According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, mosquitoes may seek out the scent of the repellent. Scientists believe DEET protects people by masking the carbon dioxide that we emit, making it harder for biting insects to detect us. However, “If someone applies DEET and the concentration fades over time, but a mosquito still manages to feed, the … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 8, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: New 6-part webinar series using data gleaned from the Benchmarking Financial Study* Register here <Link>. FREE for IBPSA Members! Use the promo code IBPSA26. Still time to submit your IBBY nominations <Link>. CANIS Conference information and registration <Link>. Source: IBPSA, June 8, 2026. Link. *The new 2026 … [Read more...]
CATalyst Council shares Feline Findings
Research by the CATalyst Council leads our industry to better understand the feline veterinary business and opportunities as cat visits now account for nearly one-fourth of veterinary traffic. This is why we’re partnering with the CATalyst Council to share actionable opportunities in "Feline Findings." These insights from CATalyst State of the Cat research results have garnered … [Read more...]
Triaging feline house soiling using telemedicine
Sharing how triaging house soiling works, Marianne Manning, RVT, LVT, KPA CTP, VTS, asserts the preliminary need for physical examinations and diagnostics. If no medical issues are found, then troubleshooting the home environment with questions, followed by telemedicine, can help cat owners deal with house soiling. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, March 11, 2026. … [Read more...]
Considerations for creating a small animal blood bank
Bill Romanelli outlined threats to the future availability of animal blood supplies, noting increasing demand, lack of donors, limited shelf life and well-intended animal activism in his February 2026 article <Link>. In the piece linked below, Lexi Dickens, LVT, RVT, VTS, reviews some of the top considerations for veterinary clinic management looking to start their own … [Read more...]
Review: Effective biosecurity remains critical to the ongoing battle against PRRS
Commercial references included Nick Wagner, DVM, reminds us of how challenging and devastating PRRSV* is and has been to the swine industry. He reviews the details involved in the development and implementation of a comprehensive biosecurity program. In this article, he advocates for a multi-hurdle approach to effectively mitigate risk and establish a culture of compliance … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 11, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 4, 2026. Link. Most read posts from June 4, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Kill the middle manager role? The data says don’t do it. Link. AVMA president breaks down pet insurance gaps. Link. The retirement wave is coming. Link. The impact of BCS on systolic blood pressure and glucose levels in cats. … [Read more...]
6 big takeaways from FBI’s 2025 internet crime report
The 2025 Internet Crime Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a continued rise in internet crime complaints, with officials receiving more than 3,000 per day and the annual total surpassing 1 million for the first time. Reported losses tied to online criminal activity topped $20 billion last year, despite federal officials’ efforts to combat it. Notable … [Read more...]
Consumers like AI content until they know it’s AI
Important read Pamela Parker shares research on how AI content is perceived against its ability to generate content rapidly. The outcomes cover trust and believability. She asserts that for marketers, the path forward involves balancing efficiency with trust. The AI content paradox means that efficiency and scale come with a trust tax that is activated the moment a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 1, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites Legislative updates from Colorado and New York Member hosts successful dock diving event; more than 70 canine athletes competed White paper report from 2026 Financial Benchmarking survey Member resources and upcoming events Source: IBPSA, June 1, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 28th. Link. Role ambiguity, … [Read more...]
The next frontier in farm, facility and plant security is above your head
Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, poses a simple question: “If someone viewed your facility from above today, what would they see?” In this article, she covers the growing use of drones while considering animal activist activities, biosecurity, stress on animals and premise security. Source: MeatingPlace, June 2, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Body condition score at calving a key predictor of reproductive success
New information? No, but a timely reminder for producers who may have shifted their focus to other summer activities at turnout. Consider sharing this article with producers in newsletters, social media and leave a few copies at the coffee stop. With most spring calving done, assessing cows now is important to the next generation of calves. BCS at calving is one of the best … [Read more...]
Quality over quantity driving milk revenue in U.S. dairies
Karen Bohnert says the U.S. dairy industry is evolving from a fluid milk nation into the world’s premier nutrient-dense global powerhouse. She shares analytics from Farm Journal’s 2026 State of the Dairy Industry Report that shows a staggering 89 percent of producers are now actively and surgically adjusting their rations to target specific milk components (fat and protein) … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 4, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 28, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 28, 2026 AHD Bulletin – New insights on the hidden impact of veterinary care: global survey. Link. Malone: Bad and good pain. Link. Just trying to save lives and survive! (video). Link. Role ambiguity is the top workplace stressor, not workload. … [Read more...]
New insights on the hidden impact of veterinary care: global survey
Commentary I often promote the benefits of veterinarians and veterinary technicians talking out loud with clients and sharing what they look for and feel during exams when working with clients’ animals. This kind of vet talk reveals the expertise and depth of veterinary care owners often take for granted. Yet, it is this expertise that is essential to protect animals, people … [Read more...]
Vetmed. Just trying to save lives and survive!
