Building a comprehensive foundation for animal health and wellness
|
|
|
As farmers, veterinarians and pet owners know, keeping animals in the best possible health takes time and dedication. From vaccines and diagnostics to nutrition and management, there can be a lot to consider.
In this newsletter, we explore how these pieces come together to form a comprehensive foundation for good health built on four pillars: Prediction, Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment. When each pillar is properly addressed, animals can be well-protected against ill health and the people surrounding them are as well.
|
|
|
Why not share this edition with a colleague?
|
They can sign up here to receive our newsletter every month
|
|
|
From prediction to treatment – the four pillars of animal health
|
Innovation is the backbone of animal health. Vaccines have been a cornerstone of care for decades, while all types of animals are benefiting from new digital and ‘big data’ technologies. For bacterial disease, antibiotics remain the only way to tackle deadly infections. By bringing together the full suite of animal health technologies, we can create four pillars of protection for animals on the farm and in our homes.
|
- Predict. The use of new digital technologies can accurately predict when an animal is at risk of illness, allowing farmers to take preventative action. In udder health management, for instance, measuring somatic cell counts could help alert farmers to the sub-clinical signs of mastitis in cows – the biggest health risk on dairy farms. By doing so, reduced milk yields, veterinary costs and animal illness can all be avoided.
- Prevent. Alongside data, good nutrition, and a robust herd plan, vaccines are key to stopping ill health before it occurs. For example, clostridial diseases in pigs – which can be fatal to piglets – can be prevented through the use of vaccines.
- Diagnose. Regular surveillance through diagnostics can catch illnesses before they have chance to spread. In caring for adult dogs, for instance, a normal wellness blood panel can include the evaluation of red and white blood cell counts (CBC), kidney, liver, and other organ functions. This can ultimately help to diagnose conditions such as diabetes.
- Treat. Not all disease can be avoided, and this means that effective treatments will always be needed. Antibiotics are currently the only way to treat deadly bacterial infections, which is why it’s essential to use them responsibly.
|
|
|
A comprehensive approach to animal health and wellness means animals have multiple layers of protection, that address issues before they grow and potentially spread. This is particularly important for zoonoses, diseases that can jump from animals to people, as safeguarding animals provides a halo of protection for their owners and surrounding community.
It’s why when animals are healthier, people are as well.
|
|
|
|
|
“By bolstering animal health, we can not only avert an emerging disease outbreak, but create lasting economic and societal impact.”
|
|
|
Just one disease, foot and mouth, costs farmers up to $21 billion dollars every year, while ill health can increase beef cattle emissions as much as 113% per beef carcass. Better management of animal health offers an opportunity to strengthen the livelihoods of the +1 billion livestock farmers worldwide, while helping minimize the environmental impact of the sector.
|
|
|
The 4 steps to full spectrum animal health
|
|
|
Why not share this edition with a colleague?
|
|
|
HealthforAnimals, 168 Avenue de Tervueren, 1150 Brussels, Belgium, Box 8, 5th floor
|
|
|
|
