Chickens in backyards are becoming more popular than ever. These backyard birds are often within city limits. Small animal hospitals and any team treating birds need to stay aware of poultry health issues, including any effects of the Veterinary Food Directive. Source: WATT Poultry Update, January 4, 2015. Avian influenza, antibiotic-free poultry production are topics of … [Read more...]
Editorial – Tough “Goliath” start to 2016 in cattle industry
Holiday storm Goliath will hurt the beef and dairy industries for months to come. An estimated 40,000 dairy cattle were lost to the storm. Beef losses will be from lost weight gains. For veterinarians and suppliers, helping customers find ways to replace lost animals will help ensure ongoing revenue from animal health products and services. Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Editorial – Most dog seatbelts aren’t safe
Recent articles and videos question the safety of pet harnesses for automobiles. The not-for-profit Center for Pet Safety found a majority of pet harnesses marketed today do not work during sudden maneuvers. Supported in part by Subaru, CPS conducted tests on 25 harness products. Of these, only four protected a pet according to its protocols. Source: The Huffington Post, … [Read more...]
Editorial – Royal Winter Fair: Number-one rated indoor horse show in North America
We learn more every day about the animal health industry as the list of publications and topics grows at Animal Health Digest. The story on horses at the Toronto, Canada, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a new discovery for me. Source: The Saddle Horse Report, December 14, 2015, page 28. (direct link unavailable) The pomp and circumstance is unlike most other events. As … [Read more...]
Editorial – 2015 AVMA study highlights the profession’s economic health
As animal health professionals, we have a responsibility to learn about and monitor the status of our veterinary profession, the foundation of animal health and zoonotic disease prevention. This article sheds hopeful light in the near term, but also presents data indicating the profession’s position is not entirely positive. Learn answers to the following questions and more in … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Set up replacement heifers for long-term success
Replacement heifers are a lifeline to a herd’s success. This article highlights how to get them started right and reviews factors for a successful replacement heifer program. Source: Beef, December 17, 2015. Producers should look for heifers that display these characteristics: 1) a mature body size that matches the ranch resource availability; 2) an ability to get bred and … [Read more...]
Editorial – Mental health risks of going meatless
I have nothing against vegetables. In fact, I consider beef, pork and venison to be superbly double-processed vegan foods. I also like a side of asparagus, green beans or broccoli to eat with them. Levity aside, the debate of where meat fits, or if it fits, in our diets is ongoing, fad-filled and loaded with misinformation. Consider the content in this article. Then decide if … [Read more...]
Editorial – Agriscience programs aren’t just for future farmers
A subscriber recommends this item. Refreshing is the apt description for this story. It features a magnet school program that high school students get to experience animals and agriscience as a part of career planning. Source: Sacramento Bee, December 20, 2015. The Veterinary Animal Science and Services magnet program at Colonial High in Orlando, Florida, is a four-year … [Read more...]
Editorial – High cell counts have consequences
60,000 or more dairy producers and industry persons subscribe to Hoard’s Dairyman. 5% of subscribers are dairymen Only 1.7% are veterinarians Nearly 80% own more than 50 cows More than 55% of subscribers are younger than 55 years old 30% of subscribers are younger than 44 years old As VFD oversight begins, veterinarians must pay careful attention to what … [Read more...]
Editorial – Parasitologist with ties to AVMA wins Nobel Prize
Stories related to me about the discovery of the avermectin class of drugs have always been interesting. The anecdotal information including an out-of-bounds golf ball is not in this article celebrating the accomplishments of William Campbell, Ph.D., and Satoshi Omura, Ph.D. Nevertheless it is wonderful to see scientists aligned with our industry achieve the honor of the Nobel … [Read more...]
Editorial – U.S. sales of antibiotics for food animals rose over six years: FDA
Ongoing commentary on antibiotic use remains a must-read for all animal health professionals. As a group, we are best positioned to defend responsible use of antibiotics in animal species. Our food production industry on the whole, is vigilant from conception to slaughter. Major food companies marketing antibiotic-free meat sources add to growing confusion. To me, this short … [Read more...]
Christmas at the Line Shack
The holidays are here. Mike Moutoux reminds us of their simplicity and the importance of acknowledgement and good will in his poem. Best wishes during this Holiday Season! Source: Western Horseman, December 2015, page 64. (direct link unavailable) Christmas at the Line Shack Mike Moutoux, Nov. 2003 ‘Twas Christmas Eve, the sun has set And dark was drawing near I was … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Manage acute founder and laminitis
Sled-runner hooves was how my grandfather drew attention to horses and ponies with founder. From an early age, it was common to see a foundered horse with severely overgrown hooves around where I grew up in Southwest Iowa. Most were backyard horses that ate grass in small lots. Occasionally, one would get into a grain bin, overeat and then founder. Seeing these animals struggle … [Read more...]
Editorial – Online shopping destroys customer engagement
Our industry works hard to build, improve and provide customer-initiated systems for ordering and replenishing products, as well as easy access to transaction records and history. As the number of Amazon-like services increase, I am increasingly concerned about how well animal health companies understand the dynamics of de-personalizing the day-to-day transactional business on … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Canine Bordetella vaccine: now easy to administer
Richard Meadows, DVM, DABVP, offers perspectives on Bordetella vaccination delivery options from the position of teaching veterinary students the practical aspects of vaccination. A sidebar reviews the four clinically important facts about Bordetella bronchiseptica. Source: Clinician's Brief, October 2015 print issue, page 26. As a veterinarian charged with teaching … [Read more...]