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...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 12, 2022
Wearable tech trends for animals, inside aging dogs’ brains, premiumization of pet food continues to drive sales, dealing with cash shortages and funding, U.S. pet specialty businesses continue to see robust growth and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 12, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Walmart goes after the pet parent market with The Dodo partnership
Pet parent targeting continues to increase in the strategies of pet specialty retailers like Petco, Pet Smart, and Chewy who have learned that many pet owners seek to pamper their dogs and cats like beloved family members. Walmart is looking to expand its reach in the pet category with a collaboration with pet-centric media brand The Dodo, a division of Vox Media. In … [Read more...]
Chewy’s autoship sales hit all-time high in Q2
Commentary For almost 25 years, home delivery and autoship options have been available for veterinary hospitals. The recent Q2 report from Chewy shows the importance animal owners place on recurring shipments and online access to healthcare and food products. Avoiding a decision IS a decision . . . failing to decide IS also a decision.” Source: Pet Product News, September … [Read more...]
What is the time, temperature needed to inactivate PRRSV, PEDV?
Using foggers in supply entry rooms for decontamination of fomites entering sow farms to mitigate risk is a common practice. However, recent research questions the efficacy of this method for pathogen inactivation, especially in complex situations where pathogens may be shielded by organic material or blind spots. In this study on time and temperature required for virus … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 5, 2022
Eco-friendly products from SuperZoo, Dolly Parton’s pet line, Bark’s pricing strategy, Petco launching fresh frozen pet foods, small business marketing ideas, veterinary hospitals facing staffing issues and more . . . Guide to IBPSA Flow Business conference is now available. Link. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 5, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Five metrics veterinary practices should track
KPIs are much more than numbers or visually appealing charts. They empower you to make informed, data-driven decisions. Lisa Jones and Kate Zirkle share five KPIs veterinary practices need to track: Revenue breakdown Profitability Customer behavior: Forward booking Patient activity Compliance data Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 2, 2022. Link. Just … [Read more...]
PET scans help determine if horses are sound enough to run, or not
Positron emission tomography (PET) produces particularly detailed three-dimensional images. The technology was first developed for humans in 1974 is most used to detect the presence and spread of cancer. The sesamoid bone is of high interest for us because the majority of breakdowns that happen are due to fracture of this little bone at the back of the ankle, the sesamoid … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 1, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Stop the high turnover in the front office (video). Link. Wendy Hauser, DVM: Client trust, human-animal bond and meeting client concerns. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 25, 2022. Link. =================================== 28 pet food industry mergers and acquisitions 2022 Source: … [Read more...]
Randy Blach receives CAB Industry Achievement Award
Randy Blach earned the 2022 Industry Achievement Award for his relentless focus on the data and how it can deliver solutions to producers. He was recognized at the recent Feeding Quality Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. Source: BEEF, August 24, 2022. <Link> … [Read more...]
Pigs and airflow – how important is it and how do we optimize it? (podcast)
An important component of having good health is proper air quality and airflow in swine barns. Brett Ramirez, PhD, discusses proper airflow, the importance of air quality in new and old barns, and other things to consider when designing a new swine facility. Source: Swine It Podcast, August 30, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Ventilation is as important for farm workers as it is … [Read more...]
Knowing what equine lab tests to take can speed diagnoses
Kimberly S. Brown discusses lab testing with Toby Pinn-Woodcock, DVM, DACVIM, in this episode or Disease Du Jour. The objective is to help veterinarians in the field better understand which samples to send to the lab to help diagnose a sick horse. Knowing what samples to take, how to store them properly and how quickly they need to get to a lab is critical in learning more … [Read more...]
If it looks like, acts like, smells like parvo . . . it is parvovirus in Michigan
Tony McReynolds updates the parvo situation in Michigan. It wasn’t a mysterious disease after all. Source: AAHA NEWStat, August 29, 2022. Link. Initial negative test results were puzzling. Digging deeper veterinarians found while some of the affected dogs had been vaccinated for parvo NONE had a history of complete vaccination. … [Read more...]
USDA scattering rabies vaccines for wildlife in 13 states
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn’t been found or isn’t widespread.” - Jordona Kirby. Source: Associated Press, August 26, 2022. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 29, 2022
Benefits and care in pet condos, pet inflation 2022 over 2021, marketing plus ecommerce in the pet market, monkey pox, business scams and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 29, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Bubble Wrap® was originally designed to be what?
