A Florida man discovered a tapeworm living in the vitreous chamber of his eye—the fluid behind the eye lens, between the cornea. He believed he contracted the worm, Taenia solium, commonly called a pork tapeworm, after eating undercooked pork during the holidays. T. solium passes to humans from consuming raw pork or through contact with human fecal matter. It’s likely you … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: Colorado no longer requires import entry permit for GlobalVetLINK customers
KUDOS to GlobalVetLink (GVL) and the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) – Animal Health Division for their successful collaboration to integrate record-keeping platforms to streamline paper trails and data entry for livestock entering Colorado. The integration migrates data from the GVL system directly into USAHERDS in real time. It allows for efficient and accurate … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – My MAXI/GUARD® surprise in Better Homes and Garden
During a recent visit to the grocery, I picked-up a copy of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. A one-page article featuring a Pug titled, “Happy Teeth” caught my eye. It referenced Jan Bellows, president of the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. My surprise was under the heading, “The Right Tools” in the right-hand column. Number 1 called out MAXI/GUARD® Oral Cleansing … [Read more...]
Opinion – Defining telehealth in veterinary medicine
Telehealth, says the AVMA, has emerged as a prime opportunity for veterinarians to deliver health information and care to clients via technology. Emerged? Haven’t we been doing this for years? The key here is to define and segregate actions. Telehealth is an overarching term describing the delivery of health information, education or care REMOTELY. The AVMA has created an … [Read more...]
Puppy Bowl XIV, Animal Planet on February 4 at 3 p.m. ET. (includes video)
Team Ruff vs. Team Fluff airs ahead of Super Bowl LII (6:30 pm ET) for the 14th year. This year will feature more puppies than ever – 90 players – from 48 shelters and rescues from 26 U.S. states and territories. The teams will compete for the coveted Lombarki Trophy. For the first time ever, Animal Planet will also premiere Puppy Bowl Presents: The Dog Bowl. The Dog Bowl … [Read more...]
Opinion – Dental month; long in the tooth
While February is National Pet Dental Health Month, dental health should be a daily ritual for pet owners all year long. Yeah, right! For longer than the three decades I’ve been working in animal health, we’ve promoted dental care, regular oral exams and periodic cleaning. Yet, approximately 75 percent of dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal disease. Despite … [Read more...]
Ex-racehorses are not for beginners (includes video)
Just for fun! Nick Bull’s video of his runaway experience with an ex-racehorse underscores the reality that thoroughbreds retired from racing may not make the best horse for a novice rider. Source: Horse Network, March 2017. Retired racehorses are not for everyone. While thoroughbreds are some of the most willing and loyal partners on the planet, at the core they are … [Read more...]
Opinion – Eliminating declaws adds nail challenges
First, I support eliminating declaw surgeries. I’ve been there, done that and wished I hadn’t. But, indoor cats just don’t wear down claws as easily as indoor/outdoor or outdoor-only cats. During a recent visit with a Ceva colleague, I asked about nail trimming guidance beyond the benefits of FELISCRATCH™ and dedicated scratching poles. We did a quick Google search and I was … [Read more...]
Baxter Black on farriers (video)
There are a lot of skilled people cowboy poet Baxter Black admires. He’s fairly skilled in some areas (he is a veterinarian and rancher), but he lacks in others. One talent that always alluded him was horseshoeing skills. Source: Drovers, January 15, 2018. In addition to veterinarian, rancher and poet, Baxter Black is an agricultural entertainer. For over 25 years he has … [Read more...]
The top 10 funnies of 2017
Just for fun, the DVM 360 crew reviewed its content to bring you the top cartoons and articles of this year. Source: DVM 360, January 2, 2017. We especially liked No. 3: The anatomy of a veterinary nurse. Also see: DVM360’s top 17 of 2017, January 2, 2017. See the articles that captured the attention of industry professionals across the country. INSIGHTS: Sales … [Read more...]
Sponsored: Sample water supplies properly
Water quality affects animal health from the backyard to the largest confined operation. Jesse McCoy of Neogen Corporation writes about how to properly sample a water supply. Source: National Hog Farmer, November 30, 2017. Several considerations must be taken when sampling the site. The first is the sample must be the best representation of the water coming in to the … [Read more...]
Opinion – The wisdom is in the questions
My paternal grandfather would occasionally profess, “Remember, the wisdom is in the questions, Kirk.” While this sometimes a kind way of saying I was talking too much, Ryan Holiday asserts a similar theme in his article, “12 questions that will change your life.” It is always a good time for questioning, resolutions and sound decisions. Source: Thrive Global, January 1, … [Read more...]
In celebration of lost words
Just for fun! At some point in their lexical histories, lost words’ original meanings died and have been revived into a mere semblance of their former selves. And we wonder why expatriates and newcomers have trouble assimilating. Source: JSTOR Daily, December 6, 2017. We tend to eagerly focus on the weird new expressions and linguistic innovations that enter the language … [Read more...]
Opinion – California raccoon distemper cases expose risks (includes video)
Cases of infected wildlife are not unusual. But, the human population encroachment into wildlife habitats has forced raccoons, skunks, coyotes and opossums to adapt to city living. In some areas, garbage cans, pet food dishes and potted gardens provide a more sustainable food supply than previous habitats. The result is an abundant, unbalanced critter population that inevitably … [Read more...]
