A new approach, beyond the “point-in-time” method, may provide veterinary professionals, behaviorists and caregivers with objective tools they can use to understand, assess and potentially manage a dog’s bite risk. Colette Kase shares these key factors: The importance of improving bite assessments The potential of a structured professional judgment approach used in … [Read more...]
Easy-to-add physical rehabilitation tools for veterinary clinics
Beyond underwater treadmills, there are affordable and feasible options available to veterinary practices to use when providing canine and feline physical rehabilitation. Robin Downing, DVM, MS, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CCRP, shares examples of physical rehabilitation equipment that are fundamental and easy to incorporate into any practice that serves patients with osteoarthritis … [Read more...]
Behavior and health problems during short-distance transport
Commercial product referenced A recent survey of European horse owners revealed that even during trailering lasting less than two hours, injury, illness and acute stress occur frequently, affecting up to 42 percent of horses. Behavior problems were observed in a third of all horses and included fear, flight reactions, aggressiveness, rearing and reluctance to load. … [Read more...]
Electrolytes and muscle function in horses: Essentially linked
Commercial product referenced As the summer heat intensifies, keeping a close eye on macrominerals is vital. Because electrolytes facilitate normal muscle contraction and relaxation, even a minor disruption in balance can completely derail athletic performance. Takeaways noted from studies at Kentucky Equine Research in this article: The dose of electrolytes must be … [Read more...]
Separating common myths from the reality of bovine viral diarrhea
Fiction: The most common symptom of BVD is diarrhea. From vaccinations to diagnostics, misconceptions about BVD can leave costly gaps in herd health programs. Veterinarians Dr. Robert Larson and Dr. Christopher Chase help separate fact from fiction on one of the cattle industry’s most economically important diseases. Because many infected animals appear healthy, … [Read more...]
Knowing when to disengage
Excellent advice and responses when it’s time to diffuse tense situations. Protect your energy, not your ego. Choose response over revenge. Walk away with confidence. Source: Lawyer Vince, LinkedIn, May 2026. Link. [0:36] Emotionally intelligent people don’t react when they’re annoyed. They protect their energy, stay focused, and know when to walk away.” … [Read more...]
It may be time to consider leptospirosis in cats
In this 2023 literature review, George E. Moore, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVPM, opines cats may have an underrecognized role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. His review’s tenets continue to be supported in more recent pieces despite cats rarely showing clinical signs. Notable takeaways include: Cats, particularly free-roaming or stray cats, may have serologic evidence of … [Read more...]
The horse industry’s social license to operate
Breakdowns in racing. Questionable training practices. Medication and tack use in competition horses. Welfare of horses with minimal access to pasture. Well-being of horses asked to do a “job.” The list goes on, frequently shaping how society views horse sports. “Every horse person plays a part in shaping the future of the sport,” says Naomi Hurdle. “One of the most … [Read more...]
Liver abscesses not just a harvest-day finding
It is now believed the true impact of liver abscesses may begin long before harvest. Shifting energy use from maintenance to production and growth is central to the discussion of liver abscess. Recent research provides evidence that liver abscesses may begin earlier in life. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, June 17, 2026. Link. Veterinarians may need to view liver abscesses not … [Read more...]
Review: Why bird flu targets cows’ udders instead of lungs
In cows, the bird flu looks completely different. Instead of affecting the lungs, as H5N1 does in other mammalian species, it causes severe infection in the cows' udders and largely spares the lungs. Researchers revealed the biology of why the disease looked so different when it leaped to cows, and offer a framework for spotting its next guise more quickly in this … [Read more...]
Holding people accountable is ineffective leadership
Jim Dethmer believes managers and organizations shouldn’t be holding people accountable. He makes distinctions between “holding accountable” and “taking responsibility” asserting: Holding accountable is something someone else is doing to me or something I’m doing to someone else. Accountability is something that is assigned by someone to someone else to make them take … [Read more...]
‘Rust-out’ is the new burnout. It requires a different fix.
You can hear it in the tone of meetings. See it in disengagement. Feel it in the absence of energy. Rust-out leaves people feeling understimulated, disconnected and just going through the motions. The most powerful thing to offer employees and leaders right now isn’t another productivity tool, it’s experience that breaks the “rust” and frees them from the chains of their … [Read more...]
Massage and myofascial therapy for cats
Cats require just as much effort from their owners as dogs do to ensure they get adequate enrichment in their lives <Link>. Massage and myofascial therapy are two hands-on techniques that are gaining attention in the world of integrative veterinary care. Myofascial therapy uses slow, gentle pressure to release those restrictions in the fascia and help restore normal … [Read more...]
Beyond obedience
Grahmn Garrison’s article argues that behavior is not an “obedience issue” but a core component of veterinary health, influencing diagnosis, treatment access, welfare, family dynamics and longevity. In it, experts encourage focusing on behavior changes in an individual pet’s normal patterns versus behavior problems. Garrison paints a broader behavior landscape, … [Read more...]
Adding cattle can improve soil health
Bringing livestock, especially ruminants, back to the farm is one of the underlying principles of improving soil health. The urine, manure and slobber from a ruminant all contain biological organisms that can benefit the health of your soil and start the process of improving soil health, according to Indiana Conservation Partnership personnel. Source: Farm Progress, June 16, … [Read more...]
