Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m., Sunday, November 1. While health effects of the semi-annual time change on humans are well-documented, it can also be troublesome for pets. To help them adjust, start now and slowly adjust feeding, medication and play times in the next two weeks. Sara B. Hansen’s article, while written for dog owners, offers good guidance for cat … [Read more...]
17 polite habits most people secretly dislike
Stop it! Not every email greeting or thank-you needs an exclamation point. These are but two examples of trying to be nice that are often unwelcome. Some of the things we do when trying to be polite bother people, including clients, friends and family. Plenty of etiquette rules have changed in the past decade, such as: Kissing or hugging hello. Just stop. Automatically … [Read more...]
Getting nothing done?
Nonsense may make no sense, until it does, writes David Allen. But being simply at ease is not so easy, for most of us, most of the time. How about just taking time to take time for nothing? Allen’s short memo here challenges the onerous lists we’ve made, or more likely accepted, to just being, hanging out, following the whim or a momentary inclination. Source: David … [Read more...]
1 in 15 household cats may carry ‘Beaver Fever’ which is zoonotic
Giardia duodenalis, commonly known as "beaver fever," is a parasite that can infect humans and animals. Where a cat lives and the time of year may also play a role. Researchers found that kittens were more likely to test positive than older cats, and male cats were more likely to be infected than female cats. Source: ABC News, October 7, 2026. Link. Giardia live in the … [Read more...]
Choanal swab technique essential for effective disease surveillance in birds
In this LinkedIn post by Sheikh Md. Fazlul Karim, a broiler farm manager, explains how gently inserting and rotating a sterile micro-swab into the choanal cleft, allows veterinary professionals to easily sample the upper respiratory tract. He says mastering the choanal swab technique is essential for effective disease surveillance. Source: Sheikh Md. Fazlul Karim, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 15, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 8, 2026. Link. Most read posts from October 8th AHD Bulletin – Diabetes care looks different in cats and dogs. Link. Rats identified as overlooked H5N1 link between birds, other animals. Link. Veterinary preventive care, a pricing paradox. Link. Malone: The seal of approval. Link. High … [Read more...]
Rats identified as overlooked H5N1 link between birds, other animals
An analysis of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a small farm in Illinois revealed that the virus also spread to a cat and wild rats. The virus was found in multiple types of tissue samples, as well as in infected rats' urine. “Because the mammalian-adaptation marker was already present in the bird virus, crossing into mammals may not require new mutations. … [Read more...]
Work stress is pushing employees into therapy and hurting the bottom line
New research from Modern Health found that employees are increasingly seeking therapy to address everyday work stresses. When they do this, employers are left financing a level of care some employees may not need. Rather, they could address workplace challenges directly with managers. Source: HR Executive, September 30, 2026. Link. When every kind of stress leads to the same … [Read more...]
People are really not ever fully baked
Birth order doesn’t predict your personality. Your rank in the birth lineup can shape your life. It just doesn’t define the unique combination of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that make you who you are. Michael J. Coren shares how scientists believe birth order, and everything else, affects how we act and what really matters when it comes to our personality. Source: … [Read more...]
Diabetes care looks different in cats and dogs
Diabetes management can look very different in cats and dogs. The new 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines highlight that feline diabetes more closely resembles type 2 diabetes, while canine diabetes is characterized by permanent insulin deficiency. Monitoring also differs, with continuous glucose monitors preferred for cats and glucose curves still appropriate for dogs. … [Read more...]
New research on dewormer resistance in horses, explained
The dewormer rotation most barns run was built on an idea that made sense at the time: vary the drug class, and no parasite population gets enough exposure to adapt. It turns out that treating every horse on a fixed calendar does roughly the reverse, because the low shedders take the drug exposure and contribute nothing in return, according to new three-year French … [Read more...]
High nitrates confirmed across Upper Plains; ruminants may be at risk
Drought conditions are almost always associated with the possibility of elevated nitrate levels in forages. According to information by Dairyland Laboratories, many tested feed samples from Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota in 2026 have confirmed nitrate levels of more than 1,000 parts per million nitrate-nitrogen. Drinking water also needs to be checked for … [Read more...]
Early lameness intervention changes everything
Complimentary commercial content By the time lameness becomes obvious, the biological and economic consequences are already underway. More than one in five U.S. dairy cows are estimated to be limping at any given time. The earliest stages of lameness represent the greatest opportunity for intervention. Transitioning from periodic human observation to a continuous AI … [Read more...]
Managing mud in the feedyard
Cattle feeders often focus on the cost of inputs from preventatives and nutrition, but poor pen conditions can quietly erode feed efficiency, increase maintenance requirements and drive up cost of gain throughout the feeding period. Source: BEEF, October 2, 2026. Link. Feedyards that prioritize drainage and maintain functional pen mounds are often better equipped to … [Read more...]
Cat shedding: what’s normal, when to call the vet
As daylight hours shrink and autumn temperatures drop, they signal seasonal shedding. Not all shedding is seasonal though, explains Emma Stenhouse, who wrote article worth sharing with clients, especially if your business offers grooming. Source: Catster, September 15, 2026. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Seasonal changes affect horse behavior
Seasonal changes are a normal part of life for horses. Fall provides an excellent opportunity to become more observant. Shorter days, changing temperatures, shifting forage and altered routines all provide information that the equine body and brain use to adjust to the environment. Pay attention to changes in appetite, energy, body language, activity and willingness to … [Read more...]
