Commentary Articles like this often seem rudimentary until you read them like a first-time pet owner who knows little about the importance of veterinary care. Younger first-timers likely have limited experiences with medical doctors other than illness treatments, which can make the veterinary environment disconcerting. With this in mind, we’re sharing the article linked … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 5, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 29, 2026. Link. Most read posts from January 29, 2026 AHD Bulletin – From rabid raccoon to workhorse. Tame the practiceWAG phone. Link. Vets, pet owners . . . systemic strain, PetSmart Charities–Gallup study. Link. The business of pragmatism. Link. This little piggy is a commitment: … [Read more...]
From rabid raccoon to workhorse. Tame the practice phone
When three-fourths of prospects and clients use the phone, it deserves focus. In this article written for AHD, Rick Purnell shares recent Salesforce data and addresses generational avoidance of using the phone. 61 percent of customers prefer to speak to someone via phone when they need help 75 percent of customers believe calling a business will give them the quickest … [Read more...]
Veterinarians, pet owners under systemic strain, PetSmart Charities–Gallup study #2
Commentary By now, you’ve probably read plenty of industry takes on the results of part two of the PetSmart Charities–Gallup State of Pet Care Study <Link>. Or, you’ve seen articles in mainstream media emphasizing affordability of care for pets. Press releases and articles may sensationalize the findings below, but the study reveals much more than recalcitrant … [Read more...]
Why veterinarians recommend using a broker for pet insurance
This article is a good read for veterinary teams willing to promote pet insurance benefits but hesitant to direct pet owners to specific pet insurance brands. To support those discussions, Animal Health Digest created a “Pet Insurance Guide.” The guide is a free tool designed to save time, advance pet health insurance conversations, and highlight the benefits for clients, their … [Read more...]
The business of pragmatism
In high-performing cultures, a "Yes" is expensive. It means resources have been allocated and focus has been locked. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, January 9, 2026. Link. A ‘Yes’ without the capacity to back it up isn't ambition. It is a breach of trust.” INSIGHTS: When your heart says “Yes,” make sure your head is on board. … [Read more...]
KCAHC shares available resources at National Association of Agricultural Educators Conference
Commentary Momentum beyond metrics describes the experience KC Corridor representatives found when sharing workforce recruitment and educational resources available through the collective efforts of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor and the exploreahcareers.com website. “We may never know exactly how many students choose animal health because of something they heard, … [Read more...]
New food pyramid is a significant reset of U.S. nutrition policy
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 from HHS and USDA seek to deliver a clear, commonsense message to the American people: “Eat real food.” Kristin Bakker’s article shares potential benefits to American food animal producers. Source: Feedstuffs, January 6, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Pets and Mental Health Resource Center available online
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute and Mental Health America launched the Pets and Mental Health Resource Center in October 2025. The online hub features resources, information and tools that highlight the powerful role companion animals can have in supporting mental health. It is available on the Mental Health America website at www.mhanational.org/pets. Source: … [Read more...]
Treatment duration for pneumonia in dogs and cats: Systematic review
The most commonly used antimicrobial treatments for dogs and cats are not evidence-based, writes Scott Weese, DVM. Most antimicrobial treatment durations currently used in dogs and cats are probably way too long when we compare them to what’s done in human medicine for comparable conditions. Some of the differences are striking. Weese says a new systematic review entitled … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 29, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 22, 2026. Link. Most read posts from January 22, 2026 AHD Bulletin – College women far outnumber men in law, medical, vet schools and it matters. Link. RHDV-2 confirmed in North Carolina. Link. 5 common dog ailments that respond well to laser therapy. Link. PetSmart rolls out omnichannel … [Read more...]
College women far outnumber men in law, medical, vet schools and it matters
Commentary This article adds depth to the ongoing discussion of how many DVMs to educate and how many institutions we need to do it. Woven into our industry’s discussions are gender pay variances, work-life balance, the expectations recent graduates have for daily work hours, full empowerment of veterinary technicians and the rural vet shortage. For those interested in … [Read more...]
PetSmart rolls out omnichannel veterinary support program
PetSmart is partnering with pet health platform Vetster to offer virtual veterinary support services at select stores in the U.S. The company says that through Vetster's secure medical platform, PetSmart associates can gain real-time access to licensed veterinarians where regulations allow. The services are meant to complement, rather than replace, in-clinic visits. Source: … [Read more...]
Me time
Each day brings plenty of windows for reflection . . . during your commute . . . at the dentist . . . waiting for that friend who's always late. Daydreaming has surprising perks, but scrolling gets in the way. Source: Axios.com, January 8, 2026. Link. We pick up our devices 50 to 100 times a day . . . they constantly fill our minds with content that crowds out time to … [Read more...]
Escaping conversations that don’t end without being rude
Introverted or not, getting stuck in a conversation with an overtalker is problematic. Jenn Granneman shares strategies to escape and avoid being rude. Source: Introvert Dear, January 12, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Quarter zip only for video calls
This is an interesting take on what to wear for video calls and why. Source: Because of Sales. Link. The quarter zip is the uniform of someone who does this every day; competent, put-together, not trying to impress you.” … [Read more...]
