As alternative ways of supporting animals become more mainstream, a variety of modalities are represented. Barrie Sands, DVM, CVA, HMCT, EMP, reviews therapies that may address physical, emotional and energetic imbalances in the body. Many of the energy modalities include hands-on healing, movement and breathwork that pet owners can learn to do at home. Fans of Cesar Millan … [Read more...]
FDA grants emergency use authorization for Elanco’s Credelio against New World screwworms in dogs
The FDA's emergency use of Credelio is temporary and only valid while the threat of screwworm remains. This is the first time the FDA has granted such an authorization for treating New World screwworm. Elanco warned that Credelio, part of a drug class called isoxazolines, has been linked to side effects such as tremors and seizures in some dogs. Source: Reuters, October 24, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 30, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 23, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 23, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Temple Grandin: Get yourself in through the back door. Link. AAHA resources complement vet tech support, development. Link. Free book; guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions. Link. What do they value? … [Read more...]
Free book offers guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions
Complimentary Content There is no question that animal health pros in all settings are challenged when a pet owner struggles with an aggressive dog or a serious behavior issue that impacts human and animal safety or quality of life. When deciding to euthanize a dangerous animal, pet owners turn to veterinary professionals. It can be hard to find resources or the right words … [Read more...]
11th annual Ohio Breeder Symposium focused on ethics and responsibility
Negative reports on the dog breeding industry are not uncommon. To learn how to improve this market segment, more than 200 breeders attended the 11th Annual Ohio Breeder Symposium, “Making Responsible and Ethical Breeding Choices.” It was sponsored by Petland and the AKC. Source: Petland, October 20, 2025. Link. There was a huge emphasis <at the Symposium> on … [Read more...]
Most canine masses go undiagnosed
Commentary These results are potentially a wake-up call for practices. One must trust that most of the lumps and bumps are being measured, noted and follow-up appointments to check on them are being set. The malignancy rate is yet another reason to urge pet owners to consider pet insurance early in the animal’s life. A 2025 HT Vista survey of more than 240 veterinarians* … [Read more...]
How to read pet food labels
AAFCO’s Pet Food Label Modernization project is underway, explains Jean Hofve, DVM, but in the meantime, pet food labels and language remain confusing. She shares how to interpret product names, nutrition facts and what to expect from upcoming label changes. Source: Animal Wellness, October 17, 2025. Link. Also see: Search Results for: pet food labels, AHD Archives. … [Read more...]
Farmer’s Dog, Cornell, find minimally processed food can enhance metabolic function and overall health.
Complimentary Commercial Content The results of a first-of-its-kind, year-long metabolomic study led by Cornell’s Heather Huson, along with Farmer’s Dog veterinary nutritionists, found that feeding dogs food from the company can meaningfully impact metabolic health and support healthier aging in dogs. The results are a milestone for understanding canine metabolic health and … [Read more...]
Dogs and the parent-child parallel
Seeking a science-based understanding of how dogs see their person, Lydia Patrick shares what she learned about dog parent paradigms. Source: Newsweek, June 8, 2025. Link. Dogs don't truly recognize humans as a maternal figure in a biological or identity-based sense … but they often see humans as a source of safety and security; the way kids see their moms.” – Jennifer … [Read more...]
Tick dragging, canine-style
Tick exposure risk varies over the seasons of the year and there is seasonality to what tick species dogs or people are likely to encounter, writes Scott Weese, DVM. His recent experience with his own dog and the article are relevant for veterinary teams, retailers, pet services personnel and pet owners as fall progresses. Source: Worms and Germs, October 21, 2025. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 23, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 16, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 16, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Make the call and Just ASK. Link. Bad advice. Link. Cats can get dementia, too. Link. What’s covered and what’s not in veterinary clinic cyber insurance. Link. Pork, ultimate muscle-building protein/National Pork … [Read more...]
Beware the newer pet supplements
Sharing the potential fatal effects of pet supplements during the recent AAHA Convention, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, indicated the Pet Poison Helpline has experienced more calls about toxic effects from the supplements now being marketed. She also shared details about what to look for in pets that ingest these supplements. Source: AVMA, October 8, 2025. Link. It's … [Read more...]
Dog behavior is shaped by life experiences when they are puppies
Jordan Joseph’s article shares insights from a paper published in the journal, Scientific Reports. While adversity does not seal a dog’s fate, training, enriched environments and appropriate care can move behavior in a better direction. The early stages of life can set a lifelong tone for a dog’s behavior. Source: earth.com via AVMA SmartBrief. Link. Experiences in the … [Read more...]
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests can be problematic, require education
Faced with a genetic test report from a direct-to-consumer company, veterinary teams may be challenged to interpret or use the report to a client’s or pet’s benefit. Genetic testing has gone direct-to-consumer, so veterinarians must understand the types of genetic tests available, as well as how to use and interpret them properly, said Jerrod Bell, DVM, in a related article … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Prevalence of GI ulcers in dogs treated with long-term NSAIDs
The author summarizes a prospective study that sought to determine the prevalence of GI mucosal erosions in client-owned medium- and large-breed dogs treated with an NSAID for ≥30 days. The article offers veterinary teams an opportunity to update their team approach to client education and review the clinic materials to be shared with clients. Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
RECOVER Initiative releases first-of-its-kind newborn resuscitation guidelines
The RECOVER Initiative recently released its ‘Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines for Puppies and Kittens.’ This first-of-its-kind resource for veterinary professionals addresses ways to help puppies and kittens survive during the critical post-birth period. In the guidelines, veterinary professionals can find everything from appropriate warming and drying techniques, positive … [Read more...]
