HPAI in cats, AI act defines four levels of risk for AI startups, monitoring state legislation, National Small Business Week and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 31, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Top 7 drug classes to be tapered before discontinuation (podcast)
These are the top seven drug classes that may need to be tapered to avoid physiologic withdrawal syndrome and/or disease relapse in dogs and cats, writes Katrina L. Mealey, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP. She provides helpful guidance on when and how to taper different medications. It was really helpful that there was such specific guidance, like percentage over a number of weeks, … [Read more...]
Wisdom Panel™, 5 million pets in 20 years plus how we love our pets
Wisdom Panel™, the pet DNA service, recently achieved a major milestone: 5 million pets tested over the past 20 years. To mark the occasion, they surveyed more than 10,000 pet parents to reveal the heartfelt and funny ways their pets shape daily life, including these standout stats: Pets are family: A striking 81 percent consider their pet their child, and 97 percent talk … [Read more...]
Most common medical conditions affecting dogs and cats
Based on data from more than a million of its actively insured pets, Nationwide has identified the most common medical conditions in dogs and cats. Chronic conditions are prevalent in both species and represent challenging and sometimes burdensome, cumulative costs over time for animal owners. Noting the repetitive conditions populating lists like this year after year can … [Read more...]
Addressing NSAID use in cats
Alonso Guedes, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVAA, shares research on robenacoxib for pain management in cats with chronic musculoskeletal disease. The takeaways may help veterinarians feel more comfortable prescribing NSAIDs for longer-term care. Robenacoxib is the active ingredient in Onsior® (robenacoxib) for Cats from ELANCO. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
As National Pet Poison Month ends, the daily risks remain
Sponsor Content Each year, veterinary teams treat unfortunate animals that get exposed to toxic household substances and foods. When an accident happens, it’s a reminder to take steps to help pet owners prevent poison exposure. Education, preparation and action are critical to diagnosing and treating the exposed animals quickly. Providing pet owners with emergency phone … [Read more...]
Global Pet Expo underway in Orlando, Florida
Global Pet Expo is considered a premier event for pet products. It features more than 1,100 exhibitors, a showcase of new products and pet business education. The American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association present it. Source: Global Pet Expo. Link. The 20,000 expected attendees will be offered expanded specialty areas, a new keynote series, … [Read more...]
Things cats love that owners could do more
Providing some coaching for cat owners, Tara Panton, BSc, shares several things cats love that often go unnoticed or unpracticed by their owners. We noted interactive play, consistent routines, window watching, grooming sessions and positive reinforcement in her recommendations. Source: FelineFam, March 12, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article with cat … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 24, 2025
Growth in pet sitting market, daycare report card, tax tips, Italy’s new groomer professional code, microchip transitions and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 24, 2025. Link. The next IBPSA Master Business Academy begins May 1, 2025. <Link> It is a 10-week, fully virtual training with content based on an MBA curriculum. … [Read more...]
FVMA offering CE at virtual Vet Tech Purr-posium
Mark your calendars for the evening of March 25, 2025 and the FVMA’s inaugural Vet Tech Purr-posium for veterinary technicians by veterinary technicians. The evening will feature three CE sessions: Understanding and handling feline patients the Cat Friendly way: 5:00 pm-6:15 pm ET Feline pain and technicians – A perfect match: 6:25 pm–7:20 pm ET Cat Friendly … [Read more...]
Why are cats such a medical black box?
Commenting on this article, Kristin Wuhrman, feline thought leader, said, “We need to shift the narrative around feline medicine and advance our understanding of a species that has long been underserved. Treating cats as their own species requires a deeper commitment to research, innovation, and a better grasp of how cat owners think, engage, and make healthcare decisions … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Leptospirosis, the puddle pathogens
In the park, at the beach, in the backyard, along the sidewalk and in the lake, many serovars of Leptospira sp. bacteria can be found in soil and water. They are spread through the urine of infected animals, including wildlife and even birds such as starlings. Lepto is zoonotic, adding significance to reinforcing the benefits of vaccination and preventative measures. Recent … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 17, 2025
Pet obesity an ongoing problem, small business economic and policy concerns, women owned pet brands, game meat from Africa in pet food and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 17, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Dog owner invents improved way to feed short nosed, senior dogs
Complimentary Commercial Content After getting an offer to try Fluff Trough, I was intrigued. Debra Mastic’s journey to help her pug gain easier and more comfortable access to his food rang true with the articles we see about pet food bowls, elevated platforms and challenges experienced by older and brachycephalic dogs. AHD’s office dog, Lil’ Buddy, often removed kibble … [Read more...]
Study: Cat attachment style impacts behavior, hormone levels
In this article offered by a colleague, researchers share study outcomes indicating emotional attachments have a noticeable impact on cats’ lives. They discovered that a cat’s attachment style, categorized as secure, anxious or avoidant, is linked to how they behave around their owners, how likely they are to exhibit problem behaviors and fluctuations in their oxytocin … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 10, 2025
Raw cat food recall, web hosting or small business, small business tax, corporate transparency act updates, R and D programs and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 10, 2025. Link. Note public webinar: Using personalization to build trust and grow revenue in pet business: Wednesday, March 26th, 1:00 p.m. CST. Register here <Link>. … [Read more...]
