Animal Health Digest

Curating useful content for animal health professionals

Orthobiologics in an equine veterinarian’s day-to-day practice

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Orthobiologics are becoming more mainstream in everyday practices with PRP and stem cell therapies being among the more recognizable <Link>. Orthobiologic treatments still require repetition and experience, especially given the variability of individual animals. Stephanie Ruff shares orthobiologic information from a January 2025 seminar in this article. We noted the … [Read more...]

Cat grooming needs as cats age

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From kittens to super-seniors, each stage of a cat’s life brings different grooming needs and challenges, writes Lynn Paolillo. Understanding their changing needs helps to keep cats comfortable and healthy throughout their lives. Her article begins by debunking the myth that cats don’t need grooming. Source: Groomer to Groomer, April 2025, Link. Regardless of age, every cat … [Read more...]

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention releases new communication guidelines

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APOP has released its Guidelines for Pet Obesity Communication: Promoting Respectful Communication about Animal Obesity. These new guidelines seek to reshape how the community talks about pet obesity by emphasizing pet-first language and promoting the term “clinical obesity.” Saying “a dog with clinical obesity” reframes obesity as a modifiable health condition and encourages … [Read more...]

Earn CE online: A Guide to Proper Hoof Function and Form

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Horse health begins where the hoof meets the ground. Certified Master Hoof Care Professional Steve Hebrock, MSC, will explore equine hoof function and form in this online CE course. The curriculum includes: Differences between biologically normal and common, typical hoof form Functions of the foot, the characteristics of a properly balanced foot and the optimal hoof … [Read more...]

Study supports use of horses in substance detox therapy programs

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Elevated cortisol is an effect of chronic addiction and withdrawal, which negatively impacts the cognitive function needed for substance abuse recovery. Researchers sought to know if equine therapy interactions could mediate these stress responses. Studies have indicated equine-based therapy does reduce stress responses, improve patient comfort and confidence and emotional … [Read more...]

Every new dog breed recognized in the 21st century

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Fifty-seven new dog breeds have been recognized by the AKC since the turn of the 21st century, including the recently added Danish-Swedish Farmdog. The list includes some newly created breeds and well-known older, common breeds. Enjoy. Source: Stacker. Link. Image: Danish-Swedish Farmdog – Breed standards … [Read more...]

A case study in failed leadership

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Wendy Hauser, DVM, applies the untoward experiences during a tour in New Zealand to the challenges of leadership in a veterinary hospital. She describes an intensely uncomfortable situation where leadership was broken and absent resulting in conflict and damaging the customers’ experience. From her observations, Hauser offers four strategies to fix leadership mismatches: … [Read more...]

Stress and performance

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Not always negative … the right kind of stress . . . controlled and purposeful . . . can be a powerful tool for growth, performance and resilience.  Source: René Rodriguez, LinkedIn, March 5, 2025. Link.  The key to thriving under pressure is finding the optimal level of stress that pushes performance without triggering the negative effects of overwhelm.” - René … [Read more...]

Top 7 drug classes to be tapered before discontinuation (podcast)

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These are the top seven drug classes that may need to be tapered to avoid physiologic withdrawal syndrome and/or disease relapse in dogs and cats, writes Katrina L. Mealey, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP. She provides helpful guidance on when and how to taper different medications. It was really helpful that there was such specific guidance, like percentage over a number of weeks, … [Read more...]

Worth a Glance – March 27, 2025

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Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 20, 2024. Link. Most read posts from March 20, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Ego management. Link. 3 phrases no one should ever say in a negotiation. Link. A new approach to deworming. Link. Dog breeds being banned in the U.S. (slides). Link. AKC names Pet Honesty as official multivitamin … [Read more...]

Wisdom Panel™, 5 million pets in 20 years plus how we love our pets

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Wisdom Panel™, the pet DNA service, recently achieved a major milestone: 5 million pets tested over the past 20 years.  To mark the occasion, they surveyed more than 10,000 pet parents to reveal the heartfelt and funny ways their pets shape daily life, including these standout stats: Pets are family: A striking 81 percent consider their pet their child, and 97 percent talk … [Read more...]

Medgene’s RHDV2 vaccine now available in single-dose vials

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Medgene will now have single-dose vials for vaccination against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, protecting rabbits from this fatal disease. This new presentation will assist veterinarians in better protecting their rabbit clientele. Source: Medgene, March 2025. Link. “This innovative technology goes well beyond concentrating existing product and putting it in a smaller … [Read more...]

Preventing canine-transmitted neosporosis in cattle

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Neosporosis-related losses cost the beef industry an estimated $111 million annually, writes Lindsay Waechter-Mead. The disease is transmitted through Neospora caninum an intracellular parasite. Canines that feed on infected cattle carcasses or placenta become infected and become a host where the parasite multiplies in the intestinal tract. Stable neospora oocytes are shed in … [Read more...]

Lactation station: Tips for optimizing sow diets during nursing

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Swine producers expect a lot physically from sows. They often must feed more piglets than they have nipples, maintain their own condition and recover after piglets are weaned to be in shape to quickly breed again. Nutritionist Casey Neill addresses the challenge of feeding sows and the transitional nutritional needs of piglets in the nursery. Source: National Hog Farmer, … [Read more...]

Preventing mastitis in pregnant heifers

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Ben Enger, PhD, describes the significant udder tissue growth and development required for an animal to enter lactation. He shares the importance of avoiding infections, especially in the last four months of pregnancy noting that immune factors to fight infections will also damage the growth of developing cells. He recommends udder health surveillance in first-lactation animals … [Read more...]

Beware of the mud

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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

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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...]

Most common medical conditions affecting dogs and cats

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Based on data from more than a million of its actively insured pets, Nationwide has identified the most common medical conditions in dogs and cats. Chronic conditions are prevalent in both species and represent challenging and sometimes burdensome, cumulative costs over time for animal owners. Noting the repetitive conditions populating lists like this year after year can … [Read more...]

Minding the microbiome podcast

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Focusing on the GI microbiome, Jenessa A. Winston, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, shares simple strategies practitioners can use to manipulate the microbiome and manage GI disease. She discusses the early research efforts to identify the gut–(specific organ) axes work. Winston shares concerns about the longer-term impact of prescription courses on the microbiome. She shares some Rx … [Read more...]

Addressing NSAID use in cats

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Alonso Guedes, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVAA, shares research on robenacoxib for pain management in cats with chronic musculoskeletal disease. The takeaways may help veterinarians feel more comfortable prescribing NSAIDs for longer-term care. Robenacoxib is the active ingredient in Onsior® (robenacoxib) for Cats from ELANCO. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2022. Link. … [Read more...]

As National Pet Poison Month ends, the daily risks remain

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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

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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...]

Things cats love that owners could do more

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Providing some coaching for cat owners, Tara Panton, BSc, shares several things cats love that often go unnoticed or unpracticed by their owners. We noted interactive play, consistent routines, window watching, grooming sessions and positive reinforcement in her recommendations. Source: FelineFam, March 12, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article with cat … [Read more...]

IBPSA Fast Bites – March 24, 2025

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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

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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

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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...]

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Animal Health Digest, LLC is a content curation and aggregation service for animal health professionals. We continuously read and review more than 150 publications that produce articles, studies, reviews, white papers and other material for veterinarians, veterinary professionals, veterinary support staff, companion animal owners and livestock owners. Learn more.

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