Livestock producers must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship if they expect to treat livestock after June 11, 2023, when commonly used over-the-counter antimicrobials will require a prescription from a veterinarian as part of a valid VCPR. GFI #263 is slated for final implementation on June 11, 2023. Labels of the remaining over-the-counter antibiotics for … [Read more...]
Researchers discover overlooked antimicrobial resistance gene is involved in antimicrobial resistance in livestock disease treatments
Veterinarians rely on macrolides to treat livestock diseases such as bovine respiratory disease. University of Sakatechewan researchers discovered the gene can break the ring structure of the antibiotic through hydrolysis which destroys the antibiotic's structure. Inactivation is concerning because it reduces the effective amount of antibiotics that are being delivered during … [Read more...]
New sustainable bedding inhibits environmental mastitis-causing organisms
Complimentary Commercial Content ARM & HAMMER’s™ patented CERTILLUS™ Eco Dairy Bedding was developed to safely and effectively control pathogens in recycled manure solids. The product safely and effectively uses beneficial bacteria to reduce pathogen loads in bedding, reduce bulk tank SCC and ultimately reduce incidences of mastitis. It also reduces some of the risks … [Read more...]
Identifying American foulbrood in honeybee colonies
American foulbrood is considered the most devastating honeybee disease, asserted Britteny R. Kyle, DVM, MSc, during her WVC session. She shared multiple factors that lead to colony collapse and a simple matchstick method of diagnosing AFB and what to do if it is discovered in a colony. She noted many states have regulations in place for exactly how to deal with AFB. Source: … [Read more...]
Got spiders? An overview of potential invertebrate patients
Among the most common invertebrates available in the pet trade are the arthropods which include large spiders such as the tarantulas and wolf spiders, scorpions, and land hermit crabs. All are relatively inexpensive and readily available writes Douglas R. Mader, MS, DVM, DABVP (C/F, R/A), DECZM (herpetology). His article offers a primer for the most common invertebrates … [Read more...]
RHDV update for practitioners
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is endemic in eleven states. Cases appeared in two non-endemic states during 2022. The first case in Iowa was reported in August 2022. Ingrid Taylor, DVM shares what practitioners need to know as well as updates the status of the Medgene Labs emergency use RHDV2 vaccine. Source: AAHA Trends, December 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
A perspective on equine neglect cases
It’s always someone’s fault. . . still there are a few different root causes in neglect scenarios, and they're not always simple. Natalie Voss shares a neglect case story reminding us of a broader responsibility to be aware of possible risks to animals when humans age, become disabled or relocate. Source: Paulick Report, February 23, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Dental issues can cause horses to act up
Anna Mykkanen, DVM, PhD shares the results from a study to determine the type, number, and degree of cheek tooth findings that cause behavioral signs associated with dental pain. Regular oral examinations are key to the early recognition of equine dental disease and preventing the development of painful conditions.” Source: The Horse, February 26, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Toxocara cati infection in cats
Toxocara cati infection is a common, non–life-threatening condition of kittens and adult cats. Recognizing and treating toxocariases is important because they represent a human health hazard, as well, and because infective eggs are difficult to eradicate after an environment has been contaminated. Many drugs are available for treatment and some prevent vertical transmission of … [Read more...]
Virtual visits may lower stress for pets
Telemedicine for pets gained ground during the Covid-19 pandemic. The American Veterinary Medicine Association estimated about 40 percent of practices offered telemedicine at the height of the pandemic. This percentage has since dropped. Telemedicine can help assess whether a pet needs to be seen in person and to monitor chronic conditions. It can also help pets avoid the … [Read more...]
Health data of short-muzzled breeds aims to inform personalized care
Complimentary Content Data from more than 50,000 brachycephalic dogs in the Nationwide canine database has been published as a pair of white papers. The results reveal how brachycephalic and “extreme” brachycephalic dog breeds are at severely increased risk for comorbidities, including respiratory, gastrointestinal and spinal diseases. Our results highlight the need for … [Read more...]
Virox® Technologies, NAVTA launch Infection Prevention Leader program
To advance infection prevention best practices, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America in partnership with Virox Technologies, have launched an online program designed to provide animal care professionals with the knowledge needed to reduce the risk of spreading infection and create a safer workplace for their team, patients and clients to help animal … [Read more...]
Amazon Super Bowl commercial, not a good example of dealing with behavior issues
Commentary If you gritted your teeth at the Amazon ad depicting a family dealing with their dog’s separation anxiety during the Super Bowl, you are not alone. Daily Paws’ Jenna Stregowski, RVT addresses why a second dog may not be a good idea and what to do when dogs are not coping well with being alone. Getting a second dog is not the solution to fixing behavioral issues … [Read more...]
Ingredients to look for in dog food and treats
What do I feed my dog? This is one of the more routinely asked questions in veterinary clinics and retail. A well-balanced diet is vital to a dog’s health and well-being. Well balanced means matching nutrition and calories. Sydney Yankowicz shares perspective on helping clients make food decisions. . . . in general, pet owners can be advised to choose recognizable, whole-food … [Read more...]
