Commentary This online article, full of commercial references, is another example of what-they’re- reading-content being proliferated at breakneck speed. We believe it is important for animal health pros to see content like this, which could potentially mislead pet owners. To the author’s credit, cannabis with THC and CBD are differentiated and disclaimer language is also … [Read more...]
Unmasking feline leukemia. What every cat lover should know
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the Vet welcomes Dawn Martin DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, to the Chatroom to discuss feline leukemia virus. FeLV poses a serious health risk to cats. It is difficult to cure but can be prevented through minimizing exposure and vaccination. This video will confirm veterinary team knowledge and is good content to share with cat owners on social … [Read more...]
Keep cold weather safety top of mind
An easy-to-use infographic from ASPCA® Pet Insurance covers many of the winter hazards including extra care for senior pets. Communication from veterinary practices is noticed and appreciated by pet owners and often reinforces messages clients receive from consumer media. Consider printing a few of the infographic pages for waiting and exam rooms in addition to sending it to … [Read more...]
Protecting ourselves from hearing loss
Includes Commercial Content The discussion of electronic hearing protection as a solution for hunting- and shooting-related hearing loss caught our attention. Animal health pros and workers in swine confinement, kennels and shelters and confined cattle areas can experience hearing loss from the noise in those environments. Different from over-the-ear noise cancelling … [Read more...]
Weese: Rabies deaths reminders of the need to educate public
Rabies is still here and will likely always be, writes Scott Weese, DVM. While we have tools to effectively prevent infections, the human factor is the weak prevention link. Sharing two cases of human deaths from rabies, he stresses the importance of a better public understanding of rabies risks. Source: Worms and Germs, November 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Reframing mindset, changing habits help manage burnout
Commentary Since the early pandemic almost five years ago, our industry has been facing, defining and discussing burnout, compassion fatigue, overwork and workplace adjustments to ease various burdens and, of course, avoid suicides. Routinely, our AHD team has questioned whether media is informing or perpetuating these topics. Work, by definition, requires us to apply some … [Read more...]
When you disagree across power structures
Commentary Author Marlene Chism offers what could be called CliffNotes to a course on conflict management in this article. Coupled with PAR skills Patrick Malone routinely shares with AHD readers, implementing her five questions promises to reduce the effect of disagreements in the workplace. Disagreement doesn’t have to lead to conflict, writes Chism, especially if you … [Read more...]
‘Tis the season for gratitude
Thanksgiving is a day dedicated to gratitude. It is also a reminder to share our blessings with others. Today and every day, we’re most thankful for our subscribers, regular readers and sponsors. Thank you for supporting Animal Health Digest and for making 2024 a great one. 2025 will be our 10th year of curating actionable content for animal health professionals who seek to … [Read more...]
Venmo privacy tip
It seems many animal health pros are using Venmo to transfer cash, send money gifts or reimburse a friend for some expense. Because these activities are visible to anyone in your contacts, we're sharing this privacy tip. Open Venmo, click on your "me" or "profile" button, click on settings . . . then scroll down to privacy. Choose a privacy setting that keeps your … [Read more...]
Morgan Stanley Capital Partners acquires FoodScience, parent company of VetriScience
MSCP’s acquisition of FoodScience from Wind Point Partners represents its third investment in the pet and animal health sector. FoodScience, a vertically integrated provider of pet and human nutritional supplements, includes the VetriScience product range. Source: businesswire, November 19, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
First factory farm ban passes in Berkeley, California
Mostly symbolic, Measure DD’s passing in the city of Berkeley, California, may spur similar policies elsewhere in the United States. Advocates say large livestock facilities produce immense amounts of waste that can pollute water and spread disease, adding to human health risks. Source: Agricultural Dive, November 14, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: A review of the city of Berkeley … [Read more...]
Midwest Food Bank getting hay to North Carolina farmers hit by Hurricane Helene
Midwest Food Bank is seeking volunteers and funds to transport hay to North Carolina livestock farmers struggling to secure enough feed for their cattle to survive the winter. To date, 650 large round alfalfa hay bales have been donated to Midwest Food Bank for this critical relief effort. Some shipments are already on their way. Volunteers are needed to transport the relief … [Read more...]
Rendering: Every part has a purpose
The parts of animals we don’t eat provide many benefits. NARA has a new informative video for the young, the old, those in the livestock business and those who’ve never touched it. Thanks to Sharla Ishmael, editor of NARA’s Render magazine, for sharing. Source: North American Renderers Association, November 2024. Link. (animated video, 4:00 min) … [Read more...]
Forage alone may not cut it for fall-weaned calves
Commentary So many variables determine producer success when raising calves and preparing them for the next stages of their lives. Amber Friedrichsen’s discussion of various approaches to supplements and forage as winter progresses provides an opportunity to visit with producers about ensuring proper nutrition. It also supports the overall health of the animals and the … [Read more...]
