2025 IBBY finalists named in six categories, Forum room block reservations extended through September 2nd, IBPSA staff announces weekly Zoom hours, more and more dogs and fewer and fewer children in Spain spawns luxury pet hotels, Mississippi is number 1 in heartworm infection rates, followed by Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Arkansas. Plus the August 21st AHD Bulletin, which … [Read more...]
Doodle mania has become a billion-dollar business
Despite the assertions of people like Emma Milne, BVSc, FRCVS, to reduce extreme conformations in dog and cat breeds <Link>, the doodle craze continues to drive interest, breeding experiments and value. We’re sharing Allie Conti’s article sans graphics, which describes how crossbreeding poodles with other breeds has created a billion-dollar business. It’s a long read, but … [Read more...]
The science behind animal communication
Real or perceived? LaShelle Easton, DVM, explores what the research reveals about animal communication. Can they read our minds? Further, can we read their minds? And she addresses all the anecdotal evidence of pet-to-human, or human-to-pet telepathy. Source: Animal Wellness, August 18, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Emma Milne: The (many) problems with extreme conformation in dog and cat breeds
Commentary Kudos to Kristen Green Seymour, who took on the challenge to share the bent of several topics Emma Milne, BVSc, FRCVS, covers in this video interview. Like her, we recommend this article and video as “required” for all animal health pros. We found reading the article while listening to it was most helpful. It doesn’t matter which side you’re on. This discussion … [Read more...]
Anaplasmosis incidence growing
Lila Seidman’s article in The Los Angeles Times shares the growing threat of anaplasmosis in dogs in California. Anaplasmosis and Lyme disease are spread by western blacklegged ticks and can infect humans. A look at the Companion Animal Parasite Council map shows the anaplasmosis incidence across the country. Source: CAPC, The Los Angeles Times, August 18, 2025. … [Read more...]
Back to school: exciting for families, not so much for pets
This infographic appeared in the recent B2C Fear Free Happy Homes email. While many clinics, pet services businesses and shelters have adopted Fear Free practices, personnel may not be seeing what pet owners are receiving. We’re sharing it to help all animal health pros keep the Back to School narratives consistent. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, August 15, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 21, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 14, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 14, 2025 AHD Bulletin – When the economy suffers, the dogs and cats suffer. Link. Combine disease. A good reminder for livestock producers. Link. The hidden costs of fear in businesses. Link. Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms. … [Read more...]
Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms
Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, or tetanus, any wound can easily become contaminated at any time. However, caution is warranted in areas damaged by storms. Storm damages provide abnormal opportunities for horses, cattle and hogs to be injured and get a tetanus infection. Source: Feedstuffs, August 6, 2025. Link. Following a storm, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 11, 2025
Conference reminders and overview, Rover expanding through acquisition, legislative updates, August 7th AHD Bulletin and more . . . Source: IBPSA, August 11, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
When the economy suffers, the dogs and cats suffer
It’s a story heard across the country: pet owners relinquishing their animals and shelters too full to take them. Liam Stack and Olivia Bensimon share what amounts to a situation analysis of burgeoning issues in New York City’s public animal shelters. It’s non-stop and no one can keep up . . . We can’t adopt our way out.” – Katy Hansen talking about the number of surrenders in … [Read more...]
Pumpkin 101 for dogs
Sarah Ann Taylor shares two articles about pumpkin meat and seeds in these articles. We knew raw pumpkin is a healthy snack, but the seed information may be new to some. Fresh raw pumpkin for dogs makes a good and healthy snack. It adds nutritional value to their diet, can help alleviate some health concerns, has virtually no side effects and canned, plain pumpkin for dogs … [Read more...]
Top 5 pre-season tips for hunters and their hunting dogs
Early hunting seasons are a month away. For hunters and their dogs, now is the time to listen to the ball games on the radio and get ready for days in the field. Ruth Ann Lobos, DVM, shares good advice to acclimate and condition dogs before opening day: Refine their off-season nutrition plan Take inventory and refresh the first aid kits (for dogs and hunters alike) … [Read more...]
Financial barriers revealed in 2025 Hill’s Pet Nutrition State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report
This report confirms much of what we suspected. The cost of veterinary care ranked as the number-1 perceived pet ownership expense or that two-thirds of Americans say vet care costs directly influence their decision to adopt a pet. Three of the top five barriers to pet adoption are financial reasons: veterinary care, the initial cost of the pet and ongoing pet food expense. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 4, 2025
This week’s Fast Bites arrived in a new format with reminders of resources for pet services businesses, an announcement of a new webinar to help elevate pet care businesses and the weekly link to the last AHD Bulletin. Registration for The Forum is still open and rooms are available at the convention hotel. Source: IBPSA, August 4, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Observational study analysis of the pet-conversationalist phenomenon
Rather than being a quirky habit, the tendency to converse with pets as if they were human reveals more about our psychological makeup than simple pet devotion. These behaviors indicate a complex set of traits: enhanced empathy, sophisticated communication skills, comfort with vulnerability, effective stress management, creative thinking, self-awareness, and exceptional … [Read more...]
