Producers who raise preweaned dairy calves frequently use calf hutches. For all their advantages, their lack of climate control makes heat stress monitoring and prevention important. Jud Heinrichs and Colleen Jones write about how high temperatures, excessive humidity and the sun take a toll on calves. Air movement, moisture, hair coat, bedding and rumination activity are … [Read more...]
Identify what pasture plants are poisonous to cattle (slide show)
There are many plants that can cause illness, death, abortion, birth defects, metabolic disorders, photosensitization and other problems in cattle, writes Heather Smith Thomas. Her slide show includes photos of plants cattle producers should look for. Source: BEEF, March 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Understanding pinkeye; a laboratory overview
Commentary including sponsored content from Addison Biological Laboratory. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is a common eye disease cattle producers hate treating. Routinely transmitted by flies, pinkeye’s frequently observed pathogens are Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi and bovine herpesvirus type 1 … [Read more...]
Working after a bad night’s sleep
Get more sleep! We hear this often and it is good advice. There are days, however, when we work after getting too little sleep or a night of poor-quality sleep. Christopher M. Barnes discusses what to do to get through the day with a sleep shortage. Research indicates that sleep deprivation is most harmful to novel tasks, or those which require creativity and … [Read more...]
How fear creates clutter and how to stop it
Good news! Amanda Sullivan says overgrown filing cabinets, closets, stacks in the garage or mounds on your desk do not indicate slovenliness. She says it may indicate fears and discusses what to do about them: Fear of financial problems Fear that you’re in over your head with something important Fear of missing out Fear that anything short of perfection is not … [Read more...]
Ventilation, air filtration help prevent the spread of coronavirus
By now, some of us have experienced a person inside a business shamelessly not wearing a face mask. Masks do a decent job at keeping the coronavirus from spreading into the environment. But, if an infected person is inside a building, inevitably some virus will escape into the air, writes Shelly Miller, mechanical engineering professor, University of Colorado Boulder. The … [Read more...]
Feed cows when THEY want to eat
Isaac Salfer, PhD, says our tendencies to avoid summer feeding times in the heat of the day are not consistent with natural biological rhythms and eating patterns of dairy cows. He says night feedings are not a best practice and to avoid feeding after 3:00 p.m. Cows have this strong biological drive to not eat at night” - Isaac Salfer, Ph.D. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, August … [Read more...]
Body condition score still impacts reproduction success
Okay, we know this right? Paul Fricke and Milo Wiltbank reemphasized the BCS story at a recent, virtual Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference. According to the article, success with artificial insemination is so high that when conception rates decline, the tendency is to adjust the AI protocols. The data shows BCS is the first place to look. We have good … [Read more...]
What does it cost to wean an older pig?
It is normal to challenge norms in swine and poultry production. The authors from Swine Management Services manage a complex database to help swine producers make production, health and economic decisions. While counter-intuitive, some advantages exist for moving to an older weaning age. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 1, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Data like these help us … [Read more...]
ASFV quickly detected by new cell line
A way to detect the presence of African swine fever virus minimizes the need for samples from live animals and provides easier access to labs needed to diagnose the virus. Developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the new cell line can be continuously replicated and frozen to create cells for future use. The new cell line is commercially available. Source: The Pig … [Read more...]
Pork backlog is moving
If you experienced some of the meat issues during the first months of Covid-19, the backlog of pig slaughter is catching up. At least the slaughter weights have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Source: Swineweb.com, August 4, 2020. Link. The author references USDA weekly metrics and discusses the situation and production changes that contribute to normalization. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Clean rabbit scent glands properly
The popularity of pet rabbits continues to grow. In addition to maintaining tooth and nail lengths, and weekly brushing, rabbits need their scent glands cleaned regularly. We’re sharing video resources that can help veterinary teams and rabbit owners with nails and glands. Source: How to clean a rabbit’s scent glands, House Rabbit Society. Link. Typically the scent glands … [Read more...]
Protect horses from mosquitoes and biting flies
No single insect control strategy cures all the pest problems on a horse property, says Nancy S. Loving, DVM. It takes a compilation of approaches to keep horses bothered as little as possible during insect season. She presents a variety of pest control options from fans to parasitoids to Muscovy ducks. Environmental management is essential to reduce insect population … [Read more...]
Help to understand prebiotics and probiotics for dogs and cats
The business of nutraceuticals used as prebiotics and probiotics is confusing, full of misdirection and often neither good nor bad. Ann Wortinger BIS, LVT, VTS, writes, “According to the hype, these products can improve the immune system and gastrointestinal function while performing a number of other tasks just short of emptying the litter box.” Her comment sets the stage for … [Read more...]
Cats get separation anxiety, too
It’s hard to picture a cat tearing up a pillow because its owner left the house. A recent study showed that cats living with humans have similar attachment styles to pet parents as dogs and children do. 64 percent of the cats evaluated were described as securely attached to their humans. These cats showed less stress when near their caregivers.” Source: PetMD, June 8, 2020. … [Read more...]
