The first few days are make-or-break for setting up beef-on-dairy calves for success, shares Gail Carpenter, DVM, PhD. She offers five key priorities so farmers can give their calves the best start possible, making sure they stay healthy and strong for their next chapter of life: Breed for the right calves Prioritize maternity management Ensure proper colostrum … [Read more...]
Considerations for refrigerators and freezers
Includes Commercial Content Summer temperatures often bring questions about refrigerator temperatures. Whether in the feedlot drug shed, a retail location or the veterinary clinic, many animal health products require temperature-controlled environments. We downloaded the refrigeration guide linked here from The Scientist. It provides expert advice on choosing the right cold … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 27, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 20, 2024. Link. Most read posts from March 20, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Ego management. Link. 3 phrases no one should ever say in a negotiation. Link. A new approach to deworming. Link. Dog breeds being banned in the U.S. (slides). Link. AKC names Pet Honesty as official multivitamin … [Read more...]
Medgene’s RHDV2 vaccine now available in single-dose vials
Medgene will now have single-dose vials for vaccination against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, protecting rabbits from this fatal disease. This new presentation will assist veterinarians in better protecting their rabbit clientele. Source: Medgene, March 2025. Link. “This innovative technology goes well beyond concentrating existing product and putting it in a smaller … [Read more...]
Reminder: Keeping BVD out of the herd
An effective BVDV prevention program is based on maximizing immunity and minimizing herd exposure to the virus, writes Maggie Malson. While veterinary teams, industry advocates and producers should know how to manage BVD risks, it takes discipline and consistency to prevent the virus causing BVD and BVD-PI (persistently infected) animals. Maintaining vaccination protocols is … [Read more...]
Who’s afraid of the dreaded cough?!
Commercially supported by Merck Animal Health Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, provides an insightful and educational look at canine infectious respiratory disease complex, its primary causes, the changes in dog influenza and why knowing how dogs are vaccinated is important to individual dogs and for those dogs around them. Source: Dr Jen the Vet, YouTube, … [Read more...]
Virbac expands its U.S. range of products with four cattle vaccines
Partnering with Diamond Animal Health, Virbac is marketing four modified-live viral cattle vaccines: Bovigen Platinum 5, Bovigen Platinum 5 L5, Bovigen Platinum 3 and Bovigen Platinum 3 LP Vaccines. All four vaccines protect against key respiratory viruses, while Bovigen Platinum 5 L5 and 3 LP vaccines add bacterial protection against leptospirosis. Source: Drovers, January … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is growing
From a public health perspective, low vaccination rates for pets are equally concerning as those for humans, writes Simon F. Haeder, PhD. He reviews key elements of attitudinal research he published in 2024 <Link> that reveal pet owner sentiments about vaccination carry over to their inoculation decisions for their pets. More than half of pet owners question the … [Read more...]
Updated Beef Quality Assurance National Manual now available
An updated BQA National Manual has been released by by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Information in the manual can help producers raise high-quality cattle. In addition to online availability, the manual and related resources, state BQA coordinators offer them at no charge. SOURCE: NCBA, December 19, 2024. Link. More than 30 cattle producers, industry leaders and … [Read more...]
Vaccination protects ratter dog from disease
Katie weighs 12-ish pounds, is four years old and is a mix of at least four breeds. She’s a tough native Texan thriving in Brooklyn, New York, ridding it of more rats than you can imagine. Her trip from Texas to the Big Apple was unremarkable, but one night at a playground, she revealed her calling – killing rats. She recently got her 364th rat kill in a year. Sarah Darby, her … [Read more...]
Lameness comes with a hefty price tag
When thinking about the effects of lameness, most managers typically consider the cost that goes into preventative measures or treatments such as trimming, bandages, blocks, and antibiotics, Eric Ronk shared recently. He describes these as direct costs but asserts the importance of considering the economic impact on other areas of the operation, including fertility, culling and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 12, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 5, 2024. Link. Most read posts from December 5, 2024 AHD Bulletin Mastering and winning at customer experience. Link. 10 signs a dog is depressed. Link. Face masks reduce human exposure to swine flu. Link. Microbiome-gut-brain axis; its importance in production animal agriculture. Link. … [Read more...]
10 non-negotiables for horse management
Commentary We like the positioning of this list and the underlying message of being accountable and responsible for a horse’s care. Kudos to Devin Conley for this article, which is appropriate for any horse owner of any age. Veterinary teams can use the article to establish the need for basic health care appointments and hopefully avoid some emergency calls for horses whose … [Read more...]
Unmasking feline leukemia. What every cat lover should know
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the Vet welcomes Dawn Martin DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, to the Chatroom to discuss feline leukemia virus. FeLV poses a serious health risk to cats. It is difficult to cure but can be prevented through minimizing exposure and vaccination. This video will confirm veterinary team knowledge and is good content to share with cat owners on social … [Read more...]
