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The Wait Is Almost Over – New Content Next Week
It’s crunch time! We are one month out from the big day. All travel plans should be finalized. We arrived at the hotel a few days ahead of the exam to allow for a “settling in” period. We didn’t want a stressful day of travel, with little rest and feeling rushed, the night before the test. Bring necessary comforts of
Despite life, work, and intense studying, you have taken time to purchase flowers for that all-important holiday that occurs near the ides of February. We are talking of course, about Lupercalia, the ancient Sabine celebration which the Romans later renamed as Februa. During this time, we purify evil I-can’t-possibly-pass-this-test self-doubts and rejuvenate our health and cognitive fertility. With
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Thanksgiving Food SafetyLength: 2 min 14 secondsWritten and read by the author
“What do you feed your dog?” you perfunctorily inquire, while completing your examination. “Cooked chicken and rice,” the pet owner boasts. “Is that on top of the kibble?” “No. Just chicken and rice. I buy premium, cooked chickens at Costco. I make sure it is lean, white meat, no skin, no bones, no fat. Then I cook some white
Raw oysters on the half-shell. Just the words invoke strong responses. For some, these trigger dreamy-eyed memories of Beausoleil or Bluepoint delicacies garnished with favorite toppings. Others wrinkle their lips at the idea of eating a chilled, living, or recently dead filter feeder with the consistency of sturdy phlegm. Neutral feelings on eating raw oysters appear rare. About fifteen years
As we trudged knee-deep through the course of this year, we witnessed dramatic adjustments in our life. In scientific measurement terms, we experienced a “shift-ton” of change. Many human and pet viral strains arise from genetic mutations, processes commonly referred to as “shift and drift.” Antigenic drift represents subtle changes that occur through transcription errors. For multicellular mammals like ourselves,
It’s crunch time! We are one month out from the big day. All travel plans should be finalized. We arrived at the hotel a few
Despite life, work, and intense studying, you have taken time to purchase flowers for that all-important holiday that occurs near the ides of February.
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Thanksgiving
“What do you feed your dog?” you perfunctorily inquire, while completing your examination. “Cooked chicken and rice,” the pet owner boasts. “Is that on
Raw oysters on the half-shell. Just the words invoke strong responses. For some, these trigger dreamy-eyed memories of Beausoleil or Bluepoint delicacies garnished with favorite
As we trudged knee-deep through the course of this year, we witnessed dramatic adjustments in our life. In scientific measurement terms, we experienced a “shift-ton”
Together, my rounded, asymmetric face, flirtatiously irregular hairline, upturned nostrils, and small, almost beady, eyes create a visage that Chris Hemsworth and Keanu Reeves envy.
Have you ever asked, “What are my odds?” For most people, this question seeks information different from what an epidemiologist, mathematician, or gambler inquires after.
Have you ever read a vaccine study and quickly tried to skip to the heart of the matter? Perhaps there is someone there, a teacher,
In some parts of the country, fall has arrived. Unfortunately, in South Texas, we never really make the transition to fall colors, pumpkin spice, or
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Welcome back. In the last malaria podcast, we covered the background and challenges malaria presented regarding vaccines. Today, we will lightly touch upon some of
When you see a person wearing a mask at an airport, why are they doing it? Should you be wearing one? Some look like simple
Like the ancient Roman army, cytokines are a formidable force When facing Carthaginian forces on the field of battle, Roman infantry proved devastating and impactful.
We have discussed many aspects of agriculture and food safety. There remains one species of food producing animals who rarely get the credit they deserve.
