
Multiple animal activists groups have argued for years that dairy farming is no less than animal cruelty. Despite their actions being denounced by dairy owners, industry groups and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, activists are making headway. Market forces and the coronavirus pandemic are helping their cause, too. Scientists are working to show ways the … [Read more...]
Global leaders take action to control ASF
Disease surveillance is table talk today, but most of it is not actionable. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Organization for Animal Health united in late October to launch The Global Control of ASF Initiative to keep African swine fever at bay. The program helps swine professionals in multiple capacities to coordinate and strengthen control … [Read more...]