Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 18, 2025. Link. Scroll through all of the December 2025 Animal Health Digest posts here. Link. ======================= … [Read more...]
Perspectives, priorities, preparation on the eve of 2026
Commentary The holiday season is a time to affirm or adjust priorities. It is a time to look in the mirror, to embrace the most important relationships, and fortify ourselves for all that is predicted for 2026. In an increasingly complex world, distinguishing between what we can control, influence and merely be concerned about is crucial for maintaining focus and mental … [Read more...]
Most read Malone posts – June to date 2025
We include wisdom from Patrick T. Malone weekly. His perspectives on leadership, teamwork and personal development are always among the most read posts. Keeping with the getting-ready-for-2026 theme, here are Malone’s top posts from the last six months. Source: Animal Health Digest Archives, June 2025 – December 2025. Above all else, Integrity. Link. Time management … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 22, 2025
The IBPSA office will be on reduced hours through the end of the year. Zoom office hours and Fast Bites will be paused, returning the week of January 5th. Source: IBPSA, December 22, 2025. Link. We hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season spent with friends and family, and wish you safe travels wherever the season takes you.” … [Read more...]
5 livestock diseases that could impact U.S. food security and economic stability
Stephanie Mercier identifies five diseases with the potential to disrupt U.S. livestock production, trade and response infrastructure at scale from a new report from The Farm Journal Foundation, The Mean Sixteen: Biosecurity Threats Facing U.S. Agriculture. Three of them already challenge U.S. production: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) African swine fever (ASF) New … [Read more...]
When your teams resist change, it’s time to “painstorm”
When teams are slow to adopt changes, instead of calling it resistance, Jeffrey Yip recommends using "painstorming" to identify the underlying emotional and structural pain points associated with change. More than another 2x2 matrix, Yip explains painstorming as a practice of identifying the emotional and structural pain points associated with change. It reframes discomfort as … [Read more...]
Polyworking trend growing as workers face financial pressures, economic uncertainty
Monster’s 2025 Polyworking Survey found that 47 percent of U.S. workers now hold more than one job, suggesting the polyworking trend is growing. Polyworking is far from a side hustle for many, writes Tom Starner. Juggling different roles has become a financial necessity with more than half of survey respondents saying their added income is “absolutely essential” to cover basic … [Read more...]
The Great Compression, Year 3
The “Great Compression” has entered its third year, says Ryan Leech, and this time, the spotlight isn’t on who’s buying but on who’s holding on. He shares trends, surprises, displacements and challenges perplexing investors and large hospital groups from 2025: A hangover from the acquisition era. Easy arbitrage is gone. Balance sheets are strained. Shake-ups are … [Read more...]
Music as medicine
Scientists are learning how music can do more than lift our mood — from easing anxiety to helping experimental drugs reach the brain. Source: AXIOS, December 8, 2025. Link. Music has the power to stimulate our body’s reward system, like the way that warmth, food, and social connection do. Music may relieve stress for your patients, customers, and animal healthcare … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 15, 2025
AAFCO launches new fast-track review process for animal food ingredients, Fromm Family Foods recall, Reading the Room webinar, vendor spotlight on Brownrice Webcams and curated content in the December 11th Animal Health Digest Bulletin. Source: IBPSA, December 15, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Holiday stress, a potential medical and behavioral inflection point for pets
Holiday stress reveals behavior concerns in pets that often go unnoticed during normal activities. Family gatherings, schedule changes, fireworks and travel create environments where fear, aggression and separation-related behaviors surface or worsen. Proactive veterinary teams can elevate care during holidays by engaging clients to plan for disruptions and track their pets’ … [Read more...]
Growth in kitten adoption continues: changing lifestyles reshaping demand for feline veterinary care
Kitten adoptions remain above pre-COVID levels and provide positive opportunities for veterinary practices, according to Volume IV of the CATalyst Council 2025 Feline Market Insights Report <Link>. New kittens also mean many first-time cat owners who may not understand the importance of regular visits or how veterinary teams can help make those visits as low-stress and … [Read more...]
Alternatives to antibiotics for wounds in horses
Commentary, Sponsor Content We appreciate the intriguing review of One Health, natural/herb and gut-enhancing options for equine wound care in this article. It brings to mind the vast number of wound care products that are branded, licensed and manufactured without containing antibiotics or steroids. MAXI/GUARD® Zn7® Derm, manufactured by Addison Biological Laboratory, is … [Read more...]
A vet’s guide to navigating winter holiday hazards for pets
Supplementing the AAHA advice from the second post in the Animal care services and community section above are recommendations from Veronica Villanueva, DVM, medical director at VEG ER for Pets in Woodland Hills, California. She provides straightforward guidance on hazardous holiday plants and decorations. She also recommends quiet spaces for pets and paying attention to doors … [Read more...]
Feline Dental Care brochure is new among FVMA resources for cat caregiver
We noticed FVMA’s announcement of their new Feline Dental Care brochure on LinkedIn <Link>. The new brochure comes on the heels of the newly updated Feline Veterinary Medical Association feline oral health and dental guidelines <Link>which provide clarity on early detection, radiography, and pain management. Click the link here to discover an abundance of … [Read more...]
