Sharing current recommendations about warming and cooling in dogs and cats during anesthesia and surgery, Walter L. Brown, RVTg VTS (ECC), provides a review of updated methods from new research and techniques. He shares how to implement them correctly. Source: AAHA Trends, October 6, 2025. Link. Even with techniques and devices considered to be safe and efficient, frequent … [Read more...]
The best dog exercises for canine conditioning
Exercise is an important component to weight and obesity management. But rarely do we hear that exercising a dog is more than a walk around the block. Debby McMullen, CDBC, shares ways to physically condition dogs in this article. She advocates activities that cover cardio, stretching, balancing and strengthening to benefit a dog’s conditioning and stimulate them … [Read more...]
Practical guide to equine body condition scoring
Equine body condition scoring is an assessment of external body fat and not muscle development, writes Sarah Nelson in this informative article. She shares tips for monitoring equine body condition along with a horse owner-friendly scoring guide. Consider sharing this article with horse owners as a pre-visit activity and prepare them for a more comprehensive discussion of … [Read more...]
Feeding by-products advances dairy productivity and sustainability
Feeding by-products are no longer just useful; they’re essential. By-products, including soybean meal, corn distillers grains, canola meal, beet pulp, soy hulls and citrus pulp, are often the result of food and industrial processing. While these ingredients are undesirable for people, they’re rich in nutrients that cows can digest and convert into high-quality … [Read more...]
First-of-its-kind system eradicates residual dairy barn methane
The large-scale field trial of the Methane Eradication Photochemical System represents the first real-world validation of a scalable technology capable of eradicating methane emissions from livestock barn air. The prototype MEPS unit, housed in a standard 40-foot shipping container, processed air samples from a 250-cow, open-sided dairy barn on a dairy farm in … [Read more...]
October is National Pork Month
National Pork Month is celebrated every October and is often referred to as Porktober. It is a time to honor the hard work of pork producers and the delicious, versatile meat they provide. Dennis Smith shares his insights into the pork market and opportunities to promote pork as beef prices continue to rise. Source: National Hog Farmer, October 6, 2025. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Unreturned phone calls can cost you more than $50,000 a year
Commentary Unreturned calls are far from harmless. They’re lost revenue. When you don’t respond, you signal “not now” to a client or prospect who may never call again. Plus, if an existing client referred the caller, you lost the opportunity and embarrassed your promoter. In a time of declining vet visits and new clients <Link>, Teri Leggett reminds us of the … [Read more...]
Meeting Gen Zs where they learn
As our industry looks to 2026 and allocating budgets for educational programs, Michelle Westfort’s perspectives on providing learning opportunities for Gen Z employees are worth considering. This generation embraces non-traditional educational paths while still valuing formal education. She highlights: a) short-term, stackable and flexible learning options; b) the value of … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health: more than 7 million rabies vaccines donated through Afya program
Complimentary Content Merck Animal Health remains committed to helping eliminate the deadly threat of rabies through its global non-profit initiative, the Afya Program, by donating NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines to support canine vaccination efforts in areas where rabies is endemic. More than seven million NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines have been donated. Combating rabies and … [Read more...]
It’s the process that counts
What’s the point of coming in and doing the same thing? What difference do we make if the problems we solve never end? In practice, there is no finish line, no graduation and no mission accomplished, says Andy Roark, DVM, in this thoughtful article. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, August 1, 2025. Link. We can choose to embrace the process and find joy in our … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 22, 2025
Log in and double-check your IBPSA profile, logo and contacts <Link> Join the IBPSA staff for Office Hours on Tuesdays via Zoom at Noon Central time <Link>. Register for this webinar: How to hold staff accountable with love, October 15, 2025. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. <Link> September 25th Animal Health Digest Bulletin <Link> Source: IBPSA, … [Read more...]
Goodbye, back room. Hello, lower-stress patient exams.
Karen Becker, VMD, asks an obvious question about taking pets into the back room for examination, then addresses the benefits and challenges of exam room appointments that include pet owners. She asserts that allowing a guardian to remain involved in the treatment and care of their pet opens the doors of communication, builds trust with that client, and influences client choice … [Read more...]
Reflections on anthropomorphism, the uniquely human need to humanize
In most cases, when we anthropomorphize animals, objects, concepts and such, it is either harmless or beneficial to us and the things we are anthropomorphizing, shared Justin Gregg, PhD, in his interview with Marc Bekoff, PhD. It can, of course, go terribly wrong and cause harm to all parties involved, but on balance, it’s a force for good in this world. Bekoff interviewed … [Read more...]
Case suggests Tamiflu MAY help cats infected with H5N1
The H5N1 virus has killed innumerable pet and barn cats. A new published study indicates death may be avoided if infected cats are treated with antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Jake Gomez, a veterinarian in Tulare, California, who successfully treated cats last fall, worked with other researchers to author the case published in ‘One Health.’ Source: Los … [Read more...]
The big 5 of ulcer prevention (video)
Dr. Ben Sykes of BW Sykes Consultancy explains how horse owners can help prevent gastric ulcers. His video is worth sharing with horse owners on social media or in newsletters. Ulcer prevention starts at home with Sykes big five: Adequate roughage, specifically hay Avoiding excessive carbohydrates Managing exercise and exercise duration Ensuring periods of rest … [Read more...]
