John Nalivka shares an opinion piece that speaks to the pinched wallets consumers are experiencing. The overall costs costs of livestock production, have increased 28 percent from 2019 to 2023. The cost of energy posted a 35 percent increase over the same years while the cost of labor rose 24 percent from 2019 to 2023. Land values have also risen significantly, making … [Read more...]
Mizzou’s next-generation anaplasmosis vaccine shows promise
University of Missouri researchers are developing a new* vaccine proven to protect cattle from a devastating tick-borne cattle disease, bovine anaplasmosis. Roman Reddy Ganta, MSc, PhD, led the study that created the new vaccine. The work involved genetically modifying the pathogen Anaplasma marginale in a lab. By deleting a specific gene and then injecting the modified … [Read more...]
Voluntary waiting period data can set up cows for success
A dairy cow’s voluntary waiting period, the time after calving until breeding, is a flurry of internal activity, writes Steve Pavelski. He asserts the voluntary waiting period should be considered a preparation period. The article is a good resource to share and discuss with dairy producers. Source: Progressive Dairy, September 5, 2024. Link. The most profitable voluntary … [Read more...]
Breeding soundness exams give 20:1 ROI
The lack of breeding soundness exams keeps Joe Dalton, PhD, awake at night, writes Becky Mills. He shares concerns about data on the low percentage of producers who test bulls already in their bull battery for at least two breeding seasons. He emphasizes a complete breeding soundness exam, not just a semen test, as critical to the value of reproduction. Source: Angus Beef … [Read more...]
Conservation advocacy soars in the 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year Competition
Bird Photographer of the Year has announced the winners of the 2024 competition, selected from a pool of more than 23,000 submissions. Soaring into the top spot is Canadian conversation photojournalist Patricia Homonylo’s powerful image of thousands of birds that died after flying into windows in Toronto. Source: COLLOSAL, September 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Analgesia trends in exotics
Discussing analgesia in rabbits and rodents, Olivia A. Petritz, DVM, DACZM, provides an overview of recent studies. She also refers to the development of grimace scales for rabbits, rats and mice. Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 20, 2024. Link. Clinical signs of pain in rodents are similar to rabbits and include a hunched posture, lack of or increased grooming, … [Read more...]
Safety tips for clients when holding horses for farriers and vets
Horses can react suddenly, no matter how well-behaved they seem. Owners are often asked to help the veterinarian or farrier. Once a horse owner accepts care and control, THEY are made immediately responsible for ANYTHING that may happen while tending to the horse. This e-book is a handy resource to help clients remain safe and helpful, as well as keep the veterinarian, … [Read more...]
Holiday hazards for pets
Fall’s arrival welcomes gatherings for sports events and holidays. Many holiday hazards can harm pets. Determining what will harm pets makes it confusing. Pet owners are advised to prepare in advance. Source: Great Pet Care, September 20, 2024. Link. Photo by K E on Unsplash … [Read more...]
World Rabies Day is September 28th
On September 28th, we celebrate the 102nd birthday of Louis Pasteur by honoring his pioneering work in developing a vaccine against rabies. The anniversary of his birth has been designated World Rabies Day in remembrance of Dr. Pasteur and the millions of lives he continues to save with the rabies vaccine. Source: Global Alliance for Rabies Control. Link. Rabies is an … [Read more...]
NRF Foundation launches Customer Conflict De-escalation Training for front-line workers
The latest offering from NRF is part of the RISE Up educational training program and focuses on fostering a safe and positive environment for both retail employees and the millions of customers they serve. Source: NRF, September 23, 2024. Link. The Customer Conflict De-escalation program provides customer-facing employees with the knowledge and training to identify … [Read more...]
Survey: Only 1/3 of Americans have natural disaster plans for pets
Hurricane Helene is in the news <Link>. Floridians are prepping for her effects. Preparations for natural disasters should include pets, but as the August ’24 Talker survey reveals, many pet owners have no plans in place for their animals. This article outlines important elements of a comprehensive disaster plan for pets. It is suitable for sharing on social media, in … [Read more...]
United Veterinary Service Association panelists discuss access to care
UVSA leaders and members outlined ways they can take a proactive role in the animal health industry to improve access to veterinary care. Graham Garrison outlines interview topics from the recent USVA annual conference, the importance of access to care, the association’s upcoming initiatives and the commitment to NextGen leadership education. Source: Veterinary Advantage, … [Read more...]
How to recognize and respond to gaslighting
Gaslighting is an insidious pattern of control. While it most often occurs in intimate relationships, it can occur in other contexts, including healthcare environments. In relationships with an unequal power dynamic; the person with more power is frequently the perpetrator. A recurring psychological manipulation, gaslighting can manifest as lying, discrediting, blaming, … [Read more...]
Missing clients?
Lapsed patients are a concern for most veterinary practices. It might be time to consider a reactivation campaign. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, August 1, 2024. Link. “Bringing back cats and dogs you haven’t seen in 14 to 18 months can mean big wins for your revenue and, even better, healthier pets.” INSIGHT: Personalize, personalize, personalize. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 19, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 12th AHD Bulletin – Likeability – How to find it in others and develop it in you. Link. Don’t forget. Manure can kill! Link. Use the Two-Minute Rule to stop procrastinating. Link. ===================================== The 5-3-1 Rule is … [Read more...]
