Animal Health Digest

Curating useful content for animal health professionals

HABRI announces 2025 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award winners at SUPERZOO

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The Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards recognize companies, individuals and organizations with innovative programs and practices designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society. Awards were presented in the public service, media, pet-inclusive culture and pet-inclusive infrastructure categories. Source: Pet Age, August 18, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]

Anaplasmosis incidence growing

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Lila Seidman’s article in The Los Angeles Times shares the growing threat of anaplasmosis in dogs in California. Anaplasmosis and Lyme disease are spread by western blacklegged ticks and can infect humans. A look at the Companion Animal Parasite Council map shows the anaplasmosis incidence across the country. Source: CAPC, The Los Angeles Times, August 18, 2025. … [Read more...]

Healing dogs with their own cells: The promise of regenerative medicine

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Commentary Part of our curation commitment at AHD is to capture articles that may drive animal owner questions to veterinary team members. This article fits that profile. Consider sharing it with clinic teams as a discussion topic so they present a consistent position when asked about regenerative options. Source: AKC Canine Health Foundation, August 19, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]

Back to school: exciting for families, not so much for pets

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This infographic appeared in the recent B2C Fear Free Happy Homes email. While many clinics, pet services businesses and shelters have adopted Fear Free practices, personnel may not be seeing what pet owners are receiving. We’re sharing it to help all animal health pros keep the Back to School narratives consistent. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, August 15, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]

Researchers say long-term firocoxib use appears safe for horses

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Firocoxib is often prescribed to manage chronic pain and inflammation in horses, and its long-term use appears safe based on bloodwork. The drug is for once-daily use for up to 14 days, researchers on this study suggest firocoxib might be suitable for extended treatment in appropriate cases. Source: The Horse, August 19, 2025. Link.   Veterinarians should evaluate horses … [Read more...]

Vets urge smarter parasite control to combat drug resistance

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Commentary The topic of parasite resistance is not new to U.S. livestock production. However, the British Veterinary Association’s actions described in this article are important. Many foreign production environments are more condensed than those in the U.S. and can foretell future domestic production issues. The BVA’s new policy position warns that routine, blanket … [Read more...]

Veterinary team targets FAD hotspots to protect U.S. livestock

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This article is informative and timely. The related article* linked at the end of this post describes how researchers found a gap between biosecurity perception and practice on farms, as well as a reliance on veterinarians for biosecurity-related advice. The health and protection of food animals from foreign animal diseases remains a significant concern and efforts to stay … [Read more...]

Plug and Play Topeka selects 13 animal health startups for accelerator program

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In collaboration with GO Topeka, the economic development group for Kansas' capital city, Plug and Play Topeka, a global industry-specific accelerator program, has selected 13 animal health startups for its ninth cohort. The group includes global startups focusing on animal health diagnostics or therapeutics, food safety and quality, packaging, or novel ingredients, and … [Read more...]

Dr. Gary Smith awarded CAB’s Industry Achievement Award

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Likely the most renowned meat scientist in the U.S., Dr. Gary Smith received the Industry Achievement Award from Certified Angus Beef during its Feeding Quality Program in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 24. Source: Certified Angus Beef, August 2025. Link (includes video). Dr. Gary Smith originally had no plans to become a meat scientist. But thank goodness he did. … [Read more...]

CattleCon 2026 registration is now open

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Registration is now open for CattleCon 2026, the annual gathering for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and NCBA Trade Show. The event will take place from February 3 through February 6 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Source: NCBA, August 20, 2025. Link. Full convention details. … [Read more...]

Worth a Glance – August 21, 2025

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Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 14, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 14, 2025 AHD Bulletin – When the economy suffers, the dogs and cats suffer. Link. Combine disease. A good reminder for livestock producers. Link. The hidden costs of fear in businesses. Link. Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms. … [Read more...]

False consensus: Same buzzwords, different priorities, no actions

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Commentary At first blush, this article was a pass, but advice it offers kept surfacing. Though it originates in manufacturing, we’re all trying to align our teams and focus on investing our talents and resources in the best places. Beyond the words, there is a real cost to misalignment, writes Robyn M. Bolton. She shares perspectives and actions from the Strategic … [Read more...]

The hidden costs of fear in businesses

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Fear is terrible and expensive for business. If you could quantify the Total Cost of Fear (TCF) inside most organizations, the number would be staggering, shares author John Ryan. Fear-based messages don’t motivate . . . they paralyze. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, July 2025. Link. When people feel safe enough in an environment, they take interpersonal risks. That means … [Read more...]

IVAP approved by NAVTA

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IGNITE’s Veterinary Assistant Program has officially earned approval from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, joining an elite group of just seven online programs nationwide. IGNITE now serves more than 22,000 members and offers membership programs tailored to practice owners, practice managers, technicians, veterinary assistants and front desk … [Read more...]

