Recent research suggests that what is going on in a dog’s mouth may play an important role in canine cognitive dysfunction. Specifically, periodontal or gum disease has been shown to be an important factor in humans with Alzheimer's disease. Research done at Elemental Pet Vets in Freeville, New York recently generated data that suggests that what is going on in a dog's mouth … [Read more...]
Bluetooth-based smart tag for livestock launches
Complimentary Commercial Content The latest iteration of the DoggTags, DoggBone, and DoggHouse extends the range, consistency and adds cell phone enabled connection to individual animal data. Founder and CRO Melissa Brandão talks about the significance of the product launch. Source: HerdDogg. Link. INSIGHTS: We’re getting closer to the holy grail envisioned more than … [Read more...]
Research insights on telemedicine; changing pet owner expectations regarding accessing
Vet-AI and Joii Pet Care released new insights into the effectiveness and safety of remote prescribing. They are collected from tens of thousands of consults during the pandemic, as well as exclusive pet parent research which highlights owner expectations and needs. The insights were first shared in a live webinar called The Great British Data Show last week hosted by The … [Read more...]
Pandemic pets taking toll on vets, staffs
Veterinarians and their teams across the country are seeing more new pets and more sick ones than in pre-pandemic times. The Associated Press reports despite extending hours, hiring more staff and refusing new patients, the load is heavy. Some practices have hire counselors to help staff members deal with burnout and fatigue. The numbers support the burden. Approximately … [Read more...]
No, people aren’t giving up pandemic pets because they’re bored
Opinion Finally! Award winning journalist S. E. Smith speaks up on pandemic puppy surrenders, better ways to approach animal welfare, ways to handle hardship surrenders and social media posturing. While pets adopted during the pandemic period are being surrendered, data from Shelter Animals Count appear to indicate current relinquishments are not back to pre-pandemic, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 13, 2021
NOTE: When it is time to catch up on your reading or recall something you scanned, try the AHD Archives on the right side of the AHD website. Such as: Archives for April 2021. Link. Last week’s top post Eating less meat won’t save the planet. Here’s why. Source: Animal Health Digest, May 4, 2021. Link. What my Mother’s death taught … [Read more...]
Could artificial insemination become illegal?
Artificial breeding might become illegal should a ballot initiative in Colorado be enacted by the state’s citizens says Corey Geiger. He reviews the legislation that would call an animal, “any living, nonhuman creature.” The revised definition would then state, “. . . not limited to, a dog, a cat, a horse, livestock . . ,” says Geiger. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, May 10, 2021. … [Read more...]
Mites and lice on chickens; inevitable, hazardous, but easily treated
“It’s inevitable,” says Jeremy Chartier. “Someday, no matter how careful poultry owners are or how clean they keep things, they are going to find chicken lice, mites, or both on their birds and in their coops.” Source: Backyard Poultry, April 28, 2021. Link. External parasites undermine the health of birds, and severe infestations can weaken birds to the brink of death. It … [Read more...]
Medina Spirit’s treatment with canine antifungal could be behind doping findings
Opinion We’re sharing articles about the Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. The horse allegedly tested positive for 21 picograms of betamethasone according to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Medina Spirit’s dermatitis was treated with Merck OTOMAX® OTIC OINTMENT, consistent with a veterinarian's recommendation to apply this ointment daily to give the horse relief, … [Read more...]
Decoding the guaranteed analysis on cat food labels
No wonder cat food labels are confusing! When pet foods became common, the template just got moved over from livestock and never really got adjusted. It’s a lot different from what we are used to seeing on “Nutrition Facts” labels for human foods.” - Cailin R. Heinze, VMD, MS, DACVN To clear up some of the confusion, the authors provide a guaranteed analysis … [Read more...]
The best flea treatments for cats and dogs
Staff writer Kaitlyn Wells rounded up the most effective vet-recommended flea and tick treatments for her readers. We’re sharing this unique resource for consumers for animal health pro review. Wirecutter, now a New York Times brand, strives to be the most trusted product recommendation service on the internet. Nothing appears on the site as a recommendation unless our … [Read more...]
New AAD funding to expand rapid, rugged POC platform in livestock, humans
Complimentary Commercial Content Advanced Animal Diagnostics’ announcement that a $7 million investment will support commercial expansion of livestock tests and 510(k) submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for human blood tests. “We’re uniquely positioned in animal and human testing to fight the rising threat of infectious disease,” said Joy … [Read more...]
It’s Lyme Disease Awareness Month
May is a time to spread information about how to prevent Lyme and tick-borne diseases. The folks at LymeDisease.org created a list of things you, your family and friends can do to help spread awareness. Source: lymedisease.org. Link. … [Read more...]
May is National Beef Month
Fire up the grill! May is National Beef Month. It’s a month when U.S. Beef Checkoff promotional dollars highlight the benefits of beef. Checkoff funds will also provide coupons in grocery stores across the country, partner with food and restaurant brands for promotions and host beef cooking demonstrations at multiple locations. Keep the grill hot, because May 28 is National … [Read more...]
Perspectives on mentorship
Guest Contributor - Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT Mentorship is personal and tough to define. Alyssa Mages shares her experiences with mentors and their contributions. My mentors were strong and fearless in my eyes. They looked for the potential in people and when they found it, whatever it was, they helped it to flourish, to grow, to become. They did not give up!” Source: … [Read more...]