Acupuncture for cows
Acupuncture may provide a practical, low-risk adjunct for cattle veterinarians for pain and restoring function in food animals. It also can stimulate and influence both immune and reproductive system regulation. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, January 14, 2026. Link. When analgesic tools are scarce and animal comfort matters, acupuncture may offer a meaningful benefit at … [Read more...]
Mortality at the sow farm: a 10-year retrospective
Mortality continues to be one of the most influential factors affecting profitability, yet remains difficult to reduce. Despite ongoing innovation, robust disease management and collaborative efforts across all sectors of swine production, the analysis of a decade of data clearly shows the ongoing struggle with mortality. Rachel Johnson shares livability trends and data about … [Read more...]
Feline veterinary care at a pivotal point to drive future practice growth, feline medicine
Findings from the CATalyst Council’s 2025 Key Feline Market Insights report point to a market at an inflection point. Shifting demographics, economics and innovation are converging to elevate feline care. The report identifies this period as one of sustained growth and rising strategic importance, even as overall U.S. veterinary visits declined. Source: businesswire, January … [Read more...]
NAVC’s 2025 VETTY Award winners
The 2025 VETTY Awards® Grand Prize winners include: BEST IN SHOW (FOR PROFIT) AWARD: “Galliprant - Playing with Fire” by Elanco Animal Health and BarkleyOKRP. Category: Campaign - B2B/Trade. BEST IN SHOW (NONPROFIT) AWARD: “KC Animal Health Corridor WORKFORCE Campaign” by Animal Health Corridor and JNA Advertising. Category: Campaign - New Product, Program or Service … [Read more...]
Benefits or features?
Features may describe the product or service, but benefits sell them. Caitlyn DeWilde’s article provides notable examples of applying benefits in a practice environment. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, December 1, 2025. Link If better medicine is our goal, benefit-based communication is one of our most powerful clinical tools.” INSIGHTS: Your customers want to know … [Read more...]
VMX: Stop, look, listen but rest
The first big industry convention and trade expo is vibrating at the starting gate for an estimated 30,000 animal health professionals. The adrenaline is palpable as attendees try to take it all in. I’m unable to join you, so here’s my perspective from nearly 20 years of attending NAVC’s premier expo: Manage your personal biosecurity. Every year, some people return with … [Read more...]
Mastering cat grooming
Cat grooming isn’t just about doing, it’s also about watching, listening and getting real-time feedback, says Lynn Paolillo, a master cat groomer. While teaching cat grooming to students, she shares that having another experienced cat groomer in the room doesn’t mean they are there to help you, but to increase the amount of brain power available for problem-solving. Source: … [Read more...]
Understanding pet parents’ concerns about their pets
Calling it “petuition,” December 2025 work from Talker Research has found the average pet parent worries about how happy their pets are 11 times per day, and worries about their pets’ health 10 times per day. Key findings included: Ignoring meals (35 percent) Having mobility issues (34 percent) Scratching or self-grooming more often (25 percent) The research, … [Read more...]
Top 10 Clinician’s Brief articles of 2025
Covering a broad range of topics, this special issue’s content is a must-review. We note articles on commonly missed drug interactions, feline atopic skin syndrome and using a continuous glucose monitor. Enjoy. Source: Clinician’s Brief, Link. … [Read more...]
The FelineVMA, EveryCat Health Foundation, announce scholarships for future leaders in feline medicine
The FelineVMA and the EveryCat Health Foundation are now accepting scholarship applications from veterinary students enrolled in AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges or schools in the United States or Canada. Third- or fourth-year veterinarian students are eligible to become candidates for two scholarships of $5,000 each. Source: FelineVMA, January 13, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
HBR editors share their favorite management tips of 2025
Here’s a good article for animal health pros traveling to VMX. HBR editors list 10 of their favorites from 2025’s Management Tip of the Day newsletters. They cover topics like how to manage overwhelm before it spirals into burnout, how to set up your own AI assistant, how to boil your strategy down to one slide, how to be an inspiring leader and more. Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
Opportunity flows from where you focus your intentions and attention
Commentary This new year is not a fresh start. It’s the next chapter of continually improving the health and welfare of our animals and those who care for them. For many animal health pros, the horizon may be foggy as new annual plans are implemented, territories realigned, new management introduced and teams face staffing and goal changes. As we begin this year, we can … [Read more...]
Uncertainty
From global pandemics and economic shifts to industry disruption and technological transformation, professionals across all sectors have faced waves of unpredictability. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, December 15, 2025. Link. Those who acknowledge, adapt, and evolve will move forward with clarity, connection, and courage.” – Stacy Pursell INSIGHTS: Uncertainty is uncomfortable, … [Read more...]
9 ways to help your mental health this year
2026 may be new, but it’s presenting familiar stressors. Two health-focused journalists researched why these nine practical stress relievers work well. Plus, they’re easy and free. Source: The New York Times, December 30, 2025. Link. Here is some of the best advice we learned from experts this year about showing ourselves some grace, staying sharp, getting better sleep and … [Read more...]