Infection preventionists work to prevent healthcare-associated infections across myriad healthcare settings. They isolate sources of infections to develop and implement evidence-based practices to prevent and contain the spread of dangerous organisms. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) released the Curriculum Guidelines for … [Read more...]
Mycoplasma bovis: Tough to treat, difficult to prevent
Includes Commercial References Newport Laboratories’ Jason Anderson, DVM, writes about Mycoplasma bovis, calling it problematic, insidious and hard to control. M. bovis is found in many different disease presentations. Affected cattle may display nasal discharge, cough, labored breathing, drooped ear, head tilt, head shaking, difficulty moving, swollen joints, inflamed … [Read more...]
Managing hypothermia for newborn calves
The latest winter storm is descending on cow-calf locations and with it comes challenges for those whose cows are calving. Preventing hypothermia is vital to the survival of newborns, weather being responsible for more than 20 percent of early calf deaths. Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, shares the importance of temperature regulation and ways to help hypothermic calves. Source: … [Read more...]
Weather, consumer demand, cattle supplies, international trade factor into beef market
Information shared during the CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of CattleCon 2025, indicated the U.S. beef industry is poised for another year of strong market performance. Noting supply constraints, CattleFax said cattlemen have market leverage as the beef cowherd enters a stabilization phase following years of contraction. Source: AgriMarketing, February 7, 2025. … [Read more...]
Opportunities for retailers who focus on oral care products
Includes Commercial Content What’s that old saying? “It takes a community . . . “ Glenn Polyn shares ideas for pet retailers in this article. He notes the oral health retail sector has grown with innovative and easy-to-use products designed to help address dental health in dogs and cats. Polyn mentions cross-merchandising opportunities and the importance of training store … [Read more...]
Time to review vaccine reactions
With the holidays eight weeks in the rearview mirror, those Christmas puppies are ready for vaccine boosters and rabies vaccination. Veterinary teams need to be prepared to discuss why undesirable post-vaccination reactions or complications may occur. Refreshing team knowledge from the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (2024 Update), Theresa Entriken, DVM, highlights … [Read more...]
Pet dental cleanings: What to expect (video)
Last week we asserted that client education was the main objective of National Pet Dental Month <Link>. Consider this video from the AVMA to support COHAT, help orient pet owners to the dental exam and treatment processes and reinforce the benefits of routine oral care in the home. Share it in social media posts or newsletters along with your own Dental Month message or … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 10, 2025
Latest in grooming tools, Red Cross pet liaisons, H5N1 risks in cats, salmonella risks, warnings about unlicensed pet boarding and more . . . Source: IBPSA, February 10, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
How multitasking drains your brain
Whether applied to machines or human brains, “multitasking” is a misnomer, writes Richard E. Cytowic, MD, MFA. He debunks the myth that we only use 10 percent of our brain stating, “We do use 100 percent of our brain, just not all of it at the same instant.” He explains the energy requirements of today’s rich social environments, saying that keeping ourselves alert and … [Read more...]
Embracing AI: Are you a Doomer, Gloomer, Zoomer, or Bloomer? (video)
Erika James, PhD, hosted Reid Hoffman in a discussion during a lecture series at The Wharton School about the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Hoffman believes that when AI is deployed correctly, it has the power to change society for the better, much like the printing press, the gasoline engine, computers, the internet and all the previous inventions that … [Read more...]
Building talent through delegation
Using a clinic’s professional staff to deploy their full educational training remains an everyday topic in veterinary medicine. Effective delegation is one of the most effective ways to develop the existing talent in your practice and free up your time to (fill in your top priority). The article shares 10 steps for successful delegation. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, … [Read more...]
Survey says unruly customers take a toll on frontline workers
Whether in person or on a call, customer impatience and retaliatory behaviors create difficulties for frontline employees and affect positive customer experiences. A survey by Perceptyx found more than half of public-facing workers have recently encountered customers who were verbally abusive, threatening or otherwise unruly. The report shares how frontline personnel are … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 6, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 30, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 30, 2025 AHD Bulletin Making the case for clinical obesity vs. obesity in veterinary medicine. Link. Storm clouds on the horizon evident in next generation of students. Link. Leadership advice. Link. Bird flu enters a new phase . . . the … [Read more...]
Librela® (bedinvetmab injection) label update submitted to FDA by Zoetis
Zoetis has submitted a supplement to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to update the Librela label, incorporating post-approval experience since its launch in the U.S. in October 2023. The label has been updated to provide current information on real-world drug experience reporting. Source: Zoetis, February 4, 2025. Link. The updates to the label include: A … [Read more...]
Virbac expands its U.S. range of products with four cattle vaccines
Partnering with Diamond Animal Health, Virbac is marketing four modified-live viral cattle vaccines: Bovigen Platinum 5, Bovigen Platinum 5 L5, Bovigen Platinum 3 and Bovigen Platinum 3 LP Vaccines. All four vaccines protect against key respiratory viruses, while Bovigen Platinum 5 L5 and 3 LP vaccines add bacterial protection against leptospirosis. Source: Drovers, January … [Read more...]
