Sharing data from recent research, Debbie Phillips-Donalds concludes that sustainability features have an impact on pet food purchasing, but which features and to what degree they affect purchasing matter a lot. She notes the challenges with defining sustainability and animal welfare in the context of product education and marketing. Source: PETFOOD Industry, September 17, … [Read more...]
No title, no problem
Leadership begins the moment you care more about the success of others than your own. Source: Veterinary Advantage, May 2025. Link. One of the biggest mistakes I see young professionals make is thinking leadership means talking more. Nope. It’s about talking better.” INSIGHTS: It starts with listening to understand. … [Read more...]
5 tips to handle daily stress
Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, recently developed RULER. It’s a framework to handle the highs and lows life hands us daily. More than 5,000 schools are using this tool featured in his new book, ‘Dealing With Feeling: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want.” They are: Recognize: pause, accept you feel something big … [Read more...]
Weight bias among veterinary professionals
Sharing research on weight bias, this article from Zoe Belshaw, Vet MB, MA, PhD, addresses the potential of relating an owner’s weight to their pets. The need to have proactive discussions with pet owners is often difficult and addressing potential bias is worth consideration. Belshaw shares tips for talking with clients about weight management just in time for World Pet … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 23, 2025
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for a Pet Care Business Excellence Award at this year’s Forum for your dedication to excellence and helping our industry continue to raise the bar for pet care. Winners of the 2025 Pet Care Business Excellence Awards! Category Winner Independent Provider Noosa Country … [Read more...]
Review: The risks of overusing hand sanitizer
Applying hand sanitizer to your hands is a quick and effective way to eliminate viruses, bacteria and other organisms that cause disease, but using too much of it can do more harm than good, shares Megan Nunn, PharmD. Her article is a good review for clinic and pet services teams. Key takeaways include: Alcohol-based sanitizers may eliminate more germs, but may also cause … [Read more...]
Review: Harmful algal blooms, red tides and their hidden dangers
As summer ends, it is time to review the potential of harmful algal blooms. These occur when environmental conditions like warm water, nutrient runoff and sunlight promote rapid algae growth, some of which produce dangerous toxins. These articles review the different types of harmful algae, symptoms when exposure occurs, health effects and prevention. Sources: Morris … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Strengthen the Feline Client Experience
We’re pleased to welcome the CATalyst Council™ as a sponsor of Animal Health Digest and to regularly share findings from the Catalyst Council Feline Market Insight Reports. Gina Fortunato and Kristin Wuhrman are working with us to pull actionable insights in support of growing the feline care segment of veterinary services. We’ll share them in Feline Findings at the link … [Read more...]
Dogs learn and remember how toys work
We know dogs are smart. They’re even smarter than we thought, according to a study recently published in the journal ‘Current Biology.’ In this study, Gifted Word Learner dogs showed they can distinguish between toys used for tugging versus fetching, even if the toys didn’t look alike. The study took place in dogs’ home environments with their owners using the words “pull” and … [Read more...]
Setting client expectations for canine infectious respiratory disease complex
CIRDC is a clinical syndrome caused by a range of pathogens, not a specific disease. Coinfections are common, writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS. Acknowledging the challenges of client conversations, he models communication scenarios in this article. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2025. Link. Providing clear information about the approach to treatment is … [Read more...]
Keeping rabbits safe from RHDV-2 in endemic areas
Complimentary Commercial Content Fall changes wild rabbits’ food sources, prompting them to seek new sheltered locations and spend more time foraging <Link>. This often brings the rabbits closer to farmsteads, acreages and suburban homes. In areas where rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 is endemic, the risk of domestic rabbits becoming infected increases (see … [Read more...]
For a harmonious herd, provide enough space
A new study from The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute suggests that to fully benefit from being on pasture, horses need room to roam. The data showed horses kept in pens that allowed 342 square meters (about one-tenth of an acre) per horse had reduced levels of blood cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Source: EQUUS, September 5, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
Zebra cows repel flies and win Ig Nobel Prize
Say what? Japanese researchers received the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in biology for showing that black cows painted with white stripes repel flies better than their counterparts that didn’t look like zebras. Source: The Scientist, September 18, 2025. Link. Image credit: Tomoki Kojima et al., 2019, PLoS One, CC-BY 4.0 … [Read more...]
Advice for grazing beef-on-dairy calves
While beef-on-dairy calves outperform dairy calves for stocker and finishing systems, they require a different management and understanding when it comes to grazing. Unfamiliar with being a grazing animal, beef on dairy calves need to go through a two- to three-week receiving period, says Paul Beck, MS, MBA, PhD. This allows time for calves to adjust to new feeds, learn to … [Read more...]
Large litters, more pigs than teats; Is that a problem?
Pig survival to weaning age is challenging overall, but when a sow produces more pigs than she has teats, producers are challenged to keep pigs alive and doing well. The industry’s focus on increasing litter size has unintentionally led to an increase in the proportion of low birth-weight pigs and prewean death losses which approach 20 percent in some cases <Link>. In … [Read more...]
