Embrace the crate. It can be the best thing for a relationship with a dog, writes Laura Vorreyer. She reminds us that proper crating is not cruel and to avoid using the crate as punishment. This information is valuable to any dog owner. Source: Modern Dog. Link. The crate should be big enough for your dog to turn around in but NOT big enough for them to think the back … [Read more...]
Veterinarians are important to beekeeping
Gillian Kruskall, DVM, writes about the veterinarian’s role in beekeeping since te VFD regulations require site inspections to establish VCPRs. When a beekeeper contacts you, Kruskall’s article will help veterinary teams “bee” ready. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, July 2018. Link. Each state has a number of certified state apiary inspectors who are highly skilled at … [Read more...]
Equine vet techs deserve a seat
Kyle Palmer, CVT, addresses the benefits of having an equine veterinary nurse to aid in planning calls, scheduling, inventory checks, call records and billing, driving and helping with on-farm calls. He makes a solid case. Source: Equine 360, June 29, 2018. Link. Hiring a trained veterinary technician isn’t an expense—it’s an investment. … [Read more...]
Tips for taking animal histories
Animal owners hold important clues to their pets’ problems. This article features tips to help make history taking more effective and comprehensive. The importance of the pet owner interview as a diagnostic tool should not be overlooked. Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2018. Link. Good organizational skills are essential to ensuring the patient’s history is obtained … [Read more...]
Antibiotic use is all about animal welfare
Carissa Odland, DVM, is a swine practitioner whose antibiotic comments apply to all species. Her discussion forms a solid position for any animal health pro who engages in an antibiotic-free discussion. There are three reasons why we use antibiotics in veterinary medicine: Treat disease Control disease Prevent disease Source: PORK, July 23, 2018. Link. By … [Read more...]
FDA suggests non-dairy milk isn’t milk
The FDA describes milk as "the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows." That definition doesn't leave room for vegan alternatives to call themselves "milk," though a number of products on the market do. Source: CNN, July 19, 2018. Link. The agency is not commenting on its plans or Gottlieb's observation … [Read more...]
Make windshield time more productive, safe
Chances are you spend a lot of time in your car. Here’s something that might help you appreciate your home-away-from-home a little more. Source: Repertoire, July 2018, page 62. Link. Animal related insurance claims, the importance of tire pressure, professional automotive negotiators and more advances in travel technology. … [Read more...]
For healthier calves, cool dry cows
Karen Lally references a growing appreciation for the importance of cow cooling. We know of the impact of cooling on lactating cows as it is easy to measure in the milk tank. For dry cows, the real dangers of heat stress are not immediately visible. Source:Progressive Dairyman, July 9, 2018. Link. Cooling dry cows means cooling calves in utero, protecting your investment in … [Read more...]
Rethinking how we feed milk to pre-weaning calves
This article follows previous discussions about colostrum <link> and how dairymen are rethinking how to feed and support pre-wean calves. Similar to colostrum nutrition, there is still an abundance of knowledge to be discovered about the next phase of nutrition for the dairy calf: milk feeding. Source: Progressive Dairyman, July 16, 2018. Link. . . . we have largely … [Read more...]
How much do you feed a cat?
A 2011 study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) found that more than 50 percent of cats were obese or overweight. So, what is happening that predisposes our domestic felines to a life of sedentary obesity? The answer is multifactorial but to simplify, just remember this: any individual mammal will gain body weight if it consumes more calories than it burns as … [Read more...]
Natural cat litter alternatives may benefit the environment
JaneA Kelley compiled a list of six natural cat litter alternatives touted to be better for the environment. The argument for litter made from plant material is that it is friendlier to the environment, it generally weighs less than clay litters and cats like it. Here’s the list: Corn Grass Green tea Walnut shells Wheat Wood pellets Source: Catster, July … [Read more...]
Why vaccine opponents think they know more than medical experts
A research group recently sought to identify why skepticism about vaccines is perpetuated. They found strong evidence of the Dunning-Kruger effects which addresses the inability to accurately appraise one’s own knowledge. Their results point to the uphill battle the scientific community faces as it confronts growing anti-vax sentiment from the public and politicians alike. The … [Read more...]
Horses need vaccination to reduce risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Owners often fail to do so.
An ongoing effort is needed to alert North American owners to the risks that mosquito-borne diseases pose to their horses and the need for vaccination, writes Peter Timoney, Gluck Equine Research Center. He says the two most common causes of brain inflammation in North America are Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) and West Nile Encephalitis (WNE) viruses. Despite the AAEP … [Read more...]
New guide helps solve dog-to-dog aggression (book review)
Canine behavior specialist and author Nicole Wilde focuses on the challenges of and around multi-dog living in her new book, Keeping the Peace: A Guide to Solving Dog-Dog Aggression in the Home. <link> The book is arranged in six parts: Useful behavior diary (to facilitate learning more about canine body language) Foundational program to help manage triggers, and … [Read more...]
Prevent heat stroke in dogs (includes infographic)
Heat stroke in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons. They are especially susceptible since they might push themselves or stay in the heat to please owners. Jennifer Lesser shares how to recognize the symptoms of heat stroke in dogs and how to prevent it. Source: Dogster, July 9, 2018. Link. “Heat stroke is a rapidly progressive and dangerous disorder in which the dog’s … [Read more...]
