Foot rot, also known as interdigital necrobacillosis, is an infectious disease that affects the sensitive tissues of the feet in cattle. Foot rot can affect cattle of all ages, with increased incidences during or following wet, muddy and humid conditions. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the primary agent responsible for foot rot. Although a common skin bacterian, F. … [Read more...]
Top U.S. States where cats can safely explore the outdoors (video)
The folks at FelineFam share insightful information in this video about where U.S. cats can safely roam. Well-narrated and filled with images of cats in the wild, it’s worth the time to view and consider for an industry integral to One Health, animal health, and wellness. Source: Feline Fam, April 2025. Link. [8:42] Commentary Shown on January 30, 2000, during Super … [Read more...]
Dog trainer’s graphic explains dog park risks
Veterinary teams understand the risks of popular dog parks. Dog trainer Angie Barber’s Instagram posts caught our attention, and we’re sharing this image with her permission. Consider using it to underscore the need for preventatives, along with the obvious safety and wellness concerns. Source: State of Mind Dog Training. Website <Link>, Instagram … [Read more...]
There’s no place for shock and prong in dog training
Contains commercial links Two professional organizations recently updated their policies. Only one made a commitment to reward-based training, writes Zazie Todd. She reviews evidence against aversive training and stances of various organizations noting these most recently: The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants decided to rule out the use of … [Read more...]
NAPHIA’s 2025 State of the Industry Highlights Report
Commentary There is a lot to digest in this 2025 report from NAPHIA for those interested in numbers*. In 2024, the overall penetration rate for pet insurance in the U.S. marketplace reached 3.92 percent (based on the population of 163.5 million pets). The top claims paid by dog or cat breed and the most common medical conditions are interesting. Source: NAPHIA, LinkedIn, … [Read more...]
How to better utilize vet techs
Commentary Yes, it’s another article on using veterinary technicians at the top of their license. We have found each iteration of this topic is helpful for animal health pros at all levels as we gain more understanding of opportunities and barriers in practices and various regions. Adrienne Kruzer, BBA, RVT, LVT, tackles this topic covering pros, cons, economics and more. … [Read more...]
Is the future of veterinary medicine feline?
For veterinary teams, product developers, investors and strategists, the message is clear: cats are here to stay and they're driving measurable industry growth, writes Jill Lopez, DVM. One of those sharing insights on the new 2025 CATalyst Feline Market Insights Report (Volume 1), she notes cats are gaining a growing share of pet ownership and that feline visits are up in the … [Read more...]
Three 3 rules of three for successful communications
When you convey information, don’t rattle off a list of 47 things the listener must understand. All good things come in threes, writes Mike Figliuolos. Communicating in threes like “stop, look, and listen” from childhood makes remembering easier. Source: thoughtLEADERS, LLC®, LinkedIn, May 7, 2025. Link. Threes work. They’ll help your communications. They’ll make your ideas … [Read more...]
Better feed, fewer burps: Scientists target dairy gas emissions
University of Florida research provides a different perspective on methane gas which is consistently under fire in the greenhouse gas dialogue. When cows’ stomachs make methane, they lose valuable energy that could otherwise be used to make milk or meat. Keeping methane in is better than having it come out. The researchers investigated a potential dairy cattle … [Read more...]
Lowering unit cost of production in cow-calf herds
Although the beef market remains strong, there is a limit to how much an animal will bring in the marketplace. At some point, cow-calf producers must consider managing input costs to yield higher profits. Aaron Berger shares ways to address the costs of production in this article. Source: The Stockman, April 2025. Link. Commentary Historically, producers often reduced … [Read more...]
Tick control may be possible from exposed animals’ immune systems
Could it be? New Washington State University research reveals that animals like deer mice, rabbits and cattle can develop resistance to tick bites. And once they do, tick populations start to plummet. Ticks feeding on previously exposed animals were 23 percent less likely to reach adulthood, and female ticks that did survive produced 32 percent fewer larvae. Simulations … [Read more...]
Is it time to legalize horse slaughter in the U.S.?
Commentary Kudos to Sarah McNaughton-Peterson for addressing a volatile topic. As a horse owner, she is grounded in doing the best for her animals. Still she asserts, “there comes a time . . .” Her comment about culling practices is notable. With welfare issues top of mind, she reminds us that the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 classifies horses as livestock, of … [Read more...]
New survey shows horse owners underestimate disease risks
Content provided by Merck Animal Health A new survey of AAEP members builds on a 2023 survey of horse owners, where researchers sought to better understand of owners’ knowledge and awareness of biosecurity practices for preventing infectious disease in the United States. The results of both surveys reveal many horse owners underestimate infectious disease risks and only take … [Read more...]
Mental health considerations for cats
We often see articles about the mental health and emotional benefits cats provide to us when we suffer with mental health issues. But do cats experience sadness? Wendy Hauser, DVM, shares what we need to know and consider when it comes to the mental health care of our cats in this article from the ASPCA® Pet Health Program. Hauser covers feline depression, anxiety and … [Read more...]
The economic case for saving human jobs
Commentary Already fatigued by the onslaught of AI-enabled communications, inquiries and robocalls, this article appeared to initiate thought beyond the current inconveniences. One would hope AI would eventually create more opportunities but Faisal Hoque shares a different perspective. How our societies and economies will deal with automation may have profound consequences … [Read more...]
Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month
May will bring a plethora of content on mental health as society continues to address and prevent challenges of the mind and emotions. Suicide is always top of mind, but being more aware and less polarized by “mental health” can help avert crises. Whether one-on-one or communicating with your constituents, consistency is important. We’re sharing a few resources in the links … [Read more...]
Chewy Health president shares 3 trends revolutionizing pet healthcare
Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health, shares shifts in pet parent behavior she believes to be shaping the future of veterinary care: An increasing focus on preventative health Greater adoption of digital tools A stronger commitment to building trusted, long-term relationships with veterinary teams Source: Forbes, April 25, 2025. … [Read more...]
The 4 lengths of horse’s feet
Here’s a situation where physics and trigonometry can benefit performance and horse welfare. Randy S. Luikart explains the thought processes defining four different lengths of the overall hoof: too short, protective, optimum and too long. He defines each and how they apply to different equine disciplines. The importance of shoeing each equine discipline varies on what and how … [Read more...]
Tracking health in mature and senior cats
Improving pet owner adherence to annual and semi-annual veterinary visits for mature or senior cats is an uphill battle for many veterinary teams. The research shared in this article is valuable if only to confirm what is already known about the importance of active, long-term health screening with laboratory testing. The study monitored the overall health of 259 mature or … [Read more...]
Dogs’ capacity for understanding human speech
A recent study conducted by experts at the Universities of Lincoln and Sussex highlighted how dogs listen attentively, even when we speak in a monotone voice, making them true participants in our conversations. The researchers referenced vocabulary, sounds and tone, including how dogs pick up on nuances in our speech, reflecting their understanding of our emotions. Source: … [Read more...]
New lifestage infographics support pet owner education and identify health needs
More than half of U.S. pet owners skip or decline needed veterinary care <Link>, according to a recent study. Veterinary care need not be out of reach for most pet owners, but educating them is required to improve adherence to important veterinary care. Two new infographics from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance Program will help animal health pros discuss wellness and … [Read more...]
How to work with your brain, not against it
It is often easier to obsess over the one thing you didn’t finish today than the 20 things you did, writes Charlie Gilkey. Explaining the Zeigarnik Effect, he says our brains treat incomplete tasks like a persistent alarm system, keeping them front and center until we handle them or explicitly tell our brain we’ve got this covered. This creates an exhausting cognitive drag. He … [Read more...]
Consider a pet insurance specialist as part of the veterinary team
Studies show that clients with insurance are more likely to pursue treatment plans and get advanced care for their pets. Liz Devitt, DVM, shares how dedicating a team member as a pet insurance specialist could be a win-win-win for clients, their pets and a veterinary practice. In this capacity, the specialist would be a resource, not a salesperson, to help pet owners select a … [Read more...]
Ticks are a concern in cats, too
Commentary After a jaunt in my suburban backyard I noted a deer tick on my sock. While checking for additional ticks on me and the dog, a neighborhood free-range cat jumped the fence in search of a field mouse, mole or songbird before Lil Buddy gave chase. The backyard incident was a stark reminder of the importance of year-round preventatives and my clothes as a … [Read more...]
90 percent of animal owners trust, appreciate veterinary teams; underestimate the demands of the profession
Boehringer Ingelheim’s Going Beyond campaign seeks to spotlight aspects of veterinary work that often remain unseen and underrecognized. Compiled ahead of World Veterinary Day, the most recent global survey results reveal animal owners’ perceptions of the essential role that veterinarians play in animal health and community well-being and compare their perceptions to previous … [Read more...]
New guide to choosing a pet boarding facility
Choosing a pet boarding facility can be difficult. Social media reviews help identify potential problem locations, but having a strategic approach to choices is beneficial. Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, has created a guide to choosing a pet boarding facility. The information in the Guide arms pet lovers with questions to ask and red flags and green flags … [Read more...]
Attention to detail matters
Whether curiosity and attention to detail are innate or not, Adam Bryant asserts the importance of developing these skills. It is about being professional, he says. This is especially important when it comes to follow-through, communications, scheduling and its effect on customer experiences. Source: strategy+business, April 4, 2025. Link. Whether it’s the work produced … [Read more...]
Livestock producers concerned about diseases, uncertain about level of threat
Commentary Iowa is a top U.S. producer of red meat and eggs. The information here is likely representative of many livestock producers in the U.S. For veterinary teams and animal health pros serving owners of any herd or flock size, the research results are informative, concerning and actionable. We must dedicate ourselves to improving producer education on diseases and risk … [Read more...]
Improving productivity key to reducing antibiotic use in livestock
Commentary Seeing research and projections like these are important in managing the effects of livestock production practices domestically and globally. The information in this article is likely to elicit a “well duh” response from many animal health professionals. Regardless of species or country, improving adherence to best practices requires continual education and … [Read more...]
Pain in dairy cattle: a narrative review
Commentary This narrative review looks at the need for pain control, industry practices and stakeholder expectations and opportunities. It gives veterinary teams insight into how pain is being addressed in multiple dairy operations and possible ways to overcome barriers dairy producers may assert when recommending pain management protocols. From the summary Proper pain … [Read more...]