Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 26, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from January 26th AHD Bulletin – Habits that annoy coworkers and ways to mitigate them. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. KC Corridor’s Emily McVey wins 40 Under 40 in Economic Development Award Source: … [Read more...]
Loss of epigenetic information can drive aging, restoration can reverse it (video)
Fascinating! For the first time, an international study in mice demonstrates that degradation in the way DNA is organized and regulated, known as epigenetics, can drive aging in an organism, independently of changes to the genetic code itself. We hope these results are seen as a turning point in our ability to control aging. This is the first study showing that we can have … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 26, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 19, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from January 19th AHD Bulletin – Important small talk. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. MWI Animal Health’s Steve Shell clarifies announcement of AB name change Source: AmericsourceBergen MWI Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Bigger is not always better
A high rate of piglet mortality is a consequence of selecting for sows that have large litters. New research will focus on breeding for survival until weaning and survivability to slaughter. Source: The Pig Site, January 18, 2023. Link. The negative side effects of sows giving birth to large litters, often with more piglets than productive teats, means that managerial … [Read more...]
K-State researchers show value of adding shade to cattle pens
Cattle seek shade, use breezes and their respiration to blow off as much heat as they can on hot days Sometimes that’s not enough. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, and a team at Kansas State University conducted a multiyear trial researching how shade structures in pens can help cattle in high heat events. Data from the ongoing study shows cows with available shade had an increase in … [Read more...]
Study investigates frozen versus cooled semen in horses
A small study presented at the annual British Equine Veterinary Association Congress addressed the viability of frozen, thawed versus fresh, cooled semen used for breeding horses. The team also revealed some discrepancies in what is being used given collection and shipping time realities. While not all semen from stallions is freezable, the real-world conditions study showed … [Read more...]
Assessment of acute pain in cats using the Feline Grimace Scale
Cat owners and animal health pros can use the new Feline Grimace Scale© to evaluate acute pain in cats. This tool will help create pain awareness and potentially improve feline health and welfare. A study verifying its effectiveness was completed in collaboration with International Cat Care and sponsored by Zoetis. Source: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, January 17, … [Read more...]
Dogs may benefit from shoes during weather extremes
Dog shoes can protect dogs’ feet during weather extremes. Proper sizing is important as well as a break-in period to avoid chafing. Wearing shoes does change a dog’s ground reaction forces and pressure distribution. Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 17, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s review their top articles from 2022
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the vet and Jason Chatfield, DVM discuss five articles from 2022 in this episode of Chat’s with the Chatfields. American Foulbrood bee vaccine. Link. Fascinating way to immunize the hive through feeding the queen bee. Smart bandage heals wounds 25% faster. Link. Star Trek-like technology is on its way to communicate healing … [Read more...]
The Neuroscience of trust. Management behaviors that foster employee engagement.
Commentary Although it’s five years old, this article about Paul Zak’s research on trust is relevant to current employment conditions and challenges. Note the eight measurable management behaviors that foster trust he identified. “To boost engagement and retention, treat people like responsible adults. Set a clear direction, provide the resources needed and get out of … [Read more...]
Hybrid work is here to stay
Wharton management professor Martine Haas says, “Hybrid work is here to stay.” She says hybrid work seems to be striking a decent balance between what employees want and what employers want. Crafting more bespoke policies based on what works best for employers and employees is important when addressing issues of parity and fairness as some positions cannot perform their … [Read more...]
Advice for managing people with disabilities in the workplace
Commentary There’s an important distinction between being disabled and having a disability. Disabled is a category label while having a disability is situational and the differentiation is important! Comedian Josh Blue reminds his audiences that “the disabled community is the largest minority group on the planet . . . and the only minority group you can join at any time.” … [Read more...]
Direct-to-consumer options increasing in pet food fulfillment
Pet foods consumption provides insights into the purchasing behaviors of animal owners. Much of the receptivity to novel fresh pet food formulations is likely a result of the inroads made by direct-to-consumer brands connecting with animal owners. Pet food manufacturers are taking notice of the growth in supplying pet food to consumers without involving the supply chain, … [Read more...]
Animal Health International’s online resource site for GFI 263
Complimentary Content AHI’s new online resource center seeks to help animal health professionals prepare for the upcoming OTC to Rx transition, also known as GFI 263. It contains a robust FAQ section, a condensed timeline of the history of FDA action on antimicrobial resistance, a list of manufacturer products designated for prescription labeling and more. Source: Animal … [Read more...]
Getting goosey
Gail Damerow shares 10 reasons to consider raising and keeping backyard geese. Easy keepers with big eggs, geese are relatively disease-free and are extremely hardy. Long-lived, geese are intelligent and make good watchdogs as well. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 9, 2022. Link. As referenced in article: Raising healthy geese, Timber Creek Farm. Link. (commercial site) … [Read more...]
