Complimentary Commercial Content Companies serving the swine industry take pig health as seriously as producers. The resources and industry support they collectively provide is important to animal health, production profitability, food safety as well as many One Health concerns. We’re sharing a recent YouTube video from Boehringer Ingelheim Swine Health, U.S. We believe … [Read more...]
Anaplasmosis: not “if” but “when” in some cattle herds
Anaplasmosis is a common disease with worldwide distribution in cattle. It is transmitted through tick and fly bites , as well as blood contaminated instruments like needles, tattoo tools, castration equipment and dehorning instruments. Once an animal becomes infected, it is infected for life. Successful antibiotic therapy curing the clinical signs of infection results in a … [Read more...]
Destroy a dairy cow in three months
A dairy cow can be destroyed in three months with worn or incorrect milking system liners and poor hygiene. Aging liners are the single biggest cause of chronic mastitis in herds. Multiple studies prove if dairy farmers use old liners on fresh cows, the damage to teat-ends starts immediately.” Source: The Bullvine, August 2, 2022. Link. The liner is the interface between the … [Read more...]
Tips for traveling with chickens
It is fair season and chicken owners will be traveling with their chickens. Mia McGregor offers tips on housing, maintaining a comfortable environment, health check-ups, keeping things familiar and likely behavior changes. Source: Hobby Farms, July 27, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article in social media posts, newsletters and targeted emails to chicken … [Read more...]
Goat hoof problems
Caprines, like their bovine cousins, can have hoof issues and lameness causing a reduction in food intake and weight gain, reduced milk production, lower reproduction rates and pain. Kate Johnson shares causes, treatments and prevention for common hoof challenges. Source: Backyard Goats, July 17, 2022. Link. Three of the most common goat hoof problems are: hoof … [Read more...]
Veterinary Virtual Care Association releases model telemedicine regulations
The Model Telemedicine Regulations released during the AVMA annual conference this week facilitate the practicing veterinarians’ trained judgment and address the growing demand for guidance surrounding the veterinary client patient relationship when providing telemedicine services. The VVCA issued these regulations as a framework to provide support and direction for … [Read more...]
Coalition of veterinary groups launches telehealth initiative
The Coalition for Connected Veterinary Care launched this morning at AVMA Convention 2022 in Philadelphia. The founding members are the AVMA, Veterinary Study Groups and Merck Animal Health, along with more than 30 veterinary organizations and companies that have signed on so far. The coalition will develop education and resources to help veterinarians integrate telehealth … [Read more...]
Potentially deadly bacteria been found in U.S. soil and water for the first time
Note: This piece is important considering how frequently potential non-human disease hosts are transferred across the world in shipping containers, hay and grain, between shelters, in a variety of animal trailers and on migratory species. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked healthcare workers to look for symptoms of melioidosis in patients. Melioidosis … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 28, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Petflation: Inflation’s impact on pet industry. Link. 988 mental health hotline is live. Here’s what to know. Link. Collaboration offers digital cattle record access. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 21, 2022. Link. =================================== How much should I spend to keep my … [Read more...]
Impact of housing environment and management on pre-/post-weaning piglet productivity
Newborn piglets have limited energy reserves, poor ability to regulate their own body temperature and a high surface area to volume ratio. Factors in their environment such as temperature, humidity and drying time affects their first eight weeks of life. The summary shares livability perspectives including, farrowing, the creep area, transportation from farrowing and placement … [Read more...]
ASF moves in two distinct ways based on European incidence
Using European African Swine Fever historical data and spread patterns, Dennis DiPietre and Lance Mulberry hope to gain insight into the unique pathways, natural blocks and accelerated spread corridors within the U.S. In the EU, ASF moves in two distinct ways: The first case or two appear suddenly in an area with no discovered disease nearby. The disease gradually spreads … [Read more...]
Measuring lameness prevalence in dairy cows: Effects of case definition and assessment frequency
Identifying lameness is challenging. Without routine assessments, on-farm and consistent case definitions, understanding the percentage of dairy cows lame at any one time makes it difficult to determine the effect of lameness prevalence. Still, lameness at any level can cause pain, reduce milk production, shorten longevity and diminish reproductive performance. Researchers … [Read more...]
Checking pregnancy status early* can help with culling decisions
Cows that get pregnant early in the breeding season tend to stay in the herd longer than those who get bred late in the season. And those cows are also more productive as they produce calves with heavier weaning weights over the long term, according to Brad White, DVM and Bob Larson, DVM. Earlier preg checks may have some economic value as well. Source: BEEF, July 20, 2022. … [Read more...]
The secret language of heat stress: What dry cows are telling you.
Dairy farmers and veterinarians are noticing the effects of heat stress in the dry cow herd. While dry cows can stand a bit more heat than the milking herd, their comfort is important for optimizing future production. Research has shown that dry, pregnant cows or nulliparous pregnant heifers exposed to heat stress will make less milk in their next lactation, and their gestated … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 21, 2022
Last week’s most read posts 7 important facts about mosquitos and horses. Link. Consolidation trends of veterinary practices acquired by corporate groups are important to observe. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Link. =================================== Antivenin: Five myths to remember this … [Read more...]
