Horses in three states recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV): two in New York, one in Oklahoma and five in Wisconsin, according to officials at the Equine Disease Communications Center. Source: The Horse, September 13, 2016. In addition to vaccinations, horse owners also need to reduce the mosquito populations and their possible breeding areas. Recommendations … [Read more...]
Search Results for: water
Beat the afternoon slump
We often reach for caffeine to get through a mid-afternoon slowdown most of us experience. This afternoon slump is a real, biological phenomenon. It’s a sign your internal clock—fluctuations in energy and body temperature regulated by our circadian rhythms—is running on time. Here are five ways to bounce back. We would add one more: 6) Hydrate with water. Source: Mindful, … [Read more...]
Dry first. Then wash clothes to kill ticks.
Put the clothes in the dryer on high heat for six minutes to kill ticks on clothing, then wash if the clothes are dirty. Why? Ticks love water. In a recent study, 94 percent of ticks survived cold-water washes and 50 percent survived hot-water washes. Once the clothes were wet, it took 70 minutes to kill the tick in the dryers on low heat and 50 minutes in dryers on high … [Read more...]
Dairying is a people business
It is easy to ignore the influence dairy production has in our world. The infographic here shows how many people are involved in dairy enterprises. It is worthwhile information. Source: Dairy Herd Management, July 2016, page 6. 6 billion of the 7.4 billion people in the world consume dairy products daily. 1 billion people are involved with production and processing … [Read more...]
Warriors of the West
Mustangs (wild horses) garner divergent attention now throughout range country. Brick Imerman and photographer Sheila Thompson provide an insightful pictorial on these remarkable animals that focuses on stallions. Source: Horse Illustrated, August 2016, page 52. (link unavailable). Nowhere is the hierarchy of the herd more evident than at the water hole. Stallions often … [Read more...]
5 noteworthy discussions from the World Pork Expo
Cheryl Day provides an overview of topics important to the swine industry. This information is a good answer to, “What did you learn at the WPX?” It provides insight into challenges swine producers face. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 2016, page 30. Day summarizes: Pork Quality Assurance Plus program 3.0 Pork, the Other White Meat lawsuit pending Waters of the … [Read more...]
Canine life jackets tested
Summer activities find dog owners and their pets in boats, at beaches and near other water bodies. Finding the right personal flotation device (PDF) for canines can be confusing. Stephanie Colman shares the results of Whole Dog Journal’s tests of the best-selling PFDs for dogs. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 2016, page 6. (partial link) A good canine life jacket should … [Read more...]
Triclosan flows through streams, crops
Triclosan is a common antibacterial agent in antibacterial soaps, detergents, carpets, paints, toys and toothpaste. It is effective against bad and good bacteria. Monica Mendez, associate professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry at Texas A&M International University is interested in triclosan-contaminated streams and rivers. These streams often serve as the water … [Read more...]
10 most poisonous plants for horses
Hundreds of poisonous plants grow in North America, and many are common. "I defy anyone to tell me they have a pasture with zero poisonous plants," says Jeffery Hall, DVM, PhD, a toxicologist at Utah State University. Source: Equus, June 2014. According to Anthony Knight, BVSc, MRCVS, plant toxicologist from Colorado State University, these 10 plants are those most … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Benefits of an isotonic protein drink for pigs
This piece offers high-level look at recent field trials conducted by Tonsity on the impact of incorporating an isotonic protein drink for pigs into today’s swine production practices. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 9, 2016. Very few studies have been published to show the benefits of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in swine. Historically, the principles of ORT — simple … [Read more...]
Grill safely this summer
Memorial Day Weekend is here. Grills will be fired up, the sounds of picnics will fill parks and boats will hit the water. We offered pet safety tips last month. Remember personal safety when you start the grill. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association offers this free fact sheet about grilling safety you can share with clients or use in blogs and newsletters. Source: … [Read more...]
It’s time to demand less food waste
Whether it is portion size, harvesting and storage issues or cosmetic perfection for packaging, we waste nearly half of all food produced, says JoAnn Alumbaugh, editor. She gives all of us compelling information to consider as we seek to feed the world. Source: Pork Network, May 16, 2016. Do the basic math: If we can feed 6 billion people on 2 billion to 2.8 billion tons of … [Read more...]
Jerky treats sicken, kill dogs
More than 1,140 dogs have died after eating jerky pet treats, out of 6,200 cases of jerky related canine illness reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2007 to December 31, 2015. The agency released these numbers this week in an update on in its ongoing investigation into animal illnesses and death related to jerky treats. Source: Petfood Industry, May 17, … [Read more...]
