There’s no argument that well-balanced diets are fundamental to canine health. This piece offers basics for client reinforcement, good clinic website material and a quick reminder for dog owners to not skimp on food quality. Source: Pet MD. Here are just a few canine health problems seen in dogs that are directly affected by their diet. … [Read more...]
Livestock need quality water
Cattle need plenty of water, especially during summer months when forages tend to dry out. When levels of dissolved solids, such as iron, sulfates and salts get too high, they can cause decreased water consumption. Performance can suffer. Chance Farmer, cattle consultant, offers ways of testing for dissolved solids in this article. Source: Purina Mills. This is not an issue … [Read more...]
5 tips for healthy grilling
Firing up the grill over the July 4th holiday is part of Americana. Here are things to remember to keep the grilling experience healthy for family and friends. Source: Harvard Health Publications, June 29, 2016. Keep grilling healthy using these 5 tips: Start out clean Control flare-ups Marinate Give vegetables and fruit equal billing Practice safe … [Read more...]
Breed cows to match forage resources
“The beef industry is on an unsustainable path because aggressively selecting for enhanced mature size, muscle and milk potential isn’t necessarily good for the commercial operation given typical forage resources,” said David Lalman, Oklahoma State University extension beef cattle specialist. He says we need to do a better job of breeding cows to match forage resources found on … [Read more...]
Tap feline prey instinct when considering nutrition
Liz Bales, DVM, presents compelling information beyond the food dish for cats. The fundamental message is that whether they are wet, dry or raw food eaters, cats should not be served. Cats are hunters and their natural prey instinct needs to be considered when determining how to feed them. Source: Cat Talk, June 2016, page 18. (link unavailable) Cat’s bodies are designed to … [Read more...]
Online pet food sales: still in learning mode
Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry, shares her insights on all things pet food, addressees market trends as well as news and developments in pet nutrition, food safety and other hot topics for the industry. Source: Petfood Industry, June 20, 2016. Considering that e-commerce is now a fixture for businesses and consumers, including with pet food, … [Read more...]
Effects of shade and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride to finishing steers
Zilpaterol hydrochloride, or Zilmax®, is a beta-agonist approved to be fed to finishing cattle the last 21 days of the feeding period. Researchers wanted to determine if feeding Zilmax to finishing cattle affected response to heat stress, mobility and body temperature, performance, or carcass characteristics when fed in the open or in shaded pens. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]
Dental charting benefits patients, clients and practices
Pets often need dental care, but may not indicate they are in dental distress until their teeth are in critical condition. By providing dental examinations and practicing a comprehensive method of dental charting, veterinarians can help the animals, solidify client relationships and potentially add to their bottom lines. Source: AAHA Trends, June 2016. There is a reluctance … [Read more...]
Trial results: calcium supplement for improvement of health in dairy cows in early lactation
Prophylactic calcium supplementation immediately after calving is a common strategy to prevent clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia in parturient dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of an injected calcium supplement on blood calcium concentration at 24 hours and 48 hours after treatment, incidence risk of clinical … [Read more...]
One Health focus on obesity
Recent data indicate worrying trends in the rising rates of obesity in people and their pets. This is a challenge that falls within the area of The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s One Health committee. The One Health initiative proposes that veterinarians, physicians and other healthcare providers work together with scientists and social scientists to tackle shared … [Read more...]
Diet reduces the chance of milk fever in goats
After birth, goats must provide large amounts of calcium with their milk. Does normally have enough calcium reserves in their bones. But, if a doe has been on a high-calcium diet during her dry period, her body may “forget” how to mobilize those reserves. If that happens, blood calcium levels may drop and result in milk fever. Source: Purina Mills. You can help address milk … [Read more...]
What if meat eaters acted like vegans?
Dan Murphy’s commentary about a recent video is comical and thoughtful. The video clip “What If Meat Eaters Acted Like Vegans,” presents a satirical look at over-the-top convictions we frequently experience about food topics. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, May 20, 2016. The running gag throughout the 3-minute clip is the absurdity of listening to the “wisdom” of a true … [Read more...]
Feed dogs like wolves
Julia Henriques, managing editor, compares dog and wolf dietary needs. Her perspective includes the scavenger behaviors we often see in dogs. Much of the information comes from Dr. Isla Fishburn (BSc Zoology and MBiolSci and PhD in Conservation Biology). Feeding fruits and vegetables has some merit, according to the article. But, we believe a warning on which fruits and … [Read more...]