Doing pet telehealth right isn’t optional; it’s essential

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Complimentary Content Telehealth should support, not compete with, local veterinarians, writes Deb Leon, founder and CEO of whiskerDocs. She asserts that the best systems relieve pressure on clinics, help triage smartly and improve access without undermining the critical role of in-person exams. Warning of the risks from cutting corners as the services grow, she outlines why … [Read more...]

6 LinkedIn recommendation mistakes that kill your career prospects

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The language you use when asking for a recommendation on LinkedIn often determines whether you'll receive something meaningful or generic. Sadly, most professionals sabotage their chances before they even hit send on that request, writes  Jason Morris, owner and CEO of Profit Engine. He shares what successful professionals say instead. Source: Profit Engine. Link. Vague … [Read more...]

Analgesic relief during castration. The right thing and it pays

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Sponsor Content A study at Kansas State University demonstrated how lidocaine-infused castration bands help calves transition through the painful castration phase more smoothly and comfortably than after standard castration practices. Increased lying time versus controls between days 21 and 35 post-banding demonstrated how Solvet’s LidobandTM improves calf comfort as … [Read more...]

Does vaccination influence PRRSV evolution?

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A new paper from the University of Minnesota shares strong experimental evidence that vaccination influences PRRSV-2 evolution and can drive genetic changes that result in viral populations distinct from the original challenge virus. Vaccinated animals harbored viruses that were more genetically diverse and distinct from the parent virus. However, even though viruses … [Read more...]

Should we target longevity or extend lactation length for dairy cows?

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Commentary For animal health pros who work with dairy producers or monitor elements of dairy production, this article from Stephen LeBlanc, BSc(Agr), DVM, DVSc, may challenge some of the corporate thinking being applied to the dairies you serve. His discussion of where a cow fits in dairy management decisions and how various scenarios influence culling provides perspectives … [Read more...]

Farmina Pet Foods Genius AI wins Pet Care Innovation of the Year Award

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Farmina Pet Foods Genius AI is a free, online chatbot that seamlessly integrates AI with human expertise, delivering instant, trusted advice 24/7 to pet parents on pet health, nutrition and care. Genius AI also enables consumers to schedule one-on-one appointments for a personalized and in-depth level of pet care, according to the company. Source: PR Newswire, August 7, … [Read more...]

The Bridge Club seeks nominations for the 2026 ICON Award

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The Bridge Club ICON Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding individuals from across the profession who are driving meaningful change and elevating veterinary care. For 2026, the focus is Excellence in Veterinary Care, recognizing those who are redefining what’s possible in veterinary medicine through innovation, leadership, and compassion. Source: The … [Read more...]

Goodbye trial by fire, hello strategic onboarding

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Employers have an average of just 44 days during onboarding to influence whether a new employee will stay for the long term, according to BambooHR. Jill Barth shares perspectives from onboarding professionals and identifies key principles that make the difference between success and failure. Source: HR Executive, July 11, 2025. Link. The most effective onboarding programs … [Read more...]

Financial barriers revealed in 2025 Hill’s Pet Nutrition State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report

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This report confirms much of what we suspected. The cost of veterinary care ranked as the number-1 perceived pet ownership expense or that two-thirds of Americans say vet care costs directly influence their decision to adopt a pet. Three of the top five barriers to pet adoption are financial reasons: veterinary care, the initial cost of the pet and ongoing pet food expense. … [Read more...]

Climate disasters devastating to small businesses

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News sources cover the physical destruction from tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, drought, wildfires and winter storms, but what is less visible is the economic impact on small businesses in communities over a prolonged recovery period. Noting the contributions of small businesses to our economy, this article shares the importance of contingency planning and risk … [Read more...]

Use the 30-Second Rule to make a lasting first impression

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Making a good first impression implicitly means making yourself look good: who you are, what you do, what you’ve accomplished, writes Jeff Haden, referencing leadership author John Maxwell’s 30-second rule. People feel better and do better when you give them attention, affirmation, and appreciation . . . Maxwell’s goal is simple: Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, … [Read more...]

IBPSA Fast Bites – August 4, 2025

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This week’s Fast Bites arrived in a new format with reminders of resources for pet services businesses, an announcement of a new webinar to help elevate pet care businesses and the weekly link to the last AHD Bulletin. Registration for The Forum is still open and rooms are available at the convention hotel. Source: IBPSA, August 4, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]

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Animal Health Digest, LLC is a content curation and aggregation service for animal health professionals. We continuously read and review more than 150 publications that produce articles, studies, reviews, white papers and other material for veterinarians, veterinary professionals, veterinary support staff, companion animal owners and livestock owners. Learn more.

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