5 FAQs about pets and vaccines
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Carley Lintz provides a brief guide to share with pet parents about animals and vaccinations. Rudimentary? Yes! But consider using this to contact local media, as the basis for an interview on local radio or for developing a script for a YouTube video for your website. The K.I.S.S. principle probably applies here and yes, … [Read more...]
Favorite 5 articles from Clinician’s Brief
We’re sharing this group of articles from Clinicians Brief in the event you hit delete before taking a good look at this group of peer reviewed tips. Source: 5 tips for treating otitis externa, Clinician’s Brief, June 2019. Link. Source: Top 5 complications of gonadectomy, Clinician’s Brief, February 2020. Link. Relevant information in light of this recent post: Neutering … [Read more...]
CAPC tracking hookworms
Parasitic diseases are dynamic and can expand beyond areas that are typically thought of as hot spots for specific diseases. The tracking efforts central to CAPC’s top 10 cities demonstrates the importance of reporting by veterinarians. Their daily experiences rolled up statistically help animal health pros and animal owners understand the importance of testing and year-round … [Read more...]
FAMILY: help your kids be fearless
Kids! School decisions. To sport or not. To interact with peers. Alone at home. Whew, what a time to have kids. Fears are normal in children, until they prevent them from experiencing life, writes Rachel Buchholz. It is rare to not hear something about kids and choices in industry conversations these days. We’ve included Buchholz’s recent National Geographic newsletter … [Read more...]
What is your cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection IQ?
The pandemic has forever opened people’s eyes to the impact infective pathogens have on our lives. This author reviews the challenges we all have managing a less infection prone environment. As animal health pros, we are primary sources of information and education for our clients and those in our networks. The information here is rudimentary and worth sharing internally and … [Read more...]
More than 2000 registered for VVCA live event
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) is hosting it’s first online summit August 18th. It offers 5.5 hours of free education to veterinarians, technicians, and others interested in elevating the level of care they provide to animals. The notice lists the speakers presenting the continuing education. Source: VVCA media release, August 5, 2020. Link. We are thrilled … [Read more...]
Best cleaners to sanitize your phones
Jimmy E. Sharp shares a list of cleansers to use on your phones. You don’t have to be paranoid or a hygiene freak to realize how close your hands, mouth and eyes are to your phones’ surfaces. . . . whatever you use to sanitize your phone . . . USE SOMETHING!” Source: Habits and Routines, July 17, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Looking ahead with The Bridge Club
Now three years old, The Bridge Club continues to gain momentum, popularity and fill gaps in our social and professional networks. Animal health pros rely on each other’s experiences and perspectives. The Bridge Club virtual events have evolved to emulate discussions often had over lunch or at the watering hole during on-site industry conventions. Source: The Bridge Club. … [Read more...]
Rev up replacement heifers
Patsy Houghton, president and general manager of Heartland Cattle Co., McCook, Nebraska, gave advice for developing heifers in fall 2020, spring 2021 and beyond in a recent Angus University webinar. She offered seven challenges to help commercial cattlemen improve their replacement heifers: Place selection pressure on fertility Enhance your calf crop value Improve … [Read more...]
Preg-check beef cows early
Identifying reproductive issues, managing input costs, more efficient culling along various preg-checking methods are presented in this article. Producers have a variety of options for managing nonpregnant cows and heifers.” Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 10, 2020. Link. Current cattle markets, weather outlooks and feed availability are all factors that should be … [Read more...]
5 steps to decrease somatic cell counts (infographic)
Like you and me, cows are physically more stressed when it is hot. Somatic cell counts in milking dairy cows are a signal to dairy producers that an immune response is occurring. Add the influence of stress hormones and changes in cow behavior, the result is often an increase in environmental mastitis. It’s important to keep stalls clean, provide good fly control and provide … [Read more...]
9 Florida horses confirmed to have EEE
Speaking of the mosquito-borne diseases, Florida officials confirmed the state’s ninth case of Eastern equine encephalomyelitis. The serious viral disease affects horses, birds and humans. Vaccination, supported by two to three boosters per year, can help prevent EEE. Source: University of Florida Extension, July 24, 2020. Link. “EEE is a serious and often fatal injection in … [Read more...]
Cats can make you sick or even kill you
Just as our industry is getting more clients to bring cats to clinics, become better educated on prevention and improve the human-animal bonds cats empower, we get these warnings. Cat lover Richard O’Brien, MD, uses a scary title to outline slight risks and big risks when sharing space with cats. . . . don’t test a cat’s limits of composure. Protect your pet, yourself and your … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis Cliff notes: Screen, test and treat leptospirosis better (webcast)
Complimentary commercial content from VETgirl and Merck Animal Health Natalie Marks, DVM, reviews common and uncommon presentations of leptospirosis in general practice, lab abnormalities not to miss and keys to successful therapy. The review includes clinical signs of leptospirosis in dogs, signalment, what treatment is, and how to diagnose it. Also included is a brief … [Read more...]
Parvovirus cases spike
BluePearl, which operates 90 specialty and emergency pet hospitals in 21 states, has experienced a 70 percent increase in parvovirus cases. They relate the spike to the pandemic. AAHA’s Tony McReynolds dug into the situation and offers ways for practices to prepare. Source: AAHA NEWStat, July 23, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]