In this week’s Fast Bites: New 6-part webinar series using data gleaned from the Benchmarking Financial Study* Register here <Link>. FREE for IBPSA Members! Use the promo code IBPSA26. Still time to submit your IBBY nominations <Link>. CANIS Conference information and registration <Link>. Source: IBPSA, June 8, 2026. Link. *The new 2026 … [Read more...]
Dog daycare leptospirosis outbreak in Los Angeles reveals broader public health risks
Commentary It is hard to imagine an environment where dogs are boarded without proper vaccinations. The findings in this research underscore the importance of prevention and vigilance in settings where dogs congregate. In practice, vigilance means dogs without current recommended vaccinations are turned away. Article A 2021 outbreak of leptospirosis that sickened … [Read more...]
CATalyst Council shares Feline Findings
Research by the CATalyst Council leads our industry to better understand the feline veterinary business and opportunities as cat visits now account for nearly one-fourth of veterinary traffic. This is why we’re partnering with the CATalyst Council to share actionable opportunities in "Feline Findings." These insights from CATalyst State of the Cat research results have garnered … [Read more...]
Triaging feline house soiling using telemedicine
Sharing how triaging house soiling works, Marianne Manning, RVT, LVT, KPA CTP, VTS, asserts the preliminary need for physical examinations and diagnostics. If no medical issues are found, then troubleshooting the home environment with questions, followed by telemedicine, can help cat owners deal with house soiling. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, March 11, 2026. … [Read more...]
Considerations for creating a small animal blood bank
Bill Romanelli outlined threats to the future availability of animal blood supplies, noting increasing demand, lack of donors, limited shelf life and well-intended animal activism in his February 2026 article <Link>. In the piece linked below, Lexi Dickens, LVT, RVT, VTS, reviews some of the top considerations for veterinary clinic management looking to start their own … [Read more...]
6 human foods that could poison your dog
Many loving owners don't realize the dangers of dogs eating common kitchen foods. Even if they do, there’s a strong likelihood children or guests are not aware of foods that are toxic or potentially fatal to dogs. Anderson Cox shares six foods we eat that can kill dogs in this article. It is worth sharing with dog owners on social media, in newsletters and with local … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 11, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 4, 2026. Link. Most read posts from June 4, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Kill the middle manager role? The data says don’t do it. Link. AVMA president breaks down pet insurance gaps. Link. The retirement wave is coming. Link. The impact of BCS on systolic blood pressure and glucose levels in cats. … [Read more...]
AVMA president breaks down pet insurance gaps
Pet insurance covers fewer than four percent of U.S. dogs and cats, a gap Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, addresses in this article. He offers pet owner guidance to know what’s covered, wellness versus emergency plans and the importance of financial planning for a pet’s lifetime care when choosing a pet insurance policy. Above all, Bailey makes the case for prevention, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 1, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites Legislative updates from Colorado and New York Member hosts successful dock diving event; more than 70 canine athletes competed White paper report from 2026 Financial Benchmarking survey Member resources and upcoming events Source: IBPSA, June 1, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 28th. Link. Role ambiguity, … [Read more...]
The impact of BCS on systolic blood pressure and glucose levels in cats
This article reinforces the importance of obesity management in cats as our industry works to support growth in feline health interest and veterinary visits. Results from a recent study highlight the importance of recognizing the impact of body condition score on feline health. Obese cats exhibited significantly higher SBP and blood glucose concentrations compared to their … [Read more...]
3 reasons why dogs thrive on routine
Dogs thrive on routine because they like to know what to expect. Jessica Kim shares veterinary-verified reasons dogs do well with routines: a) reduced anxiety, b) easier training sessions and c) faster housetraining. Consider sharing this article in newsletters and social media as family schedules change during the summer. Source: Dogster, October 20, 2025. Link. Routines … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 4, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 28, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 28, 2026 AHD Bulletin – New insights on the hidden impact of veterinary care: global survey. Link. Malone: Bad and good pain. Link. Just trying to save lives and survive! (video). Link. Role ambiguity is the top workplace stressor, not workload. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 26, 2026
Financial survey results, IBBY nominations, webinars for members. Source: IBPSA, May 26, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 21st. Link. Fear Free, making decisions, why clients don't book, are you ready for summer, using Reddit for pet marketing, and more! … [Read more...]
U.S. consumer sentiment hits record low amid rising costs
Consumer sentiment has hit an all-time low. Spiking energy prices renewed inflation fears and pushed consumer confidence down 10 percent from a month ago and more than 14 percent from a year ago. Source: Washington Express, May 22, 2026. Link. The cost of living continues to be a first-order concern, with 57 percent of consumers spontaneously mentioning that high prices … [Read more...]
Some ticks can survive longer in your home than previously believed, new study finds
Must read A study from The Ohio State University provides the first quantitative evidence that two tick species can survive for weeks on common household flooring. This underscores the need for veterinarians to reinforce year-round tick prevention and home risk mitigation strategies with clients. Gulf Coast tick and Lone Star tick survival minimums exceeded seven days … [Read more...]
