Take a break and smile with these funny photos from the wild. Sources: Popular Science, November 6, 2025. Link. Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, Link. See all 40 entries for 2025. … [Read more...]
Black walnut dangerous for horses
The black walnut tree and its nut are considered toxic to horses and other animals because they contain a chemical called juglone, writes Emily Fought. She continues to warn horse owners about leaves and nuts contaminating grass, hay and water sources. Just 20 percent black walnut in horse bedding, sawdust or shavings can cause toxicity. Source: Cowgirl, November 8, 2025. … [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...]
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...]
Gratitude is never garbage
With fall cleaning and holiday preparations underway, Dana Varble, DVM, CAE, reminds us that some things should never hit the trash can. She shares the importance of thank-you notes and acknowledgements she has saved. Thank you for sharing, Dr. Varble. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, July/August 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
5 models to make delegation easier, more effective
Delegation isn’t about giving work away. It’s about creating a system where your team can perform without constant supervision, writes Terry McDougall, PCC, MBA. She shares five proven models that make delegation more effective and less stressful. Note the infographic explaining them. Source: Terry McDougall, LinkedIn, October 14, 2025. Link. The best leaders don’t hoard … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeks participation in ethics survey
Please consider the Ethics Survey, sharing your insight on experiences where you may have been asked to do something in the workplace that crossed a moral, ethical, or legal line. The Bridge Club wants to update earlier findings that showed 57 percent of veterinarians faced ethical dilemmas on a weekly basis. Your perspective will help identify what has changed, what … [Read more...]
Toss the kibble cup to feed dogs less
Commentary* Nancy Kerns shares her own challenges with feeding her dogs the right amount of food versus an estimated volume. She advocates for weighing the kibble using a kitchen scale, which she has written about before <Link>. A recent situation analysis of overweight dogs identified a complex web of interactions between dogs, their breed background, their … [Read more...]
Everyday feline behaviors as early health signals: Behavioral and bonding trends
In this edition of Feline Findings, Gina Fortunato and Kristin Wuhrman share information from Volume II of the CATalyst Council 2025 Feline Market Insights Report. It clearly shows the commitment cat owners have to their cat(s). Veterinary teams can boost the owner-cat relationship by educating clients about subtle shifts they may observe in their cats’ behaviors. Tracking … [Read more...]
University of Nebraska-Lincoln working to understand, reduce methane emissions
Reducing methane emissions can yield climate benefits quickly compared to other greenhouse gases due to its shorter half-life. A moderately heritable trait, methane production is influenced by several factors, including diet, feed intake, animal and microbial genetics and stage or phase of production. This article shares how researchers at UNL are exploring genetic tools and … [Read more...]
Convenience, connection matter just as much as price
In this article, My Vet Candy reviews survey results from a paper titled, “U.S. Residents' Self-Reported Access to Veterinary Care and Implications for Care-Seeking Decisions.” The survey of more than 1,100 adults asked what “access to veterinary care” meant. In summary, the results show most people value and respect veterinary professionals, but they often feel shut out and … [Read more...]
Canine sports medicine has a promising future
The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation’s new Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency program is generating excitement about specialty training that will benefit any pet with mobility challenges. The program kicked off in July 2025 with residents and mentors at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and Colorado State University College … [Read more...]
It is time to communicate about pet holiday safety
Halloween ranks third for holiday candy-related pet claims, behind Christmas and Thanksgiving, according to data from Independence Pet Group. Independence Pet Holdings’ Jennifer Sperry, DVM, shares tips and an informative infographic about pet safety during this spooky season here <Link>. Thanksgiving kicks off the official winter holiday season, which is now under … [Read more...]
The power of your brain
Doctors and educators agree that there may be tangible benefits to training your brain to focus on a meaningful intention. Source: AXIOS, September 29, 2025. Link. Manifesting reinforces constant, disciplined practice, reminding the brain of an intention repeatedly. INSIGHTS: Your brain has the lifelong ability to change. Editor’s note: We envision that AHD Bulletin … [Read more...]
The empathy problem: Balancing emotion in decision-making
Commentary Nearly all of us have moments where emotions influence our choices or cloud our judgments. We were intrigued by the subject line of an email that read, “Your brain is tricking you - here’s how to fight back.” Reading further, we found the discussion of heuristics and current decision-making practices among managers relevant for animal health pros. Researchers … [Read more...]
How to follow up after an interview if you’re still waiting for answers
It’s natural to want updates after a job interview, but phrasing matters, writes Richard Moy. He shares how to follow up after an interview, with tips and examples for different situations. Source: The Muse, March 11, 2025. Link. If you were never given a timeline for the next steps, it’s recommended to wait at least a week before following up. If the interviewer provided a … [Read more...]
