A University of Minnesota Department of Veterinary Population Medicine study shows that farms with commercial air filtration systems experience a significantly lower risk of PRRS outbreaks compared to unfiltered operations. The study results provide evidence not only for pigs and PRRS risks but support the investment sophisticated air filtration requires. Source: PORK, April … [Read more...]
The pet economy is splitting in two
The middle of the pet marketplace is fading away, says Marshall Morris, explaining we are in a K-shaped economy. He offers perspectives for brands that choose to play in premium segments versus store brands. Morris notes the category showing the most resilient growth now isn’t food. It is "preventive" wellness: supplements, OTC treatments and functional ingredients. These … [Read more...]
Hill’s releases its first World of the Kitten Report
Complimentary Building upon Hill's World of the Cat Report, the World of the Kitten Report is positioned as a comprehensive, evidence-based guide that delivers expert insights into optimal kitten growth, nutrition, socialization and veterinary care, to help ensure healthier, happier feline companions across the globe. Hill's encourages a shift in focus to the first 12 … [Read more...]
Understanding and managing procrastination in veterinary medicine
Procrastination is caused by underlying conditions of a person’s existence and expectations, not just poor time management. Dustin Kieschnick, PsyD, discusses the various contexts that may result in procrastination in this video. For many animal health pros, the explanation may confirm or enlighten the “whys” of putting things off. Source: Not One More Vet, YouTube, January … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 5, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Limited time FLASH sale on IBPSA education through May 11th New member benefits announced Financial survey results being tabulated IBBY nominations open soon Upcoming Webinar: Sustainability in Pet Care, May 13, 2026 1:00pm CST. Registration Link. Alex McKinnon has a global perspective on what sustainability in pet care really means. … [Read more...]
Trust: The universal cornerstone of pet care
Kathy Hosler never once questioned whether her veterinarian had her dog’s best interest at heart. That experience made her think about the kind of trust grooming clients place in their groomers every day. The mechanics of grooming are just the beginning, writes Hosler, asserting the need for continuing education on pet care topics as well as improving communication … [Read more...]
Understanding the challenges with the veterinary blood supply
Without more education and directed advocacy from the veterinary community, veterinary blood supply shortages may soon become insurmountable, writes Bill Romanelli. He outlines significant threats to the future availability of animal blood supplies including increasing demand, lack of donors, limited shelf life and well-intended animal activism. Source: Today’s Veterinary … [Read more...]
What vet schools don’t teach about canine osteoarthritis
Matt Brunke, DVM, DCVSMR, CCAT, believes chronic, whole joint disease is primarily driven by pervasive inflammation, not a cartilage disease as it is often positioned in veterinary schools. His article asserts the need to reframe osteoarthritis as a disease of the synovium and to think in terms of inflammation management versus pain management. Brunke comments on NSAIDs and … [Read more...]
Deadly feline coronavirus variant has been present in the U.S. for over a decade
Cornell researchers have discovered that a lethal variant of feline coronavirus has appeared in the U.S. Previously thought to be limited to a devastating 2023 outbreak in Cyprus that killed thousands of cats, it raises concerns about future large-scale outbreaks in vulnerable cat populations. Despite the presence of these high-risk viral features in U.S. samples, outbreaks … [Read more...]
Golden Tempo’s victory in Kentucky Derby most-viewed on record
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby averaged 19.6 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-viewed Run for the Roses since Nielsen began tracking average audiences in 1988. Source: AP, May 3, 2026. Link. Jose Ortiz rallied 23-1 long shot Golden Tempo from way back to claim the 152st Derby and make history for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first … [Read more...]
Education course supports recognition of equine emotions
Whether a horse owner, equine enthusiast, veterinary team member or animal health pro serving the equine market, learning how to recognize and understand emotions horses exhibit will help advance animal welfare and owner satisfaction with their animals. Kris Hiney, PhD, shares research and a new online educational course to help horse owners accurately recognize and … [Read more...]
Vets write ‘Dr. Cluck’ book to help keep chickens healthy, safe
Science-based advice for poultry care at every life stage is now available in a new book from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. ‘Dr. Cluck’s Backyard Chickens’ is fun to read, peer-reviewed, poultry vet-approved and and reads like a sitcom. Maurice Pitesky, professor at the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine and veterinarian Evan Adler share … [Read more...]
Review: Common ectoparasites of backyard chickens
Olivia A. Petritz, DVM, DACZM, reviews the most common ectoparasites of backyard hens and treatment options in the U.S., noting laws regarding the treatment of food animals vary from country to country. Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 18, 2026. Link. Clinicians who treat chickens in the United States are strongly encouraged to review rules and regulations for … [Read more...]
Checklist to prepare for pasture turnout
This is a good time to review herd health programs, which should include fly control* and vaccines, says Randy Saner in his checklist of management decisions that need to be considered before pasture turnout. Consider sending articles to local producer clients as a reminder, especially considering the concerns over New World screwworm flies and the value of cattle in today’s … [Read more...]
Planning for the 3 most stressful days for a beef-on-dairy calf (video)
Trey Gellert, DVM, outlines how birth, weaning and transport shape lifetime performance in beef-on-dairy calves. His focus for producers is to plan ahead to reduce risk and to set the stage for the best calf to send to the next production stage. Source: The Beef Site, April 27, 2026. Link. [5:49] Before weaning, <producers> need to start programming the calf at a … [Read more...]
