To encourage water consumption during cold weather, providing either continuously heated water, ranging from 68°F to 95°F, or filling buckets with water ranging from 115°F to 120°F twice daily at feeding time as an effective strategy for most horses. Source: EQUUS, January 4, 2023. Link. Also see: Cold weather colic, AAEP. Link. Horses must drink 10-12 gallons of fresh … [Read more...]
Search Results for: winter
Some dogs need a flu shot
Dogs can get the flu just like we can, and it spreads easily like our own strains says Kaitlyn Tullio, LVT, who told the dodo canine flu is highly contagious. She shared information about viral transfer risks, symptoms and vaccination. . . . for dogs social with other dogs, up to date flu vaccination could help keep them healthy and safe, especially during flu … [Read more...]
Hay quality benefits from protection, proper storage practices
NOTE: This article is a conversation starter at coffee shops or restaurants where producers meet routinely. It is good leave-behind information and makes good content for social media and newsletters. Stewardship of harvested forage is as important as producing it in the first place.” This year’s hay supplies are down six percent year over year <Link> making taking care … [Read more...]
Possible benefits of medicating patients before and during vet visits
Using pre-visit sedation can be a win-win, win for patients, the owner and veterinary team, explains Heather R. Carter, MPS, LVT, VTS. She shares the importance of preparation and client education along with medication options. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Winter 2021, page 30. Link. Reducing patient stress should be a priority in any veterinary setting.” - Heather R. … [Read more...]
Proper ventilation lends itself to healthier calves
One of the most important issues directly associated with the health of calves is proper ventilation. Ensuring that calf barns and hutches are not completely closed and that calves are housed in a draft-free environment are two key elements to proper ventilation. As temperatures fall below 50°F, calves deplete their own energy making daily adjustments to calf conditions … [Read more...]
You can lead a horse to water . . .
Amy Parker, MS, PAS, reminds us that horses are 70 percent water. She shares the importance of hydration to overall horse health and how it varies with different nutrition and activity. Understanding what stimulates thirst and how to increase consumption or create circumstances under which the horse will continue to drink is what’s important.” Source: The Horse, November 28, … [Read more...]
Beware of rock salt and other ice melting products
As winter snow and ice season advances, we use more ice-melt to clear streets, driveways and sidewalks. C.J. Puotinen cautions pet owners about potential ill effects from these products. It is good content to share on social media and in newsletters this time of year. The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center classifies all ice-melting products as chemical irritants and warns … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 17, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Horse owners’ survival guide for fall. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, November 10, 2022. Link. ================================================================= 45 days remain in 2022 Source: time and date.com, November 17, 2022. Link. 43 days remain excluding holidays but only 30 days … [Read more...]
Raccoons, distemper, dogs, cats and us
Commentary As winter approaches, raccoons seek to fatten up in preparation for torpor, a semi-hibernation. They group together in what is called a gaze or nursery. In 2016, John Hadidian told National Geographic, “Raccoons have adapted to urban living. They've figured out how to cope with these environments just as well or better than they used to do in the wilderness." … [Read more...]
What to know about seasonal depression
Seasonal affective disorder is more than the winter blues. It is a form of clinical depression. Its symptoms last longer and come and go with the seasons. As much as 10 percent of the U.S. population is affected by it. SAD can be managed using evidence-based therapies that include outdoor time, bright light therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 20, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Socializing new puppies? Manage the right amount of playtime. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, October 13, 2022. Link. 10 commandments of dog ownership Source: AHD, June 28, 2022. Link. Reposting because it is important to routinely reinforce the responsibilities of pet ownership, … [Read more...]
Frost slows pests for certain
The first frost is welcomed by livestock, livestock producers and farmers alike. While all pests aren’t eliminated, freezing temps slow remaining ones and help move crops to harvest conditions. It is a good time to visit with producers about parasite control measures, fall forage and winter preparations. Source: FEED-LOT via Facebook. Link. INSIGHTS: Many winter … [Read more...]
Quick and easy scratch relief
Simple cases of scratches can escalate into painful, chronic conditions, especially as paddocks and pastures get muddy or crusty with winter freezing and thawing conditions. Scratches is the common term for pastern dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin that develops between the heels and the fetlocks, writes Laurie Bonner. Chemically treated bedding, coarse arena substrate or … [Read more...]
Chicken coop bedding can make or break egg production rate . . . literally
Last week we shared information about fall and winter chicken care suggesting animal health pros help poultry keepers get ready for cooler weather. In this archive article, Ana M. Hotaling reminds us eggs are fragile and bedding choices make a difference. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 13, 2019. Link. . . . minimize the risk of shell trauma by choosing the best bedding for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 18, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – 10 years and counting elevating care for cats. Link. Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023. Link. Changes coming to compounded animal health medication. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 11, 2022. Link. =================================== Dog … [Read more...]
