Complimentary Commercial Content The approval of SAFE-GUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in backyard chicken flocks makes it the only FDA-approved chicken dewormer designed for home use. The product will be available in a 3 mL presentation at fleet and dealer retail outlets beginning in January 2025. Source: Merck Animal Health, November 13, 2024. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 7, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 31, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 31st AHD Bulletin – First case of H5N1 in swine found in Oregon backyard farm. Link. Infection control, prevention and biosecurity. Is your plan current? Link. Bringing value. Link. ===================================== Cloned ferret gives … [Read more...]
Help livestock and farm customers get funds they deserve
When natural or man-made disasters strike, USDA programs can help rebuild herds, infrastructure, buildings and crops. However, they can be hard to access for average producers. Enter Crop Disaster Recovery, a grant acquisition firm that helps farmers obtain funding from disaster recovery programs and grants through USDA. Source: FarmFutures, September 25, 2024. Link. “We … [Read more...]
Weaning calves. Art or science?
There are some basic principles and practices that will give calves the best chance at navigating the weaning process, writes Zeb Gray. Whether done abruptly or gradually, he recommends producers define what their goals are beyond just separating cow and calf in the weaning process. He emphasizes the importance of a veterinary relationship considering any new antibiotic … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 4, 2024
Gen Z driving pet care market, groomer shares how he gets animals to relax, records of California’s underground puppy market to be saved, stunning growth projected in grooming market, cat welcomes owner home after being alone 3 days and more . . . Source: IBPSA, November 4, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The A to Z Startup Guide. Navigating the complexities of the animal health market.
Complimentary Commercial Content Stephens and Associates (aka S&A) invited me to review their startup guide. I found it to be a good resource for entrepreneurs and investors looking to positively impact the animal health industry. Given that many current animal health businesses struggle to plan beyond three years and the continuing perceived market demands for … [Read more...]
Insights into the reasons pet owners surrender their pets to shelters
Updates to the AAHA website make the newly published 2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines for Small Animal Practice more accessible to veterinarians and animal health pros. A community approach can begin to improve healthcare access by mobilizing all available resources within it. Emily Singler shares efforts to quantify why pet owners surrender pets to shelters and the … [Read more...]
FDA: Aspirin use in dairy cattle and other food animals is now prohibited
Citing HPAI infections in dairies, drug residue risks and concerns about protocol drift, the FDA has reversed its stance on using aspirin, which was never approved for use in cattle. Protocol drift is a real thing . . . there are approved drugs with labeled indications, those should be our first line of treatment.” - Alison Vander Plaats, DVM Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, October … [Read more...]
Study shows dead animal disposal practices can put swine farms at PRRS risk
“When it comes to dead animal handling, we know what we should do, but we aren’t able to do it adequately,” shared Igor Paploski, PhD, referencing discoveries from a study evaluating dead animal disposal practices and the associated risk of PRRS. The article offers tips for producers to minimize the risk of disease spread from dead animal handling practices. Farms that perform … [Read more...]
Cattle traceability rule set to take effect November 5th
Cattle ranchers and dairy farmers will be required to use electronic identification for their cows in certain cases under a disease traceability rule set to take effect November 5, 2024. Producers have long expressed concerns about cost and data privacy. In May, Congress approved $15 million to help producers comply with the rule and farms can receive electronic tags for free … [Read more...]
Vet Techs play critical role in pet healthcare
Commentary Celebrating veterinary technicians during National Veterinary Technician Week is important for individual and team morale. Handshakes, pizza lunches and bagels aside, animal-owning clients need help understanding the roles these experienced and educated animal healthcare professionals provide in a clinic or telehealth setting. Consider sharing the ASPCA® Pet … [Read more...]
FDA Safety Communication update: Evaluating plastic syringes made in China for potential device failures
In its August 16th update, the FDA recommendations have not changed. It recommends the following: Use syringes not manufactured in China, if possible. At this time, glass syringes, pre-filled syringes, or syringes used for topical purposes are not included. If you only have syringes manufactured in China, then continue to use them as needed until you are able to use … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club discussion of challenges, solutions for veterinary technicians
In a virtual conversation, The Bridge Club facilitated a lively discussion about what is an age old topic of using veterinary technicians fully, defining their roles, legal issues and working toward more national governance. Catherine Haskins and Shannon Norwalk, RVT, welcomed Sam Geiling, CVT, Becky Mosser, RVT, and Mark Cushing, JD, to share perspectives and opportunities in … [Read more...]
Federal bill seeks to expand HSA, FSA eligibility to include veterinary care expenses
The People and Animal Well-being (PAW) Act aims to support pet owners by making veterinary care more affordable under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 17, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Virtual BEEF experience promises context
Complimentary Consider this opportunity to engage with producers or advance your understanding of production issues and practices. BEEF’s free online event September 18th features updates related to market trends and forecasts, cattle health and new technology. Among the presenters are: Glynn Tonsor, PhD Dan Thompson, PhD, DVM Russ Daly, DVM, MS, DACVPM Grant … [Read more...]