The best defense against rats and leptospirosis is a good trash can
The scene? Urban Boston where One Health researchers sought to better understand the risks from leptospirosis. Rats, being typically asymptomatic carriers of leptospirosis, can be an important source of exposure to humans (and pets) in urban environments. Since the organism is shed in the urine, common methods of exposure include direct contact with rat urine or with … [Read more...]
The ABCs of dog blood work: What the results really mean
It is common when reviewing articles on client feedback for pet owners to express confusion about test results and to indicate veterinary teams sometimes don’t take time to explain the results. In this article from AAHA’s Your Pet, blood work results are explained in the context of helping pet owners understand the numbers, their importance and why doing bloodwork is part of … [Read more...]
Steve Dale. Safety first. Use the leash!
There are at least seven reasons to always keep dogs on a leash in public areas. Steve Dale shares the list and a video to drive home the importance of leash use as a safety measure for pets and people. Consider sharing this piece on social media and in newsletters. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, July 28, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 7, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 31, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 31, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Ridiculous to sublime. K-9 preventive wellness mirrors their humans. Link. Buzz off! Deer flies irritate horses and pester riders, too! Link. Timing BRD vaccines likely improves calf health, performance. Link. 7,000 steps/day is … [Read more...]
From the ridiculous to the sublime. Dog preventive wellness mirrors that of their humans.
As we spend more on self-care, we spend more on our dogs’ care. Take a limo (what else?) ride with Dug, who, after being abandoned as a puppy, ended up in the life of Reilly. You’ll go from a sound bath to aqua training to deep tissue massage and everything in between. Source: The Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2025. Link. Dug sits upright on the limo’s black Corinthian leather … [Read more...]
Counting calories for cats
Includes commercial links Sources have indicated that today’s cat owners are more invested in their cats’ health, including seeking out resources like this article. BtoC content like this does affect pet owner perceptions between clinic visits. Consider sharing this article in newsletters, on social media or directly with specific pet owners to set up the discussions … [Read more...]
It’s National Mutt Day . . . are they really healthier than purebreds?
National Mutt Day is celebrated on July 31st. A mutt is a dog of mixed or unknown breed heritage, and there’s a common belief that mutts are healthier due to hybrid vigor. Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, shares perspectives on the topic in this article. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, July 30, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
VetriScience®, Senior Dog Veterinary Society partner to support, educate about senior dogs
Senior Dog Veterinary Society will collaborate with VetriScience to educate veterinarians and pet parents on the benefits of nutritional supplements for their dogs as part of this partnership. SDVS's certification program provides training on advanced topics, including chronic pain, nutrition, anesthesia and end-of-life care. Supplements are often considered for proactive … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 21, 2025
Forum registration ends August 21st, thunderstorm aversion research, cats in Indonesia dictating the size and shape of the pet food market, pet custody legislation, scaling veterinary telehealth startups, small business grants available and more . . . Source: IBPSA, July 21, 2025. Link. Cats rule and dogs follow in Indonesia, owning 77.5 percent of the total pet food market … [Read more...]
Hunter ticks and pathogen transmission variables
The quest to better understand ticks continues. We shared longhorned tick information in the July 17 AHD Bulletin <Link>. Speaking at the AVMA conference last week, Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM, shared a range of tactics that affect how quickly ticks can spread disease. The overview differentiates the methods tick species use to find a host and factors that influence … [Read more...]
Decoding pet insurance: Navigating policies and client questions (podcast)
Confused about pet insurance? You are not alone, and veterinary clients probably are, too. In this podcast, Jennifer Sperry, DVM, breaks down key differences between accident, illness, and wellness policies. She demystifies deductibles and highlights what veterinary professionals need to know when talking with pet owners. Although recommending specific policies … [Read more...]
The 15 dog breeds that live the longest, according to data sources
Schipperke, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Poodle, Toy Poodle and Bichon frise top the list of long-lived dogs in this article, referencing data from a 2008 study published in the journal Genetics and 2016 breed popularity rankings from the American Kennel Club. The article shares 15 breeds that can live more than 14 years. Source: Stacker, March 2023. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Mud therapy shows potential for canine osteoarthritis, skin and coat health
Clean-up in treatment room 3! It’s hard to imagine the time and energy it takes to provide mud therapy for pets, but some veterinary teams are finding mud therapy to be effective. This article explains the potential, focusing on avoiding treatments for OA and skin conditions where Rx therapies have side effects. Source: Innovative Veterinary Care, June 16, 2025. Link. Mud … [Read more...]
Tips for preventing ear infections in dogs after swimming
A summer outing at the lake or beach is fun for pets and their people. Many dogs enjoy swimming in backyard pools as well. But those romps often result in swimmer’s ear problems or otitis externa. This Dogster article shares the importance of getting dogs’ ears dry and protected from potential infections. It also offers tips on avoiding infections caused by swimming. Source: … [Read more...]
Longhorned ticks here to stay. Let’s review.
A male longhorned tick is a rarity. Reproducing by parthenogenesis, females clone themselves laying hundreds of eggs and individually creating an entire population in any given area. Considered a pest, there is no evidence that Asian longhorned ticks transmit any infection to people or dogs here in the U.S. However, they can transmit disease to cattle, farm animals and … [Read more...]