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...]
Does it pay to castrate, wean and vaccinate?
Includes Sponsor Content Studying the USDA Market News reports, Andrew Griffith, PhD, says it is clear that a good number of producers still find it easier to sell bull calves instead of castrating them prior to selling them. He shares the economics of selling calves straight off the cow versus after preconditioning and applying management protocols in this article. During … [Read more...]
Website resource for when cat(s) stopping acting normally
Complimentaray Commercial Content Zoetis’ Cat Red Flags website advertisement caught our attention during a recent TV program on Nat Geo Wild. We’re sharing this in case you’re not aware of the website and it’s focus on behaviors that may indicate osteoarthritis or other issues that reduce cat wellness. Source: Cat Red Flags. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 9, 2025
Diminishing veterinary care blamed on rising costs, small businesses need to consider risk management, harnessing AI for small business, law maker activities and more . . . Source: IBPSA, June 9, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
The emotional toil of unheeded advice
“Darn it! <my friend> didn’t act on what their new pet needed. Now it’s ill.” The situations described here by Shannon Nowak, BS, LVT, RVT, will be familiar to many animal health pros. It does sting when people seek your professional advice then promptly ignore your recommendations. Her guidance to show up but with boundaries is good advice. Put your time, energy and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 12, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 5, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 5 2025 AHD Bulletin – Strategies for culling cows this year. Link. Orange cats, freak of nature? Link. Plain speak. Link. AVMA’s New World screwworm resource for veterinarians. Link. DocTalk . . . Embryos and reproductive technologies. Link. … [Read more...]
NOAA predicts above-average 2025 hurricane season
With 70 percent confidence, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 of which will become hurricanes, and 3 to 5 may grow to major hurricane intensity of Category 3 or stronger. The article includes concerns over staffing, which, beyond the political turmoil, should be fair warning for individuals and businesses to … [Read more...]
AVMA develops New World screwworm resource for veterinarians
New World screwworm is a serious cause for concern. AVMA’s New World screwworm webpage delivers the key information veterinary teams need to stay ahead of this emerging threat. Veterinary teams will play a critical role in frontline defenses. The situation calls for vigilance and immediate response. Source: AVMA@Work, June 3, 3025. Link. … [Read more...]
Why people attend the World Pork Expo (video)
Jennifer Shrike shares a look at why people make the trip to Des Moines every June and their recommendations on how to make the experience unforgettable. The weather can be searing hot, rainy or blustery on any given day so a poncho and sun shade headgear are considerations. Come hungry, be ready to learn and network with pork industry influencers, leaders and … [Read more...]
Strategies for culling cows this year
It’s early to be talking about culling cows in anticipation of drought, but some states are already dealing with below-average precipitation. Culling is a good business decision as cow-calf pairs are turned out on pasture. Extension professionals share culling strategies in this article, beginning with open cows, cows that lost calves and those that need to be removed from the … [Read more...]
Stop doing cosynch
Cosynch is a management practice on dairies where GnRH treatments and artificial insemination are performed simultaneously. While labor-saving, Paul M. Fricke PhD, reviews the importance of timing in what is termed the ovsynch 56 protocol. In summary, the science does not support the cosynch approach. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, June 2, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Articles like … [Read more...]
Ramp up fly control or breathe through your teeth
Maggie Gilles provides a reminder all animal health pros need. Fly control begins with regular sanitation to remove manure and organic material from breeding areas. To increase effectiveness, it is important to implement one or more of the fly reduction approaches targeted to different life stages of the pesky flies. Stable flies and horn flies are the primary targets for … [Read more...]
DocTalk. Discussing embryos and reproductive technologies.
Includes Commercial Content from DocTalk sponsors In this eye-opening episode of DocTalk, Dan Thompson, DVM, PhD, engaged Kosta Simintiras, PhD, to help us better understand the challenges in the complex process of bovine conceptus elongation, a critical phase in early pregnancy. Simintaras shares research on improving embryo transfer and artificial insemination success … [Read more...]
