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...]
I’m sorry! Apologizing before even knowing what for
Guilty as charged. Sorry! The word falls out of our mouths so quickly, so smoothly and most of the time it is not needed. It’s a reflex that is not sorting out what actually warrants an apology. It is running on autopilot, apologizing for YOU. The ego runs this because a pre-apologized presence cannot fail as loudly, asserts the author. The truth is the reflex is not … [Read more...]
Cat health care and deworming barn cats
Cats are tough with hardy immune systems, writes Jon Geller, DVM, in this article from the Grist archives. Although written before Avian flu became a reality in the U.S., his guidance holds up today, considering the advancing status of cats. Commentary Call them barn cats, working cats, free-range, or semi-feral; whatever the label, but developing mutually beneficial … [Read more...]
Pasture, rangeland, forage insurance: Trends, takeaways, and sign-up
Buying precipitation insurance for hay production on sub-irrigated meadows and irrigated perennial forages often doesn’t come to mind for many producers. Still, producers will value veterinary teams, nutritionists and suppliers who can share a basic understanding of how Pasture, Rangeland and Forage insurance works. PRF insurance offers the option to help offset the risk of … [Read more...]
Animal Health Summit spotlights 3 trends driving the industry’s next era
Congratulations to the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor for this year’s Animal Health Summit. Attendees report it offered insight on emerging practices and innovations. The themes that emerged included: Innovation that simplifies Greater focus on access and affordability A shift toward longevity and ‘health span’ Production animal draws new … [Read more...]
Vertical integration is driving up patient costs, study finds
This healthcare article is interesting in light of the ongoing debates surrounding veterinary access, costs and ownership. Despite differences in care delivery models, it is likely that high healthcare costs are extrapolated to anticipated veterinary cost perceptions. Over the past decade, the number of doctors working for hospitals rather than in private practice has more … [Read more...]
Compliance is not the same as ownership
Chris Williams is increasingly convinced that many of the issues we call training problems aren’t training problems at all. Sometimes people know exactly what they’re supposed to do. What they haven’t developed is a sense of ownership over what happens next. We will never write enough procedures to cover every situation. Eventually, someone has to exercise judgment, says … [Read more...]
The obedience fallacy
Angie Barber repositions training, behavior and obedience in this blog post to help dog people understand how to work toward a mentally and emotionally stable well-adjusted dog. Her State of Mind Dog Training website includes some freebies worth considering for clients <Link>. She urges dog owners to take a step back, shift from a transactional/obedience-based mindset … [Read more...]
Traditional expertise still valued despite AI changing pet owners’ searches
Commentary As you review this research summary, consider that pet owners who have researched their pets’ conditions may require a more collaborative discovery approach when working with a veterinary team. Acknowledging their questions, asking what they found, where they looked and what they believe can turn these conversations into opportunities for deep engagement and … [Read more...]
New Resource for Vet Practices from CATalyst Council marks Happy, Healthy Cat Month
Sponsor Content The CATalyst Council created Happy, Healthy Cat Month to counter a persistent myth: that cats are self-reliant, aloof and need less medical care than dogs. Happy, Healthy Cat Month exists to help close that gap, one cat and one caregiver, at a time. Adding to a website replete with resources, Kristin Wuhrman, CCBC, and Gina Fortunato, MBA, drew on … [Read more...]
Feline owner education ready to share
Commentary Our industry has been outspoken about the need to educate pet owners and the opportunity cats represent to the health of veterinary practices. Provided by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, resources like this monthly newsletter are ready-made to share with feline clients and prospects. Beyond advocating cat owners subscribe, forwarding each month’s … [Read more...]
When ‘good enough’ starts costing you
In this article, Brianne Skien establishes when to challenge the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. While the topic is swine production, the lessons apply to all animal health businesses. Skien writes there are good reasons we build systems around doing things the same way every day, BUT there is a difference between consistency and complacency. Consistency means we … [Read more...]
Gen Z is rewiring the pet health experience through technology
“Gen Z is raising the bar for pet healthcare,” says Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Healthcare, in her latest article for Forbes Business Council. Noting that this generation is shifting how they navigate pet ownership, she says their use of digital resources is driven by wanting to feel better prepared to make informed health decisions on behalf of their pets. Gen Zs are … [Read more...]
Your humanity is not your greatest gift, rather your greatest exposure
“Your humanity is not your greatest gift. It is your greatest exposure,” asserts Gershon L. Alaluf, DVM, DBA, MBA, in the latest edition of his pursuit to research and understand why the veterinary profession breaks its best people. Commentary In this post, Alaluf introduces an in-the-works theory called the Safe Base Paradox where the workplace falsely becomes a safe … [Read more...]
