Rumination is relatively easy to manage in cows, but failed structures and processes create debilitating issues for veterinary professionals. Gershon L Alaluf, DVM, MBA, DBA (c), shares what not being able to turn off work does to veterinarians in this thought-filled article. It reminds one of the adage, “In the absence of strategy, chaos prevails.” Studies show rumination … [Read more...]
Two industries, one mission, mostly disconnected
There is something about pets that overrides conventional career logic, writes veterinary nutritionist Megan Sprinkle, DVM. She shares her observations from a trip to Global Pet Expo 2026 and contrasts parallel industries with a common customer commenting on the opportunity of shared purpose. Source: Animal Health News and Views, April 2026. Link. Diverse perspectives and … [Read more...]
Laminitis risk assessment survey
This 8-question survey helps identify the likelihood a horse will develop laminitis. The survey has educational content accompanying each question and answer. Consider reviewing the survey as a tool, then communicate about it with horse owners. Individual results can be downloaded making them shareable and easy to discuss. Source: EQUUS, April 2026. Link. Horses who have … [Read more...]
Reminder: Cattle need fly relief NOW!
Horn flies, stable flies, house flies or horse flies must be controlled NOW, writes Mark Z. Johnson. It’s not rocket science as flies multiply rapidly and dead ones don’t reproduce. He reviews fly species and how to get after them before they take over. Source: BEEF, April 22, 2026. Link. The beef cattle industry loses millions of dollars each year due to external parasites. … [Read more...]
Rethink milk fever: The immune-calcium connection in transition cows
New research is helping reframe hypocalcemia through what is being called the calci-inflammatory network which is a model that links calcium dynamics directly to immune function during the transition period. It offers a more integrated way to understand milk fever; one that connects metabolism, inflammation and mineral dynamics. Calcium is not simply a nutrient to maintain but … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 23, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 16, 2026. Link. Most read posts from April 16, 2026 AHD Bulletin – When you start to find employee requests irritating. Link. The wise leader. Link. Credit card surcharges by veterinary practices may not meet resistance. Link. How to identify and address grooming neglect. Link. Erase 10 … [Read more...]
Credit card surcharges by veterinary practices may not meet resistance
Scratch Financial’s article positions credit card surcharges or swipe fees as a potential benefit for veterinary practices. Note the best practices for implementing surcharging at veterinary practices. Staff training, notice periods and state-by-state guidelines should be considered. Source: AAHA Trends, April 10, 2026. Link. Data suggests that when implemented … [Read more...]
When you start to find employee requests irritating
Commentary This article will resonate with leaders at all levels. The pressures to “be on” can often become overwhelming and signal the need to adjust. Part of being a leader is fielding requests from employees that never abate. The authors approach the topic from an unmet needs and triggers perspective, then identify four core longings beneath every leadership … [Read more...]
Plants that mosquitoes hate
Commercial Content Plant Addicts’ mosquito-repellent plants category features beautiful, natural options that help keep mosquitoes away, avoiding harsh chemicals. From fragrant herbs like lavender and citronella to vibrant flowering plants, these selections are both practical and pretty for any garden or patio. NOTE: Not all mosquito-repelling plants are pet … [Read more...]
The dog soundscape: What it means for everyday care
This recent summary article will provide veterinary teams with insights into environmental noises that affect dog behaviors. The study <Link> catalogued 79 common sounds and explored how dogs respond emotionally. From barking and household appliances to traffic and weather, the findings challenge some long‑held assumptions and offer practical guidance for those who care … [Read more...]
5 secrets to stronger hooves (audio)
Genetics aside, there’s plenty that can be done to improve a horse’s hooves through diet and management. As warmer weather arrives, consider sharing these hoof care tips with horse owners to encourage stronger hooves in any horse: Optimize nutrition Stick to a consistent shoeing schedule Maximize opportunities for exercise Consider feeding a hoof supplement … [Read more...]
“Watch out” for heifers out of first-calf heifers
Getting the most out of replacement heifers was the focus of a presentation by calf and heifer specialist Bethany Dado-Senn, PhD, at the recent Central Plains Dairy Expo. She shared benchmarks from birth to 12 months of age, highlighting specific areas along each growth stage, including possibly managing heifers out of first-calf heifers separately. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, … [Read more...]
Why relationship-centered care wins in veterinary medicine
A must-read Today’s pet parents want to be active participants in decisions about their pets’ health, not passive recipients of one-time services. Chewy Health’s Mita Malhotra asserts that practices that prioritize long-term partnership over episodic service often see stronger patient health outcomes, deeper trust and greater lifetime loyalty from clients. Nearly 82 … [Read more...]
7 signs your executive team lacks leadership maturity
When maturity is missing at the executive level, the consequences ripple through the entire organization. Marlene Chism shares seven signs your executive team may be struggling with leadership maturity. Executive maturity isn’t about being perfect. It’s the discipline to face reality, regulate reactions and engage in the conversations that move the organization … [Read more...]
Despite being engaged at work, nearly half of employees plan to quit
Commentary Reports like this deserve consideration. It is easy to dismiss such results as not applying to “my” situation. However, the results Michael Popke shares here likely parallel animal health industry articles of the last several years. According to Firstup’s 2026 State of Employee Engagement Report for North America, nearly half of self-proclaimed “engaged” U.S. … [Read more...]
