Comparing the management approaches between beef and dairy calves, Kansas State University experts revealed opportunities for beef calf producers to learn from how dairy calves are raised. Regardless of the production system, early digestive development is key to future performance, shared Billy Brown, MS. “Whether a calf is on pasture or in a hutch, getting the rumen … [Read more...]
Essential tips to optimize cow comfort in the holding area
If you get uncomfortable waiting in line for a concert or sports event, think about cows doing something similar two or more times per day. The importance of crowd gate management cannot be overstated, writes Shaun Hardtke. Cow flow should be smooth and calm, with no unnecessary crowding or rushing in the holding area. He reminds us that cow comfort is the ultimate priority … [Read more...]
CDC ends emergency response to H5N1 bird flu
“As reports of animal infections with avian influenza A virus have declined and no human cases have been reported since February 2025, CDC’s H5N1 emergency bird flu response was deactivated to transition back to regular program activity on July 2, 2025.” Source: CNN, July 7, 2025. Link. Surveillance, readiness and response for influenza, including H5N1 bird flu, will … [Read more...]
AAHA introduces four new Standards of Accreditation
Updates to the AAHA Standards of Accreditation will now address 1) nontherapeutic ear crops, 2) devocalizations and 3) feline declaws. The fourth encourages practice teams to talk to families about microchipping and to verify the chip’s functionality and location annually. Source: AAHA Trends, July 22, 2025. Link. AAHA is the only organization that accredits veterinary … [Read more...]
7,000 steps/day is the new sweet spot
A new study reveals that walking just 7,000 steps per day delivers the biggest gains in longevity. Piling on more may not help much. Source: Super Age, Mindset, July 25, 2025. Link. In a world where health advice often feels complicated, this research offers something refreshingly simple: Walking works. And 7,000 steps a day might just be your longevity sweet spot.” … [Read more...]
Managing and supporting neurodiverse team members
Having neurodiverse minds within a company gives a fresh perspective, a new way of thinking, and, often, a competitive advantage, writes Alex Partridge. While accommodating neurodiversity in the workplace can present some challenges, too many managers and business owners see neurodiversity as a problem, which is pure ignorance built on old-fashioned stigmas and … [Read more...]
Remind employees to use their FSA benefits
There are 154 days remaining in 2025 so now is a good time to remind employees to check on and use their FSA benefits. Millions of dollars in these accounts are left unused and the money is forfeited at year end. Lee Hafner suggests sending emails, putting posters up in office breakrooms and including FSA and HSA reminders during meetings to keep these benefits top of … [Read more...]
From the ridiculous to the sublime. Dog preventive wellness mirrors that of their humans.
As we spend more on self-care, we spend more on our dogs’ care. Take a limo (what else?) ride with Dug, who, after being abandoned as a puppy, ended up in the life of Reilly. You’ll go from a sound bath to aqua training to deep tissue massage and everything in between. Source: The Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2025. Link. Dug sits upright on the limo’s black Corinthian leather … [Read more...]
Counting calories for cats
Includes commercial links Sources have indicated that today’s cat owners are more invested in their cats’ health, including seeking out resources like this article. BtoC content like this does affect pet owner perceptions between clinic visits. Consider sharing this article in newsletters, on social media or directly with specific pet owners to set up the discussions … [Read more...]
13 ways to entertain cats and reduce boredom
Cat owners dedicated to keeping their felines indoors have to work harder to provide environmental enrichment to keep their cats from becoming bored. This article offers some ways to keep cats entertained and mentally stimulated. Share a link in newsletters or on social media. Source: Modern Cat, July 22, 225. Link. Photo compliments of Nancy Woodrow … [Read more...]
It’s National Mutt Day . . . are they really healthier than purebreds?
National Mutt Day is celebrated on July 31st. A mutt is a dog of mixed or unknown breed heritage, and there’s a common belief that mutts are healthier due to hybrid vigor. Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, shares perspectives on the topic in this article. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, July 30, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Buzz off! Deer flies irritate horses and pester riders, too!
Gina Fortunato, MBA, shared a recent horse riding experience with disruptive, biting deer flies that aggravated her horse despite fly shields. She shares her experience and some facts about deer flies, including feedback horse owners offered via social media. Gina (right) and a friend are pictured with their horses. Source: Gina Fortunato, Animal Health Digest, July 28, … [Read more...]
Tight nosebands associated with reduced stride length
Noseband tightness is a welfare concern with equestrians. A new study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Equine Veterinary Science provides an informative perspective of a new issue caused by tight nosebands. The study found that not only do tighter nosebands increase pressure on the nasal bone, but they also cause a significant decrease in stride length when compared to … [Read more...]
Timing BRD vaccines likely improves calf health, performance
A comprehensive review article published in Applied Animal Science examines vaccination strategies across three critical phases of cattle development: maternal vaccination during pregnancy, early calf vaccination from birth through branding (60 to 120 days of age), and vaccination timing around weaning (approximately 205 days). The study found that current vaccination … [Read more...]
“If we wait, we lose.” Screwworm coming for U.S. beef
Fresh on the heels of bird flu, the New World screwworm is rattling Agriculture Department officials and livestock producers more than any threat in 50 years. This is because few believe we’re equipped to handle an outbreak of screwworm. Once eradicated from the U.S., screwworm has returned, similarly as has measles. A natural barrier and sound management practices once kept … [Read more...]
