Last week’s most read posts – we have a tie! It’s National Pet Poison Prevention Week. Link. Solutions to toxic situations. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Link. =================================== Survey: 1 in 5 pet owners had pet recommended by health professional Source: Petfood Industry, … [Read more...]
Search Results for: cat food
Worth a Glance – March 24, 2022
Last week’s most read post Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Link. =================================== Click here for a free 7-day trial --> Link #TalkatooTerry Your dog can go vegan – but cats are natural born killers Source: The Guardian, … [Read more...]
Texas A&M lab: Pets have been getting Covid-19, too
Research on 600 animals from homes where a person had Covid-19 shows about a quarter of the pets sampled since June 2020 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. One quarter of those infected pets were symptomatic with what is described as a very mild illness that resolved without veterinary interventions. Gaining support from the CDC, the lab’s SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will continue, … [Read more...]
Petco’s healthy strategy is paying off
Petco has expanded Vital Care wellness rewards program to include new services and added cats. References to growth from its customer experience and retention strategies makes this article informative reading for animal health pros. Vital Care members typically spend three times more with Petco than non-members” - Ron Coughlin, CEO Source: Forbes, March 8, 2022. Link. Seven … [Read more...]
3 Ways telemedicine improves veterinary care for livestock
Opinion It is no secret livestock owners, farmers and ranchers have challenges accessing qualified veterinary care. The Veterinary Feed Directive put added requirements on available food animal veterinarians. Many equine and livestock veterinarians have used the telephone effectively for years. Now, new digital tools offer potentially more efficiency and effectiveness for … [Read more...]
Deer strains of SARS-CoV-2 might be emerging
Scientists estimate that more than six of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals <Link>. In a recent Worms and Germs blog, Scott Weese, DVM, shares details and speculation about SARS-CoV-2 infections in the highly susceptible deer population. … [Read more...]
Top herbs that help promote dental health
Sharing symptomatic remedies, not cures, Greg Tilford emphasizes working with veterinarians, taking a hard look at the food an animal receives, and including an occasional raw bone to scrub off tartar and build healthy gleaming teeth. His list of favorite herbs, plus kelp are options he suggests that minimize discomfort while enhancing the health of the pet’s teeth and gums and … [Read more...]
Alert! Highly pathogenic avian influenza now identified in 13 states and counting
Opinion It can be hard to know how to react to disease incidence reports. Animal health pros tendency to to ignore reports until we see a disease is a concern, yet HPAI continues to show up in poultry and non-poultry birds. The next HPAI incident may literally fly over your location today . . . the time to ACT* is NOW!” – Kirk Augustine In Maine, a new case reported was … [Read more...]
What’s killing the chickens?
Wildlife predators are keeping close to dens in February as they anticipate new litters in March and April. Backyard poultry locations and pet food bowls left outside are easy targets for sustained nutrition during gestation and after litters are born. Gail Damerow shares ways to examine where, how and when a bird turns up dead or missing. Missing eggs are often an early … [Read more...]
February 2022 is Responsible Pet Owners Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month highlights the key components of responsibility about pet ownership and how owners meet their animals’ needs including*: Food quality and portions Getting enough exercise, love and attention Proper identification Pet proofing and safety in home and yard Socialization beyond the home Regular veterinary check-ups * Our additions … [Read more...]
Anti-mink farming bill should concern poultry, confined animal production industry
OPINION It’s easy to forget about mink production, especially if you live in a region where mink have never been raised, writes Roy Graber. The fact that a provision that would outlaw commercial mink farms in the U.S. made it into a larger legislative bill should be concerning to anyone involved in animal agriculture, he says. Animal agriculture has been under intense … [Read more...]
Could it be an allergy?
Getting a good history and a complete picture of anything that might have changed in a pet’s environment is important for any allergy diagnosis. Ultimately, getting history depends on fully engaging the pet owner to identify possible causes. Consider this article as a resource to help pet owners think about possible causes when they suspect a pet allergy and to realize the … [Read more...]
Survey says: Younger pet owners plan to spend less, lose pets in 2022
Compared to Gen X and baby boomers, younger pet owners worry more that they may need to spend less on pet food and treats in 2022 or change to a less expensive brand. In a November 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association, distinct generational differences arose related to economic issues. The percentage of millennials and Gen Z concerned how finances will affect … [Read more...]
3 key factors led to a record-setting 2021 holiday season
As economic and production factors from agriculture affect animal health potential in food animal markets, retail trends are reflected in the companion animal health marketplace. Katherine Cullen shares the key factors that carried through 2021 into the holiday season along with a look at the multichannel shopping journey: Early shopping The price was right Stores … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 10, 2022
Last week’s most read post Catching up or just back to normal? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, February 3, 2022. Link. =========================== It’s coyote mating season, and in my neighborhood that means trouble Source: Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2022. Link. The reign of terror in my Northridge neighborhood … [Read more...]
