Their seasonal work may be done, but bulls need attention to recover body conditioning and breeding soundness during winter months. Cassidy Woolsey shares information from a December Beefwatch webinar series featuring Kacie McCarthy, cow-calf specialist at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Source: Progressive Cattle, December 29, 2020. Link. “Coming off the breeding … [Read more...]
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Best air purifiers for pet dander and allergies
Potentially 20 percent of people have allergies to pets, writes Joelle Klein. For those who do, air purifiers may provide added support for removing dander, hair and odors. Klein shares products independently selected and reviewed by the Daily Paws editorial team. Source: Daily Paws, December 29, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Air purifiers can help owners with allergies avoid … [Read more...]
Nail trimming 101 (includes video)
An industry colleague recently said, “. . . the ability to trim a dog’s nails should be a prerequisite to being allowed to own a dog!” While his point was extreme, basic nail care can be easily managed at home with proper education and training. Teresa Manucy, DVM, shares information about how to trim, equipment and the process. A demonstration video from Katy Nelson, DVM, … [Read more...]
Disagreement doesn’t have to be divisive
Rather than engaging in potentially difficult or uncomfortable conversations, many of us try to avoid them altogether. But there may be a more effective approach. . . “ Source: Harvard Business Review, November 16, 2020. Link. When someone has a sharply different point of view than your own, the natural tendency is to either avoid a conversation with that person or to try to … [Read more...]
Beef on the TV for the holidays
Checkoff-funded “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” is running its famous holiday Drool Log as a TV commercial series during the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas. Several commercial versions will air more than 50 times ending at New Year's. The campaign is funded with joint monies from national and state checkoff programs and fulfills members’ requests for better consumer … [Read more...]
Training Industry’s top 10 magazine and web articles from 2020
Like skiers racing ahead of an avalanche, training industry professionals have progressively adjusted learning strategies to address goals and objectives to support WFH and remote learning. Agile learning strategies used creativity and innovation to close skills gaps and prepare employees for immediate continuity and for future roles. Source: Training Industry, December 20, … [Read more...]
Honey, I shrunk the goat
When considering a backyard pet, a manageable 4-H project for a child, or smaller livestock for a homestead or hobby farm, consider these small goat breeds. Theresa Miller offers a concise catalogue of compact caprines. Source: Backyard Goats, October 9, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Signs and treatment of dog tooth infections
John Huff, DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC, shares his perspectives on dog tooth infections, what causes them and things for owners to watch for. He names chewing on objects that are too hard for your dog’s teeth, which could be common dog-chew items like tennis balls, deer antlers, pig’s ears and rawhide as common culprits that can cause teeth to break and become susceptible to … [Read more...]
Recent updates from Lucca Veterinary Data Security
Sponsored Content Clint Latham, JD works to help privately owned veterinary practices understand and protect their data from outside cybersecurity risks. We’ve linked his most recent updates from the Lucca Vet blog. Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Security blog. Link. 9 cyber threats facing veterinary hospitals, December 2, 2020. Link. 7 email risks that threaten … [Read more...]
2020 e-commerce surge carried pet food along for the ride
“One of the driving factors behind the e-commerce growth trends for pet food was the growth of millennial pet owners who were preconditioned to online shopping. The pandemic has taken this storyline and put it on steroids,” according to Tom Elliott citing a new report from Capstone Headwaters. In a related discussion, Fritz Wood, CPA and Vertical Vet's Dr. Ernie Ward … [Read more...]
The never-ending parasite dilemma
John Gillam, DVM, discusses parasites in ungulates including types, life cycles, treatments, testing and slowing down resistance. . . . understanding parasite treatment and the worms that can plague cattle is critical to developing healthy herds.” - John Gilliam, DVM Source: High Plains Journal, December 2, 2020. Link. “We actually select those parasite populations for … [Read more...]
Water: the forgotten nutrient
Water is known as the forgotten nutrient. Google it and you’ll find references to many species. Pedro E. Urriola shares perspectives from discussions at the recent Lehman workshop on water’s importance in pig production. . . . water can absorb a lot of heat before it starts to get hot. . . it is essential to thermal homeostasis of pigs, and all living species . . … [Read more...]
Preparations now will ease winter on chicken flocks
Shelby Stone shares tips on winterizing coops and preparing chickens for colder months. Her guidance covers bedding, heated waterers, care with heat lamps and updating diets. Note the tip for protecting combs and waddles using a coating of Vaseline. Source: Acreage Life, November 2020, page 23. Link. INSIGHTS: Chicken keepers will appreciate getting this article from … [Read more...]
Tail pull injuries and recovery in cats
Tail-pull injuries are relatively common in cats and present as a limp, sometimes painful, tail. Jonathan Miller, DVM, MS, DACVS, reviews a recent paper discussing the return of urinary and defecatory function in cats with sacrocaudal luxation. Despite nerve dysfunction commonly being noted at the time of injury, most cats regained function with time.” Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
Not all scents safely make sense
The holiday season brings new visual stimuli to our environments. It also is commonly accompanied by a variety of seasonal smells in diffusors, candles and sprays. Some of these are toxic to pets. Source: Catnip, November 19, 2020. Link. Common essential oils that could prove toxic in the wrong dose include: Tea tree, citrus, pine, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, peppermint, sweet … [Read more...]
