The Feline Market Insights Report Volume II goes beyond market sizing to deliver actionable insights to veterinary and business stakeholders on the emotional, behavioral and operational forces shaping the future of feline care. The results identify the demand for feline care is there and important. But, many veterinarians are not adequately prepared to address the unique needs … [Read more...]
Applying the kitten checklist
There is a lot of information to share with first-time and repeat kitten clients. As our industry seeks to engage and service more cats, the best overall opportunities exist when starting with kittens. The kitten-specific talking points shared in this article are taken from the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines. Practice owners and managers need to consider … [Read more...]
Lead that sweaty horse to water and let him drink
It is best to rehydrate sweaty, hardworking horses without delay, but the key is to know how much water to allow at one time. Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, DACVS. recommends offering small amounts, up to a half gallon, every 20 minutes, which allows the water to move through the horse’s system. Source: EQUUS, July 7, 20265. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article … [Read more...]
Scientists discover what’s driving record die-offs of U.S. honeybees
Researchers believe a bee virus spread by Varroa mites’ resistance to amitraz is likely a main contributor to startling honeybee losses. Other factors, such as less food in the form of pollen and nectar as monocrop farming proliferates, are also indicated. Many U.S. beekeepers now expect to lose 30 percent of their colonies or more every year. Source: The Guardian, July 8, … [Read more...]
Dairy industry’s “efficient” calf feeding gospel is flawed logic and costly to future profits
This Bullvine article challenges long-held beliefs about early calf feeding and how changes to the approach in the first 60 days make a significant long-term gain in lifetime revenue. The audio discussion is helpful to understand the various benefits from the article. Modern genetics and strategic nutrition can cut feed costs by $251 per cow.” Source: The Bullvine, July 6, … [Read more...]
Rural versus well water: What’s the impact on nursery pig performance?
Pipestone researchers found striking differences between rural and well water when used in pig nurseries. The use of rural water resulted in better health outcomes and more efficient growth. Pigs on rural water showed a 5 percent higher full-value rate and had a mortality rate of just 2.3 percent, compared to a 6 percent mortality rate in the group on well water. Source: … [Read more...]
Day-old calf nonnegotiables
We know colostrum is the key to healthy calves and quality makes a difference. Kimberly Egan and Catherine Thrasher stress the importance of nonnegotiable protocols essential for ensuring effective colostrum handling and for getting calves off to a healthy start. They share their top five non-negotiables in this article: Follow proper cleaning and drying protocols … [Read more...]
The feline factor: gaps, opportunities and paradigm shifts
Commentary: article includes commercial references If you skimmed Graham Garrison’s article and you believe in helping develop the feline veterinary business, it is worth another read or two. This would be a fun article to discuss and workshop with a veterinary team. It’s more than a 10-minute read, so we asked CoPilot to create a summary page as an experiment. Source: … [Read more...]
Daily water requirements for cats
Commercial Content Links Included Lorna Whittemore, BVMS, MRCVS, shares facts about cats and their water requirements in this article. She includes how long felines can survive without water and how much water they need per day. The article includes a chart worth sharing in newsletters or social media. Source: Catster, June 24, 2025. Link. Felines require around 3.5 to … [Read more...]
Veterinary tips for how to read pet food labels
Making sense of pet food labels is not getting easier. This article addresses terminology and descriptions that can be confusing for animal owners and animal health professionals alike. The author recommends to begin by evaluating and comparing different options by accessing their dry matter analysese. Source: Dogster, May 21, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Report: Misinformation, misconceptions can make pet obesity discussions difficult
Commentary We liked Don Vaughn’s approach to this article. He involves several veterinarians, is realistic about non-veterinary obesity information influences, time management restrictions during clinic visits and the relative lack of comfort many veterinarians have when discussing obesity. The lack of nutrition education in veterinary curricula is noted and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 30, 2025
Trends in the pet health business sector, what’s shaping the pet food industry, new grants for small business, animal care is catching up with human trends, new standards establish minimums for dog and cat breeding, keeping and traceability across EU, and more . . . Source: IBPSA, June 30, 2025. Link. Note the digital marketing strategies webinar on July 16th and the … [Read more...]
Walmart opens new beef-packing facility in greater Kansas City area
The first Walmart-owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kansas, promises 600 jobs in the KC Corridor. Angus cuts will be packaged at the facility and distributed across 14 surrounding states. During the grand opening celebration, the Walmart Foundation presented $90,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations making differences in their … [Read more...]
Texas 7th state to ban lab-grown meat
Texas is now the seventh state to pass legislation to ban lab-grown meat, prohibiting the sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in the state. Source: FEEDSTUFFS, June 20, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
What separates the top-tier pork producers from the rest?
