Pet food is deeply personal for many cat and dog owners and their choices are compounded by the explosion of choices. Raw, organic, fresh, frozen and nearly any other human food trend you can imagine make pet food choices challenging. Ernie Ward DVM, CVFT, says, “to successfully educate and avoid offending clients, veterinary professionals need to have a communication strategy, … [Read more...]
Reptile- and feeder rodent-associated Salmonellosis: Alberta
Reptile contact is a very well-known risk factor for acquiring Salmonella, especially in kids. Scott Weese, DVM, shares the challenges of feeder rodent-associated Salmonella sp. outbreaks as a reminder for reptile owners and handlers. Weese shares some important basic preventive measures when it comes to Salmonella sp. including: Feeder rodents should be handled like … [Read more...]
The secret language of heat stress: What dry cows are telling you.
Dairy farmers and veterinarians are noticing the effects of heat stress in the dry cow herd. While dry cows can stand a bit more heat than the milking herd, their comfort is important for optimizing future production. Research has shown that dry, pregnant cows or nulliparous pregnant heifers exposed to heat stress will make less milk in their next lactation, and their gestated … [Read more...]
Preventing thumps
Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, thumps for short, is a metabolic disorder in horses. Typified by rhythmic twitching of the muscles near a horse’s flanks, thumps is a warning that his internal calcium reserves are running low. Laurie Bonner and Melinda Freckleton, DVM, share how to address active thumps in horses when they occur and how to avoid future incidents in horses … [Read more...]
Microbiological quality and presence of foodborne pathogens in raw and extruded canine diets and canine fecal samples
A Chilean study sought to determine pet food safety based on the presence of zoonotic pathogens in extruded and raw meat-based diets. The researchers also sought to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp., C. jejuni, and L. monocytogenes in canine fecal samples. Moreover, the genetic relationship between bacteria isolated from pet food and fecal bacterial isolates was … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 21, 2022
Last week’s most read posts 7 important facts about mosquitos and horses. Link. Consolidation trends of veterinary practices acquired by corporate groups are important to observe. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Link. =================================== Antivenin: Five myths to remember this … [Read more...]
Beware of blister beetles
Blister beetles secrete cantharidin to defend themselves from predators through a process called reactive bleeding. Cantharidin is also released when beetles are crushed. Blister beetles are members of a family of plant-feeding insects (Meloidae) that contain cantharidin, a toxic defensive chemical that protects them from predators. Accidentally crushing a beetle against … [Read more...]
Managing worms on summer pastures
Sandy Stuttgen, DVM, shares perspective on nematode management during different weather conditions and grazing approaches. Ostertagia, Cooperia, and Haemonchus nematodes’ life cycles occur within cattle and on grass. Using fecal egg counts and knowing when the L3 larvae will be most prevalent can help producers manage worm loads. As a rule of thumb, when weather conditions … [Read more...]
10 things you can do for a horse with heaves
Equine asthma, commonly known as heaves, is not something to be cured. EQUUS editors provide common sense actions to help manage individual horse comfort and respiratory health including: Wetting or steaming hay Changing stalls and bedding Increasing ventilation Consider adding an omega-3 fatty acid supplement Source: EQUUS, July 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Use … [Read more...]
Basic supplementation for cats and dogs
Shawn Messonnier, DVM, shares his basic supplement approach for a healthy dog or cat which include: a vitamin-mineral product that also provides immune and antioxidant support a fatty acid an enzyme and probiotic combination For older animals, a choline supplement should be added, as it may delay the onset of cognitive disorder CBD use is mentioned in a side … [Read more...]
Straight talk about colic and post-colic care
Our June 28 AHD Bulletin presented resources available for equine practitioners and their clients from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance <Link>. In the first of two articles linked here, Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, shares experiences from his 20 or more years of specializing in colic. His main motivation remains to find ways to “shorten horses’ hospital visits, reduce … [Read more...]
WDJ criteria to identify good-quality dry dog foods
Foods for pets may contain wildly varying levels of vitamins, minerals and macronutrients, and yet all can be called complete and balanced, writes Nancy Kerns. She shares the Whole Dog Journal’s criteria used to identify good-quality dry dog foods. AAFCO establishes the nutrient levels that legally constitute “complete and balanced” diets for our pets. But, unlike the human … [Read more...]
Obese owner is the most important factor in dog obesity
Just as vigorous people tend to choose active lifestyles for their pets, overweight and obese individuals may pass their eating patterns onto their pets. Physicians and veterinarians collaborated to use a One Health approach to study pet obesity emphasizing the importance of nutrition as one aspect of health. Being an overweight dog owner was found to be the most important … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 30, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Vaccine guide is helpful for newbies and pros. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, June 23, 2022. Link. =================================== If we love our pets so much, why do we treat their veterinarians so poorly? Source: Boston Globe, February 15, 2022. Link. “They give their all to our … [Read more...]
Grass-fed versus grain-fed ground beef. Does it matter?
Good news for burger lovers! Researchers in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University have published the only two research studies that compared the effects of ground beef from grass-fed cattle and traditional, grain-fed cattle on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes in men. There is no scientific evidence to support … [Read more...]
