Complimentary The muscles that support the spine play an important role in overall movement, stability, and performance in especially active dogs. Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR, and her team at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center are examining how an exercise regimen changes core muscle structure and performance scores in healthy dogs in a Canine Health Foundation … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2026
Dog poop is not fertilizer
Dog poop is not fertilizer. It is harmful to vegetation and likely contains harmful bacteria, parasites and pathogens that pose risks to people and other pets. The EPA classifies dog waste as a “nonpoint source pollutant,” which is the same technical category as motor oil, chemical runoff and acid drainage from abandoned mines. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 3, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Study: Horses may not consume enough salt, even with free-choice access
A new Colorado State University study provides experimental data finding that nine of the 16 horses studied failed to voluntarily consume enough salt to meet recommended sodium requirements. More than half of the horses in the study voluntarily consumed less salt than recommended. Individual horse preferences had a much greater influence on consumption than the form in which … [Read more...]
Headbutting gives goats brain damage
It’s often assumed goats must be protected against head injury by the shape of their skull and strong neck muscles but a new study challenges that assumption. Researchers have found early signs of neurodegeneration in headbutting goats at just one year old <Link>. Three, 6-month-old male goats were acquired for the study. They were recorded for six months to track the … [Read more...]
Cyber criminals hit Fairlife. Are your customers’ dairies next?
A cyberattack caused Fairlife to suspend all U.S. production operations on July 16. Fairlife owner, Coca-Cola, assures customers that existing products are safe. This Dairy Herd Management article highlights the reality that if hackers can break through Coca-Cola’s defenses, they’re able to get into most any dairy’s system. Based on this incident and recommendations from … [Read more...]
Finding hidden fly breeding sites (video)
Successful fly control starts long before producers reach for an insecticide, says David Prentice, DVM. “Fly populations are like icebergs. The flies that we’re actually seeing are only about 20 percent.” In this article, he discusses prioritizing premise and environmental management, different fly species and matching insecticide use to individual farm situations. Our July … [Read more...]
#$@!% feral hogs
Kevin Schulz tagged the growing feral hog population as potential disease vectors for African swine fever and New World screwworm last fall. His article suggests that feral hogs can carry the NWS parasite and deliver it to animals that mainly live outdoors, such as horses, cattle, wildlife and even pasture-raised swine. Source: The Farmer, November 10, 2025. Link. It has … [Read more...]
2026 is a reality check for swine health
2026 is proving that viruses don’t take vacations, writes Jennifer Shike. She shares a conversation with three swine health experts* who share their biggest health surprises of the year so far and the specific, high-stakes gaps in biosecurity that are leaving herds vulnerable. These topics are among those discussed: Early and repeated viral sequencing is an essential … [Read more...]
Cyclospora and pets: Reservoir, bystander or red herring?
Cyclospora cayetanensis has been in the news a lot lately. Despite the parasite headlines, veterinary teams do not need to worry about dogs or cats as carriers, reservoirs or patients with C cayetanensis. Other Cyclospora species in primates and reptiles are a legitimate veterinary parasitology footnote, but they are a different story. Source: DVM 360, July 15, 2026. … [Read more...]
IRS announces standard mileage rate increases for the second half of 2026
The IRS is increasing its standard mileage rates midyear, citing recent increases in fuel prices. The revised rates apply to eligible transportation expenses paid or incurred on or after July 1, 2026. Source: Forbes, July 13, 2026. Link. Beginning July 1, 2026, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck will be: 76 cents per … [Read more...]
CVS announces new pharmacy option for pet owners
CVS Health announced Tuesday that CVS Pharmacy is now dispensing select prescription medications for dogs and cats, including antibiotics, allergy medications, flea and tick treatments, insulin and pain relievers, making it easier for pet owners to access medications for their animals. Source: ABC News, July 21, 2026. Link. Eligible pet prescriptions can also take advantage … [Read more...]
Sylvester.ai launches Connect to Care to help veterinary practices grow feline visits
Sylvester.ai is launching Sylvester Connect to Care. The new program is designed to help veterinary practices capitalize on feline growth opportunities. The program uses geo-targeted ads to reach local cat owners, encourages them to complete Cat Comfort Checks through the Sylvester app, and directs them to a participating veterinary practice to book an appointment if … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 23, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 16, 2026. Link. Most read posts from July 16th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – How the ‘Knowing-Doing Gap’ undermines even the best ideas. Link. What if the mid-level practitioner role wasn’t clinical at all? Link. Professional burnout. Link. If you think your cat is being nice, think again. Link. … [Read more...]
How the ‘Knowing-Doing Gap’ undermines even the best ideas
Strategy is one thing; execution is another, writes Greg Satell. He draws on multiple sources in this article on the gap between theory and practice, between strategy and execution and why the status quo always has inertia on its side. It’s a good read for those trying to advance while simplifying how to meet our ultimate customers’ needs. In the absence of strategy chaos … [Read more...]
How elite sports coaches make high-pressure decisions
The comparison between decision-making in sports and business has its limits. Still, for animal health pros leading and working with employees, staff, colleagues and clients, this self-management article is worth your time and consideration. Top coaches combine disciplined preparation with emotional control and social awareness during crunch time, then embrace accountability … [Read more...]
What if the mid-level practitioner role wasn’t clinical at all?
