The latest data from the CDC and USDA shows the continued devastating effects of bird flu outbreaks across the United States. New York Times writer Apoorva Mandavilli provides a relevant and updated situation analysis in the second article shared here. Not yet a serious human threat, she shares the expanding discoveries in mammalian species, including cats both wild and … [Read more...]
Cats before rats? What makes animals a pest?
While animals do nothing but be themselves, where we believe an animal belongs is what provides context to its existence. Bethany Brookshire shares the labels we apply freely to some problem animals but not others, even though in some cases, our solutions are to eradicate them. Brookshire’s article will prompt some thought about our existence with animals and how we judge … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 23, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January, 16, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 16, 2025 AHD Bulletin Managing your own expectations. Link. Reminder: Wood sugar, birch sugar, birch bark are the same as xylitol. Link. Cost of cow-calf production significantly influenced by operation size. … [Read more...]
DVM, home flea remedies are ineffective
We were pleased to see this article and its guidance. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS, addresses home remedies and ways to reduce flea exposure, including the reason monthly flea prevention is so important. Use this article to reinforce the “whys” of flea control and prevention in clinic communications. 90 percent of the flea population in the environment exists in the form of eggs, … [Read more...]
Cleaners to avoid around pets
Holiday cleaning, followed by spring cleaning, puts pets at risk from common household cleaners. Consider this article for social media, newsletters and local community media to help pet owners avoid risks to their pets’ health. Source: Better Homes and Garden, January 9, 2025. Link. When cleaning around pets, it’s important to avoid certain cleaning agents due to their … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 16, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 9, 2025 AHD Bulletin - Water: Critical, undervalued nutrient in dairy calves. Link. Vaccination protects ratter dog from disease. Link. Lead when not in charge: leverage influence when you lack authority. Link. … [Read more...]
Bird flu may be reaching the boiling point
Scientists are increasingly worried about bird flu based on four key signals. The H5N1 virus has spread uncontrolled in animals, including cows frequently in contact with people. Additionally, detections in wastewater show the virus is leaving a wide-ranging imprint, and not just in farm animals. Some experts say they have lost faith in the government's ability to contain the … [Read more...]
Vaccination protects ratter dog from disease
Katie weighs 12-ish pounds, is four years old and is a mix of at least four breeds. She’s a tough native Texan thriving in Brooklyn, New York, ridding it of more rats than you can imagine. Her trip from Texas to the Big Apple was unremarkable, but one night at a playground, she revealed her calling – killing rats. She recently got her 364th rat kill in a year. Sarah Darby, her … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 6, 2025
Feline Pet Care Provider Certifications raise the bar, pet industry M&As on the horizon, perceived benefits of limited ingredient foods and treats, AI prompts for small business, bird flu and more . . . Source: IBPSA, January 6, 2025. Link. Note: Webinar: Comfort-driven enrichment for pet lodging facilities, January 22, 2025. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (CST) Link. … [Read more...]
Buffett’s 2003 message rings true for 2025
Commentary Our industry is growing in many directions to meet the demands of all involved but most importantly, animal owners. Warren Buffett’s direction to his management about reputation is clear and applicable to our animal health businesses as we charge into 2025. His direction from 22 years ago is needed today more than ever. Let’s be sure that everything we do in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 19, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from December 12, 2024 AHD Bulletin Are you asking the right questions? Link. Better flooring creates fewer slip-ups. Link. Bred heifers need individual care, nutrition during winter months. Link. USDA offers support to address rural veterinarian shortage. … [Read more...]
Don’t feed the wildlife
The intersection of wildlife and domestic pets gets closer to our back doors every day. The USDA recently updated its wildlife information, including signage for airports, parks and public places. Yet, the need for public education must extend beyond “don’t feed wildlife in your yard.” This coyote was photographed in a backyard a half mile from my home in Liberty, Missouri, … [Read more...]
“The tip of the iceberg.” Two cats die after drinking recalled raw milk.
Two cats have died after consuming recalled raw milk from Raw Milk Farms LLC, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated in a news release last Thursday. The two cats lived in the same household. After eating the product, they exhibited lack of appetite, fever and signs of neurological problems. Source: Los Angeles Times, December 12, 2024. Link. “I think this … [Read more...]