Post-weaning diseases and how to prepare
Understanding how stress impacts cattle health and how to intervene to decrease stressors before weaning, at weaning and after weaning is fundamental in preventing post-weaning disease, writes Taylor Engle, DVM. He discusses low-stress weaning, vaccination, timing, handling and more. Source: BEEF, May/June 2026. Link. The prevention magic we are looking for, is the work we … [Read more...]
Employee engagement sinks as workers struggle with digital overload, distractions
Employee engagement workplace numbers haven’t looked this bad since 2014, shares Jill Barth. Disengagement often starts with something as ordinary as a notification ping. Some come as often as every 15 minutes. The biggest offenders, according to Unily’s research, are video conferencing systems, email platforms and instant messaging applications. But the problem isn’t any … [Read more...]
Are mosquitoes outsmarting our repellents?
According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, mosquitoes may seek out the scent of the repellent. Scientists believe DEET protects people by masking the carbon dioxide that we emit, making it harder for biting insects to detect us. However, “If someone applies DEET and the concentration fades over time, but a mosquito still manages to feed, the … [Read more...]
Triaging feline house soiling using telemedicine
Sharing how triaging house soiling works, Marianne Manning, RVT, LVT, KPA CTP, VTS, asserts the preliminary need for physical examinations and diagnostics. If no medical issues are found, then troubleshooting the home environment with questions, followed by telemedicine, can help cat owners deal with house soiling. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, March 11, 2026. … [Read more...]
How to read a chicken’s mind
Commercial offer included From chick days to the golden stage of henopause, author Melissa Caughey offers insights into the range of feelings that chickens can express, their unexpected intelligence, personality types and flock dynamics. She shares a few pages from her book, “How to Read a Chicken's Mind,” in the article here. Source: Countryside. Link. Chickens, like … [Read more...]
Review: Effective biosecurity remains critical to the ongoing battle against PRRS
Commercial references included Nick Wagner, DVM, reminds us of how challenging and devastating PRRSV* is and has been to the swine industry. He reviews the details involved in the development and implementation of a comprehensive biosecurity program. In this article, he advocates for a multi-hurdle approach to effectively mitigate risk and establish a culture of compliance … [Read more...]
6 big takeaways from FBI’s 2025 internet crime report
The 2025 Internet Crime Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a continued rise in internet crime complaints, with officials receiving more than 3,000 per day and the annual total surpassing 1 million for the first time. Reported losses tied to online criminal activity topped $20 billion last year, despite federal officials’ efforts to combat it. Notable … [Read more...]
23 percent of the U.S. workforce is 55 or older: The retirement wave is coming.
Workforce aging is accelerating because many older Americans are increasingly balancing financial pressure, career uncertainty and concerns about long-term stability in today’s labor market, according to Jasmine Escalera. Notable findings in this report include: Older workforce growth outpaces total employment growth: Workers aged 55+ grew by 17.3 percent since 2014, … [Read more...]
Consumers like AI content until they know it’s AI
Important read Pamela Parker shares research on how AI content is perceived against its ability to generate content rapidly. The outcomes cover trust and believability. She asserts that for marketers, the path forward involves balancing efficiency with trust. The AI content paradox means that efficiency and scale come with a trust tax that is activated the moment a … [Read more...]
The next frontier in farm, facility and plant security is above your head
Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, poses a simple question: “If someone viewed your facility from above today, what would they see?” In this article, she covers the growing use of drones while considering animal activist activities, biosecurity, stress on animals and premise security. Source: MeatingPlace, June 2, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
The impact of BCS on systolic blood pressure and glucose levels in cats
This article reinforces the importance of obesity management in cats as our industry works to support growth in feline health interest and veterinary visits. Results from a recent study highlight the importance of recognizing the impact of body condition score on feline health. Obese cats exhibited significantly higher SBP and blood glucose concentrations compared to their … [Read more...]
10 most poisonous plants for horses
From hemlock and ragwort to locoweed and yews, EQUUS editors share common plants that are poisonous to horses and where they can be found. Consider sharing this article in 4-H and FFA educational sessions, during events, on websites, in newsletters and blog posts. Source: EQUUS. Link. Some plants are cause for concern either because even a curious nibble can spell doom or … [Read more...]
Body condition score at calving a key predictor of reproductive success
New information? No, but a timely reminder for producers who may have shifted their focus to other summer activities at turnout. Consider sharing this article with producers in newsletters, social media and leave a few copies at the coffee stop. With most spring calving done, assessing cows now is important to the next generation of calves. BCS at calving is one of the best … [Read more...]
Role ambiguity is the top workplace stressor, not workload
A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Applied Psychology identified role ambiguity as the most damaging of three foundational workplace stressors by far: Role overload refers to having too much to do. Role conflict involves competing or contradictory demands, such as receiving conflicting direction from supervisors. Role ambiguity is the absence of clarity … [Read more...]
U.S. consumer sentiment hits record low amid rising costs
Consumer sentiment has hit an all-time low. Spiking energy prices renewed inflation fears and pushed consumer confidence down 10 percent from a month ago and more than 14 percent from a year ago. Source: Washington Express, May 22, 2026. Link. The cost of living continues to be a first-order concern, with 57 percent of consumers spontaneously mentioning that high prices … [Read more...]