Study shows thorough cleaning, disinfection protocols reduce livestock trailer contamination
Looking specifically at swine production systems, a study underscores the importance of thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols in enhancing biosecurity in them. The study compared different methods and their effectiveness. The findings suggest routinely cleaning and disinfecting all market haul trailers leaving terminal points of concentration by either of the water-based … [Read more...]
2024 lessons inform pig farmers for 2025 (video)
The past two years have been challenging for U.S. pork producers. Jennifer Shike shares four ways experts behind the State of the Pork Industry Report grew from their experiences in 2024. They discuss their people, consumer choices, improving oversight and preparing for the inevitable ebbs and flows in the markets. Source: PORK, January 29, 2025. Link. [55:34] … [Read more...]
3 things nobody has ever told you about colostrum
There has been a lot of new research published in the past five years about colostrum and its role in the newborn's survival and health, writes Kalyn Waters. Despite cow-calf experiences, she was surprised to learn three new things about colostrum: Timing matters on the cow's side, too, as the chemical composition of colostrum in the udder changes by the hour. Colostrum … [Read more...]
U.S. Equestrian Federation board adds to the prohibited substances list
The substance additions ban certain injectable medications and other potentially deadly substances from being used in competition and also from being brought onto show grounds. The list of substances includes formaldehyde, oxytocin and pentobarbital, with an exception for veterinarians to use the latter in euthanasia. Source: The Chronicle of the Horse, January 29, 2025. … [Read more...]
FDA warns six sellers of unapproved seizure drugs for animals
Six companies selling unapproved products claiming to treat and control seizures in dogs and cats have been warned. The products named in the warning letters are not FDA-approved or conditionally approved and are being sold on the firms’ websites, social media pages and Amazon shops without a prescription or other veterinary oversight. Source: FDA, January 7, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
High prevalence of veterinary drugs in birds’ nest materials
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found high levels of veterinary insecticides in the nests of British songbirds and associated it with increased mortality in their offspring. Fipronil, imidacloprid and permethrin were detected in 100 percent, 89.1 percent and 89.1 percent of the nest material samples, respectively. Source: Science Direct, February 10, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 3, 2025
Iconic brands entering pet space, understanding today’s pet owners, AI and automation for pet care businesses, FDA urging pet food companies to revisit safety amid bird flu outbreaks, diabetic alert dog tracks five blocs to find child with low blood sugar and more - Source: IBPSA, February 3, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Cornell grad student shares guide to understanding ChatGPT in 5 minutes
Complimentary Content ChatGPT is a tool with seemingly limitless potential, but like any tool, its value depends on how you use it, says Jeremiah Pouncy. He says the best way to unlock the full potential of ChatGPT is through trial and error. Source: Bruce L. Truman, MBA, LinkedIn, February 1, 2025. Link. ChatGPT is about experimenting, learning, and exploring new ways to … [Read more...]
30,000 from 86 countries, 2025 VMX celebrated the emotion, art behind veterinary science
As the dust settles for those who traveled to Orlando for VMX 2025, many animal health pros stayed behind to run practices and keep customers serviced. To get a taste of the event, review the news release here and note the video link as well. Congratulations to the NAVC for another record-breaking conference! Source: NAVC, January 30, 2025. Link. VMX 2025 was a … [Read more...]
Fear Free® launches Emergency & Urgent Care Practice Certification program
Fear Free’s new certification program bridges the gap between routine care and urgent or emergent scenarios, offering veterinary teams the training and resources necessary to implement Fear Free techniques in high-pressure environments. Detailed information about the Emergency & Urgent Care Practice Certification is here <Link> Source: Cision, January 27, 2025. … [Read more...]
6 strategies for navigating a multigenerational healthcare workforce
Jacob Kupietzky outlines strategies for leaders to successfully navigate the dynamics of their multigenerational teams so that all employees can thrive. His strategies apply to veterinary teams as they meet challenges and develop opportunities in animal medicine. Source: Fast Company, January 30, 2025. Link. Leaders who proactively address generational differences while … [Read more...]
Client education, the main objective of National Pet Dental Month
Commentary Sponsored by the AVMA, February is National Pet Dental Month. Our industry has presented and marketed dental care myriad ways over the past three decades. Foundationally, the dental market sought the "endorsement" of veterinary dental products <Link>. When the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Guidelines recommended pet dental care in 2017, … [Read more...]
6 ways to develop today’s managers to be tomorrow’s leaders
Commentary Employee development is an underlying theme in our animal health industry. Collectively, we are challenged to find enough veterinarians and technicians ready to provide full veterinary services. Beyond the science, we face challenges to identify aspects of professional roles and improve the ongoing need to cultivate opportunities for personal development and … [Read more...]
Bird flu enters a new phase, meanwhile, the environment cannot be sterilized
The latest data from the CDC and USDA shows the continued devastating effects of bird flu outbreaks across the United States. New York Times writer Apoorva Mandavilli provides a relevant and updated situation analysis in the second article shared here. Not yet a serious human threat, she shares the expanding discoveries in mammalian species, including cats both wild and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 30, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 23, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 23, 2025 AHD Bulletin Managing your stress. Link. Johne’s disease no longer just a dairy disease. Link. 200 weeks and counting . . . the bull run continues. Link. ================================= Wings, turf, pigskin, cheese and more . . . … [Read more...]