The past two years have been challenging for U.S. pork producers. Jennifer Shike shares four ways experts behind the State of the Pork Industry Report grew from their experiences in 2024. They discuss their people, consumer choices, improving oversight and preparing for the inevitable ebbs and flows in the markets. Source: PORK, January 29, 2025. Link. [55:34] … [Read more...]
3 things nobody has ever told you about colostrum
There has been a lot of new research published in the past five years about colostrum and its role in the newborn's survival and health, writes Kalyn Waters. Despite cow-calf experiences, she was surprised to learn three new things about colostrum: Timing matters on the cow's side, too, as the chemical composition of colostrum in the udder changes by the hour. Colostrum … [Read more...]
U.S. Equestrian Federation board adds to the prohibited substances list
The substance additions ban certain injectable medications and other potentially deadly substances from being used in competition and also from being brought onto show grounds. The list of substances includes formaldehyde, oxytocin and pentobarbital, with an exception for veterinarians to use the latter in euthanasia. Source: The Chronicle of the Horse, January 29, 2025. … [Read more...]
FDA warns six sellers of unapproved seizure drugs for animals
Six companies selling unapproved products claiming to treat and control seizures in dogs and cats have been warned. The products named in the warning letters are not FDA-approved or conditionally approved and are being sold on the firms’ websites, social media pages and Amazon shops without a prescription or other veterinary oversight. Source: FDA, January 7, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
High prevalence of veterinary drugs in birds’ nest materials
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found high levels of veterinary insecticides in the nests of British songbirds and associated it with increased mortality in their offspring. Fipronil, imidacloprid and permethrin were detected in 100 percent, 89.1 percent and 89.1 percent of the nest material samples, respectively. Source: Science Direct, February 10, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 3, 2025
Iconic brands entering pet space, understanding today’s pet owners, AI and automation for pet care businesses, FDA urging pet food companies to revisit safety amid bird flu outbreaks, diabetic alert dog tracks five blocs to find child with low blood sugar and more - Source: IBPSA, February 3, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Cornell grad student shares guide to understanding ChatGPT in 5 minutes
Complimentary Content ChatGPT is a tool with seemingly limitless potential, but like any tool, its value depends on how you use it, says Jeremiah Pouncy. He says the best way to unlock the full potential of ChatGPT is through trial and error. Source: Bruce L. Truman, MBA, LinkedIn, February 1, 2025. Link. ChatGPT is about experimenting, learning, and exploring new ways to … [Read more...]
30,000 from 86 countries, 2025 VMX celebrated the emotion, art behind veterinary science
As the dust settles for those who traveled to Orlando for VMX 2025, many animal health pros stayed behind to run practices and keep customers serviced. To get a taste of the event, review the news release here and note the video link as well. Congratulations to the NAVC for another record-breaking conference! Source: NAVC, January 30, 2025. Link. VMX 2025 was a … [Read more...]
Fear Free® launches Emergency & Urgent Care Practice Certification program
Fear Free’s new certification program bridges the gap between routine care and urgent or emergent scenarios, offering veterinary teams the training and resources necessary to implement Fear Free techniques in high-pressure environments. Detailed information about the Emergency & Urgent Care Practice Certification is here <Link> Source: Cision, January 27, 2025. … [Read more...]
6 strategies for navigating a multigenerational healthcare workforce
Jacob Kupietzky outlines strategies for leaders to successfully navigate the dynamics of their multigenerational teams so that all employees can thrive. His strategies apply to veterinary teams as they meet challenges and develop opportunities in animal medicine. Source: Fast Company, January 30, 2025. Link. Leaders who proactively address generational differences while … [Read more...]
Client education, the main objective of National Pet Dental Month
Commentary Sponsored by the AVMA, February is National Pet Dental Month. Our industry has presented and marketed dental care myriad ways over the past three decades. Foundationally, the dental market sought the "endorsement" of veterinary dental products <Link>. When the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Guidelines recommended pet dental care in 2017, … [Read more...]
6 ways to develop today’s managers to be tomorrow’s leaders
Commentary Employee development is an underlying theme in our animal health industry. Collectively, we are challenged to find enough veterinarians and technicians ready to provide full veterinary services. Beyond the science, we face challenges to identify aspects of professional roles and improve the ongoing need to cultivate opportunities for personal development and … [Read more...]
Bird flu enters a new phase, meanwhile, the environment cannot be sterilized
The latest data from the CDC and USDA shows the continued devastating effects of bird flu outbreaks across the United States. New York Times writer Apoorva Mandavilli provides a relevant and updated situation analysis in the second article shared here. Not yet a serious human threat, she shares the expanding discoveries in mammalian species, including cats both wild and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 30, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 23, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 23, 2025 AHD Bulletin Managing your stress. Link. Johne’s disease no longer just a dairy disease. Link. 200 weeks and counting . . . the bull run continues. Link. ================================= Wings, turf, pigskin, cheese and more . . . … [Read more...]
Farm Bureau names its 2025 Farm Dog of the Year
Sirius, a 6-year old Maremma sheepdog, was recently named the annual award recipient of annual honor. He and his Florida owners were awarded $5,000, a trophy plate, a year’s supply of dog food and other Purina products. Source: American Farm Bureau, January 26, 2025. Link. Includes video. Photo credit: Big Foot Media, used with permission … [Read more...]
