If you travel across wintry landscapes, this app’s for you. Learn how the Winter Survival Kit smartphone app can help during risky winter driving conditions. Source: High Plains Journal, January 9, 2016. “The Winter Survival Kit app can be as critical as a physical winter survival kit if you find yourself stuck or stranded in severe winter weather conditions,” said Mary … [Read more...]
Search Results for: winter
Winter storms’ impact
The devastating effect of winter storms Goliath and Jonah will hurt livestock producers for months. The former killed more than 50,000 dairy and beef cattle. The latter’s effect on dairy, swine and poultry won’t be known for weeks. An untold number of veterinary hospital visits that were scheduled before the storms will likely never be rescheduled. Keeping those businesses … [Read more...]
Editorial – Royal Winter Fair: Number-one rated indoor horse show in North America
We learn more every day about the animal health industry as the list of publications and topics grows at Animal Health Digest. The story on horses at the Toronto, Canada, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a new discovery for me. Source: The Saddle Horse Report, December 14, 2015, page 28. (direct link unavailable) The pomp and circumstance is unlike most other events. As … [Read more...]
Springtime checklist for horse owners, veterinarians
Spring sets the tone for the rest of the year, writes Lucile Vigouroux. She says the key to transition from winter to spring is to have a plan in place to tackle a horse’s various seasonal needs, including vaccinating and deworming, as well as rebuilding the horse athlete’s fitness after a winter hiatus. Beyond the comprehensive checklist note the take-home message for … [Read more...]
10 gallons a day to keep a horse hydrated
Regardless of the season, the average adult horse should drink about one gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight; a 1,000-pound horse would need 10 gallons of water each day. Horses prefer to drink water that is between 45° F and 65° F will drink the most water within three hours of consuming a meal. Horses may struggle to get enough water during colder … [Read more...]
Houseplants: 6 to keep, 6 to keep out of pet spaces
With the holidays over, some pet owner’s homes are getting reset for the rest of winter and early spring. Offices, too, are getting a fresh look. Plants are often a part of these space revitalization activities and in some cases contractors choose and care for the greenery. Houseplants, beyond being decorative, are assets to purify the air and remove toxins but, not all … [Read more...]
Ventilation required despite cold for backyard chickens
When temperatures fall below 35°F, supplemental heating is needed to keep backyard chickens from cold stress and frostbite. However ventilation is important to remove excess moisture and avoid a build-up of ammonia. Mary Hightower’s article provides several wintertime tips for backyard poultry raisers worthy of sharing on social media or in newsletters. Source: Farm Talk, … [Read more...]
Horses are built for cold weather, but need support
The educational infographic shared by the AAEP is a good reminder for horse owners, especially those who may be struggling to care for their horses in winter. This, along with information from the AHD archives are good resources to support educational communications on social media or in newsletters. Source: AAEP, Facebook, January 19, 2024. Link. Source: Search results … [Read more...]
How cold is too cold?
Depending on a dog's breed, body condition, size, hair coat and whether they have pre-existing conditions, 20°F is when dog owners and caretakers need to provide protection and limit outdoor sessions to under 15 minutes, shares Christopher Brito. Source: CBS News, January 19, 2024. Link. Also see: How cold is too cold for your dog?, PetMD, January 2, 2024. Link. Jennifer … [Read more...]
There’s the beef
Winter conditions challenge producers every year. With the snow too deep for foraging and nearly too deep to reach the cattle to feed them, Gill Red Angus brought their cows closer to home, feed and shelter. Safe in our warm homes or vehicles, the beef protein we enjoy seems a long ways from conditions like this near Timber Lake, SD. Source: The Cattle Business Weekly, … [Read more...]
Practices that push cow-calf profitability
Spending money with veterinarians was listed as a top investment producers can make to grow cattle profits in 2024 <Link>. Winter weather stresses producer resources while the ensuing tax season gets pencils sharpened. It is a good time for veterinarians to collaborate on best practices that generate profit gains while ensuring optimal herd health. A University of … [Read more...]
6 things to know about pet-safe ice melts
Contains Commercial References All ice melts pose some kind of risk to our pets. Those considered pet-safe contain urea or magnesium chloride are considered slightly safer but may still cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea and may not be as effective in melting ice and snow. Rock salt, sodium chloride, is one of the least pet-friendly ice … [Read more...]
Your best shot at preventing calf scours
A cow’s nutritional status during the last trimester of gestation impacts critical factors, such as immune response to scour vaccines, quantity and quality of colostrum, level of antibodies in colostrum and her and the calf’s health and survival after birth, writes Kevin Cain, DVM. Ensuring cows receive key trace minerals prior to calving is necessary to support colostrum … [Read more...]
Chickens, coryza and its concomitant buddies
Avian infectious Coryza is a common bacterial respiratory disease affecting chickens. It typically doesn’t create high mortality, but left unchecked is hard on a flock and easily transferred to other birds. In its worst form, Coryza is found with concurrent infections from mycoplasma and E. coli and can be fatal. Coryza is spread through direct contact with infected birds and … [Read more...]
