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...]
Loyal’s STAY study enrolls 1,000 dogs, expands to 1,300
The STAY study is the clinical trial for LOY-002, a senior dog program that recently earned its preliminary efficacy acknowledgment from the FDA. It’s the first FDA-concurred trial for a longevity drug, and at 1,000 dogs, is the largest clinical trial in the history of veterinary medicine. With solid interest from DVMs and dog owners, Loyal is enrolling an additional 300 dogs … [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...]
Review: Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines and certification
Working, therapy, and assistance dogs have unique needs requiring specialized care. The AAHA Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines Certificate program equips veterinary professionals with mission-specific knowledge to provide targeted care for each type of working dog. Source: AAHA. Link. 4.0 CE credits are available in this course divided into two main parts: … [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...]
Fake service dogs hurt real service animals’ credibility
Thousands of grocers and shop owners now prohibit any animals, including legitimate service dogs, from entering their stores, writes Marc Ramirez. Fake service dogs are poorly trained or untrained and falsely passed off by individuals trying to access restricted places or benefits. These animals reduce real service dogs’ credibility and increase the negative challenges people … [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...]
Free, 30-day pet parasite forecasts boost local value of CAPC’s forecasting service
Commentary Veterinary teams and pet owners can now be alerted to local parasite disease threats at no charge using CAPC’s monthly pet parasite forecast maps <Link>. These alerts provide excellent reasons to communicate timely parasite prevalence and associated risks with clients and local media. The Companion Animal Parasite Council just released its 2025 Pet … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 10, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 3, 2024. Link. Most read posts from April 3, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Top 7 drug classes to be tapered before discontinuation. Link. Bird flu expert discusses how H5N1 affects wild, domestic animals. Link. Orthobiologics in an equine veterinarian’s day-to-day practice. Link. Association for Pet … [Read more...]
Vetoquinol, educators create online veterinary rehabilitation courses
Vetoquinol Rehabilitation Business Solution announced the expansion of its in-person program to offer on-demand courses taught by leading veterinary rehabilitation experts. The program is designed for a) veterinary clinics exploring adding rehabilitation services as a new option, b) certified professionals that need refresher training, c) teams with underutilized equipment, and … [Read more...]
Virbac introduces URSOLYX™ Soft Chews
URSOLYX™ Soft Chews represent a major advancement in canine muscle health and recovery. The once-daily chews focus specifically on muscle health and feature ursolic acid, a natural compound derived from sage shown to enhance muscle function and strength in aging, active or recovering dogs. Source: Virbac U.S., January 10, 2025. Link. Virbac collaborated with Emmyon, Inc., to … [Read more...]
‘Treat Me Like A Dog’ campaign seeks to close the cat treat gap
Commentary In this time period where our industry is trying to differentiate cats from small dogs and deal with obesity in cats and dogs . . . Temptations® launched a campaign to urge cat owners to treat their cats more often like they give treats to dogs. Apparently, dogs are 32 percent more likely to get treats daily than cats. Source: Design Rush, March 27, 2025. … [Read more...]
Beneficial ingredients in functional treats are enhancing pet health
Solution-based treats feature an ingredient list comprised of complementary elements that serve a purpose to promote optimum pet health, writes Glenn Polyn. He reviews different commercial brands, reiterating each one’s positioning as a solution. The ingredients offer functional benefits to provide the right balance of antioxidants, proteins, fatty acids, balanced fiber as well … [Read more...]
How to make an outdoor cat an indoor cat
Last week we offered an article on the pros and cons of allowing indoor cats to experience the outdoors <Link>. In the article here, LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, FFCP, offers ways to help an outdoor cat transition indoors. She emphasizes it will take planning, consistent effort and time. Source: Preventive Vet, November 11, 2024. Link. Use a gradual process, slowly keeping … [Read more...]
Rendering important in today’s pet food supply chain
The research arm of North American Renderers Association, in partnership with IFEEDER, AFIA and the Pet Food Institute, released new research highlighting the essential use rendered ingredients have in pet food. In 2024, the U.S. pet food industry reached $51.7 billion in sales and produced 9.8 million tons of pet food. More than 600 safe, nutritious ingredients included over 4 … [Read more...]