B-Lyme-y! (infographic)
The DVM 360 staff put together an informative infographic that highlights findings from a new study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Animal Health. Data shows pets aren’t getting complete protection against fleas, ticks and Lyme disease. Source: DVM 360, June 22, 2018. Link. The good news: Pet parents of all ages want to protect their pets from parasites, with … [Read more...]
Bacteria from unneutered dogs pose risk to pregnant women
Brucella canis is carried by dogs that have not been neutered, according to a recent study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. The bacteria produce flu symptoms in humans and could potentially jeopardize a pregnancy. Though brucellosis infection is most commonly spread by livestock like sheep, cattle, goats and pigs, dogs carry this strain of the bacterium, … [Read more...]
The blunt truth about sharps safety
People are still getting stuck with sharps in spite years of safety standards. Part of that is due to shortcomings in safety technology. But, human factors remain part of the issue. Amber Hogan Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH, president and executive director of the International Safety Center, visited with Repertoire about the issues for medical professionals. Things are getting … [Read more...]
FDA requires labeling changes for fluoroquinolones
This notice will interest animal health professionals, although it is about human use of the antibiotics. FDA is strengthening the current warnings in the prescribing information that fluoroquinolone antibiotics may cause significant decreases in blood sugar and certain mental health side effects. Source: FDA, July 10, 2018. Link. FDA continues to monitor and evaluate the … [Read more...]
If you answer YES to these 11 questions, it is time to find a new job
It was refreshing to hear several stories from animal health professionals about their career pathways, decisions and challenges during interactions during AVMA 2018. The career stories highlight was shared by Kristen Peck of Zoetis during The Bridge Club’s first industry ICON live event <link>. To summarize the input from participants, routinely reinventing ourselves is … [Read more...]
New checklist helps kids stay safe on the farm
It’s natural that parents and grandparents want to protect their children. Because each agricultural setting is unique, as is each child, addressing child safety requires an individual approach. The new Child/Youth Agricultural Safety Checklist from the National Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety helps parents perform customized safety checks. It is free and … [Read more...]
Increase your resilience when you’re going through hell
Going through hell is different for each person, but each of us must move through these temporary disruptions. Marissa Levin shares five ways to move through your challenge and rise again stronger. Unless we live in a bubble, no one moves through life without pain. When the world begins to close in around us, what can we do to push through the darkness? Practice … [Read more...]
Open offices make you less open
Our team found this interesting since some new offices use open floor plans. New, in-depth research indicates that open office configurations likely do not create the interactive results originally expected. Source: Cal Newport, July 6, 2018. Link. When you remove any semblance of structure to human interaction, people get overloaded and withdraw into private, electronic … [Read more...]
How to increase the proportion of early calving heifers and cows
Maximizing the proportion of cows that conceive early in the breeding season cannot be overemphasized in a beef herd. Artificial insemination (AI) is the most powerful tool cow-calf producers have to improve beef cattle genetics. However, producers have been slow to adopt the technology citing time and labor without any rewards for genetics and market timing. Markets are now … [Read more...]
The 10 biggest expenses on a dairy
We often hear that animal health pros struggle to understand the financial picture for dairy customers. According to 2017 income and expense summaries from Genske, Mulder & Co., the nation’s largest dairy accounting firm, the average cost of production for its clients last year was $16.86 per hundredweight. (That amount does not include current debt repayment and owner … [Read more...]
Tips for traveling with horses
Traveling with a horse comes with multiple challenges, so it’s important to be prepared. Here are five tips to share with horse owners via social media, websites and targeted communications. Plan Your Route (and Your Breaks) Ahead of Time Know What Documentation You Need Practice Makes Perfect Keep Your Trailer in Tip-Top Shape Know the Hidden Health Risks of … [Read more...]
Water consumption crucial to horse health
Getting enough water sounds elementary doesn’t it. But for horses, and cattle, as well, . . . water is the most important nutrient, especially in hot weather. Without it, horses die within a few days, whereas they may be able to go weeks without food. Source: BEEF, June 25, 2018. Link. Ambient temperature affects water intake, and horses typically drink less water in cold … [Read more...]
How gut health promotes animal welfare in monogastrics
Jackie Roembke reviews how changes in production systems and animal welfare expectations challenge nutritionists and producers to maintain healthy animal populations. Focusing on immunity first to reduce antibiotic use requires a gut health perspective. With 70 percent of an animal’s immunity concentrated in the gut, fostering a strong gastrointestinal system will improve its … [Read more...]
Missouri wildlife veterinarian does more than fix broken wings
Sherri Russell, DVM, explains her role in wildlife education and health, population medicine, One Health, conservation research projects, agriculture and education for varied interests in Missouri. This article is a unique look at how veterinary medicine is integrated within the concerns of residents where they and wildlife intersect. Source: Missouri Conservationist … [Read more...]
Catego® for cats helps raise more than $10,000 for Virginia cat rescue
AHD sponsor Ceva Animal Health, maker of Catego®, helped the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation raise more than $10,000 through a popular video on Facebook. Catego SpokesCat Benedict, “Benny” Cumbercat, and his owner, Ellen Carozza, a veterinary technician, were featured in video highlighting the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation that cares for at-risk kittens. It … [Read more...]