Scott Weese, DVM, shares thoughts on Colorado cats diagnosed with avian flu. He advises a focus on infection control, against symptom biases and acknowledges the need for increased surveillance. The risk posed by cats to people and other animals is completely unclear at this time.” Source: Worms and Germs, August 11, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted Weese didn’t mention … [Read more...]
The most expensive pets to own; annual and lifetime costs ranked
Insuranceopedia analyzed online sources and conducted independent research from large pet stores to compare the average costs for food, bedding, toys etc. for each animal segment and calculated an estimated annual cost for each. The cost graphic in the article is revealing, including: Parrots are the most expensive pets to own, largely due to their long lifespan … [Read more...]
SuperZoo preview
Flipping through Pet Business’ SUPERZOO preview gives animal health pros a look at consumer-facing marketing and product trends. Taking place in Las Vegas August 13th through 16th, the convention is where the retail pet industry comes together to discover the latest products, trends and innovations, along with well-rounded education sessions. Source: Pet Business, Link. … [Read more...]
Iowa State researchers find possible way dairy cattle are infected with HPAI
A study published this month by a team in ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine found that bovine mammary gland tissue held receptors for the avian influenza virus. This offers a potential “why” connection for how cattle are being infected with the virus, which is found in raw milk. Source: AgriMarketing, July 19, 2024. Link. Also see: Current H5N1 situation in dairy … [Read more...]
Avian flu updates
Staying abreast of the latest on high-path avian flu is time-consuming and often confusing. Multiple media sources share information along a rapidly progressing timeline of discovery, opinions and responses. We aggregated some of the more recent updates at these links. Sources: Detections of HPAI in livestock, USDA, July 9, 2024. Link. The most current information and … [Read more...]
Audubon’s 2024 Audubon Photography Awards
Animal health pros always enjoy great photos and video of the wildlife world around us. Audubon’s annual contest features stunning work from professionals, amateurs and young people that highlights the beauty of birds and the joy of capturing them through photographs and videos. Mathew Malwitz won the grand prize for his photo of Blackburnian Warblers, shared in this … [Read more...]
June heat wave enveloping the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
A hot day or two is normal, but the National Weather Service says a near-record strong heat dome will bring record-breaking high temperatures and sultry, uncomfortable nights during the next two weeks. The inherent risks to people are no surprise especially when temperatures remain high during the night. For animal health pros, reminding animal owners to keep their animals … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 13, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 6, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the June 6th AHD Bulletin – Attitude, value, and talent. Link. What stool color could say about a dog’s health. Link. Do hay preservatives matter to horses? Link. ===================================== Summer hours. A way for small business owners to boost … [Read more...]
Keeping cats safe from bird flu
Ann Hohenhaus DVM, DACVIM, says the high-path Asian influenza strain H5N1 is particularly virulent in cats and appears to have a high mortality rate. The solution to the feline bird flu problem is simple: keep your cat indoors away, from birds, cows and un-pasteurized milk.” Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, June 12, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 6, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 30, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 30th AHD Bulletin – Glyphosate in dog food. Link. Microbial metabolites in feline anal glands aid cat communication. Link. Veterinary team advocacy helps pet owners choose pet insurance (2). Link. ===================================== She’s the … [Read more...]
Are pet dogs and cats the weak link in bird flu surveillance?
Some epidemiologists, food safety experts and veterinarians worry that pets could provide a potential springboard for H5N1 bird flu to evolve into a human threat. They are warning pet owners against feeding their animals raw food. Source: Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2024. Link. When researchers talk about their biggest bird flu fears, one that typically comes up involves and … [Read more...]
Breeding ratios for chickens and ducks
Now that Easter chicks and ducklings are growing up, backyard poultry keepers need to know how many roosters or drakes to keep for their flocks to thrive. Doug Ottinger shares the most effective ratios in this article: For chickens use 1 to 2 roosters per 10 hens For ducks use 1 drake per 5 hens Source: Backyard Poultry, May 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Is H5N1 a threat to U.S. swine herds?
Influenza is constantly changing, shared Amy Baker, DVM, PhD, in a recent webinar for swine producers. Influenza from a native waterfowl host has the potential to infect swine. Those same viruses can also interact with humans and poultry. Baker emphasized awareness, precautions and surveillance. Several species, including pigs, birds, wild mammals and humans, have the … [Read more...]
New York City birds found carrying H5N1
Discovering a few wild birds carrying highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza highlights that the interface between animals and humans that may give rise to zoonotic infections or even pandemics is not limited to rural environments and commercial poultry operations. It extends into urban centers, according to the American Society of Microbiology. Source: Infectious Disease … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 25, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 18, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the April 18th AHD Bulletin – NAAVR launched to elevate, support veterinary client service pros. Link. Solitude. Link. Top beef cow counties in the U.S. Link. ===================================== Scientists say animal consciousness needs a … [Read more...]