Pet weight survey starts October 7th, includes horses
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention will collaborate with veterinary practices and teaching hospitals to collect and report the weight and body condition scores of dogs, cats and, for the first time, horses. Veterinary clinics interested in recording the weights and scores of patients seen during routine examinations may register at bit.ly/APOPsignup. Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Federal bill seeks to expand HSA, FSA eligibility to include veterinary care expenses
The People and Animal Well-being (PAW) Act aims to support pet owners by making veterinary care more affordable under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 17, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Study estimates superbug crisis could get worse, killing nearly 40 million people by 2050
A recently published study <Link> projects the challenge of antimicrobial resistance into the future. AMR, one of the top global public health and development threats, is expected to get worse. It is driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals and plants. Source: CNN, September 16, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
JBS to transform renewable gas to sustainable fuel at US beef and poultry plants
JBS and GreenGasUSA are collaborating to collect methane from wastewater streams at JBS facilities using GreenGasUSA’s on-site upgrading systems, which can purify biogas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. Source: AgricultureDive, September 18, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Injectable iron – New science on a routine practice
Complimentary Commercial Content To prevent iron deficiency in pigs and avoid the heavy losses this can cause, iron supplementation is necessary during the first three days of life. Since the 1950’s iron supplements have been common practice, albeit with some arguments about how much and whether one dose or two is best. In this article, Wesley Lyons and Chris Olsen, of … [Read more...]
Mosquitos bug pigs, too
Mosquitos! Animal health pros often associate the pesky biting bugs with dogs and horses, but they are a problem for swine producers too. Jennifer Shike’s two articles address issues with mosquitos and controlling them around swine production sites. Sources: 9 ways to fight mosquitos on the farm, PORK, September 9, 2024. Link. Mosquitos are on the rise: Why pork … [Read more...]
4 considerations for more efficient, productive farm calls
Veterinarians tell some of the most comical stories about making farm calls when producers have told them they’ll “have everything ready” . . . NOT! Laura Meier, DVM, shares the importance of preparation at the farm and veterinarian level in this reminder article. Communication, preparation and patience are key to helping farm calls run smoothly and quickly . . . there’s … [Read more...]
To preg-check or not . . . an economic decision
Dean Kreager relates the importance of checking beef cows for pregnancy to the potential costs of overwintering an open cow. He shares only 20 percent of cow-calf producers in the eastern U.S. preg-check beef cows. Noting drought conditions in some areas, Kreager estimates the overwintering feed costs, and compares that to preg-check costs and the relative value of a cull cow … [Read more...]
It’s not Old McDonald’s dairy farm anymore
Beef-on-dairy has become a cash cow for many dairy farmers, writes Fran O'Leary. But making it all work takes some experimentation, time and planning. She shares some producer experiences and the economics in this article. Source: Wisconsin Agriculturist, September 5, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: O’Leary’s article is good context for veterinary teams and sales representatives … [Read more...]
10 reasons to love sticky ichthammol ointment
Next to the jar of pine tar in my grandfather’s horse barn was a jar of drawing salve called ichthammol. I remember the stinky salve when it got slapped on a bumblebee sting while removing old hay and chaff from an idle stall bunk. A derivative of coal tar, it is used to reduce inflammation, draw out infection, kill germs and soothe pain. EQUUS editors share 10 uses for … [Read more...]
Are antibiotics necessary for oral surgery?
Bacteremia is a recognized sequela of dental scaling and oral surgery in patients with severe periodontal disease. A small study sought to assess whether transient bacteremia developed after dental scaling, root planing and dental extractions, as well as whether the amount of bacteremia warranted antibiotics. Perioperative use of systemic antibiotics for dental procedures in … [Read more...]
It’s better to forget the ice cubes for dogs
Depending on which Google search result you read, the vote on sharing ice cubes with dogs is 50/50, yes/no. Pam Nichols, DVM, CCRP, CFI, offers guidance on the topic in this article, ultimately saying not to offer dogs ice, including teething puppies. The main risk is tooth damage, she says. Giving a dog ice water, or just a handful of ice cubes, has no beneficial … [Read more...]
Vet care costs are skyrocketing. 8 people share their vet bill horror stories.
Commentary Deborah Vankin’s story relating pet owner experiences with veterinary care costs from survey results is not surprising. What is concerning is the bent toward negative experiences. Sadly, there is only one reference to pet insurance, especially when this month is National Pet Health Insurance Month which is promoted every year in September <Link>. Source: … [Read more...]
Advocacy series popular with clinic teams
Feedback shared with ASPCA@ Pet Health Insurance field representatives reveals our advocacy series <Link> has sparked attention from clinic teams over the past several months. We’re sharing two resources available to help clinic teams engage pet owners and share the value of pet insurance with pet owners. Source: ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance. Pet insurance … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 16, 2024
The People and Animals Well-being Act, rising costs threaten pet ownership, Pak Social seeks to redefine pet care, what works in marketing now and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 16, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]