Animal healthcare is attractive, seductive and fulfilling, but it comes with responsibilities that produce stress. It is against the backdrop of normalcy that these stress pressures can stay well hidden, ready to strike when you least expect it. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, January 2025. Link. Every team member in a practice is a leader responsible for producing … [Read more...]
Indeed, veterinarian is the new “it” job
Veterinarians are ranked Number 1 on this year’s Best Jobs of 2025 report from Indeed. Sales representative was ranked second. Gen Z surpasses other generations in spending on their pets, whose presence seems to supplant having children. Plus, having a pet is associated with upsides for their own well-being. Source: Yahoo! News, January 15, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is growing
From a public health perspective, low vaccination rates for pets are equally concerning as those for humans, writes Simon F. Haeder, PhD. He reviews key elements of attitudinal research he published in 2024 <Link> that reveal pet owner sentiments about vaccination carry over to their inoculation decisions for their pets. More than half of pet owners question the … [Read more...]
Zoetis: Latest FDA approvals broaden protection for dogs and cats
FDA has approved new indications for Simparica Trio® (sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel chewable tablets), Simparica® (sarolaner) Chewables, and Revolution® Plus (selamectin and sarolaner topical solution). Simparica received approval for the treatment and control of infestations with Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian longhorned tick) in dogs 6 months of age and older weighing … [Read more...]
KCAHC applications open for 2025 Animal Health Summit Emerging Company presentations
The KC Animal Health Corridor is passionate about driving innovation in the animal health industry. The platform has helped past participants raise more than $500 million in funding, showcase innovative solutions, connect with industry leader, and capture investment opportunities. Source: KCAHC. Link. The 2025 Animal Health Summit will take place in-person August 25-26, … [Read more...]
AAVMC, Chewy Health announce the 2025 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Cohort
The 2025 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Cohort program combines financial assistance, professional development resources and mentorship opportunities to empower underrepresented veterinary students to thrive as future leaders. Fifteen selected second-year veterinary students receive a $20,000 scholarship each, as well as peer support sessions, leadership training and early-career … [Read more...]
ASPCA announces $5 million California Wildfire Response and Preparedness Fund
Responding to animal welfare organizations working to provide protections for the health and safety of owned and shelter animals due to the California wildfires, the ASPCA has created a $5 million relief fund. The funds can be applied to disaster response costs or capacity-building for disaster preparedness. Source: ASPCA, January 13, 2025. Link. Applications may be … [Read more...]
Tui Na can combat the effects of damp winter weather on horses
Temperature and moisture swings common in winter often create a damp chill for the hardiest of horses. Tui Na warming techniques can help warm the horse’s entire body, writes Amy Snow. Every muscle and every joint in the horse’s body will benefit from being warmed in winter using these easy-to-learn techniques. Source: Equine Wellness, February 17, 2021. Link. Tui-na is one … [Read more...]
Fecal water syndrome is not the same as diarrhea (infographic)
FWS is a condition where horses pass both solid and liquid material during defecation. It is likely not as severe as diarrhea but equally frustrating for horses and their owners. FWS management typically focuses on dietary management and stress reduction on a horse-by-horse basis. The infographic shared in the post is a helpful tool for veterinary teams to use to educate horse … [Read more...]
Teaching cat owners how to play with their cats and its benefits
Kristin Wurman’s LinkedIn post <Link> shares highlights of a digital campaign encouraging cat owners to engage in daily wand toy play that supports cats' unique nature as a dual species: predators and prey. More than 35 percent of participants reported playing with their cats more often, citing fewer behavioral problems and an increased understanding of their cats' … [Read more...]
Dos and don’ts when choosing supplements for dogs and cats
Good marketing does not necessarily mean high quality. There are many choices in the market which require pet owners and their veterinarians to do their diligence. Theresa W. Fossum, DVM, MS. PhD, Diplomate ACVS, and Sean Ford share the dos and don’ts of choosing supplements in this article. Source: Animal Wellness, January 12, 2025. Link. Prioritize a Certificate of … [Read more...]
Animal shelter best practices provide tips for clinic boarding facilities
Commentary We liked the premise of this article. Staci Cannon, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DABVP, shares evidence-based guidelines for standards of care in shelters can be applied to a clinic boarding setting, noting the shared similarities. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2024. Link. Whether clinic or shelter, intentional boarding strategies help reduce patient stress during … [Read more...]
Reminder: Wood sugar, birch sugar, birch bark are the same as xylitol
There it was on a cough lozenge label . . . birch sugar. It took a minute to correlate birch sugar to xylitol despite knowing that sugar-free often means xylitol is an ingredient. So, since it is cough and cold season and many folks are dieting, it is a good time to share warnings with animal health pros and their pet owner networks that Xylitol is poisonous to dogs. Dogs … [Read more...]
