Ferrets are popular as pets again. Kvin Lertpiriyapong, DVM, reviews specific diseases and conditions that are common in ferrets: Adrenal gland hyperplasia or neoplasiaPancreatic islet β-cell tumorForeign bodiesDental diseaseDiarrhea Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2017. Link. Because of their curious nature, unique biology, and increased average lifespan due to … [Read more...]
Worm bacteria may help control mosquitoes
The chemical DEET has been our first and best line of defense against mosquitoes since the 1940s. Now a strain of bacteria that lives inside a common parasitic worm could play an important role in the fight against mosquitos. A study published in Science Advances < link > has found that a compound derived from these bacteria is three times more potent than DEET in repelling … [Read more...]
Tracking migratory ungulates
Scientists are mapping more herd migration routes than ever before in the western U.S. While the efforts are aimed at conservation of primary migratory routes, animal health pros will readily see the benefits for managing and predicting CWD and other potential disease risks. Source: Smithsonian, January 8, 2019. Link. There are some similar things for bird migration,” … [Read more...]
Wild pigs, agricultural and environmental terrorists
A growing wild pig population sparks fear as threats of African swine fever (ASF) hitting U.S. soil are publicized. In Texas, the number of wild pigs could soon be nearly as large as the U.S. sow population of six million sows. Wild pigs can vector 21 some odd diseases we are aware of – communicable to all livestock animals Source: PORK, December 14, 108. Link. When … [Read more...]
Best animal photos of 2018
Even after more than 100 years of photographing the natural world for National Geographic, wildlife photographers are still capturing animals in ways they’ve never been seen before. Some of the best wildlife photos this year were of birds. Source: National Geographic. Link. Enjoy! … [Read more...]
Rabbit neuter techniques evaluated
With three common techniques for neutering, a prospective, randomized clinical trial compared the techniques. From the results, these are the key pearls: Neutering should be considered in pet rabbits, as it has been known to be well tolerated in this species.The prescrotal technique for neutering rabbits is superior to the scrotal technique for decreasing both anesthetic … [Read more...]
Raptor anesthesia
Jenna Larios, LVT, and Monica Madera, DVM, provide information required to understand some of the major considerations of raptor anesthetic protocols, analgesia, anatomy and physiology, and physical restraint. Overall, the approach to avian/raptor anesthesia differs from that of mammals though the principles remain the same. The major differences are in regard to the avian … [Read more...]
Marburg virus could become global threat. CDC tracking bats.
The Marburg virus is as fearsome as its cousin, the Ebola virus. It kills up to nine in 10 of its victims. Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) that inhabit caves throughout Uganda are natural reservoirs for the virus and it can be excreted in urine, feces or saliva. A team of CDC researchers is using GPS trackers attached to male bats to track what they do nightly. … [Read more...]
Tick, tick, tick-tick, TICK! . . . continued
Americans have unwelcome eight-legged visitors from the East, and they're here to stay. The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, is a indigenous to Asia. This tick species has already turned up in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, where it's been found on domestic animals and wildlife, … [Read more...]
New invasive tick threatens humans and animals
The Asian longhorned tick is the first invasive tick in the U.S. in about 80 years. It was found on an Icelandic sheep in New Jersey and has since been found on pets, livestock, wildlife and people in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The CDC reports there is no evidence the tick has spread pathogens to humans, … [Read more...]
Join Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count
Wildlife vigilance is not new to animal health pros. Did you know that the Audubon Society has conducted a bird count for more than 100 years? Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an … [Read more...]
Pet ownership continues to climb, AVMA findings
The 2017-2018 edition of the Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook found that nearly 57 percent of all U.S. households owned a pet at end of 2016. Of those, 38 percent owned one or more dogs, 25 percent owned one or more cats. More than 13 percent of U.S. households owned a specialty or exotic pet in 2016, a 25 percent increase from 2011. The incidence of poultry owned … [Read more...]
Don’t let rodent control slip through the cracks
Mice and rats are looking for warmer digs and can sneak into any building anywhere. Elizabeth Ferry and Casey Zangaro write about pest control with a dairy view and their assertions fit scenarios animal health pros often encounter. Rodents have been recorded to carry up to 45 diseases than can easily be transmitted to farm animals if they are in the same vicinity Source: … [Read more...]
Giant mosquitoes flourish in post-hurricane flood waters
Reports of giant mosquito sightings add to the confusion of dealing with post-hurricane damage,. Mosquito biologist Michael Reiskind explains why these gallinippers, often three times larger than normal mosquitoes, are showing up in the receding flood waters. Source: The Conversation, October 11, 2018. Link. The gallinippers belong to a genus of mosquitoes that specialize … [Read more...]
Gecko makes bazillions of calls from vet hospital
A rogue gecko lit up phones for an untold number of folks recently. Veterinarian Claire Simeone, director of Ke Kai Ola, a Hawaiian monk seal hospital, made the discovery as she and a phone company rep tried to figure out what was causing incessant outgoing calls. Source: Associated Press, October 9, 2018. Link. The gecko was perched on a phone, making calls to everyone in … [Read more...]
