Complimentary Digitail and the American Animal Hospital Association recently released their 2026 Veterinary AI Study <Press release> finding that AI use among veterinary professionals has more than doubled since 2024. More revealing is that many clinics have yet to establish strategies and safeguards needed to realize its potential. A maturity model used in the study … [Read more...]
Wharton’s 2026 AI Adoption Report: the Adaptive Advantage
This study will resonate with animal health pros who wish to see if collective industry experiences compare to Digitail’s veterinary industry benchmark studies <Link>. We’ll share takeaways from the study overview here. Now in its fourth year, this year-over-year study from Wharton Human-AI Research and GBK Collective tracks the evolution of AI adoption, ROI, agents, … [Read more...]
Simon Sinek on prioritizing shareholders over employees
There’s nothing wrong with short-term decisions, so long as they’re made in the context of long-term ambitions, says Simon Sinek in this video from the March 2026 Autodesk One Team Conference. He assesses that the modern-day public company has over-indexed on the short term at the expense of the long term, at the expense of the employee and at the expense of the customer. His … [Read more...]
Do you know what your customers value? Likely NOT
The study featured in this article channels the lesson in Patrick Malone’s PAR training <Link>, in which a confidence statement was followed by an invitation to neutral for review, then decision. So, I’m confident that customer value drivers interest animal health professionals and that this article is worth your review and consideration. Take a look. Then you can … [Read more...]
CATalyst Council Q3 Report: Cat clinical visits grow 2.7 percent; clinical vet visits decline
Feline clinical visits at U.S. veterinary practices grew 2.7 percent year over year in the third quarter of 2026, while canine clinical visits* fell 3.3 percent, according to Vetsource data reported in CATalyst Council Feline Veterinary Market Insights: Volume VII. Feline clinical visits grew in each of the last 12 quarters, and canine clinical visits fell in 11 of … [Read more...]
Reminder: Some foods we eat can kill dogs
The onset of fall conjures thoughts of food and refreshments tied to the holidays. Halloween candy, fall fruits, nuts and spices, Aunt Jean’s meatballs and more can be harmful to pets. Consider this article for social media or newsletters before the goblins hit the neighborhoods. It is a good time to boost xylitol safety guidance <Link>. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. … [Read more...]
Most read from the equine archives; late July 2026 to date
It is always pleasant to look back at the most read posts and find that readership continues to grow. For this edition of the Bulletin, we’re sharing some of the most read equine posts since late July. Remember to share these with colleagues and consider using an article when calling on a clinic to start a different conversation or share them with horse owners as a reminder. … [Read more...]
Portraits of Modern Dairy National Checkoff initiative (video)
Commentary A story. Photos and a video. A family. And an indication of how much more is behind the title “dairy farmer” than most people ever see. The National Checkoff Initiative features seven women. If you enjoy cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter on toast or a milk moustache, take a few minutes to see the modern dairy images and our customers at work. Source: Midwest … [Read more...]
Snapshot: Fifty years of progress in cattle production
When it comes to sustainability, beef has received much criticism, writes C. Alan Rotz, PhD. His article covers the changes, challenges and improvements in beef production over the past 50 years. We’re sharing some key statements from the article. Over the past 50-year period: Yields of the major feed crops used for cattle production increased The number of beef cows … [Read more...]
Veterinary preventive care, a pricing paradox
Commentary Authored collaboratively by Wendy Hauser, DVM, Jon Ayers, MBA, and Charlotte McKay, MS, this article identifies the value and benefits inherent in moving diagnostics from reactive to an expected, key component of healthy pet wellness visits not, just chronic care. Kudos to the authors for bringing perspectives from individual practices, group practice analytics … [Read more...]
A structured, multisensory approach to the preventive care experience for pets, owners
As pets are increasingly recognized as family members, emotional experience has become an essential component of veterinary medicine, writes Larissa Meurer da Cunha Veiga, DVM. She explains what led her to develop the Positive Preventive Veterinary Experience Protocol in this article. PPVEP is an integrated multisensory, low-stress preventive care framework designed to … [Read more...]
2026 Canine Care Report from Tractor Supply
Many pet owners are taking a closer look at their pet’s health and wellness but recent data from Tractor Supply confirms that dog parents don’t always follow vet recommendations for food, dental care and other treatments. Here are some of the notable findings: Dog parents are drawn to ingredient-purity buzzwords far more than vets: “free from artificial additives” appeals … [Read more...]
Debrief events before the details fade
In this article, Amy Connor asserts debriefing an event deserves its own conversation. Because details don’t keep, she shares the importance of a debrief process that one person owns, by name, for every event, within five business days and where the recap gets stored and sent. The 10-question debrief evaluates events from a marketing, budgeting and future decision standpoint … [Read more...]
Beware the tollbooth installed at the entrance to your own rest
If you’ve sat down to rest and felt guilty within about four minutes, this article is for you. Rest is NOT a reward for enough productivity, asserts the author. It was never meant to be conditional. But you and societal expectations have turned rest into a transaction. You have reacted by deciding that stopping has to be purchased with sufficient doing, that you're only … [Read more...]
10 trends shaping cat supplement product development
The overall market opportunity for cats is often in the news. As cat owners seek to care for their cats, they will be looking for cat-specific products, says Lisa Cleaver. She shares information gathered from several researchers. Palatability, hydration and gut support, along with clinical proof, are important components cat owners will value. Source: PETFOOD Industry, … [Read more...]