Farm Credit’s Chris Ford looked back over several years to see what differentiated pork operations that have done well and those that have struggled. He notes the challenges that PRRS continues to bring and identifies three main areas where producers can excel: Optimizing production Good bookkeeping Risk management Source: PORK, June 23, 2025. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 23, 2025
Grants and resources for veterans, new guidelines for professional dog and cat groomers, the influence of premiumization and humanization in the pet industry, Volume II of the CATalyst Council’s 2025 Feline Market Insights Report and more. . . Source: IBPSA, June 23, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 26, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 19, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 19, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Avoid confusion about pinkeye in cattle. Link. Calf vaccinations: You won’t find all the answers in a bottle. Link. Consumer sentiment rebounds sharply in June. Link. Sounds that can trigger aggressive behavior in cats. … [Read more...]
Consumer sentiment rebounds sharply in June
Commentary Okay, so the photos are unrealistic. But, economic indicators suggest that now there is a likely opportunity for veterinary clinics to bring back clients’ pets that are past due for wellness checks, oral health procedures and vaccinations. Consider the potential for a campaign to reach owners stretching their pets’ adherence timelines to return to the … [Read more...]
Nom Nom research reveals the impact of pup’s perceived happiness on pet parents
Complimentary Commercial Content We appreciate the efforts Nom Nom put forth to answer our questions* about the April 2025 survey findings they shared with us. Dogs crave mental and physical challenges that keep them engaged beyond toys, beds or long walks, shares Kristin Chenoweth, who promotes meal time as one place to improve experiences for dogs. Beyond the commercial … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 19, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 12, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 12, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Forbes, Can the veterinary industry help with the rising cost of care? Link. A crate training discussion. Cruel or kind? Link. Logic, emotions and decisions. Link. Cattle technology trends that continue to push boundaries. … [Read more...]
Veterinary nutrition residency funded at the University of Tennessee
Marking a notable development in the fresh pet food sector's involvement in veterinary science, The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine has launched a new veterinary nutrition residency program. The two-year program is backed by a sponsorship from The Farmer's Dog. The program meets board eligibility standards set by the American College of Veterinary … [Read more...]
Dairy herds are made in the shade!
Research shows that dry cows and bred heifers are just as vulnerable to heat stress, even if the signs are less visible. When a dry cow or bred heifer experiences heat stress, her unborn calf does too writes Taylor Leach who shares the long term effects of heat stress on the dairy herd. Source: Bovine Practitioner, June 2, 2025. Link. While the lactating herd often gets the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 12, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 5, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 5 2025 AHD Bulletin – Strategies for culling cows this year. Link. Orange cats, freak of nature? Link. Plain speak. Link. AVMA’s New World screwworm resource for veterinarians. Link. DocTalk . . . Embryos and reproductive technologies. Link. … [Read more...]
Why people attend the World Pork Expo (video)
Jennifer Shrike shares a look at why people make the trip to Des Moines every June and their recommendations on how to make the experience unforgettable. The weather can be searing hot, rainy or blustery on any given day so a poncho and sun shade headgear are considerations. Come hungry, be ready to learn and network with pork industry influencers, leaders and … [Read more...]
A natural approach to the #1 problem in pet shelters
Commentary, Sponsor Content The challenges with animals in a shelter environment are well-known. Helping them during this very stressful transition period is critical to them advancing toward a healthier existence and successful adoption. Steven Lerner, PhD, and Davey Stone recently shared a webinar to introduce and refresh animal health pros’ knowledge of the benefits of … [Read more...]
Dechra launches Catney® One: A new tool for feline kidney health
Kidney health is one of the top three conditions that drives feline vet visits. Dechra’s new Catney® One is a non-prescription, health supplement that brings a new and exciting ingredient to the battle against phosphorus, Lanthanum Carbonate. It is designed specifically to bind phosphate in the gut and help limit its absorption into the bloodstream. Source: Dechra, May 13, … [Read more...]
World Milk Day is Sunday, June 1st
World Milk Day is a movement that highlights milk as a vital, accessible food source that nourishes billions. With economic conditions front-of-mind, it’s good news that recent studies show that the inclusion of animal-source foods like dairy can limit the cost of the total diet while providing essential nutrients necessary for good health. Let’s raise a glass of milk for … [Read more...]
Vent gleet in chickens
Cloacitis, commonly referred to as vent gleet may also be called pasting or nasty chicken butt. Regardless it is the inflammation of the chicken's cloaca. Vent gleet isn't a specific disease but more of a gastrointestinal condition that can be caused by a number of different reasons, including many types of organisms such as fungi, protozoa, parasites, yeast, and bacteria. … [Read more...]
How to determine the best approach to separation-related behaviors in dogs
Separation-related behaviors are non-specifics, writes Moira Hechenleitner DVM, CSAT. She explains the importance of determining the underlying cause before designing an environment and training protocol that sets the dog up for success. The objective is to allow the animal to feel safe and stay below its anxiety threshold. Source: Innovative Veterinary Care, May 23, 2024. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 26, 2025
Expanding bans on pet sales ban in retail shops, vet triage AI platforms compared, Royal Canin to sponsor Raising the Perfect Pet a collaboration with Martha Stewart, tariff effect on pet care costs, hiring a summer intern and more . . . Source: IBPSA, May 26, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]