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...]
Please stop flushing live goldfish down the toilet
Here’s an example where consumer education is needed. Goldfish finding their way into bodies of freshwater, accidentally or on purpose, is no new phenomenon. These fish are not native to North America but come from eastern Asia and have no natural predators here to curb their growth. Goldfish and lots of other things should never be flushed into the sewer systems. Source: … [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...]
A guide to fall and winter chicken care
Raising chickens in winter has its challenges and with an avian flu surge predicted, preparing flocks for the colder months now is good common sense. The author offers six tips for fall flock preparation to help chickens enter the winter season in good health. Source: Backyard Poultry, September 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media and … [Read more...]
Protect poultry from bird flu
Bird flu circulates among wild birds worldwide. When domestic birds encounter the virus that causes bird flu, it can cause mild symptoms. Some strains, referred to as highly pathogenic avian influenza, can cause severe symptoms and death. Since last January, HPAI has been detected in nearly every U.S. state. Source: University of Florida Extension, September 23, 2022. Link. … [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...]
Fall migration signals increased risk for avian flu outbreaks
Arriving earlier than experts predicted, Avian flu has been detected in two commercial turkey flocks in western Minnesota and a hobby flock in Indiana. HPAI is here and biosecurity is the first line of defense to protect domestic birds.” – Shauna Voss, DVM. Spread of the disease is largely blamed on the droppings of wild birds, such as ducks and geese, which often show no … [Read more...]
Why ducks don’t freeze their feet
Kenny Coogan explains the countercurrent adaptation that keeps birds’ feet from freezing in ice cold water, standing on the ice and even standing in very hot water without damage. Source: Backyard Poultry, October 26, 2021. Link. Countercurrent heat exchange systems enable many species of birds to keep their feet submerged in icy cold water or the ability to stand on ice for … [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...]
Zombie deer infections creeping into upper Midwest
Strange-acting deer are being seen in the upper Midwest. Their zombie-like behavior is not CWD, rather it is epizootic hemorrhagic disease. EHD is common in the southeastern part of the U.S. but new in the upper Midwest. Biting flies known as midges, or more commonly called no-see-ums, carry the virus that causes EHD. When insects bite a host, such as a deer, they transmit … [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...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 29, 2022
Benefits and care in pet condos, pet inflation 2022 over 2021, marketing plus ecommerce in the pet market, monkey pox, business scams and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 29, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
September is National Preparedness Month
To help get ready for National Preparedness Month, The American Veterinary Medical Foundation created a downloadable guide to disaster preparedness, Saving the Whole Family. No one is immune from a natural or man-made disaster. Planning and preparation are critical to ensure the well-being of you, your family and your animals. Source: American Veterinary Medical … [Read more...]
KCAHC #AHSummit22 exceeds expectations
Kudos to the KCAHC team; Corridor committee; Spencer Breithaupt, Chairman; panel participants; speakers and presenting companies. Congratulations to: Scott Campbell, DVM, who was awarded KCAHC Iron Paw <Link> Vidium Animal Health for being selected as the 2022 Innovation Award recipient for @vidiumah which provides veterinarians and pet owners more tools to manage … [Read more...]
Outdoor cats’ hunting instincts may increase risk of Tularemia
Russ Daly, DVM, MS, DACVPM, shares how the hunting and maternal instincts of outdoor cats could increase the risk of Francisella tularensis, the bacteria that causes Tularemia. Rabbits and rodents can be infected with the bacteria, as can ticks. He shares the symptoms and advocates for tick prevention, careful handling of cats appearing ill and increasing risk awareness of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 18, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – 10 years and counting elevating care for cats. Link. Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023. Link. Changes coming to compounded animal health medication. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 11, 2022. Link. =================================== Dog … [Read more...]
Preventing parasites from peaking this fall
Complimentary Sponsored Content Videos made by industry partners allow for a fresh approach to seemingly age-old discussions.” – Kirk Augustine Fall deworming can setup cattle for a healthier, more productive winter. Boehringer Ingelheim Cattle Health shares three tips for creating a successful, cost-effective program in an informative and easy to share You Tube … [Read more...]
Pit viper envenomation in a dog
A venomous bite is called an envenomation. Venomous snakes found in the U.S. include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins and coral snakes. Each year, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S., and about five of those people die <Link>. According to the Morris Animal Foundation, approximately 150,000 dogs and cats in … [Read more...]
10 veterinary trends worthy of attention
Bob Lester, DVM, shares trends in the veterinary profession he is watching. He outlines 10 of the galvanizing issues facing veterinary medicine: The workforce shortage The rise of the connected pet Regulatory The bond Veterinary education Consolidation Work-Life Segmentation Preventive care Team health care delivery Source: Today’s Veterinary … [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...]
Changes coming to compounded animal health medication
Complimentary Content Thank you, Nicole Clausen, Veterinary Care Logistics, for bringing this to our attention. FDA's Guidance for Industry (GFI 256) will affect how you order and prescribe compounded medications, according to Wedgewood Pharmacy. We noted these statements in its document: Veterinarians are responsible for understanding all applicable state regulations … [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...]
Tips for traveling with chickens
It is fair season and chicken owners will be traveling with their chickens. Mia McGregor offers tips on housing, maintaining a comfortable environment, health check-ups, keeping things familiar and likely behavior changes. Source: Hobby Farms, July 27, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article in social media posts, newsletters and targeted emails to chicken … [Read more...]
Caring for the outdoor cat
Caring for an outdoor cat may be an oxymoron if considering lifespans. Indoor cats outlive outdoor cats by as much as 10 years. The author shares some proactive measures to help keep cats safe while they’re away from home including microchipping, vaccination and parasite prevention. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Before opening the door to feline freedom, consider investing … [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...]
Potentially deadly bacteria been found in U.S. soil and water for the first time
Note: This piece is important considering how frequently potential non-human disease hosts are transferred across the world in shipping containers, hay and grain, between shelters, in a variety of animal trailers and on migratory species. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked healthcare workers to look for symptoms of melioidosis in patients. Melioidosis … [Read more...]