Explore is a unique multimedia curator and home of the world’s largest live nature network. In addition to more than 250 original films and 30,000 photographs, there are countless live feeds. We can see puppies in a whelping room in Maryland, cat rescues in Los Angeles and eagles on their nest in northeast Iowa. You will find these feeds interesting, a welcome distraction or … [Read more...]
Flea and tick wars: the time is NOW
Leigh Hofmeister, DVM, provides a short history of flea and tick challenges before the modern-day preventatives hit the marketplace. She compares oral and topical forms and reinforces the need for clients to use them to protect their pets. Let’s try to keep the flea and tick wars between brands and not return the battleground to the environment versus the pet. Reports in … [Read more...]
Isolation, distancing and PPE protocols ‘old hat’ to livestock production
It is easy to marvel at how under-appreciated, yet familiar and expected biosecurity is to the livestock community: Swine producers learned to shower in and shower out of facilities years ago as part of their efforts to reduce swine disease and stop massive death losses due to farm-to-farm fomite exchanges < link > Progressive dairies manage mastitis incidence … [Read more...]
Fomite control: you, me, us, them, plus where they have been
Fomite: fo-mite Noun (plural fomites) (medicine, epidemiology). def: An inanimate object capable of carrying infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites), and thus passively enabling their transmission between hosts. < link > Media coverage, though sometimes raucous, is a necessary tool to help communicate the importance of the need for societal … [Read more...]
BabelBark/BabelVet® announces free support to transition to telehealth
Complimentary Sponsored Content Fueled by shelter-in-place orders and social distancing recommendations, medical professionals are turning to telehealth platforms to maintain client-patient interactions and screen to determine if a physical visit is needed. Telehealth in today’s COVID-19 context is relatively new. Vertical integration is a mainstay of platforms in general, … [Read more...]
2019 Triennial Heartworm Symposium selective summary
Marisa Ames, DVM, DACVIM, provides an informative and actionable summary from the September 2019 heartworm symposium. The topics in the presentations and poster included: Heartworm vectors and transmission Heartworm prevention Heartworm pathology Heartworm diagnosis Wolbachia and heartworm treatment protocols . . . a strong correlation was noted between … [Read more...]
Veterinary Feed Directives improving use of medically important products
VFDs imposed by the Food and Drug Administration in January 2017 are required for livestock feed products that contain medically important ingredients, such as tetracyclines. David Williams, owner-operator of Burkmann Nutrition, explains how feed retailers can play a leading role helping livestock operators and their veterinarians operate well with VFDs. His and other … [Read more...]
Video shows how to remove ticks
Pet owners will appreciate this video about removing ticks from pets. It could also lead to better tick testing if a pet gets sick after a bite. Share it on social media and in newsletters. Upload it to your website and re-share it routinely from now through fall. Source: PetMD. Link. Ticks can transmit deadly diseases to a pet within as little as 24 hours of latching on, so … [Read more...]
AVMA cautions outdoor enthusiasts about risks to their animals
The AVMA recognizes the need to increase awareness among other outdoor enthusiasts so that they are aware of the risks their pets face during outdoor adventures and what precautions they should take. The association offers excellent resources to guide animal owners to reduce risks to pets and competing animals. Source: AVMA. Link. Disease prevention quick tips … [Read more...]
COVID-19 could be lemons or lemonade. We can make the difference.
March 2020: Update on SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 it causes Hundreds of coronaviruses circulate among animals including cattle, camels, bats, pigs, cats and dogs. Sometimes these viruses jump to humans (a spillover event) and may cause disease. SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three have origins in bats. SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease … [Read more...]
Rangeland owners need a plan to manage fire ants.
Sponsored Content Red imported fire ants can only be suppressed, or managed, on farm and ranches. They cannot be eradicated. Broadcast applications of some bait-formulated insecticides help get rid of the populations for about a year. Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> from AHD sponsor Neudorff USA is an efficacious component in a long-term fire ant management strategy. … [Read more...]
Tiny tapeworm mimics symptoms of liver cancer
Echinococcus multilocularis is well established in wild canids in southern Ontario. Researchers indicate the tapeworm is migrating, could enter the northern U.S. and is considered a zoonotic public health risk. Adult E. multilocularis infect wild carnivores, including foxes, wolves and coyotes, but may also affect dogs and cats. Rodents such as lemmings, voles, and deer mice … [Read more...]
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month
Beyond chocolate, a variety of substances, foods and plants are toxic to pets. It is important to reinforce the potential poison risks to pet owners throughout the year. Pet Poison Prevention Month also parallels the upcoming Poison Prevention Week <link> that takes place March 15 – 21. Source: Chocolate isn’t the only potentially fatal toxin for pets, Lifelearn, … [Read more...]
Manage fire ants with planning
Red imported fire ants infest pastures, hay fields, barns and equipment. They injure livestock, horses, pets and us, too. Creating a fire ant control plan helps ensure the greatest efficacy using the right products. Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> (link to tech sheet PDF) from AHD sponsor Neudorff USA is an effective tool that fits a sound fire ant management plan. Spinosad, … [Read more...]
Good VCPR important for all animals, even horses
David Ramey, DVM, shares experiences in managing the VCPR with horse clients. He focuses on the challenges of communications and reminds us that the P is what it is all about. . . . it seems that just about anything that I say to people about their horses comes with an undertone of apprehension. Given that people are asking me advice for how to care for their horses, I am … [Read more...]