California lawmakers again consider banning cat declawing
A proposal to ban veterinarians from surgically removing claws from cats seems like it would be an easy sell for California lawmakers, several of whom lovingly describe their pets in their official biography pages. Five measures to ban cat declawing surgery have died in the California Legislature since 2018. The article notes that the AVMA discourages vets from performing … [Read more...]
Protein, not fur, causes allergies to cats
While cats produce at least eight allergens, it is Fel d 1 protein studies have shown to be the leading cat allergen. Fel d 1 is produced in cat saliva and skin glands and sticks to clothing and other surfaces. It can also remain airborne for long periods of time, making it easy to inhale. Source: AVMA Smartbrief, The Conversation, April 7, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
More than 99 percent of U.S. dogs have a behavior problem
A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior by Bonnie V. Beaver, DVM, MS, DACVB, included behavioral data from more than 40,000 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project. Her research highlights how even minor behavioral issues can impact pet owners and should be addressed early. She urges veterinarians to be more assertive in querying clients about their pets’ … [Read more...]
The subscription revolution: Why veterinary practices should embrace wellness plans
This article provides a thoughtful presentation of wellness plan benefits and shares operational considerations when designing or improving a wellness plan for an individual clinic or clinic group. Kelly Cooper, DVM, shares feedback from Debbie Boone, CVPM, and Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA. They offer important considerations about involving the practice team, administering … [Read more...]
National Pet Day is April 11th
Founded in 2006, National Pet Day is one of many designated days to celebrate the human-animal bond. The website’s content shares a plethora of pet statistics animal health pros will find interesting including: 22 percent of Americans are attracted to people whose pet is treated like family 94 percent of families with an autistic child benefit from having a pet 44 … [Read more...]
Cancer Dx is available from IDEXX
Cancer Dx, a first-of-its-kind test to provide early detection of lymphoma in dogs launched in January <Link> and is now available for veterinary practices in the U.S. and Canada. Developed by IDEXX Cancer Dx is an accessible blood test with 99 percent specificity and 79 percent sensitivity that can be added to panels for sick pets. It can also be integrated into annual … [Read more...]
CSU avian influenza expert discusses how H5N1 affects wild and domestic animals
Understanding how the current H5N1 virus is affecting wild and domestic animals is a mission of the Colorado State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The VDL runs as many as 600 samples on a busy day, including a growing number from cats. The VDL has detected outbreaks in commercial poultry and backyard poultry flocks, dairy cattle, domestic pet cats, wild birds and … [Read more...]
Cat grooming needs as cats age
From kittens to super-seniors, each stage of a cat’s life brings different grooming needs and challenges, writes Lynn Paolillo. Understanding their changing needs helps to keep cats comfortable and healthy throughout their lives. Her article begins by debunking the myth that cats don’t need grooming. Source: Groomer to Groomer, April 2025, Link. Regardless of age, every cat … [Read more...]
Should indoor cats experience the outdoors? 20 pros and cons
Edie Williams provides excellent contrasts between indoor and outdoor access decisions cat owners face. Risk mitigation is well-represented in her article which is a good resource to share, especially with first-time cat owners. Source: Cats Chef, March 11, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention releases new communication guidelines
APOP has released its Guidelines for Pet Obesity Communication: Promoting Respectful Communication about Animal Obesity. These new guidelines seek to reshape how the community talks about pet obesity by emphasizing pet-first language and promoting the term “clinical obesity.” Saying “a dog with clinical obesity” reframes obesity as a modifiable health condition and encourages … [Read more...]
Every new dog breed recognized in the 21st century
Fifty-seven new dog breeds have been recognized by the AKC since the turn of the 21st century, including the recently added Danish-Swedish Farmdog. The list includes some newly created breeds and well-known older, common breeds. Enjoy. Source: Stacker. Link. Image: Danish-Swedish Farmdog – Breed standards … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 31, 2025
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...]