Animal health pros offering nutritional coaching roles need to be aware of what pet owners are receiving that may influence their questions and beliefs. Senior pets, like puppies or kittens, have separate, individual considerations when it comes to diet. We’re sharing this article from Fear Free Happy Homes, knowing how Fear Free clinics and their communication efforts reach … [Read more...]
Shedding placental membranes, uterine restoration postpartum in dairy cows
Transition cow management and care is important in dairy production. Each phase requires attention at the individual cow level. Shedding of the placental membrane and uterine restoration postpartum play a crucial role in ensuring the cow's reproductive health and her ability to return to productive cycles, writes Leonardo Bringhenti, DVM, PhD. Source: Progressive Dairy, … [Read more...]
Support the KCAHC workforce initiative
When holiday groups gather, there are often discussions about graduating early, careers, job changes and opportunities for self-advancement. The animal health industry has opportunities for all types of people. That is the objective for the “What is Animal Health” workforce recruitment initiative. The “What is Animal Health” handout makes it easy to share the scale and impact … [Read more...]
Podcast: Advising pet owners on nutritional adequacy
The insights in this podcast are more relevant today than when it was recorded. Beckie Mossor, RVT, and Deborah Linder, DVM, MS, DACVN, discuss the common and often-debated topic of what to feed pets. They also offer practical advice on working with pet owners and helping them make smart pet food choices. Last week’s AHD post about measurement and educating pet owners … [Read more...]
Cats, collagen and supplements
Different types of collagen serve specific functions in feline health. The market for collagen-based nutraceuticals for cats has grown significantly in natural and functional medicine categories. Supplements offer a concentrated source of collagen, known to be essential for maintaining the integrity of connective tissues, including skin, joints and bones. The author outlines … [Read more...]
Cornell study: We’re feeding too much colostrum
Cornell’s groundbreaking 2024 study shows that feeding just 2.5 liters of today’s high-quality colostrum works better than four liters, improving absorption efficiency by 24 percent while eliminating painful colic symptoms in calves. The author says the colostrum modern cows produce today is fundamentally different than it was 20 years ago. We’ve improved the genetics, … [Read more...]
Inflammation control in the transition cow
The incidence of dairy cow disease as lactation begins has generated strong interest in the biology of the dairy cow transitioning from late pregnancy into lactation. Robert J. Van Saun, DVM, MS, PhD, shares perspectives on managing, not eliminating inflammation. Instead, be aware of potential stressors in systems to minimize overstimulating the inflammatory … [Read more...]
West Texas A&M breaks ground on new feedlot research complex
Officials at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, broke ground on a $15 million feedlot research complex. The WTAMU Foundation Research Feedlot and the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation Feedlot Education Facility will be used to conduct research that improves the beef industry nationwide. Construction will start this winter. Source: Feed & Grain, … [Read more...]
Toss the kibble cup to feed dogs less
Commentary* Nancy Kerns shares her own challenges with feeding her dogs the right amount of food versus an estimated volume. She advocates for weighing the kibble using a kitchen scale, which she has written about before <Link>. A recent situation analysis of overweight dogs identified a complex web of interactions between dogs, their breed background, their … [Read more...]
NASC quality seal extended to treats and large-format chewables
The National Animal Supplement Council is expanding its quality standards for treats and large-format chewables to bring the same level of trust, transparency and quality assurance to them that already exists for pet health and nutritional supplements Products called “functional treats” are a particularly challenging segment, offering everything from calming support to joint … [Read more...]
The matted cat; causes, cures, prevention
Cats’ tongues are designed to move sebum from their skin through the hair, maintaining hair integrity, loosening dirt and providing cooling, writes Cliff Faver, DVM. Despite their assiduous self-maintenance routines, cats get matted when sebum doesn’t move through their hair. Faver explains conditions that predispose cats to matting and advises groomers about degreasing cat … [Read more...]
Body condition scoring for success
Right now, when cows are slicked off and in the second trimester of pregnancy, is the most accurate and easiest time of the management cycle to evaluate their BCS. Producers should manage their calving season, genetics, grazing system, supplementation program and herd health to achieve an average BCS of 5 to 6 (target 5.5) in the mature cow herd at calving time, writes Mark Z. … [Read more...]
University of Nebraska-Lincoln working to understand, reduce methane emissions
Reducing methane emissions can yield climate benefits quickly compared to other greenhouse gases due to its shorter half-life. A moderately heritable trait, methane production is influenced by several factors, including diet, feed intake, animal and microbial genetics and stage or phase of production. This article shares how researchers at UNL are exploring genetic tools and … [Read more...]
Opportunities to unlock the potential of dairy heifers
When pregnant heifers are ready to enter the milking herd there are unique requirements, challenges and opportunities to consider. Mike Hutjens shares four strategies to increase growth and production and improve heifer programs on dairy farms. His article is a good outline for discussions on farm or to share in newsletters or other targeted communications Source: Dairy … [Read more...]
When it comes to horse hay, cost matters but nutrient content matters more (videos)
Bob Coleman, PhD, shares information for forage growers and horse owners in this article and videos. He notes more than 85 percent of horse owners buy their hay but may not understand or check the hay’s digestible energy, crude protein or nonstructural carbohydrates. Source: Paulick Report, April 22, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
4 ways chickens can benefit from pumpkin
As a follow-up to last week’s post about feeding pumpkins to horses <Link>, Ana Hotaling shares the value the various parts of pumpkins provide for chickens. She asserts that pumpkin is considered a superfood. This is a good article to share with backyard chicken owners. Source: Hobby Farms. Link. As a follow-up to last week’s post about feeding pumpkins to horses … [Read more...]
