The 2026 AAHA One Health Guidelines: Emerging Concerns in Canine and Feline Parasitology will launch on October 29th. In this article, members of the guidelines task force share what you can expect from these guidelines, what might surprise you,and what aspects of them they’re most anxious to see out in the world. The guidelines call for a One Health approach to monitoring, … [Read more...]
No offseason: Managing stress in dairy’s metabolic athletes
Thirty percent or more of cows will experience at least one disease event in early lactation, writes Dan Shock. For producers who push their animals close to their biological limits, resilience becomes the key driver of both welfare and performance. Stress links directly to inflammation, immune function and disease risk, so the opportunity for veterinary teams and their dairy … [Read more...]
Rethinking propylene glycol: A fresh look at fresh cow management
The current propylene glycol situation may be frustrating, but Nathan Upah argues it gives the dairy industry a reason to revisit things it hasn’t in years. After a refresher on ruminant energy and the negative energy balance post-calving, he questions when and where propylene glycol is needed, and outlines ways producers can prepare fresh cows for lactation. Source: … [Read more...]
Calf pneumonia: Look beyond the lungs
When pneumonia recurs, examining feeding mechanics and the structures that protect the lungs can reveal problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. The lungs may not tell the whole story, says Jeremy Schefers, DVM, PhD. He provides a practical checklist for investigating calf pneumonia to identify potential management-related contributors such as: Observe feeding for any … [Read more...]
Recent H5N1 research identifies potential viral replication sites in swine
H5N1 infection in pigs has NOT suddenly become inevitable. However, understanding how the virus attaches and binds to specific porcine cells can help researchers better understand potential transmission dynamics. Research findings from the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan demonstrated that, in the laboratory, porcine cells can … [Read more...]
Swine health experts: tighten biosecurity and herd surveillance. Start NOW!
September diagnostic data showed the typical seasonal rise in viral respiratory and enteric diseases, including increased detections of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, active porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus variants, and seasonal influenza. Source: PORK, October 20, 2026. Link. Because fall pathogen circulation frequently forecasts the severity of winter … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 22, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 15, 2026. Link.☑ Most read posts from October 15th AHD Bulletin – Study: The State of AI in Veterinary Medicine. Link. Malone: Paint a picture. Your clients will remember it. Link. Wharton’s 2026 AI Adoption Report: the Adaptive Advantage. Link. Reminder: Some foods we eat can kill dogs. … [Read more...]
Choanal swab technique essential for effective disease surveillance in birds
In this LinkedIn post by Sheikh Md. Fazlul Karim, a broiler farm manager, explains how gently inserting and rotating a sterile micro-swab into the choanal cleft, allows veterinary professionals to easily sample the upper respiratory tract. He says mastering the choanal swab technique is essential for effective disease surveillance. Source: Sheikh Md. Fazlul Karim, … [Read more...]
Portraits of Modern Dairy National Checkoff initiative (video)
Commentary A story. Photos and a video. A family. And an indication of how much more is behind the title “dairy farmer” than most people ever see. The National Checkoff Initiative features seven women. If you enjoy cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter on toast or a milk moustache, take a few minutes to see the modern dairy images and our customers at work. Source: Midwest … [Read more...]
Snapshot: Fifty years of progress in cattle production
When it comes to sustainability, beef has received much criticism, writes C. Alan Rotz, PhD. His article covers the changes, challenges and improvements in beef production over the past 50 years. We’re sharing some key statements from the article. Over the past 50-year period: Yields of the major feed crops used for cattle production increased The number of beef cows … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 15, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 8, 2026. Link. Most read posts from October 8th AHD Bulletin – Diabetes care looks different in cats and dogs. Link. Rats identified as overlooked H5N1 link between birds, other animals. Link. Veterinary preventive care, a pricing paradox. Link. Malone: The seal of approval. Link. High … [Read more...]
Rats identified as overlooked H5N1 link between birds, other animals
An analysis of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a small farm in Illinois revealed that the virus also spread to a cat and wild rats. The virus was found in multiple types of tissue samples, as well as in infected rats' urine. “Because the mammalian-adaptation marker was already present in the bird virus, crossing into mammals may not require new mutations. … [Read more...]