When flipping through a news article involving infectious disease, it’s likely you have some across the terms of incidence and prevalence. “There is an alarming
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works hard to prevent toxins from entering the American food and water supplies. We have seen this with CERCLA, radon,
Omnivorous opossums creep quietly through the night, in search of a meal of just about anything. Many benefits come from having opossums for neighbors, including
Giving up ultimate power for peace, gardening and cabbages The Roman emperor Diocletian helped demarcate the separation between the Roman and Byzantine empires. While not
Drug resistance affects all species, across the spectrum of all drug classes. Antibiotic resistance appears in the news frequently. Less popular, but just as concerning,
Despite the importance, understanding the US government agencies related to public health challenges all that attempt it. It turns into alphabet soup rather quickly. Hopefully,
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Protecting workers from occupational hazards is a complex process. Workplace injuries cost industry billions of dollars every year in lost production and medical expenses. To
I certainly hope not because infection with Giardia intestinalis is both uncomfortable and embarrassing. For pets and people, diarrhea, gas, nausea and sometimes vomiting are
Ebola hemorrhagic fever Ebola hemorrhagic fever no longer exists as a mysterious disease in the jungles of Africa. It has once again reared its ugly
When the impossible becomes possible, fear ensues When Hannibal, his army, and approximately 40 elephants geared for battle crossed the Alps into Italy, he struck
Have you ever read a vaccine study and quickly tried to skip to the heart of the matter? Perhaps there is someone there, a teacher,
A bat lives as a small, unassuming creature. Most people fear them, and rightly so. Bats are known vectors of rabies. But, they should be
The US is currently battling another foreign animal disease outbreak. Last week, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was identified in two horses in south Texas and
It has been raining here for almost 36 hours. This has been one of the wettest fall/winter seasons in recent years. While good news for
Modern science has made some tremendous breakthroughs in the last century. Diseases that used to plague livestock have now been brought under control or eradicated
Have you noticed some days there seems to be a “haze” in the air? Does it seem harder to breathe on those days? Ever wondered
Infectivity, Pathogenicity, and Virulence. When considering the risks of invasion, numbers do not equate equally. To develop strategies for imminent battles, generals would consider types
Have you been recommended to have your goat vaccinated for rabies? Perhaps you don’t have a goat but own other livestock or even pets. Have
Canning your own foods at home is a great way to preserve extra food, and provide meals for your family. If the process is not
We have discussed many aspects of agriculture and food safety. There remains one species of food producing animals who rarely get the credit they deserve.
What happens when equine feet are neglected, or environmental conditions are less than ideal? The hoof is under constant assault from arid conditions, wet conditions,
Maggots are gross. No two ways about it. Tiny little creatures with a voracious appetite consuming flesh. But, did you know that there are different
Differential Diagnosis The ACVPM exam is over, and you decide to reward your hard work with a relaxing night out. While at supper, you are
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Rabbit
Like incidence and prevalence, sensitivity and specificity are twin sons of different mothers. And there is no Fogleberg fallout here. These guys stick together. Knowing
When you see a person wearing a mask at an airport, why are they doing it? Should you be wearing one? Some look like simple
All life depends on the hydrologic cycle. Life and death cycle, as does water. Today’s rain will be tomorrow’s groundwater.
We covered the basics of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in our previous post. We will delve a little deeper into the three economically significant diseases in
Ah, spring. It is the best of times, it is the worst of mosquitoes. It is the season of light, it is the season of
Podcast: Free Audio File If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the
Benjamin Franklin once said: “For the want of a nail the shoe was lost, For the want of a shoe the horse was lost, For
In some parts of the country, fall has arrived. Unfortunately, in South Texas, we never really make the transition to fall colors, pumpkin spice, or
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: AnthraxLength:
Gosh, Gram it! Why is it that every time I take a class or read an article that involves bacteria, there is an insistence on
There have been a few articles in the news recently involving cases of human illness from drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk or consuming dairy products made
One of my all-time favorite TV shows is Frasier from the ’90s. In one episode, Frasier’s brother Niles reminds us of the axiom, “Less is
The kissing bug evokes thoughts of Valentine’s Day, young love, chocolate, and chagomas. The last would not be something you want to receive from your
Despite the importance, understanding the US government agencies related to public health challenges all that attempt it. It turns into alphabet soup rather quickly. Hopefully,
Kamikaze or “Divine Winds” twice saved Japan from the Mongolian Fleet Long before the current use of the word kamikaze, Japanese used “divine wind,” the
If you are outside of the medical field, the term half-life may conjure thoughts of radioactivity or carbon dating. Within the medical field, half-life tells
Congress enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) on December 11, 1980. Commonly referred to as Superfund, the Act created a tax
Great stories require great villains, which implies three-dimensional, well-developed characters. Often, they generate more interest and fascination than the hero, hence, the prevalence of antiheroes
What do skinny cows, armadillos, elephants and coughing humans have in common? Turns out, they all play host to a very malicious genus of bacteria.
