States continue a years-long trend in legislating workplace noncompetition agreements, for the most part placing limits on their use — some sweeping, some modest. Yet, a small but growing number adopt limits that apply to veterinarians. * Laws adopted this year in Washington and Utah free veterinarians from the employer restrictions, which prevent employees who leave their … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2026
Debunking the myths of distributive veterinary education
Distributive clinical education is no longer an experimental approach but a well-established model that prepares graduates for contemporary veterinary practice, writes Stacy Anderson DVM, Ph.D., DACVS-LA. Addressing some of the misconceptions that persist, she says the available evidence and graduates’ success demonstrate that high-quality clinical education can occur outside … [Read more...]
FDA releases NARMS Strategic Plan for 2026-2030
The newly released the NARMS Strategic Plan: 2026-2030 marks the 30th anniversary of the NARMS program. The plan is anchored in three themes that reflect a commitment to improve and expand antimicrobial resistance monitoring and data sharing, plus translate decades of surveillance data into actionable research and evidence-based policy. Source: Feedstuffs, July 24, 2026. … [Read more...]
Small moments leadership
When your words say one thing, but your actions say another thing, your people will always choose what you do over what you say to do. As Bill Treasurer points out, your people are always paying attention. Source: LinkedIn, June 30, 2026. Link. …we're constantly teaching others what leadership looks like, whether we intend to or not.” INSIGHT: Small moment leadership has … [Read more...]
Productive conflict improves team performance
Leadership literature has long recognized the importance of productive conflict, although in practice it remains one of the more misunderstood dynamics in teams, writes Pia Riccombeni. Still, successful teams that consistently deliver extraordinary results have learned to work productively in the face of tension rather than avoid conflict. Source: SmartBrief, July 24, 2026. … [Read more...]
How to read and interpret veterinary medical research studies
Reading scientific or scholarly research articles can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing. Julie Ann Nettifee RVT, MS, VTS, shares the basic anatomy of these publications and tips to consider when reading research studies. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Summer 2025. Link. Skim the content, digest the visuals and befriend the abstract.” Image: Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 26, 2026
In this week’s FastBites: July 30th webinar: Staffing Systems to Protect Your Business <Link> OraStrip to be available for purchase by IBPSA members in the coming weeks United States New World Screwworm update Source: IBPSA, July 26, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 22nd. Link. Pets are important relationships, the power of … [Read more...]
Keep coyotes, raccoons and other predators away
This slideshow is a reminder that habits to entice wildlife near homes increase risks to domestic pets. Consider sending it to pet owners via social media or in newsletters. Coyotes and foxes are dangerous to free-range cats, backyard chickens and small dogs. Source: Fix it Homestead, July 15, 2026. Link. Slide show Link. Related: 8 things that bring skunks too close in … [Read more...]
Signs most owners miss when a cat is sick, per veterinarians
Educating cat owners is a high priority as our industry works to medicalize more of the feline pet population. Articles like this provide cat owners with what to watch for. When it comes to assessing feline health, educated cat owners are the first to notice when something is different. Consider this article for social media, newsletters or as an outline for 4-H or school … [Read more...]
Farrier shares simple stretches to relieve, prevent back pain
The basic nature of farrier work requires their bodies to work under loads in strange, sometimes contorted positions. For veterinarians and groomers working on hard concrete floors and the ups and downs of meeting pets face to face take a toll on bodies. Drew Morales’ says to warm up first before working with animals. He shares 10 simple stretches with photos, suggesting … [Read more...]
Routine dog and cat licking, grooming: normal or chronic?
Commercial references included B2C articles like this provide veterinary teams with content to help cat and dog owners understand when behaviors assumed to be normal are actually signs of chronic itch, allergic skin disease or another condition that needs veterinary care. Dogs with chronic itch may repeatedly lick or chew their paws, rub their faces, scratch their bodies, … [Read more...]
Study: Adding hemp to dog food improves digestive health
Researchers at Kasetsart University in Thailand recently published a study that suggests that certain types of hemp derivatives could be safely incorporated into canine food as ingredients. Dogs that were fed a diet with hempseed oil-infused food showed a larger increase in microbial species richness. The effects appear to be partly dependent on whether the cannabis is added as … [Read more...]
Managing horses at risk for laminitis
For veterinarians, this article can help position metabolic screening with preventative services and testing. It suggests annual metabolic screening for most horses younger than 10 years old and twice yearly for horses older than 10, as well as breeds or individuals considered at higher risk for laminitis. Hyperinsulinemia, or persistently high blood insulin concentrations, … [Read more...]
Reminder: The air quality index is important for horses, too
The air quality index is an important consideration for people with respiratory disorders throughout the year. Christine Barakat shares the importance of AQI measurements, color meanings and how to adjust horse and human activity accordingly. NOTE: Share this link with horse owners to check the AQI in their area <Link>. Source: EQUUS, July 17, 2026. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Small ruminants are cool. Keep them that way. Especially during the fair.
Goats and sheep may be more heat-tolerant than cattle, but it’s still critical to reduce their exposure to heat stress as much as possible. It decreases dry matter intake, weight gain, milk production, body condition and overall performance. Temperature-humidity index, or THI, is the most accurate measure of animal heat stress in goats and sheep, which can be moderately … [Read more...]
