More than half of U.S. pet owners skip or decline needed veterinary care <Link>, according to a recent study. Veterinary care need not be out of reach for most pet owners, but educating them is required to improve adherence to important veterinary care. Two new infographics from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance Program will help animal health pros discuss wellness and … [Read more...]
Pet influencers are increasing in popularity
There are about 3.5 million active pet influencer accounts globally dedicated to pet content. NBC News reports on the high earning potential of this niche business and how content creators say their passion is about more than the money. Source: NBC News, April 29, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Genetic testing: an expanding frontier
Genetic testing could be compared to the severe weather forecast statement, “Current conditions are right for _____.” Emily Singler, VMD, writes an overview of genetic testing saying the increase in available resources allows for further discoveries of genetic causes behind diseases and other physical or performance traits. New genetic testing options allow veterinary teams to … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 28, 2025
IBPSA MBA Program postponed, growth in businesses that cater to high-end pet services, app seeks to build dog owner communities, subscription services, Tractor Supply’s pet pharmacy, bunnies promote proper pet care, petflation slowing, pet insurance growth stabilizing and more . . . Source: IBPSA, April 28, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
How to work with your brain, not against it
It is often easier to obsess over the one thing you didn’t finish today than the 20 things you did, writes Charlie Gilkey. Explaining the Zeigarnik Effect, he says our brains treat incomplete tasks like a persistent alarm system, keeping them front and center until we handle them or explicitly tell our brain we’ve got this covered. This creates an exhausting cognitive drag. He … [Read more...]
Are you a lucky person?
According to Jeff Bezos, Mark Cuban, Warren Buffet and other successful individuals, luck played a role in their success in addition to being an indicator of other admirable qualities. Source: Inc., April 9, 2025. Link. The self-perception of being a lucky person is a good indicator that someone is humble, observant, action-oriented, and willing to bet on themselves, their … [Read more...]
Consider a pet insurance specialist as part of the veterinary team
Studies show that clients with insurance are more likely to pursue treatment plans and get advanced care for their pets. Liz Devitt, DVM, shares how dedicating a team member as a pet insurance specialist could be a win-win-win for clients, their pets and a veterinary practice. In this capacity, the specialist would be a resource, not a salesperson, to help pet owners select a … [Read more...]
AVMA updates report on veterinary use of cannabidiol
The AVMA’s newly updated report, Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine captures the latest evidence-based context, clinical developments and legal considerations as research and regulations continue to evolve. These include: Safety data and pharmacokinetics of CBD in dogs and cats Clinical trials exploring CBD-rich hemp products in dogs, cats, and horses Regulatory updates … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 24, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 17, 2024. Link. Most read posts from April 17, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Pain in dairy cattle: a narrative review. Link. Your part in heartworm prevention. Link. More than half of U.S. pet owners skip, decline needed vet care. Link. Sales reps are struggling: 10 ugly truths sales leaders must … [Read more...]
Darwin’s Ark , Hill’s Pet Nutrition, research partners to explore cats’ genetic code
To advance one of the most ambitious feline genetics initiatives to date, Darwin’s Ark, Hill’s Pet Nutrition , and leading research institutions are combining their unique expertise to advance community-powered research to help cats live longer, healthier lives. Source: Reuters, April 24, 2025. Link. This isn’t just about decoding DNA—it’s about empowering cat lovers to be … [Read more...]
Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians Veterinary Technician licensure bill passed
This groundbreaking legislation moves Minnesota into the list of states regulating the veterinary technician profession. By establishing this higher standard, licensure not only enhances the credibility and recognition of veterinary technicians but also fosters improved animal care, stronger team dynamics within veterinary practices, and greater trust from the public. The new … [Read more...]
Tractor Supply launches service to streamline pet prescriptions
Tractor Supply launched Tractor Supply Rx in a bid to enhance convenience for customers ordering pet and animal medications. Its features include automatic delivery through the Autoship program, access to expert pharmacy advice and a price match guarantee. The objective is to provide an easy, one-stop shopping destination for the 38 million Neighbor’s Club members, of whom 75 … [Read more...]
Livestock producers, veterinarians urged to consider and manage Q fever zoonotic risk
Q fever is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which infects cattle, goats, and sheep. It is found in an infected animal’s bodily fluids and excretions, such as placental tissues, amniotic fluid, urine, feces and milk. The main signs of infection in animals include abortion, infertility, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. C. … [Read more...]
Tick-borne pathogen threats to U.S. cattle operations
Serving as a reminder for cattle producers and their veterinarians, this article urges staying alert for signs of tick infestation within their herds. The authors say early diagnostic testing at the first sign of a suspect illness in their cattle should be considered. Major tick-borne threats to U.S. cattle producers include cattle tick fever (Bovine Babesiosis), Anaplasmosis … [Read more...]
Environmental management is key when dealing with equine asthma
Call it the heaves, inflammatory airway disease or recurrent airway obstruction, equine asthma occurs when horses are hypersensitive to dust and mold in their environment. A two-fold approach with medication and environmental management is the best way to reduce the effects of equine asthma, according to Rachelle Thompson, DVM, DACVIM. Source: Paulick Report, February 18, … [Read more...]
