Paul McGreevy, PhD, and Anne Fawcett issue a challenge to the veterinary community’s role in reducing or preventing any negative health impacts of disorders in animals. They utilize brachycephalic or short-skulled dogs as their examples which include French bulldogs, pugs, British bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. . . . given what we know, we’re … [Read more...]
Search Results for: oral health
Things to know about DMSO
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in an industrial solvent turned anti-inflammatory therapy. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical use on horses. However, veterinarians regularly use the chemical off-label in other ways to treat an array of inflammatory conditions from laminitis to neurological problems, writes Christine Barakat. She shares some history … [Read more...]
Retailers get guidance on dental care
Simplicity is key with oral hygiene, according to industry insiders—and brushless options have become very appealing to pet owners, writes Jen Sotolongo. The low-hanging fruit in the modern dental market for animals is centered on home care options that are alternatives to the long-touted brushing. It is important to start conversations. Note the article does not suggest … [Read more...]
Feral cat control through an ethical lens
The trap-neuter-return (TNR) method of feral cat control creates a backdrop for authors to examine our changing societal ethics toward the killing of animals. They explain a shift from an anthropocentric ethic to a zoocentric ethic which is, in part, the result of a growing body of research demonstrating cognition, emotion,and sentience in animals. This prospective can help … [Read more...]
Start yesterday to promote dental month
There’s no question that dental services extend life quality for pets and increase revenue potential for animal health businesses. With the inclusion of home care in the WASAVA Global Dental Guidelines, the dental message has more potential for 2019 National Pet Dental Health Month communications in February. Social media is especially helpful in educating clients because it … [Read more...]
Favorite 2018 posts featuring Addison Biological Laboratory
Addison Biological Laboratory has helped fund AHD’s development and growth as a 2018 sponsor. As we come to the end of the year,we’ve chosen these favorite posts referencing the company. Source: Animal Health Digest. Sponsored Content – Pinkeye Cofactors, Animal Health Digest, June 24, 2018. Link.This post features the printable .pdf of New Findings with Bovine Pinkeye … [Read more...]
How to respond if you keep getting interrupted at meetings
Whether during a group meeting or during a one-on-one conversation, getting interrupted is frustrating and sometimes demoralizing. The impact of being interrupted tends to be most negative when it prevents you from finishing a thought. Preparation for interruptions is key, shares Tania Luna. She offers ways to navigate the various norms in different situations. Source: Fast … [Read more...]
Philosophy professor questions ethics of some pet spending
Sandra Woien, philosophy lecturer at Arizona State University, speaks out on elements of the millions of dollars spent on pets. Citing the philosophy of effective altruism, she suggests if the money spent of pets was instead donated to a good cause, more good or utility could be produced. According to one estimate, about $440 million of pet spending in the U.S. was on … [Read more...]
Stop doing 7 things found in the worst managers
Animal health pros often lead projects, work in groups and work as managers. Marcel Schwantes reviews counterproductive behaviors that destroy team morale and performance. His perspective is focused on new hires. However, these examples are equally consistent with team and group performance. Source: Inc., September 18, 2018. Link. These behaviors are recognized as toxic: … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Home dental care now in WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines were updated August 1, 2018. They now include a section on dental home care. The two major types of home plaque control are active and passive. Both types can be effective if performed correctly and consistently. Active homecare is currently the gold standard. Active homecare involves the … [Read more...]
Opinion – Chew on this blast from the past
AHD editor, Rick Purnell, found a dental care brochure in a media kit from 2007. See the images of the Hartz® brochure at the link below. While the graphics show how far we’ve come in presenting products in the last 10 plus years, the messages are alarmingly similar. A Google search for the study referenced indicates its results have been referenced by as many as 20 or more … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLINK and UC-Davis form diagnostics partnership
The integration of two software solutions, LabLINK HIMS™ and Disease BioPortal®, will enable veterinarians and livestock production personnel to manage diagnostic lab results and improve the speed of health-based decision making. GVL’s LabLINK HIMS software has been used by swine veterinarians and integrated producers for more effective herd health management. With the UC … [Read more...]
Signs of ulcers in horses often subtle
Boehringer Ingelheim’s Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, MS, DACVS, discusses equine stomach ulcers and reminds us that subtle changes can signal an ulcer condition. Clinical signs of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) are not pathognomonic, meaning not very highly associated with the disease. Some signs of EGUS, such as behavioral issues or poor performance, can be so common that they … [Read more...]
Understanding the cat
Ilona Rodan, DVM, offers animal health pros the opportunity to learn to recognize and prevent feline stressors surrounding veterinary visits. Regardless of practice type, these measures improve patient experiences, client acceptance of veterinary services and reduce injury rates. For some, this may be a review. For veterinary teams, the information is a valuable resource to … [Read more...]
Canine Confidential: Why dogs do what they do (book review)
In his new book, “Canine Confidential,” Marc Bekhoff gathered up the latest research from canine cognitive/behavioral fields, as well as his own, and presents the information in an inviting, conversational mode that makes complicated topics much easier to grasp. This volume covers much ground, from canine cognition and their rich emotional lives and behavioral proclivities to … [Read more...]
