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...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 15, 2024
Trends in grooming, using AI to analyze dog barks, link building in SEO, safety training important for insurance, GlobalVetLink’s new Pet Travel Concierge Service and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 15, 2024. Link. Note: Coffee with Carmen set for today, July 18th on Facebook Live at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Sami Engle will be providing Pet Travel Updates: Perspectives … [Read more...]
Compounded, DVM Rx treatment for FIP now available in United States and Canada AHD Staff
Stokes Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy, started selling a compounded prescription treatment for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) on June 1. This allows veterinarians to prescribe medication for their patients and hopefully carry small amounts of the compounded drug on their shelves so that their sick patients can start treatment immediately. Source: AAHA NEWStat, June 5, … [Read more...]
Review: DMSO use in horses
Christine Barakat shares seven things you might not know about dimethyl sulfoxide and how it is used in horses. The FDA approved DMSO in 1970 for topical use on horses and dogs and we’re still learning about this industrial solvent now classified as an NSAID. Source: EQUUS, May 3, 2024. Link. Equine veterinarians regularly use the chemical “off-label” in other ways to treat … [Read more...]
Kansas Department of Agriculture set to host animal health workshops
With sessions targeted for producers and veterinarians, as well as emergency management and county officials, the Kansas Department of Agriculture workshops will take place across the state. The workshops will focus on: The role of the county in a disease response: how to respond to a livestock truck rollover, disposal of dead animals and sheltering animals in case of … [Read more...]
USDA moves to electronic identification tags for cattle
The new rule moves USDA official identification for bison, beef and dairy cattle to exclusively EID tags that can be read both visually and electronically starting in November 2024 and moves the USDA official identification tags from the metal option to EID tags. The classes of cattle requiring official identification have not changed and does not require the mandatory tagging … [Read more...]
CDC finalizes dog import rule to prevent rabies
All dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries must be at least six months old and microchipped to help prevent the spread of rabies, according to new government rules. The updated rules apply to dogs brought in by breeders or rescue groups, as well as pets traveling with their U.S. owners. All dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries must be at least six months … [Read more...]
U.S. to spend $200M on bird flu fight, including dairy farm compensation
The USDA is providing a range of financial incentives to help increase biosecurity and cover veterinary fees plus costs associated with sample collecting and testing. Source: Agriculture Dive, May 13, 2024. Link. Producers can receive compensation for implementing effective biosecurity plans and establishing heat treatment systems to safely dispose of milk. … [Read more...]
Measuring methane from cow burps
Commentary The next time someone says cattle producers aren’t seeking to manage GHG emissions, share this article about four climate-controlled respiration chambers installed at Cornell University to quantify GHG emissions from cows. Source: American Agriculturist, May 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
2024 Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference set for May 22nd
National Hog Farmer's sixth annual Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference is scheduled for May 22 10:00 a.m. CDT. Topic themes will focus on policy, performance and profitability. New to this year’s conference is The National Hog Farmers' New Product Tour competition. Register here for this FREE educational event and to interact with the speakers on event day <Link>. … [Read more...]
Veterinary medicine and substance use
Not One More Vet’s Dustin Kieschnick, PsyD, shares the experiences and perspectives from counseling veterinary team members on substance use. Substance use in this article encompasses alcohol, cannabis, illicit drugs and the overuse/misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Source: DVM 360, May 8, 2024. Link. When substance use becomes problematic there are a … [Read more...]
Animal Cracker’s YouTube videos raise concerns about animal chiropractic
Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, FAAMA, shares concerns and assertions about doctors of chiropractic performing animal adjustments and challenges regulatory language. Animal chiropractic is considered part of physical medicine as shared in several Animal Health Digest posts which include eye-opening information about the animal chiropractor licensing process <Link>. It … [Read more...]
FAQs about safety data sheets answered
Includes Commercial Content The lack of safety data sheets remains number 5 on the list of the most commonly cited OSHA violations in the veterinary industry today, writes Sarah McNeal. She answers eight of the most frequently asked questions about keeping safety data sheets up to date and accessible. Source: Patterson Veterinary, April 9, 2024. Link. Patterson developed … [Read more...]
