Ollie, a subscription-based fresh dog food company, has acquired DIG Labs, an AI-powered diagnostic company, providing real-time, image-based pet health screenings across stool, weight management, skin and coat, dental care and more. The company shared its Foodback Loop™ is a revolutionary, closed-loop, and proprietary process that leverages over 20 million first-party data … [Read more...]
To mask or not in the swine barn for flu?
Montse Torremorell, DVM, shares the risks from bidirectional transmission of influenza A virus between pigs and people. He says the frequent spillover of human-origin seasonal influenza viruses to pigs is a main driver for flu diversity, resulting in new reassortant viruses that threaten pig health, productivity and public health. Results from a recent study evaluating masks … [Read more...]
New products from World Dairy Expo
Mark Moore shares new products that garnered attention at World Dairy Expo that took place in Madison, Wisconsin, from September 28th to October 4th. Featured are management products that promise to help streamline some of the processes on farm. For animal health pros working with dairies, learning about new products outside your own offerings can be beneficial during a … [Read more...]
Worker safety includes teaming with veterinarians
Working with livestock always includes opportunities for someone to get injured. National Safety Month is behind us, but attention to safety requires continual attention. Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury. Two articles from the NCBA BQA library are timely as fall cattle work progresses. Understanding the animals, as well as the best … [Read more...]
Walmart is expanding pet care services
Walmart is opening five more pet services centers after testing the first location near Atlanta. The centers offer vet visits and grooming. The pet services centers will have their own dedicated entrance next to a store under the Walmart name and staffed by employees of vet care and pet product company PetIQ. Source: CNBC, October 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet Product News top dog product picks of 2024
It is always a good idea for animal health pros to scan through new products. Treats, chew toys, a clear pet gate, a board game to play with a dog, car seat, functional supplements, special collars and more are featured here as winners of PPN's Editors' Choice Awards. Source: Pet Product News, October 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Celebrate National 4-H Week (video)
National 4-H week celebrates how the organization helps prepare youth for success in college and careers. From October 7th through October 14th, the week will be marked by activities across the country, showcasing the talents and accomplishments of 4-H members. Whether through community service projects, leadership workshops or educational fairs, the week will shine a spotlight … [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...]
Synchrony’s new technology connects pet insurance and CareCredit to streamline pet care payment processes
Synchony’s patent-pending new reimbursement technology is an advancement in the often-complicated process of managing pet healthcare expenses. For pet owners who have both CareCredit and Pets Best pet insurance, this technology simplifies the payment process by directly reimbursing insurance claims to the CareCredit health and wellness credit card. Source: Synchrony, October … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 3, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 26, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 26th AHD Bulletin – The story no one talks about: the cost to produce food. Link. Changing weather patterns call for a change in deworming habits. Link. Conservation advocacy soars in ‘24 Bird Photographer competition. Link. USDA network … [Read more...]
Veterinary student webinar: Navigating the job search process
In this 1-hour webinar designed for veterinary students, Stacy Pursell will share strategies for successfully navigating the job search process and the job market, securing the best position, and starting a career on the right foot. Register to join on October 24, 2024, via Zoom, 7:00 p.m. Central Time <Link>. Source: The VET Recruiter, LinkedIn. Link. … [Read more...]
Can PRRSV, PEDV be inactivated in truck cabs?
Truck cabs are a biosecurity concern, especially in swine production, to reduce the spread of PRRSV and PEDV. Research from the Swine Health Center updates truck cabin biosecurity methods in this article. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 11, 2024. Link. While ozone and air-purifier technologies have emerged as promising alternatives for decontamination, further … [Read more...]
Organizational basics, SOPs important in on-farm dairy production
Discussing procedural drift, Lisa Holden, PhD, emphasizes the need for dairy producer management to refresh SOP training and monitoring. It's easier to write an SOP and train than to create the culture of compliance, she shared. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 12, 2023. Link. The consistency that cows crave so much is gained through those standard operating … [Read more...]
Genetic resistance for F18 Escherichia coli holds
Increases in cases of post-weaning diarrhea caused by E. coli from 2019 through 2023 prompted researchers to better understand strain variances and study genetic susceptibility of specific breeds to F18 E. coli. Comingled susceptible and resistant pigs were acclimated, then challenged and monitored for variability and disease. Researchers shared the following study … [Read more...]
Non-antibiotic approaches to canine recurrent UTIs
Various non-antibiotic measures show promise in managing canine UTIs and reducing the amount of antibiotics used to fight infections. The authors assert combining conventional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies may offer a more holistic approach to managing UTIs in dogs. Source: Innovative Vet Care, September 27, 2024. Link. A combination of approaches may … [Read more...]