High priced eggs could make incubators more popular
About 40 million egg-laying hens were lost to avian flu disruptions <Link> in 2022 and the layer population won’t recover overnight. The growth in popularity of backyard flocks may continue to grow as consumers seek to reduce the costs of eggs. Egg prices at the grocery store were elevated throughout 2022 due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among … [Read more...]
CT scans of headshaking horses studied
Potential conditions that could provoke headshaking include dental diseases, osseous and articular disease, and sinusitis, says Nancy S. Loving, DVM. She reviews the findings from a retrospective study of 103 cases of headshaking. CT findings, targeted treatments and treatment success were evaluated. In her summary, Loving says 94 horses had relevant pathologic findings. The … [Read more...]
UC Davis researchers study telemedicine for cats
A team of UC Davis researchers measured how cats reacted to in-clinic appointments versus those conducted by webcam. The objective was to evaluate if telemedicine could increase access to care for an estimated 45.3 million feline-friendly households in the United States. A summary of the research results show: Researchers find that cats showed signs of increased stress … [Read more...]
Let’s get INTEGRATED! What is integrated medicine?
Complimentary Sponsored Content Drs. Jenifer and Jason Chatfield discuss integrated medicine with Michele Broadhurst, DC*, in the Chatroom. We noted the conversation at 30:40 about combining common prescription pain inhibition with animal-specific physical movement and adjunct treatments. . . . so would it be fair to say the prescription approach hides the pain where … [Read more...]
Pet wearable market to grow to $6.88 B by 2030
Pet owners’ concern for their pets’ welfare is boosting pet wearables market growth opportunities, according to Grand View Research. Despite being in its infancy, the pet wearable industry growth is evolving with the spread of artificial intelligence, rising internet usage and the creation of low-cost sensors, smartphone applications, GPS and other technologies. Source: Pet … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 16, 2023
Pet health trends, website and social media tips for small businesses, Pet Food Institute keeping pet food safe, dealing with Gen Z, 2023 pet tech trends and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites – January 16, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Considering access to veterinary care
Veterinarian shortages in the workforce and animal owner access to veterinary care will remain significant issues in coming years. Mark Cushing, JD, shares new and encouraging initiatives and experiments underway to solve access to care at a fundamental level beyond the plethora of call-to-action slogans. Cushing shares survey results from APG/O’Hara that indicate upgrading … [Read more...]
The new normal is, in fact, the old normal
These two reports from the National Retail Federation are good reads for animal health pros as strategies for 2023 get implemented and refined. NRF’s 2023 Big Show in New York City featured a live, free-flowing discussion between Walmart’s John Furner and Harvard Business School's James Cash. They covered change, the importance of long-term perspective, faith, perseverance, … [Read more...]
Consistency critical to manage marijuana and workplace policies
Maintaining a drug-free workplace increasingly challenges employers. While marijuana remains a Schedule I illegal drug at the federal level, medical marijuana is legal in 38 states with recreational use legal in 21 of those states. Choosing an approach to marijuana testing can only be successfully defended if it is consistently enforced and well-known to employees. Adequate … [Read more...]
Iowa governor announces funding for ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory project
Governor Kim Reynolds has committed $40 million in funding to help complete Phase 2 of Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is enormously important to Iowa’s nation-leading livestock industry and provides immeasurable expertise on worldwide animal health and food safety issues.” - Mike Naig, Secretary of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 19, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 12, 2023. Link. Most read posts from January 12th AHD Bulletin – Social media users more inclined to browse than post content. Link. Place keeper:2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ====================================== New strain of bird flu kills hundreds of snow … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 12, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 5, 2023. Link. Most read posts from January 5th AHD Bulletin – Handling tardy clients. Link. Clarifying the recission of the FDA VCPR waiver. Link. Does post-transport, pre-processing rest make a difference in calf growth performance. Link. Virus hunters spotting threats in new … [Read more...]
We’re not winning the war on feral swine!
The collective war on feral swine is 10 years old. In addition to various agencies, landowners and deer hunters affected by feral hogs are deploying effective tactics against pigs. Gray Anderson, PhD, shares 10 noteworthy pieces of intelligence he learned at the 2022 International Wild Pig Conference regarding feral hog biology, new weapons, tactics and more. Source: … [Read more...]
Music therapy reduce stress in hospitalized cats
Researchers sought to evaluate the use of music compared with no music, to reduce stress in cats during hospitalization. Cat-specific music and classical music were tested. Both styles had some benefit to hospitalized cats. Source: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, October 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Lifescient, Inc., developing long-acting injectable drug delivery platform
Complimentary Commercial Content Seeking to relieve the challenges of daily dosing of prescription medications, Kamalesh Rao and his team at Lifescient have developed a promising drug delivery platform to administer medication via a long-acting injectable for companion animals. LAIs will offer: Freedom from the stress and commitment required of daily dosing … [Read more...]