New courses added for youth horse enthusiasts
The AQHLearn program offers online education resources designed for youth ages 8 to 18 and just added new courses. The topics pertain to all aspects of horses, including horse health, history and basic knowledge. Users of all ages are encouraged to register for an account to the free courses Source: AQHA. Link. INSIGHTS: Be sure to share these courses with youth horse … [Read more...]
Education, a necessity for veterinary-producer relationship creation and sustainability
Producers in small and medium livestock operations and veterinarians in rural veterinary practices experience similar barriers to establishing partnerships. Each group recognizes the need for education, preferring in-person, collaborative learning communities. Researchers from Texas A&M revealed five major themes regarding relationship barriers: a) time; b) financial … [Read more...]
Manage shrink to maximize revenue
Cattle shrink every time they are moved. Producers may not be able to do much about the price they get for their cattle, but they can minimize shrink, writes Heather Smith Thomas. Sorting, loading, hauling to a sale and standing without feed and water can result in body weight loss of 15 percent or more. Thomas explains two types of shrink a) excretory and b) tissue, noting … [Read more...]
Review: Generic versus pioneer drugs for cattle
This is a timely article as calves are being weaned, cows turned out on pasture or stalks and preparations for colder weather are underway. Andrea Bedford, PhD, details the rigors of NADA and ANADA products, where generic equivalents may differ and where they fit in decision-making for veterinarians and producers. Source: Bovine Practitioner, September 17, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
Dectomax-CA1 Injectable receives FDA conditional approval to control New World screwworm
Zoetis Inc. announced that Dectomax-CA1 Injectable (doramectin injection) is the first and only parasite control product to receive conditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by the larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (myiasis), and prevention of reinfestation for 21 days. This conditional approval … [Read more...]
AAVMC, Chewy Health open applications for 2026 Cohort of Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program
Applications for the 2026 cohort of the Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program are now open. This initiative recognizes second-year veterinary students from underserved groups who have demonstrated both an interest in and aptitude for developing their leadership skills. Fifteen students will be selected for the 2026 cohort and will receive: $20,000 in financial assistance, … [Read more...]
Workslop: AI-generated work content is slowing everything down
As offices scramble to plug AI tools into their workflows so they’re not left behind, few are seeing their efforts pay off, writes Bruce Gil. Source: GIZMODO, September 23, 2025. Link. The insidious effect of workslop is that it shifts the burden of the work downstream, requiring the receiver to interpret, correct, or redo the work. In other words, it transfers the effort … [Read more...]
What value do pet owners place on sustainable pet food?
Sharing data from recent research, Debbie Phillips-Donalds concludes that sustainability features have an impact on pet food purchasing, but which features and to what degree they affect purchasing matter a lot. She notes the challenges with defining sustainability and animal welfare in the context of product education and marketing. Source: PETFOOD Industry, September 17, … [Read more...]
Weight bias among veterinary professionals
Sharing research on weight bias, this article from Zoe Belshaw, Vet MB, MA, PhD, addresses the potential of relating an owner’s weight to their pets. The need to have proactive discussions with pet owners is often difficult and addressing potential bias is worth consideration. Belshaw shares tips for talking with clients about weight management just in time for World Pet … [Read more...]
Review: The risks of overusing hand sanitizer
Applying hand sanitizer to your hands is a quick and effective way to eliminate viruses, bacteria and other organisms that cause disease, but using too much of it can do more harm than good, shares Megan Nunn, PharmD. Her article is a good review for clinic and pet services teams. Key takeaways include: Alcohol-based sanitizers may eliminate more germs, but may also cause … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Strengthen the Feline Client Experience
We’re pleased to welcome the CATalyst Council™ as a sponsor of Animal Health Digest and to regularly share findings from the Catalyst Council Feline Market Insight Reports. Gina Fortunato and Kristin Wuhrman are working with us to pull actionable insights in support of growing the feline care segment of veterinary services. We’ll share them in Feline Findings at the link … [Read more...]
Setting client expectations for canine infectious respiratory disease complex
CIRDC is a clinical syndrome caused by a range of pathogens, not a specific disease. Coinfections are common, writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS. Acknowledging the challenges of client conversations, he models communication scenarios in this article. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2025. Link. Providing clear information about the approach to treatment is … [Read more...]
Keeping rabbits safe from RHDV-2 in endemic areas
Complimentary Commercial Content Fall changes wild rabbits’ food sources, prompting them to seek new sheltered locations and spend more time foraging <Link>. This often brings the rabbits closer to farmsteads, acreages and suburban homes. In areas where rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 is endemic, the risk of domestic rabbits becoming infected increases (see … [Read more...]
Rancher’s Lunch Time Series features Dr. Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson, an animal science professor at Oklahoma State University, will discuss “Selecting and managing replacement heifers for long-term success,” during a free webinar session at noon, Thursday, October 23. Source: OKState Animal & Food Sciences, Facebook, September 24, 2025. Register for the webinar series, ‘Cow Calf Corner Live,’ at this link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Tractor Supply launches its annual FFA Convention T-shirt fundraiser
For the 11th year, Tractor Supply is offering a limited edition tee shirt as a fundraiser for FFA. The 2025 theme is "Empower," a reference to the organization's commitment to helping young people find inspiration and direction to lead, making an impact on the world around them. The 98th National FFA Convention & Expo will take place October 29th through November 1st in … [Read more...]