The American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners and the American Dairy Goat Association invite veterinarians and veterinary students to attend the AASRP Continuing Education Program during the 2026 ADGA Annual Convention, October 10 and 11 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Source: American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, Facebook, August 31, 2026. Link. Expand … [Read more...]
Monitoring cow and bull body condition throughout the year
Because of year-to-year variation in forage quality and weather stress, body condition can have important year-to-year variation even when fed what appears to be the same diet, writes Bob Larson, DVM. His assertions for evaluating body condition at various times of the year can help producers evaluate the genetic base of their herd. It supplies evidence as to how well the … [Read more...]
A separate water tank costs far less than losing cattle
Tanks and equipment that have been used to haul urea- or nitrate-based fertilizers should not be used to transport drinking water for cattle even if they have been thoroughly washed. Not a new problem, but it is one worth repeating. Veterinary toxicologists are again seeing cases of cattle deaths associated with water hauled in tanks or equipment previously used for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 27, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 20, 2026. Link. Most read posts from August 20th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – The Platinum Rule overcomes differences and gets things done. Link. Sound therapy for dogs and cats. Link. Nutraceuticals in K9 osteoarthritis: A clinical comparison with NSAIDs. Link. Study: AI-powered camera predicts 95% … [Read more...]
Busy August for animal health pros ends in Kansas City
Complimentary By all reports from AVMA, Groomer Expo, SUPERZOO and the new WVC Nashville, animal health pros have renewed old contacts, made new ones, shared meals and beverages, and viewed the latest topics and products. Fetch KC takes place August 28 to 30 and the month is bookended by the KC Corridor’s 2026 Animal Health Summit August 31 to September 1. There’s still … [Read more...]
U.S. home to all top 10 North American pet food companies by 2025 revenue
All of the top 10 North American pet food companies in Petfood Industry’s Top Companies database are headquartered in the United States. Measured by 2025 revenue, the U.S. dominance reflects more than the size of the U.S. pet market, writes Tim Wall. U.S. manufacturers operate within an economy that combines large supplies of grains and animal proteins with extensive … [Read more...]
Nutraceuticals in canine osteoarthritis: A clinical comparison with NSAIDs
A clinical comparison published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science forms the basis for this article. The goal was to evaluate the efficacy of a nutraceutical formulation in dogs with spontaneous osteoarthritis as an alternative or complementary option to NSAIDs. Key Findings Pain reduction: Both treatments significantly reduced pain scores, with comparable efficacy. … [Read more...]
Standing corn is an option for grazing
Drought is hard on crops but there can be some value derived from grazing standing corn, writes Aaron Berger. He discusses the economics and nutritional elements for producers to consider in drought-affected areas. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, August 5, 2026. Link. With a shortage of forage for grazing and hay, current market conditions for fertilizer and corn, along with … [Read more...]
Retailers’ wish list for SUPERZOO 2026
Retailers are on the hunt to find products that will help them stand out in their local markets at SUPERZOO 2026. Animal health pros can get a sense of where retailers expect to capture pet owners’ OTC spend by reviewing the list, such as new supplements, interactive toys and unique durables. Source: Pets+, August 10, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
America’s future depends on the health of its animals
Animal health pros can use the positive messages from Holger Lehmann’s article. Each of us contributes to an infrastructure that sustains people, environments and the animals that support us. Take a minute from fighting the daily fires to appreciate all we do to provide the various segments of society. Lehmann writes, “When our agricultural and veterinary systems work as … [Read more...]
A complete rabbit feeding guide
Knowing which foods are safe and which should be avoided can help prevent digestive problems and keep rabbits healthy for the long term. Clients who show rabbits at fairs may have new questions in the coming weeks. Erin Snyder’s article is good information to share. Key takeaways: Hay should make up the majority of a rabbit’s daily diet. Rabbits need plenty of fiber … [Read more...]
The biology behind why dogs and cats palatability preferences differ
Cats and dogs taste things differently. As pet food aisles expand, understanding these differences can help explain why pets prefer certain foods and treats. This helps manufacturers develop alternative proteins, therapeutic formulations and sustainable ingredients pets want. Tim Wall shares the biology of taste differences and what it means for the pet food industry and animal … [Read more...]
Let horses drink right after exercise but not too much
Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, DACVS, says a sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated quickly. However, he reminds us that horses have relatively small stomachs that only hold about two to three gallons, so once full, the stomach needs to empty before taking in any more water. Source: EQUUS, July 31, 2026. Link. Offer horses a drink at every possible opportunity but … [Read more...]
How much hay will a horse eat in 1 year?
An equine nutritionist shares how to calculate a horse’s annual hay intake and how to reduce hay waste to help stretch the costs through the year. Consider this article and topic for horse enthusiast groups and youth presentations or workshops. Source: The Horse, August 9, 2026. Link. When calculating how much hay to purchase, consider hay wastage during storage and feeding. … [Read more...]
Dry-off deserves a bigger role in transition cow management
Dry-off is more than the end of one lactation; it is the first major biological event of the next one. Challenging the dairy industry’s long-held assumptions, Erminio Trevisi, MS, PhD, asserts dry-off transition deserves the same attention as calving because it marks the first stage of the next transition period. Trevisi’s research findings suggest dry-off does not reset the … [Read more...]