Nonmedical pet services: A tangled web of competition
The high cost of pet food and of veterinary services top the list of significant challenges that pet owners currently face, writes David Sprinkle, referencing Packaged Facts’ February 2024 data. The high cost of nonmedical pet services such as grooming, boarding, daycare and training weigh in at a lower level, but these services remain part of the picture for a robust pet … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 26, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 19, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 19th AHD Bulletin – Subtle leadership. Link. Study: superbug crisis could get worse, kill nearly 40 million people. Link. Injectable iron – New science on a routine practice. Link. 10 reasons to love sticky ichthammol ointment. Link. … [Read more...]
FDA establishes four Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers
University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of California at Davis, Kansas State University and University of Arkansas are the recipients of funding for work to advance regulatory science and further develop innovative products and approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 20, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
ImpriMed expanding its precision medicine services from pets to humans
Building on its success in veterinary oncology, ImpriMed’s pioneering human oncology services will provide drug response predictions for common blood cancers, including newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia. Source: ImpriMed, September 23, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Changing weather patterns call for a change in deworming habits
Sponsored Content Lice over-summer instead of over-winter like many parasites. They hide on cattle in folds between the legs and body and the dewlap. One type of louse can even over-summer in the ear. Once they get cold, they wake up and start reproducing. If cattle are treated too early, the lice don’t become an issue until several months into an endectocide product’s … [Read more...]
Mizzou’s next-generation anaplasmosis vaccine shows promise
University of Missouri researchers are developing a new* vaccine proven to protect cattle from a devastating tick-borne cattle disease, bovine anaplasmosis. Roman Reddy Ganta, MSc, PhD, led the study that created the new vaccine. The work involved genetically modifying the pathogen Anaplasma marginale in a lab. By deleting a specific gene and then injecting the modified … [Read more...]
Voluntary waiting period data can set up cows for success
A dairy cow’s voluntary waiting period, the time after calving until breeding, is a flurry of internal activity, writes Steve Pavelski. He asserts the voluntary waiting period should be considered a preparation period. The article is a good resource to share and discuss with dairy producers. Source: Progressive Dairy, September 5, 2024. Link. The most profitable voluntary … [Read more...]
Conservation advocacy soars in the 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year Competition
Bird Photographer of the Year has announced the winners of the 2024 competition, selected from a pool of more than 23,000 submissions. Soaring into the top spot is Canadian conversation photojournalist Patricia Homonylo’s powerful image of thousands of birds that died after flying into windows in Toronto. Source: COLLOSAL, September 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Analgesia trends in exotics
Discussing analgesia in rabbits and rodents, Olivia A. Petritz, DVM, DACZM, provides an overview of recent studies. She also refers to the development of grimace scales for rabbits, rats and mice. Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 20, 2024. Link. Clinical signs of pain in rodents are similar to rabbits and include a hunched posture, lack of or increased grooming, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 23, 2024
FLOW Business Conference underway in Tucson, Arizona, pet startup funding slower, dogs on airplanes, pet night on Capitol Hill, loyalty programs have value, marketing on a small budget, ownership transition plans, and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Missing clients?
Lapsed patients are a concern for most veterinary practices. It might be time to consider a reactivation campaign. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, August 1, 2024. Link. “Bringing back cats and dogs you haven’t seen in 14 to 18 months can mean big wins for your revenue and, even better, healthier pets.” INSIGHT: Personalize, personalize, personalize. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 19, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 12th AHD Bulletin – Likeability – How to find it in others and develop it in you. Link. Don’t forget. Manure can kill! Link. Use the Two-Minute Rule to stop procrastinating. Link. ===================================== The 5-3-1 Rule is … [Read more...]
JBS to transform renewable gas to sustainable fuel at US beef and poultry plants
JBS and GreenGasUSA are collaborating to collect methane from wastewater streams at JBS facilities using GreenGasUSA’s on-site upgrading systems, which can purify biogas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. Source: AgricultureDive, September 18, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
It’s not Old McDonald’s dairy farm anymore
Beef-on-dairy has become a cash cow for many dairy farmers, writes Fran O'Leary. But making it all work takes some experimentation, time and planning. She shares some producer experiences and the economics in this article. Source: Wisconsin Agriculturist, September 5, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: O’Leary’s article is good context for veterinary teams and sales representatives … [Read more...]
Vet care costs are skyrocketing. 8 people share their vet bill horror stories.
Commentary Deborah Vankin’s story relating pet owner experiences with veterinary care costs from survey results is not surprising. What is concerning is the bent toward negative experiences. Sadly, there is only one reference to pet insurance, especially when this month is National Pet Health Insurance Month which is promoted every year in September <Link>. Source: … [Read more...]