Seeking a science-based understanding of how dogs see their person, Lydia Patrick shares what she learned about dog parent paradigms. Source: Newsweek, June 8, 2025. Link. Dogs don't truly recognize humans as a maternal figure in a biological or identity-based sense … but they often see humans as a source of safety and security; the way kids see their moms.” – Jennifer … [Read more...]
Recognizing pasture asthma
Pasture asthma is different from severe asthma, writes Cyprianna E. Swiderski, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Horses with pasture asthma often improve within hours to days of being brought into stalls and away from inhaled pasture particulates. Although veterinarians have previously referred to pasture asthma as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heaves, pasture-associated … [Read more...]
Beef-on-dairy shaking up the dairy industry
Three-quarters of dairy operators are engaging in beef-on-dairy methods, writes Karen Bohnert, referencing insights from the 2024 Milk Business Conference. Sharing historical perspectives, she notes the rise of beef-on-dairy practices is not without challenges. For animal health pros servicing and supporting dairies, the article is a good background for on-farm … [Read more...]
80 percent of calves sell through livestock auctions
Input from nearly 500 beef producers is assembled in the recent 2025 Farm Journal State of the Beef Industry survey. The marketing guidance for producers to provide weaning, health and genetic data to buyers is a key takeaway from the article worth discussing with producer clients. Source: Drovers, October 20, 2025. Link. Ranchers need to get more active in marketing their … [Read more...]
What’s covered and what’s not in veterinary clinic cyber insurance
Cyber insurance is no longer optional, writes Clint Latham, JD. It is a critical tool for protecting operations, safeguarding client trust, and ensuring your clinic stays open when hackers strike. According to AVMA Trust data, more than 11,000 veterinary clinics are hit by cyberattacks annually, and the average insurance claim runs to $135,000. Despite those numbers, most … [Read more...]
Beware the newer pet supplements
Sharing the potential fatal effects of pet supplements during the recent AAHA Convention, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, indicated the Pet Poison Helpline has experienced more calls about toxic effects from the supplements now being marketed. She also shared details about what to look for in pets that ingest these supplements. Source: AVMA, October 8, 2025. Link. It's … [Read more...]
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests can be problematic, require education
Faced with a genetic test report from a direct-to-consumer company, veterinary teams may be challenged to interpret or use the report to a client’s or pet’s benefit. Genetic testing has gone direct-to-consumer, so veterinarians must understand the types of genetic tests available, as well as how to use and interpret them properly, said Jerrod Bell, DVM, in a related article … [Read more...]
Palpating a horse’s back for soreness (video)
Providing a teaching moment video, Sina Parsaye, DVM, shares how horse owners can palpate a horse's back for soreness to see if there are issues that a veterinarian needs to address. Consider this video for social media, newsletters and training for equine groups. Source: My Senior Horse, June 15, 2025. Link. Video [1:26] … [Read more...]
Preparing chickens before winter coops them up
Offering guidance to backyard poultry raisers, veterinarians recommend fall health checks as insurance for chickens’ winter survival. They highlight four common health issues that affect chickens in the fall: Mites and lice Internal parasites Respiratory issues Abnormal molting Source: Chicken Whisperer. Link. INSIGHTS: This is a good article to share with … [Read more...]
Bluetongue in the Midwest
Vince Collison, DVM, shares recent experiences with Bluetongue virus infections in northwest Iowa in this article. He reviews the virus, how it is transmitted and how it affects animals who contract the disease. In the U.S., the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis is the primary vector of the virus that most frequently infects sheep and whitetail deer. Source: The Stockman, … [Read more...]
Windrow grazing provides nutrition, cost advantages
Here’s an idea that has caught on in row crop country. Aaron Berger shares how windrow-grazing annual forages allows producers to cut the crop at an optimum time for quality in late summer or early fall and increase harvest efficiency through strip-grazing the windrows. With crop harvest progress more than 80 percent complete, this method may be a good discussion topic with … [Read more...]
Beware tall fescue toxicosis
Fescue toxicosis is commonly seen in cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue. Most often associated with spring and early summer grazing, tall fescue toxicosis is a threat in the fall, especially to new bulls and cattle grazing pastures to the ground. Heather Smith Thomas shares many considerations when dealing with tall fescue to reduce the incidence of toxicosis in this … [Read more...]
RECOVER Initiative releases first-of-its-kind newborn resuscitation guidelines
The RECOVER Initiative recently released its ‘Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines for Puppies and Kittens.’ This first-of-its-kind resource for veterinary professionals addresses ways to help puppies and kittens survive during the critical post-birth period. In the guidelines, veterinary professionals can find everything from appropriate warming and drying techniques, positive … [Read more...]
4 consumer packaged goods giants dominate pet food market share across price points
The pet food segment is noisy as the continued evolution of pet owner preferences toward premium, science-backed and fresh offerings creates opportunities for emerging brands. Still, Nestlé, Mars, General Mills and Colgate-Palmolive dominate the pet food industry, having captured significant market share in nearly every category of pet food. These CPG companies outperform … [Read more...]
Understanding the rise of career dysmorphia and what you can do about it
Career dysmorphia, a newly coined non-medical term, deals with one’s obsession with their career. This occurs when professionals struggle to realistically perceive the career progress they have made. The problem is worsened by the constant comparison of their situation with those around them, fueling self doubt. Source: The HR Digest, via AVMA SmartBrief, October 5, 2025. … [Read more...]