Iowa officials moves decisively to contain 1st pseudorabies case in more than 20 years
Pseudorabies, a herpes virus, was officially eradicated in 2004 in commercial herds but remains endemic in feral swine populations. An April 30th detection in Iowa involved five boars in a small commercial herd with fewer than 100 animals. A direct trace-back shows the five positive boars were part of a shipment received several months ago from an outdoor “transitional” herd in … [Read more...]
Hill’s Pet Nutrition introduces product to support feline mobility, weight management
The new Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + j/d, brings two innovations together to help manage feline weight and mobility issues in one formula. Cat owners who have overweight cats struggling with mobility no longer have to choose which condition to address with their veterinarian. Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition, PR Newswire, April 30, 2026. Link. Hill's Prescription Diet … [Read more...]
NASC proposes Animal Health Supplement Act for regulatory clarity
The National Animal Supplement Council has proposed a federal law that would establish a statutory category for animal health supplements. Named the Animal Health Supplement Act it would formally define animal health supplements as products intended for structure/function use only; meaning disease claims would remain prohibited. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 6, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 7, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 30, 2026. Link. Most read posts from April 30, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Four stoic rules to master your emotions at work. Link. How Simon Sinek changed business strategy to an infinite game. Link. Great to good to average to mediocre. Link. Most read post in April 2026: Personal responsibility. … [Read more...]
Gen Z longs for eras where tech was more simple
Commentary David Nield’s article landed in my inbox at the perfect moment: 55 minutes into a failed attempt to reach a human being at my bank. In that span, I encountered spam calls, phishing emails and a chatbot stuck in an endless loop. The actual fix took under five minutes once I reached a banker. If this is progress, it’s no wonder nearly half of Gen Z adults say … [Read more...]
Great to good to average to mediocre
When we dive deep into innovative customer service, Brian Sullivan underscores the necessity of breaking free from self-imposed limits. Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2024. Link. Embrace what many might consider ‘stupid’ – creative, unconventional, and seemingly absurd strategies that could lead to breakthroughs in satisfying clients and establishing new … [Read more...]
Four stoic rules to master your emotions at work
Stoicism is staying calm when life isn’t, focusing on what you can control, and not wasting energy on what you can’t, writes Thomas Oppong. He shares four Stoic teachings that can help make the most of the gap between feeling and action and become your best self at work. They are: You control the response Name the emotion before it names you See the obstacle as the … [Read more...]
CDC: Tick season off to a fast start
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an early advisory to the public this week to guard against ticks. The CDC’s tracking system shows that weekly rates of emergency room visits for tick bites are the highest for this time of year since 2017. The warning is a reminder to communicate with animal owners about the need to protect their animals and themselves … [Read more...]
An update on canine influenza virus vaccine options
Canine influenza virus vaccines TruCan Ultra by Elanco and Nobivac NXT by Merck, were introduced in 2025. Each of these elicit significant disease-sparing responses in experimentally infected dogs, as measured by reduction in CIV-induced pulmonary lesions, writes John Ellis DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVM. His article focuses on new additions to the prophylactic armamentarium for CIV, … [Read more...]
NEW 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats
For veterinary teams managing diabetic patients, this is a meaningful update. The LinkedIn post below shares a high-level look at how care is evolving. Source: AAHA, LinkedIn, April 27, 2026. Link. Full version of 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats <Link>. Also see: Guidelines at a glance <Link>. … [Read more...]
Tablets for tabbies: technology, animal welfare and interaction in cat cafes
A recent study investigated potential uses and challenges for technology in environments like cat cafes. What researchers learned could affect how similar technology is used in veterinary clinics in the future, writes Kristen Green Seymour. Source: AAHA Trends, December 23, 2025. Link. <There is> a really interesting future for cat technology, from applications used … [Read more...]
Laser therapy for the veterinary cancer patient: a modern approach to supportive care
Lisa Miller, DVM, CCRT, and Chelsea Tripp, MS, DVM, DACVIM(O), share how laser therapy or photobiomodulation can be used in veterinary oncology to reduce treatment side effects and improve healing, pain control and quality of life in this informative article. Current evidence supports the safe and judicious use of photobiomodulation in cancer patients when dosing and tumor … [Read more...]
The 3 most common skin-compromising conditions in horses (audio)
Includes commercial links This article and recording reinforces the importance of staying alert to conditions that can compromise dermatological health. Moisture, sun and insects are the primary categories to monitor. The content is a good review for veterinary teams and provides a timely educational opportunity to share on social media or in newsletters. Source: EQUUS, … [Read more...]
Review: Timing BRD vaccination for better outcomes
BRD is considered to be a disease of management. Yet, despite more than four decades of research, programs and education, we’re still fighting to convince some producers that calves do better when receiving BRD vaccines and the resulting immunity before going through stressful events. Understanding the major benefits of vaccinating calves on the farm before they undergo the … [Read more...]
Nothing beats “eyes on animals” when monitoring for NWS
With New World screwworm getting closer to the U.S., experts are telling producers to quit worrying and take action. A panel of representatives from East Foundation, Florida Department of Agriculture, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and USDA-APHIS, recently shared ways to manage for NWS arrival from revamping breeding and … [Read more...]