Colic. What a pain in the gut!
Sponsored Content Colic is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses whose specialized digestive tract is easily thrown out of balance. Experts say 4 percent to 10 percent of all horses will experience at least one episode of colic in their lifetime. While most cases are resolved on the farm with medical treatment, approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of cases … [Read more...]
Rawhide. Good? Bad? What’s the alternative?
Veterinary team members are often asked if rawhide chews are ok for their dogs. Austin Cannon shares the pros and cons as well as some alternatives to rawhide. . . . dogs can find themselves sick and in pain if they eat too much rawhide or ingest pieces that are too big . . .” Source: Daily Paws, June 3, 2022. Link. The primary fear with rawhide is that dogs might bite off a … [Read more...]
10 commandments of dog ownership
This list of 10 provides dog owners the basic needs for a dog to live a happy and healthy life. Lists like this have been published many times. Still, it is important to routinely reinforce the responsibilities of pet ownership. Consider this article for social media, newsletters and new pet packs. Source: Puppies and Pooches, June 20, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet food inflation hits new high, with many reasons why
For the total pet care sector, inflation reached 8.1 percent year over year in May 2022 and is at 6.7 percent year to date. Fuel price increases are an obvious contributor, but Debbie Phillips-Donaldson shares other competitive factors creating imbalances in the supply chain. Source: Petfood Industry, June 15, 2022. Link. <Petfood> is having to compete with renewable … [Read more...]
10 benefits of magnesium for horses
While magnesium is an essential mineral for horses’ health, they can experience magnesium deficiency and toxicity. Emily Fought shares its benefits, but advocates horse owners consult with equine nutritionists to ensure individual horses get the right amount. Source: Cowgirl, May 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Probiotics and prebiotics – why they’re important for dogs and cats
Contains Commercial References A balanced microbiome not only helps beyond a properly functioning digestive tract. It is also connected to good immunity, skin and coat wellness, and even brain and cognitive health. Probiotics and prebiotics can help achieve and maintain that balance. Research shows that at least 70% of the immune response resides in the digestive tract.” - … [Read more...]
Pet supplements evolving to accompany nutrition plans
The pet supplement category was benchmarked at $800 million in 2020 and some expect it to grow to more than $1 billion by 2025. At the same time, there is increased confusion about what a supplement is. Toppers, treats, pills and powders all get lumped into the category. Daniel Schaeffer, Native Pet, believes the category is evolving to an around-the-bowl nutrition category … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 16, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Chewy behind Amazon, ahead of Walmart in automatic reorders. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Link. =================================== Before chickens were nuggets, they were revered Source: The New York Times, June 7, 2022. Link. The real chicken mystery has nothing to do … [Read more...]
Some scraps, leftovers and fruits are bad for chickens
Maurice Pitesky shares information on things toxic to chickens and what to do if they eat one of them. It's fun to give chickens scraps and other treats but watch out for these foods and other substances that are toxic to birds.” Source: Hobby Farms, June 6, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Heat, humidity factors in equine heat stress
Complimentary Commercial Content Horses need clean water, shade, moving air and exercise breaks to avoid overheating when temperatures and humidity combine to create heat stress. Source: Equine Wellness, June 24, 2021. Link. Evidence suggests that insulin action is a key component of the heat stress response. Chromium improves insulin function and results in efficient … [Read more...]
Salmonella and E. coli common in raw pet food
A Portuguese study sought to find out if raw dog food could be a source of Salmonella and/or E. coli, specifically strains that show resistance to critical antibiotics such as colistin. E. coli was detected in all 14 samples produced by two international brands. Furthermore, 71 percent of these samples, primarily those from products containing poultry, contained … [Read more...]
Forage concerns and management in drought areas
A few of the recent storm systems have eased drought concerns in some areas. Still, without sustained moisture over the next three months, keeping livestock fed without depleting grazing forage will remain a hot topic for coffee shops, veterinary visits, machine sheds, bankers and regional extension specialists. Hay and Forage Grower Magazine stays abreast of grass and … [Read more...]
Chewy behind Amazon, ahead of Walmart in automatic reorders
Forty-four percent of Chewy’s customers are enrolled in its Autoship program, which lets customers specify when they want replenishment orders. Those customers spend considerably more than others who shop on Chewy.com. Autoship customers buy $820 per year on average from Chewy versus $423 for other Chewy customers. They buy 15.5 times annually versus 10.4 times and spend $53 … [Read more...]
Facts versus myth. Telling the story of beef sustainability.
Grilling season often elicits concerns about meat production. Sustainability, environmental perceptions and the lack of consumer education can escalate those discussions. The beef industry has responded to the criticisms assertively addressing fact versus myth and reminding consumers that beyond the meat, there are a lot of uses for cattle byproducts. We’re sharing two … [Read more...]
2022 World Pork Expo live June 8-10, 2022
Since 1988, the National Pork Producers Council has presented World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. There’s something for everyone including an expansive trade show, educational seminars, industry updates and networking. PLUS, there is tasty pork being cooked every which way. Source: World Pork Expo. Link. … [Read more...]