Different horses have different deworming needs. The best treatment for any animal starts with a fecal egg count to determine if the horse is a high shedder, medium shedder or low shedder of eggs. This measurement helps determine how often a horse needs deworming and supports herd decisions. Source: Horse Network, February 6, 2017. For many years, horses were treated with a … [Read more...]
Editorial: Musings from WVC 2017
Returning home from the Western Veterinary Conference, I reflected that this year, the WVC was the comfortable veterinary conference. That is, comfortable compared to NAVC, which recently debuted in the vast Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. In past years, WVC seemed to tax our physical and time-management stamina. But, after the marathon hiking required during … [Read more...]
Technology is a literal pain in the neck
Many of us walk around with our necks jutting further forward than they should be. It is a consequence of being so tied to smartphones, notebooks, driving and working on computers. Bob Fischer, a personal trainer in Philadelphia, shares his five favorite moves for counteracting the effects of "tech neck." Source: Prevention, January 25, 2017. One study published in the … [Read more...]
Major issues facing agriculture
Leaders from U.S. trade associations shared their groups’ most pressing priorities for 2017. Their list includes topics that relate to human safety and life quality. Source: AgriMarketing, January/February 2017, page 24-28. There are always a number of important issues to consider ahead of any year, but 2017 seems to have lots of unknowns. More importantly, the questions … [Read more...]
Worst day of my life
We mention the wildfires in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas elsewhere in this week’s update. Kylene Scott’s firsthand perspective brings bitter reality to that post. Source: High Plains Journal, March 7, 2017. A family friend alerted him to the fire in Clark County very near the Scott farm after we’d returned home from burying my dad yesterday. . . One cow is bawling … [Read more...]
Relief fund started for cattlemen in burn areas
A relief fund has been set up by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation to help cattleman affected by wildfires in the state. The need will only grow as wildfires continue to burn there and in Colorado, Kansas and Texas. Source: Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, March 7, 2017. Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation and put “Fire Relief” in the memo line and … [Read more...]
Take quiet walks with dogs
Nicole Wilde recommends being silent when walking with dogs. Taking a break from rambling chatter shows how useful body language cues can be and see how it is much easier for a dog to focus on a verbal cue such as, “Come!” when it’s not floating amid a sea of other words. Source: Modern Dog, February 23, 2017. Dogs observe our body language so much more than we realize. … [Read more...]
Screwworm eradication: An Interactive View
The parasitic New World screwworm has an interesting history in the United States, and the USDA has developed a series of interactive graphics to illustrate past and present eradication efforts. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, February 15, 2016. The USDA interactive website illustrates the biology of the screwworm fly and uses maps to illustrate past and present eradication … [Read more...]
More rain means more mosquitoes
Californians have welcomed rains of late. Early results of it likely mean more mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. Standing water and warm weather create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to reproduce. This raises concerns about the potential of West Nile Virus infections in humans and animals. Source: KPCC, February 21, 2017. The situation with mosquitos and … [Read more...]
CWD research a focus of USGS National Wildlife Health Center
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) remains a key focus for research at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC). CWD infects elk, white-tailed deer, and mule deer, but is not known to infect livestock or humans currently. No treatment is known and the disease is typically fatal. With deer harvests complete, the NWHC has updated its map of the distribution of CWD in North … [Read more...]
UPS drivers don’t turn left
To UPS, the shortest distance between two points must avoid crossing oncoming traffic. We found this article intriguing. You likely will, too. Source: The Conversation, January 2017. It seems incredible that not turning left can lead to such significant savings. The TV series Mythbusters tested this idea and confirmed that, despite many more turns, the policy of only … [Read more...]
Violence in veterinary practices – be prepared
Since 2006, news outlets have reported dozens of violent crimes against veterinary professionals in their workplaces in the United States, ranging from simple assault to homicide, murder–suicide, and rape, followed by murder. The offender may be a client, a stranger, a team member, or an outsider in a volatile relationship with a team member. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
DIY marketing for parasite-free pets
Remember "stop, look and listen?" They were potentially life-saving actions drilled into us by our parents and teachers when we are about to cross the road. Our AHD team urges you to stop, look and listen to the advice Jane Harrell offers regarding marketing parasite prevention yourself. Research shows that clients view the education you give them about their pet’s health as a … [Read more...]
“Lexus” pet dentistry
The title made me a bit uncomfortable but as the metaphor played out it was clear the authors had a strong point to make. As with shopping for a car, clients want to compare the Lexus style with that of the Kia. However, actual dental services represent a wide continuum of services depending, at least, on the age, size, and breed of the pet. To the client, however, it often … [Read more...]
Editorial – Consumers getting dental messages
February is National Pet Dental month, but dental care for pets is a daily routine we rarely get established as animal health pros. Even veterinarians admit they don’t brush their own pets’ teeth daily. Still, the amount of media attention to this topic in February is admirable. In this consumer article Sarah Young summarizes the importance of dental care, a daily routine, … [Read more...]
Make your mornings suck less
For some, mornings are the worst part of the day. Vanessa Van Edwards shares five ways to make mornings more enjoyable: Success begins before you step out of bed Spend the first hour of your day like a robot Postpone your morning cup of coffee Absorb energy from the sun’s rays Wake up packed and ready to go Source: Science of People, February 2017. Mornings … [Read more...]