Synthetic bait, insecticide designed to attract adult screwworm flies being deployed
Swormlure-5, created using modern science and built upon previous versions, is a potent synthetic attractant that mimics the scent of open wounds, drawing adult screwworm flies to the bait, where they die, according to Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner, who is quoted in this article. Source: Bovine Practitioner, July 2025, 2025. Link. The attractant only impacts … [Read more...]
Felycin®-CA1 is now available
Felycin®-CA1 is now available by prescription via licensed veterinarians, and PBI-Gordon Companies, Inc. confirms that it has no affiliation with any online companies offering rapamycin (sirolimus) through telehealth consultations. PBI-Gordon Companies, Inc. the parent company of TriviumVet, holds sole conditional approval from the FDA for Felycin®-CA1 (sirolimus … [Read more...]
VetriScience®, Senior Dog Veterinary Society partner to support, educate about senior dogs
Senior Dog Veterinary Society will collaborate with VetriScience to educate veterinarians and pet parents on the benefits of nutritional supplements for their dogs as part of this partnership. SDVS's certification program provides training on advanced topics, including chronic pain, nutrition, anesthesia and end-of-life care. Supplements are often considered for proactive … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 31, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 24, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 24, 2025 AHD Bulletin – The stares we can’t ignore. Link. Decoding pet insurance: Navigate policies, client questions (podcast). Link. Improve employee communications by these 9 phrases. Link. Difficult customers. Link. Hunter ticks and pathogen … [Read more...]
Improve employee communications by these 9 phrases
Empty platitudes, vague promises, corporate jargon and performative empathy were all part of negative feedback when Jess Zafarris queried her LinkedIn network. She shares nine phrases to retire from your leadership vocabulary and what to say instead in this article. These resonated with our AHD team: Don’t say: “We’re a family.” Don’t say: “We hear you.” (If you don’t … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 21, 2025
Forum registration ends August 21st, thunderstorm aversion research, cats in Indonesia dictating the size and shape of the pet food market, pet custody legislation, scaling veterinary telehealth startups, small business grants available and more . . . Source: IBPSA, July 21, 2025. Link. Cats rule and dogs follow in Indonesia, owning 77.5 percent of the total pet food market … [Read more...]
Hunter ticks and pathogen transmission variables
The quest to better understand ticks continues. We shared longhorned tick information in the July 17 AHD Bulletin <Link>. Speaking at the AVMA conference last week, Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM, shared a range of tactics that affect how quickly ticks can spread disease. The overview differentiates the methods tick species use to find a host and factors that influence … [Read more...]
Decoding pet insurance: Navigating policies and client questions (podcast)
Confused about pet insurance? You are not alone, and veterinary clients probably are, too. In this podcast, Jennifer Sperry, DVM, breaks down key differences between accident, illness, and wellness policies. She demystifies deductibles and highlights what veterinary professionals need to know when talking with pet owners. Although recommending specific policies … [Read more...]
Cats love their concrete
Bruce Kornreich, DVM, PhD, ACVIM, shares why cats and concrete go together. Whether for scent marking, a scratching surface, or temperature regulation, cats enjoy concrete. Cat owners might consider adding a concrete block to catios. Source: Popular Science via AVMA SmartBrief, July 17, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
The 15 dog breeds that live the longest, according to data sources
Schipperke, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Poodle, Toy Poodle and Bichon frise top the list of long-lived dogs in this article, referencing data from a 2008 study published in the journal Genetics and 2016 breed popularity rankings from the American Kennel Club. The article shares 15 breeds that can live more than 14 years. Source: Stacker, March 2023. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Toxic plants cat owners must avoid
Animal health pros can help cats avoid getting poisoned by plants by sharing this article. On the list of outdoor plants are lilies and tomato plants, which are blooming or producing fruit in backyards across the U.S. now. Source: Paws and Tails. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Mud therapy shows potential for canine osteoarthritis, skin and coat health
Clean-up in treatment room 3! It’s hard to imagine the time and energy it takes to provide mud therapy for pets, but some veterinary teams are finding mud therapy to be effective. This article explains the potential, focusing on avoiding treatments for OA and skin conditions where Rx therapies have side effects. Source: Innovative Veterinary Care, June 16, 2025. Link. Mud … [Read more...]
Camel walks again with prosthetic leg
A camel in Pakistan is learning how to walk on a prosthetic leg developed by workers at an animal shelter. It is thought to be the largest animal in the country to get a prosthetic limb. Source: BBC, July 20, 2025 (short video) Link. … [Read more...]
Enteroliths in horses: Causes and prevention
Enteroliths develop when mineral deposits form in concentric layers around a central nidus, such as a piece of wire, small stone, twine or other foreign body in the large colon, writes Alicia Long, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVECC. She shares what is known and what is not known about these strange rocks that form and could weigh up to nine pounds*. Each article here discusses … [Read more...]
Use of flank laparoscopy in the standing horse as a diagnostic aid in horses with chronic abdominal pain
Advances in laproscopy equipment allow veterinarians to view and explore potential causes of abdominal pain in horses. Exploratory laparoscopy is a well-established, minimally invasive diagnostic tool in horses. Researchers of a recently published study sought to report indications, findings and outcomes of equine exploratory laparoscopy in a case series to support its … [Read more...]