Commentary including sponsored content from Addison Biological Laboratory. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is a common eye disease cattle producers hate treating. Routinely transmitted by flies, pinkeye’s frequently observed pathogens are Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi and bovine herpesvirus type 1 … [Read more...]
3rd annual NAVC Media E-Commerce+ Summit to be (appropriately) virtual
Complimentary commercial content This year’s NAVC E-Commerce+ Summit will take place virtually September 22nd and 23rd. The speaker lineup will examine where our industry is headed, and how generational expectation differences continue to change the landscape. The conference will help you prepare for future developments. Topics include: How pets have transformed … [Read more...]
All ears
You’re not listening to me.” Your customer is actually saying you aren’t taking them seriously and it is probably because you didn’t acknowledge their concern before you offered a solution. Source: Vet-Advantage Magazine, June 2016. Link. By responding to the other person, you are telling her that she has the power in the conversation. Remember, they are the … [Read more...]
What does it cost to wean an older pig?
It is normal to challenge norms in swine and poultry production. The authors from Swine Management Services manage a complex database to help swine producers make production, health and economic decisions. While counter-intuitive, some advantages exist for moving to an older weaning age. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 1, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Data like these help us … [Read more...]
ASFV quickly detected by new cell line
A way to detect the presence of African swine fever virus minimizes the need for samples from live animals and provides easier access to labs needed to diagnose the virus. Developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the new cell line can be continuously replicated and frozen to create cells for future use. The new cell line is commercially available. Source: The Pig … [Read more...]
Pork backlog is moving
If you experienced some of the meat issues during the first months of Covid-19, the backlog of pig slaughter is catching up. At least the slaughter weights have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Source: Swineweb.com, August 4, 2020. Link. The author references USDA weekly metrics and discusses the situation and production changes that contribute to normalization. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Protect horses from mosquitoes and biting flies
No single insect control strategy cures all the pest problems on a horse property, says Nancy S. Loving, DVM. It takes a compilation of approaches to keep horses bothered as little as possible during insect season. She presents a variety of pest control options from fans to parasitoids to Muscovy ducks. Environmental management is essential to reduce insect population … [Read more...]
Help to understand prebiotics and probiotics for dogs and cats
The business of nutraceuticals used as prebiotics and probiotics is confusing, full of misdirection and often neither good nor bad. Ann Wortinger BIS, LVT, VTS, writes, “According to the hype, these products can improve the immune system and gastrointestinal function while performing a number of other tasks just short of emptying the litter box.” Her comment sets the stage for … [Read more...]
Cats get separation anxiety, too
It’s hard to picture a cat tearing up a pillow because its owner left the house. A recent study showed that cats living with humans have similar attachment styles to pet parents as dogs and children do. 64 percent of the cats evaluated were described as securely attached to their humans. These cats showed less stress when near their caregivers.” Source: PetMD, June 8, 2020. … [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...]
Favorite 5 articles from Clinician’s Brief
We’re sharing this group of articles from Clinicians Brief in the event you hit delete before taking a good look at this group of peer reviewed tips. Source: 5 tips for treating otitis externa, Clinician’s Brief, June 2019. Link. Source: Top 5 complications of gonadectomy, Clinician’s Brief, February 2020. Link. Relevant information in light of this recent post: Neutering … [Read more...]
CAPC tracking hookworms
Parasitic diseases are dynamic and can expand beyond areas that are typically thought of as hot spots for specific diseases. The tracking efforts central to CAPC’s top 10 cities demonstrates the importance of reporting by veterinarians. Their daily experiences rolled up statistically help animal health pros and animal owners understand the importance of testing and year-round … [Read more...]
What is your cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection IQ?
The pandemic has forever opened people’s eyes to the impact infective pathogens have on our lives. This author reviews the challenges we all have managing a less infection prone environment. As animal health pros, we are primary sources of information and education for our clients and those in our networks. The information here is rudimentary and worth sharing internally and … [Read more...]
P.U.R.R. your way to optimal patient flow
When you are hell-bent on surviving considerable changes to how to do life, your business and meet client expectations, customer experience planning and mapping may not be a high priority. Now as the world attempts to reopen and live with Covid-19 risks, planning patient flow is an important part of progress. Claire Pickens, CVPM, SHRM-CP, CSSGB, looks at patient flow … [Read more...]
Grouchy clients, stressed staff, but business is growing
The VHMA’s tracking surveys are often revealing. June 2020 versus June 2019 numbers look strong, even in the shadow of a possible recession. Practices are reeling from the cumulative disruption from the pandemic but gaining ground against previous shortfalls. About 53 percent of practices never changed their hours of operation and another 25 percent did, but have returned to … [Read more...]