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research invests to reduce swine mortality
Reducing pig mortality is influenced by animal health, management, environment and other factors throughout production. FFAR, the Pork Checkoff and industry stakeholders are investing $1,643,357 in the Pig Livability Project. Led by Iowa State University in collaboration with Kansas State University, the project seeks practical ways to reduce pig deaths and pig welfare in the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 8, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 1, 2026. Link. Most read posts from October 1st AHD Bulletin – New research reveals barriers to pet adoption. Link. Malone: Integrity in your hospital. Link. No avocado toast for your rabbit, bird, horse, sheep, goat or cow. Link. Dogs use a surprising method to understand human language. … [Read more...]
New research reveals barriers to pet adoption
Pet adoption often comes with challenges that make would-be adopters hesitate. A global survey by Mars identifies reasons most likely to hold people back from adopting a pet. Survey: more than 26,000 people across 14 countries surveyed 58 percent of current pet parents did not adopt their pet 28 percent* might adopt in the future, given the right guidance and … [Read more...]
Vaccination scenarios: 1) Overdue pets, 2) Minimum interval for giving different vaccines
Vaccine label instructions have traditionally described ideal, textbook scenarios, but they are getting much less specific. While it provides room for flexibility and gets away from rigorous, dogmatic approaches, it doesn’t necessarily help someone know what to do instead, writes Scott Weese, DVM, DACIVM. Veterinary vaccination guidelines can be useful and have helped … [Read more...]
How well should you know others’ strengths?
Gallup research across more than 11,000 teams found that strengths awareness has roughly twice the influence on team performance as the team’s mix of strengths. But strengths awareness doesn’t mean you have to know every colleague’s full Clifton Strengths profile from the company’s strength-based development tool. In today’s expanding workplace team environments, Gallup … [Read more...]
Female vets and difficult male client interactions
Commentary Fans of the veterinary shows on National Geographic TV will recognize the doctors in this photo. Drs Brenda, Emily and many like them face gendered disrespect daily in companion, equine, mixed and large animal practices. Viewers of the programs also see post-treatment interviews where the animal owner admits his concerns about the “little gal” were … [Read more...]
The history of what is now World Dairy Expo
If you wanted the industry to see your cattle, you loaded them and hauled them to wherever the industry happened to be standing, writes Andrew Hunt, sharing a 55-year history of National Dairy Cattle Congress, which opened in October 1910 in Waterloo, Iowa. Changing times, along with visionary dairy producers who recognized the need for a place where North America’s best … [Read more...]
Roark: Candid. Revealing. Reflecting and unabashed (as usual)
This post departs from our normal neutral format. Commercial references aside, Andy Roark, DVM, lifts his scrubs as he reflects on engaging the veterinary community, conference objectives, post-conference intentions and learning what it takes to keep pace in today’s veterinary medicine and animal-owning society. His statements that follow are to encourage you to read his … [Read more...]
Community outreach “stuffy style”
Commentary We often recommend that local outreach and visibility are important for veterinary professionals. Doctors Justin Sobota and Brooke Alnwick had a great idea to help familiarize animal owners about veterinarians, what they do and also raise the profile of horses. The team set up a Stuffy ER at The Great Frederick Fair on September 20th. The Stuffy ER idea can be … [Read more...]
Reminder: Late season pasture fly control
As fall work progresses, animal health pros can help producers manage horn flies and face flies while reducing resistance development in the overwintering fly population. Many fly control products used in spring and early summer are at the end of their useful life, allowing fly populations to rapidly increase. Insecticide resistance in fly populations tends to develop in late … [Read more...]
Low-cost swine trailer wash and disinfection produced positive results
Commentary It is important to see the study results here in their context. Some abbreviated wash and disinfection is better than nothing The study focused on winter freezing conditions Only PEDv and Delta Co-V were detected; not PRRS or TGE The gold standard is to wash and disinfect a trailer, then dry it at 160°F and maintain that temperature for 10 … [Read more...]
How genetics and management are redefining modern sow productivity
If we manage today’s sow genetics with yesterday’s habits, we should not be surprised when born-alive numbers look strong but weaned-pig numbers do not keep pace, writes Rachel Johnson. Despite advanced genetics, facilities, nutrition and management, producers know far too much margin opportunity is still leaving the farrowing house in a dead bucket instead of on the … [Read more...]
Credentials got you into the room. Will they get you through the next 90 seconds?
In his latest dive into what are innate challenges in veterinary medicine, Gershon L Alaluf, DVM, DBA, MBA shares more, much more, to consider when interacting with today’s digitally enabled clients. Now, be honest with yourself, “Don’t you check the internet when pricing a new car, widescreen TV, car repair or vacation rental?” In August, a survey of 15,428 adults across … [Read more...]
DOL clarifies when travel during meal periods is not compensable
Commentary Veterinary nurse, “So do I get paid for the hour I spent at the lunch-n-learn at the restaurant down the street?” While this report may open a veritable can of worms, it may address some questions about how employees are paid for in-house breaks, off-site lunches and lunch-n-learns. At minimum, double-check employee handbooks to be sure there is … [Read more...]
CatsOnly clinic opens in Aurora, Colorado to positive reviews, expectations
Congratulations and kudos to the CatsOnly.vet team who, over the past months have built anticipation, interest and curiosity. Of all the various posts we reviewed, Ken Lambrecht, DVM, captured the excitement of the event admirably along with expectations for success. “Founders Craig S. Wallace, Scott Maloney, Kristin Wuhrman, Jason Epstein and Alex Emerson have done their … [Read more...]