In a stable or barn environment, bugs are everywhere, despite the best hygiene practices. Salmonella bacteria are rugged bugs in these environments and can exist outside equine intestinal tracts for extended periods. Kelly Diehl, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, shares basic information and ways to decrease the risks of salmonellosis. Since it is fair, rodeo and trail ride season this … [Read more...]
Top universities in the U.S. for veterinary science
The University of California, Davis is the best school in the U.S. for veterinary science according to U.S. Career Institute research that ranked U.S. veterinary schools from best to worst Source: The Cattle Site, July 22, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Do pathogens come with the ability to develop resistance?
A study published in nature communications <Link> demonstrated that the within-host diversity of pathogen populations plays a key role in shaping the emergence of resistance in response to treatment. This in contrast to the traditional view that antimicrobial resistance emerges from pathogens that acquire new mutations. Source: IDSE, July 17, 2023. Link. “Study … [Read more...]
Impact of hoof trimming on milk production
Like a house built on sand, dairy cows with hoof problems won’t stand up to the rigors of dairy life and production. Research shared in this article shows that dairy farms need to carefully consider the timing of trimming interventions to optimize production outcomes and affect cow behavior. “. . . the timing of preventive hoof trimming during lactation can significantly … [Read more...]
Fresh salmon? Of course, we’re in Nebraska.
Most Atlantic salmon consumers encounter are farmed, and Nebraska aquafarmers Mimi and Kiel VanderVeen are projecting 1,000 pounds of fish weekly from their Central Plains operation by year-end. They also grow seven varieties of lettuce produced within the aquaponic system. Source: Nebraska Farmer, July 22, 2024. Link. Photo by Mimi VanderVeen … [Read more...]
Staggering mountain lion confirmed as first North American case of rustrela virus
Rustrela virus is marked by animals staggering, having trouble walking or behaving abnormally. The disease is found in domestic cats, rodents and other animals in Europe. The case began in May 2023 and has now been confirmed in the Colorado mountain lion. For most veterinarians, Rustrela virus would not be on a differential diagnosis list if a companion cat presented with … [Read more...]
Veterinarians as pet care influencers are on a more crowded stage
There’s no question that veterinarians remain queens of the hill regarding authority on pet care, writes David Sprinkle. However, other sources of information are gaining ground among millennials and Gen Zers as specialty pet shops and the internet have gained influence in recent years. Source: PETFOOD Industry, June 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 15, 2024
Trends in grooming, using AI to analyze dog barks, link building in SEO, safety training important for insurance, GlobalVetLink’s new Pet Travel Concierge Service and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 15, 2024. Link. Note: Coffee with Carmen set for today, July 18th on Facebook Live at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Sami Engle will be providing Pet Travel Updates: Perspectives … [Read more...]
Morris Animal Foundation, Nestlé Purina PetCare to collaborate to advance care of aging dogs
A new collaboration between Morris Animal Foundation and Nestlé Purina anticipates being another step in the journey to unlock the potential of nutrition to enhance dog health and well-being through science. The collaboration will focus on deepening the scientific understanding of key areas impacting senior dogs, including healthy aging, longevity, body condition and … [Read more...]
Embark Veterinary announces 3 new tests for copper toxicosis
Breeders of Labradors and Dobermans can now test their dogs’ DNA to make informed decisions for ongoing breeding programs to reduce the risk of copper toxicosis in progeny. Dogs affected with copper toxicosis have difficulty excreting excess copper from their liver, which allows copper to build up until the liver eventually begins to fail. Source: Embark Veterinary Inc, July … [Read more...]
Boost beef-on-dairy calf value with good health records
With the beef-on-dairy market booming, dairy farmers using a beef-on-dairy program must seize every opportunity to market their crossbred calves effectively, writes Taylor Leach. This means ensuring the highest health and nutrition standards, plus maintaining detailed health and vaccination records. She shares what is important and what should be recorded. Source: Dairy Herd … [Read more...]
Cultivated meat, microbial protein enter the pet food conversation
The potential for alternative proteins is gaining steam as cultivated meat and other novel proteins begin appearing as actualities in pet food formulas, rather than as hypotheticals, writes Lisa Cleaver. Source: PETFOOD Industry, July 2024. Link. With increasing pressure on the supply chain of animal-derived protein ingredients, <cultivated products> differentiate the … [Read more...]
Zoonotic web exposes complexity of disease transmission
As humans, animals, and wildlife coexist, there’s a lot to consider, including the zoonotic risks of cross-species disease transfers. This article provides a comprehensive picture of naturally occurring zoonotic interactions, sure to expand how animal health pros view zoonotic transmissions and risk management. A major challenge for the One Health community is quantifying … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 11, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 3, 2024. Link. This edition contains links to archived content in the Worth a Glance section plus links to previous years’ full editions as well as topic tags. ===================================== How to cope with post-vacation blues Source: Harvard Business Review, July 9, 2024. Link. Feeling drained … [Read more...]
Panel of DVMs discusses the greatest swine disease challenge in 2024
Outlining surprises and challenges facing pork producers and their veterinarians, Jennifer Shike shares responses from practicing swine veterinarians. PRRS remains the greatest challenge and it underscores the importance of biosecurity and prevention strategies. No biosecurity measure is too small to implement . . . but they take repetitive discipline and everyday management … [Read more...]
