Prompted by a past article in National Geographic <Link> we dug into the effect of beer and alcohol on mosquito attraction. And, yes, mosquitos choose alcohol drinkers over those drinking water but why is not known. Exhaled carbon dioxide is how mosquitoes lock onto you as a target, heat may be how they figure out where to bite you. Sources: Beer can make you a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 29, 2024
Pet bereavement leave efforts, pet industry reaches $143 billion in 2023, pets over paycheck trends, managing cash flow, cybersecurity and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, April 29, 2024. Link. Nominations for the Pet Care Business Excellence Awards are open through May 31st at com. This fall, plan to attend the IBPSA FLOW Business Conference, September 24-26th … [Read more...]
DVM changed his mind about supporting lasers
From skeptic to advocate of photobiomodulation therapy, Michael Perry, DVM, shares how his choice to upgrade to a class IV laser changed his approach and created many new treatment possibilities. Pain management is a huge part of my practice. A lot of my patients with chronic osteoarthritis cannot take NSAIDs . . . for various reasons . . . so I rely on physical modalities . … [Read more...]
You ARE a potential leader and in sales!
A clinic’s success is not dependent on one or two people. Everyone working together influences the customer and the staff. The most successful clinics encourage and support leadership skills throughout their organizations. Source: Repertoire Magazine, April 2024. Link. Leaders are determined by their followers. No committed customers. No sales … [Read more...]
Fair compensation is crucial for veterinary team retention (video)
Referencing the Stay, Please study findings, AAHA looks at what fair compensation means for retention and attrition with veterinary teams. The video presents three key takeaways including the significance of fair compensation with non-DVM roles which was nearly two times as important compared to DVMs in the study. Source: AAHA NEWStat, April 29, 2024. Link. (2:18) … [Read more...]
AKC announces AKC® DNA + Health: DNA identification with genetic health and traits testing
The AKC® DNA + Health test promises to be a powerful resource for breeders as they plan for litters and work to strengthen their breed(s). The AKC DNA + Health test, developed with trusted lab provider Neogen, offers an AKC DNA profile, plus more than 328 markers for health and traits. Source: AKC, April 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Cull cows, beef value now important for dairy profits
Cull beef cows were the topic of a recent post <Link>. For dairy producers, the value of cull cows and beef have moved from a rounding error to a critical component in profitability. This “beef value” can no longer be ignored, and producers that don’t make it part of their margin calculus may be leaving dollars on the table explains Will Babler. Source: Hoard’s … [Read more...]
Summer sores; prevention, causes, clinical signs, diagnostics and treatment
Summer sores are skin lesions in horses mostly seen during hot summer months when flies are active. The sores are a parasitic infection caused by specific types of nematodes in the family Habronematidae (roundworms). Flies play a primary role in the life cycle of Haronematidae worms, depositing the infective nematode larvae in the body, typically in moist regions such as lips, … [Read more...]
CAPC warns parasitic pet diseases will spread further in 2024
Warning of continued expansion of heartworm, Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases throughout the United States in 2024, the Companion Animal Parasite Council says the risks of contracting Lyme, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and heartworm diseases are increasing. Among the factors cited are rehoming of pets, urbanization and changes in the wildlife host and vector … [Read more...]
Why dogs sniff each other’s butts (video)
While humans experience the world through their five senses, dogs predominantly do so through their sense of smell. Samantha Randall explains butt sniffing allows dogs to gather information about other dogs, including recognizing each other. Source: TopDogTips, March 8, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media or newsletters. Butt sniffing behavior … [Read more...]
How to become more confident at work
Confidence is reflected in the way that you talk about yourself, your work and your predictions about whether you will succeed at new tasks. That communication ultimately affects whether other people accept your ideas and choose to engage with you. Art Markman shares a few things you can do to make yourself more confident in the long run including: Know your strengths … [Read more...]
Logic and emotion
A better understanding of the dynamics of decision making will lead to more productive client conversations. Source: Vet Advantage, October 2023. Link. Attitudes are the road map for decisions. <BQ> “The good news is that attitudes translate into actions, and that is something you can see in your customer’s body language, hear in your customer’s voice, and … [Read more...]
Services semantics. A new name for drop-off.
Sometimes referenced as the ‘Queen of Scripts,’ Wendy S. Myers, CVJ, says day admission appointment may be a better way to position drop-off services. She also offers alternatives for wellness testing in the form of five strategies to increase compliance. Source: DVM 360, April 18, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Whatever descriptive language you choose, be sure the entire staff … [Read more...]
How to build (and rebuild) trust
Harvard Business School Professor Frances Frei gives a crash course in trust: how to build it, maintain it and rebuild it. She shares her experiences dealing with a large corporate team and how to apply that learning in organizations. If we can learn to trust one another more, we can have unprecedented human progress.” Source: TED2018. Link. (14:56) … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 18, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 11, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the April 11th AHD Bulletin – Words are important. Link. Insects on farm animal menus. Link. whiskerDocs® 2nd patent: Integrated animal health records. Link. ===================================== 16 compliments you didn’t realize are actually pretty … [Read more...]