No commentary required. Walter Brown, BS, RVTg, VTS, tells it like it is. When it comes to veterinary medicine, he says, “Love don’t keep the lights on.” Listing many of the fixed operational costs to keep a clinic available for animal owners, he says, “The same inflation that is affecting groceries, housing, gas and health care is also affecting veterinary medicine.” The … [Read more...]
CX is a leadership issue, not a service issue
Research from Forrester finds companies that prioritize proactive customer experience achieve 41 percent faster revenue growth and 51 percent better customer retention than their peers. Author Jeannie Walters asserts that customer experience is the responsibility of leadership. She shares three behaviors of leaders who consistently drive strong customer experience outcomes: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 26, 2026
Financial survey results, IBBY nominations, webinars for members. Source: IBPSA, May 26, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 21st. Link. Fear Free, making decisions, why clients don't book, are you ready for summer, using Reddit for pet marketing, and more! … [Read more...]
The science behind red light therapy for horses
Red light therapy, or photobiomodulation, has become one of the most talked-about modalities in modern equine wellness. PBM uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity, particularly in the mitochondria. This article shares B to C content that supports educating animal owners. It covers professional and at-home use of PBM, areas … [Read more...]
Study uncovers how cattle break down seaweed
Climate change is forcing producers and scientists to rethink some long-held assumptions about livestock nutrition. Researchers studying what happens inside the gut of cows fed seaweed as an alternate nutrient source observed a bloom, or proliferation, of bacteria they believe was involved in digestion, which suggested the cattle were successfully breaking down and digesting … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo opens June 3
The world’s largest pork industry-specific trade show brings together pork producers and industry professionals from around the world for two days of education, innovation and networking. It takes place Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Source: World Pork Expo. Link. There’s something for everyone — an expansive trade … [Read more...]
Why Reddit is quietly becoming one of the most powerful forces in pet marketing
Ronn Torossia extends his AI marketing theme we posted last week <Link> and explores Reddit’s ability to generate community validation at scale. He says the implications for marketers are profound as brands consumers naturally discuss become the brands AI systems naturally retrieve. Source: Pets+, May 17, 2026. Link. As AI increasingly intermediates consumer … [Read more...]
Application and use of a continuous glucose monitor in cats and dogs
In the article linked here, Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM, and Jose Estrada, DVM, MS, share the pros and cons of using CGM systems, how to attach them and the importance of educating clients about results. The article includes instructional photos that will help explain CGM use with clients. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2025. Link. The CGM most commonly used in … [Read more...]
How research is helping solve equine pregnancy mysteries
With support from the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, researchers are reshaping the understanding of equine pregnancy loss. They are shifting the focus beyond the mare alone to include the biology of the embryo and placenta. While genetic abnormalities play a critical role early in gestation, placentitis remains one of the leading causes of later-term pregnancy … [Read more...]
3D imaging may help identify cattle welfare and mobility problems early
Cattle Mooves is a University of Illinois project that uses advanced imaging and motion analysis to understand how cattle move, with the goal of improving health, structure and welfare. 3D imaging, specialized cameras and computer vision capture subtle differences in gait, posture and skeletal movement that may not be noticed during routine observation. Researchers emphasize … [Read more...]
1 common skin bacteria, 2 outcomes
Commercial content A researcher at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, is studying S. pseudintermedius with a different lens. Rather than looking only at dogs with active infection, Felix N. Toka, DVM, PhD, Dsc, DAVM, is including dogs that naturally carry the bacteria and remain healthy. He examined bacterial strains in both healthy and affected dogs and … [Read more...]
These pet brands are dominating ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity
One core objective of Animal Health Digest’s curation service is to provide animal health pros a look at what consumers are seeing and reading in a B2C context. 5W’s Pet Industry AI Visibility Index 2026 provides visibility to what consumers are accessing on popular AI tools. This new research report analyzes which pet brands appear most frequently across AI-generated … [Read more...]
Blocking mobile internet can give you 2.5 more hours each day
Important well-being read Daniel Pink summarizes the results of a study published in PNAS Nexus that examined the effects of blocking mobile internet on smartphones, making them dumb phones. The results were closer to "new medication" than "digital detox," he says, noting the attention gains were roughly equivalent to reversing 10 years of age-related cognitive … [Read more...]
Considerations when choosing an SGLT2 inhibitor for a newly diagnosed diabetic cat
Diabetes management in cats requires a different approach than in dogs. Section 6 of the 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats provides primary care providers with ways to better serve their feline patients, including SGLT2 inhibitors. Two SGLT2 inhibitors are now licensed for use in newly diagnosed, otherwise healthy feline diabetics not previously treated with … [Read more...]
Reminder: Timing and method matter in castrating bull calves
One consistent recommendation across research and veterinary guidance is to castrate calves as early in life as practical. In addition to the welfare and health benefits, fresh weaned calves castrated early in life are earning price premiums of $50 to $100 per head than comparable bull calves. Source: Western Livestock Journal, May 1, 2026. Link. Done correctly, castration … [Read more...]