Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 14, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the November 14th AHD Bulletin – A dairy like you’ve never seen. Link. Reinforcing the 12-month flea prevention message. Link. Blueprint for receiving new feeder calves. Link. Well Groomed’s canine wellness revolution sweeps Florida. Link. … [Read more...]
Rendering: Every part has a purpose
The parts of animals we don’t eat provide many benefits. NARA has a new informative video for the young, the old, those in the livestock business and those who’ve never touched it. Thanks to Sharla Ishmael, editor of NARA’s Render magazine, for sharing. Source: North American Renderers Association, November 2024. Link. (animated video, 4:00 min) … [Read more...]
BQA practices now saturate every phase of the beef industry
Today, approximately 85 percent of U.S. beef comes from BQA-certified producers, writes Clint Peck. He shares the history of capturing the value, challenges and opportunities BQA certification presents. We noted the comments about involving smaller producers and the need for continuously educating cattle producers about best practices. Source: BEEF, October 18, 2024. … [Read more...]
50th Leaman Conference. What the experts had to say.
It’s been two months since the 50th annual Leman Swine Conference. Those who attended likely left with three or four action items. Now, let’s revisit some of the comments made by experts to refresh our intentions and focus on making a difference. Topics include biosecurity compliance, managing influenza, continuing to fight PRRSV and environmental effects of concentrated animal … [Read more...]
Can fecal microbiota transplantation help treat diarrhea in foals?
Fecal microbiota transplantation is a medical procedure that transfers healthy bacteria from a donor's stool into a patient's colon. In adult horses, FMT has been shown to improve intestinal diversity. Australian researchers explored the effects of treating diarrhea in foals using FMT and found it to be safe for foals. Source: The Paulick Report, November 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Resources for National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
The C-word strikes fear in pet owners despite better chances of successfully treating pets for neoplasia and cancer than they had in the past. Routine client education about cancer can improve early detection. The AVMA provides resources for pet owners on cancer in pets, including warning signs, how it is diagnosed, how it can be treated and potentially be prevented. Sharing … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 18, 2024
2024 consumer and product trends, lifelong learners in the AI age, opportunities in the pet wellness market, Whisker Media launches new podcast and more . . . Source: IBPSA, November 18, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Can people be ‘inoculated’ against misinformation?
Commentary Since our inaugural AHD Bulletin in 2015, we have curated content for animal health pros, including published information at all levels, with consumer-facing media being part of it. The growing amount of misinformation creates tremendous costs in our lives and industry. Once out in the public, incorrect information requires a lot of time and effort to correct, not … [Read more...]
Consumer-facing article touts over-the-counter drugs safe for dogs
Commentary The article linked here represents a disturbing trend in animal advice pieces featured in all types of today’s media. Chelsea Huckabay asserts that four OTC drugs featured in it are safe for dogs. To our knowledge, Huckabay is not a veterinarian, and there is no indication that a veterinarian edited this article. We reached out to our colleague and AHD … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 14, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 7, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the November 7th AHD Bulletin – Insights into the reasons pet owners surrender their pets to shelters. Link. A fresh perspective on horse expenses. Link. Help livestock and farm customers get funds they deserve. Link. Practices value Promoboxx benefit … [Read more...]
Listen or watch The Bridge Club’s 2024 Veterinary Medicine Legislative Review
For those who missed the conversation reviewing 2024 legislative action and challenges, you can listen or watch the virtual event and learn how legislation affects the future of veterinary medicine. Speakers from the Animal Policy Group share they tracked more than 2,300 bills in 2024 and expect more in 2025. Source: The Bridge Club, November 8, 2024. Listen: … [Read more...]
Well Groomed’s data-driven canine wellness revolution sweeps Florida
Well Groomed Franchise System announced its 19th franchise sale in Florida. Its approach incorporates pet wellness advocacy as each grooming appointment gathers more than 50 points of valuable wellness information. Each salon location generates hundreds of monthly wellness product recommendations and wellness-related service referrals to local pet industry partners, according … [Read more...]
Surf and turf: researchers to study feeding seaweed to cattle
Past research has found that feeding seaweed can reduce methane emissions from cattle, but results are mixed. Now, researchers from Oregon State University are investigating a specific type of seaweed and supplementing cattle that graze in the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem rather than a feedlot environment. Source: Oregon State University, October 28, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Building a new breed: the American Black Hereford
There is considerable pride and breed loyalty among cattle producers despite the overriding objectives to improve production efficiencies and profits. Gilda V. Bryant shares the development of the Black Hereford in the article here. Despite the name sounding like an oxymoron, Black Herefords are a thing. Source: Progressive Cattle, October 15, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pigs per litter continues steady growth
The number of pigs per litter reached another record in September, writes Michael Langemeier. Using his metrics, it appears we’ll soon see an average of 12 pigs per litter compared to eight per litter in 1994. Key performance metrics for swine production have steadily improved over the past 30 years. In addition to pigs per litter, performance metrics include feed conversion, … [Read more...]
