Here’s a story to share on social media, in newsletters and with local media. Pet owners need to be reminded of risks to pet safety over and over again. Snoopy and his family are sharing their story about a toxic food encounter to save pet parents and their animals from stress this holiday season. Despite his owner’s attempt to keep him from the fried chicken pan, Snoopy … [Read more...]
How cold is too cold?
With snow and dropping temperatures arriving, it is a good time to remind pet owners when to limit outdoor play and keep their pets inside. This infographic is easy to share on social media or in newsletters. Source: EmerAid, Facebook, November 11, 2025. Link. As temperatures drop, remember: every dog feels the cold differently.” … [Read more...]
The Feline OA Checklist key to early recognition of pain, osteoarthritis
My Vet Candy shares a recent study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, which highlights a practical approach for identifying OA in feline patients using the Feline Osteoarthritis Checklist. In the study, when the Feline OA Checklist was applied prospectively, 39 percent of cats exhibited at least one behavior indicative of OA compared to only one percent of … [Read more...]
Can weight loss drugs turn fat cats into skinny ones?
Okava, a biopharmaceutical company, announced this week that it began a pilot study of a GLP-1 drug for cats with obesity. Instead of receiving weekly injections of the medicine as humans do, the cats will get small, injectable implants that will release the drug for up to six months. Initial results are expected next summer. Competing companies are starting research, as … [Read more...]
Feline studies shed light on domestication timeline
Commentary Meghan Bartels shares domestication information from two recently published studies that offer new insights into how wild cats settled into life alongside humans. Both findings suggest truly domesticated cats arose far later than previously believed; perhaps as late as 2,000 years ago. A quote from Claudio Ottoni, PhD, describes early cats as a complex and … [Read more...]
Bird flu surges as holiday season begins
Bird flu is once again sweeping through commercial and backyard poultry flocks, infecting and killing more than 8.9 million turkeys, chickens and ducks in the U.S. since September. Source: AgriMarketing, December 1, 2025. Link. As of November 21st, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported outbreaks in 90 commercial and backyard flocks just in the last 30 … [Read more...]
Animal Health Digest celebrates 10 years!
Thanksgiving season is an appropriate time to thank those who support AHD’s curation service. Without you, our weekly Bulletin would not be possible. THANK YOU! The curators who share content they reviewed include: Rick Purnell, editor Dane Erickson, Bulletin manager Patrick T. Malone, weekly columnist Industry colleagues and friends AHD Sponsors In the … [Read more...]
The day ChatGPT walked into the exam room
Andy Roark, DVM, is a relentless communicator and future thinker in animal health and veterinary medicine. His article in Today’s Veterinary Business <Link> prompted a lively, sprawling and nuanced discussion about how AI can serve (or harm) the relationship between veterinarians and pet owners in this episode of The Veterinary AI Brief. Adam Little, Aaron Massecar … [Read more...]
VCPR. Have we got it backwards?
Kudos to Jules Benson, BVSc, and Emily M. Tincher, DVM, for their JAVMA Viewpoint article asserting the need to embrace pet family–centered care to forge a path to more accessible and sustainable veterinary medicine. They ask the question, “What if the VCPR was more CPVR?” Their viewpoint examines the transition from a provider-centered, often medically driven, approach to … [Read more...]
Scroll the AHD Archives
During this past three months, we’ve experienced all-time highs in post readership. The links here will allow you to quickly scroll through the AHD Archives by month, catch posts you missed or revisit the ones you skipped for a later time. Source: Animal Health Digest Archives for November 2025. Link. Archives for October 2025. Link. Archives for September 2025. … [Read more...]
Volume IV of CATalyst Council Feline Veterinary Market Insights released
Newly released data from the CATalyst Council shows cats now represent a record high 23 percent of all clinical visits, a strategic weight for the entire veterinary industry. Commenting on the sustained momentum, Kristin Wuhrman, CATalyst Council vice chair, predicts practices that lean into understanding cats more deeply than before will lead future industry growth. The … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 17, 2025
Industry News and Quick Reads The Cat Market - By the Numbers Leaders, Get Out of Your Comfort Zone Preparing for Emergencies; a Resource from the Government of Canada Member Benefits SPOTLIGHT: BusyPaws IBPSA Members receive a 10 percent discount on annual or monthly plans for the initial 6 months. BusyPaws serves thousands of pet parents every day to … [Read more...]
Qigong: A valuable addition to dog routines
Qigong (chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese practice that combines gentle movements with breathing and meditation. The article here shares how it can be adapted for our canine companions, highlighting a) basic balance work, b) slow, controlled walking exercises and c) stretching. Source: Animal Wellness, November 12, 2025. Link. Just like people, dogs can benefit from gentle … [Read more...]
Pet safety tips: Avoid troubles from counters, treats and holiday distractions
Sponsor Content The holidays can spell trouble for pets as decorations, holiday treats and those wondrous new smells fill the home. Add in the distractions from guests and gatherings and it’s easy for curious cats and dogs to get into trouble. AHD Sponsor, ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance Program, has effective pet safety reminders available to share with pet owners. They are … [Read more...]
Cat hydration: Water, a key nutrient to lifelong health in felines
Cats are uniquely challenged in meeting their daily water needs, writes Katy Miller DVM, CVFT, CVNAN, CPFFCP, CPCQI, PAS. In this article she shares helpful facts worth including in pet owner communications. Pet hydration is a good topic for veterinary technicians to prioritize with clients. Talking about pets and water is also a good topic to include when making school … [Read more...]