Updated fluid therapy guidelines from AAHA
The new 2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, provides a detailed refresher on the basic principles of fluid therapy while also guiding veterinary professionals through common fluid therapy scenarios and empowers an animal-specific, individualized approach. . . . if a practice doesn’t approach fluids as a drug prescription that necessitates accurate … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 8, 2024
Mars courting next-gen high-spending pet owners, future of flying with pets, email marketing myths, shifts in big life priorities, views of website written content averages 5.59 seconds, and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 8, 2024. Link. . . . websites are not just selling products or services . . . they’re guiding users on a journey, and every step along the way … [Read more...]
Avian flu updates
Staying abreast of the latest on high-path avian flu is time-consuming and often confusing. Multiple media sources share information along a rapidly progressing timeline of discovery, opinions and responses. We aggregated some of the more recent updates at these links. Sources: Detections of HPAI in livestock, USDA, July 9, 2024. Link. The most current information and … [Read more...]
Global Alliance for Rabies Control launches Dog Welfare Certificate course
GARC’s new Dog Welfare Certificate course is designed to provide essential knowledge for anyone involved or interested in canine care. Free and self-paced, the course offers foundational knowledge crucial for anyone looking to care for a dog whether it is their own, or a dog in the community. Source: Global Alliance for Rabies Control, June 23,2024. Link. The course is … [Read more...]
What can we expect from Elanco’s new Bovaer®?
Bovaer is a powdered feed supplement that blocks an enzyme involved in methane formation, reducing the amount of methane emitted by each animal. Elanco Animal Health, Inc., is licensing Bovaer for marketing in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Feeding Bovaer to 1 million cows would reduce methane emissions equivalent to removing more than 285,000 cars from the road for a … [Read more...]
Tom Vilsack: Good biosecurity critical to mitigating the spread of H5N1
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack’s opinion piece calls on producers to use USDA’s resources to enhance their biosecurity measures and for states and producers to opt into our support and herd monitoring programs designed to limit the spread of this H5N1 in dairy cattle. The most important step we can take today to contain HPAI is biosecurity.” Source: Agri-Pulse, June 21, 2024. … [Read more...]
Blackshirt Feeders: Closing the beef-on-dairy loop with data and technology
With contracts that stipulate every calf is tracked from birth with sire, health and performance data, Lee Leachman calls the closed-loop production model for beef on dairy a game changer. Greg Henderson explains how Blackshirt Feeders’ closed-loop system links the semen provider to the dairy to the feedyard and from where value will be derived. Source: Drovers, June 25, … [Read more...]
Safeguarding the equine industry: The importance of biosecurity practices
A recent study sheds valuable light on the current understanding and practices of horse owners across the country. In addition to the critical role veterinarians play in providing horse owners with medical information and guidance on biosecurity practices, the study revealed how horse owners prefer education and several key biosecurity techniques that horse owners can … [Read more...]
BARK hopes for industry-wide adoption of its Dog Toy Safety Standards (video)
There are more than 40 safety standards for various children’s products in the U.S. alone, yet there are zero safety standards for dog products. Bark’s safety lab has been testing since 2022 and developing standards to ensure toys are safe as demonstrated in the video. The company plans to publicly share its safety protocols, encouraging industry-wide adoption to ensure the … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet to implement Healthy Pet-keeping Seal program at Best Friends Fur Ever
Complimentary Commercial Content Elevating the standards of pet care facilities and bridging the gap between pet care and veterinary care is core objective of the Healthy Pet-keeping Seal program, shared Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, last October <Link>. Best Friends Fur Ever recognizes the opportunities of implementing an industry-leading initiative … [Read more...]
Audubon’s 2024 Audubon Photography Awards
Animal health pros always enjoy great photos and video of the wildlife world around us. Audubon’s annual contest features stunning work from professionals, amateurs and young people that highlights the beauty of birds and the joy of capturing them through photographs and videos. Mathew Malwitz won the grand prize for his photo of Blackburnian Warblers, shared in this … [Read more...]
Exploring holistic care remedies and therapies for common dog ailments
If for no other reason than to answer animal owner inquiries, we recommend veterinary teams review the information in the article linked below. Anderson Cox covers acupuncture to essential oils and more. Exploring natural remedies and therapies for common dog ailments is not a trend, rather a shift towards a more balanced, whole approach to canine health, Cox says. He … [Read more...]
Biosecurity compliance research shows motivation is not the problem
Commentary An exploratory study conducted to establish a baseline for worker motivation and to identify the primary factors that could be affecting biosecurity compliance in swine operations showed motivation is not the problem. Biosecurity compliance is influenced by job resources, availability of performance feedback and rewards. The preliminary study discoveries should … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 20, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 13, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the June 13th AHD Bulletin – Comedian: Taking my dog to the vet. Link. Brakke study shows pet owners not always aware of e-retail options. Link. Debunking fly spray myths. Link. ===================================== Woof! A new wrinkle in marketing real … [Read more...]
Enter the AAHA Trends Teams@Work annual photo contest
Our industry celebrates technicians with National Veterinary Technician Week in October. Now named the Teams@Work photo contest, AAHA seeks photos to reflect and feature veterinary assistants. Share your best photos of technicians and assistants working in the practice. Enter here <Link>. Source: AAHA NEWStat, June 17, 2024. Link. Also see: Winners from the 2023 … [Read more...]