There were 200 million birds flying above the U.S. on Monday night, August 17th, a sign that autumn migration is well underway. The BirdCast Migration Dashboard can compute an estimate of migration traffic for every county in the Lower 48 states. Source: Cornell Lab eNews, August 23, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Migration traffic is an important component of biosecurity efforts … [Read more...]
Veterinarians hesitant to recommend CBD for pets
CBD use in dogs continues to grow. A 2025 survey found 7.3 percent of 47,000 dog owners had given their pets CBD, mainly for arthritis, seizures or dementia. In fact, Dr. Jennifer Quammen, AVMA president, says she gets asked about it every day. Research remains limited, short-term and sometimes company-funded. Despite these conditions, sales of CBD pet products are expected to … [Read more...]
A separate water tank costs far less than losing cattle
Tanks and equipment that have been used to haul urea- or nitrate-based fertilizers should not be used to transport drinking water for cattle even if they have been thoroughly washed. Not a new problem, but it is one worth repeating. Veterinary toxicologists are again seeing cases of cattle deaths associated with water hauled in tanks or equipment previously used for … [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...]
“Ask a Cowboy” panels set for Husker Harvest Days and Sunbelt Ag Expo
Stockmanship & Stewardship sessions give producers and veterinarians opportunities to interact with a panel of experts and ask questions about best management practices. Everyone can benefit from learning about cattle movement habits, top-notch facility design, and tips for training others who handle your cattle.” Source: NCBA. Link. Husker Harvest Days, September … [Read more...]
Manure identified as hotspot for antibiotic resistance genes
A 14-year analysis across 26 countries finds livestock manure is a major harbor of antibiotic resistance genes that could threaten human health. The research team examined more than 4,000 manure samples from pigs, chickens and cattle and found signs that efforts to reduce farm antibiotic use are paying off. Source: The Dairy Site, August 17, 2026. Link. What happens on … [Read more...]
U.S. home to all top 10 North American pet food companies by 2025 revenue
All of the top 10 North American pet food companies in Petfood Industry’s Top Companies database are headquartered in the United States. Measured by 2025 revenue, the U.S. dominance reflects more than the size of the U.S. pet market, writes Tim Wall. U.S. manufacturers operate within an economy that combines large supplies of grains and animal proteins with extensive … [Read more...]
We got the smoke. See how it travels.
Hundreds of fires have burned in Canada and the northwestern U.S. A NASA visualization tracks how wildfire smoke traveled in North America from mid-July to early August, showing the sprawling size of the impact. Source: Fast Company, August 17, 2026. Link. Unlike larger dust particles, tiny smoke particles can stay suspended for days. A typical smoke particle might last in … [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...]
Cat fleas contributing to flea-borne murine typhus incidence
A study from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences detected DNA from Rickettsia typhi, the bacterium that causes flea-borne murine typhus, in cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) collected from domestic cats in the Rio Grande Valley, the southernmost point of Texas. This region consistently records some of the highest human murine typhus case … [Read more...]
Understanding fall equine laminitis risks
We tend to associate springtime with laminitis, but fall is also a high risk for many horses, writes Eleanor Kellon, VMD. She explains that the major contributor to fall laminitis has nothing to do with pasture and can affect any horse. The warm days and cold nights of fall contribute to laminitis risk on pasture for horses with metabolic syndrome and high blood … [Read more...]
South Dakota cattle producers cope with ‘gut-wrenching’ losses from July heat wave
South Dakota cattle producers lost at least 2,000 head to heat stress last month. What made it lethal wasn't the daytime peak; it was consecutive days of heat and humidity with no wind and nights that never dropped. Griffin Cherry describes the effect on producers. Source: Griffin Cherry, LinkedIn, August 12, 2026. Link. Cattle don't die from the hottest hour of the day. … [Read more...]
Standing corn is an option for grazing
Drought is hard on crops but there can be some value derived from grazing standing corn, writes Aaron Berger. He discusses the economics and nutritional elements for producers to consider in drought-affected areas. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, August 5, 2026. Link. With a shortage of forage for grazing and hay, current market conditions for fertilizer and corn, along with … [Read more...]
Survey sheds light on small-scale swine farms
A University of Minnesota Center for Animal Health and Food Safety survey sought to understand more about the unique challenges and needs of small-scale pig farmers in California, Minnesota and Texas. The emphasis was on gaining an understanding of their pig health management and disease preparedness. Notably, less than 50 percent had a premises identification number, very … [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...]
A complete rabbit feeding guide
Knowing which foods are safe and which should be avoided can help prevent digestive problems and keep rabbits healthy for the long term. Clients who show rabbits at fairs may have new questions in the coming weeks. Erin Snyder’s article is good information to share. Key takeaways: Hay should make up the majority of a rabbit’s daily diet. Rabbits need plenty of fiber … [Read more...]