Mass honey bee collapse may compromise US agriculture
More than half of the nation’s managed honey bee colonies have experienced mass die-offs. These losses, combined with honey bee die-off events during other times of the year, mean many beekeepers have seen 70 to 100 percent of their colonies collapse over the past 12 months. Source: AVMA, May 14, 2025. Link. The cause of the die-offs has not yet been identified. The usual … [Read more...]
Horses grazing with donkeys can be exposed to lungworms
While horses and donkeys can be great companions, infected donkeys can infect horses with lungworms. Kimberly S. Brown shares some basic facts about lungworms in donkeys and horses with help from Zoetis’ Nathan Voris, DVM. The article is a good review and is worthy of sharing with horse owners; those with donkeys already and those who may be tempted to bring home a donkey from … [Read more...]
The importance of “pet-alized” dental care for older animals
Will Wetzel shares takeaways from a Fetch Nashville presentation by Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, entitled, “They are NOT too old for dental procedures (usually).” Dental disease and chronic inflammation continue to build over time when routine oral care is ignored, which leads to further complications once the pet enters their senior years. We noted the reference to chronic … [Read more...]
Association between behavioral factors and recurrence rate in cats with feline “idiopathic” cystitis
Feline idiopathic cystitis is a lower-urinary tract disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality in cats. Researchers anticipated anxiety-related behaviors could be overrepresented in cats that will experience a recurrence, compared to cats with a single episode. While further studies are recommended, identifying cats with fear and anxiety-related problems and … [Read more...]
Orange cats, freak of nature?
Scientists say they have unraveled a longstanding mystery by identifying the specific DNA mutation responsible for orange cats’ color and the variant has not been found in any other animal. Amanda Schupak relates the fascinating details of a mutational mechanism that occurred once during domestication and then was selectively bred for for hundreds of years. Source: CNN, May … [Read more...]
A natural approach to the #1 problem in pet shelters
Commentary, Sponsor Content The challenges with animals in a shelter environment are well-known. Helping them during this very stressful transition period is critical to them advancing toward a healthier existence and successful adoption. Steven Lerner, PhD, and Davey Stone recently shared a webinar to introduce and refresh animal health pros’ knowledge of the benefits of … [Read more...]
Mental health care and dogs
Sponsor Content In a recent post, Wendy Hauser, DVM, shared what we need to know about the mental health care of our cats <Link>. In this parallel article from the ASPCA® Pet Health Program, Hauser addresses canine mental health care beginning with the three most common mental health issues dog owners experience with their dogs: a) anxiety, b) depression and c) … [Read more...]
Collars, harnesses and training for cats improve safety, well-being
Includes Commercial Content Seemingly every week we see articles sharing ways to improve the lives of our pets. Cats in particular benefit when their owners develop routines to engage with their owners such as play or walks outdoors. Understanding options for restraint will help cat owners wanting to expand their interactions with their cat(s). We’re sharing these articles … [Read more...]
Cliff Faver, DVM. The eyes are the window to the soul.
Commentary In this article for groomers, Cliff Faver, DVM, urges groomers to consider a pet’s eyes as they receive them and work with them in a grooming setting. His assertions are good coaching for those working in shelters, rescues and veterinary clinics. Note his comments about liability, too. Source: Groomer to Groomer, June 2025. Link. Eyes are critical to the … [Read more...]
Synchrony study finds pet owners still underestimate the costs of care
Nearly 80 percent of U.S. pet owners continue to underestimate the lifetime costs of caring for their animals, despite growing financial pressure and increasing investment in pet health and wellness, according to 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care Study, conducted by Synchrony's CareCredit. Small companion animals and pocket pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters were … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 5, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 29, 2025. Link. Most read posts from May 29, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Building rapport key to getting a decision (video). Link. 20 common household items that are poisonous to dogs. Link. Regenerative therapy options for horses with osteoarthritis. Link. New World screwworm fact sheet from Texas … [Read more...]
Dechra launches Catney® One: A new tool for feline kidney health
Kidney health is one of the top three conditions that drives feline vet visits. Dechra’s new Catney® One is a non-prescription, health supplement that brings a new and exciting ingredient to the battle against phosphorus, Lanthanum Carbonate. It is designed specifically to bind phosphate in the gut and help limit its absorption into the bloodstream. Source: Dechra, May 13, … [Read more...]