This research will grab the attention of those working to improve mental health among animal health professionals. The researchers found two specific intervention types meaningfully reduced depression. Many people believe that to start overcoming depression, they need a therapist, medication or a radical change in their environment, writes Benjamin Kaveladze, PhD. However, … [Read more...]
You are in charge
Your reality is formed from what you read, see, listen to and experience. It's no longer mostly shaped by the "news.” Source: AXIOS, February 10, 2026. Link. It's possible, if not likely, that the biggest threat to future happiness and success is landing on the right side of information inequality.” INSIGHTS: You can choose to do nothing but at what personal cost. … [Read more...]
Practicing radical acceptance
A big part of practicing radical acceptance is letting go of the illusion that things must be a certain way before you’re allowed to take action. Seeing things as they are and being honest about what’s happening can be challenging, but denial only creates more suffering. Acceptance, on the other hand, offers benefits that resistance never can. Source: Daily Motivation, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 2, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Participation sought for Pet Care Services Industry Financial Survey. Link. Request to update any job postings in member portal Legislative news from Virginia Source: IBPSA, March 2, 2026. Link. Also see: Do you have a minors policy for your pet business?, Pets+, December 17, 2024. Link. Readers share whether they do or not and … [Read more...]
Better cat grooming starts in the tub
A lot of groomers, especially those who transitioned from dog grooming, are not bathing cats as thoroughly as they should, writes Lynn Paolillo. She shares the importance of desensitizing, degreasing and thorough rinsing. Source: Groomer to Groomer, March 2026. Link. Better cat grooming starts in the tub. A good bath sets the tone for every other step: drying, combing, … [Read more...]
Petland showcases transparency, collaboration with responsible USDA-licensed breeders
Petland, a specialty pet retail franchise company, is highlighting a cornerstone of its mission: unprecedented transparency and direct collaboration with responsible, USDA-licensed breeders who are committed to raising behaviorally appropriate, healthy pets. Source: Pet Age, February 27, 2026. Link. Petland sources puppies exclusively from responsible hobby breeders and … [Read more...]
Adopters love their shelter pets, but 78 percent of dog owners report behavior challenges
Conclusions from a landmark new study indicate high satisfaction ratings, while more than three-fourths of adopters faced behavioral or care challenges. These findings suggest that general satisfaction measures may obscure important challenges as animals settle into their new homes. Species-specific counselling, proactive veterinary engagement, and further microchip … [Read more...]
Dogs are more like toddlers than cats when it comes to helping humans
This study fits into human-animal bond thinking and domestication dynamics. Bottom line, if you need to find something, ask a dog or kid to help. . . not the cat. A study published in the journal Animal Behaviour investigated how untrained companion dogs, companion cats and 16- to 24-month-old toddlers respond when a familiar caregiver searched for a hidden object. Their … [Read more...]
Scoring system reveals impact of parasites on equine skin and coat condition
A recent study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science marks an advancement in understanding the relationship between parasites and horse health and a scoring system projected to improve welfare outcomes in equine populations. Researchers evaluated the parasitic loads of horses at the University of Connecticut while simultaneously applying the new skin and coat … [Read more...]
GPS collars transformed goat grazing into a stress-free, eco-friendly moneymaker
This story adds to other posts featuring the use of goats as an alternative for controlling weeds and overgrowth <Link>. In this article, Mindy Ward features Margaret Chamas, who has added virtual fencing as a management tool to her goat leasing service. Chamas rents out goats for brush control on properties that include city parks, conservation areas and private … [Read more...]
Theileria orientalis is moving westward, now in 60 Missouri counties
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is the primary vector for Theileria orientalis ikeda, and it transmits the organism through its saliva while feeding on cattle. This disease has been reported in multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West … [Read more...]
Failing forward: Why swine vets look at obstacles as opportunities
Learning from failure and not avoiding it was the context of the 2026 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Jennifer Shrike captures the various perspectives of speakers in this article. Many of the comments could be applied to other species, such as: “Don’t be afraid to fail because of uncertainty; it’s always present. It’s not about getting it … [Read more...]
PAC Beef Summits planned for April
Complimentary, Commercial Bringing producers and veterinarians into a room for half a day for joint benefit has value and two opportunities are coming soon. The PAC Beef Summit is where feedyard professionals, veterinarians and industry leaders come together for real conversations and forward-thinking solutions. PAC personnel say these are more than meetings. They’re … [Read more...]
FDA approves Merck Animal Health’s NUMELVI™ (atinvicitinib tablets) for dogs
NUMELVI™ (atinvicitinib tablets) is the first and only second-generation Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs six months of age and older. The product is expected to be available at veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide in spring 2026. Source: Merck Animal Health, February 27, 2026. … [Read more...]
2026 YTD Dechra approvals
Dechra’s recent approvals reflect their commitment to the sustainable improvement of local animal health and welfare and veterinarians. Sources: Dechra Announces Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC®) acceptance of VETRADENT® Dental Wipes for Dogs, recognizing proven tartar control performance, February 26, 2026. Link. Dechra Announces FDA approval of Zygolide® … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 5, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 26, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 26, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Most common Gen Z, Gen Alpha terms now circulating in workplaces. Link. Is staffing eroding customer experience? Link. Designing the visit before the patient arrives. Link. Decision goals. Link. Start NOW to reduce … [Read more...]
