Complimentary Commercial Content OraStripdxTM, a revolutionary rapid test, was launched at VMX 2023 by PDX BIOTECH LLC. It was created to detect active periodontal disease in dogs and cats with no anesthesia or sedation required. In peer-reviewed studies, OraStripdx was found to be significantly more effective than visual awake exams in detecting active periodontal disease. … [Read more...]
Cost of Care Wheel is now 24/7 digital resource
Sponsored Content The popular veterinary practice-based Cost of Care Wheel tool from the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program is now available in an enhanced client-based online version that can be used anytime, anywhere. Discussing money is never easy but it is important to educate and urge pet owners prepare for their pet’s future health care needs, and how to pay for … [Read more...]
How to ensure plaque does not convert to tartar
Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, explains the importance of brushing pets’ teeth as it turns into tartar in less than a minute. Consider this video for social media, newsletters or play it for clients during exams. Ideally, brush pet’s teeth every day, but don’t wait longer than 3 days . . .” Source: Linked In, February 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Mental stimulation and enrichment matter to dogs
Mental stimulation is key help develop dogs’ cognitive behavior, as well as their overall well-being. Physical exercise is great and necessary for a dog, but it’s only half of the equation. It doesn’t take complex toys, it’s mostly just simple, fun games with its owner.” Source: AKC, January 2009. Link. Many of the hyperactivity and destruction problems dog owners struggle … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 13, 2023
TODAY looks at the booming pet industry (video), results from 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize for start-ups, challenges with supporting assistance animals, transitioning to franchise ownership, social media for small business, amplifying online marketing, avoiding burnout and more . . . Source: IBPSA FastBites, February 13, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: The landing page for … [Read more...]
Report: Animal health industry experiencing highly competitive labor market
Scott Nolen highlights excerpts from a 2022 report shared by Brakke Consulting during its presentation, "2023 Animal Health Industry Overview" on January 16th at VMX. More than half the U.S. animal health industry saw a higher employee turnover rate in 2022 . . . whether it's a pharmaceutical company or a veterinary practice, all sectors of the industry are experiencing … [Read more...]
What ChatGPT means for the future of work
Your work future could depend on how well you can talk to AI.” Last week we shared the announcement from AskVet about its Virtual Engagement and Relationship Agent (VERA) powered by AI, ChatGPT and AskVet’s database <Link>. The future of work is discussed in the articles below. Source: ebn, January 23, 2023. Link. You won't have to train people to do certain things … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from February 2nd AHD Bulletin – How to stop overthinking when you’re about to spiral. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Cow numbers drop to 61-year low Source: Farm Progress, February 6, … [Read more...]
Can somatic cell counts be too low?
Somatic cells are white blood cells that fight infection and repair tissue damage. Somatic Cell Count is used as an indicator of milk quality and udder health and lower SCC levels garner premiums from processors. Extension educator Amber Yutzy addresses concerns expressed by some producers about having SCC too low. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 16, 2023. … [Read more...]
Cost, convenience or optionality? Best fit or gold standard?
Kate Boatright, VMD, reviews new research that suggests that most pet owners do not want their options presented using a gold-standard first approach rather a judgement free spectrum of care set of options. Identifying whether the pet family’s primary concern is cost, convenience, or optionality is key to finding the “best fit." Source: AAHA NEWStat, February 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 6, 2023
FDA seeking to better regulate CBD products for pets, franchising pros and cons, competing for top talent against big companies, AMEX financial management tools for small businesses, cost of living impacting pets, and five charts* on inflation, convenience, health and wellness. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 6, 2023. Link. * Consumers are increasingly shopping online … [Read more...]
Trends to future proof the veterinary profession
Complimentary Content Longtime AHD subscriber Portia Stewart shares her take on the future of the veterinary profession. She reviews nine of the key trends facing veterinary professionals and what they could mean for the future of veterinary medicine. Source: Curious Plot, January 9, 2023. Link. Also see: 7 Trends to Watch From the 2023 Veterinary Meeting & Expo, … [Read more...]
Could emailing your doctor cost you?
Commentary While a change in the medical practice culture, medical doctors are beginning to charge for time spent on direct-to-patient communications. It’s no surprise. The changes expressed in this NBC report help establish comfortable precedents for veterinary professionals in the future. Attorneys have long charged for their time, often charging a minimum of five to … [Read more...]
Heat islands, warm fronts and preventive care
Commentary It was 65O F in the Kansas City area earlier this week. My pup was lying on the deck basking in the sunshine and then it happened . . . a couple flies and some gnats began buzzing around the winter killed garden. Would a mosquito be next? In the INSIGHT article referenced here, Suzanne Whitaker, DVM, reminds us of the importance of year-round preventatives, … [Read more...]
AskVet™ Launches VERA, the world’s first “Answer Engine for Animal Health”
Complimentary Commercial Content Move over Dr. Google! Search is old hat . . . VERA has answers VERA which stands for Virtual Engagement and Relationship Agent is powered by AI, ChatGPT and AskVet's database of over 1.5 million digitized conversations between veterinarians and pet parents. Developed to use natural language, the vetbot objectives are: to help pet parents … [Read more...]
