Confirmed avian flu outbreaks have hit another five U.S. states, affecting more than 128,000 birds, according to APHIS. The recent outbreaks occurred at commercial poultry farms and in backyard flocks in Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska and New York. The virus is also suspected in the deaths of wild birds in Florida and Iowa. Source: CIDRAP, December 30, 2025. … [Read more...]
Uncertainty
From global pandemics and economic shifts to industry disruption and technological transformation, professionals across all sectors have faced waves of unpredictability. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, December 15, 2025. Link. Those who acknowledge, adapt, and evolve will move forward with clarity, connection, and courage.” – Stacy Pursell INSIGHTS: Uncertainty is uncomfortable, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 5, 2026
CONGRATULATIONS to the IBPSA professionals who earned 139 Species Care Certifications last year! These individuals represent 40 facilities/independents. 18 new members and 3 vendor partners were added in 4-Q-2025. Also, 239 IBPSA Species Certification exams were completed by learners in correctional facilities through rehabilitation and reentry programs. Don’t forget to … [Read more...]
LifeLearn’s updated 2026 Pet Owner Communications Inspiration Guide
Complimentary Commercial Content To simplify things, LifeLearn’s freshly groomed 2026 Pet Owner Communications Inspiration Guide is filled with timely, engaging and fun ideas (with examples) to use through 2026. It shares ideas each month to engage and attract clients through social media, email and other channels, making communications feel less challenging or … [Read more...]
Promoting regular vet visits for cats, even the healthy-looking ones
Commentary Few would argue this statement, “No matter their age or lifestyle, regular vet care matters and it can help cats thrive.” But getting owners of ostensibly happy cats to establish routine veterinary visits is a challenge our industry faces in 2026 and beyond. Communicating with cat owners is an important element of moving toward routine veterinary visits and … [Read more...]
Veterinarians encouraged to participate in 2025 heartworm survey
The American Heartworm Society is calling on veterinarians nationwide to participate in the 2025 AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey, now open and accepting submissions. The survey provides critical data used to track heartworm disease trends across the United States and support effective client education and prevention strategies. Source: AAHA, January 5, 2025. … [Read more...]
Potential dangers of hot shoeing
While studies on hot‑shoe smoke are scarce, farriers often report symptoms reminiscent of chronic smoke exposure, including persistent coughs, sinus irritation and breathlessness. The absence of published data on hoof‑smoke composition forces a look toward surgical‑smoke research, says Lisa Nealen. She breaks down the risks to farrier health from hot shoeing in this … [Read more...]
This blog’s for you
Commentary There are numerous factors to consider as animal health pros work to improve and grow our industry. Each week, your AHD team focuses on delivering published content that has the potential to advance and improve narratives critical to serving animal owners, their animals and the people working in our industry. Last week we shared Stephen Covey’s Circles of … [Read more...]
When your teams resist change, it’s time to “painstorm”
When teams are slow to adopt changes, instead of calling it resistance, Jeffrey Yip recommends using "painstorming" to identify the underlying emotional and structural pain points associated with change. More than another 2x2 matrix, Yip explains painstorming as a practice of identifying the emotional and structural pain points associated with change. It reframes discomfort as … [Read more...]
The Great Compression, Year 3
The “Great Compression” has entered its third year, says Ryan Leech, and this time, the spotlight isn’t on who’s buying but on who’s holding on. He shares trends, surprises, displacements and challenges perplexing investors and large hospital groups from 2025: A hangover from the acquisition era. Easy arbitrage is gone. Balance sheets are strained. Shake-ups are … [Read more...]
Music as medicine
Scientists are learning how music can do more than lift our mood — from easing anxiety to helping experimental drugs reach the brain. Source: AXIOS, December 8, 2025. Link. Music has the power to stimulate our body’s reward system, like the way that warmth, food, and social connection do. Music may relieve stress for your patients, customers, and animal healthcare … [Read more...]
Growth in kitten adoption continues: changing lifestyles reshaping demand for feline veterinary care
Kitten adoptions remain above pre-COVID levels and provide positive opportunities for veterinary practices, according to Volume IV of the CATalyst Council 2025 Feline Market Insights Report <Link>. New kittens also mean many first-time cat owners who may not understand the importance of regular visits or how veterinary teams can help make those visits as low-stress and … [Read more...]
Alternatives to antibiotics for wounds in horses
Commentary, Sponsor Content We appreciate the intriguing review of One Health, natural/herb and gut-enhancing options for equine wound care in this article. It brings to mind the vast number of wound care products that are branded, licensed and manufactured without containing antibiotics or steroids. MAXI/GUARD® Zn7® Derm, manufactured by Addison Biological Laboratory, is … [Read more...]
Early allergen introduction overrides allergy predisposition in offspring of horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity
The findings from a Cornell study of Icelandic horses support the idea that early exposure to an allergen* can prime an individual’s immune system to tolerate it and not become allergic later in life. The study results were published on October 21st in Frontiers in Immunology <Link>. Source: Paulick Report, December 11, 2025. Link. Training of the immune system to … [Read more...]
New study reveals where conservation can deliver for birds, communities and climate
A new study in Scientific Reports identifies places in the continental United States where conservation efforts would provide a triple benefit to protect bird habitat, naturally store carbon and improve the well-being of local communities that have been underrepresented in conservation efforts. A novel study, it represents an important opportunity to direct conservation toward … [Read more...]