The immune system and the pathogenesis of depression
The discovery of “why” is part of many animal health pros’ scientific makeup. We investigate to understand and then study more to be sure we understand. For several months, our industry has been focused on suicide and its underpinnings, including depression. This article references studies that have shown a link between chronic immune responses and the development and presence … [Read more...]
Top 5 kitten behavior tips
Kitten owners can avoid future behavior challenges by communicating expectations to their kittens. For that to occur, veterinary teams can help by providing basic guidance to owners. Most unwanted destructive behaviors can be prevented with thoughtful management. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, February 2016. Link. Some simple interventions may prevent unwanted behaviors and … [Read more...]
Bad dog breath; Szabo’s home remedies
Julia Szabo is a frequent contributor of content to Dogster. Bad dog breath is a sign of an unhealthy mouth, she states and offers eight home remedies for it. We’re sharing her list and explanations for consideration by animal health pros when discussing dog halitosis with pet owners. Because this list includes some spices, we added spices and neem oil references. Source: … [Read more...]
Cats need dental care – Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (includes photos)
Dental month is a memory, but dental issues still affect cat health. Heidi B. Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, with Main Street Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic, writes about dealing with stomatitis in cats. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2018. (Link) Stomatitis can refer to any inflammation in the oral cavity, but, clinically, it typically refers to the exaggerated immune … [Read more...]
Emotional support animals probably don’t do anything for anxiety
People have been traveling with emotional support animals for years, claiming they serve a mental health purpose. But the scientific case for comfort animals is very weak, according to this Prevention article. “These animals provide the sole purpose of emotional support,” says Molly Crossman, a doctoral student in clinical study at Yale University who authored a study about how … [Read more...]
Study proves that dogs are good judges of character
A study recently published in the journal, “Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews,” found that dogs can tell when someone is being rude or mean to another person. Like humans, dogs then use this information to decide how to treat people. Source: Simplemost. Dogs in the study reacted negatively to humans who refused to help their owners. “We discovered for the first time … [Read more...]
Children, sandboxes, pin worms and pets
Here are the facts about the neighbors’ cats using the sandbox, even though my mother and grandmother told me differently: Human pinworms, such as Enterobius vermicularis are nonzoonotic intestinal parasitic worms of human hosts. Humans are considered to be the only hosts of E vermicularis; therefore, human pinworms cannot originate from pets or other animals and vice … [Read more...]
Survey shines light on pork industry’s biosecurity investment
A new survey study from Iowa State University (ISU) reveals the challenges of biosecure swine production and the variations of adoption of biosecure measures. It also highlights opportunities to help increase biosecurity measures. For animal health pros, the challenges in these results further underscore the themes of compliance across all species. Specifically, note the … [Read more...]
Signs of a sick dog
Dog Breeds Center recently surfaced as another media source targeting animal owners. Mark Reed offers dog owners some signs that a dog might be sick. The tips are logical and the images represent situations well. Consider this resource for social media posts and website content. Source: Dog Breeds Center. All of these symptoms and any sudden behavioral change require an … [Read more...]
5 signs of cat dental disease
JaneA Kelly reminds us the American Veterinary Dental Society says almost 70 percent of cats start showing signs of oral disease by their third birthday. Because cats hide their pain, cat owners may not know a cat’s mouth is hurting until its oral disease becomes severe. Of course, a preventive care program consisting of brushing your cat’s teeth daily is recommended. The … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – My MAXI/GUARD® surprise in Better Homes and Garden
During a recent visit to the grocery, I picked-up a copy of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. A one-page article featuring a Pug titled, “Happy Teeth” caught my eye. It referenced Jan Bellows, president of the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. My surprise was under the heading, “The Right Tools” in the right-hand column. Number 1 called out MAXI/GUARD® Oral Cleansing … [Read more...]
Opinion – Dental month; long in the tooth
While February is National Pet Dental Health Month, dental health should be a daily ritual for pet owners all year long. Yeah, right! For longer than the three decades I’ve been working in animal health, we’ve promoted dental care, regular oral exams and periodic cleaning. Yet, approximately 75 percent of dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal disease. Despite … [Read more...]
Cuddling Fido in bed can cause problems
The discussion of sleeping with pets continues. An estimated 79 percent of pet owners share their beds with their pets. As reported by WebMD, a survey from the American Pet Products Association determined that 62 percent of small dogs, 41 percent of medium-sized dogs, and 32 percent of large dogs sleep in their human’s beds. Source: Cesar’s Way, November 15, 2017. In … [Read more...]
Wild pigs march across the U.S.
The wild pig population explosion shows no signs of slowing. It has expanded from 19 states in 1985 to 39 states in 2016. Recent testing of using sodium nitrate in the form of a new oral toxicant is showing promise to help curb wild pig populations. Dale Nolte, national coordinator for the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program, said, “Recent research results suggest … [Read more...]
Awesome dentistry tools
Our industry has been pushing pet dental care for more than 20 years. Greater understanding of the human-animal bond is helping to grow the potential for dental care. Mary Berg, BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS, a well-known dental educator, talks about three handy products and reinforces the use of a soft bristle brush. Source: Firstline, August 4, 2016. See Berg’s review of: … [Read more...]