Ticks are a concern in cats, too
Commentary After a jaunt in my suburban backyard I noted a deer tick on my sock. While checking for additional ticks on me and the dog, a neighborhood free-range cat jumped the fence in search of a field mouse, mole or songbird before Lil Buddy gave chase. The backyard incident was a stark reminder of the importance of year-round preventatives and my clothes as a … [Read more...]
90 percent of animal owners trust, appreciate veterinary teams; underestimate the demands of the profession
Boehringer Ingelheim’s Going Beyond campaign seeks to spotlight aspects of veterinary work that often remain unseen and underrecognized. Compiled ahead of World Veterinary Day, the most recent global survey results reveal animal owners’ perceptions of the essential role that veterinarians play in animal health and community well-being and compare their perceptions to previous … [Read more...]
April 25th. National hairball awareness day
That distinctive cough, followed by gagging and finally wretching, is familiar to most cat owners. National Hairball Day was founded to provide solutions to cat owners and help them understand why their cats get hairballs. Regular grooming to remove loose hair will help cats avoid hairballs and the potential obstructions they cause. Source: National Today. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
New guide to choosing a pet boarding facility
Choosing a pet boarding facility can be difficult. Social media reviews help identify potential problem locations, but having a strategic approach to choices is beneficial. Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, has created a guide to choosing a pet boarding facility. The information in the Guide arms pet lovers with questions to ask and red flags and green flags … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 21, 2025
Tariffs, taxes and grants for small businesses, pet food recall map, marketing in niche communities, legislative updates and more . . . Source: IBPSA, April 21, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Gratitude comes with benefits. How to practice it when times are stressful.
At the best of times, awareness of the positive may require more effort than noticing the negative, let alone in times of heightened distress, writes Monica Y. Bartlett, Ph.D. She shares two proven ways to practice gratitude: Try a daily gratitude journal or list Expressing gratitude to others Source: The Conversation, April 24, 2025. Link. When we feel gratitude … [Read more...]
Attention to detail matters
Whether curiosity and attention to detail are innate or not, Adam Bryant asserts the importance of developing these skills. It is about being professional, he says. This is especially important when it comes to follow-through, communications, scheduling and its effect on customer experiences. Source: strategy+business, April 4, 2025. Link. Whether it’s the work produced … [Read more...]
Selling the emotion
Pet owners don’t see their animals as “just pets.” They’re family. They worry about their dog’s arthritis, their cat’s weight gain, and whether their rabbit is secretly plotting world domination. Source: Veterinary Advantage, March 2025. Link. When you tie the product to real-world outcomes, you help your customer see the immediate impact.” INSIGHTS: Speak your customer’s … [Read more...]
Livestock producers concerned about diseases, uncertain about level of threat
Commentary Iowa is a top U.S. producer of red meat and eggs. The information here is likely representative of many livestock producers in the U.S. For veterinary teams and animal health pros serving owners of any herd or flock size, the research results are informative, concerning and actionable. We must dedicate ourselves to improving producer education on diseases and risk … [Read more...]
USDA develops resource to help veterinary professionals recognize, respond to screwworm
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are important in recognizing New World screwworm should an invasion of Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screwworm fly, occur. To help in these efforts, the USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program has developed the training module, Module 41: New World Screwworm: A 21st Century Perspective. It goes over signs of NWS, its life … [Read more...]
H5N1 in North America: implications for small animal veterinarians
The spillover of H5N1 from wild birds and poultry to dairy cattle, cats and more raises new questions about virus evolution and its implications for veterinary medicine. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS, shares an overview of the disease, cross-species infection potential, viral mutation, risk mitigation and symptoms. Staying informed, practicing good biosecurity, and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 17, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 10, 2024. Link. Most read posts from April 10, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Don’t assume, check to be sure. Link. ‘Treat Me Like a Dog’ campaign seeks to close the cat treat gap. Link. Factors affecting early pregnancy loss in cattle. Link. Mismatched background music affects employees. Link. … [Read more...]
Loyal’s STAY study enrolls 1,000 dogs, expands to 1,300
The STAY study is the clinical trial for LOY-002, a senior dog program that recently earned its preliminary efficacy acknowledgment from the FDA. It’s the first FDA-concurred trial for a longevity drug, and at 1,000 dogs, is the largest clinical trial in the history of veterinary medicine. With solid interest from DVMs and dog owners, Loyal is enrolling an additional 300 dogs … [Read more...]
Improving productivity key to reducing antibiotic use in livestock
Commentary Seeing research and projections like these are important in managing the effects of livestock production practices domestically and globally. The information in this article is likely to elicit a “well duh” response from many animal health professionals. Regardless of species or country, improving adherence to best practices requires continual education and … [Read more...]
Participation in industry surveys critical to hog industry decisions, support
Response rates on hog inventory surveys keep falling, writes Lee Schulz, noting that only 63 percent of pork producers surveyed for the March 2025 report responded. Asserting the importance of reporting data, he shares how the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service collects and shares industry metrics. To get reliable, representative data, NASS needs to survey and … [Read more...]