Strategies to help cows conquer the cold
Cattle are cold hardy due to their large body mass, propensity to naturally increase their metabolic rate and ability to add insulation through hair growth and fat deposition under their skin, says Jon Pretz, PhD. He shares management measures that can help cows cope and stay productive through cold conditions. Each of these are good reminders to share with producers in … [Read more...]
Weather, horses, equine risk and disease
Weather, weather patterns and weather events all can contribute to potential disease in horses, writes SallyAnne L. DeNotta, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Consider this article for social media or newsletters as content to promote vaccination, disaster planning and other preventatives. Source: The Horse, January 2, 2024. Link. Related: 14 ways to get ready for winter, EQUUS, … [Read more...]
Progressive Cattle’s Top 10 online articles from 2023
Commentary Readership metrics indicate what cattle producers could use help with from animal health pros. We can’t get so caught up in running the road, making calls and pitching services that we lose touch with our customers’ interests. The economic importance of cow longevity and depreciation topped the list that includes hydroponic forages, timing for weaning, … [Read more...]
What scents are dangerous to cats and dogs?
Includes Commercial Content Many pet owners are not aware that some scents are toxic to animals until after a disturbing trip to the vet with an ill pet. Pets can become sick from essential oils due to compounds called phenols that are easily absorbed through the skin, nose and mouth. Toxic scents and essential oils to avoid include tea tree, clove, citrus, cinnamon, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the November 2nd AHD Bulletin – Heartworm prevention nonadherence prevalent in U.S., study finds. Link. Want to move up? Link. Roundtable discussion: The performance impacts of cow gut health. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences … [Read more...]
Don’t forget the bulls
Jobs done, herd sire health and nutrition need to be managed through winter so bulls are in prime condition when spring arrives. Chris Clark, DVM, says post-breeding season can be a good time to do an overall health evaluation and ensure biosecurity as well. Source: BEEF, October 5, 2023. Link. Consider managing bulls in groups by age and nutritional needs. Depending on … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 28, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 14, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the September 14th AHD Bulletin – The manager squeeze: How a new workplace is testing team leaders. Link. Most-read 2023 posts by Patrick T. Malone. Link. Use caution when feeding drought-stressed corn. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary … [Read more...]
Iowa Pork Industry Center seasonal ventilation checklists now available
Regardless of the size of a hog building, following a regular process for maintaining ventilation systems can pay big economic dividends. New summer and winter checklists are available to help guide and remind people in charge of maintenance and ventilation of necessary tasks and inspections. Keeping a printed checklist that stays in the barn can be a useful tool to facilitate … [Read more...]
And the green grass grows all around . . . but wait!
Spring! Pastures and hayfields are greening up. Lush stands of grass push skyward after a nice rain. A few seed heads start to develop and our noses get ready for that smell of the first cutting of hay. But wait . . . upon closer inspection, “oh no, ergot [ur-guht]!” Ergot is a fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that contaminates rye and wheat and produces substances called … [Read more...]
Essential safety rules to follow when around horses
Jack Benton shared the cowboy after OSHA inspection image in 2016 <Link>. While absurd, it makes a point. Injuries to riders and handlers often increase as the excitement to return to riding increases during spring. It is important to reinforce safety guidelines considering many horses were handled infrequently during the winter months. Jennifer Forsbery Meyers’ basic … [Read more...]
Properly test water sources before turnout
Producers need to check water sources for total dissolved solids and levels of sulfates, pH and nitrates before turning cattle out this spring. Routine testing is advised as water quality fluctuates throughout the growing season. Drifting snow and topsoil during winter also affect water quality. Low-quality water can reduce animal health and productivity, while high-quality … [Read more...]
Heat islands, warm fronts and preventive care
Commentary It was 65O F in the Kansas City area earlier this week. My pup was lying on the deck basking in the sunshine and then it happened . . . a couple flies and some gnats began buzzing around the winter killed garden. Would a mosquito be next? In the INSIGHT article referenced here, Suzanne Whitaker, DVM, reminds us of the importance of year-round preventatives, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 2, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 26, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from January 26th AHD Bulletin – Habits that annoy coworkers and ways to mitigate them. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. KC Corridor’s Emily McVey wins 40 Under 40 in Economic Development Award Source: … [Read more...]
Managing equine osteoarthritis during cold weather
Complimentary Commercial Content With winter progressing, horses with osteoarthritis often experience pain, deformity, loss of motion and decreased function. OA can affect any joint especially the carpus, fetlock, hock and stifles. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health U.S. shares tips on recognizing OA, keeping horses moving, general winter practices and the option of using … [Read more...]
Seasonal affective disorder is. Here are the signs.
For millions of Americans, this time of year is tough. As the days get shorter and colder, they suffer from sadness and struggle. What affects them is winter pattern season affective disorder, or SAD. It’s more than just the winter blues and can last up to five months. This article offers sources believed to cause SAD, its signs and ways to get relief. Source: The Washington … [Read more...]
Calving season begins
Calving season brings promise and challenges to producers and the veterinary teams who support them. An early calf born in Missouri reminds us of the need to help producers get ready for late winter and spring calving. Here are several calving resources we’ve shared in AHD posts over the last seven years. Source: Search results for: calving, Animal Health Digest. Link. … [Read more...]