The market for pet daycare and lodging has an active and diverse competitive environment. Industry leaders differentiate themselves by offering various amenities, including grooming, training and specialized care services. This landscape is dynamic, characterized by innovation, convenience and a growing focus on pet well-being and safety. Source: Cognitive Market Research, … [Read more...]
Why falling cats always seem to land on their feet
A study published in the journal The Anatomical Record <Link>suggests new insights into the so-called falling cat problem, particularly that cats have a very flexible segment of their spines that allows them to correct their orientation midair. The researchers found that the feline spine was extremely flexible in the upper thoracic vertebrae, but stiffer and heavier in … [Read more...]
Hoof-care journey, series update
Includes Commercial Content Jackson’s case continues to evolve, and management remains flexible and responsive. In the latest installment, the 15-year-old Clydesdale cross gelding’s chronic distal limb issues had reached mechanical limits requiring medical injection. The injection provided relief, complementing farriery rather than replacing it. Source: American … [Read more...]
Evaluate cow and bull body condition throughout the year
Year-to-year variations in forage quality and weather stress can show up in body condition scores even when what’s being fed appears to be the same diet. Robert (Bob) L. Larson, DVM, PhD, shares the importance of BCS checks throughout the year to support and maximize cow and bull outcomes. Source: BEEF, February 10, 2026. Link. When determining BCS, it is important to … [Read more...]
Managing large litters; 13.9 functional teats for 15.7 piglets
With larger litters and limited teat capacity, many producers have increased interest in management strategies such as split suckling and teat optimization, writes Abigail Jenkins, PhD. Sharing modern research trial perspectives, she notes there was no improvement in growth performance and inconsistent effects on mortality when split suckling was practiced. Teat loading … [Read more...]
Cows have routines, too
Circadian rhythm research shows that behavioral data contains insights beyond reproduction and health alerts. Understanding how cows structure their day may help dairies implement better management systems that work with cows’ biological clocks. The analysis of more than a decade of cow behavior data showed examples of strong circadian rhythms, or predictable 24-hour cycles … [Read more...]
Reminder: Establish clear client communication boundaries versus 24/7 expectations
In recent months, there has been a clear message sent to veterinary teams to increase and improve client communications. While important, veterinary team members can’t be expected to be available 24/7. Caitlin DeWilde, DVM, shares tips for protecting personal time and after-hours communications in this article. Source: Clinician’s Brief, December 2024. Link. It is okay to … [Read more...]
Women show stronger employee engagement amid higher burnout
While women’s employment engagement has fluctuated over the past four years, it has consistently maintained an edge over men's. There is a lot to consider in this four-year study, which shows that as burnout peaks for mothers and leaders, the most motivated are carrying the heaviest load. Source: Gallup, March 8, 2026. Link. U.S. women employed full-time have higher … [Read more...]
Reclaiming veterinary authority in the digital age
In this piece, My Vet Candy writes about the increasingly difficult challenge of online, non-veterinary influencers and why veterinarians are losing the information battle. Not new, the growth in “informed clients” is significant and causes increased amounts of appointment time to address misinformation. One solution is to guide pet owners toward reliable information and help … [Read more...]
New betamethasone study quantifies detection time for IM use
According to a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, betamethasone, a corticosteroid, remains detectable above thresholds published by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for 23 days after administration of 12 mg IM. The study also found that IM betamethasone use suppressed the horse’s cortisol levels for 360 hours, or 15 days. … [Read more...]
Review: Preparing the mare for breeding season
Etta Bradecamp, DVM, Dipl. ACT, ABVP, explained how veterinarians and horse owners can work together to prepare mares for breeding season in a presentation at the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention. The starting point is the breeding soundness exam, she said. Source: The Horse, March 6, 2026. Link. Equine breeding success reflects long-term … [Read more...]
Livestock care during wildfire season
Benjamin Franklin’s warning, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is relevant for cattle producers as wildfire season has already begun <Link>. Dean Ruhl offers tips for handling animals before a fire and caring for them afterward in this article. He reminds us that preparation is key. Maintaining property, like mowing fencelines and creating fire breaks, is … [Read more...]
Barn monitoring could reduce insurance risks
Commercial Content Distynct and Pledge Insurance Advisors announced a joint program designed to reward livestock customers who invest in barn monitoring and proactive risk reduction. The program recognizes the role continuous monitoring plays in reducing the risk of catastrophic livestock losses and improving long-term operational resilience. Source: Feedstuffs, March 3, … [Read more...]
Practicing radical acceptance
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...]