Rancher’s Lunch Time Series features Dr. Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson, an animal science professor at Oklahoma State University, will discuss “Selecting and managing replacement heifers for long-term success,” during a free webinar session at noon, Thursday, October 23. Source: OKState Animal & Food Sciences, Facebook, September 24, 2025. Register for the webinar series, ‘Cow Calf Corner Live,’ at this link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Boehringer Ingelheim launches VetED™ Academy, an education portal for veterinary professionals
VetED™ Academy is a new veterinary education portal designed to streamline access to continuing education for veterinary professionals. The company says VetED™ Academy will serve as a centralized destination for free RACE-accredited learning, consolidating content into one intuitive experience. Source: Boehringer Ingelheim, September 19, 2025. Link. Veterinary professional … [Read more...]
Tractor Supply launches its annual FFA Convention T-shirt fundraiser
For the 11th year, Tractor Supply is offering a limited edition tee shirt as a fundraiser for FFA. The 2025 theme is "Empower," a reference to the organization's commitment to helping young people find inspiration and direction to lead, making an impact on the world around them. The 98th National FFA Convention & Expo will take place October 29th through November 1st in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 25, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 22, 2025. Link. Most read posts from September 22, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Job #1 – Getting results. Link. Older workers remain overlooked as sources of skill, experience. Link. Conditions associated with HPAI spreading to farms identified. Link. AAHA’s standards receive first-ever full … [Read more...]
Innovation is a state of mind. 2025 Veterinary Innovation Summit overview.
We selected Gene O’Neill’s insights from the recent Veterinary Innovation Summit <Link> from the many postings shared by attendees. He shares perspectives on big issues that are critically important to move our industry forward and demonstrate the true value of veterinary medicine. Source: Gene O'Neill, LinkedIn, September 12, 2025. Link. O’Neill summarized four major … [Read more...]
AAHA’s standards receive first-ever full refresh
AAHA has completed a comprehensive refresh of the accreditation standards to bring those benchmarks of excellence fully up to date for the first time in 90 years. Nearly 400 revisions were recommended to the 1,200 standards, of which more than 250 were implemented. The range of revisions included updates to clarify language, streamline categories, as well as strengthen the … [Read more...]
Conditions associated with HPAI spreading to farms identified
Kimbra Cutlip’s article is a reminder that 1) wild bird migration is underway, 2) colder weather means more infections, 3) biosecurity reduces risk to animals and their caretakers, and 4) prevention strategies are beneficial and reduce strain on production economics. Source: Feedstuffs, September 10, 2025. Link. A recently published study in the journal One Health compared … [Read more...]
Older workers still one of the more overlooked sources of skill and experience
Isaac Agbeshie-Noye, EdD, joins Nicole Belyna to share how HR teams can overcome biases, engage older talent and reimagine recruitment, retention and development strategies for the growing segment of the workforce - seniors. While digital and physical skills may not be places to deploy older workers, Agbeshie-Noye asserts that these workers are generally more socialized to work … [Read more...]
Job #1 – Getting results
As a mid-career leader, your development is well underway, but nowhere near complete. You are formed but not finished. Your employees want your time, guidance and recognition. Your boss wants your loyalty, diligence, and competence. Both groups want your leadership, but each toward different aims. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, August 2025. Link. Advancement as a mid-career … [Read more...]
Attention as a trainable system
Danny Kenny describes the attention crisis today that previous generations never had to navigate, calling it “continuous partial attention.” We’re always on, but never fully focused, just perpetually scattered, he says. While we know what we want to achieve, often the attention mechanisms that enable us to get it done are overlooked. Kenny continues to explain attention as a … [Read more...]
Why introverts stay silent and how leaders can change that (video)
Includes Commercial Content For leaders who want to help introverted employees, or for introverts who want to build confidence and visibility, Joel Garfinkle’s article and video provide perspectives and direction. These phrases resonated with our team: Your time for participating is now. You owe it to the company, to yourself. Learning to speak up confidently isn’t … [Read more...]
Webinar-CE: Innovations in allergy testing, Lyme disease and early cancer diagnostics
There are still a few seats available for a free educational webinar with Khristofor Agassandian, DVM, PhD (Neurobiology & Neuroscience), who will share cutting-edge advancements in veterinary diagnostics. Topics will include innovations in immunology, allergy testing and immunotherapy, the neurological impact of Lyme disease and early cancer detection through the … [Read more...]
Nassau County warns residents about spread of rabies among raccoons and cats
Rabies has been found in at least 25 animals since July of last year in mostly raccoons and three feral cats, according to Nassau County New York officials. Rabies had previously been eradicated in Nassau County in 2016 following aggressive control efforts. The resurgence is a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination, public education and wildlife baiting to manage … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 15, 2025
It is the week ahead of the Forum, billed as a bold, first-of-its-kind event for the pet care industry. IBPSA has convened a dynamic lineup of respected speakers to lead real, unfiltered conversations about the most pressing and progressive issues facing our field. No fluff—just the insights, strategies, and challenges that matter most to pet care business owners and general … [Read more...]
There’s a bigger dryer fire hazard than the lint trap: How to clean it
In clinics, grooming spas and boarding locations, clothes dryers run most days if not many times a day. Lint traps are well-known fire hazards, but Mary Cornetta says the space just underneath the lint trap is a bigger fire hazard. She says for the type of laundry done in animal health businesses, the area beyond the lint trap needs to be cleaned every three to four … [Read more...]