Regardless of how long they’ve owned them, cat owners often wonder if they are feeding their cats enough or too much. They also inquire about what brand to feed, wet versus dry feed and when to feed it. The Catster editors answer these questions in the article below. Source: Catster, March 18, 2021. Link. Also see: Optimal nutrition calculators for cats and dogs, Animal … [Read more...]
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What to know about dogs and onions
Avoid feeding onions and garlic to dogs, Jeff Werber, DVM, says. Onions contain a toxic ingredient called n-propyl disulfide, which is an oxidant that can do oxidant damage to red blood cells. AVOID offering a dog raw, cooked even foods flavored or cooked with onion . . . “ Source: Dogster, March 4, 2021. Link. Symptoms of onion toxicity are symptoms of anemia Look for … [Read more...]
Why dogs chew their feet and what to do about it
All dogs chew and lick their feet. Finding the cause of foot chewing can be complicated, says Christopher Pachel, DVM. Among the reasons are anxiety, boredom, injuries, allergies, cracked nails and even food allergies. He offers these tips to help avoid problems: Feed a high-quality, well-balanced diet. Make sure your dog gets plenty of physical exercise, mental … [Read more...]
Primary training likely works best for shelter puppies
Bonnie V. Beaver, DVM, MS, DSc (Hon), DPNAP, DACVB, DACAW, shares the results of a study on training methods. The key pearls tell the story: Puppies may not be ready to make the connection between use of secondary (e.g., clickers) and primary (e.g., food) reinforcers Owners with puppies should be encouraged to use food rewards in training Secondary reinforcers may be … [Read more...]
Two steps forward, one step back
Career development is not always a straight line of challenges. Sometimes the challenge is a parallel move or a step back. Your willingness to alter course to gain additional experience, skills or competencies can pay huge dividends in the future as Diya Jolley points out. Source: CNBC, October 4, 2019. Link. So many people are laser-focused on scoring a higher role. But if … [Read more...]
Understanding beef implants
Let’s review. Growth-promoting implants in beef cattle production are used to increase muscle accretion and market weight by increasing daily gain and feed efficiency. Implants must meet stringent requirements to be deemed safe for consumers and animals. Implants have a minuscule effect on hormone content of beef.” Source: Progressive Cattle, March 8, 2021. Link. Implanted … [Read more...]
4 things to do for horses before a weather emergency
Preparation can be the key to keeping your horses safe during a weather emergency or natural disaster says Jennifer Williams, PhD. Her list to be prepared includes: A list of farms that offer temporary stabling within 100 miles Ensuring you can catch, lead and load your horses so you don’t waste time Secure loose outdoor items so they don’t become projectiles in … [Read more...]
Why is that horse doing that?
A lot of content is still valuable years after its origin. Barb Crabbe, DVM, shared odd horse behaviors, how to tell if something is wrong and what to do about it in this article first published in 2015. She shares some examples when medical disorders were the underlying cause of aberrant horse behavior. . . . a horse can’t talk . . so he depends on you to listen to his … [Read more...]
Optimal nutrition calculators for cats and dogs available
OPINION Pet owners are responsible for their pets’ proper nutrition. Too often we hear questions about specific brands of pet food wanting a yes or no answer. The same goes for treat brands and then there are table scraps. Bottom-line, daily Kcal (calorie) calculations are important before brand discussion, although a proper assessment may identify the need for … [Read more...]
Heartworm review and update
Whether living in endemic or nonendemic areas, heartworm remains a top priority parasite for dogs and cats. Andrew R. Moorhead, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), reviews the life cycle and strategies for prevention and treatment. It is crucial to test all dogs for microfilariae at the same time as antigen testing.” Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2021. Link. Treatment … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 11, 2021
Ionophores help control coccidiosis and more Source: Dairy Herd Management, March 4, 2021. Link. Ionophores promote calf health and performance through a combination of disease control and improved feed efficiency. They also have shown numerous benefits in dry, transition, and lactating cow rations. 5 signs indicate the time to consult a professional obedience … [Read more...]
Don’t play chicken with your health
The new influx of chicken flocks has put humans, as well as the poultry they care for, at risk of salmonella sickness. It is alarming that 28 percent of the reported salmonella infections are from children younger than 5 years of age. Seventy four percent of reported salmonella cases involved contact with poultry. Source: Hobby Farms, March 3, 2021. Link. The primary key to … [Read more...]
Legal guide to horse care for horse owners
There’s more to owning a horse than feed, water and housing. Horse care administration and documentation is also important. By having accurate and available emergency information, by having appropriate vaccination and health policies, by confirming insurance coverage, and by keeping a medication logbook, horse owners, barn owners, and trainers can protect themselves and their … [Read more...]
Landrace Bankhar dogs being redeveloped to strengthen Mongolian nomad lifestyle
Varieties or types of plants or animals that have developed over time to suit the conditions of a local area are called landrace. For 15,000 years, Bankhar dogs protected livestock and livelihoods on the Mongolian steppe. Nearly lost, the revered dogs are making a slow and intentional comeback. Source: Atlas Obscura, February 23, 2021. Link. Also see: Bankhar Dog … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 4, 2021
Why does my dog stare at me? Source: PetMD, July 6, 2020. Link. A stare is normal dog behavior that is used to communicate some type of emotion, want or need. Why do cats knead? Source: PetMD, January 21, 2021. Link. Whether a cat is making biscuits to show affection or to claim a person as their own, kneading is a natural, instinctual and common … [Read more...]