NCBA guide for making culling decisions
A guide developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax will help cattle producers with the often difficult decision to cull cows and bulls. Not all of these animals must end up as ground beef if producers understand how to optimize the value of cows that don’t bear calves through better welfare management practices. About 20% of the total revenue of a cow … [Read more...]
Neuroscientists explain why wet dogs shake themselves dry
The hairy skin of mammals is packed with more than 12 types of sensory neurons, each with a unique function to detect and interpret various sensations. Researchers studying a type of ultra-sensitive touch-detecting receptors that wrap around hair follicles (C-fibre low-threshold mechanoreceptors), or C-LTMRs, explain how signals from C-LTMRs travel through the nervous system to … [Read more...]
The science and ethics of dog cloning
Dog cloning is no longer science fiction. While cloning can duplicate genetics of one dog in another dog, there’s no guarantee of an exact copy. Cloning may become more accessible and affordable . . . but just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Source: Animal Wellness, October 31, 2024. Link. Image credit: The Guardian … [Read more...]
Pet owners seek playthings that stimulate pets’ mental well-being
Commercial Content Rachel Shubin shares a selection of toys and devices that meet a growing interest from pet parents. Not the standard stuffed animal, these durable, long-lasting toys are designed to be interactive and provide enrichment. They are purported to challenge and satisfy dogs’ instincts. The article here details several of these playthings and may help animal … [Read more...]
3 major concerns for pet stores in 2025
Changing leadership in big box retailers, blurred lines in the points of sale and services and post-election hangover potentially weakening consumer confidence top Mark Kalaygian’s major concerns for brick-and-mortar pet retailers in 2025. Source: Pet Business, November 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Practices find value in Promoboxx® benefit from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance
Sponsored Content Social media usage cuts across all demographic groups, be they generational, racial, gender-based or other. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance has partnered with Promoboxx* to help practices capitalize on opportunities social media offers to promote practices and consistently engage with clients. The Promoboxx platform is currently provided at no … [Read more...]
A fresh perspective on horse expenses
Complimentary, includes Commercial Content A recent study completed by Synchrony noted horse owners spend three to four times more than they initially estimated. Karen Hopper Usher provides a realistic overview of horse costs, where the expenses are derived and the importance of planning for expected and unexpected expenses. Source: The Horse. Link. In addition to … [Read more...]
Heated dog blankets and beds. Useful? Safe?
Includes Commercial References Rachael Leanny shared information about dog blankets and beds with built-in heaters. Her primary warning is to avoid using human heating pads or blankets for pets. Her article covers the pros and cons of supplemental heat sources for dogs. We noted the warnings about protecting electrical cords from being chewed or exposed. With colder … [Read more...]
What do all those ‘biotics’ do?
Microbiome researchers have learned that microbiome health likely plays a key role in the overall health of pets. Veterinarians and pet owners can choose a probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic or postbiotic, but knowing which bug or brand is a good choice is difficult. The GI microbiome is a complex ecosystem, writes Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM, in this article. She shares some of … [Read more...]
Where North Americans shop online
U.S. consumers made 94.3 percent of the $1.170 trillion in online purchases by North American shoppers in 2023. Studying the Top 50, Digital 360 says incumbents face significant challenges from store-based retailers selling online, as well as marketplaces. Sales for the Top 50 online shopping sites grew by 10.4 percent in 2023. Source: Digital 360, October 22, 2024. … [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...]
Modern hyper-convenience adding difficulty, driving need for digital detox?
Commentary Two articles address our ever-expanding challenges and dependency on digital devices and their deep integration into our lives. We’re sharing these pieces that cover the benefits and the growing consequences of digital dependency. Modern hyper-convenience is a kind of deal with the devil . . . instinctually seductive. . . while it surreptitiously depletes us.” - … [Read more...]
Get ‘em checked
Jennifer M. Latzke is not afraid to talk about breast cancer, advancements in early detection methods and methods of treatment and the importance of screening for women and men. Source: KansasFarmer, November 1, 2024. Link. Improvements in early detection and treatment contributed to a 44 percent decline in breast cancer death rate in the U.S. between 1989 and 2022.” … [Read more...]
Laser therapy’s many uses in small animal practice
As year-end approaches, some practices consider making capital expenditures on equipment. Lasers may be a good choice. Two recent articles, which include photos, share when, where and how to use lasers in various veterinary practice settings. Jason B. Pieper DVM, MS, DACVD, shares how CO2 lasers are used in veterinary dermatology. Michael C. Petty, DVM, asserts the benefits … [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...]