A big part of practicing radical acceptance is letting go of the illusion that things must be a certain way before you’re allowed to take action. Seeing things as they are and being honest about what’s happening can be challenging, but denial only creates more suffering. Acceptance, on the other hand, offers benefits that resistance never can. Source: Daily Motivation, … [Read more...]
Better cat grooming starts in the tub
A lot of groomers, especially those who transitioned from dog grooming, are not bathing cats as thoroughly as they should, writes Lynn Paolillo. She shares the importance of desensitizing, degreasing and thorough rinsing. Source: Groomer to Groomer, March 2026. Link. Better cat grooming starts in the tub. A good bath sets the tone for every other step: drying, combing, … [Read more...]
Adopters love their shelter pets, but 78 percent of dog owners report behavior challenges
Conclusions from a landmark new study indicate high satisfaction ratings, while more than three-fourths of adopters faced behavioral or care challenges. These findings suggest that general satisfaction measures may obscure important challenges as animals settle into their new homes. Species-specific counselling, proactive veterinary engagement, and further microchip … [Read more...]
Dogs are more like toddlers than cats when it comes to helping humans
This study fits into human-animal bond thinking and domestication dynamics. Bottom line, if you need to find something, ask a dog or kid to help. . . not the cat. A study published in the journal Animal Behaviour investigated how untrained companion dogs, companion cats and 16- to 24-month-old toddlers respond when a familiar caregiver searched for a hidden object. Their … [Read more...]
Client satisfaction stays strong according to AVMA data
Data from the AVMA’s 2025 Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook offer reassuring and actionable insights into how U.S. pet owners feel about their regular veterinary practice. Kudos to the teams working hard to deliver every day. Source: AVMA, February 19, 2026. Link. Small, incremental changes—paired with intentional communication—can reinforce client satisfaction, … [Read more...]
Start NOW to reduce barriers to heartworm prevention
A growing body of evidence-based protocols can help more pets get the care they need, while also supporting practice efficiency and revenue, writes Kristin Jankowski, VMD, CCRP, and Jenni Rizzo in this article. The key lies in understanding and removing barriers at every step of care: prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Consider this article as a reminder and resource to … [Read more...]
Crate training a puppy: 22 tricks and tips
Commercial links in content Crate training a puppy often challenges dog owners. While there is a plethora of guidance about the topic, this article offers solid information that can be shared with new puppy owners. Every dog is different, so reviewing ways to help puppies accept the crate as their own is an important component of helping them adapt to a new … [Read more...]
Filly or colt? How a mare’s age may influence the gender of her offspring
A study from Brazil suggests a possible correlation between a mare’s age and the gender of her offspring. Analysis of the combined data showed that mares older than 15 were more likely to deliver fillies than were younger mares. On the other hand, the age of the sire seemed to have only a minor effect on gender ratios. Source: EQUUS, December 1, 2026. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Management practices affect the genetic diversity of influenza in weaning piglets
Although Influenza A virus diversity has been well documented, there is limited information on how farm management practices influence the diversity of IAV. A study presented at the 2025 Leman Swine Conference evaluated the association between herd-level management practices and the genetic diversity of IAV in weaning piglets. This study provides field-based evidence that … [Read more...]
Don’t hurry to grass
As spring comes and grass greens up, the main consideration is to limit herds from setting back the pastures for the rest of the growing season by nipping off all the short growth, writes Elizabeth Picking. This is excellent advice animal health pros can deliver to producers. She suggests using a sacrifice pasture, stored feed and hay to protect the rest of the pastures and … [Read more...]
Building a robust, diverse innovation ecosystem in the animal health industry
Complimentary Delivering cutting-edge innovations continues to be a strong driver of sales in the animal health industry. While this need remains constant, the model for delivering it is fundamentally changing. Amanda McDavid shares insights from the Brakke Consulting 2026 Annual Animal Health Industry Overview here. Source: Brakke Consulting, Animal Health Jobs blog, … [Read more...]
Review: Q&A on leptospirosis; urban risk, missed vaccines and diagnostic mistakes
This Q&A by Jane Sykes, BVSc, DACVIM (SAIM), PhD, MPH, MBA, FNAP, is a good review for all animal health pros. Keep in mind that leptospirosis is zoonotic. She discusses how urban environment, social conditions and vaccination gaps have been reshaping how and where veterinarians encounter leptospirosis. Her references to rodents are also important for disease prevention … [Read more...]
A Facebook post worth sharing
This American Heartworm Society’s Facebook post is worth sharing. It addresses many of the falsehoods people believe about heartworm in dogs and cats. Share it with your Facebook network and print some to use as posters in clinics and pet services businesses. Source: American Heartworm Society, Facebook, February 14, 2026. Link. PDF <Link>. … [Read more...]
Review: Feline chronic pain assessment
New pain therapies and scoring systems constantly evolve and research is ongoing. This allows cats to live longer lives without pain or with well-managed pain. Wendy Davies, BS, CVT, CCRVN, VTS, shares the importance of performing a thorough veterinary examination and educating cat owners on what to look for to collectively do a better job of treating chronic pain in … [Read more...]
Reading stress signals in horses
Horses are constantly broadcasting their internal state through body language, breathing, and muscle tone. The question isn’t whether they are talking to you; it’s whether you’re tuned to the right frequency. Kate Fenner, (BEqSc (Hons), PhD, shared this stress scale in the context of training <Link> emphazing that a horse's emotional state exists on a … [Read more...]
