Fascinating! Nisar Ahmad Wani, scientific director at the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai, first cloned a camel in 2009. Now he and his team research and develop new cloning techniques and maintain cell banks to produce dozens of cloned dromedary camel calves each year. Source: CNN, March 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 2, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 23, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from February 23rd AHD Bulletin – How old is too old for dentals? Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Very few veterinarians are black in the U.S. This is what it’s like to be one. Source: HuffPost, February … [Read more...]
7 amazing facts about insects
Ants, honeybees, a 22-inch walking stick, ladybugs and more . . . Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal.” Source: Interesting facts. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider using one of these examples as a conversation starter when you need to break the ice with a new person or group. … [Read more...]
AskVet™ Launches VERA, the world’s first “Answer Engine for Animal Health”
Complimentary Commercial Content Move over Dr. Google! Search is old hat . . . VERA has answers VERA which stands for Virtual Engagement and Relationship Agent is powered by AI, ChatGPT and AskVet's database of over 1.5 million digitized conversations between veterinarians and pet parents. Developed to use natural language, the vetbot objectives are: to help pet parents … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 26, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 19, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from January 19th AHD Bulletin – Important small talk. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. MWI Animal Health’s Steve Shell clarifies announcement of AB name change Source: AmericsourceBergen MWI Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s review their top articles from 2022
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the vet and Jason Chatfield, DVM discuss five articles from 2022 in this episode of Chat’s with the Chatfields. American Foulbrood bee vaccine. Link. Fascinating way to immunize the hive through feeding the queen bee. Smart bandage heals wounds 25% faster. Link. Star Trek-like technology is on its way to communicate healing … [Read more...]
Animal Health International’s online resource site for GFI 263
Complimentary Content AHI’s new online resource center seeks to help animal health professionals prepare for the upcoming OTC to Rx transition, also known as GFI 263. It contains a robust FAQ section, a condensed timeline of the history of FDA action on antimicrobial resistance, a list of manufacturer products designated for prescription labeling and more. Source: Animal … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 19, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 12, 2023. Link. Most read posts from January 12th AHD Bulletin – Social media users more inclined to browse than post content. Link. Place keeper:2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ====================================== New strain of bird flu kills hundreds of snow … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 1, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – The power of questions. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 22, 2022. Link. 'Mpox' is the new name for monkeypox, the WHO says Source: LiveScience, November 28, 2022. Link. Citing scientific inaccuracy and racial stigmatism, the term monkeypox will be phased out over the upcoming year, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 17, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Horse owners’ survival guide for fall. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, November 10, 2022. Link. ================================================================= 45 days remain in 2022 Source: time and date.com, November 17, 2022. Link. 43 days remain excluding holidays but only 30 days … [Read more...]
USDA updates National Bovine Brucellosis Surveillance Plan
Brucellosis has been eradicated from domesticated cattle herds in all U.S. states. However, B. abortus is still present in wild bison and elk in the greater Yellowstone area. The updates seek to increase the ability to detect brucellosis with a high degree of confidence and avoid potential zoonoses. Source: Feedstuffs, November 11, 2022. Link. Also see: Brucellosis: … [Read more...]
Raccoons, distemper, dogs, cats and us
Commentary As winter approaches, raccoons seek to fatten up in preparation for torpor, a semi-hibernation. They group together in what is called a gaze or nursery. In 2016, John Hadidian told National Geographic, “Raccoons have adapted to urban living. They've figured out how to cope with these environments just as well or better than they used to do in the wilderness." … [Read more...]
HPAI wipes out 49 million birds in backyard and commercial flocks
Biosecurity is critical to avoid highly pathogenic avian flu outbreaks. While infected migratory waterfowl and their droppings are frequently blamed as the cause, human-mediated spread remains significant requiring continuous biosecurity vigilance. Fully committing to biosecurity is crucial to shut down HPAI in the layer industry.” In March 2022, Carol Cardona, DVM, PhD, … [Read more...]
Turtles in demand as pets, leading to a spike in poaching
Swimming in two plastic bins inside a brightly lit and sterile quarantine room at a Rhode Island zoo, 16 quarter-sized turtle hatchlings represent a growing worry for conservationist Lou Perrotti. Source: Idaho State Journal, November 9, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
30 black-footed ferrets released in Colorado
Calling it a big day for wildlife conservation, experts introduced 30 rare black-footed ferrets into a prairie dog colony on the 44,000-acre Southern Planes Preserve in Lamar, Colorado. This is the eighth group of ferrets introduced in the state. Source: Outdoors, October 21, 2022. Link. A robust prairie dog colony is crucial to the survival of black-footed ferret as prairie … [Read more...]
