Rodents flock to buildings this time of year. Laura Haggarty shares her experiences with rodents, bait and pets. She shares a warning about Bromethalin, second generation rodenticides, that have NO ANTIDOTE. We added information from the EPA to support her article. Second generation anticoagulants tend to remain in animal tissues longer than do first-generation ones. These … [Read more...]
Prepare horses and barns for winter
Winter is never the easiest season for horsekeepers, but with planning it doesn’t have to be particularly difficult, writes Christine Barakat. She offers tips on winter preparations that will benefit horses and owners. Source: EQUUS Extra. Link. Dehydration is the primary cause of impaction colic during winter months. . . be certain horses have access to fresh … [Read more...]
Mapping how food flows in the U.S.
Animal health pros will find this interesting. A team at the University of Illinois developed the first high-resolution map of the U.S. food supply chain. The map is a comprehensive snapshot of all food flows between counties in the U.S. Grains, fruits and vegetables, animal feed and processed food items compromise the foods represented. The results also show potential areas … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Ready to advance PRRS control? Time to target grow-finish
Montse Torremorell, with University of Minnesota, spoke to attendees at the North American PRRS Symposium about the need for research in grow-finish. She set the stage for the next speakers about why it’s the next step to advance PRRS control. Source: The Pig Site, November 4, 2019. Link. “We have evidence from other diseases, and even from PRRS itself, that what happens in … [Read more...]
Beef genetics not equal in dairies
Crossbreeding dairy cows with beef genetics is a growing practice. Between being able to predict calf gender and various processors refusing to buy dairy cows for meat, dairy producers are using beef bulls as a way to add value to bull calves and generate additional income. There is a misconception that all beef genetics are created equal in terms of usefulness in creating a … [Read more...]
Why you need to slow down
John Weiss brings good points about making decisions in this post. His cartoon work comes with thoughtful wisdom, as well as unique imagery. Contrasting snap judgements to managed delays, he draws from authors Frank Partnoy (Wait- The Useful Art of Procrastination) and Malcolm Gladwell (Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking). Describing how we vacillate between fast and … [Read more...]
Use the time change to your advantage
Before you fully adjust to standard time, consider what Ben Hardy offers in this tip about going to bed earlier. It's no secret that at the end of the day, your willpower is exhausted, he says. The result? A lot of low-level consumption of junk media and junk food before going to bed that not only robs you of quality sleep, but also confidence and better decision making the … [Read more...]
Found in AAHA NEWStat
We found several articles worthy of sharing in recent AAHA NEWStat posts. Some selections are sponsored while others are original and collaborative content. Post-surgical rechecks made simple with virtual care, sponsored content by BabelVet. AAHA NEWStat, November 1, 2019. Link. A logical, comprehensive staging tool for canine osteoarthritis, sponsored content by Elanco … [Read more...]
Survival items to keep in your glove compartment
There are dozens of situations where you might not be able to get to survival items in your trunk. For these reasons, you consider keeping these survival items in your car’s glove compartment: Flashlight First aid kit Gloves Seat belt cutter Multi-tool Poncho We would add a candle and matches to this list. Source: The Outdoor Wear, November 5, 2019. … [Read more...]
10 tips to protect your eyesight
Exercise, stress, technology and even mindfulness practices can impact eye health. Marc Grossman, OD, LAc, doctor of optometry, author and acupuncturist, shares a multidisciplinary approach using nutrition, lifestyle changes and traditional Chinese medicine to tackle eye problems. Many of his recommendations are worth consideration by animal health pros. Source: BottomLine … [Read more...]
BRSV still relevant and compromising
A good preventive care plan includes vaccinating both cows and calves for bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) because it is endemic in the United States. While rarely fatal on its own, BRSV weakens the immune system, often allowing for a secondary bacterial infection that results in pneumonia. BRSV is a factor considered part of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The … [Read more...]
Colostrum, first-lactation colostrum and quality decisions
First-lactation heifer colostrum has historically been considered to be of low quality which sometimes led to it being dumped. However, first lactation colostrum should not immediately be discounted as inferior as it may be just as high of quality as colostrum from older cows. The author discusses variables worthy of sharing with producers in face-to-face discussions, on social … [Read more...]
Cull cow considerations require flexibility
Carrying an old, open or ornery cow through the winter is analogous to hiring an employee, paying them monthly but not expecting them to show up to work for the next year. Cull cow weight and cull cow market price remain top factors in cow-calf production profits. Heather Smith Thomas shares strategies to offer the best welfare and garner profit out of cull cows. Use her … [Read more...]
Body condition score cows before the next winter storm
Harvest season is running behind for more than half of U.S. corn producers < link >. For those who run cows, the rain delays offer an opportunity to conduct body condition scores (BCS) on cows before turning them out on stalks. The best time for BCS work is concurrent with weaning calves. Use this information to understand BCS, manage input costs and urge producers to do … [Read more...]
24 years, 25 million cattle prove what affects prices
The biggest value-added protocol in calf health is weaning, not vaccination. This, according to 24 years of big data generated from 25,000 million cattle by Superior Livestock Auction. Ken Odde, Kansas State University animal science professor, revealed which calf health programs, premiums and genetic breeds have on prices during the recent National Red Angus Conference. . . . … [Read more...]
