Commercial Content included It is common for pet owners to use over-the-counter antibiotic creams when their pet has a skin infection or a wound which often leads to overuse of antimicrobials. Lucas Pantaleon, DVM, MS, DACVIM, MBA, shares ways medical-grade manuka honey and silver are used as a first line defense for treating skin microbiome issues. Source: Pet Age, … [Read more...]
Key ingredients to look for in dog food and treats
Nutritional problems occur most often when dogs are fed imbalanced homemade diets or certain human foods. Dog foods or homemade diets derived from a single food item are inadequate to an overall balanced diet Source: DVM 360, August 25, 2022. Link. The 6 basic nutrients needed for a canine diet include water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.” – VCA … [Read more...]
Effective ways to treat pet behavior problems
Regardless of a pet’s age, the holidays have potential for behavior issues. Many of them can be avoided with consistent human behavior and proactive training. We’ve curated seven behavior articles from professional and lay sources that can be used to refresh knowledge of and approaches to behavior issues. The sudden onset of a new behavior or worsening of a previously … [Read more...]
Cannabinoids in veterinary medicine (video)
Complimentary Content For those who did not join live, The Bridge Club’s in-depth conversation with experts from across the profession addressed questions it has about cannabinoids. Cheryl Good, DVM, moderated conversation with guests: Mark Cushing, J.D. CEO, of Animal Policy Group Jeffery Pollard, DVM, DABVP, from the advocacy committee, Veterinary Cannabis … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 19, 2022
Testing the pet market’s recession-proof reputation, 2022 trends in small business funding, wearables as part of proactive pet care, how dog boarding supports domestic violence survivors and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Gen Z, more connected than any generation, all about authenticity
Generation Z Vectors by Vecteezy"> Last week we shared “Gen Z speaks, writes differently than their bosses,” <Link> referencing an article from The Washington Post. In a related article, Melanie Gaboriault asserts Gen Z really is all about authenticity. Based on her experiences as a mom of three 15- to 18-year-olds, she says they prioritize social channels … [Read more...]
2023 vet med hiring and retention trends
What does 2023 hold for the veterinary profession in terms of hiring and retention?” Stacy Purcell answers with five veterinarian hiring and retention trends. Source: AAHA Newstat, December 18, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Helping animals in Ukraine: Galaxy Vets Foundation’s year in review
Complimentary Content The war in Ukraine caused a massive animal welfare crisis and limited access to veterinary care for millions of pets. Galaxy Vets Foundation’s first initiative, Animal Help Ukraine, was launched in spring 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Key facts: 275 veterinarians and techs/nurses from the U.S. and the world signed up to … [Read more...]
Swine barn workers should get vaccinated to protect pigs from the flu
Susan Detmer, DVM, PhD, is an advocate of human flu vaccination as a way to reduce human-to-pig transfer of influenza virus. Some of what is circulating of H1N1 in pigs is from years ago, but almost half of what Detmer sees annually comes directly from people into pigs. So, what’s circulating in the human population of that H1N1 gets into pigs yearly.” Source: Prairie Hog … [Read more...]
7 transition period diseases costing dairy producers money
Many dairy production problems can be traced back to the dry or transition period. It is one of the critical time frames in a cow’s production cycle, writes Taylor Leach. She shares a breakdown of seven diseases and how much cost they add. . . . the most common management diseases that occur during the cow’s transition period on U.S. dairies are lameness, mastitis, retained … [Read more...]
Tips to preserve joint health and manage equine arthritis
Includes Sponsored Content Horses eventually develop some degree of arthritis. It is inevitable but with careful management coupled with understanding risk factors and preventing the worst types of arthritis horses can be kept comfortable and reasonably productive. Source: EQUUS Extra, Volume 73, 2022. Link. Topics include: Fitness vs. overwork NSAIDs and … [Read more...]
RHDV: what clinicians need to know
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus and RHDV2 are caused by rabbit caliciviruses in the genus Lagovirus. It affects domestic and wild rabbits, leading to sudden death, liver failure, neurological signs and bleeding from the nose and genitourinary tract, writes Ingrid Taylor, DVM. She discusses diagnoses, treatment and prevention, including guidance on an emergency use … [Read more...]
Animal shelters facing a potentially fatal pet adoption crisis
Daniel De Vise’ provides a situation analysis of the pet shelter market, confusing data and trends. Source: The Hill, December 9, 2022. Link. Overflowing shelters have fed a national narrative of fickle owners returning pandemic pets. That is neither entirely true nor particularly fair, animal rights advocates say.” … [Read more...]
Understanding obesity and weight loss in dogs and cats
New scientific evidence points to fat tissue as being biologically active and not in a good way. Obesity is a major health crisis for companion animals and it’s often overlooked. About 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats are overweight or obese. Plus, it is estimated 30 percent of horses are now considered obese. Obesity now is generally thought of as a chronic, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 12, 2022
Senior pet numbers growing, 6 ways technology has changed the pet care industry, how virtual reality may fit in veterinary education, using Google ads effectively, why a strategy for 2023 is needed and more . . . U.S. households with a dog older than 7 years of age has increased from 42 percent to 52 percent” Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 12, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Disgusting companions with no anuses. Demodex sp.