U.S. health department seeks public feedback on vaccine guidelines after POTUS order
Animal health professionals are uniquely qualified to lend feedback on vaccination strategies. Consider offering feedback if you are so moved. The U.S. health department said on August 21st it was seeking public feedback on federal vaccine recommendations, including how they are categorized and communicated, after President Donald Trump's executive order calling for fewer … [Read more...]
Demonstration in the exam room can improve adherence
In this short video, Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, demonstrates using MAXI/GUARD® Oral Cleansing Wipes on a patient’s teeth. Incorporating everyday oral care tools into practice reinforces the importance of preventive dental health with every patient’s owner.” Source: Addison Biological Laboratory Inc., Instagram, May 28, 2026. Link. [25 seconds] Also see: Demonstration … [Read more...]
Heifers: Keep some or not?
It’s weaning and shipping time in cattle country. With markets wavering slightly, Mexico opening up and a U.S. herd to rebuild, there has been considerable discussion of how to handle heifers*. Whether to retain or sell them is a long-term decision that depends on market conditions and the resources available on an operation. From the perspective of an animal health pro … [Read more...]
Busy August for animal health pros ends in Kansas City
Complimentary By all reports from AVMA, Groomer Expo, SUPERZOO and the new WVC Nashville, animal health pros have renewed old contacts, made new ones, shared meals and beverages, and viewed the latest topics and products. Fetch KC takes place August 28 to 30 and the month is bookended by the KC Corridor’s 2026 Animal Health Summit August 31 to September 1. There’s still … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 10, 2026
In this week’s FastBites: Upcoming webinar: Add-On Revenues: Part 3 of our Pet Industry Leadership webinar series: August 27th at 1:00 p.m. CDT. <Registration Link> OraStrip information as add-on service Legislative updates: Washington (King County), Massachusetts Medicare enrollment, key dates and ways to avoid penalties Source: IBPSA, August 17, 2026. … [Read more...]
Scientists claim you SHOULD let your cat roam outside; it makes them less destructive
Commentary This article references a paper, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science <Link>. It describes how researchers discovered that cats that were allowed unsupervised time outside had lower levels of disruptive behavior. Considering how controversial this topic is and the likelihood that cat owners will not read the whole article or study, animal health … [Read more...]
MSHMP and SDRS; complementary programs for a similar purpose
Kudos to Cesar A. Corzo, University of Minnesota; Quyen Le, Daniel Linhares and Giovani Trevisan, Iowa State University, for this clarifying article. It helps with the alphabet soup that is part of swine research and management, and in this case, where perceived redundancies are actually synergistic. The authors share that the U.S. swine industry benefits from two nationally … [Read more...]
Spectrum of care in veterinary medicine; the role of the veterinary nurse
Commentary Every week we see articles on various barriers to veterinary care. Cost consistently tops the list. Empowering veterinary professionals and clients to consider a wide range of treatment strategies, from technologically advanced and expensive to more traditional and less expensive, can potentially improve access to medical care all pets need, writes Julie Ann … [Read more...]
7 ways veterinary practices can boost their revenue
Commentary Smart systems, better communication and expanded services can all make a meaningful difference, say the authors of this article. Of the seven strategies listed, staff training, empowerment and client education are known to provide value for clients at points of service. Patient no-shows take on a different meaning in the current vet visit environment. Industry … [Read more...]
Retailers’ wish list for SUPERZOO 2026
Retailers are on the hunt to find products that will help them stand out in their local markets at SUPERZOO 2026. Animal health pros can get a sense of where retailers expect to capture pet owners’ OTC spend by reviewing the list, such as new supplements, interactive toys and unique durables. Source: Pets+, August 10, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
America’s future depends on the health of its animals
Animal health pros can use the positive messages from Holger Lehmann’s article. Each of us contributes to an infrastructure that sustains people, environments and the animals that support us. Take a minute from fighting the daily fires to appreciate all we do to provide the various segments of society. Lehmann writes, “When our agricultural and veterinary systems work as … [Read more...]
When pain changes more than movement
Maggie Creamer, PhD, is exploring if pain in dogs may reach beyond mobility, shaping how a dog thinks, learns, and experiences the world. A dog who seems less interested, struggles to learn something new or begins behaving differently may be communicating more than we realize, says Creamer. In people, chronic pain can interfere with everyday cognitive functioning and ability … [Read more...]
Dry-off deserves a bigger role in transition cow management
Dry-off is more than the end of one lactation; it is the first major biological event of the next one. Challenging the dairy industry’s long-held assumptions, Erminio Trevisi, MS, PhD, asserts dry-off transition deserves the same attention as calving because it marks the first stage of the next transition period. Trevisi’s research findings suggest dry-off does not reset the … [Read more...]