Revisiting Frito feet
The causes of Frito feet are natural enough and don’t mean a dog has been sneaking corn chips. However endearing for some, canine paw odors disgust others. Like strong or acrid human foot odors*, the sources of paw smell are many. Like the fungi that cause humans feet to smell, one source of dog foot odor is an unchecked proliferation of yeast fungi in and around its feet. … [Read more...]
5 ways to bond with a rescue dog
James Woller shares five ways to welcome a rescue dog into the home so they can become a part of the family. It’s essential that you do everything you can to make her feel at ease and look for the ways to make a true and unbreakable bond, he says. Woller recommends five ways of connecting with a rescue to help them become a friend for life: Talk and touch is everything … [Read more...]
Defining causes of dogs’ aggression in boarding facilities
Of all the behaviors boarding and daycare personnel experience, dogs’ aggression can be difficult and frequently dangerous. Dogs become aggressive for multiple reasons including fear, pain, dominance and illness, writes Steven Applebaum. Understanding root causes is critical to treating any problem, as aggression is often a symptom of an underlying factor. Aggressive behavior … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis continuing education
Most mammals are susceptible to infection, writes Ashley DiPrete, RVT, VTS, (SAIM). As humans expand their environmental footprint, encroachment on wildlife becomes a greater issue, and people, pets and wild animal reservoir hosts cross one another’s paths more frequently. The importance of leptospirosis sp. is underscored by its status as the most prevalent zoonotic disease … [Read more...]
A horse’s leg is like a paperclip and other performance horse problems
With concerns surrounding horse deaths at Santa Anita Race Track < link >, horse owners will be ready to consider veterinarian David Ramey’s four biggest problems that affect performance horses. If they can avoid these things, the battle is at least half won, he says. They’re overtrained They’re bored and annoyed Owners assume that performance problems are … [Read more...]
Caring for cold-stressed calves
Cold weather will add stress to newly born calves in both dairy and beef operations. Taylor Leach reminds us that the most critical, and most expensive, period of calf growth in raising dairy calves is the pre-weaning period. She offers some tips to address cold weather stress during the first weeks of a calf’s life. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 28, 2019. Link. One … [Read more...]
Study demonstrates benefits of wintering dairy cows outdoors
Recent research from the Journal of Dairy Science < link > suggests that outdoor housing through the winter might be cleaner and healthier for the cows than indoor housing. The University of Minnesota study compared organic cows housed on an outdoor straw pack with wind protection to cows housed indoors on a compost-bedded pack barn. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, October … [Read more...]
You can’t disinfect a turd, but disinfectants work
We can learn a lot from practical biosecurity protocols used by swine veterinarians and their clients. The approaches practiced in swine production apply across species as we expand our thinking about zoonoses and One Health. Biosecurity must be a mindset and lifestyle. . . it must be ingrained and adhered to, and we also need to trust all employees to do the right thing even … [Read more...]
5 animal health topics beyond African swine fever to think about
Behind the scenes, animal health officials are working on behalf of producers and the livestock industry, writes JoAnn Alumbaugh. She shares five topics of interest discussed during a recent meeting of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials in conjunction with the 2019 U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA) annual meeting: Flurry of activity on antibiotic … [Read more...]
Identifying and treating gastric ulcers
There are many possible reasons why horses develop gastric ulcers, writes David Ramey, DVM. He says most of them are related to how people manage their horses. Diet, confinement and medication are three areas where horse management may induce ulcers. The most thoroughly tested ulcer treatment is omeprazole, which is absorbed into the small intestine and works systemically by … [Read more...]
Advancements saving damaged corneas in pets and horses
Veterinary ophthalmologists at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center < link >have started using corneal crosslinking to help spare animals’ eyes or avoid surgery. Corneal crosslinking was developed to treat a condition called keratoconus in people which animals don’t get. Veterinary ophthalmologists have found the crosslinking approach valuable in treating dogs and horses … [Read more...]
Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile now open
Travelers and their pets have a new lodging option in Southern Utah. It also represents another reason to ensure pets are vaccinated. Best Friends Animal Society has opened Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile <link>. The 40-room property is designed to be pet friendly and focuses on pets. Furnishings are built 18 inches or higher to avoid entrapment. Nightstands have … [Read more...]
5 important feline emergency procedures
Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC, DABT says there are five important feline procedures that every veterinarian should learn to perform. Practice is needed to build confidence says Lee. She explains why these procedures are critical and offers tips for improving skills: Gaining venous access Thoracentesis and abdominocentesis FAST and TFAST ultrasound Placing a … [Read more...]
Cat virus could be linked to feline cancer
Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) has been found in certain types of hepatitis and liver cancer in cats, suggesting it might be the cause of the diseases. DCH was identified last year by researchers at the University of Sydney < link >. The virus is similar to hepatitis B in humans. We don’t know what causes most types of cancer, but if we know it’s triggered by a virus, … [Read more...]
Turning the corner on FIP (podcast)
Niels Pedersen, BS, DVM, PhD, has made solving feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) a career goal. Steve Dale spoke with Pedersen recently on Dale's Pet World radio show. They discuss the latest about FIP. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, October 18, 2019. Link. Pedersen shares how departing from vaccine research to take advantage of anti-viral drugs has resulted in promising … [Read more...]