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...]
Worth a Glance – October 31, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 24, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 24th AHD Bulletin – Study: dead animal disposal practices can put swine farms at PRRS risk. Link. Pet industry adapts to economic challenges, new trends. Link. Cattle traceability rule set to take effect November 5th. Link. Image … [Read more...]
Post election, 2024 Veterinary Medicine Legislative Review
Join the Bridge Club November 6, 2024 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. for a discussion of some of the issues represented in legislative bills presented this year. The Zoom discussion is provided at no charge and will feature: Mark Cushing, Founder of the Animal Policy Group Loren Breen, Director of Policy, Research & Government Relations at Animal Policy Group Katie Jarl, … [Read more...]
Toys, materials for pigs offer physical enrichment
There have been promising welfare results when physical enrichment is provided for pigs. While researchers found straw to meet most of the pigs’ behavioral needs, its use in modern facilities is challenging. This article summarizes the welfare effects when using a rope, balls, burlap bags and toys compared to pigs with no enrichment. A chart shows enrichments that improved at … [Read more...]
Review: 3 keys to lameness prevention
Hoof care requires diligent efforts to avoid lameness in dairy animals. Properly maintained footbaths are critical along with regular hoof trimming and scraping multiple times per day. Jason Hartschuh shares the importance of footbath depth and solution options, including copper sulfate, formalin and zinc sulfate. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, October 28, 2024. Link. Barn … [Read more...]
Comparing professional and at-home laser therapy for horses
Includes Commercial Content Laser therapy is now recognized for its therapeutic benefits in veterinary medicine. Research supports its use in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and accelerating tissue repair and healing. In this article, the authors compare professional and at-home therapy approaches. Source: Equine Wellness, October 21, 2024. Link. For most equine … [Read more...]
Organ meat in dog diets. It’s not as offal as it sounds.
There is growing interest in the health benefits of organ meats, even labeling them as superfoods for both humans and pets. Organs are frequently the first choice of wild canids that attack and kill livestock. The authors share facts about offal use in diets, including raw diets, in this article. They note liver, kidney and heart as the most common organ meats in … [Read more...]
How veterinary practices can accommodate growing payment options
Complimentary Commercial Content Businesses that cannot meet the demand for modern payment methods risk missing out on revenue by not supporting consumers' preferred payment methods. Research predicts half of cashless transactions will be made with debit and credit cards by 2028, followed by instant payments and credit transfers. Rudimentary features offered by legacy … [Read more...]
Infection control, prevention and biosecurity. Is your plan current?
AAHA’s Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines have been available since 2018. Having an ICPB plan is critical to ensure the safety of pets, pet owners and clinic staff. A lot has happened in the six years since the guidelines were published, making updating any current plans important. Emily Singler, VMD, reviews the steps to create an effective ICPB and its … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 24, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 17, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 17th AHD Bulletin – Vet Techs play a critical role in pet healthcare. Link. Shelter dog behavior after adoption. Link. How to use dog food toppers. Link. A horse owner’s final act of care. Link. Facial recognition app recognizes cows … [Read more...]
Dairy biosecurity starts with mentality change
Biosecurity consultant Dan Hougentogler shares the challenges of improving biosecurity practices on dairies, especially those with multiple species on the farm. One of the bigger issues is to get producers to take biosecurity seriously. Source: American Agriculturist, October 21, 2024. Link. Changing the mentality is really about managing people to reduce our potential for … [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...]
Building a profitable relationship with veterinarians (podcast)
Includes Commercial Content Randall Spare, DVM, shares his experiences with herd health consultations, problem-solving with producers and how understanding genomics can increase the value of replacement heifers. Source: Angus at Work, August 28, 2024. Link. [26:52] The opportunities today when we genomically measure heifers and we know exactly what’s underneath that hide … [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...]
The science of species-specific music (video)
Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, shares some of the science and benefits of music for dogs. Researchers have found that dogs spend significantly more time lying and significantly less time standing when music was played, regardless of genre. Soft rock and reggae genres seem to help dogs relax most. Source: Schwarzman AMC, October 16, 2024. Link. Photo credit: RCA … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 21, 2024
October pet trends, marketing triggers for the new years ahead, optimizing retailer relationships with distributors, unconventional support animal use in complementary therapy for humans, euthanasia decisions, spring water for dogs and more . . . Source: IBPSA, October 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet industry adapts to economic challenges, new trends
The pet industry has become accustomed to steady, consistent growth at high levels throughout the range of products and services offered. Richard Kestenbaum says that's over. There will still be growth, but it will be more choppy and more selective. Certain product classes will grow. Others will shrink. Certain marketing channels will be an opportunity. Others not. Consumers … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 17, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 10, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 10th AHD Bulletin – How to stop making excuses. Link. Larval therapy decreases layup time for coffin bone infection. Link. Oak mites join chiggers, mosquitos . . . big annoyance for pets, humans. Link. Explaining why cats chatter. Link. … [Read more...]
Farmers told to bolster biosecurity as HPAI spread “by no means on the downward trend”
Experts have warned dairy producers to assume the worst when taking steps to secure their premises against HPAI infections. Source: Dairy Reporter, October 10, 2024. Link. . . . almost a third of all cases since the inception of this event have occurred within the last 30 days.” – Alex Hamburg, DVM … [Read more...]
Facial recognition app recognizes cow from 50 feet
Complimentary Commercial Content 406 Bovine leverages facial recognition technology to create ‘digital twins’ of cattle, enabling producers to pull up wellness, movement and treatment data by simply taking a photo of their animals’ heads. Source: Dairy Reporter, July 22, 2024. Link. RFD TV, August 15, 2024. Link. Video [13:13] Facial recognition is the newest form of … [Read more...]