Senior pet nutrition: What to know
Animal health pros offering nutritional coaching roles need to be aware of what pet owners are receiving that may influence their questions and beliefs. Senior pets, like puppies or kittens, have separate, individual considerations when it comes to diet. We’re sharing this article from Fear Free Happy Homes, knowing how Fear Free clinics and their communication efforts reach … [Read more...]
Dog training apps have inherent value, some risks
Dog training has gone digital. While the best of these digital programs offer real-time access to training and behavior professionals, the field remains unregulated. Colette Kase shares the importance of veterinary professionals understanding this rapidly emerging field and focuses on meeting challenges in this growing field. Dog training apps have the potential to prevent … [Read more...]
New clinic is 76th CityVet location, first in Orlando
Opening on Monday, November 24, 2025, the CityVet Lake Nona will be led and owned by Dr. Heather Lipp. Located at 14152 Narcoossee Rd, Suite 350, Orlando, FL 32832, this is CityVet’s first Orlando-area location. Source: Pet Age, November 17, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 20, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 13, 2025. Link. Most read posts from November 13, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Ownership model frames lasting change. Link. Vaccine hesitancy and the importance of client communication. Link. Winning loyalty in a price-sensitive market. Link. The three best questions to ask at the end of a job … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy and the importance of client communication
Vaccine hesitancy, compliance and adherence are everyday challenges in veterinary hospitals that are not going away. “Same stuff, different day” apathy can become the norm when veterinary teams face anti-vax sentiment. Yet we know the importance of vaccination to prevent disease and must address client objections to best serve their pets. Each time an animal health pro reads … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 10, 2025
From the blog: Protect your pet care business with key cybersecurity measures. Link. Member benefits: Build an app with Doxieworks. 15 percent member discount Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 6, 2025. Link. NASC seal extended to treats, gratitude, delegation, feline behaviors, “They Ate What?” and more! Legislative update: New Jersey S4804; … [Read more...]
Promising research in feline regenerative medicine
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully generated feline embryonic stem cells using lab-grown blastocysts. Their innovative approach resulted in the creation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells that can remain undifferentiated or differentiate into the three germ layers: endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm. The cells can transform into a wide variety of cell … [Read more...]
Podcast: Advising pet owners on nutritional adequacy
The insights in this podcast are more relevant today than when it was recorded. Beckie Mossor, RVT, and Deborah Linder, DVM, MS, DACVN, discuss the common and often-debated topic of what to feed pets. They also offer practical advice on working with pet owners and helping them make smart pet food choices. Last week’s AHD post about measurement and educating pet owners … [Read more...]
Cats, collagen and supplements
Different types of collagen serve specific functions in feline health. The market for collagen-based nutraceuticals for cats has grown significantly in natural and functional medicine categories. Supplements offer a concentrated source of collagen, known to be essential for maintaining the integrity of connective tissues, including skin, joints and bones. The author outlines … [Read more...]
Cats’ tail language, a veritable mood ring
Cats are masters of non-vocal communication. Angie Bailey writes about the ways cats use their tails to convey their emotions. Her article includes infographics and a video cat owners will appreciate. Consider sharing it with new cat owners, in newsletters or on social media. Source: Catster, November 10, 2025. Link. Photo by Abdulaziz Alfawzan on Unsplash … [Read more...]
Vanguard® Recombishield™ Injectable added to Zoetis kennel cough vaccines
Zoetis now offers a suite of intranasal, oral and injectable Bordetella vaccination delivery options with the addition of Vanguard® Recombishield™ (Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine).The product is a non-adjuvanted, recombinant injectable vaccine for dogs 8 weeks and older, and the first and only vaccine for dogs with pertactin protein, which helps the immune system effectively … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 13, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 6, 2025. Link. Most read posts from November 6, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Speed eating cats, skateboarding dogs . . . Thailand’s pet boom. Link. Everyday cat behaviors, early health signals, behavioral, bonding trends. Link. Gratitude is never garbage. Link. If you don’t train, don’t complain. … [Read more...]
If you don’t train, don’t complain. You are to blame.
In a candid Facebook post, dog behavior specialist Deb Nabb compares what we expect from humans versus the silly expectations people place on dogs. The examples are spot on and may provide a few illustrations animal health pros can share with impatient pet owners. For example: Human - Given 20-plus years to complete an education and become a productive member of society. … [Read more...]
The 2025 “They Ate What?!” X-ray contest results are in. You’re invited to score, too!
We look forward to seeing the images from these outrageous cases every year. As you review the entries, VPN asks you to score each one. The entry with the highest average score will be crowned this year's People's Choice. Voting runs from October 22nd to December 31st. Source: Veterinary Practice News, October 22, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Speed eating cats, skateboarding dogs highlight Thailand’s pet boom
Kimmon, a mixed-breed cat, recently scarfed one tablespoon of a salmon treat in 49.42 seconds to win a competitive eating contest for cats. It’s called “cat licking” in Thailand and is but one of many pet competitions there. Others include cats that look like cows, skateboarding dogs and orange-colored cats. These are indicative of Thailand’s fast-growing pet industry, … [Read more...]