Most people think reality is shaped by events, but it’s shaped by how those events are explained. Why does this matter? Because the stories people tell themselves shape the actions they take. Source: LinkedIn, June 13, 2025. Link. When setbacks are explained as permanent, pervasive, and personal, motivation disappears. But when reframed as temporary, isolated, and external, … [Read more...]
Study sheds light on veterinary patient safety events
“You cannot improve what you don’t measure,” could be an overarching theme to this voluntary and broad retrospective study. The study revealed roughly four patient safety events for every 1,000 visits during two years. While most reported incidents were harmless, the small number that caused major harm or death were often tied to anesthesia and sedation errors. Source: AVMA … [Read more...]
Lincoln Memorial sues AVMA over accreditation
VIN provided this brief: Lincoln Memorial University is suing the American Veterinary Medical Association eight months after its veterinary school was put on accreditation probation. The complaint filed today alleges the AVMA's Council on Education, which accredits veterinary schools primarily in the United States and Canada, is engaged in "a conspiracy to control, … [Read more...]
Teamwork-boosting tips
Veterinary Appreciation Day was celebrated on June 18th to acknowledge ALL the animal health professionals who contribute to caring for animals and their owners. In this article, Emily Singler, VMD, and Kristen Green Seymour offer tips to help figure out the best way to express appreciation, today and every day. They begin with the benefits of cross-training as a key to success … [Read more...]
Consumer sentiment rebounds sharply in June
Commentary Okay, so the photos are unrealistic. But, economic indicators suggest that now there is a likely opportunity for veterinary clinics to bring back clients’ pets that are past due for wellness checks, oral health procedures and vaccinations. Consider the potential for a campaign to reach owners stretching their pets’ adherence timelines to return to the … [Read more...]
Nom Nom research reveals the impact of pup’s perceived happiness on pet parents
Complimentary Commercial Content We appreciate the efforts Nom Nom put forth to answer our questions* about the April 2025 survey findings they shared with us. Dogs crave mental and physical challenges that keep them engaged beyond toys, beds or long walks, shares Kristin Chenoweth, who promotes meal time as one place to improve experiences for dogs. Beyond the commercial … [Read more...]
Keeping cows cool
We enjoyed the positive responses to last week’s post “Making dairy herds in the shade” <Link>. Recent studies show shade is important for growing beef cattle comfort and efficiency <Link>. Articles like this are reminders of the health and economic benefits of providing shade for cattle as temperatures move above 70°F. Because of that feedback, we’re repeating … [Read more...]
Calf vaccinations: You won’t find all the answers in a bottle
What a great title for Michigan State University veterinarian Angel Abuelo’s presentation he shared during the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference on February 6th and 7th in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Bev Berens shared information Abuelo reviewed, including immunology basics, passive immunity and vaccinating cows, vaccinating calves and vaccination programs. The article is a … [Read more...]
Tips for smaller cow-calf operations to optimize profit and build market appeal
Includes AHD Sponsor information A January AHD post shared that 79 percent of farms with beef cows have 49 or fewer cows <Link>. For smaller cow-calf operations, committing to profitability and understanding the market buyer’s needs is key to garnering increased interest in their calves, writes Bruce Derkson. He emphasizes that profit must be the number one goal if a … [Read more...]
EIA outbreak is reminder to keep Coggins testing updated
The AVMA reported an EIA outbreak that killed 21 horses in the Southwest U.S. <Link>. The incidents are an important reminder of the importance of strict biosecurity protocols and proper training of individuals who work in equine veterinary clinics to help prevent the spread of disease through contaminated medical treatment or equipment. Given the summer season of … [Read more...]
Colic prevention. What science says.
Responding to an EQUUS reader’s feedback, Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, shares that studies support horses having more pasture time to reduce colic risk. Perception is not always reality and sample size makes a difference. Source: EQUUS, May 2, 32025. Link. Scientific studies support the fact that horses who spend more time on pasture are less likely to colic than those who … [Read more...]
How horses see the world is not like us
Fascinating! At basic levels, equine vision is different from human vision in almost every way; acuity, range, eye contact and detection of peripheral motion, writes Janet L. Jones, PhD. Eight times larger than human eyes horses’ eyes are larger than those of any other land mammal. That size doesn’t mean their vision is exceptional. Jones shares how horse eyes evolved, the … [Read more...]
When looks can kill. The science behind animal breeding.
Breeding for aesthetics has resulted in genetic disorders, health problems and a loss of biodiversity, writes Sorelle Tan. Selective breeding for aesthetic traits such as floppy ears, short noses and flat faces often predisposes the hybrid animal to ear infections and respiratory problems. Brachycephalic breeds like French bulldogs have a life expectancy about 4.1 years shorter … [Read more...]
Steve Dale: Start now to help pets deal with fireworks
Includes Commercial Content We were pleased to see Steve Dale’s assertions for pet owners ahead of July 4th festivities. He shares products and conditioning methods, saying “when pets are terrified of fireworks, odds are good that pet might also be fearful of other loud and sudden sounds, such as thunderstorms, So, being proactive also supports pets beyond July … [Read more...]
Sounds that can trigger aggressive behavior in cats
Whether it’s fear, confusion or irritation, knowing what noises irritate cats can help owners avoid surprise scratches and sudden swats, writes Kaushkey. Animal health pros who have spent time with cats will recognize some of the sounds and likely associate them with personal experiences. Source: Cats and Dogs Today, May 6, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider posting this … [Read more...]