The art of immunomodulation in beef cattle
Sponsor Content Immunomodulation, or modifying the immune response, is an emerging area of focus in beef nutrition and health management. Targeted biosolutions may help beef cattle thrive. This Novonesis webinar will explore the connection between the gut and the immune system and provide evidence-based insights into how Bacillus probiotics may help support cattle through … [Read more...]
30 studies show vegan dog and cat food generally well digested
A comprehensive scientific review has found that nutritionally complete vegan and vegetarian pet diets are generally well digested by both dogs and cats and perform similarly to conventional meat-based diets. The findings support the use of carefully formulated vegan and vegetarian diets and challenge the notion that such diets are less digestible than conventional meat-based … [Read more...]
August cow-calf checklist: protecting the herd’s bottom line
Each month, cow-calf producers face management tasks related to seasonal and production goals. Kansas State University Extension cow-calf specialist Jason Warner summarizes the top 10 management practices for producers to check off their to-do lists in August. Source: Drovers, July 31, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Warner’s article provides veterinary teams with reasons to call … [Read more...]
Study: Adding hemp to dog food improves digestive health
Researchers at Kasetsart University in Thailand recently published a study that suggests that certain types of hemp derivatives could be safely incorporated into canine food as ingredients. Dogs that were fed a diet with hempseed oil-infused food showed a larger increase in microbial species richness. The effects appear to be partly dependent on whether the cannabis is added as … [Read more...]
What milk can tell us about heat stress
New analysis suggests milk mid-infrared spectrometry could become an unexpected tool for selecting dairy cows that are better equipped to cope with heat stress. Rather than relying on environmental measurements such as temperature-humidity index, the approach estimates an individual cow’s physiological response using information collected through routine milk … [Read more...]
Dog poop is not fertilizer
Dog poop is not fertilizer. It is harmful to vegetation and likely contains harmful bacteria, parasites and pathogens that pose risks to people and other pets. The EPA classifies dog waste as a “nonpoint source pollutant,” which is the same technical category as motor oil, chemical runoff and acid drainage from abandoned mines. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 3, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Study: Horses may not consume enough salt, even with free-choice access
A new Colorado State University study provides experimental data finding that nine of the 16 horses studied failed to voluntarily consume enough salt to meet recommended sodium requirements. More than half of the horses in the study voluntarily consumed less salt than recommended. Individual horse preferences had a much greater influence on consumption than the form in which … [Read more...]
Study: Cats readily accept, digest cultivated hamster cell-derived meat diet.
A published scientific study conducted in collaboration between BeneMeat and Ghent University evaluated the acceptance and digestibility of a complete feline diet containing cultivated meat as a novel pet food ingredient. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 28, 2026. Link. The feeding trial demonstrated strong acceptance of the cultivated meat diet in domestic cats and found … [Read more...]
Hog numbers fall as pigs per litter increases to 11.87
Animal husbandry and improving genetics have raised the production bar from fewer than 10 pigs per sow per year in the 1930s to the current level north of 20 to 30 piglets per sow per year. Source: The Farmer, July 13, 2026. Link. The number of hog farms has diminished while the amount of production on those farms has improved in both quantity and quality. U.S. pork … [Read more...]
Monitoring medicator accuracy
Water medicators play a central role in delivering health products throughout swine production systems, yet their accuracy is often assumed rather than verified. This study highlights the substantial variations that can exist among medicators operating under commercial conditions and the implied costs of inaccuracy. Note: Only one in four medicators delivered within 10 … [Read more...]
10 Q&As about pet food for aging dogs and cats
Good read Despite the expanding population of senior pets, scientists observed that nutritional recommendations remain largely based on research conducted in younger animals. In a literature review published in the journal Animals, they examined what scientists know about nutrition for aging dogs and cats, identify the biggest gaps in current knowledge and outline the … [Read more...]
Keep water clean on dairies for cows’ safety
Reinforcing the importance of clean water, Russ Cavanaugh addresses the potential of water as a fomite. He contrasts how most poultry and hog producers approach water treatment with a relative lack of water treatment systems on dairies. His article is a call to action for dairy operators to know what is in their water and to devise a treatment and monitoring system to ensure … [Read more...]
Build cows that stay: Smarter heifer development for long-term productivity
Early conception during the first breeding season is one of the most important predictors of lifetime productivity and retention in heifers. Kacie McCarthy explains that long-term cowherd performance comes from managing heifer development as part of the whole system. Early conception, environment, nutrition, age at first calving and body condition all work together to influence … [Read more...]
How to keep cats calm during fireworks
Fireworks can cause cats to become stressed and anxious. They can also cause them to run away and become lost. Alice Sewell shares tips to share with cat owners in these articles. Note the microchip reminders. Sources: Modern Cat, June 24, 2026. Link. NPR, June 28, 2026. Link. Dogs and cats can hear and feel the fireworks four times further than a human … [Read more...]
Tips to keep dogs cool and safe in the summer heat
Dogs need to consume about an ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. Adding summer heat, exercise and too much weight can double their hydration needs. Pet owners need to be constantly reminded of heat management tips. Share these tips often during hot summer days. Source: Blue Cross. Link. Also see: Is My Dog Dehydrated? Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]