Calves transported long distances can exhibit muscle fatigue and oxidative stress, an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants that can ultimately cause cell and tissue damage, shares Stephanie Hansen, PhD. Her Iowa State University research team is investigating the role of trace minerals and vitamins in cattle health and welfare during long-haul transit. Vitamin C and … [Read more...]
Disease alarms could be identified 4 weeks earlier than first official PEDV diagnosis
Routine monitoring for shifts in laboratory test results can reveal trends in pathogen activity, seasonality and provide evidence of pathogen emergence, according to a study from the Swine Health Information Center. Study scientists from six veterinary diagnostic labs evaluated different surveillance models to predict novel enteric coronavirus emergence. Early detection of … [Read more...]
Bird flu pushing egg prices higher
Reading this article, animal health pros might conclude the growth in backyard poultry production will continue. HPAI has reduced egg supplies that are now less robust than normal. Meanwhile, domestic sales and exports have jumped to levels not seen since the pandemic. Source: Agricultural Dive, September 3, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The prevalence and diagnosis of feline heartworm infection
It is estimated that feline heartworm infection prevalence is five percent to 20 percent of the canine infection prevalence in the same area. The authors review the challenges of diagnosing feline heartworm infections, the differences in life cycle and clinical aspects of feline heartworm infection versus dog heartworm infection. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, … [Read more...]
Heartworm fact sheet urges pet owners to Think 12
A convenient fact sheet from the American Heartworm Society urges pet owners to test annually for heartworm and commit to year-round heartworm prevention. The document is suitable for social media and newsletters. Heartworm preventative compliance remains challenging and requires routine reinforcement of the reasons and benefits. Source: Think 12, American Heartworm Society. … [Read more...]
Allergy season, real or not?
Many things cause dogs to be pruritic that may not be a true allergy. Cliff Faver, DVM, reminds us that a pet can be allergic to anything, even hypoallergenic products. He suggests groomers can play a major role in minimizing or preventing conditions often considered allergies by focusing on repairing the skin barrier. A strong skin barrier is an amazing thing and often the … [Read more...]
Advocacy helps pet owners discover benefits of choosing pet health insurance (Part 5)
Sponsored Content This series on how veterinary teams position and share the benefits of pet insurance has been well received. In this edition, Roberta Jaime shares how pet insurance is integrated into discussions with pet owners at Aloha Veterinary Hospital. Our doctor takes it further by writing recommendations directly onto the ASPCA Pet Insurance pamphlets during … [Read more...]
Job security driving trends in vocational schooling
Commentary More Americans are building trade skills to take jobs where there is a shortage of skilled labor. This trend bodes well for veterinary technicians, pet care services workers, groomers and livestock workers. The key will be to support continuing education and certifications from accredited veterinary technology programs and from groups like AKC, IBPSA, NCBA, PACCC … [Read more...]
Pathway to CVPM certification (videos)
Samantha Millet, CVPM, Tiffany Consalvo, CVPM, and Christine M. Cesena, CVPM, share their challenges, perseverance, and benefits of becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. The link below begins with Millet and then links to Consalvo and Cesena in a series of informative personal experience videos of about two minutes each. Source: VHMA, YouTube, February 23, 2023. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 2, 2024
The role of UV technology in disease prevention, Pet Food Institute’s Dana Brooks, data security before AI, market fit, cash flow, FidoAlert and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 2, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
New guidance for AMR gram-negative infections
Actions by our human counterparts affect how antimicrobials are considered in animal health and, therefore, become relevant for animal health pros. The Infectious Diseases Society of America recently updated guidance for treating antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative infections <Link>. The guidance updated recommendations for treating pathogens that cause various … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 29, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 22, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 22nd AHD Bulletin – The top 3 skills you need to succeed in an AI-driven world. Link. Seek to understand workflows before you pivot. Link. PRRS-resistant pigs - producer urges caution, transparency. Link. Logic, emotion affect decisions. Link. … [Read more...]
What did we miss at the VIS?
The 2024 Veterinary Innovation Summit, organized by the NAVC’s Veterinary Innovation Council, provides a platform for veterinary and industry professionals to explore new ideas and technologies. Past gatherings have opened eyes as companies work to ensure an innovative and resilient future for veterinary medicine. The networking and relational elements are also not to be … [Read more...]
Highlights from the 2024 KCAHC Animal Health Summit
Ending a busy 10 days in Kansas City, the 2024 Animal Health Summit hosted by the KC Animal Health Corridor provided the industry with information on sustainability in the consumers’ mind when buying meat, addressing access to veterinary care, including a pipeline of veterinary talent, where technology is going and what it can provide. Congratulations to Craig S. Wallace, … [Read more...]