Antibiotic resistance threatens vision in pets and horses
Sight-threatening antibiotic-resistant eye infections are becoming a significant threat to vision in dogs, cats and horses, according to a review published in Veterinary Ophthalmology. Researchers examined global trends in antimicrobial resistance in animal eye infections and warn that multidrug-resistant bacteria are becoming more common in referral veterinary … [Read more...]
Let horses drink right after exercise but not too much
Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, DACVS, says a sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated quickly. However, he reminds us that horses have relatively small stomachs that only hold about two to three gallons, so once full, the stomach needs to empty before taking in any more water. Source: EQUUS, July 31, 2026. Link. Offer horses a drink at every possible opportunity but … [Read more...]
How much hay will a horse eat in 1 year?
An equine nutritionist shares how to calculate a horse’s annual hay intake and how to reduce hay waste to help stretch the costs through the year. Consider this article and topic for horse enthusiast groups and youth presentations or workshops. Source: The Horse, August 9, 2026. Link. When calculating how much hay to purchase, consider hay wastage during storage and feeding. … [Read more...]
Thermal image-based approach to mastitis detection in Holstein dairy cattle
A study examining whether thermal images taken from cow udders during milking can be used to detect mastitis using AI produced promising results. The consistent performance of the model to distinguish between healthy and mastitis-affected udders showed that it could reliably analyze new data without overfitting. These results indicate that thermal imaging combined with AI is … [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...]
Bull fertility begins long before puberty
Research over the past two decades suggests one of the most influential periods in a bull’s reproductive life occurs during the first few months after birth, when endocrine signals are programming how the testes will develop for the rest of the animal’s life. Andrea Bedford shares key takeaways from The Bovine Vet Podcast featuring John Kastelic, DVM, MS, PhD, who explained … [Read more...]
CLiK™ Extra (dicyclanil topical suspension) Wound Spray receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced it has received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for CLiK Extra (dicyclanil topical suspension) wound spray for application on or around wounds to prevent infestations of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) in sheep, cattle, goats, swine and camelids, as well as captive … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 13, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 6, 2026. Link. þ Most read posts from August 6th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – The 23-hour horse: What confinement costs. Link. 30 studies show vegan dog and cat food generally well digested. Link. Summer pinkeye: A frustrating foe on pasture. Link. Malone: It’s the journey, not the destination. … [Read more...]
The art of immunomodulation in beef cattle
Sponsor Content Immunomodulation, or modifying the immune response, is an emerging area of focus in beef nutrition and health management. Targeted biosolutions may help beef cattle thrive. This Novonesis webinar will explore the connection between the gut and the immune system and provide evidence-based insights into how Bacillus probiotics may help support cattle through … [Read more...]
Summer pinkeye: A frustrating foe on pasture
Matt Hill, DVM, PhD, is quoted in this article saying, “Pinkeye IS a multifactorial disease; it’s not a simple case of ‘this pathogen equals this disease.’ Hill and Laura Meier, DVM, agree that fly load and subsequent corneal damage are major factors that precede Moraxella sp. infections. Hill believes pinkeye tends to follow a cyclical pattern, with severe outbreaks often … [Read more...]
Optimize, don’t maximize: rethinking cow longevity
Cow longevity has become intertwined with conversations around sustainability, profitability and animal welfare. Since every cow will eventually leave the herd, the real question is whether she has reached the point where replacement makes biological and economic sense. The article will support herd improvement discussions with producers. Working to reduce transition … [Read more...]
The 23-hour horse: What confinement costs
Age Dawson’s latest editorial examines what the 23-hour day for horses actually costs. She shares paradigm-shifting evidence that an hour or so of work, and a horse spending the balance of the day standing in a 12-square-foot box is no longer defensible. A controlled study at The University of Göttingen compared horses in daily training with and without a couple of hours of … [Read more...]
Q&A: When antibiotics are indicated for equine dental concerns
Amelia Sidwell, DrMedVet, was lead author of a recent review <Link> on the topic of using antibiotics for equine dental concerns, including best practices, things to avoid and more. In an interview with Modern Equine Vet, Sidwell answered questions beginning with the specific clinical or diagnostic red flags veterinarians should use to call a horse “high-risk,” rather … [Read more...]
U.S. finds scrapie for first time in 5 years
APHIS has confirmed classical scrapie in a sheep slaughtered at a facility in Oregon. This confirmed detection could push the earliest possible date for national scrapie-free status to approximately 2033. Source: Feedstuffs, August 3, 2026. Link. Classical scrapie is a fatal, degenerative prion disease of sheep and goats. Also see: National Scrapie Eradication Program, … [Read more...]