Media of all types has paid great attention to plant-based protein of late. However, the hype leaves out the importance of factually discussing issues surrounding meat production. We agree with Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, that collaboration by all parties will lead to science-based solutions to protein supply challenges. Simmons issues a call to … [Read more...]
Search Results for: leaves
Repurposing racehorses on the ranch
Approximately 20,000 Thoroughbred foals are born each year. By the time they are two or three years old, few make the grade to become money winning racehorses. This leaves an ongoing supply of retired racehorses looking for new jobs. Megan Arszman shares that not all retired racehorses find new jobs doing 3-day eventing or show jumping. Many end up being cow horses and they … [Read more...]
Fall foliage, while pretty, can be toxic
This interactive map predicts the timing of color changes in leaves across the continental United States. Created to promote fall tourism reasons, the map is also a good tool for animal health pros to know when to warn animal owners about the potential for leaf toxicity. Fall leaves can be toxic to horses, livestock, small ungulates Source: smokymountains.com. Link. Experts … [Read more...]
Veterinary technicians; heroes, heroines in scrubs
It’s been said, “the poop rolls downhill.” In most vet clinics, the technicians catch it. But these talented professionals frequently make the day, save a case and step in to help animal owners understand what’s going on. Kudos to the dvm360 staff for collecting some real-life experiences as the 2019 National Veterinary Technician Week approaches October 13-19. Source: … [Read more...]
Fall foliage toxic to some animals (includes video)
Autumn is nigh. While fall foliage is popular, the science behind the leaves changing color isn’t widely known and often misrepresented. For some animals, fall leaves can be toxic as they break down. Source: Smithsonian, August 14, 2019. Link. Owen Reiser’s time lapse video depicts the pigments within the plant matter as they break down and transform from green to color. . … [Read more...]
Goats can’t safely eat everything
You may think goats can eat nearly everything. Katherine Drovdahl, MA, CA, CR, CEIT, DipHlr, QTP, tells us differently. Knowing what to feed goats involves education. Even good plants can develop into a dangerous toxic condition called enterotoxemia if goats overeat on any plant they are not used to. She shares a few common toxic plants and suggests consulting a local … [Read more...]
Discover more urinary tract stones with these tips (includes image slides)
Positive and negative contrast studies can provide additional, often valuable, information to aid in diagnostic evaluation of the urinary tract. Daniel VanderHart, DVM, DACVR, leaves no stone unturned as he discusses the various types of calculi and the use of radiography and ultrasonography. Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2017. Link. Radiography and ultrasonography … [Read more...]
Alternatives for feeding dogs with diarrhea or other stomach issues
Marc Smith, DVM, draws from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) food therapy when addressing a dog with stomach issues. His approach is to optimize the individual’s qi (life force) by balancing the internal energies of yin (cold) and yang (heat). According to TCM, all foods have properties that either warm the body, cool the body or are neutral, says Smith. Most acute … [Read more...]
Dr. Andy Roark on boundaries, the new trend in vet medicine
Boundary challenges are not unique to veterinary medicine, but not all of us put lives on the line when we set solid boundaries. Dr. Roark’s writers reveal details about the challenges with setting boundaries. Ericka Mendez, DVM, reveals her feelings in The growing pains of setting boundaries in veterinary medicine. Link. In her post, Our new veterinarian leaves every … [Read more...]
Winterize for pet safety
Falling leaves remind us that winter is coming. Krista Carothers shares tips from veterinarians to help keep pets safe as the temperature drops: Limit their time outside Know when winter gear is necessary Monitor working and older dogs Don’t assume your outdoor cat can cope in the cold Make sure indoor cats stay indoors Prepare your pooch for long hikes … [Read more...]
Animals served by nonprofit spay-neuter clinics often not vaccinated for rabies
The latest JAVMA is out. The paper <link> profiling spay-neuter clinic clients and pets is of profound interest to animal health pros who sometimes refer to these locations as price competitors. Note the high percentage of animals without basic rabies protection. Respondents indicated that 49% of dogs and 77% of cats had not been examined previously by a veterinarian, … [Read more...]