Grackles can expose humans, pets to parasites
Grackles and starlings often congregate before migrating in the fall. In addition to being noisy and leaving fecal material everything imaginable, they sometimes carry diseases that can be transmitted via their feces to animals and people. A recent Texas A&M University study reveals bacterial and parasite risks to humans and pets. Pets should avoid any area where grackles … [Read more...]
2018 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Finalists Announced
They’re fun every year – the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Sponsored by the Born Free Foundation, the competition is designed to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. Take a few minutes and have some laughs. Source: The Guardian, September 13, 2018. Link. Some of the finalists in this year’s competition . . . You can still vote for the People’s Choice award … [Read more...]
Changing attitudes toward fish, the forgotten farmed animal
One of AHD’s objectives is to present information for you to consider in a neutral environment. We believe these articles are important for animal health pros. It’s time to reconsider how we think of fish and take a fresh look at how they are treated. Fish are the most utilized animals on Earth. Their numbers are hard to know. Exactly how many fish are killed for food … [Read more...]
As CWD spreads in cervids, states also monitor humans
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a disease that kills deer, elk, reindeer and moose or, cervids. Misfolded prion proteins can spread among cervids through saliva and excrement. These proteins may remain viable in environments for decades. The parallels to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has scientists monitoring CWD more closely as it has spread to 20 or more states in the wild deer … [Read more...]
Mosquito emoji to benefit public and researchers
The AHD team has presented posts about mosquitoes and how they affect animals and humans five times in past two years. Link. Our friends at QUARTZ did a great job summarizing how the 3,000 known mosquito species are the deadliest animals in the world. They also note the importance of an upcoming mosquito emoji that will help researchers communicate via social media about the … [Read more...]
Armadillos now re-gifting leprosy to humans
Leprosy, the oldest disease known to be associated with humans, is not a thing of the past. John Stewart Spencer, associate professor at Colorado State University, says research shows humans are contracting leprosy from common, nine-banded armadillos. The disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, the identical strain infecting the majority of armadillos and … [Read more...]
Implementing the multimodal approach to heartworm prevention
The Heartworm Update, <link> sponsored by Ceva Animal Health, provides multiple practice scenarios and suggested roles and responsibilities for veterinarians, practice managers, technicians and front desk staff to ensure things go as smoothly as possible with implementation efforts, client education and client compliance. Source: AAHA Red, August 1, 2018. Link. The … [Read more...]
Veterinarians are important to beekeeping
Gillian Kruskall, DVM, writes about the veterinarian’s role in beekeeping since te VFD regulations require site inspections to establish VCPRs. When a beekeeper contacts you, Kruskall’s article will help veterinary teams “bee” ready. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, July 2018. Link. Each state has a number of certified state apiary inspectors who are highly skilled at … [Read more...]
Make windshield time more productive, safe
Chances are you spend a lot of time in your car. Here’s something that might help you appreciate your home-away-from-home a little more. Source: Repertoire, July 2018, page 62. Link. Animal related insurance claims, the importance of tire pressure, professional automotive negotiators and more advances in travel technology. … [Read more...]
2018 Audubon Society photo awards announced
Take a break and enjoy! The winners of the 2018 Audubon Photography Awards competition were announced this week. More than 8,000 images in professional, amateur and youth categories were entered. Plus, all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces were represented. This year’s competition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the species protected by … [Read more...]
Missouri wildlife veterinarian does more than fix broken wings
Sherri Russell, DVM, explains her role in wildlife education and health, population medicine, One Health, conservation research projects, agriculture and education for varied interests in Missouri. This article is a unique look at how veterinary medicine is integrated within the concerns of residents where they and wildlife intersect. Source: Missouri Conservationist … [Read more...]
Update, anaplasmosis in dogs
Prompted by the Dogster article linked below, we reviewed recent information about anaplasmosis in dogs, in addition to ruminants, horses, people and wildlife species. White-tailed deer and small rodents are considered the primary reservoir hosts. Canine anaplasmosis is caused by one of two gram-negative, obligate, intracellular bacterial agents, Anaplasma phagocytophilum or … [Read more...]
Mosquito repellents from DEET to gin and tonic
Protecting animals and humans from mosquito bites is important as the insects can be vectors for multiple diseases. Mosquito repellants can help. Research completed in 2015 and updated in 2017 <link> shows that products containing DEET proved effective and lasted for a relatively long time but there are alternatives too. DEET isn't the only weapon. Products containing … [Read more...]
Newly discovered tick can be managed with existing products
Researchers at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently identified a nymphal longhorn ticket or bush tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. Susan Little, DVM, PhD, said the finding wasn’t too surprising based on recent reports from New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia. Source: Oklahoma State University June 21, 2018. Link. Originally from East … [Read more...]
You, Lone Star ticks and allergies in meat eaters
This article falls into the category of “YHTBKM.” Zoya Teirstein writes about the proliferation and migration of the Lone Star tick and risks associated with it, including a meat allergy that can be life-changing. It only takes one bite from a lone star tick for an unsuspecting victim to develop a meat allergy that can last months, years, or even an entire lifetime. Source: … [Read more...]