In the park, at the beach, in the backyard, along the sidewalk and in the lake, many serovars of Leptospira sp. bacteria can be found in soil and water. They are spread through the urine of infected animals, including wildlife and even birds such as starlings. Lepto is zoonotic, adding significance to reinforcing the benefits of vaccination and preventative measures. Recent … [Read more...]
Plenty of reasons for dog wellness visits
The spring season creates endless opportunities for wellness visits. In addition to protecting dogs from vector-borne diseases, these visits actively screen for conditions dogs may mask or owners choose to ignore. This lists eight common diseases that can affect dogs and are important reasons to urge dog owners to make semi-annual visits. Actively promoting wellness visits … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 17, 2025
Pet obesity an ongoing problem, small business economic and policy concerns, women owned pet brands, game meat from Africa in pet food and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 17, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
MWI Animal Health unveils enhancements to Repleni-Trac Vault solution
MWI Animal Health, a part of global healthcare company Cencora, unveiled an enhanced version of its Repleni-Trac Vault solution, designed to help companion animal and equine veterinary practices store and dispense controlled substances. The upgraded solution facilitates the digitalization of Drug Enforcement Administration logs and prescription drug monitoring program … [Read more...]
Smart antibiotic kills deadly bacteria while sparing the microbiome
Animal health pros will enjoy learning about the possibilities synthetic lolamicin might provide. In a new study, researchers identified a compound that kills pathogenic bacteria while sparing friendly gut microbes. The last time a gram-negative selective antibiotic was introduced for human use was in the 1960s. Bringing lolamicin to market will take several years, but … [Read more...]
Gaming expert shares simple exercises to keep you active during long periods at your desk
This article fits most animal health pros as our dependency on computers and smartphones grows daily. Sedentary behavior can lead to stiffness, poor circulation and decreased energy levels over time. Making a habit of frequent, minor exercises can enhance posture, mental clarity and long-term health. Neal Taparia shares five simple, yet effective exercises you can do without … [Read more...]
You likely don’t understand what your dog is telling you
A new study shows most of us, including dog owners, don’t perceive dogs’ emotions accurately, if at all. Researchers presented people with videos of a dog reacting to positive and negative stimuli. When asked their opinions of the dog’s emotions, participants paid more attention to situational cues than the dog’s behavior. Source: The New York Times, March 10, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Still growing, first calf heifers need feed, energy
First calf heifers need special attention. Simply put, Mother Nature tells the heifer to direct nutrients toward growth before nutrients are directed towards reproduction. Therefore first-calf heifers undergo an average three to four weeks longer period of postpartum anestrus than mature cows. Source: BEEF, February 25, 2025. Link. Don't short heifers on feed after … [Read more...]
Beyond plant milk: Real dairy proteins without the cow
Lab-grown milk is no longer science fiction. The launch of Brown Foods’ UnReal Milk signals a new competitor for cow-derived milk. MIT-validated and launching by 2026, Brown Foods’ “UnReal Milk” contains all eight key dairy proteins while using 82 percent less carbon, 90 percent less water, and 95 percent less land. Scaling from the proof of concept lab to be commercially and … [Read more...]
New study shows H5N1 is more widespread in cows than reported to date
Researchers and scientists are ringing alarms after identifying a genetic mutation in four dairy cow herds. The change is one researchers dread because it is associated with increased mammal-to-mammal transmission and disease severity. It’s the mutation that was found in the first human case and is extremely pathogenic in ferrets. Finding the same mutation in cows is … [Read more...]
Cornell launches website for bird flu information
Seeking to aggregate up-to-date information on avian influenza, Cornell University has launched a one-stop clearinghouse for the most current and trustworthy information on bird flu. The new Avian Flu Resource Center provides reliable and accessible information for members of the public, farmers, wildlife professionals, state and public health agency partners, and … [Read more...]
Skipping fecal egg counts does NOT save money
The most important reason for determining parasite fecal egg counts today is to test for resistance shared Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, DVSc, DACVM, DEVPC, when questioned about the importance of fecal egg counts. He addresses drug resistance, parasite species variability and tapeworms as growing concerns. Source: EQUUS, March 2, 2025. Link. We owe it to our horses to make … [Read more...]
Redirect chewing behaviors and avoid harsh punishments
Chewing is a completely natural behavior for puppies that owners CAN manage proactively. To do so, owners need to understand why puppies chew and redirect that behavior to appropriate chew toys. Guiding pups toward better habits without using harsh punishments is best for the pup and helps it be a better citizen in the family. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Positive … [Read more...]
Dog humping: Why it happens and how to stop it
Humping is a natural and normal dog behavior that happens for a variety of reasons, explains Cathy Madson, MA, FDM, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA. She discusses the whys and how to manage the behavior in this article, which dog owners will appreciate receiving via social media or in newsletters. Pet boarding employees can also gain insights on these behaviors to avoid issues in play areas … [Read more...]
Study: Cat attachment style impacts behavior, hormone levels
In this article offered by a colleague, researchers share study outcomes indicating emotional attachments have a noticeable impact on cats’ lives. They discovered that a cat’s attachment style, categorized as secure, anxious or avoidant, is linked to how they behave around their owners, how likely they are to exhibit problem behaviors and fluctuations in their oxytocin … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 10, 2025
Raw cat food recall, web hosting or small business, small business tax, corporate transparency act updates, R and D programs and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 10, 2025. Link. Note public webinar: Using personalization to build trust and grow revenue in pet business: Wednesday, March 26th, 1:00 p.m. CST. Register here <Link>. … [Read more...]