Discuss treatment plans to avoid surprises
Emily Shiver, practice manager, CVPM, CCFP, shares proven tips to help present treatment plans and their financial components. Note the physical alignment, transparency, empathy, outcomes and acknowledgement elements she highlights. Presenting treatment plans with empathy and compassion helps to eliminate some of the stress of this delicate discussion. It also potentially … [Read more...]
Pet Business customer loyalty survey results
Results from a 2020 survey of persons using small businesses reinforces the importance of three factors important to boarding, daycare and groomers. These factors are familiar in veterinary surveys and important to consider as the clients are the same. Deliver high-quality service consistently: 62 percent said this is the most important trait Create a personalized … [Read more...]
Swine vets, producers invited to participate in survey about pig castration pain management
No drugs in the US are approved for castration pain relief in pigs, but veterinarians have options to administer pain-relieving drugs via extra-label methods. Three focus groups conducted at the recent AASV annual meeting identified three factors that influence the use of pain management. They are: Lack of approved pain reliving productions that have been validated for … [Read more...]
Other small pets, an important segment to monitor
Pet ownership beyond cats and dogs may make up a small part of the industry’s focus, but trends in small pets mirror what’s happening in the marketplace. The popularity of reptiles and amphibians within the pet trade is simply on fire right now. . . ” - John Mack. founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack Source: Petfood Industry, October 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Watch any two … [Read more...]
Who’s watching the kids?
Commentary Two articles and Thanksgiving experiences prompt this post. Whether rural, urban or suburban, parents are taxed. The effects of changing school schedules, daycare limitations, restrictions on gatherings and physical distancing play out in family lives and at work. Virtual care helps, but only goes so far. Even with optimum resources, parents are stressed to know … [Read more...]
Stocker cattleman shares systems thinking
Wes Ishmael shares what must have been a refreshing discussion with John Groves, DVM from Eldon, Missouri. They discuss how applying elements of system thinking impacts overall outcomes and flexibility in stocker beef operations. Whether systems thinking or a holistic approach, the animal is seen as being part of the complete farm ecosystem. The most exceptional operations are … [Read more...]
Pros and cons of chicken coop heating
Jeremy Chartier recommends setting chicken coop heating to about 40oF to help chickens continue to lay eggs, keep eggs from freezing and have liquidwater to drink. Source: Backyard Poultry, November 16, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Turkey talk. Skip the bones for sure!
Turkey is not toxic to dogs. But spices and rubs might cause some gastro upsets. Turkey bones like chicken bones are brittle and add myriad risks from mouth to tail and in between. Anna Burke shares four things to keep dogs safe during Thanksgiving festivities: Skip the skin Feed ONLY the turkey meat Feed only small quantities of turkey Make sure there are no … [Read more...]
Infectious respiratory disease in animal shelters
Commentary This discussion of respiratory disease in shelters and facilities where animals are commingled and frequently moved in and out is warranted and timely. Much to my surprise, disinfection disciplines were not mentioned. With pathogens are hard to identify and when immunity from vaccination of naïve animals takes 7 to 14 days to develop, disinfection is the core … [Read more...]
Four reasons to change a horse’s diet
Change for the sake of change is not usually recommended for horse diets. There are occasions where diets should be reexamined and a change in feed may be warranted writes Christine Barakat. She shares these four times*: Change of life stage Change of activity level Change in geographic location Change in health status *We would add change in water sources as a … [Read more...]
Multiple influences affect puppy litter size
No matter how a bitch acts or looks, not even experts can be 100-percent sure about her general fertility and an estimated puppy count. Source: Breeding Business, Link. There are several factors influencing the number of puppies a given female will have in her next litter. These include: The breed Size of the female Coefficient of inbreeding Age of the bitch … [Read more...]
Dog park etiquette
Harriet Meyers reminds us that not all dogs are ready for a dog park experience. She discusses the benefits and focuses on readiness including vaccination, safety, environmental concerns and socialization. Her article is a good one for social media and newsletters. Source: AKC, October 7, 2020. Link. Also see: How to safely greet a strange dog, AKC, November 6, 2020. … [Read more...]
Cow Buoy pops up anew (slideshow)
No livestock person is happy about a downed cow. Getting one up is near impossible. Typical of the hands-on work of producers, Roger Swihart remembered and updated the original Cow Buoy creating the Cow Crane. Source: Missouri Ruralist, November 2, 2020. Link. You can see how it operates on the company website <video demonstration> INSIGHTS: Like portable chutes, … [Read more...]
Llamas, great for small farms
Llamas, members of the camelid family, are a growing choice of ruralpolitan farmers and small acreage owners due to the animals’ relatively small size compared to horses, ponies or cattle. Their unique digestive system and highly efficient use of forage means llamas require less acreage per animal. They are excellent guardian animals, but require planning and education for good … [Read more...]
Wolf success story
The gray wolf population is thriving in the lower 48 states after more than four decades on the endangered species list. The Department of the Interior announced it has removed the gray wolf from the list, signaling a successful recovery under the Endangered Species Act. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, November 3, 2020. Link. Also see: Gray wolf (Canis lupus), U.S. Fish and … [Read more...]