Curt Arens calls mud the bane of existence for horse owners and livestock producers alike. In this article, he reviews the effects of mud and options for keeping horses out of muddy areas. He stresses the importance of regular inspection of animals during wet periods to maintain their health and hygiene. Source: DakotaFarmer, March 26, 2025. Link. As a general rule, too … [Read more...]
Spring health checklist promotes consistent routine for horse care
Spring brings new riding activities, fresh grass, mud and weather fluctuations that affect animals daily. Busy schedules and economic challenges frequently delay adherence to wellness exams, fecal testing and vaccinations. Horse owners will appreciate having reminders and checklists like the ones in this article to help manage their horses’ wellness. Consider sending the … [Read more...]
As National Pet Poison Month ends, the daily risks remain
Sponsor Content Each year, veterinary teams treat unfortunate animals that get exposed to toxic household substances and foods. When an accident happens, it’s a reminder to take steps to help pet owners prevent poison exposure. Education, preparation and action are critical to diagnosing and treating the exposed animals quickly. Providing pet owners with emergency phone … [Read more...]
Global Pet Expo underway in Orlando, Florida
Global Pet Expo is considered a premier event for pet products. It features more than 1,100 exhibitors, a showcase of new products and pet business education. The American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association present it. Source: Global Pet Expo. Link. The 20,000 expected attendees will be offered expanded specialty areas, a new keynote series, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 24, 2025
Growth in pet sitting market, daycare report card, tax tips, Italy’s new groomer professional code, microchip transitions and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 24, 2025. Link. The next IBPSA Master Business Academy begins May 1, 2025. <Link> It is a 10-week, fully virtual training with content based on an MBA curriculum. … [Read more...]
Lessons from ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’ can help you break out of the “Nice Guy” trap
Complimentary Commercial Content Reading the book, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” by Dr. Robert Glover, was a huge eye-opener, Alex Mathers writes. He shares that a considerable proportion of men live in quiet desperation and find themselves stuck in behavior patterns that feel noble but lead to frustration, resentment and dissatisfaction. He shares 11 insights he took from Glover’s … [Read more...]
Why Americans are working less
Full-time employees in the U.S. have been working fewer hours per week for the past five years. The average hours worked have dropped progressively since 2019. The decline in hours worked is more pronounced among workers younger than 35 than workers aged 35 and older. Between 2019 and 2024, older employees saw an average reduction of just under one hour per person per week, … [Read more...]
Let’s treat front desk heroes better
Complimentary Content Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS, has a point. Client service representatives of veterinary hospitals need to be treated better by the veterinary team, as well as clients. They are the faces of hospitals and crucial to each one of them. Rarely do they get training, respect or the salary they deserve for one of the hospital's most difficult jobs. Source: … [Read more...]
Beyond features, functions and benefits; the battle for the consumer mind
Somewhere beyond features, functions and benefits is the potential to elicit an emotional bond, writes Robert Wheatley*. Discussing brand positioning, his article examines the importance of occupying a space in the consumers’ minds. He refers to the brain’s Limbic system and the role of emotion in decision making and asserts the importance of an emotional bond that can support … [Read more...]
Rx online: Challenges and opportunities for veterinary clinics, clients
Researchers surveyed pet owners* to identify which factors send them to the internet and which keep them close to home. They found it’s not just about price and convenience. Katie Berlin, DVM, comments on the article by Natalie Young, PharmD, BCSCP, FACVP, FSVHP, and offers her own take on the opportunity for veterinary clinics with their own pharmacies. Young shares that … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 20, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 13, 2024. Link. Most read posts from March 13, 2025 AHD Bulletin – New study shows H5N1 is more widespread in cows than reported to date. Link. Dog owner invents improved way to feed short nosed, senior dogs. Link. Vet donation tournament unites vet hospitals, communities to support pet care. … [Read more...]
Dog breeds being banned in the U.S. (slides)
Breed-specific legislation continues to affect many dogs and their owners. Advocates of breed-specific legislation emphasize public safety, while opponents highlight the importance of responsible ownership and training over targeting specific breeds. The U.S. list is included in a related slide show by the author, who shares 13 breeds banned or heavily restricted in certain … [Read more...]
ELIAS Animal Health receives full approval from USDA for first-in-class canine osteosarcoma treatment
Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two and represents a significant unmet medical need in veterinary medicine, with an estimated 6 million dogs diagnosed with cancer each year. ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy has received full approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Veterinary Biologics as the first autologous prescription product to … [Read more...]
AKC names Pet Honesty as official multivitamin supplement
Pet Honesty’s partnership with the American Kennel Club, makes its Multivitamin line the official multivitamin supplement for 2025. Pet Honesty’s Multivitamin 10-in-1 will be featured on AKC platforms, including its website, social media and newsletters. Source: Pets+, January 13, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
FVMA offering CE at virtual Vet Tech Purr-posium
Mark your calendars for the evening of March 25, 2025 and the FVMA’s inaugural Vet Tech Purr-posium for veterinary technicians by veterinary technicians. The evening will feature three CE sessions: Understanding and handling feline patients the Cat Friendly way: 5:00 pm-6:15 pm ET Feline pain and technicians – A perfect match: 6:25 pm–7:20 pm ET Cat Friendly … [Read more...]