Avoid confusion about pinkeye in cattle
Sponsor Content with Commentary If one reads three or more of the articles* recently published about infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis or, pinkeye in cattle, they may be confused about a) what conditions predispose calves to infection(s), b) what vector(s) are responsible for disease transfer and c) what bacteria cause pinkeye infections or may be present as cofactors … [Read more...]
Addressing sighing behaviors in dogs
A recent article shared that Trupanion data reveals a sharp rise in anxiety-related health claims among dogs and cats <Link>. Since a dog sighing can be a sign of anxiety, we’re sharing this article. In it, Gemma Johnstone describes many reasons dogs may sigh and when owners need to be concerned. Source: AKC, June 12, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for … [Read more...]
AHD reader shares concerns and feedback
Occasionally, we get an animal-owner reader response (that isn’t spam) to one of our posts <Link>. We’re sharing it here. Reader comments from AHD post on website As a pet owner I find that my costs at the vet have tripled and the time I see the vet is now about 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes even though the time slotted for me was 30 minutes. I feel that the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 19, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 12, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 12, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Forbes, Can the veterinary industry help with the rising cost of care? Link. A crate training discussion. Cruel or kind? Link. Logic, emotions and decisions. Link. Cattle technology trends that continue to push boundaries. … [Read more...]
Forbes, How can the veterinary industry help with the rising cost of care?
Commentary We held this article for a few weeks trying to best present the content for consideration. Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities, wrote it. She shares metrics seen routinely in various media and calls the rising cost of pet care a full-blown pet healthcare crisis. I disagree. I believe we have a pet parent spending problem veterinary hospitals are … [Read more...]
Cattle technology trends that continue to push boundaries
Cattle producers are interested in technologies that improve efficiency, reduce labor and provide useful data. Beyond the normal optimism and skepticism, new high-tech tools must be practical, user-friendly and offer a solid return on investment before cattle producers invest. Bruce Derksen reviews six cattle technology trends in this article. Source: BEEF, April 22, … [Read more...]
Study: Seasonal effects on preweaned calves
The research shared in this article is relevant beyond the dairy calf environment in the southeastern U.S. While not the seasonal affective disorder we know effects our own health, weather metrics have a definite impact on calf growth, performance and wellness. Summarizing, Al Kertz, Ph. D., DIPL. ACAN, says, consistency in nutrition, feeding and management is critical for … [Read more...]
Dairy herds are made in the shade!
Research shows that dry cows and bred heifers are just as vulnerable to heat stress, even if the signs are less visible. When a dry cow or bred heifer experiences heat stress, her unborn calf does too writes Taylor Leach who shares the long term effects of heat stress on the dairy herd. Source: Bovine Practitioner, June 2, 2025. Link. While the lactating herd often gets the … [Read more...]
OSU researchers: Asian longhorned tick that can be deadly for cattle
As the Asian longhorned tick moves into new regions, researchers express concerns because ALTs can transmit a protozoan pathogen known as Theileria orientalis, specifically the Ikeda genotype. T. orientalis has similar clinical signs to anaplasmosis but impacts young animals instead of older animals. The Asian Long-horned tick is a three-host tick and reproduces through … [Read more...]
10 most poisonous plants for horses
Only a small number of toxic plants are likely to bring serious harm to horses. Anthony Knight, BVSc, MRCVS, reviews the ones most dangerous to horses in the United States in this article. Source: EQUUS, May 22, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Different weather conditions and migratory birds can bring seeds into pastures and paddocks where toxic plants have not been seen routinely. … [Read more...]
Poll reveals horse owner deworming behaviors
A June poll reveals how frequently a group of respondents deworms their horse(s). Information like this can help veterinary teams understand client behaviors and may provide opportunities to improve horse stewardship. The sponsored article below was linked with the poll results. In it, Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, shares what scientists are learning about equine parasite … [Read more...]
The business side of farriers and footcare
Data collected from the 2024 American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey provides an interesting look into the business of equine footcare. In addition to what they charge and where they buy supplies, we noted how farriers communicate with their clients. The metrics on what work they are doing, the types of horses and metrics on laminitis and white line disease will be … [Read more...]
Recognizing and treating pain in cats
The signs of pain in cats are often subtle making recognizing them challenging and often overlooked. Recognizing subtle signs of pain is essential for the veterinary team and veterinary technicians to help be vital in teaching owners how to recognize pain in their cats, writes Wendy Davies BS, CVT, CCRVN, VTS. In addition to discussing types, signs and origins of feline … [Read more...]
A crate training discussion. Cruel or kind?
The heart of crate training lies in how it’s introduced and used, writes Esther Evangeline. Emphasizing the dog safety, she addresses misconceptions, training approaches and crate alternatives. Consider the article for social media or newsletters. Source: DoggoDigest, May 11, 2025. Link. Crate training is the process of teaching a dog to see a crate as a positive, secure … [Read more...]
Review: Diagnostic testing for tick-borne diseases; recommendations, interpreting results
Ticks are making the news across the U.S. as resident populations bloom and areas experience new tick species migrating into a region for the first time. A large percentage of vector-borne diseases reported are vectored by ticks, with dogs acting as sentinels for human exposure to concerning bacterial, protozoal and viral agents. In this article, Doctors Schlemmer and … [Read more...]