Dangers in the coop (for humans)
Asian flu was a concern when this article was written in 2021. Janet Garman shares things about which human caretakers should be aware. In addition to possible respiratory risks, she names Salmonella sp., Campylobacteria, E. coli and avian flu. All people who handle birds, coops, and equipment are at risk . . . hand washing is still the best defense.” Source: Backyard … [Read more...]
H5N1 adapting, not stopping
Since the avian flu arrived in 2020, more than 90 million birds have been culled in the U.S. Unlike other avian flu viruses, H5N1 has infected a wide variety of birds and mammals, including seals, skunks, dolphins, polar bears and dairy cows. The virus continues to evolve and scientists are especially worried about pigs because they’re susceptible to human and avian flu … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 11, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 4, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the April 4th AHD Bulletin – Let’s stop calling them soft skills. They’re interpersonal skills. Leadership skills. Link. Finding joy. Link. The role of vehicle movement in swine disease transmission. Link. ===================================== Smells … [Read more...]
Buckle down on biosecurity: HPAI, BIAV
Mindy Ward’s title says it all, “Buckle down on biosecurity!” We’ve assembled a group of articles referencing emerging HPAI infections in non-bird species. Most notable is AABP’s renaming of the emerging cattle disease as Bovine Influenza A Virus versus HPAI followed by assertions to keep pets away from birds. There’s significant media coverage but, as we’ve learned before, … [Read more...]
Second case of avian influenza identified in a person in the U.S.
A person is being treated for bird flu following contact with dairy cows presumed to be infected with the virus in Texas. The article shares updates on avian flu detections across the U.S. Source: Agricultural Dive, April 1, 2024. Link. Also see: Human H5N1 likely linked to cattle, Worms and Germs, April 1, 2024. Link. A lot of attention is warranted, says Scott Weese, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 28, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 21, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the March 21st AHD Bulletin – AAFP updates position statements on the responsible breeding and indoor/outdoor lifestyle of cats. Link. Silent communication. Link. No excuses to skip prevention with cash cattle markets nearing historic highs. Link. … [Read more...]
A closer look into cryptococcal fungal infections in pets
Cryptococcal fungi are most naturally found in warm and humid environments, particularly where soil, decaying organic material, such as wood, leaf litter, compost and bird droppings are present. Dogs and cats can develop serious, even life-threatening, cryptococcal infections when they inhale the spores of the fungi, writes Sara Lawhon, DVM, PhD, DACVM. Infections are more … [Read more...]
New pet products earn top honors at Global Pet Expo
Global Pet Expo’s Best in Show awards were awarded across 13 product categories, including aquatic, bird, boutique, cat, dog, dog food/treats, natural, reptile, small animal, pet sustainability, pet tech innovation, point of purchase and the modern pet. Source: Pet Product News, March 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Urban greening boosts rodent population and zoonotic disease risk
Commentary We have shared posts about the intersection of wildlife and our domestic animals <Link>. The risks are worth more attention and specifically, pet owner education. Margaret Davis shares the zoonotic drawbacks created by urban greening initiatives that beautify cities, support biodiversity and purify air by creating habitats for diverse flora and … [Read more...]
The great American llama (and ostrich and emu) collapse
Where have all the emus gone? We have about a quarter as many as we did two decades ago. Llama and ostriches plunged even more precipitously. Classic farm animals are doing fine. Unconventional animals aren't. The analysis by Andrew Van Dam shows population maps, charts and the often shaky economics of these unconventional animal markets. Source: The Washington Post, … [Read more...]
Spring cleaning? Beware the toxic risks.
With warmer temperatures and increased daylight, homeowners get busy cleaning windows, washing decks, treating yards . . . generally freshening up their homes and yards. Those with pets need to be reminded many cleaning products contain chemicals that, in large enough amounts, can be toxic to humans and animals. Veterinary toxicologists share what and how much can be … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 7, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 29, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the February 29th AHD Bulletin – Tax benefits of hiring your children, plus IRS rules to follow. Link. Are veterinarians obligated to discuss pet insurance? (podcast). Link. Managing online reviews. … [Read more...]
DNA reveals chicken is likely closest living relative to Tyrannus rex
Say what? Maurice Pitesky, DVM, MPVM, Dipl ACVPM, shares the history of the humble chicken. Grab a couple of these facts to share with kids when the Easter chicks begin showing up. Source: Chicken Whisperer, March 2, 2024. Link. Chickens evolved from red junglefowl 3-4 million years ago. Around 230 million years before that common ancestors of junglefowl include a group of … [Read more...]
Hercules, Yeager Airport’s working Border Collie
Working and service dogs come in all shapes and sizes. In this video, Hercules and his dual roles at Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, are featured. He and his handler patrol the runways and taxiways to chase wildlife away and take time to greet passengers. Enjoy! Source: MotionMasters, YouTube, April 11, 2019. Link. (2:45) … [Read more...]
Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Assistant Scribe programs launched to enhance pet care
The American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group introduces the Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Assistant Scribe online training programs. They are designed prepare learners for careers in veterinary medicine. Participants will gain insights about the care of animals as well as how to recognize signs of illness and disease in a variety of animals from common pets … [Read more...]