Selecting cattle that maintain body condition and productivity on pasture
Not all cattle perform equally on pasture. Sam Wyffels, PhD, reviews the selection of cattle to match the forage resources and the environment of an operation in this article. He advocates keeping performance records and using data for selection as one of the best ways to improve herd efficiency over time. One of the most effective ways to improve herd efficiency is to cull … [Read more...]
A new approach to deworming
Elanco’s Wayne Ayers, DVM, shares the challenge of parasite control in different environments, young versus mature animals, deworming treatment product classes and timing. To avoid parasite resistance he stresses the importance of identifying the active parasites’ life cycles and adjusting deworming plans to reduce the environmental worm load. Source: Drovers, March 11, … [Read more...]
The critical need for a functional immune system
The absence of a vaccine to protect against avian flu is a factor in dairy producers’ heightened focus on strengthening the immune systems of their dairy cows. It should not take H5N1 to prioritize bolstering immunity given myriad morbidities known to challenge bovine health daily. Stephen B. Blezinger, PhD, PAS, discusses the critical interrelationship between nutrition and … [Read more...]
Peak migration is here
Every March, more than a million Sandhill Cranes gather along the Platte River Valley to rest and refuel before continuing their journey north to their nesting grounds. Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska’s Platte River Valley is home to one of the most spectacular migration events. Witness the Sandhill Crane migration live through explore.org’s nature cameras. Source: National … [Read more...]
Veterinarians, honey bees and beekeepers
Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, discusses the role of veterinarians in supporting bee health and wellness since the Veterinary Feed Directive was implemented. Source: AAHA, YouTube, March 13, 2025. Link. We don’t think of the honey bee as a farm animal . . . but it is.” Also see: Search results for: bees, AHD Archives. Link. … [Read more...]
Goat meat gaining traction
Includes Commercial Content Goat is one of the more widely consumed proteins in the world and is gaining traction in the U.S. market. Some of the growth is a result of more consumer friendly packaging. Datassential reports that 76 percent of consumers are aware of goat and 28 percent say they’ve tried it. Source: Perishable News, March 13, 2025. Link. As more consumers … [Read more...]
Post-foaling red flags
The birth of a new foal is a welcomed event, but the foal and mare are not out of the woods yet. This article explains 10 emergencies that happen in the hours after a mare foals and require immediate action. Quinn Gavaga, DVM, counsels against a wait-and-see approach when one of these red flags occurs. Acting quickly can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of these scary … [Read more...]
Tracking contagious equine metritis
Contagious equine metritis is a bacterial venereal disease transmitted primarily through breeding and has been detected sporadically in the United States, most recently in 2024. The USDA details the spread of the disease here, from pony stallions on a Florida facility to horses of other breeds around the country. Fifty two cases, including 18 domestic ponies, 18 riding … [Read more...]
Increasing prevalence of E. multilocularis in wild, domestic canids
The Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm is becoming more prevalent in North America, with rapid expansion in the northeastern United States. Wild and domestic canid species serve as definitive hosts, with rodents being intermediate hosts. E. multilocularis proglottids are microscopic, making annual fecal flotations using centrifugation important for early identification of … [Read more...]
Why are cats such a medical black box?
Commenting on this article, Kristin Wuhrman, feline thought leader, said, “We need to shift the narrative around feline medicine and advance our understanding of a species that has long been underserved. Treating cats as their own species requires a deeper commitment to research, innovation, and a better grasp of how cat owners think, engage, and make healthcare decisions … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Leptospirosis, the puddle pathogens
In the park, at the beach, in the backyard, along the sidewalk and in the lake, many serovars of Leptospira sp. bacteria can be found in soil and water. They are spread through the urine of infected animals, including wildlife and even birds such as starlings. Lepto is zoonotic, adding significance to reinforcing the benefits of vaccination and preventative measures. Recent … [Read more...]
Plenty of reasons for dog wellness visits
The spring season creates endless opportunities for wellness visits. In addition to protecting dogs from vector-borne diseases, these visits actively screen for conditions dogs may mask or owners choose to ignore. This lists eight common diseases that can affect dogs and are important reasons to urge dog owners to make semi-annual visits. Actively promoting wellness visits … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 17, 2025
Pet obesity an ongoing problem, small business economic and policy concerns, women owned pet brands, game meat from Africa in pet food and more . . . Source: IBPSA, March 17, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Ego management
One must never lose sight of the fact that you’re just a tiny speck in an infinite universe, like every other human being who ever lived and died. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, February 2025. Link. Hubris appears when you let your leadership power go to your head and you become enamored with your own specialness.” INSIGHT: Real leadership requires you to be in service to … [Read more...]
World Hereford Conference comes to America in October
Every four years, Hereford breeders from across the world gather to discuss the evolution of the breed and its role in the beef industry. The 2025 World Hereford Conference will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, October 23rd through October 26th <Link>. Source: Hereford World, March 2025. Link. … [Read more...]