Let’s review. Dog park safety tips
Dog parks come in many shapes, sizes and terrain. Ashley Bates shares 11 tips to ensure pets and people have good experiences using these spaces. This article is good content for social media posts, newsletters and to share with your own commentary with local media. Source: Whole Dog Journal, September 5, 2024. Link. Before you go to dog parks know the rules. Some of them … [Read more...]
Reminder: Prioritizing veterinary technicians, a virtual conversation
The Bridge Club’s September 18th Zoom conversation seeks to advance successful paths forward for all technicians. Despite their crucial role in veterinary care, veterinary technicians continue to encounter numerous challenges, including title protection, underutilization, low compensation and high turnover rates. Join via Zoom, September 18, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT. … [Read more...]
Automation to streamline its rabies vaccination, certificate processes
GlobalVetLink has developed a solution that simplifies the creation and submission of rabies vaccination certificates and ensures compliance with state and local regulations. GVL's Rabies Vaccination Certificates eliminates the cumbersome, time-consuming tasks associated with manual certificate management, saves time and reduces errors. Source: GlobalVetLink via PR Newswire, … [Read more...]
FDA – defining VCPR, including telemedicine
The FDA recently published a Q&A page about federal requirements related to a veterinarian’s role in dispensing prescription animal drugs and establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship in the course of practice. The page only covers the veterinarian’s obligations under federal law. Consult state licensing boards to determine if there are additional requirements … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 5, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 29, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 29th AHD Bulletin – The 5 levers of compliance. Link. Character and integrity. Link. Highlights from the 2024 KCAHC Animal Health Summit. Link. What did we miss at the VIS? Link. 5 silent revenue drains and ways to plug them. Link. … [Read more...]
AAFCO and FDA to end longstanding MOU signaling shift in animal feed regulation
The 17-year memorandum of understanding to provide standardization to the animal food industry is ending. It allows AAFCO to look at new and innovative solutions in the ingredient space, and to seek out additional partners that can provide strong, science-based guidance to our state officials. Meanwhile, the FDA is evaluating its animal food ingredient review authorities and … [Read more...]
Webinar tonight – Updated EID tag requirements for disease traceability
In April 2024, USDA-APHIS issued a final rule updating its existing 2013 regulations on animal disease traceability. The updated rule will take effect on November 5, 2024. This update now requires ear tags to be used as official animal identification for the interstate movement of covered classes of cattle to be both visually and electronically readable. Webinar information: … [Read more...]
What did we miss at the VIS?
The 2024 Veterinary Innovation Summit, organized by the NAVC’s Veterinary Innovation Council, provides a platform for veterinary and industry professionals to explore new ideas and technologies. Past gatherings have opened eyes as companies work to ensure an innovative and resilient future for veterinary medicine. The networking and relational elements are also not to be … [Read more...]
Highlights from the 2024 KCAHC Animal Health Summit
Ending a busy 10 days in Kansas City, the 2024 Animal Health Summit hosted by the KC Animal Health Corridor provided the industry with information on sustainability in the consumers’ mind when buying meat, addressing access to veterinary care, including a pipeline of veterinary talent, where technology is going and what it can provide. Congratulations to Craig S. Wallace, … [Read more...]
Revisiting Old Yeller ahead of World Rabies Day 2024
The news story of at least one puppy in a litter of unvaccinated puppies transported from North Texas to a Denver-area dog rescue that was found to have rabies prompted Dan Solomon to write the article shared here. Fred Gipson’s 1956 novel, “Old Yeller” and subsequent movie depictions of it may not be familiar to Millennials or Gen Z and likely won’t be on reading lists for Gen … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 22, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 15, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 15th AHD Bulletin – Immunity, more than just giving a shot, let’s review. Link. Personal transformation through leadership. Link. The most expensive pets to own; annual and lifetime costs ranked. Link. TikTok 2024 Shopping Trends: “Bending … [Read more...]
Turkey, egg and dairy groups call for new approach to avian flu
Fall bird migrations <Link> have begun and producers are looking for answers to protect their animals from HPAI. They believe an effective vaccine is necessary to protect food supplies and public health. The report here quotes a USDA official who says the agency is leaving “no stone unturned in the fight against H5N1.” The spokesperson shares concerns about the … [Read more...]
Climate-neutral farming is possible
“Reducing methane reduces warming,” shares Frank Mitloehner, PhD, who sits down with Elanco’s Jeff Simmons to discuss trust, cows, milk and the climate. The interview covers the complex relationship between livestock and climate change and the importance of finding solutions to reduce global emissions. Elanco recently introduced Bovear®, a first-in-class methane-reducing … [Read more...]
Reducing dairy emissions starts with manure
Stockpiled manure is typically spread in the spring and summer, but experts are urging dairy producers to find ways to get manure out in the summer. Deborah Jeanne Sergeant shares recommendations from experts to help reduce greenhouse gases from manure, curtail methane production and adjust diets to lower emissions. Manure and the gases that come from it represent 52 percent … [Read more...]
Dog import rules changed, but simplified
Effective today, the CDC is implementing new requirements for dogs arriving from countries that are canine rabies-free or low-risk. Beginning August 1, dogs that have spent at least the last six months in countries such as Canada and Mexico will need to meet these few requirements before U.S. entry: Be healthy on arrival Be at least 6 months old at the time of entry or … [Read more...]