Jenifer Chatfield DVM, DACZM, DACVPM, outlines the factors involved in determining who will receive a vaccine. She discusses common questions as we wait for a Covid-19 vaccine: Who gets the vaccine first when it becomes available? Who gets it if the supply is limited? Who decides who is at the front of the line? Source: DVM 360, October 21, 2020. Link. Like … [Read more...]
Disease du jour: Eastern equine encephalitis
Disease Du Jour content is sponsored by Merck Animal Health EEE is one of the most dangerous diseases on the planet for both horses and people," said Maureen T. Long, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, of Eastern equine encephalitis during her Disease Du Jour webinar/podcast. She emphasizes the role of veterinarians in surveillance of EEE in protecting humans, including the importance of … [Read more...]
How to care for senior horses
By age 15, most horses have reached their senior years. They generally live longer than most domestic animals. Their use and lifestyle affects the way they age. A longer lifespan increases the need for enhanced animal health services and screenings as equine patients age to achieve animal health goals. . . “ Source: MWI Animal Health, October 16, 2020. Link. Here are a few of … [Read more...]
4 tips to encourage employees to get a flu vaccination
Chaz Hinkle reminds us of the importance of annual influenza vaccinations and the flu’s annual pressure on healthcare facilities and workers. The ongoing coronavirus challenge adds to the importance of getting everyone vaccinated. Source: Human Resource Executive, September 29, 2020. Link. Studies show that getting vaccinated can reduce flu illness, doctors’ visits, missed … [Read more...]
Decoding vaccine titers in companion animal practice
Sara E. Gonzalez, DVM, MS, provides a literature-based review of the limitations and benefits of this type of testing and guidance for interpreting results. In the summary comments she shares: The gold standard laboratory techniques for detecting circulating blood antibody titers against the core canine vaccine antigens and FPV are VN and HI. Core vaccine titer testing … [Read more...]
Warm beer = bad vaccine?
Monitoring the performance of refrigeration units is critical to vaccines and pharmaceuticals labeled for temperature control. Older units may develop inconsistent temperature zones with items freezing in one area and getting too warm in another. The context for the article is dairy, but almost any veterinary clinic or on-farm drug storage area can have the issues shared in … [Read more...]
AAHA/AAFP introduce new feline vaccination guidelines
Consensus is a challenging part of scientific work, let alone developing guidelines to cover all the possible needs of any animal. Working together, the AAHA and AAFP tackled the collective needs of felines by updating the feline vaccination guidelines to serve the cat population and account for individualized vaccination protocols. It’s no longer just indoor cats versus … [Read more...]
Client handout, Why vaccinate my pet?, is helpful
The key to compliance for vaccines, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, even osteoarthritis is continual education to support preventative products and processes. Vaccination is a hot topic during the 2020 pandemic period. With all the press comes increased awareness and scrutiny of vaccination in general. Efforts to support the World Rabies Day 2020 events on September … [Read more...]
Rabies laws: What you need to know
September 28th is the 14th World Rabies Day < link >. Meanwhile, laws surrounding rabies vaccination and exposure vary across the United States. Kate Boatright, VMD, shares what animal health pros need to know about rabies laws. SAY WHAT? . . . only 39 states mandate rabies vaccination for dogs; 11 states have no statewide legal requirement for rabies vaccination of … [Read more...]
Rabies response
We received a compliment about a recent post about rabies in cattle < link >. Rabies is a focus for this person’s company as part of their wildlife removal services. We’veve included rabies information from their website. It is worthy of sharing with animal owners via social media and newsletters. . . . even in 2020, there are some states that only require rabies … [Read more...]
Refresh your Lyme knowledge
“We learned about that years ago,” is not uncommon to hear when visiting with animal health pros. BUT, consider when or if pet owners last received Lyme disease education. With tick-associated Lyme disease migrating westward, it is important to include Lyme disease education with recommendations for flea, tick and heartworm medications to reduce the potential for B. … [Read more...]
Pet owners realizing cost of pet ownership
Commentary Read this article with a pet insurance or wellness program mindset. It’s past time for animal health pros to redouble our efforts to help pet owners understand the value of having a pet on an insurance plan. The amortization math is simple when put against normal costs of veterinary care before special needs. Thirty-three percent of Americans have or have … [Read more...]
Chinese ASF vaccine enters new development phase
China’s agriculture ministry reports positive results on a trial vaccine for African swine fever developed by the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, according to the South China Morning Post. Officials say it is still too early to estimate when a vaccine will be available. Source: The Pig Site, August 19, 2020. Link. Results from the studies suggest that the increased … [Read more...]
Flu season nears. Time for a flu-shot (video)
The most powerful tool we have to combat disease is vaccination, Robert Redfield, CDC director, said during a recent interview. Flu cases are expected to start increasing early in October and could last late into May. This makes September and early October the ideal time to get your flu shot. The flu vaccine takes up to two weeks to reach peak effectiveness” Source: The … [Read more...]
5 FAQs about pets and vaccines
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Carley Lintz provides a brief guide to share with pet parents about animals and vaccinations. Rudimentary? Yes! But consider using this to contact local media, as the basis for an interview on local radio or for developing a script for a YouTube video for your website. The K.I.S.S. principle probably applies here and yes, … [Read more...]