No needles needed
Promising research at the Roslin Institute has demonstrated a needle-free, solid-dose vaccine can protect pigs against PRRS; the first time that needle-free, solid-dose vaccine technology has been shown to work in any species. Source: PORK, December 11, 2025. Link. The development of needle-free vaccination could lower the risk of spreading diseases via reused needles, … [Read more...]
Don’t get caught at TSA! NEW carry-on rules for 2026
Airport security is changing fast! As our industry’s convention season approaches, new TSA rules will affect how we fly. In the video here, learn about carry-on size and weight changes, what to do with electronics, how to avoid security stops and tougher guidelines around personal bags and briefcases. Real ID requirements and penalties, plus changes to shoe and liquid rules … [Read more...]
Pet playbook: Four pillars redefining the future of pet
The future of pet care, as seen at Pet Connect 2025, is about connection over competition, shares Jeff Mard. Sharing insights from the 8th annual Pet Connect conference, he says industry leaders crystallized the massive shifts underway in animal health and commerce. The prevailing consensus is that the era of fragmented, reactive care is ending, replaced by an ecosystem built … [Read more...]
Great teams are the foundation of success
Chewy Health* President Mita Malhotra shares the attributes she believes are essential for leaders as they seek to build teams that drive growth and create experiences that keep customers coming back. Her key assertions include: Build trust daily by encouraging thoughtful questions, offering autonomy, supporting growth and allowing room for mistakes. Front desk staff … [Read more...]
If trust is so important, why aren’t we measuring it?
Commentary While there are many uses of the word “trust,” John Blakey’s article references the noun trust as “the belief that somebody/something is good, sincere, honest, et cetera and will not try to harm or trick you.” His assertions are worth considering as we enter a new year, deal with various changes and seek to separate truths in myriad messages from industry pundits … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 8, 2025
"Reading the room" webinar planned featuring Certified Canine Behavior Consultant Lisa Large, Tiny Paws Booking keeping member benefit, Carmen’s book recommendations, legislative updates, latest from Animal Health Digest and more . . . Stronger bonds, changing expectations and new technologies, Today’s Veterinary Business, December 1, 2025. Link. EU lawmakers approve … [Read more...]
ACVB seeks collaboration with AVMA after shock collar comments stir controversy
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists’ president Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVB, posted a response to recent statements made by American Veterinary Medical Association leadership regarding the use of shock collars to train dogs. She says the peer-reviewed literature is clear; shock collars increase fear, stress and aggression—and they are no more effective than reward-based … [Read more...]
Belgian Sheepdog chosen Best in Show at 2025 National Dog Show; 24.6 million viewers
Congratulations to Soleil, the first Belgian Sheepdog to win Best in Show. George the American Foxhound was runner-up as the reserve Best in Show. This year's National Dog Show included 1,994 dogs across 201 breeds. Source: Bleacher Report, November 27, 2025. Link. NationalDogShow.com and the NBC Sports YouTube Channel provide video of every breed-winning dog in the group … [Read more...]
Dog Guide spotlights latest and greatest dog essentials
The annual Pet Age Dog Guide includes columns on functional chews, digestive health and stress relief. The essential products section features beds, bowls, safety equipment and toys along with digestible products. Use the guide to see what dog owners are being presented before getting blindsided with a question. Source: Pet Age, November/December 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
The digestive tract. Preparing cow herds to prosper
“A bale ≠ a bale ≠ a bale” summarized a post from last week <Link>. The importance of building a nutritional program for a cow-calf system is emphasized by Travis Mulliniks, PhD, in this article. Leading with BCS, his considerations are a foundation for herd health and vitality discussions with producers. He says understanding nutritional requirements, knowing the … [Read more...]
Managing water efficiently, sharing how it’s done is increasingly important to consumers
Water is central to dairy’s future, but how dairies use and conserve it is no longer just an operational concern; it’s a story the public is watching. There are several ways dairies can reuse water throughout their operations, and many farms already rely on these practices to stretch every gallon. Improving sustainability begins with understanding exactly how much water a dairy … [Read more...]
AVMA Board updates telemedicine, guardianship policies
The AVMA Board of Directors updated policies addressing a range of issues during a meeting at association headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. They include: Telehealth including telemedicine Ownership not guardianship Policy on "Pet Health Insurance" Revisions to the zoonotic infectious diseases policy defining effective surveillance Participation in the … [Read more...]
Pet Age 2025 Power 50 List
The Pet Age Power 50 list features companies that have overcome recent marketplace obstacles to remain high-performing players in the pet industry. The publication positions them as positively impacting the pet care community and utilizing their social and financial capital to improve the well-being of companion animals. Source: Pet Age, November/December 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
The 2025 year end legislative review
The final Table Talk episode of 2025 brought together laughter, real-time challenges and a powerful legislative deep dive that sets the stage for the year ahead. The Animal Policy Group discussed the legislative dynamics involving more than 2,000 bills impacting veterinary medicine this year they’ve tracked, and shared the trends for every veterinary professional to keep in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 4, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 26, 2025. Link. Most read posts from November 2025 AHD Bulletins – Ownership model frames lasting change. Link. Speed eating cats, skateboarding dogs highlight Thailand’s pet boom. Link. Convenience, connection matter just as much as price. Link. You … [Read more...]