Modern technology helping to manage smelly pigs
The battle between swine producers and their neighbors over the hog production smells may be getting some new technology beyond tree and bush windbreaks. Electrostatic precipitator technology from commercial industries is being tested at Iowa Select Farms. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 19, 2018. Link. John Stinn, environmental projects manager, says, “the electrostatic … [Read more...]
Outdoors not possible? Bring nature to your desk. (videos)
For some, it's not always possible to take a midday hike or a break in the park during the workday. But there’s good news. Studies show that just looking at pictures or videos of nature can boost our health and happiness. The effects aren't as strong as the outdoors, but a few positive cognitive benefits are better than none. Haley Goldberg rounded up eight relaxing nature … [Read more...]
The nervous horse; a book excerpt
In this excerpt from “Passing it On: A Continuing Journey Into Honest Horsemanship,” author Tom Moates shares horse Jubal’s tendency for a major meltdown and how he coaxes the gelding back to sanity. Horse owners will appreciate this story and the links to additional resources. Source: AQHA Daily, March 19, 2018. The strong magnetic attraction people experience for Jubal is … [Read more...]
NSAIDs are wonderful options (includes video)
The NSAID product category generally represents 12 percent to 18 percent of dispensed product revenue for veterinary practices. When it comes to pain relief tools in the veterinary practice, Matthew Brunke, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, CVA, sings the praises of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs class. Reminder! Given the number of prescriptions now filled outside the veterinary … [Read more...]
Evaluate and simplify leadership
Ask 100 experts to define leadership and you will get 100 answers. Ask them what constitutes effective leadership you will get 100 answers with 100 different nuances. There is no question that effective leadership is a complex subject with multiple facets. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Here are three steps to evaluate your leadership effectiveness. Source: … [Read more...]
Seed-spitting goats
Just for fun! The Argania trees of Morocco have a unique seed dispersal method: climbing, spitting goats. Some of the local goats have developed a distinctive approach to grazing during dry periods: They climb up in the thorny branches to get at the tree’s leaves and fruit, sometimes with help from herders. Source: Atlas Obscura, May 25, 2017. If the behavior is as common … [Read more...]
Research helps identify quitting behaviors
The basic tenet of managing turnover is that everyone eventually leaves. But the “when” can feel like a mystery. Recent research shouldn’t be considered the only way to identify an employee on the verge of quitting, but it does point to a set of behaviors that, taken together, can provide a clue—and it discounts behaviors that have mistakenly been seen as tells. Source: … [Read more...]
Fall brings risk of red maple poisoning in horses
As fall approaches, it is important to remind horse owners about the dangers posed by leaves from some maple trees. Horse owners who board horses or have just found new stable accommodations may not remember to check on tree varieties. The green leaves from fallen limbs are also toxic as they wilt and dry. Source: Equus, September 2016, page 30. Wilted or dried red maple … [Read more...]
A parent’s checklist
Millenials in or entering the workface have been characterized as entitled, lazy and a host of other unflattering terms. While this may be true in many cases, the root cause goes back to parents who allowed such behavior in their child’s formative years. So, when the former dean at Stanford university wrote about parenting in a piece titled, “8 skills everyone should have by … [Read more...]
Equine vaccination Q and A
Horse owners have questions about vaccines. Nancy Loving, DVM addresses common questions from magazine readers in this article. Veterinary teams, dealers and representatives will find value in understanding the horse owner perspectives. The questions remind us that our knowledge when not shared leaves our customers with questions. Source: The Horse, March 2016, page 16. … [Read more...]
It’s go time for newborn calves
Scientists continue to learn more about the importance of colostrum in newborn calves. The first 24 hours of life remain the most critical period for them to ingest colostrum. Beyond the well-known, lifetime benefits linking colostrum and immune system function, ongoing research indicates colostrum helps develop other organs after birth. Source: High Plains Journal, January … [Read more...]