Weese: Rabies deaths reminders of the need to educate public
Rabies is still here and will likely always be, writes Scott Weese, DVM. While we have tools to effectively prevent infections, the human factor is the weak prevention link. Sharing two cases of human deaths from rabies, he stresses the importance of a better public understanding of rabies risks. Source: Worms and Germs, November 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 3, 2024
Colorado considering a new rule to require rabies vaccination for imported pets, NYC Council passes bill to prohibit sale of dogs, cats from unlicensed locations including backyard breeders, avoiding charity scams, selling pet play time and more . . . Note the members-only opportunities available in December. Source: IBPSA, December 3, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
BQA practices now saturate every phase of the beef industry
Today, approximately 85 percent of U.S. beef comes from BQA-certified producers, writes Clint Peck. He shares the history of capturing the value, challenges and opportunities BQA certification presents. We noted the comments about involving smaller producers and the need for continuously educating cattle producers about best practices. Source: BEEF, October 18, 2024. … [Read more...]
50th Leaman Conference. What the experts had to say.
It’s been two months since the 50th annual Leman Swine Conference. Those who attended likely left with three or four action items. Now, let’s revisit some of the comments made by experts to refresh our intentions and focus on making a difference. Topics include biosecurity compliance, managing influenza, continuing to fight PRRSV and environmental effects of concentrated animal … [Read more...]
Forage alone may not cut it for fall-weaned calves
Commentary So many variables determine producer success when raising calves and preparing them for the next stages of their lives. Amber Friedrichsen’s discussion of various approaches to supplements and forage as winter progresses provides an opportunity to visit with producers about ensuring proper nutrition. It also supports the overall health of the animals and the … [Read more...]
Helping horse owners’ vaccine decisions
Commentary This recent poll about factors preventing owners from vaccinating their horses in The Horse caught our attention. The results, albeit from a small sample, may reinforce the need for veterinary-client education and more comprehensive questioning since potential side effects and lack of effectiveness topped the list. Digging deeper, we found Haylie Kerstetter’s … [Read more...]
Blueprint for receiving new feeder calves
The objective of a receiving strategy is to make the transition from calf origin into the feedlot or backgrounding yard as seamless as possible. Jessica Sperber says the first 14 days upon feedlot arrival are critical in calf development and set the performance trajectory of the calf for the remainder of the feeding period. The main concerns are feed intake and water … [Read more...]
Coughing dogs: the why and how to prevent it
Complimentary Sponsored Content As holiday boarding season approaches, Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, is presenting a webinar for pet care professionals at boarding facilities, doggie day cares and groomers on how to prevent respiratory illness in dogs at their locations. She’ll also discuss what causes canine respiratory disease complex in dogs and … [Read more...]
How long is kennel cough contagious?
There is no black-and-white answer to how long kennel cough is contagious, writes Debra M. Eldredge, DVM. She advises pet owners to keep the dog out of his activities for a week after the last cough. Kennel cough, now called CRDC, can be caused by various bacteria and viruses. Kennel cough is highly contagious and can be spread via droplets, dog-to-dog and coughs that mist … [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...]
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...]
Virtual BEEF experience promises context
Complimentary Consider this opportunity to engage with producers or advance your understanding of production issues and practices. BEEF’s free online event September 18th features updates related to market trends and forecasts, cattle health and new technology. Among the presenters are: Glynn Tonsor, PhD Dan Thompson, PhD, DVM Russ Daly, DVM, MS, DACVPM Grant … [Read more...]
Automation to streamline its rabies vaccination, certificate processes
GlobalVetLink has developed a solution that simplifies the creation and submission of rabies vaccination certificates and ensures compliance with state and local regulations. GVL's Rabies Vaccination Certificates eliminates the cumbersome, time-consuming tasks associated with manual certificate management, saves time and reduces errors. Source: GlobalVetLink via PR Newswire, … [Read more...]
Beware of these common vaccine mistakes
The Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program includes guidelines on vaccination with best practices on mixing and drawing up vaccines, product handling and storage, and choosing correct syringe and needle sizes. The guidelines are reviewed rigorously and are updated using current scientific recommendations. Julia Herman, DVM, MS, asserts the importance of record … [Read more...]
Reinforce the importance fall equine vaccinations, wellness checks
Commentary, Commercial Content In a recent survey of horse owners, Boehringer-Ingelheim found 92 percent of them said boosting vaccinations was important . . . BUT, only 55 percent followed through to administer the boosters. Labor Day weekend is a favorite time for horse owners to get out with their favorite mounts. Equine practices have an opportunity in the coming … [Read more...]
West Nile Virus now a permanent U.S. resident
Until late summer 1999, few American horse owners had heard of West Nile virus. The story of how it was found, spread, monitored and prevented is worth reviewing. Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, writes the 25-year story of WNV in the U.S. in the feature linked here. Understanding the history informs our current situation as CDC data indicates 48 states and the District of Columbia … [Read more...]