The 2021 Wildlife Photo Awards announced its finalists last week and they’re worth seeing. Judges narrowed selections down to 42 finalists out of 7,000 entries from around the world. The winners will be announced October 22. Source: CNN, September 2, 2021. Link. Source: The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Link. … [Read more...]
Wild cockatoos make utensils out of tree branches to open fruit pits
In the Indonesian islands, Goffin’s cockatoos are the only known species to eat sea mangos, a small, tropical fruit toxic to humans. Some wild cockatoos whittle tree branches into utensils they use to open and dig into the seed-laden pits, or stones, of tropical fruit. Source: New Scientist, August 31, 2021. Link. Researchers believe this is the first known … [Read more...]
Migration Alert: high intensity bird migration in progress
Large numbers of birds are migrating over the central U.S. Some nights have more migratory birds passing through than others. To protect migratory birds, turn off all unnecessary lighting between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The strong yellow and pink in the map illustrates high intensity. Source: BirdCast, September 1, 2021. Link. Bird migration forecasts show predicted … [Read more...]
Drug-resistant hookworms spreading in dogs, parasitologists warn
Veterinary parasitologists warn that multidrug-resistant hookworms are spreading in the U.S. and veterinarians should watch for persistent infections. Antoinette Marsh, PhD, cited study results that indicate dogs with suspected or confirmed drug-resistant hookworms are becoming widespread in the Southeast, and they have been documented in the Northeast and California. She said … [Read more...]
Winners of the 2021-2022 Retailer of the Year awards
Pet Product News editors selected one standout store as its Retailer of the Year: Animal Connection in Charlottesville, Virginia. The pet supply store won the 2019-2020 Marketing Award and managed to top itself this year, snagging the top honor for PPN’s 2021-2022 awards. The list of award categories reveals the efforts and complexities of the pet retail … [Read more...]
New report: pet caregivers anticipate their largest expenses in the next 12 months
Most pet owners anticipate necessities like food and healthcare will rule their budgets next year, according to a recent report. Results show 84 percent of dog and cat owners expect to spend the most on food. Most pet parents will spend that on standard dry or wet food, with 80 percent confirming this is what they already feed their pets. 17 percent said that they cook for … [Read more...]
“Other” pet market growing
In the wake of Covid-19, according to a new Packaged Facts report on Fish, Small Mammal, Herptile and Bird Products, 12.2 percent of all U.S. households own one or more type of pet other than dogs and cats, up from 10.8 percent five years ago. This was one of the pet population reset trends Packaged Facts’ David Sprinkle discussed during the Veterinary Innovation Summit + … [Read more...]
35 pet companies on Inc.’s list of fastest growing businesses in the U.S.
Pet companies that hit the coveted 2021 Inc. 5000 list of private companies included Wag N’ Wash Natural Pet Food & Grooming, H&C Animal Health, Pet Releaf, Nature’s Logic and Carnivore Meat Co. Source: Pet Product News, August 25, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Thoughts from the Veterinary Innovation Summit + NAVC Media eCommerce Summit
Opinion Among myriad thoughts captured during the Veterinary Innovation Summit, these present the most opportunity and challenges for veterinary teams in the next three to five years. Some are trends we see routinely as we curate content, but others are coming faster than previously perceived: Pet caregivers will drive how they wish to interact with veterinary clinics . … [Read more...]
Intercept the annual rodent migration
START NOW to reduce the annual fall movement of rodents indoors. As the weather cools, rodents migrate to livestock and poultry houses seeking warmer conditions and food sources. The same migrations occur in cities, suburbs, ruralpolitan acreages, farms and ranches. Jim Eadie shares ways to get ahead of the migration using bait stations. He says early placement is vital … [Read more...]
Ticks hide everywhere!
Need we say more? Source: I Love Veterinary Medicine, Facebook, August 7, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
40 percent of U.S. wild deer have coronavirus antibodies: study
Scientists have found that 40 percent of wild deer in parts of the U.S. had neutralizing antibodies for the coronavirus, suggesting Covid-19 spread from humans in what is reportedly the first documentation of widespread exposure to the virus in free-roaming animals. Source: Washington Times, August 4, 2021. Link. This is not just an occasional one-off infection. This is … [Read more...]
Feed bait contraceptive may help reduce feral hog reproduction
A new hog contraceptive is being used to manage the feral hog population in Texas. The strategy is to provide an all-natural feed bait that is made of ingredients fed to cattle and deer but combined in such a way that it makes feral boars sterile. The non-toxic formula reduces the fertility of feral hogs within five days and maintains fertility interruption for at least 30 … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 4, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – we have another tie Modeling fierce self-compassion. Link. Lincoln Memorial University pilots new advanced degree option for veterinary professionals. Link. Baby boomers can’t stop looking at their phones Source: Vice, August 3, 2021. Link. While stereotypes paint millennials and Gen Z-ers as phone and social media-obsessed … [Read more...]
Pointers for pinkeye
Commercial Content Moraxella bovis is a commensal organism of the bovine eye meaning that it can be found on the eyes and periocular tissues of healthy animals nearly all the time, writes Tim Parks, DVM, and Lowell T. Midla, VMD, MS. The veterinarians explain Moraxella bovis generally does not cause infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, unless there … [Read more...]