Pet medicines are a poison risk for kids
Children five-years-old and under account for 88 percent of calls to poison control centers for exposure to veterinary medicines, researchers report in Pediatrics. In almost all of these cases, kids consumed drugs intended for the family pet. While this is a limited study, the action items are clear. Educate animal owners about keeping animal medications out of reach of … [Read more...]
Disease outbreaks – are farriers carriers?
When a disease outbreak is announced, farms, horse owners, shows and other equine entities reconsider their ways of working for a time in hopes of preventing further spread of the disease. Farms will quarantine horses that return from shows, cancel events and other such preventative measures. However, how often do they consider the farrier appointments? Typically, farriers … [Read more...]
Disinfect tube feeding equipment to prevent disease spread
While esophageal feeding of colostrum can revive weak goat kids, washing hands and disinfecting equipment thoroughly between uses is necessary to prevent the spread of diseases like Johne’s, mycoplasmosis and CAE. Follow these steps to effectively disinfect syringes and tubes: Rinse immediately after use Wash with warm soapy water to remove all debris Dilute 1 ounce … [Read more...]
Take steps to reduce abortions this kidding season
Q-fever, Chlamydiosis and toxoplasmosis are common causes of infectious abortions in goats. Prevention strategies include vaccinating, feeding antibiotics and quarantining new purchases until after kidding. Herds with multiple abortions in a short time frame or abortion rates in excess of three percent to five percent of the total number of pregnant animals should submit … [Read more...]
Hot car temperatures kill pets
Lest you think it’s too cool to worry about pets left in parked cars, think again. Police in Palm Springs, California, report that a dog left inside a car for more than three hours there, died of heat exhaustion February 5 – a 70°-day. Yet, his body temperature reached 104°. The dog’s owner was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. Source: KESQ, February 6, 2017 There … [Read more...]
Support for Leptospirosis vaccination increasing
Not every DVM is on board with the need for a leptospirosis vaccine, but the numbers are growing. The FIRSTLINE staff finds consensus among some DVMs that lepto vaccination should not be ignored. Source: Firstline, January 18, 2017. Some vets used to try to keep vaccine frequencies lower for small-breed dogs. But general-practice Dr. Jeff Rothstein says that's less of a … [Read more...]
Swine Health Information Center helps producers and veterinarians
The four main categories of the Swine Health Information Center mission are: Preparedness, Response, Monitoring, and Analysis. “Education is key to preparedness,” said Dr. Paul Sundberg, executive director of the SHIC. In 2016, SHIC produced nine additional swine disease fact sheets, bringing the total number of fact sheets to 33. Source: Pork Network, January 30, … [Read more...]
Editorial – They say we don’t care
Critics and non-agricultural lobbyists often criticize animal health pros for not caring about the environment, odors or greenhouse gases. This article flies in the faces of such critics. Source: WATTAgNet, January 20, 2017. Perdue Farms has expanded its $68 million investment in nutrient recycling on the Delmarva Peninsula with the addition of a $12 million capital … [Read more...]
Go home dads. The kids NEED you!
Just being a breadwinner is a rapidly fading role for men with children. The parenting resources for dads are lacking, so most are left guessing how to improve. All the studies show that the influence fathers have in the lives of their children is far greater than what was once commonly believed. The fact is that dads have a greater role in parenting than ever … [Read more...]
Kirby’s Rule of 20
The Kirby’s Rule of 20 is a classic checklist of 20 important patient parameters. Its creator, Rebecca Kirby, double board-certified in internal medicine and critical care, is the former owner of Animal Emergency Center in Glendale, Wisconsin. This checklist would help create good discussion at an upcoming practice team meeting. Don’t forget to discuss what it means to give … [Read more...]
Swine industry audits ensure safe pork
Consumer demand continues to grow for certified safe foods. The National Pork Board responded to these demands by developing an extension of the Pork Quality Assurance Plus certification called the Common Swine Industry Audit. Source: National Hog Farmer, January 2017. The CSIA, certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) in October of … [Read more...]
PRRS has lingering negative impact
It is no surprise to learn that PRRS has a measurable long-term impact on pork production and economics. A study by Pablo Valdes-Donoso and Andres Perez, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, shows that although the number of farms has decreased, and the number of animals and the level of specialization has … [Read more...]
Dairy calf bedding choices just got easier
Bedding makes a difference say many dairymen. But does it? Dairy scientists compared pea gravel, rubber chip, sand and wood shavings to determine their effects on the health, physiology, and behavior of group-housed calves. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, January 18, 2017. In conclusion, the physiology and behavior of calves reared on pea gravel, rubber chips and sand was … [Read more...]
Similar, yet different
Not humanizing your dog’s mind is the best thing that you can do. Dogs and humans are very different species, reminds Cesar Millan. With dogs, our first instinct is often humanization — to treat a dog like a person — which is how a lot of canine behavior problems begin. With dogs, we need to be constantly aware of how we are different and how we are the same as them. Source: … [Read more...]