Research by Hal Schott, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, provides evidence that long-term treatment of PPID with pergolide, an oral medication, over a period of five years or greater produced clinical improvement in nearly all affected horses. His study examined 15 PPID positive horses over 9.5 years, with seven of those receiving a dosage increase from years 1.7 to 4.7. His research showed … [Read more...]
Mizzou’s Mule-lennials
The Missouri mule team has been a fixture at the University of Missouri since 1984. To be considered a mule has to be a cross between a draft horse and a mammoth donkey, the world's largest breed of ass. This specific cross creates what is known as a Missouri Mule. Honoring National Mule Day taking place on October 26th, Brian Consiglio shares seven facts about Mizzou’s equine … [Read more...]
Horse Week is happening now
Complimentary Sponsored Content Horse Week is a free weeklong online film festival dedicated to horses. It takes place October 20–26, 2024. Films range from documentary features to quick training tips and include a lineup of brand new exclusives and award-winning favorites. Source: RIDE TV. Link. … [Read more...]
3 reasons pet owners stop feeding raw meat-based dog food
Research on why pet owners stop feeding raw diets revealed these main reasons: Gastrointestinal intolerance The onset of disease Lack of interest from the dog in eating raw food Source: PETFOOD Industry, October 16, 2024. Link. Upon discontinuing RMBDs, 65 percent of owners switched to dry food, followed by wet food (44 percent) and home-cooked diets (26 percent). … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 21, 2024
October pet trends, marketing triggers for the new years ahead, optimizing retailer relationships with distributors, unconventional support animal use in complementary therapy for humans, euthanasia decisions, spring water for dogs and more . . . Source: IBPSA, October 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Successful leaders are great followers first
In the most effective and successful practices, leadership occurs at all levels—from the DVM to the vet tech to the receptionist—and at every level in between. Source: Repertoire, April 2024. Link. Influential leaders, no matter what title they have or role they play, are those with willing followers.” INSIGHT: Exceptional leaders intuitively recognize momentary changes in … [Read more...]
Elanco’s Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody shows improved survival rates for puppies
Complimentary Commercial Content Data collected over the first year of CPMA availability shows improvements in survival rates for puppies battling the deadly virus, enhanced operational efficiency and high satisfaction within veterinary clinics. Our recent real-world data shows that the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody is giving puppies and veterinary clinic staff a … [Read more...]
Pet industry adapts to economic challenges, new trends
The pet industry has become accustomed to steady, consistent growth at high levels throughout the range of products and services offered. Richard Kestenbaum says that's over. There will still be growth, but it will be more choppy and more selective. Certain product classes will grow. Others will shrink. Certain marketing channels will be an opportunity. Others not. Consumers … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 17, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 10, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 10th AHD Bulletin – How to stop making excuses. Link. Larval therapy decreases layup time for coffin bone infection. Link. Oak mites join chiggers, mosquitos . . . big annoyance for pets, humans. Link. Explaining why cats chatter. Link. … [Read more...]
Russian scientists claim world’s first anti-aging pet food
Russian researchers have developed a pet food said to support longevity and combat age-related issues in pets. “The pet food is comprised of a combination of geroprotective substances such as epigallocatechin gallate, silymarin, curcumin, resveratrol and naringenin. Geroprotectors act by regulating some signaling pathways and molecular markers associated with aging and life … [Read more...]
Preventing inflammation in transition cows
Barry Bradford, PhD, recommends sound transition cow management steps to prevent acute inflammation. This article is a good reference when working with dairy producers and their herd teams. His five steps are: Manage body condition score Transition cow housing Antioxidants Anionic diets Tweaking immunity/inflammation: remember, the use of NSAIDs to treat … [Read more...]
Facial recognition app recognizes cow from 50 feet
Complimentary Commercial Content 406 Bovine leverages facial recognition technology to create ‘digital twins’ of cattle, enabling producers to pull up wellness, movement and treatment data by simply taking a photo of their animals’ heads. Source: Dairy Reporter, July 22, 2024. Link. RFD TV, August 15, 2024. Link. Video [13:13] Facial recognition is the newest form of … [Read more...]
Key technologies revolutionizing the dairy farm
Automation, robotics and AI in dairy farming are taking off. As sustainability, efficiency and consumer transparency become more critical, technological advancements targeting automation, data decision-making, animal welfare and more shape the future of modern dairies. It’s a game changer, writes Andrew Hunt. Source: The Bullvine, October 10, 2024. Link. Key … [Read more...]
How to use dog food toppers
Includes Commercial Content It seems every trip to the pet retailer reveals an ever-expanding inventory of pet food toppers. It is challenging to understand how to use them effectively to enhance dogs’ diets and not disrupt their basic nutritional needs. Toppers can enhance a dog’s meals, offering additional flavor, variety and nutritional benefits. Renee Streeter, DVM, … [Read more...]
Vet Techs play critical role in pet healthcare
Commentary Celebrating veterinary technicians during National Veterinary Technician Week is important for individual and team morale. Handshakes, pizza lunches and bagels aside, animal-owning clients need help understanding the roles these experienced and educated animal healthcare professionals provide in a clinic or telehealth setting. Consider sharing the ASPCA® Pet … [Read more...]
