Instinct Science’s second annual State of Emergency and Specialty Veterinary Care Report highlights positive shifts in morale and teamwork in this sector of veterinary services. Among the findings, a) patient volume and wait times have eased, b) staffing shortages have decreased slightly, and c), morale and job satisfaction have improved across the sector. Along with the … [Read more...]
To mask or not in the swine barn for flu?
Montse Torremorell, DVM, shares the risks from bidirectional transmission of influenza A virus between pigs and people. He says the frequent spillover of human-origin seasonal influenza viruses to pigs is a main driver for flu diversity, resulting in new reassortant viruses that threaten pig health, productivity and public health. Results from a recent study evaluating masks … [Read more...]
New products from World Dairy Expo
Mark Moore shares new products that garnered attention at World Dairy Expo that took place in Madison, Wisconsin, from September 28th to October 4th. Featured are management products that promise to help streamline some of the processes on farm. For animal health pros working with dairies, learning about new products outside your own offerings can be beneficial during a … [Read more...]
Worker safety includes teaming with veterinarians
Working with livestock always includes opportunities for someone to get injured. National Safety Month is behind us, but attention to safety requires continual attention. Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury. Two articles from the NCBA BQA library are timely as fall cattle work progresses. Understanding the animals, as well as the best … [Read more...]
Larval therapy decreases layup time for coffin bone infection
A post from the Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry unit is shared in the article here. The case described shares a thoroughbred with a recurrent abscess. Instead of debriding the infection and starting the horse on regional perfusions and systemic antibiotics, the doctors used larval therapy to debride the diseased tissue. The larval therapy technique involved a shorter layup … [Read more...]
Explaining why cats chatter
Victoria Atkinson shares possible reasons to explain the quiet chattering noise cats sometimes make. There are no current studies investigating this behavior, however, cat owners and researchers have some possible explanations for the chattering behaviors. Cats can be seen and heard chattering in the You Tube video shown above <Link>. [6:29] Source: LiveScience, … [Read more...]
Gracie, Glacer National Park’s B.A.R.K. Ranger
Gracie a 10-year-old Border Collie is an official “Wildlife Working Dog.” Twice a week in the summer, she and owner-handler Mark Biel patrol Montana’s Logan Pass in Glacier National Park in an effort to curb wildlife encounters, especially bighorn sheep or mountain goats. Source: Thrillist, September 30, 2024. Link. B.A.R.K. stands for: Bag your pet’s waste Always … [Read more...]
Theories on why dogs do what they do
Many dog behaviors are inexplicable, but they have meaning. Experts share some theories on why dogs tilt their heads, eat grass, lean on us and more. Animal health pros can use this article for social media or newsletters to help dog owners attempt to decipher and understand their dogs' idiosyncratic behaviors. Source: Better Help. Link. Related: Educating pet owners on … [Read more...]
Oak mites join chiggers, mosquitos, other insects as big annoyance for pets, humans
According to cicada expert Dr. Gene Kritsky, a particular mite known as the "oak leaf itch mite" can be seen in large amounts following a cicada emergence. The articles shared here offer information on these little critters known as Pyemotes herfsi. Oak leaf itch mites are nearly invisible to the naked eye (0.2 mm in length), but they are responsible for mite bite outbreaks in … [Read more...]
Walmart is expanding pet care services
Walmart is opening five more pet services centers after testing the first location near Atlanta. The centers offer vet visits and grooming. The pet services centers will have their own dedicated entrance next to a store under the Walmart name and staffed by employees of vet care and pet product company PetIQ. Source: CNBC, October 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet Product News top dog product picks of 2024
It is always a good idea for animal health pros to scan through new products. Treats, chew toys, a clear pet gate, a board game to play with a dog, car seat, functional supplements, special collars and more are featured here as winners of PPN's Editors' Choice Awards. Source: Pet Product News, October 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pedigreed cat sales now outpace moggie cats
Cats Protection is the UK's leading cat charity. The charity’s 2024 report on cats and their stats indicates 45 percent of all cats acquired between March 2023 and March 2024 were pedigreed or purebred cats, compared to 43 percent moggies. The remainder was made up of cross-breeds. These data represent a significant shift in trends leading the organization to share concerns … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 7, 2024
Poopcopter is the world’s first aerial bound self-guided dog poop removal system, Fire Prevention Week, improving employee performance, dogs traveling, pet spending continues, the evolution of pet food processing and more . . . Note: The APPA is seeking speakers for The Pet Summit to take place from March 24th-26th, 2025, in Orlando, Florida alongside the Global Pet … [Read more...]
FDA Safety Communication update: Evaluating plastic syringes made in China for potential device failures
In its August 16th update, the FDA recommendations have not changed. It recommends the following: Use syringes not manufactured in China, if possible. At this time, glass syringes, pre-filled syringes, or syringes used for topical purposes are not included. If you only have syringes manufactured in China, then continue to use them as needed until you are able to use … [Read more...]
Synchrony’s new technology connects pet insurance and CareCredit to streamline pet care payment processes
Synchony’s patent-pending new reimbursement technology is an advancement in the often-complicated process of managing pet healthcare expenses. For pet owners who have both CareCredit and Pets Best pet insurance, this technology simplifies the payment process by directly reimbursing insurance claims to the CareCredit health and wellness credit card. Source: Synchrony, October … [Read more...]
