Renata S. Costa, DVM, MPhil, MANZCVS, et al share a Chill Protocol which is a combination of orally administered medications to facilitate procedural management of animals that exhibit signs of anxiety and/or aggression. The Chill Protocol can be prescribed to healthy patients that are known to be aggressive, fearful and/or anxious during hospital visits. Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club back in action
Sponsored Content The Bridge Club and The Bridge Club Pets announce three new events. The conversations will be lively. See the links below. TBC: Groomers and veterinarians: Can they co-exist? April 19 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT on Zoom. Register here <Link> TBC Pets: Let’s talk about all the creepy crawlies on pets March 30, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDY … [Read more...]
Decoding dog gas: When is it a problem?
A small amount of stomach gurgling, burping or even farting is normal for most dogs, but excessive dog gas may signal a problem. Excessive gas may be caused by a less-than-ideal diet or could be signs of issues like inflammatory bowel disease or intestinal parasites. Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 10, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Negative side effects of declawing cats
Declawing is an increasingly controversial veterinary surgical procedure. Rania Gollakner, BS, DVM, MPH, presents the procedure, risks, possible behavior consequences post surgery and scratching behaviors as normal and instinctual. Source: Pet MD, March 3, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
5 unexpected rainy day dangers for dogs
Rainstorms can lead to unforeseen dangers and issues beyond wet paws and coats: low visibility, lightening and thunder; puddles including leptospirosis, girardia, possible toxins; mushrooms; toads and frogs; pneumonia. Source: Pet MD, March 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Enhancing safety and efficient grooming webinar offered
Complimentary Sponsored Content Gingr will lead a discussion about tools and processes that enhance safety and allow for more time for groomers in a webinar hosted by PACCC. PACCC certified professionals attending the webinar will earn one CEU. Topic: Gingr/PACCC Webinar via Zoom Description: How to use technology in the grooming salon to enhance safety and allow for … [Read more...]
Many clinical trials need patients; here’s how you can help
Clinical trials are critical to discover new treatments and deepen our understanding of diseases. The AVMA Animal Health Studies database connects you with veterinary clinical trials reported by researchers. There are a wide variety of opportunities to contribute as a veterinarian or as an animal owner with veterinarian support. Source: AVMA. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 23, 2023
Human-animal bond during crisis, culturing proteins for sustainability, blogging tips, more pet households than households with children in America, toxic recreational drugs, ChatGPT, franchisee is a first and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 23, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Veterinarians and the pet food industry: Building bridges
Includes Commercial Content Strengthening the relationship and communication between the veterinary space and the pet food industry is a win for everyone, writes Lindsay Beaton. The challenge is to ensure veterinarians and veterinary technicians have relevant tools that support the nutrition discussions with clients. Beaton shares some of what companies are doing to bridge … [Read more...]
Are modified rabies PrEP recommendations for people backed by the latest findings?
Erica Tramuta-Drobnis, VMD, MPH, CPH, addresses the question, “Does scientific evidence support this decision, or is the basis made due to healthcare cost concerns, accessibility, and poor compliance?” in this article. Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis recommendations were recently amended by the CDC. They replace the previous three-dose PrEP schedule with a two-dose … [Read more...]
DVM answers questions about FDA antibiotic prescription requirement
This article by Craig Payne, DVM, MS, is a good one to share with livestock producers, backyard poultry and goat owners, horse owners and beekeepers to explain the changes in how antibiotics can be accessed after June 11th. Payne answers a few questions producers may have about the latest antibiotic guidance from the FDA. The final phase of FDA’s implementation of the … [Read more...]
Ceva Animal Health research endowment seeks to better control zoonotic risks
Ceva Animal Health recently announced the creation of a unique endowment fund: the Ceva Wildlife Research Fund with the objective is to finance applied research to preserve the health of wild animals. Because disease control in wildlife and the tracing of the origin of outbreaks are particularly complex, this fund will, among other things, support research to address these … [Read more...]
Key trends driving veterinary care’s future
Bret Schiller shares three trends he believes will continue to drive the future of the veterinary care segment. It is critical veterinary hospitals, clinics, and offices understand the issues and opportunities, and most importantly, how to adapt their practices to ensure continued success.” Bret Schiller Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 17, 2023. Link. Schiller says … [Read more...]
KPIs show practices may be catching up
Commentary The monthly Insiders’ Insights Key Performance Indicators Report compares revenue and patient trends for 2022 versus 2023. Revenues are generally positive for practices and individual patients, while patient visits show a declining trend. New patient percentages look a bit more like they did prepandemic which is reflected in the decline in new patients year … [Read more...]
Impacts of commingling preconditioned and auction-derived beef calves with BRD
Commentary Cattle science continues to study ways to decrease morbidity, mortality and reduce use of antiinfectives as cattle move around the country. The study referenced reinforces the value of preconditioning and addresses the effects of comingling auction-derived calves with the preconditioned ones. Preconditioning reduced BRD and antimicrobial use in the feedlot, in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 9th AHD Bulletin – Pet owners feeling the sting of inflation. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. New York City rats can catch the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, study finds Source: CNN, March 9, … [Read more...]