Docility: Understanding pressure and selection
The selection processes used to improve herd outcomes take many forms. As an industry, culling practices receive plenty of attention <Link>. In recent years docility, often discussed as a behavioral or management trait, is now known to be moderately heritable. Neogen’s Kirk Ramsey, DVM, offers a view of where docile cattle behavior plays out in herd development and how … [Read more...]
Understanding Theileria (“TIE-leer-ee-uh” (thī-ˈlir-ē-ə)
Complimentary Content Podcast guest Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek provides the latest information on the emerging disease theileriosis, a growing protozoan threat to thousands of cattle, their owners and those who care for the health of the herds. Most frequently associated with long horn ticks, it is often confused with anaplasmosis. Source: EAHAO podcast, Medgene, July 29, 2026. … [Read more...]
New World screwworm field guide now available
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service released a field guide for beef cattle producers to help guide operators through the detection, reporting, collection, submission, treatment and prevention processes. It is available online at AgriLife Extension’s New World screwworm resource hub at https://tx.ag/screwworm (4th bullet on the left). Fact sheets and the latest news about … [Read more...]
What milk can tell us about heat stress
New analysis suggests milk mid-infrared spectrometry could become an unexpected tool for selecting dairy cows that are better equipped to cope with heat stress. Rather than relying on environmental measurements such as temperature-humidity index, the approach estimates an individual cow’s physiological response using information collected through routine milk … [Read more...]
Popular X-ray contest closes August 2nd
Over the years, this highly anticipated contest has surfaced some of the most talked-about radiographs in the field: hardware, jewelry, toys, and everything in between. The deadline for submission is August 2nd to have those hard to believe radiographs entered. Source: Veterinary Practice News. Link. Here’s how the panel of veterinary judges scores each entry: 40 … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 30, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 22, 2026. Link. Most read posts from July 22nd, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Malone: The power of questions. Link. Nurses consistently ranked as America’s most trusted profession. Link. Pets are one of the most important relationships in people’s lives. Link. How sleep shapes canine behavior. Link. … [Read more...]
The power of questions
There is so much focus on the probing process, we are missing the opportunity for enormously powerful follow-up questions that demonstrate our genuine concern for our customers. Source: Veterinary Advantage, December 2022. Link. Leaders are naturally inquisitive, and your customers will appreciate your genuine interest in helping them solve a problem or capture an … [Read more...]
Nurses consistently ranked as America’s most trusted profession
Commentary Clarifying why nurses are trusted more than doctors, Angela Haupt’s article provides veterinarians and practice managers important realities to consider when empowering veterinary nurses and technicians. Consider her statements when entrusting veterinary practice teams with increased responsibility for owner engagement and patient care. Doctors and nurses do … [Read more...]
2026 Veterinary Inventory Manager Wage and Compensation Survey results
As budgeting takes shape for 2027, this report may be helpful. It benchmarks the wages and compensation of veterinary professionals who manage inventory. The data is broken down by region, number of locations managed, practice type, job title, experience and how compensation is provided. The median hourly wage for veterinary inventory managers has grown from $18.00 in 2020 to … [Read more...]
Pets are one of the most important relationships in people’s lives
Complimentary – includes commercial content A new survey from Lillie&Lee called Pet Wellness Consumer Trends Report 2026 puts data behind what many already feel: the bond between people and their pets isn't just emotional, it's a genuine wellness lifeline. The findings are timely, human and another confirmation of the value found in the human-animal bond. The graphic … [Read more...]
Agreement is about consensus. Alignment is about direction.
Good read Agreement is one of the most expensive things you can chase as a leader, writes Doug Thorpe. In this article, he differentiates agreement and alignment, noting how mixing them up costs teams momentum and organizations opportunities. The cost of chasing agreement instead of building alignment isn’t just internal friction. It’s market opportunity. Real alignment … [Read more...]
Signed, but misunderstood: the employment contract problem HR must fix
Good read A new survey <Link> found that 31 percent of respondents were unaware of specific provisions in their employment agreement, including non-competes, non-solicitation clauses, arbitration requirements and intellectual property assignment language, terms that can shape where they work next, how disputes get resolved and who owns their ideas. Whether the … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 6, 2026
In this week’s FastBites: IBPSA on the road: see the dates and locations Legislative updates from the U.S., Canada and the European Union Webinar: Staffing systems to protect your business, July 30th. Registration <Link> Travel advisory: New World Screwworm. Advise clients to check on requirements using USDA’s searchable database of individual state … [Read more...]
How sleep shapes canine behavior
Understanding why sleep affects dog behavior starts with understanding how they actually sleep, writes Colette Kase, citing a recent literature review. She covers sleep’s effects on behavior, what good sleep looks like, stimulation timing, environmental factors and how cognitive decline disrupts the sleep-wake cycle as dogs age. Kase’s article is written for veterinary … [Read more...]
What normal aging looks like in cats, when to worry
With the increasing focus on cat health and the need to educate cat owners evident, Dan Seymour’s article gives you a good start for prepping owners on senior cat care. Consider using it to set the stage for senior cat wellness, which typically begins at age 10. Knowing the difference between normal ageing and signs of an emerging health crisis is one of the most useful things … [Read more...]