Outcomes are key to productive meetings
“Nothing ever gets done in meetings. Meetings are a waste of time. Meetings are of no value.” For a list of reasons, we all try to avoid getting stuck in a meeting that goes on and on. There are many suggestions to improve meeting productivity, but all will be for naught if your meeting does not include Mitch Zenger’s first recommendation. Source: Meetings at … [Read more...]
Telemedicine policy advancements
Two states have joined adopters of new and progressive telemedicine reforms across the U.S.. Mark Cushing, JD, shares the good news from Michigan and New Jersey while comparing how these states made regulatory changes that allowed a telemedicine VCPR to be established. Source: VVCA, Mark Five series, May 3, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Changing telemedicine regulations is a … [Read more...]
Ensure patient safety when outsourcing prescriptions
Guest Contributor – Elaine Blyth, PharmD We occasionally hear about prescription errors and miscommunication when a third-party pharmacy fills a veterinary prescription. As third-party fulfillment continues growing, veterinary team members can proactively help reduce errors. Elaine Blyth, PharmD, offers worthwhile action items in this bulleted guide. Source: Elaine Blyth, … [Read more...]
How Petco is increasingly a stealthy competitor to clinics
Opinion In this article written for pet retailers, Mark Kalaygian offers a comprehensive look at how the company has improved and how it is expected to continue to do so. His review was prompted by Petco publishing its 2020 annual report on May 4, 2021. Animal health professionals, especially veterinary teams, need to look at these trends as many of Petco’s customers are … [Read more...]
PI calves: A devastating threat you might not even see
Complimentary Commercial Content from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Despite 70 years of information and education on bovine viral diarrhea virus, the disease continues to tear at herd health and profits. Persistently infected calves are one of the greatest threats facing the cattle industry, yet many producers don’t know they’re in the herd. A PI calf is an animal that … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 6, 2021
Last week’s top post Beyond wellness plans, bundling can work Source: Animal Health Digest. April 20, 2021. Link. Tractor Supply, over 5 million chickens sold to new customers in 2020 Source: Morning Brew, April 28, 2021. Link. TSC credits strong Q1 earnings to millennials moving to suburban and rural areas. There’s a name … [Read more...]
Trichomoniasis prevention: Improving herd health increases ROI
Unexpected open or short-bred cows are often an unfortunate sign of a Trichomoniasis, or trich, problem. It is a reproductive disease caused by a protozoan called Tritrichomonas foetus. Bulls are asymptomatic carriers of the disease, writes Rosslyn Biggs, DVM, but play the major role in trichomoniasis transmission. Positive bulls must be removed from the herd and either … [Read more...]
Eating less meat won’t save the planet. Here’s why.
If you are concerned about climate change, water use or greenhouse gases, listening to this program is a must. The presentation addresses many of the disparaging environmental messages about beef and dairy production. As is often the case, the short answer is not the true answer. Source: Brilliant.org, YouTube, April 25, 2021. Link. Listening time is 24 minutes. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Equine nutrition 101
Without the proper nutrients, horses are also likely to experience depleted energy, behavioral problems, a weakened immune system – and the list goes on. Laura Boynton dug into the vital nutrients horses need to thrive. Source: Equine Wellness, April 23, 2021. Link. “Common errors include feeding the wrong type of feed for the type of horse,” says Kathleen Crandell, PhD. … [Read more...]
Flavored water may help horses drink more
Concerns that hospitalized horses that did not consume enough water and could develop colic led to testing different water flavors often used in veterinary settings. The winner of the taste test was sweet-feed flavored water, which the test group horses significantly preferred over plain water. If you're going to try flavoring a horse's water to try to get them to drink … [Read more...]
Discuss canine behavior problems in the clinic
Since behavior problems are the number-one reason dogs are relinquished, John J. Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB, shares study results recommending behavior be discussed during visits at the clinic. Problems identified in the study included excessive activity, fearfulness, destructiveness, roaming, house soiling, excessive barking, coprophagy, withdrawal, mounting/humping and aggression … [Read more...]
Comprehensive review of bacteriuria, UTIs
As pet owners return to work, the schedules for many pets will change dramatically, including longer periods between trips outside for relieving themselves. One consequence of “holding it longer” can be the development or redevelopment of UTIs. In a two-part series, Juliette Bouillon, DMV, MVetSc, DACVIM, provided a review of the current literature and guidelines for the … [Read more...]
Emerging Salmonella serotype gains attention, concerns
Includes Sponsored Content Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:-, an emerging serotype in swine, has become one of the most identified serotypes in pigs, pork, and humans worldwide. Responding to the industry’s needs, Swine Health Information Center posted a new fact sheet that contains valuable information on the serotype, its nomenclature, as well as resistance. Pigs often carry … [Read more...]
AHD welcomes new contributors from EVT
Beginning this month, Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, and Caitlin Keat, BS, MS, will contribute their perspectives from their work with veterinary teams. Throughout the pandemic and through their business, Empowering Veterinary Teams (EVT), Mages and Keat have worked to support and inspire veterinary team members taxed with myriad changes in how work and life are transpiring. We’re … [Read more...]
Deadly diseases common to the outdoors
Animal health pros frequently discuss zoonoses. This article reviews outdoor diseases, their sources and some familiar disease names. It is important to stay informed and inform clients and staff as they head out for outdoor activities. Source: The Outdoors Mag. Link. … [Read more...]