Melting ice may bring the next pandemic, according to recent data. Genetic analysis of soil and lake sediments from Lake Hazen, the largest high Arctic freshwater lake in the world, suggests the risk of a virus infecting a host for the first time may be higher close to melting glaciers. Source: The Guardian, October 18, 2022. Link. For instance, last year, researchers at … [Read more...]
Cool things seen at 2022 World Dairy Expo
Progressive Dairy’s editorial team shares the latest new products and ideas in the dairy industry in this article. Dairy producers participating in an onsite survey indicated labor and input costs were their leading worries. Source: Progressive Dairy, October 12, 2022. Link. New products includes several new advancements that can assist with the essentials of dairy life. … [Read more...]
Inside the rescue of nearly 4,000 beagles
This article offers an inside look at research on animals gone horribly awry and one of the largest animal rescues in history, including massive fundraising by an animal rights organization. Source: The Washington Post, October 17, 2022. Link. The breeding operation, the judge ruled, needed to be emptied of beagles within 60 days. … [Read more...]
Veterinary technicians to share their view of the state of the profession
Join The Bridge Club as veterinary technicians discuss the state of the profession today, opportunities for growth, solutions to workflow management and ways technicians can provide more value in the current practice context. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. Register to join the conversation on Zoom, October 27th at 7 p.m. CDT. No fees. Registration required … [Read more...]
Nikon’s Small World celebrates 47 years of images. Contribute yours
Nikon’s Small World is the leading forum for showcasing the complexity and beauty of life seen through the light microscope. Its Photomicrography Competition and video competition, called Small World in Motion, are open through April 30, 2023. Animal health pros can enter one or both. In the meantime, look at the 2022 winning shots. You’ll be amazed. These are but two … [Read more...]
New advancements in dermatology, renal diets
Adrienne Bautista, DVM, PhD, DABVT, is on tap to share advancements in dermatology and renal diets using current diagnostics to guide nutritional recommendations tailored to individual pets. Live, virtual discussion hosted by The Bridge Club on Zoom, October 20th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT. Register to participate at no cost. <Link> Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
The best methods for cleaning your smartphone
A smartphone is a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, which can cause respiratory infections, diarrhea and other illnesses. This author shares multiple methods for cleaning your smartphone without damaging it. Your smartphone is one of the dirtiest things you own. “ Source: SimplyGeeky, June 23, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider adding smartphone and desk phone cleaning … [Read more...]
October is National Pork Month
October is National Pork Month, “Porktober”, marking the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed, writes Cheryl Day introducing a slide show, Great facts about pork. To celebrate National Pork Month, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is inviting pork producers, processors and anyone interested in the U.S. pork supply chain to participate in a series of free … [Read more...]
Parasite resistance in cattle, a widespread concern for veterinarians, livestock producers
Parasite resistance in cattle operations has moved from theory to a real-world scenario producers across the country face. Parasite management is no longer applying a dewormer. Today, ranchers must understand the parasites in a herd and learn to live with a few bugs, writes Jennifer Ryan who shares the experiences and perspectives of Christine Navarre, DVM, MS, … [Read more...]
The 24 behaviors of the ridden horse in pain: Changing how lameness is seen (video)
A documentary from Sue Dyson, Vet MB PhD, challenges the way to look at bad behaviors in horses and promotes the notion that lameness doesn’t start at the head bob. The film follows Dyson and Jim Myers, DVM, as they examine and diagnose a show jumper mare Galina, who not obviously lame, seemed increasingly unhappy under saddle. The film educates horse lovers on how to spot the … [Read more...]
Cushing, The Bridge Club to discuss the latest on veterinary telehealth
Complimentary Content Catch up on the discussion of VCPRs, access to care and staffing shortages, plus get the latest about veterinary telehealth from Mark Cushing, JD. Source: The Bridge Club, October 3, 2022. Link. Be a part of the discussion on Zoom, October 12th, 7:00 p.m. Central time. Free registration required. Register here <Link> … [Read more...]
Industry’s commitment to CE increases value of animal care
Commentary The animal health industry is generous with support resources. Thank you! I’ve lost count of the continuing education credit opportunities offered in the veterinary market. My last look showed 25 new programs were offered in September. This doesn’t include innumerable podcasts and YouTube videos being promoted, nor does it account for myriad free CE programs … [Read more...]
Quality of life exams
“Quality of life exams should be approached as an open, objective conversation,” says Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. “Client owners need to be prepared to answer questions and not anticipate being judged. . . there is no right or wrong outcome, no good or bad news . . . there’s just what comes out of the conversation.” When a pet owner finds themselves being … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 3, 2022
Pandemic-era pet ownership boom continues, why the next 10 years of e-commerce will smash the last 10, securing small business grants, securing and optimizing small business technology, quiet quitting, small business loan options and more . . . Congratulations to the IBPSA Pet Care Business Excellence Award winners. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 3, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Make fire prevention a priority during National Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week is October 9 – 15. This Farm Progress article is a timely reminder about fire risks and fire safety from an on-farm perspective. There are plenty of in-town risks, as well. Be sure to remove debris from air ducts and around HVAC units and keep outdoor break areas clutter-free. Fire extinguishers should be checked annually. The most important … [Read more...]