Dogs use a surprising method to understand human language, new study suggests
Humans have sophisticated language abilities that could be unique to our species — but dogs, it turns out, may have learned some of our tricks. In new research out of Hungary published this week in the journal Science, scientists found that dogs use the same strategy to pick out words in streams of speech that human infants do: They listen for consonants to figure out when one … [Read more...]
Plants toxic to dogs: 19 dangerous plants to avoid
Autumn activities often include cleaning flower beds and planting new perennials to bloom next spring. Many gardeners are surprised to discover how many of their favorites are potentially toxic to dogs. Jennifer Coates, DVM, shares toxicity information and a list of dangerous plants in this article. Source: PetMD, April 2, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Share this article with pet … [Read more...]
Oak toxicosis kills cow, bull
Veterinary researchers identified oak toxicosis as the cause of severe kidney failure in a cow and death in a bull from the same herd and examined at Auburn University. Cattle and sheep are vulnerable. Once ingested, oak tannins break down to gallic acid and pyrogallol in the rumen, damaging renal tubules and blood vessel linings. Signs of oak toxicosis include anorexia, … [Read more...]
Review: Understanding ionophores
Includes commercial references Ionophores are feed additives used in beef production to improve energy efficiency and prevent diseases in cattle. They are not human-grade antibiotics and do not contribute to antibiotic resistance in cattle or humans. The majority of ionophores are fed to finishing cattle, but they can be fed to all classes of cattle. Note the chart of … [Read more...]
Planning for the inevitables. Review swine farm risk management plans now.
The question is not, “What will the market do?” It is, “Are we prepared for what the market could do?” Doug Groth, DVM, and Kim King from Carthage Systems discuss the importance of preparing for myriad variables in the pork business beyond a producer’s reach with the elements of a risk management plan. Source: Carthage Veterinary Service, Link. Risk management is not … [Read more...]
Why job hopping is surging among Gen Zers
A new survey from consulting firm Robert Half found that 55 percent of Gen Z workers plan to look for a new job before the end of 2026, up 23 percent from a year ago. More than half want better perks, benefits, higher compensation and more advancement opportunities. Source: HR Executive, September 21, 2026. Link. When it comes to the benefits and perks Gen Z job hoppers are … [Read more...]
Your performance counts, but your behavior counts more for a promotion
Employers want people who can read what the moment calls for rather than default to the technically correct response, writes Pamela Meyer. She shares leadership behaviors your bosses notice before they promote you. The ability to “read the room,” and make that room better for your presence is an important consideration. Source: Fast Company, September 21, 2026. … [Read more...]
Pet loss goes unacknowledged for many owners, survey finds
Includes commercial reference Many pet owners receive little acknowledgment after their animal dies, even though that is the support they most want. A recent survey found that 1,139 U.S. adults who had experienced a pet loss received less support than those who had experienced a loss of a person across every category measured. For veterinary practices, the results expose … [Read more...]
Yes, regular play supports canine cognitive health
Researchers from Hungary found that dogs that engaged in a lifetime sports career or in joint activities with their owners had a lower chance of developing canine cognitive decline than dogs that did not. Most surprising to the team, and most important for dog owners, was that any joint activity between owners and dogs was significantly associated with lower CCD … [Read more...]
Making treatment decisions a two-way conversation (video)
Wendy Krebs, DVM, explains why horse owners should work with their veterinarians to navigate the many healthcare choices horses need over the years. She urges owners to invite their veterinarians into various discussions with other advisors sooner rather than later. Source: The Horse, September 17, 2026. Link. [2:52] Two-way conversations with your equine veterinarian about … [Read more...]
CatCon 2026 comes to Pasadena October 10th and 11th
CatCon is a cat-centric, pop culture global event scheduled to take place in Pasadena, California, October 10th and 11th. It is dedicated to all things feline, with a community of cat lovers that spans the globe. Part expo, part symposium, CatCon engages, educates and entertains thousands of fans, featuring the latest in groundbreaking products and ideas for cats and their … [Read more...]
Calculating daily calorie and feeding needs for a patient
Laura Warcholek, CVT, VTS (nutrition), reviews the standard equation for calculating calorie and feeding needs, and walks through the calculations for an example patient in this informative video. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, LinkedIn, August 27, 2026. Link. [1:37] Also see: Counting calories, treats, client education. Avoid the math. AHD Archives. Link. … [Read more...]
Swirlology: as the whorls turn
Facial whorls, those distinctive swirls of hair on a horse’s forehead, have long intrigued horse owners and trainers. Hair whorl patterns are sometimes used to predict equine laterality, temperament and reactions to various environmental stimuli. In fact, hair whorls have been debated for centuries. More recently, Linda Tellingtone-Jones and Temple Grandin shared thinking and … [Read more...]
Virtual coworking equine session groups growing into a professional community
Building from a four-person Google Meet group that grew into more than 1,000 members on Facebook, Women in Equine’s membership spans countries, riding disciplines, students, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs and early-career professionals. Founded by Jillian Blades-Rice, the network of horsewomen has enjoyed the opportunity to connect and grow their careers and businesses … [Read more...]