In our last podcast, we tackled the common question of why you might give a rabies vaccine that is labeled for one species to an
Few people have been affected first hand by disaster like the residents of California right now. Devastation of that magnitude is thankfully rare in the
As we trudged knee-deep through the course of this year, we witnessed dramatic adjustments in our life. In scientific measurement terms, we experienced a “shift-ton”
Together, my rounded, asymmetric face, flirtatiously irregular hairline, upturned nostrils, and small, almost beady, eyes create a visage that Chris Hemsworth and Keanu Reeves envy.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of over 70 species of wild and domestic cloven-hoofed mammals. From the OIE Technical
We are at the peak of summer equine activities: fairs, rodeos, trail rides, weekend ropings. Unfortunately, many horse owners elect to stay home to protect
With a name like Q fever, you would expect this disease to be obscure and rare. In fact, it is found worldwide (except in New
Terms of Venery In the late Middle Ages, the terms of naming groups of animals rapidly expanded. After all, without Netflix or Twitter, what else
No one wants to deal with a medical emergency. They are never planned, and always seem to occur at the least opportune time. You can
Weaning will be upon us sooner than expected. Are your calves ready? Are they protected from blackleg? All breeds of calves are susceptible to blackleg,
Drug resistance affects all species, across the spectrum of all drug classes. Antibiotic resistance appears in the news frequently. Less popular, but just as concerning,
After the recent loss of my beloved gelding, the topic of secondary toxicosis in wildlife came to mind. Digging a grave in dry, hard ground
Vacation season draws to a close. School will soon start back. Many people enjoyed a relaxing getaway, and perhaps stayed in a nice hotel. In
“Thou shouldst say regarding him: ‘One having a gaping wound in his head penetrating to the bone, perforating the sutures of his skull; he has
Spring Break has passed, and it’s time to hit the books again. In just 10 rapidly approaching weeks, all your hard work will be put
Does Karenia Mean “Pure Evil?” The name Karen comes from the Greek word for “pure.” Pure what though, can be interpreted. In the case of
Why do we date? Well, simply because we do not wish to be alone. In fact, much of our daily behavior could be attributed to
Have you ever tasted something that was rancid? Not fun! Chances are you have eaten something rancid and not known that rancidity was the cause.
When flipping through a news article involving infectious disease, it’s likely you have some across the terms of incidence and prevalence. “There is an alarming
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Garlic
Fun Facts on Plague You are at risk for plague! Well, in the same way, that you are at risk of being struck by lightning…
Napalm vs Greek Fire When recalling the horrors of WW II, Vietnam, and the Korean war, we can hardly do so without including the haunting
I have always undervalued vomiting. I hate vomiting. When I say “hate,” I am not using this in our culture’s overused version of the term.
The Chinese Nei Ching text dating back more than 4000 years (2700 BCE), attributes malaria to the machinations of three demons: one carrying a hammer,
Podcast: Free Audio File If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the
At the dawn of the 18th Century, in a small Berlin laboratory, a dye maker used a contaminated ingredient and stumbled upon a discovery that
Lengthening days and warmer weather bring spring storms. With tornado season upon us, now is the time to go through your Go Bag, update medications,
In our fourth and final installment of prion diseases, we will discuss probably the most familiar of the TSEs: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Most cases
Pliny the Elder’s beliefs on ticks Since people have looked out at their natural world, they have sought to classify and understand all life, including
Disaster preparedness is becoming a common theme in the news these days. From floods, fires, tornados, and hurricanes, a disaster is occurring somewhere every day.