Best practices for safe, efficient body temperature in cats, dogs during veterinary procedures
Sharing current recommendations about warming and cooling in dogs and cats during anesthesia and surgery, Walter L. Brown, RVTg VTS (ECC), provides a review of updated methods from new research and techniques. He shares how to implement them correctly. Source: AAHA Trends, October 6, 2025. Link. Even with techniques and devices considered to be safe and efficient, frequent … [Read more...]
Study: Rate of penicillin administration affects a horse’s arterial blood pressure
In a study of 29 horses under general anesthesia, researchers compared two methods of giving penicillin: 1) a fast injection over one minute and 2) a slower one over 10 minutes. Both methods caused a drop in blood pressure, but the fast injection led to a more dramatic decrease. Source: Paulick Report, October 1, 2025. Link. In equine anesthesia, every decision—from drug … [Read more...]
High-dose oxytocin allows sows to pass on greater immunity
Research at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine indicates that administering a high dose of oxytocin to sows 12 to 20 hours after farrowing can significantly improve colostrum quality and passive transfer of immunity. For producers, improving early passive transfer can reduce pre-weaning mortality, lower disease treatment costs, and improve overall herd … [Read more...]
Meeting Gen Zs where they learn
As our industry looks to 2026 and allocating budgets for educational programs, Michelle Westfort’s perspectives on providing learning opportunities for Gen Z employees are worth considering. This generation embraces non-traditional educational paths while still valuing formal education. She highlights: a) short-term, stackable and flexible learning options; b) the value of … [Read more...]
Got the giggles? Blame evolution.
Humans need to laugh together. Laughter, like many other expressions of human emotion, is definitely contagious, writes Laura Simmons. Shared emotions are integral to social bonding, which is why a fit of the giggles spreads so easily. Source: IFL Science, September 25, 2025. Link. Laughter is such a fundamental part of what it means to be human that it transcends language … [Read more...]
The big 5 of ulcer prevention (video)
Dr. Ben Sykes of BW Sykes Consultancy explains how horse owners can help prevent gastric ulcers. His video is worth sharing with horse owners on social media or in newsletters. Ulcer prevention starts at home with Sykes big five: Adequate roughage, specifically hay Avoiding excessive carbohydrates Managing exercise and exercise duration Ensuring periods of rest … [Read more...]
Manage shrink to maximize revenue
Cattle shrink every time they are moved. Producers may not be able to do much about the price they get for their cattle, but they can minimize shrink, writes Heather Smith Thomas. Sorting, loading, hauling to a sale and standing without feed and water can result in body weight loss of 15 percent or more. Thomas explains two types of shrink a) excretory and b) tissue, noting … [Read more...]
Review: Generic versus pioneer drugs for cattle
This is a timely article as calves are being weaned, cows turned out on pasture or stalks and preparations for colder weather are underway. Andrea Bedford, PhD, details the rigors of NADA and ANADA products, where generic equivalents may differ and where they fit in decision-making for veterinarians and producers. Source: Bovine Practitioner, September 17, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
What value do pet owners place on sustainable pet food?
Sharing data from recent research, Debbie Phillips-Donalds concludes that sustainability features have an impact on pet food purchasing, but which features and to what degree they affect purchasing matter a lot. She notes the challenges with defining sustainability and animal welfare in the context of product education and marketing. Source: PETFOOD Industry, September 17, … [Read more...]
Weight bias among veterinary professionals
Sharing research on weight bias, this article from Zoe Belshaw, Vet MB, MA, PhD, addresses the potential of relating an owner’s weight to their pets. The need to have proactive discussions with pet owners is often difficult and addressing potential bias is worth consideration. Belshaw shares tips for talking with clients about weight management just in time for World Pet … [Read more...]
Review: Harmful algal blooms, red tides and their hidden dangers
As summer ends, it is time to review the potential of harmful algal blooms. These occur when environmental conditions like warm water, nutrient runoff and sunlight promote rapid algae growth, some of which produce dangerous toxins. These articles review the different types of harmful algae, symptoms when exposure occurs, health effects and prevention. Sources: Morris … [Read more...]
Setting client expectations for canine infectious respiratory disease complex
CIRDC is a clinical syndrome caused by a range of pathogens, not a specific disease. Coinfections are common, writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS. Acknowledging the challenges of client conversations, he models communication scenarios in this article. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2025. Link. Providing clear information about the approach to treatment is … [Read more...]
For a harmonious herd, provide enough space
A new study from The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute suggests that to fully benefit from being on pasture, horses need room to roam. The data showed horses kept in pens that allowed 342 square meters (about one-tenth of an acre) per horse had reduced levels of blood cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Source: EQUUS, September 5, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
Zebra cows repel flies and win Ig Nobel Prize
Say what? Japanese researchers received the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in biology for showing that black cows painted with white stripes repel flies better than their counterparts that didn’t look like zebras. Source: The Scientist, September 18, 2025. Link. Image credit: Tomoki Kojima et al., 2019, PLoS One, CC-BY 4.0 … [Read more...]
Advice for grazing beef-on-dairy calves
While beef-on-dairy calves outperform dairy calves for stocker and finishing systems, they require a different management and understanding when it comes to grazing. Unfamiliar with being a grazing animal, beef on dairy calves need to go through a two- to three-week receiving period, says Paul Beck, MS, MBA, PhD. This allows time for calves to adjust to new feeds, learn to … [Read more...]