Making the pet food to pet health connection
Pet owners are turning to pet food to boost their pets’ health and wellness, writes David Sprinkle. His takeaways from the January 2026 Packaged Facts survey data show the priority of pet food as a pet health product rises up the generational ladder, tied to a greater likelihood of populations owning more senior pets than ever before. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 11, 2026. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 28, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 21, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 21, 2026 AHD Bulletin – What Fear Free actually built in 10 years. Link. Producer-veterinarian relationships matter. Link. Deciding is the first step. Link. How research is helping solve equine pregnancy mysteries. Link. Free webinar: Why clients … [Read more...]
What Fear Free actually built in 10 years
The principles that shape how animals experience professional care have lived in the apprenticeship layer of the pet industry—passed mentor to mentor, shop to shop, with no shared curriculum. Fear Free was built to close that gap, writes Collin Armstrong. The organization grew from Dr. Marty Becker’s conviction of, “Fear, anxiety, and stress in animals are not just welfare … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 18, 2026
TODAY! Financial Survey Results webinar, 12:00 p.m. MDT. Registration Link. Also consider: Member Webinar: Introducing Preventive Vet, Tuesday, May 26th, 1:00 p.m CDT. Link. Remember to submit your IBBY Nominations. Link. Source: IBPSA, May 18, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 14th. Link. Pet brands using AI, employee sabbaticals, … [Read more...]
Is your pet business ready for summer?
Beginning with freezer and cooling maintenance, Pets+ staff writers offer a readiness schedule for store locations to run through the first summer months. We would add checking air conditioning units, servicing any air filtration units and pressure washing entry sidewalks to the schedule. Source: Pets+, May 18, 2026. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Application and use of a continuous glucose monitor in cats and dogs
In the article linked here, Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM, and Jose Estrada, DVM, MS, share the pros and cons of using CGM systems, how to attach them and the importance of educating clients about results. The article includes instructional photos that will help explain CGM use with clients. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2025. Link. The CGM most commonly used in … [Read more...]
Study finds more than 84 percent of dogs show signs of fear, anxiety
A study published in Veterinary Research Communications examined behavioral responses in more than 43,000 animals, creating one of the most comprehensive datasets to date on canine fear and anxiety. The findings from owner-observed behaviors reflect how dogs behave in real-world environments rather than controlled settings. Researcher Bonnie Beaver, DVM, MS, DSc, DPNAP, … [Read more...]
Frailty: An important emerging concept in veterinary medicine
Health span, the period of life an animal spends in good health and free of chronic disease and disabilities related to aging, should be prioritized over simply extending lifespan. Frailty, well-defined in human health, is increasingly important to recognize and assess in pets, as it negatively affects both health span and quality of life. Frailty is not synonymous with … [Read more...]
Petland Charities advancing animal welfare, breeder education initiatives
Petland Charities is reporting strong progress in advancing its renewed focus on animal welfare, breeder education and strengthening the human-animal bond. A key milestone to this advancement includes the launch of an enhanced website, petlandcharities.org, which shows real-world examples of breeder practices and animal care. Source: Petland Charities, May 19, 2026. … [Read more...]
More potent bird flu strain emerging
H9N2 avian influenza demonstrates significantly greater ability to replicate, spread and infect chickens, with more spillover potential. Source: Feedstuffs, May 15, 2026. Link. The study underscores the need for continued surveillance of avian influenza viruses, stronger biosecurity measures in poultry production and ongoing monitoring of viral evolution and gene exchange. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 21, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 14, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 14, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Words + Action = Trust. Link. 1 common skin bacteria, 2 outcomes. Link. These pet brands dominate ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. Link. Turn feline visits into lasting relationships. Link. Vesicular stomatitis … [Read more...]
1 common skin bacteria, 2 outcomes
Commercial content A researcher at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, is studying S. pseudintermedius with a different lens. Rather than looking only at dogs with active infection, Felix N. Toka, DVM, PhD, Dsc, DAVM, is including dogs that naturally carry the bacteria and remain healthy. He examined bacterial strains in both healthy and affected dogs and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 12, 2026
2026 Industry Benchmarking Report survey results webinar, Thursday, May 21st at 12 pm Mountain Time. Register here. Link. The webinar presentation will break down: The 4 distinct performance tiers shaping the industry The biggest gaps between top and underperforming operators The 5 operational disciplines that drive scalable growth Actionable insights you can … [Read more...]
Addressing hantavirus concerns
Dogs and cats are not thought to be susceptible to hantavirus infection and are not thought to play a role in spreading the disease to people, writes Ann E. Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, emphasizing the need for rodent control. Consider her article for newsletters or social media posts to reduce pet owner concerns. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, May 13, 2026. Link. The … [Read more...]
Turn feline visits into lasting relationships
Recent research by the Catalyst Council has led to a deeper understanding of the feline veterinary business and opportunities as cat visits now account for nearly one-fourth of veterinary traffic. Catalyst Council leaders share actionable opportunities in this edition of Feline Findings from the CATalyst 2026 State of the Cat 60,000-household survey report. Change the … [Read more...]