4 ways to fix ‘tech neck,’ according to a physical therapist
The more you succumb to the default smartphone posture, the more you stretch out the muscles of your neck, making them longer and weaker. Patrick Suarez, OCS, SCS, says the solution is a series of upper back exercises to strengthen, not stretch, the muscles to promote strength and proper alignment. Source: Popular Science, October 18, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Round crowding pens work better
There is always something to learn or reinforce about the most humane ways to handle cattle. Implementing low-stress handling techniques when working with cattle is important to reduce stress and protect workers. These techniques recognize the cattle’s natural tendencies <Link>. A round crowd pen will work better than a straight crowd pen because, as cattle go around a … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin: Get yourself in through the back door.
Temple Grandin is synonymous with livestock handling practices and advocacy for neurodivergent individuals. In this fascinating article, Pam Caraway shares a discussion with her about overcoming barriers as a woman in agriculture and her mission to support students' education and careers at her life stage. In the Women in Field video linked in the article, she asserts these … [Read more...]
AAHA resources complement veterinary technician support, development
While National Veterinary Technician Week has ended, the opportunity to involve, develop and use veterinary technicians in practice teams remains every day. Connor Dunwoodie pulled together resources in this article, beginning with the 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines and Veterinary Technician Utilization Toolkit. Source: AAHA Trends, October 14, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Pigs, purpose and PTO: Managing Gen Z
Commentary This article is helpful for anyone managing or working with Gen Z individuals. Amanda Reever, DVM, asserts reasons to challenge long-standing leadership norms when it comes to Gen Z. Reever says Gen Z isn’t afraid of hard work, but they expect it to mean something. They bring curiosity, adaptability and digital fluency to <their jobs>, but they also … [Read more...]
Free book offers guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions
Complimentary Content There is no question that animal health pros in all settings are challenged when a pet owner struggles with an aggressive dog or a serious behavior issue that impacts human and animal safety or quality of life. When deciding to euthanize a dangerous animal, pet owners turn to veterinary professionals. It can be hard to find resources or the right words … [Read more...]
Menopause, mindset and medicine: The conversation vet med needed.
Discussing how menopause affects women across veterinary medicine, this Bridge Club TableTalk is an open, revealing, honest, sometimes humorous and compassionate discussion about an often hushed topic. Sharing how it affects veterinary medicine professionals Liz Barton, MA VetMB, MCIPR, FRCVS, brings her experiences, research and helpful resources <Link> to the … [Read more...]
What do they value?
Editor’s note: Whether a sales rep, pet services provider, a retail associate or part of a veterinary clinic team, when a transaction is involved, a sale is taking place. Sales interactions with clients of the practice have much in common with distribution reps calling on it. So, consider these tips for managing those barriers to sales success. Source: Veterinary … [Read more...]
What neuroscience teaches us about reducing phone use
Our brains aren’t well-suited for smartphones. We might not like this reality, but we cannot ignore it. Fixing the issues this causes requires more than minor tweaks. We have to drastically change our relationship to our devices if we hope to control their impact. Source: Cal Newport, October 13, 2025. Link. There are bundles of neurons in your brain associated with your … [Read more...]
Mental health myths that may hold us back
Author Joe Nucci, MA, says trauma is real, but so is the casual misuse of the term and others used in the therapy culture. His article is timely, considering our industry’s mental health challenges and the effects many experience during shorter days. A licensed psychotherapist, he puts mental health misinformation in context in his material. This article shares insights from … [Read more...]
CDC warns of rabies risks from feral cat colonies
A recent rabies outbreak in an urban, unmanaged cat colony in Maryland potentially exposed more than 300 persons to rabies. The incident is a stark reminder of the need to manage rabies risks in feral colonies. It should also be a reminder of risks in free-range barnyard cats as well. More than 90 percent of animal rabies cases occur among wild animals, such as raccoons, … [Read more...]
What it takes to be America’s top house cat
Jason Bittel and photographer Dina Litovsky share a behind-the-scenes look from 2025 Cat Fancier's Association International Cat Show and Expo, which took place October 11th and 12th in Cleveland, Ohio. Organized by the Cat Fancier's Association, the show drew nearly 10,000 people and 550 cats. Source: National Geographic, October 20, 2025. Link. The CFA allows owners to … [Read more...]
Farmer’s Dog, Cornell, find minimally processed food can enhance metabolic function and overall health.
Complimentary Commercial Content The results of a first-of-its-kind, year-long metabolomic study led by Cornell’s Heather Huson, along with Farmer’s Dog veterinary nutritionists, found that feeding dogs food from the company can meaningfully impact metabolic health and support healthier aging in dogs. The results are a milestone for understanding canine metabolic health and … [Read more...]
Recognizing pasture asthma
Pasture asthma is different from severe asthma, writes Cyprianna E. Swiderski, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Horses with pasture asthma often improve within hours to days of being brought into stalls and away from inhaled pasture particulates. Although veterinarians have previously referred to pasture asthma as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heaves, pasture-associated … [Read more...]