Cleaners to avoid around pets
Holiday cleaning, followed by spring cleaning, puts pets at risk from common household cleaners. Consider this article for social media, newsletters and local community media to help pet owners avoid risks to their pets’ health. Source: Better Homes and Garden, January 9, 2025. Link. When cleaning around pets, it’s important to avoid certain cleaning agents due to their … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 13, 2025
Active and empathetic listening skills, bird flu found in raw pet food, measuring stress in therapy dogs, luxury pet care segment growth, OSHA 300 reminder and more . . . Source: IBPSA, January 13, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Modern tech reshaping relationships and what we can do to rebuild meaningful connections
Commentary We believe this short article is worth consideration. Our animal health industry has long been underpinned by its collegial connections, the daily interactions with animal owners and the guidance around VCPR. Anthony Iannarino is increasingly concerned about how our technologies have rewired adult relationships. He asserts asynchronous tools sacrifice the … [Read more...]
Questions – rude or helpful?
We succeed when we help others succeed, and that is the role of every animal healthcare professional. Source: Repertoire, October 2024. Link. How can we help others succeed if we don’t know where they want to go?” or “Where are they now?” or “What is standing in the way? INSIGHTS: Move from “intrusive” to “interested” by acknowledging every response. Every interaction, … [Read more...]
Managing your own expectations
New products in a clinic cause excitement. However, your clients may not express the same enthusiasm. So, managing expectations is important for every team member. Source: LinkedIn, December 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Perianesthetic medication errors in general practice
Much like carpenters who measure twice and cut once, veterinary teams can benefit from developing a culture of safety that normalizes double-checking each other’s work. Erik H. Hofmeister, DVM, DACVAA, DECVAA, MA, MS, shares results from a study examining the number and type of medical errors during the perianesthetic period in private veterinary clinics. Workloads increase the … [Read more...]
The punctuality predicament (video)
Chris Edmonds outlines four steps to help chronically late staffers be on time. He says lateness is not something to tolerate. Source: SmartBrief, September 24, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: A sales manager once coached that if you’re not five minutes early, you’re always late. Good advice. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 16, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 9, 2025 AHD Bulletin - Water: Critical, undervalued nutrient in dairy calves. Link. Vaccination protects ratter dog from disease. Link. Lead when not in charge: leverage influence when you lack authority. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 8, 2025
Animal Health Digest Bulletin Archives from December 2024. Link. AHD Archives from January 2024. Link. Scroll through articles and topics from last January as you renew efforts for 2025. ================================================ Real ID set to go into effect on May 7, 2025 Source: Daily Passport. Link. REAL ID is currently optional but it will soon be a … [Read more...]
The Dog Stop building on record 2024 to bring services to more pet lovers in 2025
The Dog Stop continues its mission to make exceptional dog care accessible to more communities nationwide. The company plans to double its 2024 store openings this year, bringing The Dog Stop to major markets in Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Texas, Washington and all NFL metros nationwide. Source: vmsd, January 7, 2025. Link. With over … [Read more...]
National 4-H Council receives a $15 million grant from Lilly Endowment
The grant will help advance its 4-H Beyond Ready initiative, a comprehensive program that will equip 10 million youth by 2030 with essential career and character development as fundamental elements for work and life. Lilly Endowment's investment shines a light on the importance of character development in youth programs. We can provide more outreach, programs and support to … [Read more...]
Bird flu may be reaching the boiling point
Scientists are increasingly worried about bird flu based on four key signals. The H5N1 virus has spread uncontrolled in animals, including cows frequently in contact with people. Additionally, detections in wastewater show the virus is leaving a wide-ranging imprint, and not just in farm animals. Some experts say they have lost faith in the government's ability to contain the … [Read more...]
Encouraging equine hydration in winter
Horses prefer to drink water that is between 45°F and 65°F and drink the most water within three hours of consuming a meal. The author shares things to encourage horses to drink since winter environments often create situations that reduce horses’ desires or access to water. The average adult horse should drink about 1 gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight, so … [Read more...]
Senior horse health perspectives
While weight loss and chronic diarrhea are common clinical challenges in senior horses, Nanna Luthersson, DVM, focuses on the importance of dental health and regular checks in this article. She offers tips to help prevent dental issues in senior horses as they age. Source: My Senior Horse, January 3, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: This is good content to share with horse owners … [Read more...]
5 tricks to help clients develop healthy treat-giving habits
It is important for veterinarians to adopt a proactive approach when counseling owners about treats, writes Raj Naik, DVM, DACVIM. Acknowledging the emotional factors, it is possible to get poor treat-giving habits under control by understanding the behavior behind them and working with the client to develop a personalized plan that satisfies both owners and pets. Source: … [Read more...]
Vaccination protects ratter dog from disease
Katie weighs 12-ish pounds, is four years old and is a mix of at least four breeds. She’s a tough native Texan thriving in Brooklyn, New York, ridding it of more rats than you can imagine. Her trip from Texas to the Big Apple was unremarkable, but one night at a playground, she revealed her calling – killing rats. She recently got her 364th rat kill in a year. Sarah Darby, her … [Read more...]
Study: Button dogs DO understand words recorded on soundboards
Research conducted at the University of California, San Diego, shows that dog participants successfully associated words their owners had recorded onto soundboards with the correct outcomes in real life and responded to those words without any other cues. Noting the research as a comprehension study, Federico Rossano, PhD, shared some of the dog participants are currently using … [Read more...]