Use data to drive commercial herds of the future
Complimentary Content from recent NEOGEN® Table Talk NEOGEN’s genomics team recently led an expert discussion aimed at educating producers about the benefits of Igenity® Enhanced, a data management tool designed to promote genetic predictions to improve herds for generations. Source: NEOGEN®. Link. This is an opt-in event at no charge. The Table Talk speakers cover: … [Read more...]
Are farmers teaching cows bad habits?
It could be that slug feeding methods are forcing dairy cattle to eat too much too quickly causing a negative impact on the rumen environment. Management plays a role in feed bunk behavior, as farmers don’t have to just think about what feed animals consume, but also the manner in which they eat it. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 25, 20212. Link. Factors to consider when … [Read more...]
Effects of a mastitis treatment strategy with or without on-farm testing
We respect the assessment of hands-on experience in real daily farm settings that was part of this study. We’ve shared an excerpt of the summary verbatim. Using on-farm tests in farmers' decision-making process resulted in more treatments in accordance with the etiology of mastitis than without on-farm testing. A diagnosis and treatment strategy with on-farm testing is … [Read more...]
Blood in a chicken egg doesn’t mean it’s fertilized
Blood in a chicken egg is often believed to signify it is fertile. This isn’t true. In fact, the true sign that an egg is fertile is a white “bullseye” on the yolk. The blood spot is only a ruptured vessel and they are perfectly edible. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 22, 2021. Link. Different colored chicken eggs all taste the same and look the same inside. The taste of … [Read more...]
Understanding insulin resistance in horses
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Kentucky Performance Products, LLC. One of the more common metabolic problems horses develop involves insulin, the hormone that enables the body to use glucose. This edition of EQUUS Extra explores how insulin resistance develops in horses, what can be done about it and how this problem increases the risk of laminitis and other … [Read more...]
Effectiveness of oral lotilaner
There are some smells one never forgets. The smell of sarcoptic mange in the crusty, scabbed skin stage is one of mine. The Vet Candy team shared promising results of a study using lotilaner to treat confirmed cases of sarcoptic mange. Source: Vet Candy, February 22, 2021. Link. The results showed that pruritus resolved after two weeks. The cutaneous score was also reduced … [Read more...]
Calming and stopping a racing mind
A friend once described constant noises centered in the forehead that were always there. The noises were eventually diagnosed as confusion, frustration, anger, negativity, fear and unresolved events accumulated as hundreds of thoughts swirling with their own inertia all at the same time. If you experience or comprehend such swirling thoughts, writer Dominica shares things … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance: February 24, 2021
How to recognize and work with narcissistic leaders Source: Entrepreneur, February 17, 2021. Link. When the only way you can feel emotionally and mentally safe to have any exchange with your colleague or boss is with a witness, it’s time to consider a transition strategy. Dogs synchronize their behavior with children, but more with adults, study finds Source: Oregon State … [Read more...]
6 tips for properly vaccinating beef cattle
Complimentary Sponsored Content John Currin, DVM, and Jody Wade, DVM team up in this article to provide insight on best practices for vaccine administration. The practices they outline are good reminders as spring calves are born: Store, mix and handle vaccines according to label directions Choose an appropriate needle size Administer products according to labeled … [Read more...]
Tennessee whitetail deer had hairy eyeball
A yearling whitetail buck with hairy eyeballs was a unique part of deer harvest reporting this year in Tennessee. The buck had a disk of skin and dense hair completely covering the cornea of each eye. Microscopic examination at Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study unit determined the hairy growths were “corneal dermoids.” Source: National Deer Association, … [Read more...]
All cats need exercise, some get lonely
Two articles share information on cat health from ongoing wellness research on domesticated felines. Source: Catster, February 17, 2021. Link. Keeping cats indoors is safer than letting them roam. So, it’s up to cat owners to make their home as stimulating as possible for their cat and to encourage it to exercise. Source: Catster, February 16, 2021. Link. Outside of … [Read more...]
Hunting for food helps increase activity for cats
A simple way to increase the amount of activity in a cat’s day is to stop feeding it in a bowl and allow it to hunt for their meals, writes Sassafras Lowrey. This turns mealtime into an interactive game adding enrichment to the cat’s day. She shares some methods for implementing this approach. Source: Catster, February 19, 2021. Link. Lowrey says to monitor each cat as they … [Read more...]
4 ways to exercise your dog’s mind
Dogs require mental stimulation to thrive just like humans do, writes Gerry Ellen. She shares four things to exercise a dog’s mind: Give at least six feet of free-range walking room Practice tricks on the go Let the dog engage with other dogs Go on adventures Source: Animal Wellness, March 16, 2020. Link. Every dog deserves a chance to use his instinct and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 18, 2021
Dogs love the sound of your voice, especially when you say certain words. Source: Daily Paws, January 15, 2021. Link. From the study, dogs liked these words best: Walkies, dinner/food/eat, treat, get it, fetch. 7 pet-friendly home design tips Source: Animal Wellness, January 21, 2021. Link. The author shares seven pet-friendly home design tips from … [Read more...]
Recognizing the dangerous signs of hypothermia in dogs
The polar vortex is crippling much of the U.S. In this timely article, Deb M. Eldredge, DVM, shares information about hypothermia pet owners can use now. While we tend to think of hypothermia in cold weather, it can happen in warm weather, too she says. Individual body temperatures below 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit can be life threatening. Source: Daily Paws, November 25, 2020. … [Read more...]