Understanding the gut-organ axes in companion animals [White Paper]
Sponsored Content Diet-driven modulation of the gut microbiome supports improved pet health and longevity. However, the science is often confusing to pet owners and many animal health pros alike. In the white paper linked below, Jess Jarett, PhD, R&D principal pet scientist at Cargill, explains how specific macronutrient compositions of diets, as well as moisture … [Read more...]
Early allergen introduction overrides allergy predisposition in offspring of horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity
The findings from a Cornell study of Icelandic horses support the idea that early exposure to an allergen* can prime an individual’s immune system to tolerate it and not become allergic later in life. The study results were published on October 21st in Frontiers in Immunology <Link>. Source: Paulick Report, December 11, 2025. Link. Training of the immune system to … [Read more...]
New study reveals where conservation can deliver for birds, communities and climate
A new study in Scientific Reports identifies places in the continental United States where conservation efforts would provide a triple benefit to protect bird habitat, naturally store carbon and improve the well-being of local communities that have been underrepresented in conservation efforts. A novel study, it represents an important opportunity to direct conservation toward … [Read more...]
No needles needed
Promising research at the Roslin Institute has demonstrated a needle-free, solid-dose vaccine can protect pigs against PRRS; the first time that needle-free, solid-dose vaccine technology has been shown to work in any species. Source: PORK, December 11, 2025. Link. The development of needle-free vaccination could lower the risk of spreading diseases via reused needles, … [Read more...]
Elanco’s CPMA (Now Trutect™) the first-and-only treatment for CPV fully approved by USDA
Elanco Animal Health announced that its lifesaving treatment for the deadly canine parvovirus, Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody, has received full approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will join Elanco’s Tru portfolio under the new brand name Trutect™ Source: Elanco, December 15, 2025. Link. To learn more about Trutect, visit DefeatParvo.com … [Read more...]
FDA approves Dechra’s Emeprev™ (maropitant citrate) Injectable Solution
Emeprev™ (maropitant citrate) Injectable Solution is the first FDA-approved bioequivalent injectable solution to the most widely used antiemetic for dogs and cats. Emeprev™ will deliver the same trusted antiemetic effectiveness as the pioneer but with a differentiated preservative for comfort. The product requires no refrigeration, according to the company. Source: Dechra, … [Read more...]
AAHA Accreditation named key quality indicator by Newsweek
Newsweek, in partnership with Plant-A Insights, announced America’s Best Animal Hospitals 2026, a definitive ranking of the nation’s premier veterinary care facilities. AAHA accreditation served as a key differentiator in the selection process, highlighting hospitals that meet rigorous quality benchmarks in veterinary medicine. Source: AAHA, December 2, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Circumvent® CL swine vaccine is now available from Merck Animal Health
CIRCUMVENT® CL vaccine is a new addition to Merck Animal Health’s swine portfolio. The ready-to-use vaccine is formulated to protect pigs three weeks of age and older against disease caused by Porcine Circovirus Types 2a and 2d and Lawsonia intracellularis. The formulation eliminates mixing/reconstituting, reducing on-farm labor and potential handling errors. Source: Merck … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 17, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 11, 2025. Link. Most read posts from December 11th AHD Bulletin – Don’t get caught at TSA! NEW carry-on rules for 2026. Link. “We” mode in the practice. Link. Pet playbook: Four pillars redefining the future of pet. Link. Leading when employees are concerned about job security. Link. 10 … [Read more...]
Don’t get caught at TSA! NEW carry-on rules for 2026
Airport security is changing fast! As our industry’s convention season approaches, new TSA rules will affect how we fly. In the video here, learn about carry-on size and weight changes, what to do with electronics, how to avoid security stops and tougher guidelines around personal bags and briefcases. Real ID requirements and penalties, plus changes to shoe and liquid rules … [Read more...]
Pet playbook: Four pillars redefining the future of pet
The future of pet care, as seen at Pet Connect 2025, is about connection over competition, shares Jeff Mard. Sharing insights from the 8th annual Pet Connect conference, he says industry leaders crystallized the massive shifts underway in animal health and commerce. The prevailing consensus is that the era of fragmented, reactive care is ending, replaced by an ecosystem built … [Read more...]
Great teams are the foundation of success
Chewy Health* President Mita Malhotra shares the attributes she believes are essential for leaders as they seek to build teams that drive growth and create experiences that keep customers coming back. Her key assertions include: Build trust daily by encouraging thoughtful questions, offering autonomy, supporting growth and allowing room for mistakes. Front desk staff … [Read more...]
10 years later, November 2015 post still relevant
As part of our 10th anniversary, we looked back at some of the first posts we wrote for animal health pros. This one remains relevant. AAHA Trends’ main feature dove into the experience economy and examines what it takes to make a great impression on every client. Source: Welcome to the experience economy. It’s everything!, Animal Health Digest, November 16, 2015. … [Read more...]
“We” mode in the practice
While the examples used here are outside of veterinary practice, the application of these principles can produce amazing results in the practice. Source: AXIOS, November 25, 2025. Link. Watching other people take part in something isn't enough — even if you're there with them.” INSIGHTS: Every practice success is the result of the team’s effort. … [Read more...]
Leading when employees are concerned about job security
In uncertain times, leadership is less about having all the answers and more about helping people feel anchored and supported, writes Dina Denham Smith. She shares perspectives on shrinking the fears and anxieties common when job insecurity increases. Source: Harvard Business Review, December 5, 2025. Link. Acknowledge what’s present, offer clarity, involve people in the … [Read more...]