Cats may help spread bird flu, scientists warn
Jess Thomson shares research results that identify cats as a reservoir to infect humans with H5N1 from birds or cattle. The researchers identified several key mutations in the H5N1 sequence from infected cats that may suggest adaptation to cats is the potential to jump from cats to humans for the first time. The ability of the H5N1 virus to persist and adapt in mammalian hosts … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 12, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 5, 2024. Link. Most read posts from December 5, 2024 AHD Bulletin Mastering and winning at customer experience. Link. 10 signs a dog is depressed. Link. Face masks reduce human exposure to swine flu. Link. Microbiome-gut-brain axis; its importance in production animal agriculture. Link. … [Read more...]
USDA offers support to address rural veterinarian shortage
The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently awarded more than two dozen Veterinary Services Grants totaling $3.8 million to universities and veterinary practices working to address shortages of food animal veterinary services across the nation in underserved areas. Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Nikon announces Comedy Wildlife Winners of 2024
Milko Marchetti was crowned Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his hilarious shot of a red squirrel. See all the other incredible category winners and highly commended winners here <Link>. Source: Comedy Wildlife Awards, December 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 9, 2024
Pug wins National Dog Show, impact of kennel materials on behavior, Gen Z stressing managers enough to quit, pet owners driving natural products, sticks and stone can spell injury and more . . . Source: IBPSA, December 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 5, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 27, 2024. Link. November 2024 AHD post archives. Link. ==================================== Less meat, better health? No so fast. Source: Drovers, November 18, 2024. Link. Nevil Speer asserts it’s clear that solving our weight and/or diabetes issues is far more complicated than simply eliminating … [Read more...]
Feline Heartworm Guidelines updated by the AHS
Driven by the underdiagnosis and undermanagement of heartworm disease in cats, the American Heartworm Society outlined four main reasons for recommending routine heartworm screening in cats: aiding diagnosis in symptomatic cats monitoring heartworm-positive cases establishing baselines before preventive treatment assessing heartworm risk in specific … [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...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 3, 2024
Colorado considering a new rule to require rabies vaccination for imported pets, NYC Council passes bill to prohibit sale of dogs, cats from unlicensed locations including backyard breeders, avoiding charity scams, selling pet play time and more . . . Note the members-only opportunities available in December. Source: IBPSA, December 3, 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...]
Chicken feather and skin development
The development of the feathers and the feather follicles is extremely involved and a complex part of the bird, writes Doug Ottinger. Animal health pros may find his article worth reading if feather development is not a familiar topic. The feather is a complex epidermal organ.” Source: Backyard Poultry, October 5, 2022. Link. The follicles, feathers, and skin of the chicken, … [Read more...]
Identifying allergic reactions in dogs
Holidays bring risks of allergic reactions in dogs. Whether environmental, dietary, from new chemicals, a new product or accidental ingestion of a guest’s medications, knowing the signs of an allergic reaction is important. Kate Basedow, LVT, discusses allergic reactions from mild to severe in this article. Consider it for newsletters, holiday communications and social media … [Read more...]
Bottom line versus best practices. A delicate balancing act.
The business–care paradox is an emotional drain in veterinary medicine. This is not a phenomenon but rather a situational, everyday challenge veterinary teams experience daily. The current economic conditions exacerbate this long-standing challenge. Zenithson Ng, DVM, MS, DABVP, shares a study overview that explores how practices can successfully balance the financial realities … [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...]
The nonprofit veterinarian shortage: Who will care for the pets most in need?
Statewide studies suggest that shelters and nonprofit clinics have been especially hard hit by the veterinary workforce shortage. A study sought to determine the effect of this shortage on veterinary care provided at two types of public practice: veterinary care for cats and dogs housed temporarily in animal sheltering organizations veterinary clinics aimed at … [Read more...]
A dairy like you’ve never seen
The calves eat first at Humpback Dairy in southern Missouri. That’s because their mothers only produce milk when their calves are present. They’re part of a herd of 200 dromedary camels that produce milk for 650 markets across the country. Source: Rural Missouri, October 21, 2024. Link. Three years ago, Sam and his family built an FDA-approved and licensed processing, … [Read more...]
Neuroscientists explain why wet dogs shake themselves dry
The hairy skin of mammals is packed with more than 12 types of sensory neurons, each with a unique function to detect and interpret various sensations. Researchers studying a type of ultra-sensitive touch-detecting receptors that wrap around hair follicles (C-fibre low-threshold mechanoreceptors), or C-LTMRs, explain how signals from C-LTMRs travel through the nervous system to … [Read more...]