Preventing parasites from peaking this fall
Complimentary Sponsored Content Videos made by industry partners allow for a fresh approach to seemingly age-old discussions.” – Kirk Augustine Fall deworming can setup cattle for a healthier, more productive winter. Boehringer Ingelheim Cattle Health shares three tips for creating a successful, cost-effective program in an informative and easy to share You Tube … [Read more...]
Seasonality and geography of diabetes mellitus in dogs
Sharing key points from a published research study involving nearly 1,000 dogs with diabetes mellitus, Vet Candy highlighted: Dogs were diagnosed with DM significantly more in the winter and northern USA compared to all other seasons and all other geographic regions, respectively. The prevalence of juvenile onset among dogs with DM was 2.8%. The proportion of dogs … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 28, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Petflation: Inflation’s impact on pet industry. Link. 988 mental health hotline is live. Here’s what to know. Link. Collaboration offers digital cattle record access. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 21, 2022. Link. =================================== How much should I spend to keep my … [Read more...]
Forage concerns and management in drought areas
A few of the recent storm systems have eased drought concerns in some areas. Still, without sustained moisture over the next three months, keeping livestock fed without depleting grazing forage will remain a hot topic for coffee shops, veterinary visits, machine sheds, bankers and regional extension specialists. Hay and Forage Grower Magazine stays abreast of grass and … [Read more...]
Attracting and hosting mason bees. You can RENT them!
There are more than 150 species of native, non-imported mason bees, writes Amy Grisak. They are gentle and efficient pollinators who don’t have hives like the more familiar honeybees. Nesting* in wood piles, trees and other plant materials, they lay their eggs in existing gaps or tunnels. Their life cycle is like a butterfly with females laying only 15 eggs in their 4- to … [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...]
Dealing with cats with urinary troubles
When cats are presented with urination issues, open-ended, follow-up questions by the veterinary nurse helps the veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis. writes Paula Plummer LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM). She reminds veterinary nurses why being knowledgeable about pathophysiology is important to the conversations with clients about their pets. Plummer shares useful information when … [Read more...]
Chatfields chat about itchy pets
Complimentary Sponsored Content We’re reposting this episode. Highly viewed in early December 2021, it is timely as winter days lengthen ahead of spring. Dr. Jen the Vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined in the Chat Room by Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, to discuss common reasons pets itch. Skin issues are always in the top 10 reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. Note … [Read more...]
Catching up or just back to normal?
Opinion The recent Vetwatch™ Commentary provides consistent data to help assess the scope, velocity and significance of developments in the veterinary care sector across the United States. Following more current trends, the national 3-week rolling average for practice revenue growth fell to -9.1 percent. None of the nine census divisions posted positive revenue growth for … [Read more...]
Lyme-carrying ticks live longer. What?
Research reported at the annual meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology reveals black-legged ticks infected with the Lyme disease-causing microbe thrive in subfreezing weather and can be active, even in winter. Laura Ferguson, PhD, and Amal El Nabbout reported their findings from working with ticks over three winters. Infected ticks in fluctuating … [Read more...]
Pinkeye in sheep different than pinkeye in cattle
Commercial content included While most prevalent during warmer months, crowed conditions in sheep barns and enclosures during winter increase the risk of animal-to-animal transfer of pinkeye bacteria. Pinkeye, called infectious keratoconjunctivitis, is most frequently caused by one of two bacteria. Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) and Mycoplasma conjunctiva are the culprits … [Read more...]
Building an equine colic toolkit
Chris White, DVM, shares how horse owners can prepare for a colic episode, considerations to make, and things to keep in mind after surgery. In some horses and situations colic can be impossible to prevent. So, having a toolkit that includes an active VCPR will help owners best handle colic when it happens. White reminds horse owners to avoid handling colic episodes alone. … [Read more...]
Prepare for calving time
Calving seasons is nearly here. David Rethorst, DVM with Production Animal Consultation, presents sound reasoning to prepare for the time and how sound animal stewardship makes the best use of resources, puts more quality beef on consumers’ tables and creates value for the industry. Source: Protein Producers, winter 2021-2022, pages 23 – 27. Link. The key for these changes … [Read more...]
Treat nutrition: The why, how and what of proper treating
Treating is a rapidly growing subcategory of pet nutrition. Jessie Nelson AAS, CVT, VTS, and Kara M. Burns MS, MEd, LVT, VTS, VTS-H, discuss the importance of understanding treat use and their nutritional value when working with pet owners. <treats> are intended to be given in moderation. However, many clients may be unaware of this distinction.” Source: Today’s … [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...]