New from Chats with the Chatfields
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Chatfield veterinarian twins have been busy. We’re sharing recent podcasts here: What happens in vet school? Link. Veronica List, a first-year vet student, is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill aspiring veterinarian though! Veronica will be featured in "V's View from Vet School," a recurring segment to share all there is going on … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 29, 2021
Last week’s most read post 5 ways your workplace isn’t accommodating to fat people Source: Animal Health Digest, July 20, 2021. Link. Obstacle course training for a puppy. LOL, what a hoot! Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, You Tube, July 21, 2021. Link. Puppy does a flop during obstacle course training. Dogs can tell if you’re lying more than … [Read more...]
Tick cases on the rise. Lyme vaccines omitted, questioned.
Entomologists have noted the tick population has climbed 15 percent since last year, making Lyme disease more prevalent this year according to CNet’s associate writer Katie Teague. She shares tick information for consumers, including information specific to Ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. NOTE Teague's article does not identify Lyme vaccines as an option for dogs. She does … [Read more...]
Rabid puppy exposes dozens in Georgia and South Carolina
Opinion If you’ve not read this recent account of rabies exposures, please do so. We still have gaps in rabies management and prevention. . . . only 39 states mandate rabies vaccination for dogs; 11 states have no statewide legal requirement for rabies vaccination of any species. Feline rabies vaccination is required in 34 states, and vaccination of ferrets is required in … [Read more...]
Flies: Nature’s nuisance, costly pests
Just 200 horn flies start to hurt cattle production. It is not unusual to find 3,000 flies per cow, writes Curt Arens. Fly prevention is one of the basic animal stewardship practices. Horn flies can suck as much as a gallon of blood per month per cow. Face flies feed on proteins from the eyes often becoming vectors for pinkeye. Stable flies are just a plain nuisance. They feed … [Read more...]
It takes a murder to raise a mongoose
Females in banded mongoose groups give birth all at the same time in an underground den. What’s interesting is that none of the parents know which pups belong to them. What transpires is what researchers call a veil of ignorance according to new study findings, writes Mary Jo DiLonardo. Females give care to the babies based on which ones need it most, not based on which ones … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 15, 2021
Last week’s most read post Society ignores low-probability events that have far-reaching consequences, Source: Animal Health Digest, July 7, 2021. Link. Become the boss of your emotions Source: Healthline, April 28, 2020. Link. The ability to experience and express emotions is more important than you might realize. The felt response to a given situation, … [Read more...]
2021 Audubon photography awards
Compared to recent competitions, few winning images in this year’s Audubon Photography Awards came from far-flung expeditions. Most were taken by photographers working close to home. This may be a reflection of how birds provided solace during the challenging and restrictive conditions brought on by the pandemic. Enjoy! The finest images showed birdlife at its most tranquil, … [Read more...]
Songbirds dying in Mid-Atlantic states from mystery illness
Federal and state wildlife officials in the Mid-Atlantic region are asking people to stop feeding birds and filling bird baths amid dozens of reports of mysterious songbird deaths. “. . . what's especially challenging about this is that it's not localized . . . to one specific geographic area [and] it's not localized to one particular bird species," said Lisa A. Murphy, BS, … [Read more...]
Ticks suck. A guide to identify them and avoid bites.
Tick-borne diseases are at an all-time high. About 50,000 cases are reported each year and far more go unreported. Sheila Eldred shares information for humans to help prevent tick bites. Source: NPR, July 4, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 1, 2021
Last week’s most read post: Manage or coach? Source: AHD, June 22, 2021. Link. The legal ramifications of a pet-friendly office Source: National Law Review, June 21, 2021. Link. Workforce and workplace considerations. Authorization requirements. Guidelines to establish. Why you should read old emails Source: Forge, August 2020. Link. “Emails are … [Read more...]
Can house dust mites induce enteropathy in dogs?
Marie A. Chartier, DVM, DACVIM, shares an excerpt from a study that evaluated the role of the house dust mite, a common environmental allergen, in allergic inflammation in the GI tract in dogs. The results suggest that house dust mite allergens may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic enteropathy. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April/May 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider … [Read more...]
Rabies; imported dog last week, now a bat in a zoo
A rabid bat was found alive at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. It is the second rabid bat found in San Diego County so far this year. Last week we shared a report on an imported dog infected with rabies. There are still a few states that do not require an owner to vaccinate their pet for rabies. These states may delegate the decision to the local governments. In addition, … [Read more...]
Talk frankly with clients about anesthesia
Some clients fear for their pets when anesthesia is required. Starting with preoperative blood work is a key step that allows for client education and gives them confidence the pet will be okay. Lynda Paul, LVT, VTS, CVPP, shares common concerns from pet owners and how to help them understand the processes involved in treating their pet. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, … [Read more...]
Honeybees on the move
The USDA report on bee movement adds an additional dimension to beekeeping and survival as more animal health pros are engaged in bee health initiatives. Similar to food animals, bees experiences stress during transportation and more risks as they are deployed in monocultures. Honeybees fall into veterinarians' purview because of the VFD rule and changes in FDA policy on … [Read more...]