We know colostrum is the key to healthy calves and quality makes a difference. Kimberly Egan and Catherine Thrasher stress the importance of nonnegotiable protocols essential for ensuring effective colostrum handling and for getting calves off to a healthy start. They share their top five non-negotiables in this article: Follow proper cleaning and drying protocols … [Read more...]
Statistics about the horse industry
Frank Lessiter will help you bone up on U.S. horse data with these statistics from the American Horse Council, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports and other sources. He notes it’s important for equine owners and veterinarians to stay abreast of industry trends, especially considering the increasing scrutiny of equine sports. Source: American Farriers Journal, … [Read more...]
The feline factor: gaps, opportunities and paradigm shifts
Commentary: article includes commercial references If you skimmed Graham Garrison’s article and you believe in helping develop the feline veterinary business, it is worth another read or two. This would be a fun article to discuss and workshop with a veterinary team. It’s more than a 10-minute read, so we asked CoPilot to create a summary page as an experiment. Source: … [Read more...]
Growing your practice
The same 12 elements that produce success for distribution reps calling on your practice will also help your staff produce greater success with your customers. In sales, ‘NO’ is just part of the game, shares Brian Sullivan in this article. Don’t let rejection slow you down; let it fuel you. Each ‘no’ brings you closer to a ‘yes.’ Source: Veterinary Advantage, December 2023. … [Read more...]
Poor hiring practices are alienating Gen Z talent
Streamlined, respectful hiring is no longer a nice-to-have. It's essential if companies want to compete for fresh talent, shares Michael Baynes. Every hiring stage is an opportunity to build trust or lose it. Clear job descriptions with salary ranges, human outreach and thoughtful automated updates are no longer luxuries. Source: ebn, June 6, 2025. Link. A vague listing, … [Read more...]
Take a lesson from Costco
Commentary Jake Rossen shares that the checking of receipts when exiting Costco isn’t to identify potential thieves. It’s to make sure that Costco isn’t picking the pockets of its customers. A reverse situation has been discussed ad infinitum in veterinary hospitals. Products or charges get missed between the exam room, lab area and front desk. It is important for team … [Read more...]
WOAH urges investment in vaccines as defense against growing disease threats
Commentary Before you say, “well, duh” or “it’s a global issue” or “we diligently promote vaccination,” take a few moments to read this article and skim the World Organization for Animal Health report. You’ll likely find some convincing facts to share the next time you encounter vaccine hesitancy. It warns that infectious diseases are spreading into new territories, placing … [Read more...]
New video series targets foreign animal disease preparedness (video)
A new video series from the University of Vermont covers important topics for farm producers and industry allies about foreign animal disease preparedness and response. The 11 animated videos cover topics that are important for anyone involved in animal agriculture to understand. They combine science-based knowledge about disease spread with practical answers on how to … [Read more...]
Redesigned Secure Beef Supply website offers new biosecurity resources
Users can now easily access more than 100 resources, including enhanced and daily biosecurity tools, at https://www.securebeef.org/. Grants have supported the development of new educational materials, including bilingual handouts (English and Spanish) and engaging training videos. Source: BEEF, June 20, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Rethinking calf transport for better health and growth
The decisions made before, during and after transport can have serious impacts on calf health, growth and long-term productivity, explained David Renaud, DVM, PhD, during a MSU Extension webinar. Sharing study results, he asserts producers should look at transportation as a management tool, not a necessary evil. Renaud’s tips for setting calves up for transport success … [Read more...]
Hey doc, the vaccine didn’t work
For more than 30 years, Chris Chase, DVM, MS, PhD, has talked about the difference between vaccination (administering the vaccine) and immunization (developing an immune response). His explanations in this article emphasize a strategic vaccination plan that considers the animal, not the calendar, is still crystal clear. Source: Progressive Dairy, June 19, 2025. Link. Most … [Read more...]
Veterinary tips for how to read pet food labels
Making sense of pet food labels is not getting easier. This article addresses terminology and descriptions that can be confusing for animal owners and animal health professionals alike. The author recommends to begin by evaluating and comparing different options by accessing their dry matter analysese. Source: Dogster, May 21, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Report: Misinformation, misconceptions can make pet obesity discussions difficult
Commentary We liked Don Vaughn’s approach to this article. He involves several veterinarians, is realistic about non-veterinary obesity information influences, time management restrictions during clinic visits and the relative lack of comfort many veterinarians have when discussing obesity. The lack of nutrition education in veterinary curricula is noted and … [Read more...]
Bearded dragon learns to brush its teeth (video)
Sponsor Content We shared the story of Dragatini, a bearded dragon at the National Aquarium previously <Link> but it bears resharing. Dragatini was trained by her veterinarian and care staff to clean her teeth using a foam brush and MAXIGUARD® Oral Cleansing Gel. Big or small, oral care matters.” Source: Addison Biological Laboratory, LLC, Facebook, June 27, 2025. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 30, 2025
Trends in the pet health business sector, what’s shaping the pet food industry, new grants for small business, animal care is catching up with human trends, new standards establish minimums for dog and cat breeding, keeping and traceability across EU, and more . . . Source: IBPSA, June 30, 2025. Link. Note the digital marketing strategies webinar on July 16th and the … [Read more...]
