Experience is a good teacher if you pay attention. Kenny Burdine, University of Kentucky extension, cites challenges with hay supplies in 2007. He shares reasons why he thinks it will be prudent to ensure adequate hay stocks going into the winter of 2022-2023. Source: Hay and Forage Grower, May 17, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: A little coaching at the local coffee shop from … [Read more...]
Implanting nursing calves bumps weaning weights
Production costs continue to rise making decisions about management practices important. Paul Beck says research shows implants given during the suckling phase will increase average daily gain of steer calves by approximately 0.10 pound per day. The increase in gains by implanting heifers is slightly better at 0.12 pounds per day. Implanting calves before weaning is cost … [Read more...]
World Dairy Expo seeking media interns for 2022 event
World Dairy Expo is searching for college students who are passionate about the dairy industry to be part of the 2022 media team. Four students can attend WDE as media interns. This focused, hands-on opportunity might be just right for someone from a clinic’s client base or a representative’s customers. Source: The Bullvine, May 13, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Springtime skin problems in horses
Horses can develop allergies, infections and other skin conditions at any time of year, but some are more common during the warm, wet spring weather. Heather Smith Thomas reviews four equine skin problems that are common in spring. This article and previous AHD posts providing information on hives <Link> and an allergy infographic <Link> offer animal health pros … [Read more...]
Biology of the chicken: 4-part series
Chickens show up on Nat Geo Wild’s veterinary shows more frequently these days. Whether it’s the Critter Fixers, Drs. Schroeder or Dr. Pol, it is obvious chicken enthusiasts require considerable education and support from their veterinarians. This four-part series from Backyard Chickens is a good set of resources for beginners or those who need a review. Source: Backyard … [Read more...]
Engaging veterinary technicians improves practice success
Unless you’ve been hiding, the industry buzz about using veterinary technicians better is familiar. Having credentialed veterinary technicians on veterinary teams with the skills needed is a critical part of building an efficient practice. However, efficiency only comes when those skills are used effectively. The AVMA continues to promote and support increased involvement … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club: Handling nutrition objections (videos)
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jodi Davis, senior manager of university relations for Royal Canin, addresses the emotional nature of nutrition for pets, especially centered around obesity and how to address issues with owners. The virtual event is presented in three YouTube videos. Nutrition questions top the list of veterinary students and are part of everyday … [Read more...]
Tips to make car travel pet friendly
Vacation season is almost here. Traveling with a pet can be enjoyable with preparation and planning. The tips shared here can make the whole experience more enjoyable and hassle-free for the pet and passengers. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. … [Read more...]
Mella Underarm Pet Thermometer approved for Fear Free preferred product program
Complimentary Commercial Content Pets and pet parents agree taking pets' temperature is the worst part of vet visits due to vets taking temperatures rectally, which causes fear and anxiety for the pet. Having a non-invasive thermometer makes it easier to take temperature in a clinical setting and is more comfortable for both pets and pet parents. Mella Pet Care makes two … [Read more...]
Pet retailers asserting their position with pet owners
Opinion There is little doubt marketing efforts represented in the following articles will deflect attention from preventive medicine and potentially reduce some pet owners’ abilities to afford primary veterinary care. It is not my intention to condemn retail offerings. Rather, animal health pros need to consider how we approach and educate pet owners about the essential … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 16, 2022
Purina's selections for start-ups accelerator, beginners’ SEO for small business, connecting Black-owned pet businesses, kennel shortages ahead of summer holiday season, the latest in CBD for pets, Mars executive talks consumer-led innovation and much more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 16, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Counter cyclical leadership
Leading counter-cyclically in tough times means knowing when to stop pushing, knowing when to lead with empathy and make things lighter, not heavier. Source: Medium, May 3, 2022. Link. The best way to communicate difficult news is to be straightforward. INSIGHT: You don’t have to wait a lifetime to leave people better than you found them.” … [Read more...]
VetWatch™ Commentary, for Week 19 – thru May 14, 2022
Complimentary Content Trends from more than 32,000 practices and shelters help animal health professionals understand shifts in our industry’s business. The data captures purchasing trends reported for practices & shelters of core therapeutic and supply categories. The VetWatch™ weekly report provides the option to see trends by geographies, a significant benefit for … [Read more...]
5 employer strategies to help with rising inflation
Includes Commentary Inflation rose 8.5 percent year-over-year in March, the highest inflation rate since 1981, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees are now looking to their employers for help as inflation challenges their lives, says Kathryn Mayer. She offers five ways employers might address inflation challenges. Coupled with the current … [Read more...]
KC Animal Health Corridor announces dates, speakers for 2022 Animal Health Summit
Gathering live again, the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor will welcome industry leaders and guests at the 2022 Animal Health Summit August 29th through August 30th at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland in Kansas City, Missouri. The Summit theme, The Way, represents the answer to the question, “Where do we go from here?” The summit will feature industry thought leaders … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 12, 2022
Last week’s most read posts The Great Resignation is becoming a great midlife crisis. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, April 28, 2022. Link. =================================== The cost of pet care for cats is often underestimated Source: Catster, April 22, 2022. Link. Cost findings for annual and lifetime spending are … [Read more...]
