A new review <Link> emphasizes that tick and tick-borne disease control in the United States now requires a coordinated One Health strategy that accounts for changing tick distributions, wildlife and domestic animal hosts, environmental conditions and human exposure patterns. Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA, shares the rationales in this article. The expanding range of … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2026
Private equity ownership of clinics draws scrutiny (video)
Geoff Bennett sets the stage for this content, saying, “As veterinary care prices rise, attention is turning to a major shift in the industry: private equity firms and large corporations buying up veterinary practices across the country.” Commentary The dialogue here is yet another public-facing discussion of price, ownership and practice objectives that animal owners are … [Read more...]
Most-read Malone posts: January 2026 through June 2026
If there’s one thing consistent with Animal Health Digest readers, it’s Patrick Malone’s posts. The writing, wisdom and advice he shares from his own experiences and from leaders in multiple industries are consistently among the most-read posts in any issue. In fact, they are often opened three times more than other posts. Here are his latest chart toppers. Source: Animal … [Read more...]
Hormone Friendly Vetmed campaign from Vet Empowered, LLC
Complimentary Veterinary medicine has one of the highest proportions of women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals in any professional workforce, and yet conversations about how hormonal health intersects with work performance, mental health and team dynamics remain rare or are dismissed entirely, writes Katie Ford, MRCVS <Link>. Silently ignoring these … [Read more...]
When “We’re like family” becomes a leadership problem
In a June 2022 post <Link>, I commented, “A company employs you because what you do is valuable. Your value must be enough to justify your salary.” In the post’s article, Gloria Chan Packer gave guidance to deal with the “like family” paradigm, which can be destructive to teams and individuals. Marlene Chism addresses “like family” in depth in the article linked here. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 6, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Two webinars scheduled for July: Future Proofing Pet Care Facilities, July 15th Staffing Systems to Protect the Business, July 30th 16 new members added in 2-Q-2026 Congratulations to the members who earned a Species Certification in Q2. NOTE: The IBPSA email communications calendar is changing effective August 3rd Source: … [Read more...]
The PACCC Insider – Summer 2026 Edition
The Summer 2026 PACCC Insider highlights important industry updates, celebrates newly certified professionals, shares upcoming educational opportunities and recognizes the continued growth of the PACCC community. The pet care industry continues to grow and evolve. Professionalism and education have never been more important. Third-party certification helps demonstrate a … [Read more...]
Handling the unruly patient
Commentary David Burger’s article reviews an apparent increase in fractious pets that increase injury risks for veterinary teams and pet owners alike. While “do more training” is advocated, it is clear that beyond veterinary teams adjusting their approach with problem pets, getting modern pet owners to establish basic behavior boundaries is difficult. Similarly, groomers … [Read more...]
Review: Dogs can get a sunburn, too
Includes commercial references It is typically not top of mind but sun protection is another important preventive consideration as dogs get sunburned as humans do. Barri J. Morrison, DVM, provides appropriate reminders in this article worth sharing with pet owners. Groomers can be a good source for sunburn education as dogs leave the salon with a fresh haircut. Key … [Read more...]
Beyond exercise: The role of stretching routines for dog joint health
Commercial source Exercise alone isn’t always enough to support your dog’s mobility, writes Britt Kascjak in this informative article. She shares five essential stretches for dog joint health, their benefits, safety and when it is best to help dogs stretch. Consider this article for newsletters, social media posts and for exam room information to help dog owners add … [Read more...]
Study: Outdoor access may help improve welfare in multi-cat homes
Zazie Todd, PhD, summarizes key points from a new correlational study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science <Link>. It reveals insightful welfare dynamics in multi-cat households with and without outside access. Many cats would prefer to be the only cat in the home. Having more than one cat is linked to poorer welfare*. In a study, when cats had outdoor access, … [Read more...]
10 Q&As about pet food for aging dogs and cats
Good read Despite the expanding population of senior pets, scientists observed that nutritional recommendations remain largely based on research conducted in younger animals. In a literature review published in the journal Animals, they examined what scientists know about nutrition for aging dogs and cats, identify the biggest gaps in current knowledge and outline the … [Read more...]
Review: Understanding the three stages of laminitis in horses
Regardless of how long laminitis takes to manifest, or what initially caused it, the illness tends to follow three key stages, says Chris Pollitt, BVSc, PhD. The article here reviews the laminitis stages from when it’s most obvious and destructive in the chronic stage, back to the acute stage and finally the initial developmental stage. Pollitt adds that decades of research … [Read more...]
Keep water clean on dairies for cows’ safety
Reinforcing the importance of clean water, Russ Cavanaugh addresses the potential of water as a fomite. He contrasts how most poultry and hog producers approach water treatment with a relative lack of water treatment systems on dairies. His article is a call to action for dairy operators to know what is in their water and to devise a treatment and monitoring system to ensure … [Read more...]
Build cows that stay: Smarter heifer development for long-term productivity
Early conception during the first breeding season is one of the most important predictors of lifetime productivity and retention in heifers. Kacie McCarthy explains that long-term cowherd performance comes from managing heifer development as part of the whole system. Early conception, environment, nutrition, age at first calving and body condition all work together to influence … [Read more...]
Start with foot baths to reduce lameness
Some dairy producers gauge the impact of lameness by the number of cows requiring treatment, but Abbie Goldenberg with Farm Inc. believes that measure misses the bigger picture. Experts say better hoof bath management is what keeps cows healthy in the first place as noted in this article about proper footbath design and maintenance. Aerica Bjurstrom with the University of … [Read more...]
23 students awarded Morris Animal Foundation grants
Morris Animal Foundation recently awarded 23 grants to veterinary students from around the world through its Veterinary Student Scholar program. It provides up to $5,500 for mentor-guided research. Students represent Australia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, the Netherlands, Nigeria and the United States. Source: Morris Animal Foundation, June 24, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health announces EXZOLT® (fluralaner oral solution) for northern fowl mites in backyard chickens
EXZOLT® (fluralaner oral solution) is now available for the treatment and control of northern fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) in laying hens and replacement chickens in backyard settings. Each dose of the product is given in two administrations via drinking water, seven days apart, providing an effective option without the need for injections or individual bird … [Read more...]
Minimum wage rate increases took effect July 1st: Interactive location tracker
A wave of minimum wage increases took effect July 1, raising base pay across multiple states, cities and counties. Attorneys advise employers to verify the rate for each work location, not the company headquarters, since local ordinances govern where the work is performed. The tipped-wage complexity deserves a second look for the same reason. Source: HR Executive, July 6, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 9, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 2, 2026. Link. Most read posts from July 2, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Choose thriving. Link. Pet owners seeking help sooner; telehealth becoming the first step. Link. A new framework for assessing dog bite risk. Link. Behavior and health problems during short-distance transport. Link. Pet vaccine … [Read more...]