What bears can teach us about exercise habits Source: New York Times, April 7, 2021. Link. Like us, bears are inherently lazy. Scientists are finding out why. Their results are remarkable. The time has come to start training the pets for your return to work Source: CNN, April 11, 2021. Link. Millions of adopted pets have no sense … [Read more...]
Veterinarian: Bird lovers must guard against salmonella
Jim LaCour, DVM, shares concerns about salmonella bacterial infection that causes sporadic mortality in some wild birds. He shares how to clean and sanitize bird feeders and bird baths to help prevent birds from catching deadly salmonella. Plus, he notes it’s important to carefully dispose of deceased birds. Many of the <salmonella> deaths have been associated with bird … [Read more...]
The rise of reptiles and what it means for veterinary medicine
Mike Corcoran, DVM, DABVP, CertAqV, says the number of reptiles as pets has more than doubled since 2007. The pet trade is marketing more products to reptile owners directed at enrichment and the human-animal bond. He expects veterinarians will see reptiles more frequently as their owners seek diagnostics and treatments recommended for their pets. Source: Pet Vet Magazine, … [Read more...]
Hoo-WHOoo won the 2020 World Nature Photography Awards?
We’ve never met an animal health pro who did not appreciate nature photography. We’re sharing this post first. Enjoy! The mission of the World Nature Photography Awards is to celebrate the world’s best nature photographers while showcasing nature’s beauty to a wider audience. Source: World Nature Photography Awards. Link. In 2021, WNPA will continue to support two climate … [Read more...]
Tennessee whitetail deer had hairy eyeball
A yearling whitetail buck with hairy eyeballs was a unique part of deer harvest reporting this year in Tennessee. The buck had a disk of skin and dense hair completely covering the cornea of each eye. Microscopic examination at Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study unit determined the hairy growths were “corneal dermoids.” Source: National Deer Association, … [Read more...]
Texans rescue cold-stunned sea turtles
The extreme cold temperatures in Texas caused significant cold stunning in the Padre Island area. Volunteers and Sea Turtle Inc., staff members managed the influx of green turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles and loggerhead turtles. More than 4,000 turtles were rescued. Getting them warm was a huge undertaking. Source: Texas Monthly, February 17, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Disabled fish gets special life jacket made to help him swim
This is not another fish tale. An unfortunate goldfish was suffering from an untreatable swim bladder disorder. It left him sitting upside down at the bottom of the tank until Stacey O’Shea outfitted it with a customized life jacket so it wouldn’t sink. Source: New York Times, February 15, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Lyme disease is getting skinked
Black-legged ticks in the southeast U.S. prefer to feed on lizards, particularly skinks. Skinks don’t transmit Lyme as easily as the white-footed mice in the northeast U.S. Jean Tsao, a disease ecologist, and her team found a clear divide in ticks’ preferred hosts and behavior south of Virginia, matching the pattern of both tick infections and Lyme disease. Source: Science, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 11, 2021
Clever app encourages you call your friends Source: Fast Company, February 4, 2021. Link. . . . one of the biggest regrets among people on their deathbeds was that they hadn’t kept in touch with their friends.” Data backup 101 for veterinary practice owners – Sponsored Content Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Services, February 1, 2021. Link. Data backups are important … [Read more...]
Covid found in western lowland gorillas at San Diego Safari Park
“The discovery of Covid-19 infections in gorillas is not at all surprising,” says Scott Weese, DVM. “We have assumed gorillas (and other non-human primates) that are relatively closely related to humans would be very susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, just like we are.” Sources all point the transfer to an asymptomatic staff member who had been following safety … [Read more...]
Taking the temperature of big game
This title begs a comedic question, “How do you take the temperature of a moose?” The answer is, of course, “Very carefully!” But to Jeff Martin, PhD, and Dan Thompson, PhD, how large game responds to rising temperatures provides key insights into the future sustainability of moose and bison populations on landscapes where increased warming is a concern. Source: Drovers, … [Read more...]
Drs. Weese and Anderson continue review of Covid-19 in animals: Plus, the new variant
In a recent post < link > we shared the first six blog posts in a series from Scott Weese, DVM, and Maureen Anderson, DVM. Since then, their review of Covid-19 in animals by family has continued. They also address the new variant SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. Source: WormsandGerms Blog. COVID-19 in Animals Review. Part 7: Cattle, November 10, 2020. Link. SARS-CoV-2 in … [Read more...]
Backyard wildlife; Beware the January thaw
Commentary In some parts of the U.S., we usually have three or more days where winter temperatures moderate and we thaw out. At the same time, daylight hours are increasing. This period begins the breeding season for some wildlife species. Skunks, raccoon, foxes, bobcats and coyotes start looking for mates and food, and they’re driven by hormones and hunger. Breeding … [Read more...]
50% of dog owners believe their pets have separation anxiety
Commentary To most animal health pros, study results revealed in People will come as no surprise. If anything, the WFH months has increased visibility to issues many pets were already experiencing and now owners want to address the issues. Results from the survey found that 53 percent of dog owners overall and 60 percent of hybrid workers believe that their dogs has … [Read more...]