Cats can make you sick or even kill you
Just as our industry is getting more clients to bring cats to clinics, become better educated on prevention and improve the human-animal bonds cats empower, we get these warnings. Cat lover Richard O’Brien, MD, uses a scary title to outline slight risks and big risks when sharing space with cats. . . . don’t test a cat’s limits of composure. Protect your pet, yourself and your … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis Cliff notes: Screen, test and treat leptospirosis better (webcast)
Complimentary commercial content from VETgirl and Merck Animal Health Natalie Marks, DVM, reviews common and uncommon presentations of leptospirosis in general practice, lab abnormalities not to miss and keys to successful therapy. The review includes clinical signs of leptospirosis in dogs, signalment, what treatment is, and how to diagnose it. Also included is a brief … [Read more...]
Parvovirus cases spike
BluePearl, which operates 90 specialty and emergency pet hospitals in 21 states, has experienced a 70 percent increase in parvovirus cases. They relate the spike to the pandemic. AAHA’s Tony McReynolds dug into the situation and offers ways for practices to prepare. Source: AAHA NEWStat, July 23, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Every horse on a farm is at risk
There are risk avoidance opportunities in health care for humans and animals. Even top-of-the-line biosecurity cannot prevent core disease sources from getting on a property and infecting horses. These diseases can lead to death, but vaccinations help avoid morbidity and mortality. Equine veterinarians discuss the five core diseases: Rabies West Nile virus (WNV), … [Read more...]
Field guide to BQA now available
Designed to make the Beef Quality Assurance manual more user friendly, new print and digital versions have been developed to make the information more user friendly. The digital guide contains embedded links and videos that allow producers to interact with various BQA elements.” Source: BEEF, July 2020. Link. To learn more visit bqa.org … [Read more...]
BVD tears at dairy profits
Complimentary commercial content from Zoetis Bovine Viral Diarrhea is a disease issue in cattle worldwide. It is like a shadow in herds that robs production and herd health. BVD can be controlled with diligent management steps revolving around testing, culling, vaccination and farm biosecurity. . . . often BVD is a subclinical disease, and its symptoms get lost amid the … [Read more...]
Rabies reported in cattle in 3 states
Considered rare, five rabies cases in cattle have been reported in three states. Rhonda Brooks shares information about historic incidences in cattle, rabies forms and protecting livestock. In the U.S., several distinct rabies virus variants have been identified in terrestrial mammals, including raccoons, skunks and foxes. In addition to these reservoirs, multiple species of … [Read more...]
Intranasal vaccination for dairy, beef calves
One way to reduce the effects of maternal antibody interference is to use intranasal vaccines, writes Jennifer Ryan. Colostrum received by young dairy calves can interfere with injectable vaccines. However, intranasal vaccines tend to work with colostrum. Beef calves are often worked first at branding, a stressful period where cortisol weakens blood cells. Intranasal works here … [Read more...]
Equine herpesviruses, we’re still learning
EHV-1 and EHV-4 are alphaherpesviruses that generally bring to mind respiratory disease, abortion and neurologic disease. Horses are also hosts of EHV-3, an alphaherpesvirus that causes equine coital exanthema. Kate L. Hepworth-Warren, DVM, DACVIM, reminds us of the often forgotten EHV-2 and EHV-5, gammaherpesviruses are quite prevalent in the equine population, as well. … [Read more...]
Recent trending headlines from BEEF
BEEF offers a quick review of trending headlines from the last three weeks. Topics include: Improving returns on calves Dealing with environmental idiots The value of reproduction rates Proper timing is crucial for calfhood vaccinations Let calves grow or not? Source: BEEF, May 11, 2020. Link. Source: BEEF, April 27, 2020. Link. For a laugh see: … [Read more...]
Keep the value of your vaccine dollars
Producers cannot afford to overlook the importance of how they store vaccines and handle them prior to injection, states Glenn Selk, PhD Biological products should be stored under refrigeration at 35⁰F to 45⁰F unless the nature of the product makes storing at a different temperature advisable (APHIS 2007). Producers cannot afford to overlook the importance of how they store … [Read more...]
We don’t know what normalcy will be
No one can say what a return to normalcy will look like, how long it will take to get there or if normal like 2019 is even achievable. New York Times Emily Bazelon moderated a panel discussion to seek answers and weigh morality. Five experts talked about the principles and values that will determine the choices. SOURCE: New York Times, April 10, 2020. Link. In the longer … [Read more...]
Clostridial disease protection important for cows and calves
Clostridial diseases can be lethal for dairy cattle. Stress, injuries and changes in feeding practices increase chances of death. Vaccination and sound management practices can prevent most common clostridial diseases for cows and calves. Source: DAIRYBUSINESS, March 13, 2020. Link. A solid strategy in preventing a clostridial outbreak in calves, prior to their vaccination, … [Read more...]
Rabies vaccinations essential! Lyme, Lepto, FELV situational.
Michael J. Watts, DVM speaks to vaccinations and their essential status during the pandemic. His comments about rabies vaccines are spot on. Backyard pets frequently encounter wildlife, so leptospirosis, Lyme and feline leukemia vaccines may be essential for some pets. Kennel cough vaccines are important to keep current for pets being boarded. Source: Culpeper Star-Exponent, … [Read more...]
Trichomoniasis testing essential
Testing for trichomoniasis, or trich, is essential to help ensure herd health and profitability. The bovine venereal disease lives in the epithelial of the penis and prepuce and is considered a lifelong infection in bulls. Infected bulls transmit trich to most females they service. Cows can clear the disease but will abort calves or become infertile. Trich is easily transmitted … [Read more...]