Senior Dog Veterinary Society announces strategic alliance with Elanco
The Senior Dog Veterinary Society, an organization dedicated to advancing the care of senior and geriatric dogs, has established a strategic alliance with Elanco Animal Health Incorporated. This collaboration aims to foster excellence in senior and geriatric dog care through education and awareness, research and innovation, and community support. Source: Senior Dog … [Read more...]
IDEXX launches Cancer Dx™ panel for early detection of lymphoma in dogs
IDEXX Cancer Dx™ is a first-of-its-kind diagnostic panel. It is an affordable and accessible blood test that can be added to panels for sick pets and integrated into annual wellness screenings for as low as $15, providing veterinarians in the U.S. with actionable results within two to three days. It will increase access to cancer diagnoses and care while allowing veterinarians … [Read more...]
Cats before rats? What makes animals a pest?
While animals do nothing but be themselves, where we believe an animal belongs is what provides context to its existence. Bethany Brookshire shares the labels we apply freely to some problem animals but not others, even though in some cases, our solutions are to eradicate them. Brookshire’s article will prompt some thought about our existence with animals and how we judge … [Read more...]
Does bacteremia always need to be addressed in dentistry?
This article from Samuel G. Babbitt, DVM, DAVDC, is timely as National Pet Dental Month starts next week. He shares the results of a small study aimed to assess whether transient bacteremia developed after dental scaling, root planing and dental extractions, as well as whether the amount of bacteremia warranted antibiotics. The study authors concluded perioperative use of … [Read more...]
Employee detachment threatens customer satisfaction
When employees disengage, customers feel it. Customer centricity is a competitive advantage and worth investing time and effort to ensure stronger alignments between employees and customers. Source: Gallup, January 28, 2005. Link. Employee pride in the quality of products and services is declining.” INSIGHTS: For small businesses, a simple phone call as follow-up may … [Read more...]
Should owning pets be considered a privilege?
Only 10 percent of dogs born in the U.S. will find a permanent home <Link>. Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, discuss the nuances, challenges and inequities of pet ownership. The discussion is as relevant today as when they recorded the podcast. Source: Clinician’s Brief, December 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 27, 2025
OSHA 300A summary form reminder, pet gifts based on personality, teaching pets to clean up, managing obesity, what pets see on TV, raw pet food as bird flu risk and more . . . Source: IBPSA, January 27, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
People buy benefits. Does your website share them?
Commentary Patrick Malone consistently coaches, “No one ever paid a dollar for a feature or function . . . they buy the benefit and what it will give to them.” Another way this can be expressed is we need to provide a “what’s in it for them” explanation. The results of a study published in JAVMA recently suggest that opportunities exist to increase communication of the … [Read more...]
Leadership advice
Note: Mr. Malone’s post here provides good follow-up to his post from last week <Link> on managing stress. We also created a PDF of Jeff Zientz’s leadership tips from the article Malone shares here <Link>. It can be used as a bulletin board reminder for all staff. You may not be the Practice Leader, but the practice and its clients benefit when everyone is … [Read more...]
Delegates approve, update new polices on biosecurity, license by endorsement and more
The AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) approved seven resolutions on January 11 during its regular winter session. Association policies were updated including those on biosecurity, pet ownership, velveting, and integrative veterinary medicine. The delegates deferred action on cellular agriculture policies. Source: AVMA, January 28, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Gender and appearance bias exacerbates equine DVM shortage
A study published in Equine Veterinary Journal shared results of a focus group study of current and former equine veterinarians to learn what stressors led to, or could lead to, them leaving the profession. Beyond compensation, student loan debt and work-life balance, discrimination was an overall challenge. Seventy-six percent of participants reported experiencing some form of … [Read more...]
Storm clouds on the horizon evident in next generation of students
Commentary The slide show here was disturbing because it confirms discussions with educators. Industry colleagues have previously shared their challenges with integrating Gen Z early adults in the workplace, and it seems apparent the next generation will be even more challenging. While there are obvious human resource and selection criteria issues to plan for, the role … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 23, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January, 16, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 16, 2025 AHD Bulletin Managing your own expectations. Link. Reminder: Wood sugar, birch sugar, birch bark are the same as xylitol. Link. Cost of cow-calf production significantly influenced by operation size. … [Read more...]
200 weeks and counting . . . the bull run continues
When it comes to beef demand, consumers ARE the business and they’re the market makers, writes Nevil Speer, MBA, PhD. Most producers are feeling (very) positive about the business, he says in his market analysis. Source: BEEF, January 9, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: When cattle producers have confidence in the market opportunities, they are often willing to advance their animal … [Read more...]
NAVC’s 2024 VETTY Awards® recognize marketing excellence in animal health care
The 2024 VETTY Awards® winners represent the best in animal health care marketing worldwide. The winners will be recognized at the 42nd annual Veterinary Meeting and Expo, which takes place January 25-29 in Orlando, Florida. Source: PR Newswire, NAVC, January 20, 2025. Link. To view a complete list of winners, visit TheVETTYs.com/winners/2024-winners. … [Read more...]