Jerky treats sicken, kill dogs
More than 1,140 dogs have died after eating jerky pet treats, out of 6,200 cases of jerky related canine illness reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2007 to December 31, 2015. The agency released these numbers this week in an update on in its ongoing investigation into animal illnesses and death related to jerky treats. Source: Petfood Industry, May 17, … [Read more...]
Xylitol can kill or poison dogs
Xylitol, a common sweetener in chewing gum, mints and other products can kill or severely poison dogs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued, ‘Xylitol and Your Dog: Danger, Paws Off,’ May 12 after a surge in death and several illnesses from dogs that had accidentally ingest Xylitol, according to pet poison-control centers. Source: The Wall Street Journal, May 12, … [Read more...]
Education important for success with novel proteins
Education will be a critical component of adding novel proteins to pet diets according to Mark Mendal, with the consulting firm Pet Proteins. He spoke during Petfood Forum 2016 on April 19, 2016. Supply challenges may also be an issue. Source: Petfood Industry, April 19, 2016. Increasing the role of novel proteins in pet foods and treats allows manufacturers to expand the … [Read more...]
Top 10 pet food brands sold online
It’s a changing landscape for what brand of pet food is sold and also the source from which it is acquired. Note the increases in home delivery percentages in the top two retailers. Source: Petfood Industry, April 28, 2016. Consumers have really embraced the subscription model when it comes to purchasing pet food online. It’s a product that is much more convenient to have … [Read more...]
Equine nutrition FAQs addressed
Whether it’s a large show barn, or single horse owner, feeding and nutrition questions seem to be the same. This article addresses common questions about how to properly feed our four-legged friends. From how to care for the senior horse, to if an easy keeper needs concentrate, you can find out how to provide proper nutrition and feeding for your horses. Source: Horse … [Read more...]
Vitamin D is good for all
Vitamin D is good for all of us, according to this article. Changes in the daily dose guidelines will interest all animal health professionals. Source: Repertoire Magazine, April 2016. Vitamin D is not only known for its ability to help maintain healthy bones and teeth. Research has suggested it also: Supports the health of the immune system, brain and nervous … [Read more...]
Find Fido’s perfect rawhide chew
Nancy Kern provides an informative essay on the subject of rawhide chews. It includes the who, what, when where, how and why of chews. She shares how to identify the best ones. This is good information for veterinary teams to discuss at staff meetings and to use on websites, blogs and newsletters. Source: Whole Dog Journal, February 19, 2016 via May 1, 2016 … [Read more...]
Whole Foods whops PETA
For some, this article will be a rude awakening. Others will smile and laugh with author Dan Murphy. See how a lawsuit from PETA exposes perfectly permissible premium pricing and nebulous labeling by Whole Foods. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, April 29, 2016. This entire scenario is classic. PETA sues Whole Foods because they’re not righteous enough for the extremist … [Read more...]
Billboards attack at conventional food production
The Animal Health Digest team helps show animal health professionals information media presents to business-to-business business-to-consumer audiences. Some of this information is actionable. Some is more for your information. This article is one of the latter. Review it to determine how you may wish to respond within your own community. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April … [Read more...]
Research simulates PEDv route of entry from China
Scott Dee, DVM, Pipestone, Minnesota, led a study designed to simulate the shipping route of a feed source from Beijing, China to Des Moines, Iowa. Results show feed could be a transfer medium for PEDv. It also modeled potential mitigation strategies. Dee’s findings set the stage for more research. Source: Pork Network, April 25, 2016. Under the conditions of this study, … [Read more...]
Grass tetany season is now
The smell of spring. The countryside is blooming into lush green vistas. Spring rains seem to clean the air. Loamy soil is turned and readied for planting. But, this may not be the case for older cows getting their fill of new grasses. This article highlights supplements and treatments for grass tetany. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, April 21, 2016. Older lactating cows … [Read more...]
Red meat won’t kill you
Most of us know someone who broke all the dietary rules and lived doctor-free into their 90’s. Dan Murphy shares why in these perspectives about a 1970s study that led to new dietary recommendations about meat and cheese. When the full study was reviewed, results showed that avoiding meat and cheese lowered patients’ cholesterol levels, but it didn’t affect the incidence of … [Read more...]