Helping horse owners’ vaccine decisions
Commentary This recent poll about factors preventing owners from vaccinating their horses in The Horse caught our attention. The results, albeit from a small sample, may reinforce the need for veterinary-client education and more comprehensive questioning since potential side effects and lack of effectiveness topped the list. Digging deeper, we found Haylie Kerstetter’s … [Read more...]
Common illnesses in senior cats
Includes Commercial Content Barri J. Morrison, DVM, shares 10 common illnesses in cats which reinforces the need for routine veterinary visits as often as every six months for senior cats. Among the illnesses are dental disease, diabetes, arthritis and chronic kidney disease. Source: petMD, September 27, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: The mention of specific products, including … [Read more...]
New study, employees prefer pet-related benefits
Complimentary Commercial Content New research from OnePack Plan by PetPartners, a leading employer-based pet insurance brand, revealed just how important pet-related benefits are to employees, with nearly half of employees reporting that pet-related benefits influence their job decisions. Other results we noted include: Two-thirds of employees are interested in PTO for … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 18, 2024
2024 consumer and product trends, lifelong learners in the AI age, opportunities in the pet wellness market, Whisker Media launches new podcast and more . . . Source: IBPSA, November 18, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Can people be ‘inoculated’ against misinformation?
Commentary Since our inaugural AHD Bulletin in 2015, we have curated content for animal health pros, including published information at all levels, with consumer-facing media being part of it. The growing amount of misinformation creates tremendous costs in our lives and industry. Once out in the public, incorrect information requires a lot of time and effort to correct, not … [Read more...]
Consumer-facing article touts over-the-counter drugs safe for dogs
Commentary The article linked here represents a disturbing trend in animal advice pieces featured in all types of today’s media. Chelsea Huckabay asserts that four OTC drugs featured in it are safe for dogs. To our knowledge, Huckabay is not a veterinarian, and there is no indication that a veterinarian edited this article. We reached out to our colleague and AHD … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 14, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 7, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the November 7th AHD Bulletin – Insights into the reasons pet owners surrender their pets to shelters. Link. A fresh perspective on horse expenses. Link. Help livestock and farm customers get funds they deserve. Link. Practices value Promoboxx benefit … [Read more...]
Listen or watch The Bridge Club’s 2024 Veterinary Medicine Legislative Review
For those who missed the conversation reviewing 2024 legislative action and challenges, you can listen or watch the virtual event and learn how legislation affects the future of veterinary medicine. Speakers from the Animal Policy Group share they tracked more than 2,300 bills in 2024 and expect more in 2025. Source: The Bridge Club, November 8, 2024. Listen: … [Read more...]
New Hampshire veterinary hospital named AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year
Congratulations to Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital in Windham, New Hampshire. It stood out for its unwavering dedication to patients and the team members who care for them. As a family-owned business, they have demonstrated a deep understanding of caring for families by caring for their pets. Source: AAHA via EIN Presswire, November 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Well Groomed’s data-driven canine wellness revolution sweeps Florida
Well Groomed Franchise System announced its 19th franchise sale in Florida. Its approach incorporates pet wellness advocacy as each grooming appointment gathers more than 50 points of valuable wellness information. Each salon location generates hundreds of monthly wellness product recommendations and wellness-related service referrals to local pet industry partners, according … [Read more...]
NCBA guide for making culling decisions
A guide developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax will help cattle producers with the often difficult decision to cull cows and bulls. Not all of these animals must end up as ground beef if producers understand how to optimize the value of cows that don’t bear calves through better welfare management practices. About 20% of the total revenue of a cow … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health announces FDA approval of SAFE-GUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in backyard chicken flocks
Complimentary Commercial Content The approval of SAFE-GUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in backyard chicken flocks makes it the only FDA-approved chicken dewormer designed for home use. The product will be available in a 3 mL presentation at fleet and dealer retail outlets beginning in January 2025. Source: Merck Animal Health, November 13, 2024. … [Read more...]
Pet owners seek playthings that stimulate pets’ mental well-being
Commercial Content Rachel Shubin shares a selection of toys and devices that meet a growing interest from pet parents. Not the standard stuffed animal, these durable, long-lasting toys are designed to be interactive and provide enrichment. They are purported to challenge and satisfy dogs’ instincts. The article here details several of these playthings and may help animal … [Read more...]
3 major concerns for pet stores in 2025
Changing leadership in big box retailers, blurred lines in the points of sale and services and post-election hangover potentially weakening consumer confidence top Mark Kalaygian’s major concerns for brick-and-mortar pet retailers in 2025. Source: Pet Business, November 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Women are experiencing a mental health crisis. What that means for employers.
Beyond the day-to-day personal and interpersonal stressors, several macro issues are at play and impacting everyone’s mental health, including social, political, economic and technological stressors. Kathryn Mayer says women are coping with all those issues and they are also being exposed to a series of other stressors more prevalent for women. Source: SHRM, October 8, 2024. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 7, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 31, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 31st AHD Bulletin – First case of H5N1 in swine found in Oregon backyard farm. Link. Infection control, prevention and biosecurity. Is your plan current? Link. Bringing value. Link. ===================================== Cloned ferret gives … [Read more...]