We selected Gene O’Neill’s insights from the recent Veterinary Innovation Summit <Link> from the many postings shared by attendees. He shares perspectives on big issues that are critically important to move our industry forward and demonstrate the true value of veterinary medicine. Source: Gene O'Neill, LinkedIn, September 12, 2025. Link. O’Neill summarized four major … [Read more...]
How the Equine Disease Communications Center is changing the game
Since 2015, the EDCC has been working to capture and inform the equine community of communicable disease threats in horses. Sarah E. Coleman shares how the Center was created and provides warnings to reduce infectious disease risks in the equine population. Similar to the CDC, the EDCC seeks information about disease outbreaks, posts messages, and informs the equine industry … [Read more...]
Cheaper compounded omeprazole likely doesn’t work for equine ulcers
Includes Commercial References While not all compounded medications are bad, Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, says her biggest concern with compounded omeprazole is whether it actually treats the horse in the manner the owner or veterinarian intends. She explains the challenges with manufacturing and ensuring the compound gets to the site of absorption. Though compounded … [Read more...]
Four worn out, unwelcome words or phrases in vet med
Wendy Hauser, DVM, shares four words used in veterinary medicine she thinks we should ban or use less frequently: Compliance Gold standard Standard of care Pet parent Source: Animal Health News and Views, September 2025. Link. . . . the sentiment behind pet parent normalizes the idea that pets are not property.” INSIGHTS: We agree and work diligently to refer … [Read more...]
Rabies is NOT a thing of the past
In her first-person account, Mary McNamara shares how her dog, Harley, recently tangled with a bat—a striking reminder that rabies is still present today. Thanks to vaccination, Harley and millions of other dogs remain protected. McNamara points out that the disease’s near disappearance can be traced to efforts like the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association’s … [Read more...]
Equine dental specialists soothe horse toothaches
Equine oral health has been important since horses were domesticated. It makes sense as mouths hold bits, which help make them the great work and pleasure animals they can be. Humans have worked on horse teeth since 1150 B.C. Today’s scientific understanding of the way horses’ mouths work benefits horses and riders. Wayne Needham, Amarillo Texas, president of the … [Read more...]
2025 AAHA One Health guidelines: Navigating cross-disciplinary partnerships
Commentary This should be an eye-opening read for any animal health professional. My doctors have never asked ANY questions about pets in the home, nor do I know anyone whose doctors have done so. This indicates that reaching the level of collaboration described in the new 2025 AAHA One Health guidelines will take a Herculean effort. EVERY animal health pro can help with … [Read more...]
A year-long chronicle of hoof care, training & partnership through a farrier’s eye
Esco Buff, CF, APF, PhD, has started a unique, yearlong challenge to chronicle the hoof-care journey of Jackson, a 15-year-old Clydesdale cross gelding used primarily for trail and pleasure riding in the southeastern U.S. Supported by Triple Crown Nutrition, Buff expects to gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative nature of equine care and the dedication it … [Read more...]
When rescue isn’t rescue: The problem with saving horses from kill pens
There’s a lot to think about in Allison Bowling’s letter to the Paulick Report editor here. From her experiences with the differences in how horses are represented, she opines on comparing ethical rescue versus exploitation. In small animal rescue, she writes, euthanasia is a devastating but real consequence of the overabundance of unwanted pets met by limited capacity for … [Read more...]
20th annual Summit showcases startups, industry leaders, future of animal care
Snoretox captured the 2025 Animal Health Summit’s Innovation Award for its promising therapy, modeled after Botox therapy, to treat brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, a condition that affects short-snouted breeds. The innovations panel spotlighted feline medicine, telehealth and AI as forces that will affect clinical practice and reshape veterinary care. Keynote … [Read more...]
Recognizing the early signs of joint disease (video)
Complimentary Commercial Content Many owners mistake the early signs of joint disease for training issues or attitude changes, but arthritis could be causing poor performance. Sherry A. Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, explains what to watch for and why early recognition matters in the informative video. Source: The Horse, August 20, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: This article is … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 27, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 21, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 21, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Many problems with extreme conformation in dog and cat breeds. Link. 8 Gen Z habits that make others say, “Huh?” Link. Time management or prioritization? Link. Expert views on the importance of recordkeeping. Link. … [Read more...]
Expert views on the importance of recordkeeping
Imagine a team meeting at a veterinary hospital. The leader says, “Today, let’s discuss our medical records, why, not how, we do them and make sure they are a positive element of the client’s experience.” The why needs to provide context as well as content. This article is a good resource for that discussion. Source: Clinician’s Brief, July 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Time management or prioritization?
Includes Commentary Time management in animal healthcare isn’t about squeezing more hours out of the day – it’s about spending the hours you have on what moves the needle, writes Brian Sullivan. His focus is on salespeople, but the guidance is universal. He asserts that it’s not time that’s scarce, it’s your focus. Agreed. Source: Veterinary Advantage, April 2025. … [Read more...]
Improving the odds for successful rehab after tendon injuries
Rethinking the weeks of stall rest to rehabilitate horses with tendon injuries, equine veterinarians are now beginning to include rehabilitation plans based on controlled movement, rather than stall rest. The objective is to reduce the overzealous scar tissue and resulting adhesions. To find ways to support the rehabilitation process, the Schnabel Lab is researching to evaluate … [Read more...]