Packaging, refrigerated storage plus shipment and cost containment were topics of presentations at the KCAHC #AHSummit 22. One common packaging product used is Bubble Wrap®, first created in 1957 as a product that started life as 3D wallpaper. Source: The Packaging Company, January 2018. Link. Sealed Air Corporation was formed in 1960, with Bubble Wrap® as the cornerstone of … [Read more...]
The latest VIP Podcasts. Listening, learning from industry leaders and innovators
Complimentary Content Ivan “Zak” Zakharenkov, DVM, and Shawn Wilkie have produced 34 podcasts this year. Their discussions with industry leaders and innovators cover some of the challenges they’re facing and how to address them. The podcasts are easily accessed on the VIP website. Source: Veterinary Innovation Podcast. Link. … [Read more...]
Each time you place an order for a product, the labor cost is $17.25
Complimentary Commercial Content In a recent post, Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP, CVBL, takes a non-traditional approach to calculating cost per SKU when replenishing inventory in an animal hospital. Using a loaded cost of $23 per hour for inventory personnel, she estimates 45 minutes to order, unpack, receive, record, pay the invoice and keep track of an item each time it is … [Read more...]
KCAHC #AHSummit22 exceeds expectations
Kudos to the KCAHC team; Corridor committee; Spencer Breithaupt, Chairman; panel participants; speakers and presenting companies. Congratulations to: Scott Campbell, DVM, who was awarded KCAHC Iron Paw <Link> Vidium Animal Health for being selected as the 2022 Innovation Award recipient for @vidiumah which provides veterinarians and pet owners more tools to manage … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 25, 2022
Last week’s most read post Confronting your biases (video). Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 18, 2022. Link. =================================== Help bring the dairy farm into the classroom Source: Discover Dairy. Link. The Adopt-a-Cow opportunity for this year closes on September 15th so there’s still time to let … [Read more...]
Asian longhorned ticks and Theileria: What you need to know
The Asian longhorned tick is the only known vector for Ikeda in the U.S and is known to be present in 11 states. Theileria orientalis (Ikeda genotype), Ikeda for short, can be fatal to cattle. A solid tick control program is one of the better things a producer can implement to minimize the risk of the Asian longhorned tick and Ikeda and prevent their introduction into the herd … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 18, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – 10 years and counting elevating care for cats. Link. Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023. Link. Changes coming to compounded animal health medication. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 11, 2022. Link. =================================== Dog … [Read more...]
Allen D. Leman Swine Conference slated for September 17-20.
The 2022 Leman Conference will feature sessions covering everything from foreign animal disease and biosecurity to Prop 12 and gene editing for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Internationally acclaimed for bringing science-driven solutions to the complex challenges facing the industry, the event garners hundreds of participants from over 20 countries each … [Read more...]
Still time to register and attend KC Animal Health Corridor Animal Health Summit
The KCAHC’s 2022 Animal Health Summit returns to a live venue August 29 through 30. The Summit offers two days of networking and one-on-one business partnering, plus presentations by industry thought leaders and panel discussions with emerging company personnel. Source: KC Animal Health Corridor. Link. Scroll down to view the full agenda. … [Read more...]
U.S. hog production: Rising output and changing trends in productivity growth
Opinion Consider a quick scan of the latest hog production report from USDA’s Economic Research Service. Beyond reading the simple summary <Link>, scan the full report introduction and conclusions <Link> to better understand how this animal health segment has met challenges and continued to thrive. The report shows productivity growth and structural change, … [Read more...]
Ultrasound screening shows potential for early bucked shin diagnoses
Tiny stress fractures and new bone formations occur in racehorses’ legs as they enter training at about two years old. This condition, called bucked shin, occurs in about 70 percent of the animals, leading to pain and delays in training schedules. Japanese researchers developed a method to screen for bucked shin using ultrasound instead of traditionally disruptive X-ray … [Read more...]
Equine joint injections: case by case
It’s well known that horse medicine is practiced on a per horse basis. When considering joint injections, the approach can be complicated by a horse’s age, purpose and health. Chris White, DVM, shares how veterinarians approach various scenarios. While joint injection techniques are well-documented, the tricky part is what goes into the syringe. Gone are the days of simple … [Read more...]