Wild pigs, a ticking time bomb on U.S. pork industry
Feral hogs pose a serious threat to the health of the U.S. pork industry specifically if African swine fever were to infect and spread in wild herds. There is no vaccine nor cure and the disease has a long track record of crossing international borders and wiping out billions of pigs. Source: PORK, June 29, 2021. Link. Wild pigs have exploded in numbers across the U.S., … [Read more...]
Land area twice the size of the UK needed to feed the world’s pets
With increasing demand for pets comes increasing demand for pet food. In fact, an area twice the size of the UK is used to produce dry cat and dog food each year, according to a recent study published in the journal Global Environmental Change. Researchers analyzed data on primary ingredients in more than 280 types of dry food in the U.S. and Europe, which account for two … [Read more...]
Winter, chickens and predators: tips to keep flocks safe
Weather fluctuations can create a shortage of food for some wild animals. This makes predation of chicken flocks more likely to occur. Extreme weather can change things from a time of scarcity to a season of starving. The author shares techniques to prevent attracting predators and to help if predators are already there. . . . chickens, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites – December 13, 2021
Pet training apps, 2021 U.S. pet food and treats update, less is more mindset, five points for small business advertising, reminder to submit for IBPSA rebate program, the latest from AHD and more . . . If some new holiday employees plan to stay into 2022, don’t forget the species-specific education and certification programs available for enrollment in the IBPSA online … [Read more...]
The difference between disinfecting and sanitizing, according to the CDC
Sponsored Commercial Content Cleaning can mean everything from straightening up to scrubbing down. When it comes to disinfecting and sanitizing, the definitions, as set by the Centers for Disease Control, are more clear-cut. Sarah Showfety shares the definitions and actions from a home environment perspective. The step-by-step guidance is appropriate for veterinary clinics, … [Read more...]
Pork community focused on environmental stewardship
Opinion While traveling between Kansas City, Missouri, and the Twin Cities recently, heavy smells from poultry and pork production facilities seemed reduced compared to trips over the past two decades. Although prevailing winds might be partly responsible, more facilities are bordered by trees, ventilation systems have been added to existing buildings, green space expansions … [Read more...]
Starlings. Rats with wings!
There are an estimated 160 million European starlings nationwide. In a September post <Link> we raised concerns about nuisance birds, such as starlings, as costly and as potential disease carriers in fecal-oral fomite cycles. These birds cause issues on farms and swarm as scavengers in cities and towns consuming songbird seed, garden waste and garbage. According to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 17, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post We’re overfeeding like crazy. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin – November 11, 2021. Link. . . . Posts from one year ago Archived posts from November 2020. Link. Why do animals hibernate? Source: Trivia Genius, November 12, 2021. Link. Bears may be the most famous hibernators, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 8, 2021
Small Business Saturday tips, pet industry growth projected to continue, outside investors wild about online pet industry opportunities, CBD more mainstream, pet owners seeking healthy pet food attributes and more. Achieving certified pet care status has become increasingly important and acts as a differentiator for pet care community businesses and for advancing the skills … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 28, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post When do we need to re-treat? Cattle Chat discussion. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Oct 21, 2021. Link. "Pandemic posture" hurting your back? You can fix it! Source: Harvard Health Letter, October 1, 2021. Link. Here’s what to do if you’ve developed back pain from poor posture habits … [Read more...]
Get BQA certified, assure customers of quality beef
Consumers trust beef producers more when they get BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) certified, which can be done online or in person in some states. Funded by NCBA, the program teaches techniques of sound animal care and resource management. BQA training certifies producers’ commitments to do things right when it comes to injections, pest protection, resource management and overall … [Read more...]
5 facts about the labor shortage in agriculture
Labor shortage trends continue to be prominent in the news. The problem is not only for city workers, agriculture is facing challenges, too. Jenny Shaffstall shares five issues affecting ag businesses’ ability to find qualified workers. Source: Ag Web, July 27, 2021. Link. The June Ag Barometer from Purdue University found nearly two-thirds (66%) of respondents said they … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 14, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post LED technology helps locate cows needing attention. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Oct 7, 2021. Link. 7 animals that can harm dogs Source: Outside Resource, July 28, 2021. Link. Good reminders for fall as food resources begin to diminish and young animals strike out on their … [Read more...]
Advising pet owners on nutritional adequacy
Addressing questions from owners about whether a food is safe and meets their pet’s needs can be challenging and time-consuming, as there is a significant amount of misinformation available, writes Deborah E. Linder, DVM, MS, DACVN. She shares examples of the criteria and questions from the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee’s nutrition toolkit to determine high-quality pet … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 30, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post More effective communications. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Sept 23, 2021. Link. But for a genetic parasite, humans might have tails Source: New Scientist, September 24, 2021. Link. Bo Xia’s tail bone injury led to a genetic investigation of why apes, and therefore humans, do not … [Read more...]