Fire ants can seriously hurt pets
The red imported fire ant can seriously sting and occasionally kill small animals. Young, caged or those with difficulty moving are most apt to be stung. The ants are especially attracted to open sores, hot spots and wounds making attacks even more dangerous to an already weakened animal. Effective fire ant control is possible with Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> from AHD … [Read more...]
The Easter bunny has company
Farm stores are preparing for the classic Easter chicks and rabbits. Now, some sell miniature goats. Angela von Weber-Hahnsberg discusses goat farming with pygmy goats and other miniature goat breeds. The small size and unique traits of miniature goats attract children, newcomers to the world of goats, and veteran goat breeders alike. Miniature goats of all kinds are … [Read more...]
How to get-a-grip on small mammals (slide show)
Handling small mammals is often like controlling a bucking bronc on a tiny scale. The smaller they are, the more likely the encounter will be fueled by the flight or fight response. David Eshar, DVM, shares safe handling techniques that minimize stress and reduce the chance for trauma in these patients. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2020. Link. Patients should be … [Read more...]
JAVMA, February 1 edition
It is always interesting to see what is being studied in our animal health industry. We noted the following: Tick paralysis in a free-ranging bobcat (Lynx rufus). Link. Tick paralysis has not previously been reported in felids outside Australia, according to the author. The cat recovered likely much to the chagrin of wild birds, small mammals and some small pets in his … [Read more...]
Ticks responsible for 7 of 17 U.S. vector-borne diseases
Thomas Mather, PhD, believes everyone should be better educated about ticks and able to identify the small number of tick species in the United States that threaten human health. “Different ticks carry different diseases in different parts of the country,” he explained. . . . if <people> saw how many ticks are waiting on twigs and leaves and in the brush . . . they would … [Read more...]
Opinion – Caretaker training improves animal welfare
Samantha Marais presents the value of employee training and how it improves pig welfare. From this, we can assume that training people to care for animals of any species likely increases animal welfare. Our industry routinely separates food animals, companion animals, equine and poultry. Universally however, people receiving proper and continuing education about animals in … [Read more...]
Feist dogs of war, aid in rodent control
This post is not for the faint-hearted. Feist dogs are commonly thought of today as rat terriers but can be any small to medium-size dog that has a loud, spirited and feisty demeanor. The United Kennel Club recognizes feists, but the American Kennel Club does not. Chris Bennett reports on the dogs’ intensity when Jason Reed’s brace of feists he calls the Mongrol Hoard are … [Read more...]
First aid kit for backyard chickens
Like all backyard animals, chickens can get injured. Access to veterinary care is not always timely, so Victoria Peterson suggests putting together a first aid kit for the flock and keeping it in toolbox or container. Injuries are common when birds fight or when attacked by a predator. Source: AcreageLife, February 2020. Link. Also see: Variety is key to selling first aid … [Read more...]
Rats, cats and feral hogs invading national parks
A new study published in the Biological Invasions journal says our national parks are under a deep and immediate threat from invasive, non-native species. The researchers are urging the National Park Service to create and implement a systemwide approach that involves everybody from National Park Service leadership to their staff and park visitors. Source: CNN, December 4, … [Read more...]
Don’t let barn fires happen
Barn fires in North America occur predominantly in the winter months. Supplemental heating, increased bedding, fuel containers and aging electrical wiring are common reasons animal barns and shelters catch fire during winter months. This article focuses on dairies but horse barns, kennels and coops are also susceptible. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, December 9, 2019. Link. A … [Read more...]
48 million pets need a regular vet
The relationship counts says, Matthew Salois, PhD, citing recent metrics from the AVMA’s most recent Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook < link >. Based on the research, he is confident developing a strong veterinarian-client bond can help get more pets into practices on an ongoing basis for the preventive healthcare we know they need. Salois also noted the … [Read more...]
Found in AAHA NEWStat
We found several articles worthy of sharing in recent AAHA NEWStat posts. Some selections are sponsored while others are original and collaborative content. Post-surgical rechecks made simple with virtual care, sponsored content by BabelVet. AAHA NEWStat, November 1, 2019. Link. A logical, comprehensive staging tool for canine osteoarthritis, sponsored content by Elanco … [Read more...]
Making an Easter surprise profitable
Four to six months after Easter, some rabbit owners are faced with choices. If Laverne and Shirley turned out to be Lenny and Shirley, there is likely an abundance of bunnies. One choice is to begin raising meat rabbits. Dennis Douthart offers a how-to in this updated article including: Production objectives Feeding Housing Breeding Health Meat processing … [Read more...]
Steve Dale on the ferret debate; domestic or wild?
It is illegal to own a ferret in California, writes Steve Dale. The debate over who has jurisdiction explodes from there. California legislators, who have little expertise or interest, could legalize ferrets but don’t, because the Fish and Game Commission continues to classify domestic ferrets as wild. Although Dale is impassioned, there are some interesting facts he … [Read more...]
Enjoy the funny wildlife photo contest
Help the judges pick the choosing your Affinity Photo People's Choice Award from the finalists of The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019. Click the link below to make your choice from the 40 finalists’ photos. And have a laugh too! < click here to vote > Source: The Comedy Wildlife Rewards. Link. … [Read more...]