4 consumer packaged goods giants dominate pet food market share across price points
The pet food segment is noisy as the continued evolution of pet owner preferences toward premium, science-backed and fresh offerings creates opportunities for emerging brands. Still, Nestlé, Mars, General Mills and Colgate-Palmolive dominate the pet food industry, having captured significant market share in nearly every category of pet food. These CPG companies outperform … [Read more...]
Foxtail woes. Be warned.
From mouth sores to infections, foxtails aren’t just annoying; they are painful for horses and pets. But the potential secondary problems are even worse. If a foxtail enters the skin, respiratory tract or urinary tract of a dog or cat, it can result in infection, inflammation or worse. Once inside, foxtails can migrate to different areas of an animal’s body. Note the … [Read more...]
If dogs designed tables
This is just too fun and ridiculous not to share. Source: 60secondstonapoli, Instagram, August 20, 2025. Link. [30 seconds] … [Read more...]
Best practices for safe, efficient body temperature in cats, dogs during veterinary procedures
Sharing current recommendations about warming and cooling in dogs and cats during anesthesia and surgery, Walter L. Brown, RVTg VTS (ECC), provides a review of updated methods from new research and techniques. He shares how to implement them correctly. Source: AAHA Trends, October 6, 2025. Link. Even with techniques and devices considered to be safe and efficient, frequent … [Read more...]
The best dog exercises for canine conditioning
Exercise is an important component to weight and obesity management. But rarely do we hear that exercising a dog is more than a walk around the block. Debby McMullen, CDBC, shares ways to physically condition dogs in this article. She advocates activities that cover cardio, stretching, balancing and strengthening to benefit a dog’s conditioning and stimulate them … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 9, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 2, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 2, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Unreturned phone calls can cost you more than $50,000 a year. Link. It’s the process that counts. Link. Case suggests Tamiflu MAY help cats infected with H5N1. Link. Meeting Gen Zs where they learn. Link. Got the giggles? … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health: more than 7 million rabies vaccines donated through Afya program
Complimentary Content Merck Animal Health remains committed to helping eliminate the deadly threat of rabies through its global non-profit initiative, the Afya Program, by donating NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines to support canine vaccination efforts in areas where rabies is endemic. More than seven million NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines have been donated. Combating rabies and … [Read more...]
What value do pet owners place on sustainable pet food?
Sharing data from recent research, Debbie Phillips-Donalds concludes that sustainability features have an impact on pet food purchasing, but which features and to what degree they affect purchasing matter a lot. She notes the challenges with defining sustainability and animal welfare in the context of product education and marketing. Source: PETFOOD Industry, September 17, … [Read more...]
Weight bias among veterinary professionals
Sharing research on weight bias, this article from Zoe Belshaw, Vet MB, MA, PhD, addresses the potential of relating an owner’s weight to their pets. The need to have proactive discussions with pet owners is often difficult and addressing potential bias is worth consideration. Belshaw shares tips for talking with clients about weight management just in time for World Pet … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 23, 2025
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for a Pet Care Business Excellence Award at this year’s Forum for your dedication to excellence and helping our industry continue to raise the bar for pet care. Winners of the 2025 Pet Care Business Excellence Awards! Category Winner Independent Provider Noosa Country … [Read more...]
Review: Harmful algal blooms, red tides and their hidden dangers
As summer ends, it is time to review the potential of harmful algal blooms. These occur when environmental conditions like warm water, nutrient runoff and sunlight promote rapid algae growth, some of which produce dangerous toxins. These articles review the different types of harmful algae, symptoms when exposure occurs, health effects and prevention. Sources: Morris … [Read more...]
Dogs learn and remember how toys work
We know dogs are smart. They’re even smarter than we thought, according to a study recently published in the journal ‘Current Biology.’ In this study, Gifted Word Learner dogs showed they can distinguish between toys used for tugging versus fetching, even if the toys didn’t look alike. The study took place in dogs’ home environments with their owners using the words “pull” and … [Read more...]
Setting client expectations for canine infectious respiratory disease complex
CIRDC is a clinical syndrome caused by a range of pathogens, not a specific disease. Coinfections are common, writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS. Acknowledging the challenges of client conversations, he models communication scenarios in this article. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2025. Link. Providing clear information about the approach to treatment is … [Read more...]
Nassau County warns residents about spread of rabies among raccoons and cats
Rabies has been found in at least 25 animals since July of last year in mostly raccoons and three feral cats, according to Nassau County New York officials. Rabies had previously been eradicated in Nassau County in 2016 following aggressive control efforts. The resurgence is a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination, public education and wildlife baiting to manage … [Read more...]