Cats grow to 25 percent of visits, signals $34 billion market opportunity
According to new data from the CATalyst Council Feline Veterinary Market Insights: Volume V, the overall companion-animal veterinary market continued to contract throughout 2025. But feline clinical visits grew in every quarter of the year, extending an outperformance streak to 12 consecutive quarters and fundamentally reshaping the veterinary landscape. The report, … [Read more...]
Client satisfaction stays strong according to AVMA data
Data from the AVMA’s 2025 Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook offer reassuring and actionable insights into how U.S. pet owners feel about their regular veterinary practice. Kudos to the teams working hard to deliver every day. Source: AVMA, February 19, 2026. Link. Small, incremental changes—paired with intentional communication—can reinforce client satisfaction, … [Read more...]
Start NOW to reduce barriers to heartworm prevention
A growing body of evidence-based protocols can help more pets get the care they need, while also supporting practice efficiency and revenue, writes Kristin Jankowski, VMD, CCRP, and Jenni Rizzo in this article. The key lies in understanding and removing barriers at every step of care: prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Consider this article as a reminder and resource to … [Read more...]
Is staffing eroding customer experience?
Commentary It is easy to ignore a Gallup survey as something that doesn’t apply to your business. Still, the imbalances reported here are concerning, especially since experiences even before AI made finding an employee in a business a challenge. This article begs for attention as more and more self-service options eliminate human connections. In Q3 2025, 43 percent of … [Read more...]
Most common Gen Z and Gen Alpha terms now circulating in workplaces
Brain rot, yeet and skibidi are just a few of the terms now finding their way into workplace dialogue. While it's easy to brush off as humor or trend-chasing, workplace communication experts say these words carry real cultural weight. Ignoring them can quietly create friction between colleagues who are on the same team. Source: Profit Engine. Link. Dismissing generational … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 23, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: How to be a good listener, TED Talk. Link. [11:42] Listening experts unpack the four different ways to listen, sharing a practical framework that could change how you respond, build trust and get results — starting with just one simple question. Social media posts are telling hackers everything. Link. What can Southwest Airlines teach us … [Read more...]
Debunking the cat lady stereotype
Katie Lever, PhD, addresses the harmful origins of negative “cat lady” stereotypes and why the data suggests that cat owners are far from lonely, childless or “crazy.” The roots of the cat lady trope are much more harmful than the common stereotype initially suggests. Source: AAHA Trends, April 18, 2025. Link. Today’s cat ownership statistics paint an entirely different … [Read more...]
Designing the visit before the patient arrives
Most inefficiency in small-animal practice occurs before the client walks through the door, writes Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, Elite FFCP-V. She shares elements of proactive preparation that can improve practice flow, client engagement and enable veterinary teams to practice medicine at their highest skill levels. Source: Fountain Report, February 6, 2026. … [Read more...]
Crate training a puppy: 22 tricks and tips
Commercial links in content Crate training a puppy often challenges dog owners. While there is a plethora of guidance about the topic, this article offers solid information that can be shared with new puppy owners. Every dog is different, so reviewing ways to help puppies accept the crate as their own is an important component of helping them adapt to a new … [Read more...]
Filly or colt? How a mare’s age may influence the gender of her offspring
A study from Brazil suggests a possible correlation between a mare’s age and the gender of her offspring. Analysis of the combined data showed that mares older than 15 were more likely to deliver fillies than were younger mares. On the other hand, the age of the sire seemed to have only a minor effect on gender ratios. Source: EQUUS, December 1, 2026. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Mobile coops, aka chicken tractors, make sense
With Easter chick eggs soon to be in incubators, backyard poultry raisers will value the chicken tractor potential. Mobile coops provide flexibility, healthier yards and easier management, making them a smart choice for raising chickens. Reducing clean-up is a major benefit. Consider this article for poultry raisers new and old. Source: Acreage Life. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Avian flu outbreak crisis in Pennsylvania; snow geese blamed, bovine spillover concerns
Top ag officials in Pennsylvania are calling the current avian flu outbreak unprecedented and “a crisis.” More than 7 million birds from 11 commercial flocks and nine backyard flocks have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, since early February. Wild birds, including snow geese that are overwintering in the area, are believed to be the source of … [Read more...]
The power of “I don’t know”
Commentary Thank you, Andrea Bedford for this article and its assertions. It should be a must-read for all animal health pros. She shares the power of a confident “I don’t know” statement. Veterinary medicine, particularly production medicine, is built on probability, not certainty. Complex herd systems rarely offer immediate clarity. And sometimes, the most professional … [Read more...]
Keeping noses and ears warm
Commercial Content We learn something new almost every day. In a short Facebook conversation, an industry colleague shared this photo of cows and their calves. Somehow, the existence of ear and face protectors had not hit my radar. Ear muffs for calves; what a great idea. Ensuring the comfort and protection of calves’ tender, damp ears is a top priority in Arctic cold, … [Read more...]