A family of diseases caused by a little known agent is making a steady march across the US. One form of this disease is centuries
Omnivorous opossums creep quietly through the night, in search of a meal of just about anything. Many benefits come from having opossums for neighbors, including
How much poo do you want to make? Sounds weird but this is an important evolutionary question. A food-to-poo ratio appears pre-set, but it isn’t.
Cattle herds of all sizes benefit from the protection of herd immunity. This is achieved by annual vaccination of all animals against diseases that are
We are in a continual battle to protect our fragile alveoli every day. Escaping into a climate controlled building can protect us from criteria air
You are what you eat. The same goes for your livestock. If they are to perform to their greatest potential, you must provide them with
Raw oysters on the half-shell. Just the words invoke strong responses. For some, these trigger dreamy-eyed memories of Beausoleil or Bluepoint delicacies garnished with favorite
Giving up ultimate power for peace, gardening and cabbages The Roman emperor Diocletian helped demarcate the separation between the Roman and Byzantine empires. While not
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Thanksgiving
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler” – Einstein “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler,” wise
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works hard to prevent toxins from entering the American food and water supplies. We have seen this with CERCLA, radon,
Horses are very susceptible to many vaccine preventable diseases. Some of the more common ones are EEE/WEE/VEE, rabies, West Nile, and tetanus. These are considered
Good husbandry practices continue to eliminate many diseases that have plagued livestock owners for many generations. We have seen the eradication of rinderpest, brought many
Imagine a story. Earth’s population faces extinction from a predator that takes no prisoners. Every fortress invaded; the population dies… to the last individual. No
I remember being a small child and my father took me to the Los Angeles Zoo. Having been raised in the suburbs, livestock represented cute
What is a fomite, you might be wondering? Is it a thing? A place, a condition, or a person? It can actually be three of
When we discuss foreign animal diseases, we usually think of mammals, with the occasional bird outbreak. But, in the field of veterinary medicine, we treat
Brainerd disease isn’t just for the smart. Brainerd disease almost sounds like something that you want to have doesn’t it? “How did I ace that
While many people take St. John’s Wort as an herbal treatment for depression, the plant induces painful sunburns in goats when eaten. Sound crazy? Wondering
Oligodynamics: Copper, element 29, perches atop the eleventh column of the periodic table above some extraordinary transition metals. Leading the way with oligodynamic, or bacterial
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Rabies
Why oh why, would I give goats sheep vaccines? Seems counterintuitive right? We put horseshoes on horses, give cats cat food, and give goats… what?
“What do you feed your dog?” you perfunctorily inquire, while completing your examination. “Cooked chicken and rice,” the pet owner boasts. “Is that on
The US is currently battling another foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak. Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND) made its way into southern California and continues to spread.
Imagine a beautiful summer evening. You are sitting in your chair, listening to the birds and watching deer move in. Such a peaceful, serene, relaxing
In our third installment of prion diseases, we will discuss the oldest of the TSEs: scrapie. Scrapie affects sheep, goats, and their close relatives. Scrapie
Baylisascaris procyonis is the name of the roundworm found in raccoons. It does infect other wildlife species (e.g., skunks, bears) and domestic dogs. People are
This has been an unprecedented year for hurricanes. A total of three Category 4 storms made landfall in the US. Hurricanes are rated using the
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-kjerv-816c3a What are Free Radicals and Oxidants? How exactly do they cause harm? In this short, fun podcast we dive into the weeds using a
In the last post, we introduced the six criteria air pollutants. In this installment, we delve deeper into their malicious nature, and the damage they
A closer look at Predictive Values When waging war and winning battles, successful generals consider timing a critical factor. Shall we move at dawn or
Clean water is the key to maintaining any civilization. John Snow is credited with linking a cholera epidemic to contaminated drinking water in 1855. According
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often overlooked in day-to-day activities. But, in some cases, your life could literally depend on your PPE. It could be