EPM-causing parasites more common that thought
Summary: The parasites causing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis are ubiquitous in U.S. horses, yet fewer than one percent of the horses that carry one or both of the parasites develop clinical symptoms of EPM. Find out more about these parasites and which horses may be more predisposed to EPM. Source: The Horse. Horses cannot catch EPM from each other; rather, they’re … [Read more...]
Implant for growth and profit
Growth implants benefit production and return in beef cattle. This is well-documented. While consumer pressure counters proven science; properly used implants facilitate additional pounds of gain at sale day. Next to wormers, they have the highest ROI in beef operations. Source: Vet Advantage, Livestock Edition, Spring 2016. Growth promoting technologies are a cost … [Read more...]
Canine calming products reviewed
There is a plethora of items positioned as solutions for the barking, quaking, biting, and cowering some dogs exhibit. But just like humans, dogs are individuals with their own genetic make-up and experiences that play a part in their reactions. Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, Tufts Cummings School’s Animal Behavior Clinic, addresses issues, perceptions and products that target … [Read more...]
Buckets can endanger horses
Bucket handles can be dangerous. The vivid photos and short text explain how horses get eye and nostril injuries from buckets. Anyone dealing with horse owners needs to see this information. Including a “bucket check” reminder in annual checkups or farm visits is a good practice for veterinary teams. Source: Stable Management, March 7, 2016. Lurking in every barn is a … [Read more...]
What’s the buzz?
Barb Crabbe, DVM, discusses the three main threats mosquitoes pose to horses: Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Western equine encephalomyelitis West Nile virus These diseases are part of five diseases recommended for annual vaccinations from the AAEP core vaccination guidelines. The others are rabies and tetanus. Source: Horse and Rider, April 2016, pages 52-59. … [Read more...]
AVMA offers help with VFD
As the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) becomes reality, AVMA offers expertise. Veterinarians wanting help filing VFDs can use a model form and instructions the association offers. VFD regulations require veterinarian oversight of antimicrobials in drug classes considered important to human medicine. Source: JAVMA News, March 2, 2016. The AVMA published the model form in … [Read more...]
Under-schedule in 2016
Along with a declined meeting request, a reader sent me this article. He indicated he was acting on the advice from Elizabeth Grace Saunders and suggested some future dates. Many animal health professionals feel productivity pressure and sometimes forget the importance of prioritizing and finishing. Ms. Saunders suggests these areas to reclaim your desired experiences of … [Read more...]
Prevent winter colic
Colic tops the list of winter equine health challenges. Water, diet and movement are critical. Equine veterinary teams and dealers will appreciate this resource when working with horse owners. The content is also appropriate for websites, newsletters and blogs. Source: EQUUS, February 8, 2016. Cold weather may conspire against your efforts to keep water flowing to your … [Read more...]
Bird Dogs: American Labs vs. British Labs
The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced in February 2015 that the intelligent, family friendly Labrador Retriever held on to the number-one spot on the most popular list. This was the 24th consecutive year, continuing the longest reign as the nation's top dog in AKC history. The blog post from Pheasant’s Forever goes into detail on the differences in the British vs. … [Read more...]
Fluid dynamics on four legs: The brilliance of how dogs drink
In the, “Did you every wonder about?” category, this article helps those who wonder how dogs get enough to drink with their head down and all the splashing that takes place from those tongues. Dogs are drinking machines. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirms it. Source: Los Angeles Times, December 18, 2015. A dog laps by … [Read more...]
Bad birds
There are no references to Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds, in this quick read. Still, the challenge of managing both feed loss and contamination can be problematic for producers. North Dakota State University Extension Service dairy specialist J.W. Schroeder provides some perspective and elimination ideas for consideration. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 29, … [Read more...]
How to handle and store livestock vaccines
Tracey Erickson, South Dakota State University Extension's Dairy Field Specialist, provides a solid reference document for handling and storing vaccines in this quick read. While valid vet-client-patient relationships help in establishing the vaccine of choice, Erickson offers tips for how to keep and store animal vaccines and provides an overview of the types of livestock … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – First-ever equine leptospirosis vaccine
Equine veterinarians, dealers and sales/marketing representatives who serve them will want to know about this e-blast delivered for Zoetis. Western Horseman has 160,000 subscribers, 20,000 web visits and 500,000 in total readership. Certainly, this large circulation will draw attention and create questions. The notice includes a link to a risk assessment tool, as … [Read more...]