Greg Henderson writes about transporting cattle, but this content is applicable to pigs and horses, as well. Transportation stress remains a primary determinant of how much work awaits feedyard employees. “Cattle that are hauled long distances go through many types of stress which could include maternal separation (weaning), transportation, water and feed deprivation and more,” … [Read more...]
Cesar shares good topics of interest
Cesar Milan’s team does a nice job of covering several topics in a recent newsletter. They include: Coyotes, an urban threat to dogs Choosing pet insurance Protecting pets from wild animals Camping with Canines Source: Cesar’s Way, June 21, 2017. While it’s good to be in touch with nature, sometimes nature can intrude in unwanted ways. Just because you live in … [Read more...]
Pets and hot cars don’t mix
An Ontario, California woman was arrested last Sunday on suspicion of animal cruelty after allegedly leaving two dogs and a cat inside a parked car while record-setting heat blasted away. One dog died. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers an educational poster at its Hot Cars and Loose Pets page. It also offers a chart of how hot the inside of a car gets on its … [Read more...]
Remember Beef Quality Assurance guidelines
Dan Thomson, DVM, Ph.D., reminds us to remember BQA guidelines when doing injections. Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated and state-implemented program. It provides ongoing information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers about how common-sense husbandry techniques, coupled with scientific knowledge, work together to raise cattle under optimum management and … [Read more...]
No. Goats are not taking away human jobs
Western Michigan University rented a crew of 20 goats to clear brush and weeds this summer. This was met with a grievance from a chapter of the American Federal of State County and Municipal Employees. It stated the goats are taking jobs away from laid-off union workers. Christopher Ingraham’s analysis, albeit back of the envelope, says it’s not so. Source: The Washington … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: Addison Biological Laboratory featured
Congratulations to AHD sponsor, Addison Biological Laboratory, for being selected as a featured manufacturer for Spring 2017 by MWI Animal Health. The story featured Addison’s development of the first USDA conditional license for a commercial Moraxella Bovoculi Bacterin in early 2017. Moraxella bovoculi is frequently referred to as winter pinkeye. Source: Addison Biological … [Read more...]
Speaking of mosquitos
We’re learning more about vector control in animal health. AHD sponsor Ceva Animal Health has helped our industry understand the need for mosquito control to help prevent heartworm. Its Double Defense protocol focuses on repelling and killing mosquitos outside the dog while killing heartworm larvae inside the dog. But what about you and me? Not all of the mosquito prevention … [Read more...]
9 ways to have a great road trip with pets
These tips will come in handy if you or your clients are about to take a road trip and take your pet(s) along. From pet-friendly hotels to pre-trip workouts, there are good tips here. Source: The Water Bowl by Embrace Pet Insurance, June 7, 2017. Always maintain your sense of chill and adventure. It might be a little challenging to travel together – especially at first – … [Read more...]
Overweight pet population doesn’t mirror overweight owner population
You might think that states with the highest rates of overweight people would have the highest rates of overweight pets. This isn’t the case, according to a Banfield report about pet obesity that was mentioned in The Washington Post. Source: The Washington Post, June 27, 2017 (paywall). Not according to a new report based on the physiques of more than 2.5 million dogs and … [Read more...]
Dealing with July 4th fireworks and dogs
It is time to remember pets as July 4th celebrations get booming. We’ve gathered several posts about dogs and fireworks so you can review and share with staff and clients. Source: Animal Health Digest. See the posts revealed when AHD is searched for fireworks. … [Read more...]
Harness the cat and go for a walk
Sandy Robins shares ways to train a cat to walk on a leash. Doing so enriches the cat’s lifestyle by safely allowing her to enjoy the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. It’s also an excellent way of revving up her exercise routine. But, not all cats take to the harness and leash easily. Robins says kittens are easier to train than adults. Source: Catster, June 20, … [Read more...]
Research to help determine horse-to-rider weight guidelines
The Animal Health Trust (AHT) is launching a study this year that will help equestrian organizations create science-based guidelines for rider weight. According to AHT, an excessive weight burden can lead to horses with back problems, lameness, chronic pain and resistance to being ridden. The research promises to answer longstanding questions about rider-to-horse weight … [Read more...]
5 ways to de-stress without leaving your desk
There’s not always time to step away from the daily grind. But you can opt for right-where-you-are de-stress techniques, according to Katrina Davies. Try one of these 5 options: Ear massage Workplace reset Hand-trick Breathing technique Progressive relaxation Source: The Muse, June 26, 2017. Here are five tips to reduce stress at the office, perfect for … [Read more...]
Heat stress brings lasting impacts in dairy cows for years
Heat stress in dairy cows is a timely topic. Recent research coupled with dairy producer experiences show impacts on the milking cows’ milk production, as well as a developing calf inside a heat-stressed dry cow. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 21, 2017. A phenomenon called fetal programming means the DNA of the calf born from a dam who was heat stressed is permanently … [Read more...]
Fear of disease transmission drives Yellowstone quarantine facility
Male bison must be quarantined for a year before they can be deemed free of brucellosis, which is feared by the livestock industry because it causes cattle to abort their offspring. More than half of Yellowstone bison are believed to have been exposed to the disease. Source: AgWeb, June 26, 2017. There has been no documented case of bison transmitting the disease to cattle … [Read more...]