If you’re as comfortable seeing your nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant as you are with your doctor, this may resonate with you. We’ve not seen much recognition of this alternate concept to mid-level practitioners since April. See what you think. Registered veterinary technician Jodi Belongié suggests that the debate over mid-level practitioners in veterinary … [Read more...]
Professional burnout
It’s not whether we can train more veterinarians. We clearly can. The question is whether we are willing to change the machine before we build eight more of it. We have been trying to treat the wound. We have not touched the machine that makes it.” – Gershon Alaluf DVM, MBA, DBA Source: LinkedIn, June 25, 2026. Link. A person walks into veterinary school carrying something I … [Read more...]
Review: How to talk to clients about vaccinations
Commentary Articles like this one from Reagan Bugg, DVM, offer veterinary teams a quick way to review and adjust conversations about vaccination hesitancy with the whole team. She reinforces discussion of the pet’s lifestyle as interactive with the animal owner to increase transparency and allay any vaccine hesitancy. Repositioning the yearly exam as a whole health visit … [Read more...]
Veterinary nurses want growth. Doctors want relief. Clients want better patient care.
Elevating veterinary nurse use directly impacts patient care, team morale and practice revenue, writes Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS. He shares the benefits of high-level veterinary nurse engagement, reviews barriers to using them at the "top of their license" and provides a responsible utilization formula. Yagi says responsible utilization means establishing a safeguarded … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 6, 2026
Passing on credit card fees? Yes or No? Check out the July webinars: Future proofing; Staffing systems On the road dates for IBPSA: SuperZoo, CANIS Conference Source: IBPSA, July 6, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 2th. Link. Tick-borne diseases, when "we're like family" becomes a leadership problem, dog sunburns, and more! … [Read more...]
New pet-sitting data highlights strong career outlook, revenue growth
New data from Pet Sitters International’s 2026 State of the Industry Survey reveals that the average annual revenue for professional pet sitters continues to rise, and a majority of pet sitters expect revenues to continue to grow. According to the survey, the average gross revenue for U.S. pet sitters in 2025 was $112,423, a 12 percent increase from $100,537 in 2023. The … [Read more...]
91 percent of pet owners would go into debt to save a pet’s life, yet nearly half have delayed care due to cost, per new report
Pet owners would do almost anything to protect their pets, yet many continue to face difficult decisions when it comes to seeking care, according to the 2026 Lovet Checkup Report from Lovet Pet Health Care. The research results showed a majority of pet owners nationwide would be willing to take on debt to save their pet's life. At the same time, nearly half said rising … [Read more...]
CATalyst Council’s second edition of “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze” Report confirms its veterinary visit forecast with updated Q2 2026 data
Cats have outpaced dogs in clinical visit growth every quarter since Q1 2023 and the CATalyst Council’s new report confirms the previous assertions, incorporating a full fiscal year of clinic visit data. The CATalyst Council’s second edition of “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze” report was released July 15th. It confirms the bust is fewer puppy acquisitions each year, not just fewer … [Read more...]
Study: Cats readily accept, digest cultivated hamster cell-derived meat diet.
A published scientific study conducted in collaboration between BeneMeat and Ghent University evaluated the acceptance and digestibility of a complete feline diet containing cultivated meat as a novel pet food ingredient. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 28, 2026. Link. The feeding trial demonstrated strong acceptance of the cultivated meat diet in domestic cats and found … [Read more...]
If you think your cat is being nice, think again
You may get warm fuzzies when you see one cat grooming another, but don’t be fooled. It could be an act of aggression. Researchers at Ghent University recently published findings in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science showing the behavior could sometimes be classified as bullying or tormenting. Source: The New York Times, July 10, 2026. Link. The researchers suggest … [Read more...]
What horse hair can tell us
This article shares the latest knowledge about what horses’ hair can tell us. It contains abundant information about their health, welfare, breeding, drug intake and even ancient history, writes Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA. The discussion of cortisol levels in hair as a noninvasive way to assess stress and welfare over time is noteworthy. Source: The Horse, July 13, 2026. … [Read more...]
Ticks and flies: Time to reapply
No fly control or tick control measure should be considered a “one-and-done” strategy, writes Beth Reynolds. With summer in full swing, now is an ideal time to review what strategies were used for prevention, if those strategies actually impact ticks or flies, and the effective window for each. Reynolds’ review of prevention methods, habitat modification and reproductive … [Read more...]
Hog numbers fall as pigs per litter increases to 11.87
Animal husbandry and improving genetics have raised the production bar from fewer than 10 pigs per sow per year in the 1930s to the current level north of 20 to 30 piglets per sow per year. Source: The Farmer, July 13, 2026. Link. The number of hog farms has diminished while the amount of production on those farms has improved in both quantity and quality. U.S. pork … [Read more...]
Monitoring medicator accuracy
Water medicators play a central role in delivering health products throughout swine production systems, yet their accuracy is often assumed rather than verified. This study highlights the substantial variations that can exist among medicators operating under commercial conditions and the implied costs of inaccuracy. Note: Only one in four medicators delivered within 10 … [Read more...]
U of A College of Veterinary Medicine receives full accreditation
The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine has achieved full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. It is the state's first and only fully accredited public veterinary school. Source: University of Arizona, July 9, 2026. Link. Located in Oro Valley, Arizona, the college began enrolling students in 2019 and graduated … [Read more...]