NAAVR launched to elevate and support veterinary client service pros
To support, empower and advocate for professionals who create exceptional veterinary client experiences, industry veterans Jill Clark, DVM, Debbie Boone, CVPM, and Rhonda Bell, CVPM, PCM, CDMP, seek to elevate the client service path as a viable and rewarding career within veterinary medicine. Source: North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists, April 4, 2024. … [Read more...]
Blain’s Farm and Fleet announces online system for direct ordering of prescriptions AHD Staff
A new online product, AnimalRx, is a direct result of FDA Guidance for Industry No. 263 and offers access for livestock producers with a prescription. Source: Successful Farming, April, 15, 2024. Link. The website shares the following about how they handle livestock prescriptions <Link>. "If you have a prescription from your veterinarian, simply add the item(s) to … [Read more...]
USDA approves Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) solution for certain respiratory diseases in cattle and swine
Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) is a 3rd-generation fluoroquinolone ranked as a critically important antimicrobial. The labeling of the drug includes a statement that it should be used only after considering other, non-fluoroquinolone therapeutic options. Pradalex is approved in certain ages and classes of cattle for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease associated … [Read more...]
Halo collar named to Fast Company’s 2024 fastest-growing private companies
Halo is a wireless GPS dog safety system and wireless fence that keeps dogs protected everywhere they go. Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024 shines a spotlight on businesses, like Halo Collar, that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. Source: Pet Business, April 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Merck launches new activity monitoring technology, SENSEHUB Dairy Youngstock
Merck announced the launch of its new activity monitoring system, SENSEHUB Dairy Youngstock <Link>, the industry’s first monitoring technology for dairy calves from birth through the first 12 months of life. The product makes it easier for dairy producers and calf managers to detect and locate calves and heifers who need attention based on animal behavior monitoring. An … [Read more...]
Majority of U.S. dairy cows live on big dairies
The big dairies are getting bigger with 834 farms having more than 2,500 cows, an increase of 120 farms versus the 2017 census. The recently released 2022 census reveals there were 24,082 dairy operations with off-farm milk sales, down from 39,303 in 2017. These herds are producing five percent more milk from 9.4 million cows, a number which remained nearly unchanged from … [Read more...]
Marketing bulls as feeder calves rather than castrating costs producers
Kellie Curry Raper shares numbers that reflect an overall increase in the proportion of bulls coming through feeder calf sales. She shares data showing that not castrating bull calves costs producers as much as $56/head on 500-pound animals. Raper also reminds us of research indicating multiple animal performance benefits linked to earlier castration* including shorter … [Read more...]
Cull cows more valuable than ever
Cull cow weight and cull cow price have always been keys to profitability for beef producers. Culls are often forgotten. Gene Johnston shares tips for getting more money for old cows. About 20% of the total revenue of a cow herd comes from cull animals.” - Patrick Linnell, CattleFax Source: Successful Farming, April 12, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted Wayne Morgan's … [Read more...]
Comparison of beef calves in conventional or natural systems for backgrounding and finishing
A recent study in Applied Animal Science offers guidance for producers weighing how to manage beef calves and meet market demands. The results offer perspective on the trade-offs between backgrounding and finishing systems: Conventionally managed steers in the study had greater average daily weight gain and feed efficiency and reached their target finished weight faster, … [Read more...]
Top beef cow counties in the U.S.
Answering the question “Where’s the beef?” this list of counties with the most beef cows is also insightful when we consider the effects of drought. The list represents 20,687 producers with 2,253,482 cows, for an average herd size of 109 head. Together these 34 counties account for 7.7 percent of the nation’s 29.214 million beef cows. Source: Drovers, April 15, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
USDA: Test for bird flu before interstate transport of cattle
The USDA strongly recommends testing before cattle herds are moved between states, which should give more testing information and should mitigate further state-to-state spread between herds. Source: Successful Farming, April 15, 2024. Link. HPAI doesn’t affect dairy cows the same way as it does poultry. With proper veterinary care, cows are recovering.” - Nora Wineland, … [Read more...]
A calculator to determine colic risk in horses
EQUUS' 7-question survey can help determine a horse's chances of developing colic and provides ideas for what can be done to protect its health. The survey score will provide a rough estimate of colic risk and the content shares some management changes that may help reduce colic risks. Source: EQUUS, April 10, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Tools like this survey can improve the … [Read more...]
Essential nutrients cats need in their diets
We often hear, “a cat is not a small dog.” That phrase is especially meaningful when delivering the main things cats need in their diets. Rachel Giordano shares six vet-verified, nutrient essentials cats need in their diets, what they do and where they are found: Animal protein Fat Carbohydrates Water Vitamins Minerals Source: Catster, April 12, 2024. … [Read more...]
American Heartworm Society updates heartworm guidelines
After thoroughly reviewing the latest research, the American Heartworm Society has updated its canine heartworm guidelines on heartworm prevention, diagnosis and treatment AND added a new section with "spectrum of care" information. Source: American Heartworm Society. Link. Download the summary here <Link>. AHS recommends annual antigen and microfilaria testing as well … [Read more...]
The AAFP and ISFM release new guidelines on the long-term use of NSAIDs in cats
The 2024 ISFM and AAFP Consensus Guidelines on the Long-term Use of NSAIDs in Cats from the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine supports practitioners with decision-making around prescribing NSAIDs in situations of chronic pain to minimize adverse effects and optimize pain management for their feline patients. The … [Read more...]