Animals most likely to kill you by state
This is intriguing enough to share. The study of the deadliest animal by each state was completed by the Centers for Disease Control. Dogs topped the list in Alabama and Arizona, for example. Source: The Outdoor Wear, November 20, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Other small pets, an important segment to monitor
Pet ownership beyond cats and dogs may make up a small part of the industry’s focus, but trends in small pets mirror what’s happening in the marketplace. The popularity of reptiles and amphibians within the pet trade is simply on fire right now. . . ” - John Mack. founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack Source: Petfood Industry, October 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Watch any two … [Read more...]
Drs. Weese and Anderson review Covid-19 in animals
In a series of blog posts, Scott Weese, DVM and Maureen Anderson, DVM review Covid-19 in animals by family. Industry pros are thankful for the efforts being made to help keep Covid-19 in perspective. Thank you Drs. Weese and Anderson!” Source: WormsandGerms Blog. Link. Worms & Germs Blog is an educational website coordinated by Drs. Scott Weese and Maureen Anderson of the … [Read more...]
Scott Weese, DVM, discusses mutating Covid-19 in mink
Weese and others have been forthcoming since January 2020 about the need to approach emerging diseases proactively by looking for potential problems and taking steps to control them early, rather than waiting for definitive evidence of a problem. Now with as many as five strains of Covid-19 virus identified in mink, the early warnings of viral mutation have become reality. How … [Read more...]
Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards will make you smile
The annual Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards have become a tradition at AHD. From a turtle flipping the bird to langurs on bikes, you’ll get a kick out of these. Source: The Comedy Wildlife Awards 2020. Link. The seventh Comedy Wildlife Awards competition opens March 1, 2021. INSIGHTS: Get your cameras ready for next year! … [Read more...]
Llamas, great for small farms
Llamas, members of the camelid family, are a growing choice of ruralpolitan farmers and small acreage owners due to the animals’ relatively small size compared to horses, ponies or cattle. Their unique digestive system and highly efficient use of forage means llamas require less acreage per animal. They are excellent guardian animals, but require planning and education for good … [Read more...]
Wolf success story
The gray wolf population is thriving in the lower 48 states after more than four decades on the endangered species list. The Department of the Interior announced it has removed the gray wolf from the list, signaling a successful recovery under the Endangered Species Act. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, November 3, 2020. Link. Also see: Gray wolf (Canis lupus), U.S. Fish and … [Read more...]
EHD takes half of Minnesota Zoo reindeer
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease recently caused deaths in the Minnesota Zoo’s reindeer herd. Officials say the virus that causes the disease is transmitted between deer by biting midges, or gnats, which are most active in the first frost of the fall. EHD is fatal in deer and it can also affect other hoofed mammals. Source: Fox 9, Apple Valley, MN, September 17, 2020. … [Read more...]
Clouds of mosquitoes killing livestock, deer in Louisianna
Exhausted from constant moving, bleeding under their skin and anemic from swarming mosquito bites, horses, cattle and deer across southwest Louisiana are dying from mosquito bites. The swarms are part of the aftermath of hurricane Laura. Source: Huffington Post, September 11, 2020. Link. Luckily for humans, the species of mosquitoes that are swarming don’t transmit human … [Read more...]
The latest on RHDv
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a calicivirus that affects rabbits. This includes wild and domesticated European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), from which our own domesticated rabbits are descended. Outbreaks in the southwest U.S and in New York are occurring in 2020 < link > Any sudden rabbit death is suspicious and should be reported to your veterinarian … [Read more...]
Pet safety hurricane kit checklist available (infographic)
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Hurricane Sally reached the Gulf Coast early yesterday morning. With it come risks to not only humans, but equally to pets. PetMD has provided an infographic and a helpful pet safety hurricane checklist for what to do before the storm and … [Read more...]
Rats on the rise during the pandemic?
Researchers at three universities indicate the number of people reporting rat sightings has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Citing past examples, researchers share that rat populations increase after natural catastrophes. Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 31, 2020. Link. The two most common rats found in the United States are Norway and Black rats. Both … [Read more...]
Fruits and vegetables can help rabbit diets
Susan A. Brown, DVM, shares how to integrate veggies and fruit in rabbit diets and the importance of knowing the differences between hay sources. Source: House Rabbit Society. Link. Brown includes a list of possible foods to add to a rabbit diet along with recommendations on timing and monitoring any side effects. Also see: 10 of the most popular pets in the US that … [Read more...]
As fall approaches insects, snakes get busy
September and October resemble spring when it comes to insect and snake activity. Two recent articles can help animal owners and animal health pros gain perspective and understanding, while potentially avoiding an issue. Source: How to tell a bee, wasp and hornet apart, Prevention, May 6, 2020. Link. Here’s how to tell bees, wasps, and hornets apart from their looks to … [Read more...]
Rare case of fading elk syndrome found in central Iowa
Fading elk syndrome has long been associated with wapiti-type red deer hybrids farmed in New Zealand. The authors report on a case of naturally-acquired fading elk syndrome in a herd of 34 elk (Cervus elaphus) in Ames, Iowa, at the National Animal Disease Center. Fading elk syndrome, or chronic ill-thrift of elk, is a disease associated with abomasal parasitism with Ostertagia … [Read more...]
Wildfire smoke can affect healthy lungs
Meteorologists predict the smoke from wildfires could potentially affect air quality in one-third of the western and midwestern states. A combination of high temperatures and elevated levels of particles from fires can affect even healthy lungs. For someone with lung damage or respiratory illness, moderate levels of smoke particulate can exacerbate respiratory problems, writes … [Read more...]