An update on fleas, flea-borne diseases, and flea control
Despite decades of effective ectoparasite control for cats and dogs, fleas on cats continue to be a major issue in veterinary medicine, writes Brian Herrin DVM, PhD. He provides an excellent review in this article that supports year-round adherence with highly effective flea control methods. Year-round adherence is key to preventing home infestations, reducing flea allergy … [Read more...]
Acquisition of cats with extreme conformations: a ticking time bomb
Cats Protection’s Madison Rogers is pushing for cat breeding to be regulated across the United Kingdom. Citing increasing interest and acquisition of purebred cats with extreme features, the organization wants to address welfare concerns proactively. Its research found extreme conformations variously associated with musculoskeletal abnormalities, ocular, dental and respiratory … [Read more...]
Keeping cows on track from calving to conception
Commercial references The picture above defines the what and how of optimal cow management. The first 100 days, a critical stress window, is the when. Management and nutrition in this period largely decide whether a cow breeds back on time, writes Angie Stump Denton. Alltech’s Anne Koontz and Shelby Roberts provide details on prevention‑minded nutrition and management, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 9, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 2, 2026. Link. Most read posts from April 2, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Local leadership, not logo on door, makes a vet clinics shine. Link. Defining the decision. Link. When AI misses the diagnosis, who gets sued? Link. ========================== Research on heartworm reveals older, complex … [Read more...]
Employees’ financial stress costs employers $1.1 trillion
The central finding of a new report from industry analyst firm Valoir, estimates that employees’ financial stress costs U.S. employers more than $1.1 trillion in lost productivity each year. We noted: The average worker spends 3.3 hours per week handling personal financial issues while on the clock, while about eight percent spend 10 or more work hours per week. Eighty … [Read more...]
Local leadership, not the logo on the door, makes a veterinary clinic shine
The corporate-versus-independent debate is getting stale, writes Bob Lester, DVM. He asserts it is time to stop pointing fingers and start focusing on what drives hospital success. The answer: strong, local, boots-on-the-ground leadership. Here are some of Lester’s thoughts to consider: Veterinary medicine is more complex than ever . . . leadership is the most crucial … [Read more...]
When AI misses the diagnosis, who gets sued?
We need this <liability> conversation to be MUCH MUCH louder, writes Michele Pfannenstiel, DVM. What follows is a thought-filled, researched treatise that raises concerns about what AI can do, how it is validated and who is responsible if AI can’t. Pfannenstiel is not anti-AI. She wants new tools to work. But wanting them to work is not the same as knowing they work, … [Read more...]
Pet brands get embedded into hotels, apartments and stores as pet-friendly trends grow
Commentary Tim Wall’s article on partnerships that embed products into experiences is a good read for marketing and brand managers. It also emphasized tactics related to Rick Purnell’s article last week about local visibility, community engagement and the value of showing up where a need exists. <Link>. In many communities, seasonal events bring pets into town, such … [Read more...]
Global Pet Expo discoveries, booth-visit videos
Includes Commentary* The PETS+ team provides a sense of the Global Pet Expo in successive articles. The event aims to drive innovation, sustainability and digital transformation in the $151 billion pet industry. Key objectives include connecting brands with more than 6,000 buyers, showcasing new products and exploring AI/tech solutions, with a focus on sustainability, pet … [Read more...]
Viral coinfections potentially associated with feline chronic gingivostomatitis in FIP cats
The study, published in Viruses MDPI, and co-authored by Katrin Hartmann, Regina Hofmann-Lehmann and Andrea Spiri, looked at coinfections in cats with FIP. It provides detailed insight into viral coinfections potentially linked to FCGS in cats diagnosed with FIP. Coinfections were common, with FCV and FFV most frequently detected, and many cats harbored multiple viruses. … [Read more...]
The mystery of the night shift: Why protocol drift happens after dark.
Commentary Today’s dairy veterinarian is routinely involved in many aspects of a dairy client’s operation. For veterinary teams, Shaun Hardtke’s article offers a practical look at why the night shift struggles more than any other shift, the underlying human, environmental and operational challenges of nighttime work and the predictable but fixable. The night shift has become … [Read more...]
Fast-growing pasture creates risk of grass tetany in lactating cows
Surges in forage growth create grass tetany risk across many beef operations. Andrea Bedford shares ways to reduce the risks. While grass tetany is a seasonal risk that follows predictable patterns, producers may need to monitor animals closely in areas where wildfires burned and forage grasses are recovering. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March 23, 2026. Link. Risk … [Read more...]
New CAPC 2026 Pet Parasite Forecast: expanding vectors, emerging hotspots, year-round risk
Released this week, the Companion Animal Parasite Council’s 2026 Pet Parasite Forecast includes models that predict what veterinary teams will see in 2026. At 94% percent accuracy, they are an early warning system for both veterinary and public health. The Forecast projects continued geographic expansion of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and heartworm risk across the … [Read more...]
From feedlots to city blocks, visibility matters for every veterinary practice
We asked AHD Editor Rick Purnell to consider challenges veterinary practices face locally and bring perspectives from his public relations career. He says trust remains the foundation of veterinary-client relationships and it likely begins before the first appointment. Planned, long-term community outreach is more than a marketing tool. It reminds existing and prospective … [Read more...]
Ideas for choosing a trainer for pet parents, veterinary teams (video)
Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVB, shares a video she offers to pet parents looking to find a trainer for their pet. She shares how to read a trainer’s website. She encourages them to look for clear indicators of positive reinforcement training, humane equipment, transparent credentials and evidence of continuing education. Source: Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVB, LinkedIn, March 24, 2026. … [Read more...]