The 10 different types of horse owners (includes video)
Just for fun, check out Maria Watcher’s review of different horse owners. Most animal health pros have met someone who fits these descriptions. The Know-it-All, Miss Horse Poor and Frugal Fred were most familiar to our AHD team. Source: Horse Network, December 2014. INSIGHTS: Sales reps can use the video to get a group loosened-up ahead of a presentation. … [Read more...]
You gotta see this year’s comedy wildlife photo finalists
You’ve gotta look! The 2017 finalists for The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced. And, they’re great. Take a few minutes for some fun. Source: The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, November 2017. You can see four years’ worth of fun photos. INSIGHTS: Great blog and social media ideas here. … [Read more...]
Opinion – Immune response and nutrient metabolism swine research evolving rapidly
This research information should interest to any animal health pro as whose focus is on prevention and managing disease. The immunes system has high biological priority. When pathogens are detected, the immune response becomes the animal’s energetic priority and changes how dietary nutrients and calories are utilized. Source: National Hog Farmer, October 2017. Any energy … [Read more...]
Opinion – What B2B can learn from B2C
Most animal health pros will recognize someone they’ve worked with as they consider the perspectives in this article. The best sales reps have been personalizing their messages for years to decision maker(s). Karen Olson says we can learn a lot from savvy B2C marketers. Customize your messages for your audience. Give me a reason to switch. Reward me for choosing … [Read more...]
Neglect allegations force dog blood bank closing
The Pet Blood Bank, a Cherokee, Texas, supplier of canine blood for veterinary transfusions has closed following allegations by an animal rights group that the company neglected about 150 greyhounds for which it was caring. The San Saba County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Texas Greyhound Association found no evidence of abuse or neglect. Source: Washington Post, October … [Read more...]
Opinion – Unlearn toxic masculinity
There is no doubt the Harvey Weinstein revelations have pulled discussions of sexual assault and harassment to the front of water cooler discussions. These stories emphasize the negative consequences of what some call toxic masculinity. Left without context that is presented this article, mindsets are cemented and generalizations get perpetuated. Source: The Cut, October 23, … [Read more...]
Its fall in mountain cattle country (photo essay)
With photos that look like slides from a cowboy movie, Shipping at the Basin Ranch is a modern day look at gathering and shipping cattle on the mountain ranch outside of Elk Mountain, Wyoming. The ranch is part of the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust. The group is dedicated to conserving Wyoming’s working family ranches and farms and the wide-open spaces, natural habitats and … [Read more...]
Thanks for the feedback
Thank you so much for the feedback and messages last week when we celebrated our two-year milestone and 2000 posts. It is truly a pleasure to curate from 200-plus media sources to bring animal health professionals content that is relevant and actionable. Please share AHD freely with colleagues! Receiving the kudos and positive reinforcement makes our work even more … [Read more...]
X-ray contest 2017 – winners and runners-up
Animal health pros across all segments of the market enjoy seeing the images and frequent absurdity of what animals eat. Bones, necklaces, hair bands, charms, drain plugs and foam bullets are few of the items found in this year’s contest photos and images. Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 29, 2017. The 2017 annual X-ray contest didn’t fail to deliver on the most … [Read more...]
My pet is left-pawed (includes video)
Just for fun! Like humans, many animals tend to use one side of the body more than the other. This innate handedness (or footedness) is called behavioral or motor laterality. Use this video to test your own pets. Source: The Conversation, September 24, 2017. Determining laterality – or which side of the brain dominates the other – could change the way domestic animals are … [Read more...]
Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcases best in nature photography
Take a break from puppy and kitten photos and look at what else nature offers. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition attracted nearly 50,000 entries from 92 countries. Source: The Atlantic, September 14, 2017. The Wildlife Photographer of the year competition, founded in 1965, is an annual showcase of the best in nature photography. Wildlife Photographer of the … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Fall equine wellness (includes video)
Zoetis has provided the American Quarter Horse Association with material about preparing horses for the risks of fall season. Annual spring vaccinations help offer disease protection and can activate an immune response. Now that it’s almost fall, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccination guidelines recommend at-risk horses be vaccinated for equine … [Read more...]
Riding Japan’s Cat Café train
The Japanese have made stationery cat cafes popular and successful. Now a collaboration has the put the concept on the move via a train. The main difference is the train was full of rescue kittens rather than sedentary cats in the cafes. Read about Bill Adler’s experience and consider the possibilities. Source: Atlas Obscura, September 11, 2017. The cat train was a … [Read more...]
AAHA calls for photos
Need a break from the everyday race? Consider a photo shoot in your practice showing your team using AAHA Press products. Then submit them for consideration in the AAHA Press Catalog. Source: AAHA Red, September 8, 2017. Get creative! Ask one of your favorite reps to help you. The deadline for submissions is September 21, 2017. … [Read more...]
Opinion: Help for aging animal health pros
I offer this article on turning back time and dealing with our perceptions of aging in this industry. I found persons in their 30s eager to engage and discuss our industry at the recent CVC Kansas City. Instead of thinking “been there, done that” I found myself asking questions of these young pros to see how their todays resembled some of my yesterdays. The results were about … [Read more...]
“1” can change everything; KC Animal Health Corridor
Global Animal Health Week kicked off in the Kansas City area Friday, August 25. Supported by the commitments to the KC Animal Health Corridor, a series of events garnered record participation from around the world. Check out the “goings on” at #KCAnimalHealth Source: KC Animal Health Corridor. Events included: 1st “Women in Animal Health” panel discussion Market … [Read more...]