Discussing the importance of puppy socialization with clients
Brie Blakeman, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, urges veterinary professionals to educate owners on the importance of adequate socialization for puppies so they learn what is safe and not safe when interacting with humans and other animals. Proper socialization helps to prevent unwanted behaviors like fearfulness, anxiety, and aggression which are not easily modified. Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
Beware the busyness culture
An industry colleague shared this article by Adam Waytz who challenges busyness versus productivity. It also offers ways to break away from this fixation. Activity is not achievement, and the sooner companies recognize that, the better off they and their employees will be.” Source: Harvard Business Review, March-April 2023. Link. Five approaches are offered to help overcome … [Read more...]
PAW Program provides aid to cancer patients with pets
The C-word diagnosis often devastates people and their families. Many face changes that tap their finances, energy and make it difficult to pay for pet food, veterinary care or pet services to support their pets’ health. CancerCare provides assistance for cancer patients. For pet owners in cancer crisis its Pet Assistance & Wellness Program offers a variety of resources … [Read more...]
Vet Watch Insight Report. 8.5 percent YTD practice revenue growth, other improvements
Commentary Growth in core vaccines, kennel cough vaccine and surgery at this point in the new year is good news. While invoices, patient and client numbers are still negative, these results are much improved over what was seen mid-November <Link>. Prevention medicine requires proactive communication.” Consider sharing this market information as part of employee … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 23, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 16, 2023. Link. Most read posts from February 9th AHD Bulletin – Cost of Care Wheel is now 24/7 digital resource. Link. Work is NOT your family. Link. New test strip quickly detects periodontal disease before it is visible. Link. Dos and don’ts of recognition. Link. Place keeper: … [Read more...]
5 key principles for composting farm waste
Spring weather will soon thaw frozen manure piles leaving producers with decisions about handling the manure effectively. Beyond a simple pile of manure, composting should be thought of as the biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled conditions, says Brian Dougherty. He explains the nuances of getting moisture, oxygen level, particle size, … [Read more...]
For cows, time is money
Too simple? Maybe. Yet, Rick Grant reminds us of the importance of giving cows time to rest and eat. Cows need to spend about 70% of their day eating and resting. . . We have to get that right and allow cows to do cow things.” Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 20, 2023. Link. If cows are eating four to five hours a day and resting 12 to 14 hours, that does not leave much … [Read more...]
AAEP Commission on Veterinary Sustainability: Compensation Matters
1,378 respondents completed a survey from the compensation subcommittee of the AAEP's Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability. This article shares some of the survey results and opportunities. The average salaries for those in the graduation years 2016–2019 was $88,973 for example. The charge of the committee is “To ensure that members understand what current … [Read more...]
Budweiser Clydesdale accident at San Antonio rodeo (video)
The lead team turned the wrong way during a performance at the San Antonio Rodeo causing a pileup. After some time, the scene ended with all the horses on their feet. Kudos to the handlers and to the way the announcers handled the scene for the audience. Source: Citizen Free Press, February 18, 2023. Link. (10:41) It’s hard to say what went wrong, but the lead horses … [Read more...]
How old is too old for dentals?
It is important to recognize that oral and dental disease often increases in incidence in older pets. Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, asserts since resolving these issues can improve the patients’ overall quality of life, managing the anesthetic risks of these patients, and concerns of their owners is critical. Seldom will a pet be too old to benefit from optimal care.” Source: … [Read more...]
A cup is a terrible way to measure how much we feed a dog
There are too many variables to effectively use volume as an accurate measurement of how much a dog gets to eat. Reminding us that dog food labels are challenging for pet owners to interpret, if not misleading, Nancy Kerns addresses feeding enough or too much. Kerns’ frequent articles about pet food make good posts for animal health pros to share with pet owners … [Read more...]
Chewy expands private label mix with new wellness line
Commercial Content Vibeful is Chewy’s first pet wellness brand. It features 20 supplements and vitamins crafted to complement a wide range of daily wellness needs to meet the growing consumer demand. These supplements boast no artificial ingredients and come in a variety of soft chews, liquids and powders, and in flavors like chicken, salmon and peanut butter. Source: … [Read more...]
National Justice for Animals Week is February 19 – 25
National Justice for Animals Week runs through Friday. The annual event raises public awareness around crimes committed against animals <Link>. Animal justice is not new. In an 1869 Supreme Court case, attorney George Vest*, later a U.S. Congressman from Missouri, represented an owner who sued a man for shooting his dog. Vest's "a man's best friend" closing argument … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 20, 2023
Women in the pet business, making the most of pay-per-click, promoting small business methods, preventing PTSD after pet loss, tax and insurance tips for small business, working smarter not harder and thoughts on the culture of <pet> domestication. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 20, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
6 best practices for workplace wellness
Steven Van Yoder says most employers are not following best practices when designing and implementing their workplace wellness efforts. He references the Workplace Wellness: Best Practices Study 2022 and a set of practices for designing and implementing effective employee wellness initiatives. <the study> findings are a first step in reframing workplace wellness from … [Read more...]
Time to review the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
As National Pet Dental Month promotions end, animal health pros need to consider how pet oral care and dentistry will be presented during exams and in client communications. The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats were updated in 2019 to outline a comprehensive approach in improving the oral health and often, the quality of life of their canine and feline … [Read more...]