This evolution of the veterinary profession is a good read to accompany the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration this year. Julie A. Jacob shares resources from the American Veterinary Medical History Society that show great support for the profession from our country’s founding to current times. Source: AVMA, June 1, 2026. Link. Our country's founding fathers … [Read more...]
Chewy Health with NAVC: Building the future of veterinary medicine
Complimentary Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health, and Gene O’Neill, NAVC CEO, discuss how technology, AI, better team support and expanded education contribute to and reshape veterinary medicine by reducing burnout, improving efficiency and strengthening trust between care teams and animal owners. Source: Life At Chewy, YouTube, June 10, 2026. Link. [27:13] … [Read more...]
New data: Pet owners seeking help sooner; telehealth becoming the first step
Complimentary whiskerDoc’s analysis of 2026 pet health interactions suggests that telehealth is increasingly becoming the first step in a pet parent's care journey. The data reinforces the power of early intervention: timely access to professional advice helps owners make more informed decisions, potentially reduce unnecessary treatment and incur lower pet health care … [Read more...]
Choose thriving
I am amused by the number of articles focused on executive-level leadership or women in leadership that have application throughout the ranks in an organization. This Forbes blast from the past is a good example. Source: Forbes, June 19, 2017. Link. When you take time to recharge you are more effective and more productive and this has become even more important because of … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 29, 2026
Registration is still open for the 6-part webinar series, Pet Industry Leaderboard: Benchmarks and Actionable Business Strategies. Free for members. <Register here> Source: IBPSA, June 29, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 25th. Link. Killing innovation, when to disengage, stopping interruptions, the growing pet wellness market, and more! … [Read more...]
Pet vaccine compliance important to groomers
Groomers aren’t just haircutters. We care for dogs. We are paid to be professional with the pets we care for, which makes vaccination compliance an important detail of any grooming business, asserts Jennifer Bishop Jenkins. She references legal and insurance considerations, specifically noting zoonotic risks from rabies and leptospirosis. Source: Groomer to Groomer, July … [Read more...]
Experts offer perspectives for veterinary practices from CATalyst Council report
The Fountain Report asked three experts to weigh in on implications for veterinary practices from the recent CATalyst Council white paper, “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, and the Expectations Reset <Link>. The report addresses the veterinary industry’s fifth consecutive year of declining visits and why that trend is likely to continue through the next decade. Here are the … [Read more...]
Easy-to-add physical rehabilitation tools for veterinary clinics
Beyond underwater treadmills, there are affordable and feasible options available to veterinary practices to use when providing canine and feline physical rehabilitation. Robin Downing, DVM, MS, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CCRP, shares examples of physical rehabilitation equipment that are fundamental and easy to incorporate into any practice that serves patients with osteoarthritis … [Read more...]
Separating common myths from the reality of bovine viral diarrhea
Fiction: The most common symptom of BVD is diarrhea. From vaccinations to diagnostics, misconceptions about BVD can leave costly gaps in herd health programs. Veterinarians Dr. Robert Larson and Dr. Christopher Chase help separate fact from fiction on one of the cattle industry’s most economically important diseases. Because many infected animals appear healthy, … [Read more...]
Hill’s Pet Nutrition launches Science Diet Single-Protein refrigerated dog food
Hill’s Pet Nutrition announced the debut of Hill’s Science Diet Single Protein Dog Food Rolls in the refrigerated section. The launch signifies Hill’s entry into the fresh dog food category. The new format will be available at pet specialty retailers beginning July 2026. Science Diet Single Protein Dog Food Rolls can be fed as the sole source of nutrition or used as a mix-in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 2, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 25, 2026. Link. Most read posts from June 25, 2026 AHD Bulletin – SSDD does not produce different results. Link. Killing innovation. Link. It may be time to consider leptospirosis in cats. Link. The truth about MSG and dog food. Link. The horse industry’s social license to operate. Link. … [Read more...]
SSDD does not produce different results
Commentary Same strategy different decade does not remove the barriers that undermine purpose <Link>. This theme supports the recent assertions from Gershon Alaluf DVM, MBA, DBA, about challenges in veterinary medicine <Link>, who says, “Veterinary medicine takes the most fit among us and makes them feel like the misfits.” Over the next few weeks, Alaluf … [Read more...]
Questioning single-use and reuse of medical supplies
The reuse of single-use medical supplies is not unheard of in veterinary medicine. Whether an established practice, cost-driven or to support environmental waste reductions, reusing single-use medical supplies is an accident or patient death, waiting to happen. Emily Singler, VMD, and Kristen Green Seymour discuss the issues, cross-contamination, infection transmission and … [Read more...]
Killing innovation
Most leaders assume that a quiet room means everyone agrees. It often means people have decided it's safer not to disagree. But, quiet ≠ agreement. Source: LinkedIn, May 31, 2026. Link. What answer does the boss want?" Once that shift occurs, innovation slows down because people are no longer optimizing for outcomes. They're optimizing for approval.” INSIGHTS: Leaders need … [Read more...]
Knowing when to disengage
Excellent advice and responses when it’s time to diffuse tense situations. Protect your energy, not your ego. Choose response over revenge. Walk away with confidence. Source: Lawyer Vince, LinkedIn, May 2026. Link. [0:36] Emotionally intelligent people don’t react when they’re annoyed. They protect their energy, stay focused, and know when to walk away.” … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 22, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites find member webinars, future market predictions, a different way to provide health insurance, getting ready for the upcoming holidays and more . . . Source: IBPSA, June 22, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 18th. Link. Seasonal drift, ineffective accountability, "rust out", keeping dogs calm, and more! … [Read more...]