Commentary We found a set of interesting articles related to the intersection of animals and humans. Whether wild animals in our backyards, pet-to-human or human-to-pet interactions carry risks that need to be understood. In this case the yuk-factor is preeminent. Say Demodex to most animal health pros and images of mange or localized alopecia on a puppy’s face come … [Read more...]
15 more groups added to North American consolidator listing
The December 7th update of veterinary clinic consolidations provides a snapshot of market consolidation. Based on the open-access data, at least 661 veterinary hospitals have been consolidated during 2022, including acquisitions of corporately owned practices by other consolidators. Source: Veterinary Integration Solutions, December 7, 2022. Link. The report features updated … [Read more...]
In a downturn, focus on existing customers not potential ones
You Mon Tsang shares strategies that can translate to veterinary hospitals and retailers in the animal health market. Companies that relentlessly focus on existing customers can ride through uncertain times with the least disruption. Not only is retention less vulnerable than acquisition to the short-term swings of a bad economy, but the rule of thumb that it costs five times … [Read more...]
VetWatch® Commentary for Week 48 thru December 7th
Opinion The numerical trends in the VetWatch updates can appear to be minimal. However, considering the average annual value of a cat at about $400 and the average annual value of a dog is at least $900, retaining and engaging clients is critical to long-term practice revenue, healthier pets and happier clients. Simple math shows a veterinarian with 4000 active clients of … [Read more...]
Pet parents are your teammates
“Pet parents may not be medically trained but they know their pets better than anyone,” asserts Dana Varble, DVM. “Listen to them when they have concerns.” She advocates treating owners as home healthcare providers who serve as an extension of your own clinic team every day. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, October 10, 2022. Link. Trust, communication, and education … [Read more...]
Antibiotics for livestock become prescription-only in 2023. Are you ready?
Sandy Stuttgen reviews the changes when the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine plan for supporting veterinary antimicrobial stewardship will be fully implemented. As of January 1, 2023, all remaining over-the-counter antibiotics are switched to prescription-only status. The VCPR is the key that unlocks the medicine cabinet. Source: Swineweb, December 2, 2022. Link. Under … [Read more...]
Defining water quality in swine barns
Understanding water quality and how to interpret water test results is valuable for producers, managers and consultants. A new publication from the Iowa Pork Industry center highlights the parameters pork producers should focus on when testing drinking water in pig barns: Water Quality in Swine Barns – How Do We Define It? <Link> Source: National Hog Farmer, November … [Read more...]
Updates on equine anesthesia safety (video)
Bryce Dooley, DVM, MS, DACVAA, explains the categories considered as the latest advancements in technology, equipment and ways to ensure horses recover successfully from anesthesia. Source: DVM 360, December 3, 2022. Link. (2:48 minute video) … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Drugs used to prevent heartworm in dogs and cats
Lindsay A. Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM, tackles what has become a plethora of drugs available to prevent heartworm. She reviews the macrocyclic lactone-based drugs the Food and Drug Administration approved for prevention of heartworm disease and Environmental Protection Agency approved mosquito repellents. Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: We recently … [Read more...]
The top pet products of 2022
Pet Business’ annual Industry Recognition Awards highlights the products and vendors that drove innovation in the pet industry over the past year. In addition to new beds, leashes, treats and CBD/hemp products, here are examples we noted: Animo GPS - Merck Animal Health; an activity monitor for dogs with GPS tracking Recovery Double Sleeves - Suitical International … [Read more...]
Jonathan the tortoise celebrates 190th birthday
Commentary Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise, is estimated to be 190 years old and the world’s oldest land animal, according to Guinness. The giant tortoise is blind and can’t smell, but his hearing is great. He lives a pampered life on St. Helena Island, a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean which lies about 1,200 miles west of the … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 5, 2022
Pet spending growth increased $8.65B in 2021 to $23.81B, says John Gibbons; interactive toy opportunities, pet care on capitol hill, cross-promotion marketing tips and more Companies in a cross-promotion partnership need to be on the same page with clearly defined, common goals including when to end the arrangement.” Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 5, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Small companies, big discoveries
Kristi Fender covers the expanding landscape of new advancements in animal health from startups and partnerships in a variety of developing categories, describing it as an innovation explosion. She highlights differences in the people now working in biotech and the need for a commitment to standards. Source: Vet Advantage, December 2022. Link. Only a handful of animal health … [Read more...]
Micro-thin “smart bandage” monitors wound healing while repairing tissue
Commentary Our curation sometimes uncovers advances on the human side that we may see or hope come to animal health. The smart bandage developed by researchers at Stanford University, now in proof-of-concept, represents a promising possibility for medical communities and managing chronic wounds. When administered to a patient, the bandage monitors temperature as well as … [Read more...]
Research trend: Outcomes research in animal health and veterinary medicine
Outcomes research is becoming more prevalent in animal health circles. An outcomes research approach considers an element of value along with an outcome of interest which sets it apart from traditional research approaches. It is an approach that evaluates more than the benefits of practices and interventions for veterinary patients. Value can be measured by many … [Read more...]