AAHA working, assistance and therapy dog guidelines certificate
Working, therapy and assistance dogs have unique needs requiring individualized care. This specialized course will help veterinarians adjust wellness and treatment plans for the various roles and health requirements of dogs working with their human counterparts. Source: AAHA. Link. INSIGHTS: Working, therapy, and assistance nomenclature encompasses multiple breeds outside … [Read more...]
2024 drug roundup: updates, highlights, practical considerations
Jim Budde, PharmD, RPh, DICVP, shares an overview of new drugs along with label extensions and new dosage forms for dogs and cats. He includes key information required for safe and effective use. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Employer-provided FSA grace period ends Saturday
A majority of people enrolled in Flexible Spending Accounts had a deadline of December 31, 2024, BUT over a third of enrollees get an employer-provided grace period. They have until THIS SATURDAY, March 15, to spend what's left in their accounts. Remind them of the deadline and reinforce the breadth of expenses FSA dollars cover. Source: ebn, March 11, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
89 percent of corporate workers are facing mental health challenges
In a new report from mental-health-benefits provider Lyra Health, 89 percent of 7,500 employees surveyed said they had faced at least one mental health challenge over the past year. Stress and anxiety were their primary issues. Nearly all employees surveyed said they strongly consider mental health benefits when looking for jobs. Source: Fast Company, March 5, 2025. … [Read more...]
Menopause and veterinary medicine: Challenges, opportunities, and solutions (video).
Our January 15th post <Link> included this metric, “By 2025, there will be over 1 billion people worldwide experiencing menopause.” The topic has come of age in the female-dominated veterinary profession where addressing menopause and perimenopause is an important priority that affects all team members. Liz Barton, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, MCIPR, is championing the need for … [Read more...]
Partnering with clients improves cat visits
Preparation before cats leave their home and assertive client education spell success for achieving better cat visits. In this article, Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM, provides perspectives on what derails cat visits, ensuring the clinic environment is comfortable and the opportunity to actively involve clients. She acknowledges the time investment required while affirming its value … [Read more...]
Creative Science acquires Infiniti Medical LLC and Orthomed UK Ltd.
The Creative Science acquisition strengthens their commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the standard of care in veterinary medicine. Orthomed's extensive CPD training programs and Infiniti's commitment to industry leading medical device solutions align seamlessly with Creative Science's mission to support veterinarians with the best possible tools and … [Read more...]
WashU engineers make microwave-size bird flu detector amid outbreak
Providing hope on the bird flu front, Washington University engineers have built a sensor that can detect the presence of bird flu particles within minutes. The proof of concept mini fridge-size machine detects viral particles in the air using so-called “wet cyclone” technology. It sucks in air, spins it in liquid to trap particles and sends an alert when it detects the virus. … [Read more...]
Pork industry optimistic despite disease, labor challenges
Speaking at the Minnesota Pork Congress, Brett Kaysen shared pork producers have put a lot of emphasis on prevention and preparedness for foreign animal disease but don’t want to lose sight of endemic diseases that hurt profitability. Pigs are the easy part. The people are the challenge.” Source: The Farmer, March 4, 2025. Link. Image: USSCMC … [Read more...]
Beef-dairy crossbreds often heartier than purebreds
In a first-of-its-kind study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, a team led by Penn State researchers determined that by the age of eight months, on average, the hybrid calves that recovered from pneumonia achieved similar average daily growth to calves that never had pneumonia. Source: FEEDSTUFFS, February 2025. Link. Study researchers reported that pneumonia … [Read more...]
Footbaths need routine attention, management
Taylor Leach reviews key management practices that help producers keep their footbaths operating efficiently. Footbath solutions need to be changed when 150 to 350 cows walk through them, depending on the level of dirt on hooves. She covers bath dimensions, solution types and depth, pH and treatment frequency. Source: Dairy Herd Management, February 27, 2025. … [Read more...]
Enhancing biosecurity is key to help prepare for foot-and-mouth disease
In a February seminar hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Julia Hermann, DVM, MS, DACVPM, beef cattle specialist with NCBA, told participants about the absolute need for proactive biosecurity measures to ensure cattle health and others in its economic sector. She said FMD, which affects cattle, goats, pigs and sheep is “the most contagious viral disease of … [Read more...]
Research backs early intervention for equine melanoma
Research from Portugal found that a delaying melanoma removal can have a serious impact a horse’s life. Even if a tumor wasn’t invasive or malignant, delaying removal was associated with a higher number of tumors on the same horse. Melanoma tumors are common on older grey horses. Source: EQUUS, January 16, 2025. Link. Many vets think that small melanomas don’t need to be … [Read more...]
Mud is beneficial for horses’ hooves and skin? Yes or no?
Marcella Gruchalak curates various perspectives on mud, how much is too much, what else might be in the mud and what happens if mud remains on the horse too long. Source: Horse Nation, March 3, 2025. Link. Some mud is fine, but not in excess or for extended periods of time.” Also see: There’s nothing as helpful as picking out a horse’s feet daily, AHD Archives. … [Read more...]