Shelter dog behavior after adoption
Little is known about long-term dog behavior after adoption. Research published in PLOS ONE followed 99 dogs at 7, 30, 90, and 180 days after adoption, revealing a high prevalence of certain behaviors among the adopted dogs. Understanding how shelter dogs typically adjust to new homes over time can help set realistic expectations and guide interventions to support successful … [Read more...]
The rise of the small animal pet market
Commentary The popularity of small pets continues to grow. In pet retail, this growth opens up many opportunities to cater to these feathered, furred and scaled animals, writes Lindsay Beaton. However, for veterinary and pet services businesses, specialty pets may prove challenging. Regardless, the metrics are worthy of review. They may generate some questions about … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 14, 2024
Supporting pets affected by Helene, rapid growth projected in pet sitting market, company culture, timing difficult conversations, pet owner spending and more . . . Source: IBPSA, October 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Digitail announces CE course series on Technology for Veterinary Professionals
Complimentary Content The new Digitail Academy is a series of free RACE and CVPM CE-approved webinars designed to help veterinary professionals sharpen their tech skills, enhance patient care, and run financially healthy practices. The series offers a chance to learn from top industry leaders, gain insights into the latest tech trends, and take actionable steps toward … [Read more...]
Cold calling still works today
Cold calling remains effective today for several key reasons, writes Nicole Attias. It is easy to avoid making the calls on the phone or in person, but the strategy is time-proven even as digital marketing and the use of AI increases. She shares these top three reasons to make the call: Immediate feedback Direct human rapport Targeted outreach Source: Selling … [Read more...]
Getting to YES
Every practice employee is an ambassador for that practice and, as a result, has a responsibility to aid in the sales process. Source: Veterinary Advantage, October 2024. Link. “(Inaction bias) is a little devil driving the tendency to do nothing because the risk of making a wrong decision feels too high,” says Brian Sullivan. INSIGHT: Think of it as leadership – helping … [Read more...]
NO Rx required; FDA approves the first at-home test for Covid-19 and the flu
Commentary Home-based diagnostics are a growing trend. These technologies will continue to provide preliminary intelligence for individuals without the knowledge of healthcare professionals. As home-based technology expands, one must consider the effects on the quality of care and the parallels to animal healthcare. Authorization of a Covid-19 and flu test expands the … [Read more...]
5 red flags that show you don’t understand your Gen Z employees
Gen Z is shaking things up, writes Cheryl Fields Tyler. She shares five signs of ineffective engagement and ways for companies to improve: Not realizing Gen Z is more skeptical of AI than millennials Assuming you can attract them without strong company values Treating DEI as old news and not essential Failing to harness Gen Z’s enthusiasm toward their employers … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 9, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 3, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 3rd AHD Bulletin – “Social license to operate” topic drives equine gathering agenda. Link. Probiotics, prebiotics for feline digestive health. Link. Non-antibiotic approaches to canine recurrent UTIs. Link. Plain speak matters. Link. … [Read more...]
Ollie acquires DIG Labs, rolls out new Foodback Loop™ to elevate health services
Ollie, a subscription-based fresh dog food company, has acquired DIG Labs, an AI-powered diagnostic company, providing real-time, image-based pet health screenings across stool, weight management, skin and coat, dental care and more. The company shared its Foodback Loop™ is a revolutionary, closed-loop, and proprietary process that leverages over 20 million first-party data … [Read more...]
New products from World Dairy Expo
Mark Moore shares new products that garnered attention at World Dairy Expo that took place in Madison, Wisconsin, from September 28th to October 4th. Featured are management products that promise to help streamline some of the processes on farm. For animal health pros working with dairies, learning about new products outside your own offerings can be beneficial during a … [Read more...]
Worker safety includes teaming with veterinarians
Working with livestock always includes opportunities for someone to get injured. National Safety Month is behind us, but attention to safety requires continual attention. Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury. Two articles from the NCBA BQA library are timely as fall cattle work progresses. Understanding the animals, as well as the best … [Read more...]
Walmart is expanding pet care services
Walmart is opening five more pet services centers after testing the first location near Atlanta. The centers offer vet visits and grooming. The pet services centers will have their own dedicated entrance next to a store under the Walmart name and staffed by employees of vet care and pet product company PetIQ. Source: CNBC, October 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet Product News top dog product picks of 2024
It is always a good idea for animal health pros to scan through new products. Treats, chew toys, a clear pet gate, a board game to play with a dog, car seat, functional supplements, special collars and more are featured here as winners of PPN's Editors' Choice Awards. Source: Pet Product News, October 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pedigreed cat sales now outpace moggie cats
Cats Protection is the UK's leading cat charity. The charity’s 2024 report on cats and their stats indicates 45 percent of all cats acquired between March 2023 and March 2024 were pedigreed or purebred cats, compared to 43 percent moggies. The remainder was made up of cross-breeds. These data represent a significant shift in trends leading the organization to share concerns … [Read more...]