AAHA Trends magazine is going ALL digital
After 40 years in print as one of the top veterinary practice management magazines in the industry, Trends is going fully digital, starting Jan. 1, 2025. The new platform will combine the existing newsletter, NEWStat and Trends articles and features. Source: AAHA NEWStat, August 06, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Questions for beef producers planning to expand
Sometimes our roles as animal health pros involve helping customers and clients think through future decisions. With beef cattle prices surging against lower inventories, Wesley Tucker shares eight questions producers should consider before planning a beef herd expansion. Available land, interest and labor costs along with carrying capacity are important considerations as … [Read more...]
Beware of these common vaccine mistakes
The Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program includes guidelines on vaccination with best practices on mixing and drawing up vaccines, product handling and storage, and choosing correct syringe and needle sizes. The guidelines are reviewed rigorously and are updated using current scientific recommendations. Julia Herman, DVM, MS, asserts the importance of record … [Read more...]
Renting dairy cow uteruses, a possible new frontier for beef cattle show stock breeders
Proving that livestock producers are forward thinkers, Maureen Hanson shares an embryo surrogacy project that may help develop more revenue for a dairy and provide a dam for beef embryos sitting in tanks. Source: Drovers, August 9, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted a number of potential benefits from this collaboration, including synchronization of many cows together, … [Read more...]
Why equine disease reporting varies between states
Some equine diseases trigger alerts in some states but aren't reported at all in others, writes Leslie Barlow. She shares why disease reporting can be confusing including the alphabet soup of organizations involved in determining what to report or not. Barlow manages communications at the Equine Disease Communication Center. Source: The Paulick Report, August 20, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Reinforce the importance fall equine vaccinations, wellness checks
Commentary, Commercial Content In a recent survey of horse owners, Boehringer-Ingelheim found 92 percent of them said boosting vaccinations was important . . . BUT, only 55 percent followed through to administer the boosters. Labor Day weekend is a favorite time for horse owners to get out with their favorite mounts. Equine practices have an opportunity in the coming … [Read more...]
West Nile Virus now a permanent U.S. resident
Until late summer 1999, few American horse owners had heard of West Nile virus. The story of how it was found, spread, monitored and prevented is worth reviewing. Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, writes the 25-year story of WNV in the U.S. in the feature linked here. Understanding the history informs our current situation as CDC data indicates 48 states and the District of Columbia … [Read more...]
Common allergy medications can be deadly to pets
Well, of course . . . BUT do pet owners and their guests really guard where pills are stored and ingested. It’s not uncommon to find an aberrant pill that didn’t reach the weekly pill organizer or a person’s mouth. With cats on the table and dogs in our laps, this release from the Pet Poison Helpline underscores the risks of our pets getting into our medications, as well as a … [Read more...]
Revisiting Old Yeller ahead of World Rabies Day 2024
The news story of at least one puppy in a litter of unvaccinated puppies transported from North Texas to a Denver-area dog rescue that was found to have rabies prompted Dan Solomon to write the article shared here. Fred Gipson’s 1956 novel, “Old Yeller” and subsequent movie depictions of it may not be familiar to Millennials or Gen Z and likely won’t be on reading lists for Gen … [Read more...]
Essential items needed when hiking with dogs
Many dog owners will take to the trails or field as summer wanes and cooler fall temperatures prevail. Patrick Lumontod has assembled a list of essential items for being out and about with dogs. Water, ID tags, microchips and a photo are among the items he lists. The article is good content for social media. Source: Top Dog Tips, December 6, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Many dog … [Read more...]
AKC turns 140 in September
The AKC staff provides a historical look at how the AKC started from hunters’ desires to standardize their animals to what it is today. The original dogs registered were Pointer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, English Setter and Gordon Setter. The Lancashire Heeler was the latest dog registered in … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 26, 2024
Veterinarians on strike in UK pet market, concerns about cats contracting bird flu, GlobalVetLink partners with Bond Vet to streamline pet travel, high school certificate program creating job-ready students for work in vet hospitals, helping small business employees with retirement plans and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Character and integrity
All smart leadership and business decisions are founded on the bedrock of character and integrity. Operating with character and integrity means having unwavering certainty, especially when faced with difficult choices. Source: Inc., August 19, 2024. Link. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” – Warren Buffett INSIGHTS: Integrity is the … [Read more...]
33 Pet companies make list of fastest-growing businesses in the U.S.
A broad range of pet businesses made Inc. 5000’s list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. They include corporate and group practices, nutrition companies and service providers. Consider reviewing what these companies are doing, providing and manufacturing. Many of the trends we see every week are reflected in their growth. Source: Pet Product News, August … [Read more...]
5 silent revenue drains and ways to plug them
Janine Malloy shares ways practices lose revenue in booking, serving and billing clients. The drains she presents become more problematic when staff members are not on the same page. Missed charges and no-shows remain a significant challenge, especially if the hospital is short-staffed. Source: DVM360, August 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The 5 levers of compliance
Commentary People ultimately do business with people they trust and respect. It is not a new phenomenon but requires exerting intentional effort. Clients want a practice team who treats them and their pets as individuals and then works to establish a services relationship. Last August, when sharing an article by Wendy Hauser, DVM, I asserted the priority of engaging … [Read more...]