Practical culling strategies
Ellen Crawford shares the importance of assertive culling strategies, and the role veterinarians can provide to producers. Culling parameters should remove cattle that do not help the farm or ranch meet its goals. That’s where veterinarians can help producers avoid emotional decisions versus logical business decisions. Operations that are more resilient to drought generally … [Read more...]
Beware of blister beetles
Blister beetles secrete cantharidin to defend themselves from predators through a process called reactive bleeding. Cantharidin is also released when beetles are crushed. Blister beetles are members of a family of plant-feeding insects (Meloidae) that contain cantharidin, a toxic defensive chemical that protects them from predators. Accidentally crushing a beetle against … [Read more...]
Manure-eating worms could aid dairy industry and climate concerns
Fascinating! Royal Dairy in Royal City, Washington, cleans and reuses its water more than 10 times before the water leaves the farm. The dairy has also cut its nitrate pollution and lowered its greenhouse gas emissions, all thanks to a new kind of wastewater filtration system powered by worms. Called vermifiltration, every day, half a million gallons of farm wastewater is … [Read more...]
Collaboration offers digital cattle record access
Superior Livestock Auction and Zoetis are collaborating to offer BLOCKYARD™ technology to cattle producers. The platform creates a digital copy of an animal, so wherever an animal goes, its data can follow. BLOCKYARD™ allows registered users to: Share genomic insights to inform price discovery, management, selection and breeding decisions Communicate genetic merit for … [Read more...]
Managing worms on summer pastures
Sandy Stuttgen, DVM, shares perspective on nematode management during different weather conditions and grazing approaches. Ostertagia, Cooperia, and Haemonchus nematodes’ life cycles occur within cattle and on grass. Using fecal egg counts and knowing when the L3 larvae will be most prevalent can help producers manage worm loads. As a rule of thumb, when weather conditions … [Read more...]
Get a handle on controlled veterinary substances
Rules governing controlled substances handling have been in place for decades. Not having the proper protocols in place can leave veterinary clinics subject to fines and fees. Jennifer Ryan shares information from Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP, Founder of Veterinary Care Logistics, on ways clinics can manage their controlled substances with simple inventory management … [Read more...]
3G sunset may affect sensors and alarms in animal production, systems, safety
Complimentary Commercial Content Many have already upgraded smartphones as the FCC opened more bandwidth to service 4G and 5G devices. However, there still may be 3G devices used daily that are greatly affected, such as various alarms on water systems, feed flows, ventilation systems and overflow alarms. An educational packet from BarnTools™ caught our attention. Animal … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 14, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – four posts qualify as most read in the June 30thAHD Bulletin Guide to medical professionals who specialize in caring for pets. Link. The complaint department. Link. Pet food inflation hits new high, with many reasons why. Link. Grass-fed versus grain-fed ground beef. Does it matter? Link. Previous AHD Bulletin - Animal … [Read more...]
A video trip inside a farrowing barn
Complimentary Content Biosecurity protocols appropriately restrict access to modern swine production facilities. But that also means there are fewer persons who experience what goes on in these production units. Educational programs like Dr. Dorman Asks seek to inform the public and provide a look at how pigs are produced for the animal protein market. In a recent edition … [Read more...]
Cattle producers are behind in biosecurity planning
State veterinarians, the NCBA, USDA and others are working together to educate and encourage beef producers to create a biosecurity plan. Free online templates are available to walk farmers through biosecurity questions to develop a farm plan. Currently, biosecurity plans are voluntary in the beef industry. What might move the needle toward more cattle producers having a plan … [Read more...]
The great veterinary shortage
There are not enough humans to take care of all the animals, writes Sarah Zhang. While not new information, she has done her research making this an article to efficiently frame the profession’s ongoing challenges in providing care for animals. By 2030, the U.S. will need nearly 41,000 additional veterinarians and nearly 133,000 more credentialed vet techs, according to a … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 30, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Vaccine guide is helpful for newbies and pros. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, June 23, 2022. Link. =================================== If we love our pets so much, why do we treat their veterinarians so poorly? Source: Boston Globe, February 15, 2022. Link. “They give their all to our … [Read more...]
Destructive, formidable, invasive: How is the U.S. managing the feral hog population?
. . . the feral hog is one of the most destructive, formidable invasive species in the U.S.” - U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service" Some 6 million feral hogs exist in the U.S. causing damages estimated at up to $2.5 billion. Beyond damages, the bigger concerns are zoonotic risks and the threat of African swine fever infecting the feral … [Read more...]
Breeding cattle for fly resistance. Could it be?
Doug Colwell, PhD, reminds us of the general rule in parasitology that states “in all breeds of cattle about 80 percent of the flies are on 20 percent of the animals.” Citing consumer concerns, he says non-chemical fly control is currently being researched. Horn flies are extra difficult to control. Insecticide ear tag use is common but often results in resistance in as few as … [Read more...]
Grass-fed versus grain-fed ground beef. Does it matter?
Good news for burger lovers! Researchers in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University have published the only two research studies that compared the effects of ground beef from grass-fed cattle and traditional, grain-fed cattle on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes in men. There is no scientific evidence to support … [Read more...]