Insects could help turn farm food waste into sustainable livestock feed at industrial scale
Researchers have found a sustainable and large-scale way to turn farm food waste into animal feed using black soldier fly larvae. The researchers found that the larvae grown on food waste with the new, novel bio-conversion unit provided a nutritious, high-quality protein source for livestock feed. Source: DVM 360, October 13, 2025. Link. Unlike the common house fly, the … [Read more...]
How to read pet food labels
AAFCO’s Pet Food Label Modernization project is underway, explains Jean Hofve, DVM, but in the meantime, pet food labels and language remain confusing. She shares how to interpret product names, nutrition facts and what to expect from upcoming label changes. Source: Animal Wellness, October 17, 2025. Link. Also see: Search Results for: pet food labels, AHD Archives. … [Read more...]
Farmer’s Dog, Cornell, find minimally processed food can enhance metabolic function and overall health.
Complimentary Commercial Content The results of a first-of-its-kind, year-long metabolomic study led by Cornell’s Heather Huson, along with Farmer’s Dog veterinary nutritionists, found that feeding dogs food from the company can meaningfully impact metabolic health and support healthier aging in dogs. The results are a milestone for understanding canine metabolic health and … [Read more...]
Can horses eat pumpkin?
Pumpkins, including the skin, pulp and seeds are safe for horses to eat as occasional treats, but it is an acquired taste and common sense is needed when feeding them. Source: My New Horse, EQUUS, October 31, 2023. Link. Also see: Safe feeding tips and precautions when feeding pumpkin to horses, The Equine Institute, September 16, 2024. Link. When preparing pumpkins for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 23, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 16, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 16, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Make the call and Just ASK. Link. Bad advice. Link. Cats can get dementia, too. Link. What’s covered and what’s not in veterinary clinic cyber insurance. Link. Pork, ultimate muscle-building protein/National Pork … [Read more...]
Pork is the ultimate muscle-building protein per National Pork Board-funded study
Ongoing human nutrition research continues to complement the Taste What Pork Can Do campaign, positioning pork as a nutrient-dense and versatile protein. Source: The Farmer, October 14, 2025. Link. Taste What Pork Can Do!” … [Read more...]
Beware the newer pet supplements
Sharing the potential fatal effects of pet supplements during the recent AAHA Convention, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, indicated the Pet Poison Helpline has experienced more calls about toxic effects from the supplements now being marketed. She also shared details about what to look for in pets that ingest these supplements. Source: AVMA, October 8, 2025. Link. It's … [Read more...]
Windrow grazing provides nutrition, cost advantages
Here’s an idea that has caught on in row crop country. Aaron Berger shares how windrow-grazing annual forages allows producers to cut the crop at an optimum time for quality in late summer or early fall and increase harvest efficiency through strip-grazing the windrows. With crop harvest progress more than 80 percent complete, this method may be a good discussion topic with … [Read more...]
Don’t overlook heifer fertility
Commentary Acquiring, raising and developing heifers is one of the highest expenses of milk production. Managing them intentionally and separately provides an opportunity for veterinary teams to educate dairy teams about heifer development and improve herd performance. In many cases, heifer care, feeding and reproductive programs are not held to the same standards and … [Read more...]
Beware tall fescue toxicosis
Fescue toxicosis is commonly seen in cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue. Most often associated with spring and early summer grazing, tall fescue toxicosis is a threat in the fall, especially to new bulls and cattle grazing pastures to the ground. Heather Smith Thomas shares many considerations when dealing with tall fescue to reduce the incidence of toxicosis in this … [Read more...]
4 consumer packaged goods giants dominate pet food market share across price points
The pet food segment is noisy as the continued evolution of pet owner preferences toward premium, science-backed and fresh offerings creates opportunities for emerging brands. Still, Nestlé, Mars, General Mills and Colgate-Palmolive dominate the pet food industry, having captured significant market share in nearly every category of pet food. These CPG companies outperform … [Read more...]
Practical guide to equine body condition scoring
Equine body condition scoring is an assessment of external body fat and not muscle development, writes Sarah Nelson in this informative article. She shares tips for monitoring equine body condition along with a horse owner-friendly scoring guide. Consider sharing this article with horse owners as a pre-visit activity and prepare them for a more comprehensive discussion of … [Read more...]
Feeding by-products advances dairy productivity and sustainability
Feeding by-products are no longer just useful; they’re essential. By-products, including soybean meal, corn distillers grains, canola meal, beet pulp, soy hulls and citrus pulp, are often the result of food and industrial processing. While these ingredients are undesirable for people, they’re rich in nutrients that cows can digest and convert into high-quality … [Read more...]
High-dose oxytocin allows sows to pass on greater immunity
Research at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine indicates that administering a high dose of oxytocin to sows 12 to 20 hours after farrowing can significantly improve colostrum quality and passive transfer of immunity. For producers, improving early passive transfer can reduce pre-weaning mortality, lower disease treatment costs, and improve overall herd … [Read more...]