Opinion Stocker operators and feedlots want matched sets of calves that are weaned, castrated, dehorned, familiar with water and feed sources and immunocompetent. Calves born now will be weaned in seven months, but could be weaned much earlier <Link>. Therefore, the colostrum intake first 48 hours after calving could be considered the first step to having … [Read more...]
Beware of nursing calf BRD
Complimentary Sponsored Content* Outbreaks of nursing calf BRD, also called summer pneumonia, do occur, writes Brent Meyer DVM, MS. He shares a list of factors that can lead to BRD in nursing calves. Most all are well known and routinely covered in the media. Yet, producers still have deaf ears and often maintain elevated expectations of dams’ natural abilities. Note the … [Read more...]
Don’t cut corners. Those first 48 hours are critical.
Includes Commercial Content Do we need to hear it and share it again and again? Yes Redundant? Yes. Same message over and over? Yes. Different for dairies versus beef? NO Can we cut corners in the first 48 hours after a calf is born? NO Invest in maintaining normal digestive health and a healthy immune system from day one by developing proper protocols to help … [Read more...]
Better cat care, includes inside-outside cat perspectives
Includes Commercial Content The Chatfields visit with Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP (Feline), about benefits and risks of indoor-only versus outdoor-access cat care and stewardship. The discussion challenges the indoor-only advocacy now prevalent in the U.S. . . . indoor only cat behavior resembles human cabin fever. . . “ Source: Chats with the Chatfields, You Tube, February … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club awards veterinary medicine’s brightest minds
The Bridge Club honored the profession’s Brightest Minds during the 2022 WVC Convention in Las Vegas, recently. More than 20,000 veterinary professionals nominated and voted on the industry’s brightest minds in three categories. The winners and respective categories were: Game changer: 1 Life Connected, Kimberly Pope-Robinson, DVM, CCFP, pictured Paradigm shifter: … [Read more...]
Dealing with the top 5 deadliest bugs in veterinary practices
Sponsored Content Animal health pros routinely deal with zoonotic diseases and risks. New cheat sheets that break down the best practices for preventing the transmission of these pathogens were developed by Virox in collaboration with Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. Source: Virox® Technologies Inc., February 14, 2022. Link. Cheat sheets are available … [Read more...]
2022 CAPC annual pet parasite forecast
Confirming many concerns about disease discovery in new areas, CAPC says ticks and mosquitoes remain the principal transmitters of pet and human vector-borne diseases. The 2022 CAPC forecast warns that vector-borne diseases will all pose higher-than-average risks across much of the country this year. CAPC’s 30-day Pet Parasite Forecast Maps complement the annual forecast and … [Read more...]
CVPM turns 30
This year, the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager program marks 30 years of credentialing the knowledge and experience of veterinary management professionals. Congratulations to the original visionaries, the VHMA and all those who went the extra mile to advance the business side of veterinary medicine. In the three decades since this program was created, the CVPM credential … [Read more...]
Whip your PiMS inventory into shape
Join Nicole Clausen with VetLogic for a FREE 3-part workshop series. The training is for veterinary professionals who want to understand more about keeping their practice management system accurate and functional to keep better track of clinic inventories. The training will take place in the Veterinary Inventory Management Facebook group. For those not on Facebook, you can … [Read more...]
Parents spending more time with children than their parents did with them
Opinion More than 60 percent of today’s parents spend more time with their children than their parents did with them, according to a OnePoll survey. Society has been asking for better parent involvement for decades. Is your business modeled to support today’s parents? . . . 74 percent of parents polled think it is more challenging to raise a child than when they grew up … [Read more...]
Alert! Highly pathogenic avian influenza now identified in 13 states and counting
Opinion It can be hard to know how to react to disease incidence reports. Animal health pros tendency to to ignore reports until we see a disease is a concern, yet HPAI continues to show up in poultry and non-poultry birds. The next HPAI incident may literally fly over your location today . . . the time to ACT* is NOW!” – Kirk Augustine In Maine, a new case reported was … [Read more...]
The evolution of computer speech
Sponsored Content Talkatoo, an AHD sponsor, recently shared an informative short video about speech recognition, software evolution and the continuous improvements in technology. Source: LinkedIn, February 8, 2022. Link. Talkatoo uses speech-to-text software to type out what you say in full and complete sentences with spelling and grammar corrections also being … [Read more...]
Anti-mink farming bill should concern poultry, confined animal production industry
OPINION It’s easy to forget about mink production, especially if you live in a region where mink have never been raised, writes Roy Graber. The fact that a provision that would outlaw commercial mink farms in the U.S. made it into a larger legislative bill should be concerning to anyone involved in animal agriculture, he says. Animal agriculture has been under intense … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 10, 2022
Last week’s most read post Catching up or just back to normal? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, February 3, 2022. Link. =========================== It’s coyote mating season, and in my neighborhood that means trouble Source: Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2022. Link. The reign of terror in my Northridge neighborhood … [Read more...]
Breeding pint-sized Herefords
We thought this was a fun and interesting departure from most cattle articles we reference. Cow size is often a subject cattlemen discuss. Size is important in mini-Hereford breeding, as well. The origin of the miniature Hereford is the original English Hereford, which is a horned breed. Bred to hold the size to about two-thirds of traditional Hereford stock, the minis could … [Read more...]