Recognize vet techs during National Veterinary Technician Week
“Credentialed Veterinary Technicians Change Lives,” is the theme for the 2024 National Veterinary Technician Week. October 13th through 19th has been set aside to appreciate and celebrate the support these important individuals provide in exam rooms, labs, operating rooms and interfacing with animal owners of all species. Source: NAVTA. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 3, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 26, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 26th AHD Bulletin – The story no one talks about: the cost to produce food. Link. Changing weather patterns call for a change in deworming habits. Link. Conservation advocacy soars in ‘24 Bird Photographer competition. Link. USDA network … [Read more...]
Meeting the challenges post-hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has devasted much of the southeast U.S. The damage to homes, businesses and transportation routes will impact our animal health business in many ways. Patience and understanding must prevail. Supporting first responders and local animal rescue organizations is important in the coming months. A colleague working the phone lines as a volunteer for Crisis … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 30, 2024
Congratulations to the winners of the Pet Care Business Excellence Awards, aka the IBBYs. Halloween shopping underway for pets, pushing your comfort zone, solutions for pets reluctant to take medications, supplement business growth, advancing urinary tract health and more . . . Source: IBPSA, September 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Charity Halloween pet costume contest to benefit the Veterinary Hope Foundation
This charitable event hosted by The Bridge Club aims to build excitement for the "Give is the Word" benefit in March 2025 during the WVC Annual Conference, while raising awareness for the Veterinary Hope Foundation. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, practice managers, and anyone connected to the veterinary profession are invited to dress their pets in one of the … [Read more...]
Can PRRSV, PEDV be inactivated in truck cabs?
Truck cabs are a biosecurity concern, especially in swine production, to reduce the spread of PRRSV and PEDV. Research from the Swine Health Center updates truck cabin biosecurity methods in this article. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 11, 2024. Link. While ozone and air-purifier technologies have emerged as promising alternatives for decontamination, further … [Read more...]
Organizational basics, SOPs important in on-farm dairy production
Discussing procedural drift, Lisa Holden, PhD, emphasizes the need for dairy producer management to refresh SOP training and monitoring. It's easier to write an SOP and train than to create the culture of compliance, she shared. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 12, 2023. Link. The consistency that cows crave so much is gained through those standard operating … [Read more...]
Waste milk fed to calves may be creating resistant bacteria
Feeding non-salable milk from antibiotic-treated cows to calves is a common practice. Now, the presence of antimicrobial residues in waste milk raises significant concerns within the scientific community. Researchers assert that waste milk’s use poses a risk by exerting selective pressure, fostering the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria in the intestinal microbiota of … [Read more...]
Genetic resistance for F18 Escherichia coli holds
Increases in cases of post-weaning diarrhea caused by E. coli from 2019 through 2023 prompted researchers to better understand strain variances and study genetic susceptibility of specific breeds to F18 E. coli. Comingled susceptible and resistant pigs were acclimated, then challenged and monitored for variability and disease. Researchers shared the following study … [Read more...]
Got weeds? Sheep and goats being used in urban areas (video)
Using sheep for prescribed grazing is not a new landscaping method, but more urban communities are opting for it to handle land management concerns such as invasive species, wildfire risks, protection of native vegetation and animal habitats and maintaining historic sites. Kristin M. Hall shares the story of the Chew Crew grazing near downtown Nashville along with other places … [Read more...]
“Social license to operate” topic drives equine gathering agenda
Public scrutiny of equine welfare is increasing despite humans having a relationship with horses for centuries. Horse owners, trainers, breeders, and riders must show the public that they are mindful of their horses' physical and mental well-being. To continue to enjoy horses, the equine industry must understand that issues cross all breed and discipline boundaries. Though the … [Read more...]
Cat gut microbiome may help treat feline diseases
Sponsored Content Felines possess several unique gastrointestinal traits distinct from other companion animals, writes Hill’s Renea Creech, MS. She explores the role of some of the different bacterial species of the cat GI microbiome and their role in feline health and disease. Understanding the GI microbiome and its diverse microbial populations holds significant promise … [Read more...]
WagWell debuts microbiome-friendly certified dog paw balm
Complimentary Commercial Content Paw Protector enhances paw health without disrupting the beneficial bacteria essential for healthy skin. It is certified as Microbiome Friendly by MyMicrobiome. It is clinically shown to dramatically improve the overall condition of dog paws within the first three days of use. Source: Pet Age, September 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Non-antibiotic approaches to canine recurrent UTIs
Various non-antibiotic measures show promise in managing canine UTIs and reducing the amount of antibiotics used to fight infections. The authors assert combining conventional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies may offer a more holistic approach to managing UTIs in dogs. Source: Innovative Vet Care, September 27, 2024. Link. A combination of approaches may … [Read more...]
Study: Most effective cooling method for hyperthermia in dogs
A hot day in the field or on the trail can quickly turn into a critical situation when a dog gets too hot. A small crossover study evaluated field-applicable cooling methods to treat this condition effectively. The voluntary head dunking method, which included controlled water ingestion, resulted in the lowest mean core temperature within the first five minutes … [Read more...]