Review: Pigeon fever cases on the rise in the U.S.
First discovered in California in 1915, cases of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis are showing up in areas where it was once unknown. The external subcutaneous abscessation that frequently occurs in the pectoral region or ventral abdomen resembles a pigeon’s breast which is the only association pigeons have with the disease. Also known as dryland distemper or false strangles, … [Read more...]
Carrying capacity versus stocking rate
According to reports from CattleCon 2026, producers are considering keeping heifers or buying cows to increase their herds and meet beef demand. For animal health pros working closely with producers, carrying capacity becomes an important consideration. Laura Brenner’s article is a good reference to help producers make the critical calculations to prevent overgrazing. … [Read more...]
Putting video analytics to use on the dairy
Purdue’s Jacquelyn Boerman, PhD, sees video analytics as a powerful addition to feeding cows more precisely and monitoring them 24/7. She explained how a top-view camera was deployed by researchers and predicts applications can be tailored to nutritionists, including cow identification, body weight estimation, feed management and daily feed intake. The research was funded by … [Read more...]
AVMA’s new resource strengthens biosecurity practices, advances One Health
AVMA’s new biosecurity webpage brings together trusted guidance and tools to help prevent and control infectious diseases across a range of animal species and settings. The newly launched webpage <Link> was developed in direct response to AVMA member requests. Source: AVMA, February 4, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Well done! The webpage provides foundational information … [Read more...]
The quiet evolution of veterinary containment
Includes Commercial References Today's best animal housing systems are evolving with subtle, thoughtful design shifts that support the goals veterinarians care about most: reducing stress, improving outcomes and creating a recovery space that heals as much as it holds. We believe clients care about those spaces, too. John Freytag writes about what he calls purposeful … [Read more...]
Does a positive drug test follow you? Experts explain what employers can and can’t see
Includes Commercial references Privacy laws create stronger protections than social media horror stories suggest. It’s common for people to assume that a positive test becomes part of some industry-wide database that all future employers can access. But that's not how it works. An individual’s test results belong to the company that ordered the test, and they're bound by … [Read more...]
Farrier shares: signs, symptoms, treatment options, anticipated outcomes of thrush
Includes Commercial Content David Hallock is well acquainted with thrush and explains there are several opportunities for it to become prevalent and persistent. The article is complete with photos and guidance for farriers and horse owners that veterinary teams may find useful. Treating the thrush should result in a big, healthy, clean and open frog. Consistent cleaning … [Read more...]
Comedy wildlife competition TedX video
Tom Sullam, cofounder of the annual Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, shares hilarious animal photos that dissolve the distance between humans and nature. The result? A fun comedy and informative video. ENJOY! Source: TEDNext 2025, November 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Review: Feeding pregnant cows to improve daytime calving
Feeding cows late afternoon or evening has been shown to move more calving times to between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. This management practice is known as the Konefal feeding system, writes Maddy Krueger. It is believed calving can be triggered by low rumen pressure. Rumen contractions increase in frequency after feeding, causing increased rumen pressure which declines by … [Read more...]
Review: Know your dewormers
In the U.S., name‑brand and generic dewormers fall into four anthelmintic drug classes: avermectins (macrocyclic lactones), benzimidazoles, imidazothiazoles and sulfonamide derivatives, each with its own distinct molecular structure that harms parasites in different ways. Sandy Stuttgen, DVM, reviews the drug classes, their activity against parasites, potential resistance … [Read more...]
New PRRS strain moving fast through Indiana, Ohio swine facilities
A new strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is plaguing pig farmers in Ohio and Indiana. PRRS 1-10-4 L1C.5.35 is moving fast through barns and is more aggressive than other strains. These pigs still get very sick very quickly and get very quiet when this PRRS strain hits, according to Bethany Heitkamp, DVM. The most unusual thing she is seeing is … [Read more...]
JAVMA article reinforces strong safety profile of Synovetin OA
An article in JAVMA <Link> confirms that any radiotherapy exposure to veterinary staff and pet owners from dogs treated with Synovetin OA® is insignificant; just a fraction of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s allowance of 100 millirem per year of radiation. The studies show that exposure is very low; practically insignificant. This is important because some … [Read more...]
General practice dental revenue remains behind, yet 90 percent of animals need dental care
Sarah Rumple, CVJ, shares tips from Monique Weldon, DVM, and Paul Camilo, CVPM, focused on building dental revenue in veterinary practices. The article shares ways to increase dental revenue through outreach, client education, standardizing codes, staff training, reassembling fee structures and promoting wellness plans. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 1, 2026. … [Read more...]
Vetiquette: Elevate client service with simple habits
It’s not rocket science, says Stacee Santi DVM. But every interaction matters. She shares 10 ways to cultivate the most loyal clients. Her article includes tips for interacting on the phone, via text and email. We would add the importance of developing a unified team approach to client services to manage client experiences with each touch or interaction. Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Playing tug can create whiplash
Playing tug of war with pups is a fun game, but injuries can occur if the human in the game gets too active on their end of the rope. Dog behavior specialist Deb Nabb shares the importance of the human just holding the rope and letting the dog shake it back and forth. Source: Deb Nabb, Facebook. Link. When people shake the tug rope back and forth, it is easy to cause … [Read more...]