Practical advice for assessing newborn calf vigor
Spring calving is well underway. March storms stress cattle and cattle producers alike. Logically, there is a focus on ensuring calves get a good start and that dams recover quickly to care for and feed calves. While an APGAR test for calves would give cattle producers a clue when to intervene in a newborn’s life, Barry Whitworth, DVM, shares practical advice from studies about … [Read more...]
Understanding immediate and long-term effects of wildfires
Writing about the effects of 90 or more wildfires in the western U.S. during 2022, Corey Geiger reminds us how smoke and fine particulate matter stress cows and calves. Mature cows are impacted immediately which is seen in reduced milk production. Calves however may be affected for their production lives. . . . the preweaning period is critical in future performance . . . … [Read more...]
What veterinarians were talking about at AASV
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting is an important event for swine practitioners and the swine industry. The swine health topics discussed at the March 7 meeting included biosecurity, African swine fever, traceability, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and more, writes Jennifer Shrike. She provides an overview of the information speakers … [Read more...]
Miniature goats in the city
The self-sufficiency movements are bringing more farm animals into backyards. Farm stores often have mini goats for sale alongside chicks, ducks and rabbits during the Easter season. Jenny Rose Ryan discusses some of the boundaries and opportunities for including miniature goats in the city. For those with a decent-sized city lot a bit of know-how about local zoning and … [Read more...]
7 things to know to keep rabbits healthy and hopping
Morris Animal Foundation shares seven things to know before adopting a rabbit. Bunnies are often sold alongside chicks during spring. Like dogs and cats, they need special care, attention and training. Source: Morris Animal Foundation, January 19, 2023. Link. Also see: Search results for bunnies, AHD. Link. RHDV, rabbit math, abandonment, cute factor and more about … [Read more...]
Raising chickens comes with built-in health risks for them and their keepers
It’s time again for Easter chicks and to urge animal health pros to reinforce the zoonotic risks associated with them. The CDC warns, “Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick <Link>.” As part of a series, Isabelle Louge, DVM, encourages owners to first find and contact … [Read more...]
Fighting foot funk
Heather Smith Thomas shares the importance of regular hoof care. Mud and moisture can soften and impair the hoof’s structural integrity, making it vulnerable to hoof infections like thrush, white line disease and abscesses she says. Source: The Horse, March 13, 2023. Link. Keeping the hoof clean and dry is important, rather than just using various hoof-strengthening paints … [Read more...]
Dogs, special brownies and more
“What to do if your dog eats marijuana,” by Jennifer Bailey, DVM, addresses a growing issue in homes with pets. Whether edibles, weed or vape cartridges, many of these familiar options are also attractive to dogs. Marijuana was ranked 9th in top Toxin Trends <Link>. Consider this article for social media posts and newsletters to keep pet owners informed of the safety … [Read more...]
A primer on mastitis in small animals
Mastitis can have a dramatic effect on the quality of life of any animal. It is painful, can become a more serious systemic infection and can challenge owners to care for young animals unable to nurse effectively. Don Vaughan shares how mastitis presents in small animals along with diagnosis, treatment and effects. Client education can go a long way toward preventing mastitis … [Read more...]
Demand for pet groomers, grooming remains high
The demand for grooming is outpacing the number of groomers available, according to Paula Hendrickson. She discussed the situation with grooming industry peers in the article linked here. Burnout is a concern as professional skills specialization and certification advance customer expectations and groomer economics. Source: Pet Product News, March 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Association for Veterinary Informatics requesting survey input
The Association for Veterinary Informatics is seeking feedback from stakeholders and interested parties with a vested interest in sharing and creating common data standards within the veterinary profession. The Interoperability Committee of the AVI will be facilitating and promoting the development of standards, protocols and implementations that improve the interchange, … [Read more...]
The modern pet telehealth industry is improving veterinary practices
Vetster’s Cerys Goodall writes about the benefits and opportunities for veterinary telehealth in the article linked here. For veterinary teams who have yet to fully use telehealth, it makes a good backdrop for a team discussion. Goodall says telehealth provides unique solutions for consumers and veterinarians while filling in the gaps of in-person clinics. She adds that … [Read more...]
Pets can teach us about love, grief, life and death
Karen Fine, DVM, wrote the recently released book, “The Other Family Doctor.” The book’s subtitle, “A veterinarian explores what animals can teach us about love, life, and mortality,” aptly describes Fine’s observations. She shares these experiences and how they relate to the realities of veterinary practice today with Fresh Air’s Dave Davies. The half-hour interview ranges … [Read more...]
3rd annual burnout study released by Galaxy Vets
Results from the third Galaxy Vet burnout study indicate an overwhelming majority of veterinary professionals don’t feel support from peers, supervisors or hospital owners. Not being heard had a direct correlation with the burnout rate. Galaxy Vets shared these key findings summary with AHD: Burnout returned to pre-pandemic level Practice managers, CSRs, assistants … [Read more...]