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...]
The cost of ignoring pet insurance: a valuable lesson in preparedness
A cat owner reflects on a challenging experience with a pet cat by sharing how clear the stress and uncertainty of the situation could have been alleviated with pet insurance. Sharing what animal health pros know, she says, “Pet insurance provides peace of mind by ensuring that pets receive timely and necessary veterinary care without the added stress of financial … [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...]
PBI-Gordon Companies acquires TriviumVet
The acquisition of TriviumVet brings the addition of an innovative new product, Felycin®-CA1, to the PRN® Pharmacal portfolio of products. Felycin is the only FDA conditionally approved drug for the management of ventricular hypertrophy in cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), one of the most common and life-threatening diseases in cats. TriviumVet adds … [Read more...]
What happens when a cat feels emotionally safe long-term?
An emotionally safe cat is surprisingly adaptable, writes Linnea H, BSc, Sociology. Despite the first photo showing a dog’s paws, her assertions on cats and trust are a worthy read. Those of us who grew up around free-range barn cats will recognize some of the behaviors she says indicate a cat feels truly at home. When they trust their environment and their people, new … [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...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 5, 2025
We noted: Adding a new independent pet services provider membership is a good opportunity for the pet services business. The May 14th member webinar on the essentials of Online Authority, what it impacts, and how to increase it. 2025 FedEx Small Business Trade Index Trends in doggy daycare accommodations undergoing upgrades Pittsburgh pet cremation business … [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...]
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...]
Pet influencers are increasing in popularity
There are about 3.5 million active pet influencer accounts globally dedicated to pet content. NBC News reports on the high earning potential of this niche business and how content creators say their passion is about more than the money. Source: NBC News, April 29, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 28, 2025
IBPSA MBA Program postponed, growth in businesses that cater to high-end pet services, app seeks to build dog owner communities, subscription services, Tractor Supply’s pet pharmacy, bunnies promote proper pet care, petflation slowing, pet insurance growth stabilizing and more . . . Source: IBPSA, April 28, 2025. Link. … [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...]
AVMA updates report on veterinary use of cannabidiol
The AVMA’s newly updated report, Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine captures the latest evidence-based context, clinical developments and legal considerations as research and regulations continue to evolve. These include: Safety data and pharmacokinetics of CBD in dogs and cats Clinical trials exploring CBD-rich hemp products in dogs, cats, and horses Regulatory updates … [Read more...]
Darwin’s Ark , Hill’s Pet Nutrition, research partners to explore cats’ genetic code
To advance one of the most ambitious feline genetics initiatives to date, Darwin’s Ark, Hill’s Pet Nutrition , and leading research institutions are combining their unique expertise to advance community-powered research to help cats live longer, healthier lives. Source: Reuters, April 24, 2025. Link. This isn’t just about decoding DNA—it’s about empowering cat lovers to be … [Read more...]
Tractor Supply launches service to streamline pet prescriptions
Tractor Supply launched Tractor Supply Rx in a bid to enhance convenience for customers ordering pet and animal medications. Its features include automatic delivery through the Autoship program, access to expert pharmacy advice and a price match guarantee. The objective is to provide an easy, one-stop shopping destination for the 38 million Neighbor’s Club members, of whom 75 … [Read more...]
Livestock producers, veterinarians urged to consider and manage Q fever zoonotic risk
Q fever is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which infects cattle, goats, and sheep. It is found in an infected animal’s bodily fluids and excretions, such as placental tissues, amniotic fluid, urine, feces and milk. The main signs of infection in animals include abortion, infertility, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. C. … [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...]
April 25th. National hairball awareness day
That distinctive cough, followed by gagging and finally wretching, is familiar to most cat owners. National Hairball Day was founded to provide solutions to cat owners and help them understand why their cats get hairballs. Regular grooming to remove loose hair will help cats avoid hairballs and the potential obstructions they cause. Source: National Today. Link. Image: … [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...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 21, 2025
Tariffs, taxes and grants for small businesses, pet food recall map, marketing in niche communities, legislative updates and more . . . Source: IBPSA, April 21, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Selling the emotion
Pet owners don’t see their animals as “just pets.” They’re family. They worry about their dog’s arthritis, their cat’s weight gain, and whether their rabbit is secretly plotting world domination. Source: Veterinary Advantage, March 2025. Link. When you tie the product to real-world outcomes, you help your customer see the immediate impact.” INSIGHTS: Speak your customer’s … [Read more...]
H5N1 in North America: implications for small animal veterinarians
The spillover of H5N1 from wild birds and poultry to dairy cattle, cats and more raises new questions about virus evolution and its implications for veterinary medicine. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS, shares an overview of the disease, cross-species infection potential, viral mutation, risk mitigation and symptoms. Staying informed, practicing good biosecurity, and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 17, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 10, 2024. Link. Most read posts from April 10, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Don’t assume, check to be sure. Link. ‘Treat Me Like a Dog’ campaign seeks to close the cat treat gap. Link. Factors affecting early pregnancy loss in cattle. Link. Mismatched background music affects employees. Link. … [Read more...]
Sporotrichosis identified in cats, veterinary technician
The CDC is collaborating with veterinary associations and veterinary professionals to raise awareness among veterinary professionals about feline sporotrichosis and precautions for preventing zoonotic transmission in the veterinary setting. In November 2022, a technician caring for a cat received a puncture wound from the cat’s infected paw. A blister appeared on the … [Read more...]
When 1 cat at home becomes 2
Includes commercial references Duncan Edwards offers ways to introduce a new cat to a home when there’s already a resident feline. His tips include a) establishing a separate space, b) controlling visual encounters, c) using pheromones and d) providing vertical spaces and perches. Source: Cats Chef, April 9, 2025. Link. A rushed or poorly planned introduction can lead to … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 14, 2025
Tariffs, small business tax strategies, how venture tech is shaping pet food, growth in holistic nutrition, recent pet player awards, future pet health product market projections, small business owners share advice and more. . . Source: IBPSA, April 14, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Your part in heartworm prevention
You can use the same strategy with your clients that distribution reps use with your clinic to increase heartworm prevention. Ticks, along with mosquitoes, are the principal transmitters of both human and pet vector-borne pathogens. Heartworm is a life-threatening parasite that is 100 percent preventable. Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2024. Link. Even with so many … [Read more...]
Hardships today’s pet owners and veterinarians face: State of Online Veterinary Care Report
Complimentary Commercial Content One hundred twenty-nine million Americans live in vet care deserts, according to the inaugural State of Online Veterinary Care Report from Dutch <Link to infographic>. The report identifies the top 5 states with veterinary deserts, rising costs of in-person veterinary care, telemedicine as a lower-cost option and asserts the company’s … [Read more...]
New study finds more than half of U.S. pet owners skip or decline needed veterinary care
The new PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study found 71 percent of pet parents skipped or declined care report financial considerations as the reason Sixty-two percent of U.S. homes have at least one pet. This study is rooted in the pet parent perspective and paints a picture of an urgent pet healthcare crisis, including: Vet care continues to be out of reach … [Read more...]