Hybrid approach helps maximize colostrum quality
Achieving high levels of circulating IgG in newborn calves may be easier by boosting maternal colostrum with commercial colostrum replacer. It give calves the best of both worlds when it comes to maximizing passive transfer of immunity. Source: Dairy Herd Management, May 6, 2022. Link. With excellent dry-cow vaccination and colostrum protocols in place, supplementing … [Read more...]
Keep manure samples cold
Research suggests the way horse manure samples are stored can have a significant impact on the accuracy of fecal egg counts. Comparing various preservation techniques, the researchers found the egg counts in refrigerated samples remained more stable than others. They recommend storing samples for no longer than a week before testing. Source: EQUUS, April 26, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Hives in horses may not need treatment
Horses encounter skin conditions as do other animals. Urticaria is one of the more common skin diseases in horses. A healthy immune system normally keeps the barrage of ever present of microorganisms at bay, writes Nancy Loving, DVM. Hives are a clinical sign rather than a specific disease, she explains. But when a horse’s immune response overreacts to a noninfectious cause, … [Read more...]
Project Hive Pet Company ties pet toys to saving bees
Project Hive Pet Company has a line of five treats and five toys that generate revenues and associated company donations to the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund. To date, the partnership has resulted in more than 2 million square feet of healthy bee habitat planted, with a goal of planting 50 million square feet over the next five years. Source: Pet Food Industry, April … [Read more...]
Plant insectary strips of pollinator-friendly plants
Our April 26 post about mason bees drew a lot of attention <Link>. Leah Smith shares ideas for insectary strips in Hobby Farms. Looking at the plants listed, apartment dwellers with an outside deck or window can also provide nectar yielding plants that contribute to feeding the bees. Gardeners should plan to add a row of flowers alongside their veggies as well. In … [Read more...]
Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group and PSIvet announce partnership
Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group™, provider of the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program has established a partnership with PSIvet which services more than 5,500 independent veterinary practice members. The partnership will help support the mission of helping pets live longer, healthier lives. With our pet insurance partnership, PSIvet member practices will have additional … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 9, 2022
Understanding consumers across the generations, top 7 things to know about the U.S. pet industry, diminishing mycotoxin risks, groups celebrate community efforts, Camp Bow Wow off to a great start in 2022, credit card swipe fees, and more . . . NOTE the CDC information and infectious disease guidance, IBPSA website. Link. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 9, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
The best mentorships help BOTH people grow
Opinion We’re living in a time where change comes at breakneck speeds. Rapid changes require us to learn new skills and ways to work, meet the desires of four generations working together and likely radically remodel infrastructures. One might say our future successes will be dependent on how well we engage, share, collaborate and learn from one another. We’ll need … [Read more...]
30 is not the new 20
Opinion Graduation season is a time to celebrate endings and new beginnings. Amid the gaiety, clinical psychologist Meg Jay’s message from 2013 could not be more timely or more important for our relationships, families, new employees and our future. As our animal health industry grapples with employee shortages, work-life balance, work ethic perceptions, aging … [Read more...]
A dog’s breed tells little about his behavior (2 of 2)
In last week’s “Worth a Glance” section, we featured an article from The Washington Post with the headline, “Looking for a well-behaved dog? Breed may not tell you much.” An observant AHD Bulletin subscriber who works for Best Friends Animal Society pointed out a supportive article in The Atlantic and the worthwhile reading of the original study to put things in greater … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 5, 2022
Top five most read posts in April 2022 Pet owners unaware of vet technicians’ roles during vet visit. Link. Traditional recruiting is broken. 6 ways to reimagine it. Link. Asian longhorned ticks on the move. Link. Your customers buy benefits. Link. The 411 on fetch. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, April 28, … [Read more...]
Valley Vet Supply DVMs talk calf care
Across cow-calf country, the 2022 calf crop is becoming visible on rapidly greening pastures. Tech services veterinarians Tony Hawkins, DVM, and Ray Shultz, DVM, share some tips looking toward the months ahead: Umbilical infections are a real thing Scours is one of the gravest challenges affecting young calves Check right away for calf vitality During springtime, … [Read more...]
The impact of genomics in dairy
Animal production has always sought to find and duplicate the best of the best. In the past 13 or more years, genomics in the dairy business has been transformational. Most striking is the rate of genetic progress for essentially all traits of importance has increased due to genomics. Genetic evaluations provide increased accuracy, especially for young animals, offering the … [Read more...]
Bovine vaccine study reveals role of genetics in immune response
Computer science researchers in the Department of Computer Science at John Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering set out to answer an age-old question, “Why are some individuals within the population of black Angus cows responding very differently to the same vaccine?” Their research examined a distinguishing feature of bovine immunity: the long complementarity-determining … [Read more...]