Cage-free not necessarily better for hens
John Brunnquell runs Egg Innovations, the largest free-range layer operation in the industry. It didn’t come naturally. He grew up on a traditional chicken farm and can substantiate the benefits of caged egg production. However, he’s spent the last two decades perfecting his current operation. He and other industry experts admit that cage-free egg production still has a long … [Read more...]
Don’t punish a growling dog
This excerpt from a book being promoted has value for website content, newsletters, blogs or social media. Once again, we learn to control ourselves instead of the animal. Source: Whole Dog Journal, June 20, 2017. It's very common for dog owners to punish their dogs for growling. Unfortunately, this often suppresses the growl, eliminating his ability to warn us that he's … [Read more...]
Dog owners walk more, are healthier than non-owners.
New research suggests that one benefit of owning a dog is walking more than if you don’t own one. In a study published last week in the journal BMC Public Health, dog owners walked an average of 22 minutes more per day compared to people who don’t own a dog. Plus, the exercise was at a moderate pace, getting and keeping heart rates up. Source: NPR, July 12, 2017. The … [Read more...]
Time to rethink mites
Tufts veterinary dermatologist Lluis Ferrer, DVM, shares information on Demodex mites, including the recent confirmation of them taking up residence in dogs’ hair follicles. Demodex mites have been detected in the skin of all mammals and are considered part of what is called the cutaneous microbiome. He reminds us that Demodex mites are crawling on our faces all the time. Note … [Read more...]
Take steps to prevent workplace violence
Workplace violence can erupt unexpectedly. While we don’t believe it will happen in our workplace, as of June 13th, 2017, there have been eight workplace killings. Lynne Curry offers five things every employer should be doing: Don’t hire danger Uncover surprises Investigate Assess potential threats Source: Alaska Dispatch News, June 13, 2017. The many … [Read more...]
Horse people and the hygiene hypothesis
There is much discussion currently about the microbiome. Rebecca Parker discusses why horse people seem to be made of tougher stuff and brings in the hygiene hypothesis, microbes and the inherent exercise in her article. She also references the benefits of being outdoors and the serenity it takes to work with horses. Source: Horse Network, June 13, 2017. Where do we find … [Read more...]
Take the “flea talk” quiz
All animal health pros will talk fleas as some point. Here’s a fun quiz to see if you are flea talk ready. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2017. Fleas are probably the most common ectoparasite of companion animals, but many pet owners are ambivalent about flea infestations. Helping clients understand the importance of flea infestation prevention can be difficult, but … [Read more...]
Canine Influenza Virus questions in 2017
The million-dollar question about the current H3N2 outbreak is whether it will worsen or fizzle out — and how many dogs will be affected. Steve Dale discusses the challenges in the dog show world and beyond. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 7, 2017. The H3N2 virus exhibits extremely high mobility and low mortality, and an estimated 3 to 5 percent of dogs infected die. … [Read more...]
Focus on feline health from AVMA
Sometimes the job of curation is already done for us. Multiple aspects of feline health are featured in this AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief. Topics include: Poll results on preventative care New health record system for pets Negative pressure therapy for healing Rabies in Tampa Update on whisker fatigue Source: AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief, June 14, 2017. … [Read more...]
Yuk! 5 vile veterinary dermatological conditions (photo gallery)
Whew! I’ve always had a great deal of respect for the livestock veterinarians who routinely stand in the stuff and reach in the things. Animal health pros working in veterinary dermatology may never need a new rotator cuff. Still, Dr. Melissa Hall’s description and graphic photos of five of the most cringeworthy dermatologic conditions she has encountered garners a new … [Read more...]
Opinion – Virus detection reinforces sanitation
There’s a lesson here for all animal health pros. Diseases are easily spread. Consider how many times we forget that one of the more important roles of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry prevention processes is population control. Congratulations to this multi-disciplined team of researchers whose persistence has identified potential for disease contamination in trucks … [Read more...]
Recognize the signs of pain in pets (includes video)
Janice Huntingford, DVM, believes pet owners and veterinarians can work together to identify pain in dogs and cats. The pet owner is likely to be the first to notice that their pet is in pain if they know what to look for. Source: Veterinary Medicine, May 30, 2017. Watch the video to learn how Dr. Huntingford describes often-overlooked signs of pain to pet owners, or read … [Read more...]
Exercise versus caffeine: Which fights fatigue better?
Multiple research studies have shown that sleep deprivation has the same effect on our cognition and coordination as a few alcoholic beverages. Animal health pros tend to work hard, long, demanding hours. Learn how both caffeine and exercise can benefit your periods of fatigue. Source: Harvard Health Publications, June 8, 2017. The take-home message? Caffeine can provide a … [Read more...]
11 things you should know about dogs and fireworks
Independence Day celebrations are a couple weeks away. The time to prepare for the anxiety dogs experience from the sounds of fireworks is now, not then. Our friends at Purina developed 11 common-sense tips that are useful fodder for websites, blogs and newsletter. Hurry and share. July 4th is almost here. Source: Purina. Before July 4th rolls around, here are eleven things … [Read more...]
A traumatic experience can reshape your microbiome
With so much effort to find alternatives to antibiotics, we wanted to share this article describing the brain-gut connection. A team of researchers recently found that our guts may harbor evidence of difficult life experiences many years after the fact, changing everything from how we digest food to how we process stress. Source: Science of US, June 1, 2017. Even more than … [Read more...]