Partnering with clients improves cat visits
Preparation before cats leave their home and assertive client education spell success for achieving better cat visits. In this article, Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM, provides perspectives on what derails cat visits, ensuring the clinic environment is comfortable and the opportunity to actively involve clients. She acknowledges the time investment required while affirming its value … [Read more...]
U.S. heartworm risks increasing as mosquito populations, species more than double
One can imagine a forboding silence come over those listening to Susan Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM, as she shared an update on the growing prevalence of heartworm disease in U.S. dogs. She urged veterinary teams to be diligent in educating clients and assertive with their recommendations, noting DVMs have more powerful preventatives than ever at their disposal. Source: DVM360, … [Read more...]
A cat is a cat, BUT, lifestyles, environments and their natures are a conundrum
Commentary Mara Watts’s article3 advocating for seasonal, proactive care and support for farmyard cats initiated thoughts and an investigation of the various categories of cats1 based on their lifestyles. Recent posts from animal health pros sought to identify and reduce barriers to the medicalization of cats, increase wellness efforts and improve veterinary care of pet cats … [Read more...]
11 best Dog Whisperer tips from Cesar Millan
When Cesar talks, dog owners listen. Agree or not, Millan’s overall approaches have forced dog owners to look in the mirror and address their own behaviors. The result has been happier, better mannered dogs who understand they are dogs, not humans. Source: Top Dog Tips, November 28, 2022. Link. Dog crave consistency and order . . . staying patient and in control is vital … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 3, 2025
Lamb Chop puppet revival, hidden fees, small business AI, hero blood donor dogs, pet insurance for small businesses, pup busing, pet aquamation services, business taxes and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 3, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Collagen-based neutraceuticals offer benefits for cats
A concentrated source of collagen, essential for maintaining the integrity of connective tissues, including skin, joints and bones offers some benefits for cats as they age. The authors review the types of collagen, available forms and administration of collagen supplements and where supplementation may provide health benefits for cats. Source: IVC Journal, February 20, … [Read more...]
Reminder: gabapentin can effect blood pressure in cats with, without CKD
As veterinary teams get comfortable reaching for one drug or another, study results like this remind us to be cautious. Researchers studying the effects of gabepentin found it has an effect on arterial BP in cats with and without chronic kidney disease. This effect appears to be more than just the result of stress reduction. These findings should be taken into account when … [Read more...]
Partners in pain detection, part 2: feline
Similar to last week’s post on dog owners’ pain detection in their dogs <Link>, this study assessed cat guardians’ perception of their cats’ pain levels following participants’ exposure to brief pain-related educational material. Researchers found that after receiving educational information about recognizing pain in cats, the cat guardians showed more concern about their … [Read more...]
Who’s afraid of the dreaded cough?!
Commercially supported by Merck Animal Health Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, provides an insightful and educational look at canine infectious respiratory disease complex, its primary causes, the changes in dog influenza and why knowing how dogs are vaccinated is important to individual dogs and for those dogs around them. Source: Dr Jen the Vet, YouTube, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 24, 2025
Ways small business can navigate uncertainties during political transition, Sleepypod Pet Carriers earn top crash-test safety ratings, personalized pet safety gear, small business optimism trends fall, accelerator fueling innovation in pet care industry and more . . . Source: IBPSA, February 24, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Akston named best start-up at the 2024 S&P Global Animal Health Awards
Akston is a biotech company built for pets. They use their proprietary Ambifect® Fc-fusion protein platform to develop immuno-enhancing and targeted protein treatments that aim to reduce treatment frequency while enhancing efficacy. The company was awarded the Best Start-Up of 2024 by S&P Global Animal Health at the Animal Health, Nutrition, and Technology Innovation Europe … [Read more...]
BuddyID® offers free lifetime registration for pets affected by Save This Life microchip
Through its trusted microchip and recovery brand, BuddyID®, Creative Science is offering free lifetime registration for all pets with impacted Save This Life microchips, ensuring they remain protected in the event they go missing. The company is also extending free registration to any remaining Save This Life microchips still in possession at veterinary clinics and … [Read more...]
Ear cleaning and treatment outcomes in dogs with otitis externa
Questioning why we do things the way we’ve always done them makes sense. In this article William Oldenhoff, DVM, DACVD, reviews a study that evaluated whether cleaning dogs’ ears improves treatment outcomes. Both groups had successful treatment outcomes, regardless of cleaning; however, cleaning before medication application was particularly important in patients with … [Read more...]
6 vet-verified essential nutrients cats need in their diets
Cats are obligate carnivores. They require nutrients from meat and other animal tissues to get eleven essential amino acids in their cat food. The author begins with protein to share six categories of nutrients cats need. Source: Catster, February 19, 2025. Link. Related: Understanding your cat’s appetite, Cat Food Advisor, January 27, 2025. Link. Image: Self.com … [Read more...]