Pet wellness market tops $5 billion, growing faster than predicted
The U.S. pet wellness market is larger and growing faster than many industry estimates suggest. According to Lauren DeVestern, long-term demand, channel success, high customer retention and clear brand differentiation support the pet wellness category's value. Source: PETFOOD Industry, June 18, 2026. Link. Pet wellness products remain heavily online, but expanding into … [Read more...]
The truth about MSG and dog food
The topic of MSG in dog food is full of myth and hearsay, write Joe Holyoake and Andrew Dickens. They offer no definitive answer to the question, “Is MSG safe for a dog?” but relate FDA guidance, share concerns for dogs with certain conditions and the belief it sometimes helps reduce coprophagia. Source: Dog Food Advisor, June 15, 2026. Link. The scientific research … [Read more...]
Study of turmeric extract tolerance in cats
Turmeric extract has been widely studied in humans and increasingly in dogs but data on its safety in cats remains limited. The study reviewed in this article provides reassuring evidence that turmeric extract, at dietary levels up to 1040 ppm curcuminoids, can be safely fed to cats for four months. For veterinarians, this opens the door to considering TE as a functional … [Read more...]
It may be time to consider leptospirosis in cats
In this 2023 literature review, George E. Moore, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVPM, opines cats may have an underrecognized role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. His review’s tenets continue to be supported in more recent pieces despite cats rarely showing clinical signs. Notable takeaways include: Cats, particularly free-roaming or stray cats, may have serologic evidence of … [Read more...]
The horse industry’s social license to operate
Breakdowns in racing. Questionable training practices. Medication and tack use in competition horses. Welfare of horses with minimal access to pasture. Well-being of horses asked to do a “job.” The list goes on, frequently shaping how society views horse sports. “Every horse person plays a part in shaping the future of the sport,” says Naomi Hurdle. “One of the most … [Read more...]
Liver abscesses not just a harvest-day finding
It is now believed the true impact of liver abscesses may begin long before harvest. Shifting energy use from maintenance to production and growth is central to the discussion of liver abscess. Recent research provides evidence that liver abscesses may begin earlier in life. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, June 17, 2026. Link. Veterinarians may need to view liver abscesses not … [Read more...]
25 heifer candidates are better than 10 replacement heifers
Stop only picking replacement heifers one time at weaning. Evaluate heifer candidates at five critical phases and let selection pressure identify your herd's future, writes Wesley Tucker. He asserts that producers continue sacrificing their younger, better-genetic heifers by selecting replacements too early and limiting a more natural selection process over the heifer … [Read more...]
One extra pound per consumer would change the pork industry
The opportunity to grow pork demand has never been greater, writes Jennifer Shike in her article supporting the ‘Pursuing One More Pound’ Pork Podcast episode. Her podcast guests discuss the National Pork Board’s efforts to use a pull versus push strategy with the Taste What Pork Can Do campaign <Link>. The NPB seeks to redefine where pork fits into the modern meals … [Read more...]
Elanco to launch Elanco Ventures with $25 million multi-year commitment to accelerate innovation in animal health
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced plans to establish Elanco Ventures, a dedicated corporate venture capital platform designed to support, invest and advance innovation in animal health. Backed by a $25 million multi-year commitment, Elanco Ventures will initially focus on strategic investments in therapeutic advancements and supportive technologies across the animal … [Read more...]
Free CE opportunities for veterinary professionals with Chewy Health
Complimentary Chewy Health’s 2026 Continuing Education calendar offers free educational opportunities for veterinary professionals throughout 2026. The program features 14 virtual on-demand sessions spanning both clinical and professional development topics. Sessions are led by veterinary professionals, pharmacists and industry experts from within Chewy Health, alongside … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 25, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 18, 2026. Link. Most read posts from June 18, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, resetting industry expectations. Link. ‘Rust-out’ is the new burnout. It requires a different fix. Link. 7 stories to help your customers come home at night. Link. Why the future of veterinary … [Read more...]
Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, and an industry expectations reset
A new CATalyst Council white paper, “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, and the Expectations Reset,” uses the age demographics of dogs and cats that visit full-service practices to forecast combined U.S. clinical visit growth of -2 percent to 0 percent through 2030. Those numbers are well below the 2 percent to 3 percent the industry expects. The report’s central, empirically … [Read more...]
Why the future of veterinary medicine depends on its people
“Veterinary medicine is about more than clinical care. It is about the people who deliver it and the conditions that enable them to thrive,” writes Jeannette Ferran Astorga. Commentary Astorga’s closing words* prompt sharing this article. Not a veterinarian, she articulates the responsibility those of us in industry and support roles share in ADVOCATING for the … [Read more...]
Seasonal drift
Most organizational momentum doesn’t disappear all at once. It fades gradually. Priorities become less clear. Communication becomes less intentional. Source: LinkedIn, May 28, 2026. Link. The organizations that navigate summer well … are the ones whose leaders continue creating connection, reinforcing purpose, and keeping teams focused even as the pace and rhythm of work … [Read more...]