Elanco welcomes Bayer Animal Health (video)
Complimentary commercial content Jeffrey Simmons, president and CEO at Elanco, welcomes Bayer to the Elanco business. His message is one of commitment and excellence, hallmarks of brands from both entities. This is a significant event in animal health. It is important to really listen to the breadth and scope in the narrative. Source: YouTube, August 3, 2020. … [Read more...]
More than 2000 registered for VVCA live event
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) is hosting it’s first online summit August 18th. It offers 5.5 hours of free education to veterinarians, technicians, and others interested in elevating the level of care they provide to animals. The notice lists the speakers presenting the continuing education. Source: VVCA media release, August 5, 2020. Link. We are thrilled … [Read more...]
Be a coach, not a micromanager
Around the early 1900s as we shifted from an agrarian economy to an industrial engine, micromanagers were needed to help farm hands become industrialists. A couple of decades later, they were obsolete. But, they managed to evolve so that, unfortunately, they are still around today. Do you work for one, are one, lead one or have a culture of micromanagement? This article may … [Read more...]
Looking ahead with The Bridge Club
Now three years old, The Bridge Club continues to gain momentum, popularity and fill gaps in our social and professional networks. Animal health pros rely on each other’s experiences and perspectives. The Bridge Club virtual events have evolved to emulate discussions often had over lunch or at the watering hole during on-site industry conventions. Source: The Bridge Club. … [Read more...]
Preg-check beef cows early
Identifying reproductive issues, managing input costs, more efficient culling along various preg-checking methods are presented in this article. Producers have a variety of options for managing nonpregnant cows and heifers.” Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 10, 2020. Link. Current cattle markets, weather outlooks and feed availability are all factors that should be … [Read more...]
5 steps to decrease somatic cell counts (infographic)
Like you and me, cows are physically more stressed when it is hot. Somatic cell counts in milking dairy cows are a signal to dairy producers that an immune response is occurring. Add the influence of stress hormones and changes in cow behavior, the result is often an increase in environmental mastitis. It’s important to keep stalls clean, provide good fly control and provide … [Read more...]
Preconditioning, premiums and the real value of vaccines
Cow doc Jake Geis, DVM, discusses preconditioning calves, getting a better return on your vaccine and parasite control investment in the entire herd, not just calves. Cattle buyers place the most preference in a preconditioning program for the number of days weaned. . . because they know it means the cow-calf producer took on the risk of doing the actual job of weaning and … [Read more...]
9 Florida horses confirmed to have EEE
Speaking of the mosquito-borne diseases, Florida officials confirmed the state’s ninth case of Eastern equine encephalomyelitis. The serious viral disease affects horses, birds and humans. Vaccination, supported by two to three boosters per year, can help prevent EEE. Source: University of Florida Extension, July 24, 2020. Link. “EEE is a serious and often fatal injection in … [Read more...]
Quarantined farm kids captured on video
A great deal of what we see in media coverage deals with all the challenges of urban parents and their children. Farm kids have been affected by Covid-19 confines as well. Like some of their city kid friends, they add some creativity to their lives on the farm and the human animal bond is also apparent. Holly Spangler shares the fourth installment of farm kids in quarantine … [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...]
Neutering study lays out guidelines for 35 dog breeds
Our industry has struggled to answer questions about when or if to consider neutering for dogs because of great disparity between breeds. A new, 10-year study by researchers at the University of California – Davis, examined 35 dog breeds and found vulnerability from neutering varies greatly depending on the breed, size and sex. Source: UC Davis, July 15, 2020. Link. “We … [Read more...]
10 fun facts about mosquitoes
Fun? Well maybe for an entomologist. ;-) Animal health pros are the perfect sources to CONFIDENTLY help animal owners decrease the risk from mosquito-borne diseases. But, products on the shelf or not discussed never repel or kill one of the pests. Talk about them. Mid-summer is the peak time for mosquitoes!” Source: The Outdoor Wear, July 16, 2020. Link. People with Type O … [Read more...]
Dictation platform built for veterinarians now available on Mac
Mac users are celebrating as Talkatoo announces it has finished production of its revolutionary dictation software in a version for macOS. Up until now, it was only possible to do so on Windows. Talkatoo’s voice dictation solution offers tremendous flexibility and convenience for vets everywhere, even on their personal laptops. . . Windows or Mac.” Source: Talkatoo. Link. … [Read more...]