Chatfields chat about itchy pets
Complimentary Sponsored Content We’re reposting this episode. Highly viewed in early December 2021, it is timely as winter days lengthen ahead of spring. Dr. Jen the Vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined in the Chat Room by Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, to discuss common reasons pets itch. Skin issues are always in the top 10 reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. Note … [Read more...]
Catching up or just back to normal?
Opinion The recent Vetwatch™ Commentary provides consistent data to help assess the scope, velocity and significance of developments in the veterinary care sector across the United States. Following more current trends, the national 3-week rolling average for practice revenue growth fell to -9.1 percent. None of the nine census divisions posted positive revenue growth for … [Read more...]
All about calves
Complimentary Commercial Content In our review of this January’s Bovine Veterinarian, Rhonda Brooks shares calf content was 60 percent of the top-read content. This parallels our experiences with AHD content. For the first time, we’re not cherry picking specific articles but providing the link to the full online issue. We continue to see new developments of optimizing … [Read more...]
APHIS reports more wild birds with avian flu
Following our January 18 post <Link>, APHIS confirmed two additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild migratory birds in the coastal Southeast. High path bird flu can spread rapidly and wipe out a flock so poultry raisers are urged to review and enhance their safeguards against the viral disease. Source: Successful Farming, January 19, 2022. … [Read more...]
Banks say consumers are in good shape. Cost of care opportunities?
Opinion, with Sponsored Content Believe it or not, top bankers say consumer spending is rebounding as we move past pandemic fears. Regardless of the bankers’ positions, veterinary teams and animal health businesses remain historically cautious when dealing with animal owners. Often criticized for prejudging pocketbooks, veterinary teams especially have opportunities every … [Read more...]
Mark Cuban’s new online pharmacy. Will one for critters be next?
Opinion The online pharmacy business has a new option presented as a vertical channel strategy to eliminate the middleman. Cuban’s company launched the online pharmacy, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug. Focusing on transparency, the pharmacy's prices reflect actual manufacturer prices, plus a 15 percent margin and a $3.00 pharmacist fee. Source: United Press International, … [Read more...]
HRB 2021 year in review infographic
Complimentary Commercial Content Harvard Business Review shares some intriguing metrics and factors affecting business and people today and looking forward. Here’s a sample: Over 200 million articles read Almost 17 million total hours on hrb.org 5 million podcast downloads Source: Harvard Business Review, January 18, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
5 scary consequences of neglecting pets’ oral care
Sponsored Commercial Content Every month and every visit to the veterinarian should include an oral care discussion about dogs and cats. The animal health industry parallels the dental months in human medicine with our own National Pet Dental Health Month in February supported by the AVMA. PetMD’s Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, DVM, PhD, reminds dog owners that poor oral hygiene … [Read more...]
Chatfields talk about CBD and pets — Episode 20
Complimentary Commercial Content So many questions. So much information. A lot of room for misunderstanding. The Chatfields visit with Cornell’s Joseph J. Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, to dig into what’s what. CBD? THC? Terpenes? WHAT?! Are all these the same? What are they? Did you know there are even different kinds of cannabidiol? Like CBDA? How much is safe for dogs? Cats? … [Read more...]
New vision for animal services focuses on community wellness, professional certifications
Thank you to guest contributor, Brent Toellner, senior director of national programs, Best Friends Animal Society Tawny Hammond, national no kill leadership advancement director with Best Friends Animal Society, believes how we treat companion animals is a direct reflection of our communities’ overall well-being. She cites studies that support consistent, compassionate, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 13, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Workplace bullying, a growing concern for HR departments. Link. To hug or not. Tools to solve the conundrum. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 6, 2022. Link. =========================== So you cried at work Source: Harvard Business Review, January 4, 2022. Link. To minimize the impact of … [Read more...]
Cow toilet is more than a passing novelty (video)
Laugh no more at toilets for cows. A prototype has been awarded the Gold Innovation Award at the 2021 EuroTier. The objective of reducing ammonia omissions is possible, say Dutch dairy producers who are experimenting with prototypes. Plus, the urine can be used later as targeted crop nutrient fortification. Pure urine is high in nitrogen and potassium. Source: … [Read more...]
Smart farming with free access stalls
Complimentary Commercial Content Food animal producers and the companies that support them continue to research and develop ways to improve animal welfare and optimize each individual animals’ production potential. Laurence Williams shares how free access stalls are deployed in sow units. Source: The Pig Site, January 7, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Reminder: February is Pet Dental Month
Opinion National Pet Dental Health Month is celebrated in February to reinforce the importance of pet dental health and as a reminder for pet owners to practice routine oral care on their pets. It is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Call it dental care or oral care, it is a critical component of healthy pet management at home, in veterinary … [Read more...]
Beef cattle: the ultimate upcyclers
Complimentary Sponsored Content As consumers continue to push for more sustainable food production, the beef industry, by way of cattle's natural ability as upcyclers, is primed to deliver. If we think about upcycling in the context of cattle, what they're doing every single day is taking mostly human inedible plants and making a higher value product [beef] with regard to … [Read more...]