Gallant’s rebranding reflects regenerative medicine mission
Complimentary Commercial Content Gallant’s recent LinkedIn post about its rebranding caught our attention <Link>. The company focuses on regenerative medicine for everyday use designed to reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural healing process. Reviewing the website, we found the recent study results linked below. The new study examined how small animal … [Read more...]
Elanco’s Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody FDA-approved as a preventive measure
Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody is the first and only U.S. Department of Agriculture conditionally approved treatment to target parvo. The USDA has now approved the use of CPMA for passive immunity (i.e., prophylactic treatment) to prevent parvo infection in puppies exposed to the virus, expanding the potential to protect dogs from this devastating disease. Source: … [Read more...]
Walmart opens new beef-packing facility in greater Kansas City area
The first Walmart-owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kansas, promises 600 jobs in the KC Corridor. Angus cuts will be packaged at the facility and distributed across 14 surrounding states. During the grand opening celebration, the Walmart Foundation presented $90,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations making differences in their … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 3, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 26, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 26, 2025 AHD Bulletin – New World screwworm update and swine perspective. Link. 10 steps for pet owners to take if a coyote enters their yard. Link. Neuroscience and perspective. Link. DVM discusses half-dosing vaccines. Link. … [Read more...]
Airvet receives 90+ Net Promoter Score from clients for the second year in a row
Airvet’s latest NPS score of 94 serves as a key measure of customer loyalty, satisfaction, and enthusiasm for Airvet. The score is derived from a survey sent to all clients and helps guide Airvet to enhance its platform and improve member outcomes. Source: Airvet, June 24, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Novel milking speed trait is highly heritable
Commentary While the economics and science are apparent, I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of a discussion about speed milking. The whole topic, albeit valid seems parallel to what makes NASCAR cars winners. The pit stop will be different, though. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, June 23, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Texas 7th state to ban lab-grown meat
Texas is now the seventh state to pass legislation to ban lab-grown meat, prohibiting the sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in the state. Source: FEEDSTUFFS, June 20, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
New World screwworm update and swine perspective
Ann Hess shares an update and perspectives on the advancing risk of the New World screwworm and where the risks exist for swine in the U.S. She includes how the changes in the Darien Gap increase risks. The Darien Gap has served as a biological barrier for keeping New World screwworm away from our border. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 13, 2025. Link. Fly control will be … [Read more...]
What separates the top-tier pork producers from the rest?
Farm Credit’s Chris Ford looked back over several years to see what differentiated pork operations that have done well and those that have struggled. He notes the challenges that PRRS continues to bring and identifies three main areas where producers can excel: Optimizing production Good bookkeeping Risk management Source: PORK, June 23, 2025. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Understanding the benefits of horse liniments
Includes Commercial References Available in liquid, paste or gel form, liniment is a topical treatment that helps relieve muscle soreness, joint stiffness, swelling, pain and circulation. Most horse liniments are applied directly to the skin, writes Taryn Holliday, DVM. She shares ingredients, actions and applications in this article to help us understand what some over time … [Read more...]
In stressful times, our anxiety can rub off on pets. Causes and cures for pet anxiety.
The Associated Press has featured this piece and other coverage about pet anxiety. Cedar Burnett shares a good article on the reasons for pet anxiety as it relates to pet owner issues and expectations. “Dogs are incredibly responsive to our expressions, our body language and our scent, so when the owners are nervous, the dog gets nervous. Our cortisol levels rise and fall in … [Read more...]
Is there a Plan B for dogs? Not in the U.S.
In some countries a drug called Alizin (aglepristone) is available by veterinary prescription to effectively terminate early pregnancy in dogs when administered within the first 45 days after mating. Alizin can be effective in safely ending a canine pregnancy under professional supervision, writes Mary Cope, PhD. Cope continues to explain options U.S. veterinarians have for … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 23, 2025
Grants and resources for veterans, new guidelines for professional dog and cat groomers, the influence of premiumization and humanization in the pet industry, Volume II of the CATalyst Council’s 2025 Feline Market Insights Report and more. . . Source: IBPSA, June 23, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
3 tiny behaviors that make you the calmest in the room
Scott Hutcheson shares three biology-based behaviors that can make you the calmest person in the room. These behaviors provide opportunities for all team or group members. Source: Fast Company, June 19, 2025. Link. Those who can project calm consistently gain disproportionate influence, not through dominance but through stabilizing presence.” … [Read more...]
Richard Branson’s 3 words to overcome self-doubt
Branson’s “Protect the Downside” represents many of the conversations animal health pros have daily with clients, accounts and in business dealings. Going for broke can become a reality unless the possibility of failure is considered. Source: Inc., June 19, 2025. Link. Rather than avoiding thinking about what could go wrong, squarely facing and planning for the possibility … [Read more...]