What hamsters can eat
Melissa Witherell, DVM, says a hamster’s diet should consist mainly of the same commercially produced pelleted rodent diet that mice and rats eat. Hamster seed diets are commercially available but should not be a hamster’s primary source of food, as it may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Source: PetMD, February 16, 2022. Link. A healthy … [Read more...]
Pet surrenders climb as pandemic conditions ease
Predictions that dogs and cats adopted during the pandemic would be returned to shelters in great numbers once the pandemic ended have not proven true. Other types of pets are not having the same luck. Advocates for smaller animals are seeing the beginning of a tide of reptiles, birds, rodents and fish being given up. Source: The New York Times, October 1, 2022. Link. Small … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 6, 2022
Last week’s most read posts - The meaning behind different dog sounds. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 29, 2022. Link. Can veterinary social workers help alleviate workplace stress? Source: Paulick Report, September 30, 2022. Link. Veterinary social work offers compassion, empathy, understanding, validation, … [Read more...]
Annual Comedy Pet Photo Awards sure to bring a chuckle
There’s no better group than animal health pros with whom to share these images. Our dedication to animal owners and the health of their animals deserves a few minutes to enjoy the images captured for this year’s Comedy Pet Photo Awards. Source: Treehugger, September 22, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 29, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Veterinarians shouldn’t do it all. Link. Dealing with plastics. 2,4,5. . .Let’s review. Link. Need to vent? Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 22, 2022. Link. ================================================== If a dog or cat smells like this, it’s time to see a veterinarian … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 22, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – September is National Pet Health Insurance Month. Link. Chewy’s autoship sales hit all-time high in Q2. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 15, 2022. Link ====================================== Bird flu now in 40 states Source: Successful Farming, September 19, 2022. Link. Threat … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 8, 2022
Last week’s most read post KCAHC #AHSummit22 exceeds expectations. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 1, 2022. Link. =================================== Leveling the parental-leave playing field Source: SHRM, June 6, 2022. Link. The lack of paternal leave-taking not only affects the well-being of new parents and … [Read more...]
Ferrets provide rodent control in horse barns
Jagger and Slim Jim provide an unconventional form of rodent control at Amira Chichakly’s Saratoga barn. Source: Paulick Report, August 29, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
USDA scattering rabies vaccines for wildlife in 13 states
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn’t been found or isn’t widespread.” - Jordona Kirby. Source: Associated Press, August 26, 2022. … [Read more...]
Reasons for optimism in the animal health market
Based on recent industry figures, things are looking up for the animal health market, says Graham Garrison, who shares industry figures and estimates that bolster confidence in the pet care segment. <factors contributing to U.S. pet industry growth> include a heightened focus on pet health and wellness among pet owners in closer contact with their pets, a ramped-up … [Read more...]
Customer education is an important competitive differentiator
Commentary We routinely see articles promoting BtoC engagement and education in the retail sector. Veterinary teams can benefit from similar activities and from engaging those who are actively educating pet owners. Working with active influencers can help promote the importance of regular veterinary care and improve education efforts by those advocates engaging animal owners … [Read more...]
Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023.
The clock is ticking. Start now to educate producers ahead of this important transition to livestock antibiotics being available by prescription-only status. The new rule covers injectable tylosin, injectable and intramammary penicillin, injectable and oral tetracycline, sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine, and cephapirin and cephapirin benzathine intramammary tubes. Also, … [Read more...]
Anthrax confirmed in Colorado
The Colorado State Veterinarian's office has confirmed the first cases of anthrax in cattle in Colorado since 2012. The herds were located in Sedgwick County in the northeast corner of the state. Anthrax can occur naturally in Colorado's soil. Bacterial spores can lie dormant in the ground for decades and can emerge in greater concentrations after rainstorms, flooding or … [Read more...]
Reptile- and feeder rodent-associated Salmonellosis: Alberta
Reptile contact is a very well-known risk factor for acquiring Salmonella, especially in kids. Scott Weese, DVM, shares the challenges of feeder rodent-associated Salmonella sp. outbreaks as a reminder for reptile owners and handlers. Weese shares some important basic preventive measures when it comes to Salmonella sp. including: Feeder rodents should be handled like … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 14, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – four posts qualify as most read in the June 30thAHD Bulletin Guide to medical professionals who specialize in caring for pets. Link. The complaint department. Link. Pet food inflation hits new high, with many reasons why. Link. Grass-fed versus grain-fed ground beef. Does it matter? Link. Previous AHD Bulletin - Animal … [Read more...]