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...]
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...]
Senior Dog Veterinary Society and Loyal Partner to increase awareness of senior dog care
Loyal and the Senior Dog Veterinary Society have joined forces seeking to grow awareness of the importance of intentional care for senior dogs through continuing education, informational articles and social media. Source: Loyal, Senior Dog Veterinary Society, March 26, 2025. Link. … [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...]
Preventing canine-transmitted neosporosis in cattle
Neosporosis-related losses cost the beef industry an estimated $111 million annually, writes Lindsay Waechter-Mead. The disease is transmitted through Neospora caninum an intracellular parasite. Canines that feed on infected cattle carcasses or placenta become infected and become a host where the parasite multiplies in the intestinal tract. Stable neospora oocytes are shed in … [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...]
Minding the microbiome podcast
Focusing on the GI microbiome, Jenessa A. Winston, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, shares simple strategies practitioners can use to manipulate the microbiome and manage GI disease. She discusses the early research efforts to identify the gut–(specific organ) axes work. Winston shares concerns about the longer-term impact of prescription courses on the microbiome. She shares some Rx … [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...]
Dog breeds being banned in the U.S. (slides)
Breed-specific legislation continues to affect many dogs and their owners. Advocates of breed-specific legislation emphasize public safety, while opponents highlight the importance of responsible ownership and training over targeting specific breeds. The U.S. list is included in a related slide show by the author, who shares 13 breeds banned or heavily restricted in certain … [Read more...]
ELIAS Animal Health receives full approval from USDA for first-in-class canine osteosarcoma treatment
Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two and represents a significant unmet medical need in veterinary medicine, with an estimated 6 million dogs diagnosed with cancer each year. ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy has received full approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Veterinary Biologics as the first autologous prescription product to … [Read more...]
AKC names Pet Honesty as official multivitamin supplement
Pet Honesty’s partnership with the American Kennel Club, makes its Multivitamin line the official multivitamin supplement for 2025. Pet Honesty’s Multivitamin 10-in-1 will be featured on AKC platforms, including its website, social media and newsletters. Source: Pets+, January 13, 2025. Link. … [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...]
Increasing prevalence of E. multilocularis in wild, domestic canids
The Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm is becoming more prevalent in North America, with rapid expansion in the northeastern United States. Wild and domestic canid species serve as definitive hosts, with rodents being intermediate hosts. E. multilocularis proglottids are microscopic, making annual fecal flotations using centrifugation important for early identification of … [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...]
Plenty of reasons for dog wellness visits
The spring season creates endless opportunities for wellness visits. In addition to protecting dogs from vector-borne diseases, these visits actively screen for conditions dogs may mask or owners choose to ignore. This lists eight common diseases that can affect dogs and are important reasons to urge dog owners to make semi-annual visits. Actively promoting wellness visits … [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...]
You likely don’t understand what your dog is telling you
A new study shows most of us, including dog owners, don’t perceive dogs’ emotions accurately, if at all. Researchers presented people with videos of a dog reacting to positive and negative stimuli. When asked their opinions of the dog’s emotions, participants paid more attention to situational cues than the dog’s behavior. Source: The New York Times, March 10, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Veterinary donation tournament unites veterinary hospitals, local communities to support affordable pet care
The myBalto Foundation has partnered with the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program to launch the first-of-its-kind March Veterinary Donation Competition. Its goal is to raise awareness about accessible veterinary care while adding to Angel Funds in 32 participating veterinary practices. “We are excited to partner with ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance for this donation competition and … [Read more...]
Redirect chewing behaviors and avoid harsh punishments
Chewing is a completely natural behavior for puppies that owners CAN manage proactively. To do so, owners need to understand why puppies chew and redirect that behavior to appropriate chew toys. Guiding pups toward better habits without using harsh punishments is best for the pup and helps it be a better citizen in the family. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Positive … [Read more...]
Dog humping: Why it happens and how to stop it
Humping is a natural and normal dog behavior that happens for a variety of reasons, explains Cathy Madson, MA, FDM, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA. She discusses the whys and how to manage the behavior in this article, which dog owners will appreciate receiving via social media or in newsletters. Pet boarding employees can also gain insights on these behaviors to avoid issues in play areas … [Read more...]