Risk, revolution and preventive medicine
Preventive veterinary medicine may not be the newest clinical approach, it has surely stood the test of time better than any other, writes Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. She shares the progression of veterinary medicine and the integration of preventive measures which are expanding in the current context. Chatfield urges veterinarians to consider, “putting … [Read more...]
Pandemic? Likely too early to say it is over.
Covid-19 has caused more than one million deaths in the U.S. and 6.5 million deaths worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet, some want to say the pandemic is over. IDSE editorial advisory board members shared their opinions on the pandemic’s status with Marie Rosenthal, MS. “I don’t know what to call the current period, but it’s not the … [Read more...]
Simmons: Animals are the solution to the world’s problems (video)
Speaking at the 2022 Ag Outlook Forum, Elanco’s Jeffrey Simmons shared his vision for a better future by 2030, environmentally, economically and nutritionally. He believes more sustainable livestock production should be considered as a contributor to solutions, not as a problem. Animals are the connecting link between the three major global issues; the health crisis, food … [Read more...]
Please stop flushing live goldfish down the toilet
Here’s an example where consumer education is needed. Goldfish finding their way into bodies of freshwater, accidentally or on purpose, is no new phenomenon. These fish are not native to North America but come from eastern Asia and have no natural predators here to curb their growth. Goldfish and lots of other things should never be flushed into the sewer systems. Source: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 26, 2022
Keeping pet influencers in mind, grooming good and bad from dogs’ points of view, business tech, pet brands to watch from SuperZoo 2022, pet food as health food, and more . . . The recent IBPSA FLOW Business Conference benefited over 300 owners and general managers, 40 vendors and offered deliverables from 28 speakers. Hosted by the Chatfields, the conference <Link> … [Read more...]
A 10-point email audit for strategic planning
Covid-19 and its aftershocks threw a big wrench into marketing operations, but it wasn’t the only factor reshaping the email landscape. Corporate restructuring, the Great Resignation, a new focus on owned data, economic and political upheavals and the continued evolution of marketing technology all have left their marks on many email programs. Here's an email blueprint for the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 22, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – September is National Pet Health Insurance Month. Link. Chewy’s autoship sales hit all-time high in Q2. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 15, 2022. Link ====================================== Bird flu now in 40 states Source: Successful Farming, September 19, 2022. Link. Threat … [Read more...]
When stray voltage strikes and dealing with it
No one likes to get an unexpected electrical shock. Animals hate it even more than people. Areas constructed indoors or outdoors where wire mesh or other conductive elements are embedded in or placed under concrete, bonded to all metal structures and fixed nonelectrical equipment have the potential to become energized unless the equipotential plane is properly grounded. The … [Read more...]
Capsule camera allows an inside look at horses
Fascinating! Looking inside a horse’s intestinal tract may soon be as simple as getting him to swallow a tiny camera, waiting for it to pass through his digestive system and then downloading the images it captures along the way, shares Christine Barakat. Source: EQUUS, September 9, 2022. Link. Images captured by capsule cameras were clear and useful, showing all major … [Read more...]
Pawty time – Golden Retrievers celebrate
Last week we shared the Golden Zoomies webinar, part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime study. The foundation recorded the event program for those who did not attend and created a video about the 10th anniversary of the study. Tiffany Grunert, MPS, CDI.D, APR, provided some study updates: Just under 2,000 dogs … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 19, 2022
Flow Business Conference starts in Orlando today! Pet owners spending $300 per month, Fetch by The Dodo, Galaxy Vet’s approach to practice ownership, avoiding burnout, Amazon launching small business grant program, social media marketing for small businesses, rural DVMs needed, loyalty programs and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Dealing with plastics. 2,4,5. . .Let’s review.
Plastics in packaging and containers have made myriad products more secure, visible and easier to transport. They continue to be a hot topic in environmental circles. Consider reviewing the recycling number coding system and put guides in break rooms at clinics or retail establishments. Plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. … [Read more...]
Breeding the right cow for robots
Dairy farmers often forget to consider herd genetics when making investments in automated milking systems. Some conformation traits are easy to select for, but behavioral traits are more challenging. The authors share several conformational and behavioral characteristics a robot-ready herd should possess. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 7, 2022. Link. With good herd … [Read more...]
Meeting the needs of the elder horse
Includes Sponsored Content In this issue of EQUUS Extra, seven key management challenges presented by advancing horse age are discussed. The intention is to increase the chances of an aging horse enjoying a longer, healthy and productive life. The key is to remain vigilant to subtle changes in their demeanor and condition and to catch developing issues before they grow out … [Read more...]
AKC’s Responsible Dog Ownership Day is September 17 (video)
The AKC offers 75 ways to be a responsible dog owner in this article that includes a video. Ideas range from initial pet selection to routine care and how to include various support networks in ensuring dogs are kept and maintained responsibly. Topics cover dog choice, ownership commitment, home preparation and house rules, establishing veterinary care, routine care, safety … [Read more...]