How far should we carry the logic of the animal rights movement?
Kelefa Sanneh covers the development of the animal rights movement, its advocates and its philosophies. This review offers insights about major influencers and the results of their advocacies. It’s not an easy read but well-researched and worth studying by animal health pros. We selected a few statements from the article for your review: Debates about animals tend to be … [Read more...]
Top 5 uses for gabapentin in dogs and cats (podcast)
A survey of clinicians found that gabapentin use in veterinary medicine is similar to use in human medicine; 69 percent of respondents indicated they prescribe gabapentin on a daily or weekly basis, most commonly for acute and chronic pain (extra-label). Rebecca Reader, DVM, DACVAA, reviews her top five recommended uses for gabapentin based on mechanism of action and physiology … [Read more...]
Understanding telemedicine and teletriage
Jennifer Bailey, DVM, shares the differences between telemedicine and teletriage in her article for dog owners. The difference between the two and her explanation of VCPR is good information to share with pet owners on social media or in newsletters. Source: Whole Dog Journal, April 29, 2024. Link. Telemedicine and teletriage can play an important role in your dog’s … [Read more...]
FDA finalizes guidance to provide further clarity on VFD
To assist stakeholders involved with veterinary feed directives – veterinarians, VFD feed distributors (medicated feed mills, feed retailers) and clients (owners or other caretakers of the animals) the FDA has finalized Guidance for Industry (GFI) #120: Veterinary Feed Directive Regulation Questions and Answers. While the core recommendations in final GFI #120 remain the same … [Read more...]
FTC bans noncompete agreements that restrict job switching
The Federal Trade Commission on April 23 banned employers from using noncompete contracts to prevent most workers from joining rival firms. The rule prohibits companies from enforcing existing noncompete agreements on anyone other than senior executives. Sales staff, engineers, doctors and salon workers are among the most common types of workers affected by companies’ … [Read more...]
USDA approves Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) solution for certain respiratory diseases in cattle and swine
Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) is a 3rd-generation fluoroquinolone ranked as a critically important antimicrobial. The labeling of the drug includes a statement that it should be used only after considering other, non-fluoroquinolone therapeutic options. Pradalex is approved in certain ages and classes of cattle for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease associated … [Read more...]
USDA: Test for bird flu before interstate transport of cattle
The USDA strongly recommends testing before cattle herds are moved between states, which should give more testing information and should mitigate further state-to-state spread between herds. Source: Successful Farming, April 15, 2024. Link. HPAI doesn’t affect dairy cows the same way as it does poultry. With proper veterinary care, cows are recovering.” - Nora Wineland, … [Read more...]
Title protection for vet techs, next week on The Bridge Club
For veterinary technicians and our industry, titles are confusing state by state. Join Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR; Beckie Mossor, RVT; Sam Geiling, RVT and Shannon Nowak, LVT, RVT, to discuss the state of title protection for veterinary technicians April 24th in a Bridge Club virtual discussion on Zoom. Registration is free. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
From mixed practice to swine specialist, Randy Jones, DVM (podcast)
Randy Jones, DVM, is an icon in swine practice and production. He shares his journey from a mixed veterinary practice to specializing in pigs, the pig industry’s evolution to specialization in farm management and veterinary roles. Source: Popular Pig Podcast, March 28, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Sedating horses for hoof care
Commercial Content Dr. Holly Helbig, a Zoetis veterinarian, detailed how to administer Dormosedan Gel orally for minor, non-painful procedures to be done on an anxious horse during the recent Zoetis Hoof-Care Product Knowledge Clinic. Some of the common uses of Dorm Gel besides shoeing are sheath cleaning, mane pulling, body clipping, hair trimming, bandage changes or … [Read more...]
Veterinarian discusses cannabinoid use in horses (audio recording)
Holistic veterinarian Joyce Harman, DVM, shares where hemp-derived cannabinoids may have benefits in horses. She indicates horse owners have found CBD products help to calm horses and show promise for treating chronic pain in them. Therapies incorporating CBD may be beneficial for treating a variety of equine conditions but Harmon says it is currently most often used to … [Read more...]