Researchers say long-term firocoxib use appears safe for horses
Firocoxib is often prescribed to manage chronic pain and inflammation in horses, and its long-term use appears safe based on bloodwork. The drug is for once-daily use for up to 14 days, researchers on this study suggest firocoxib might be suitable for extended treatment in appropriate cases. Source: The Horse, August 19, 2025. Link. Veterinarians should evaluate horses … [Read more...]
How often do farriers encounter laminitis?
Data from the 2025 American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey shows more than one-third of farriers see laminitis monthly. The article also shares information about farriers’ charges, trimming and more. Source: American Farriers Journal, August 20, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Vets urge smarter parasite control to combat drug resistance
Commentary The topic of parasite resistance is not new to U.S. livestock production. However, the British Veterinary Association’s actions described in this article are important. Many foreign production environments are more condensed than those in the U.S. and can foretell future domestic production issues. The BVA’s new policy position warns that routine, blanket … [Read more...]
Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms
Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, or tetanus, any wound can easily become contaminated at any time. However, caution is warranted in areas damaged by storms. Storm damages provide abnormal opportunities for horses, cattle and hogs to be injured and get a tetanus infection. Source: Feedstuffs, August 6, 2025. Link. Following a storm, … [Read more...]
CSU study finds fasting horses isn’t necessary before anesthesia (video)
Challenging the long-held belief that horses need to fast before surgery, Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Rachel Hector, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVAA, conducted an in-house study to examine the age-old practice. They found that horses that weren't fasted passed manure sooner and produced more of it after surgery, with no increase in anesthesia risk or … [Read more...]
Financial strain often shapes horse owners’ veterinary decisions
A University of Kentucky study motivated by frequent references to the challenges of keeping equine practitioners in the profession confirms that financial constraints affect decisions about veterinary care. Nearly 50 percent of respondents reported being able to accommodate unexpected medical expenses of $5,000 or less. Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2025. … [Read more...]
Buzz off! Deer flies irritate horses and pester riders, too!
Gina Fortunato, MBA, shared a recent horse riding experience with disruptive, biting deer flies that aggravated her horse despite fly shields. She shares her experience and some facts about deer flies, including feedback horse owners offered via social media. Gina (right) and a friend are pictured with their horses. Source: Gina Fortunato, Animal Health Digest, July 28, … [Read more...]
Tight nosebands associated with reduced stride length
Noseband tightness is a welfare concern with equestrians. A new study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Equine Veterinary Science provides an informative perspective of a new issue caused by tight nosebands. The study found that not only do tighter nosebands increase pressure on the nasal bone, but they also cause a significant decrease in stride length when compared to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 31, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 24, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 24, 2025 AHD Bulletin – The stares we can’t ignore. Link. Decoding pet insurance: Navigate policies, client questions (podcast). Link. Improve employee communications by these 9 phrases. Link. Difficult customers. Link. Hunter ticks and pathogen … [Read more...]
Hunter ticks and pathogen transmission variables
The quest to better understand ticks continues. We shared longhorned tick information in the July 17 AHD Bulletin <Link>. Speaking at the AVMA conference last week, Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM, shared a range of tactics that affect how quickly ticks can spread disease. The overview differentiates the methods tick species use to find a host and factors that influence … [Read more...]
Enteroliths in horses: Causes and prevention
Enteroliths develop when mineral deposits form in concentric layers around a central nidus, such as a piece of wire, small stone, twine or other foreign body in the large colon, writes Alicia Long, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVECC. She shares what is known and what is not known about these strange rocks that form and could weigh up to nine pounds*. Each article here discusses … [Read more...]
Use of flank laparoscopy in the standing horse as a diagnostic aid in horses with chronic abdominal pain
Advances in laproscopy equipment allow veterinarians to view and explore potential causes of abdominal pain in horses. Exploratory laparoscopy is a well-established, minimally invasive diagnostic tool in horses. Researchers of a recently published study sought to report indications, findings and outcomes of equine exploratory laparoscopy in a case series to support its … [Read more...]
IMPORTANT! Animal health references missing in World Health Organization’s pandemic agreement
Viruses jumping from animals to humans are increasing around five percent annually, meaning these pathogens are forecast to cause four times the number of spillover events in 2050 than in 2020, according to article authors Carel du Marchie Sarvaas and John de Jong. Zoonotic disease incidence represents 60 percent of infectious diseases in humans. Although much of the world … [Read more...]
Lead that sweaty horse to water and let him drink
It is best to rehydrate sweaty, hardworking horses without delay, but the key is to know how much water to allow at one time. Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, DACVS. recommends offering small amounts, up to a half gallon, every 20 minutes, which allows the water to move through the horse’s system. Source: EQUUS, July 7, 20265. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article … [Read more...]
Texas flash floods add to growing disasters list, concerns
Commentary We should appreciate the people working to secure lives and property in Texas following the rampant flooding of the Guadalope River. Opportunists may use events like this to advance agendas on global warming or budget cuts. Instead, we were moved to consider the cumulative effect of disasters and the resulting economic burdens on the individuals and businesses … [Read more...]