Dental month considerations
Commentary Animal Health Digest actively promotes oral care, including dentistry as an important client education and animal health topic. We believe dental month is an opportunity for animal health pros to refresh their messages and educational efforts on the importance of oral care. The animal health message is not the only message on oral care each February. Use all the … [Read more...]
Understanding calf vigor and suckle response
Elizabeth Homerosky, DVM, MSc, DABVP, set out to find a solution to quickly identify compromised calves and help predict whether a calf will acquire optimal passive immunity. Her research sought to identify compromised calves immediately after birth to allow the producer ample time to provide an intervention, if needed. Her study data revealed calves with a weak suckle … [Read more...]
Dairy herd size keeps climbing
Changing economics and shrinking margins on dairy’s home front have been strong drivers in herd demographics throughout the United States. Cory Geiger shares some of the history of herd growth going back to a 1992 census of licensed dairies. In just 8 years, U.S. herd size has gone from 200 to over 300 cows per herd.” – Cory Geiger Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, January 10, 2023. … [Read more...]
10 things you may not know about ground beef
If you’ve ever wondered . . . the USDA dictates what can and cannot be labeled as ground beef and that information is published in the Code of Federal Regulations. They call those rules ‘standards of identity’ and they apply to labels of ‘chopped beef’ and ‘hamburger,’ as well as ground beef. Source: Mom at the Meat Counter. Link. … [Read more...]
Enforcement of anti-doping medication control to begin March 27, 2023
The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit that serves as the enforcement agency for the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program submitted doping rules to the FTC which were published in the Federal Registry on January 26. The rules are available for public comment on the Federal Register through February 9th. Source: BLOODHORSE, January 30, 2023. Link. Under the … [Read more...]
AVMA sponsors National Pet Dental Health Month
The AVMA shares dental health is a critical part of pet’s overall health, noting dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. Check out the AVMA dental care resources on the AVMA website which promote home care, share what to expect at the veterinary clinic, support anesthesia and urge pet owners to have their pets’ mouth checked annually. Source: AVMA. … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites – January 30, 2023
Dog walkers making $100K, pet segment ecommerce growth projection, an interview with a DVM social worker, a five-year vision on reworking the pet well-being industry and more . . . Source: IBPSA FastBites, January 30, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
45 Vet Camp scholarships funded to build future veterinarians
“Let’s get the word out to schools, youth groups and local media!” Vet Set Go and VCA are expanding their 2023 essay contest to be the biggest yet. The contest will award 45 students from across the U.S. a scholarship prize package to attend Vet Camp. Winners of the online essay contest will receive a scholarship to attend the Auburn University Junior Vet Camp from June 18 - … [Read more...]
VMX 2023 celebrates 40 years, doubles attendance
Congratulations to NAVC’s VMX team! More than 28,000 veterinary professionals from 78 countries attended the recent conference including over 9,500 first-time attendees. The conference provided approximately 1,300 hours of continuing education in virtual and on-site sessions. During the event, Gene O’Neill, NAVC CEO, announced upcoming community-based NAVC live events, “pop … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 26, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 19, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from January 19th AHD Bulletin – Important small talk. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. MWI Animal Health’s Steve Shell clarifies announcement of AB name change Source: AmericsourceBergen MWI Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Evaluating the efficacy of intranasal flunixin in piglets
It is common practice to castrate piglets shortly after birth. The procedure is routinely done without any pain management treatments as there are no FDA approved drugs to control pain in pigs. Preliminary research from the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, showed the off-label use of intranasal flunixin meglumine mitigated pain post-castration … [Read more...]
K-State researchers show value of adding shade to cattle pens
Cattle seek shade, use breezes and their respiration to blow off as much heat as they can on hot days Sometimes that’s not enough. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, and a team at Kansas State University conducted a multiyear trial researching how shade structures in pens can help cattle in high heat events. Data from the ongoing study shows cows with available shade had an increase in … [Read more...]
Foal pneumonia requires aggressive management to avoid long term effects
We’ve assembled three articles addressing pneumonia for consideration during the foaling season now underway. Pneumonia is very common in foals and can affect up to 10 percent of all foals, writes Nimet Browne, DVM, MPH, Dipl. ACVIM1. Although foal pneumonia can be quite severe, with aggressive management foals can recover and go on to lead normal lives. A foal’s immune … [Read more...]
Study investigates frozen versus cooled semen in horses
A small study presented at the annual British Equine Veterinary Association Congress addressed the viability of frozen, thawed versus fresh, cooled semen used for breeding horses. The team also revealed some discrepancies in what is being used given collection and shipping time realities. While not all semen from stallions is freezable, the real-world conditions study showed … [Read more...]
Assessment of acute pain in cats using the Feline Grimace Scale
Cat owners and animal health pros can use the new Feline Grimace Scale© to evaluate acute pain in cats. This tool will help create pain awareness and potentially improve feline health and welfare. A study verifying its effectiveness was completed in collaboration with International Cat Care and sponsored by Zoetis. Source: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, January 17, … [Read more...]