High nitrates confirmed across Upper Plains; ruminants may be at risk
Drought conditions are almost always associated with the possibility of elevated nitrate levels in forages. According to information by Dairyland Laboratories, many tested feed samples from Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota in 2026 have confirmed nitrate levels of more than 1,000 parts per million nitrate-nitrogen. Drinking water also needs to be checked for … [Read more...]
Early lameness intervention changes everything
Complimentary commercial content By the time lameness becomes obvious, the biological and economic consequences are already underway. More than one in five U.S. dairy cows are estimated to be limping at any given time. The earliest stages of lameness represent the greatest opportunity for intervention. Transitioning from periodic human observation to a continuous AI … [Read more...]
Managing mud in the feedyard
Cattle feeders often focus on the cost of inputs from preventatives and nutrition, but poor pen conditions can quietly erode feed efficiency, increase maintenance requirements and drive up cost of gain throughout the feeding period. Source: BEEF, October 2, 2026. Link. Feedyards that prioritize drainage and maintain functional pen mounds are often better equipped to … [Read more...]
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research invests to reduce swine mortality
Reducing pig mortality is influenced by animal health, management, environment and other factors throughout production. FFAR, the Pork Checkoff and industry stakeholders are investing $1,643,357 in the Pig Livability Project. Led by Iowa State University in collaboration with Kansas State University, the project seeks practical ways to reduce pig deaths and pig welfare in the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 8, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 1, 2026. Link. Most read posts from October 1st AHD Bulletin – New research reveals barriers to pet adoption. Link. Malone: Integrity in your hospital. Link. No avocado toast for your rabbit, bird, horse, sheep, goat or cow. Link. Dogs use a surprising method to understand human language. … [Read more...]
Scientists want your photos of wildlife eating lunch
Feedback tells us you enjoy the photos of the year contest results we post <Link>. Here is a chance to contribute your own photos.weerwe A citizen science project called Who Eats Whom is using crowdsourcing to grow a repository of wildlife photos. Ideally, they will inform conservation efforts in species interactions and adaptation. With a platform like Who Eats Whom, … [Read more...]
No avocado toast for your rabbit, bird, horse, sheep, goat or cow
If avocados are so good for people, are they good for pets? The short answer: it depends very much on the species, and for some animals the answer is a definite no. Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, explains why in this blog post. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, September 30, 2026. Link. In addition to persin toxicity, the high fat content of avocado can cause … [Read more...]
Oak toxicosis kills cow, bull
Veterinary researchers identified oak toxicosis as the cause of severe kidney failure in a cow and death in a bull from the same herd and examined at Auburn University. Cattle and sheep are vulnerable. Once ingested, oak tannins break down to gallic acid and pyrogallol in the rumen, damaging renal tubules and blood vessel linings. Signs of oak toxicosis include anorexia, … [Read more...]
Review: Understanding ionophores
Includes commercial references Ionophores are feed additives used in beef production to improve energy efficiency and prevent diseases in cattle. They are not human-grade antibiotics and do not contribute to antibiotic resistance in cattle or humans. The majority of ionophores are fed to finishing cattle, but they can be fed to all classes of cattle. Note the chart of … [Read more...]
The history of what is now World Dairy Expo
If you wanted the industry to see your cattle, you loaded them and hauled them to wherever the industry happened to be standing, writes Andrew Hunt, sharing a 55-year history of National Dairy Cattle Congress, which opened in October 1910 in Waterloo, Iowa. Changing times, along with visionary dairy producers who recognized the need for a place where North America’s best … [Read more...]
Don’t trust your nose around manure gases
Research in deep-pit swine and beef facilities has documented rapid increases in hydrogen sulfide during agitation, especially when ventilation is inadequate. Sharing this article may save the life of a client, neighbor or someone in your community. Remind farmers and manure applicators that manure storage can create one of the most dangerous storage atmospheres on a farm, … [Read more...]
Planning for the inevitables. Review swine farm risk management plans now.
The question is not, “What will the market do?” It is, “Are we prepared for what the market could do?” Doug Groth, DVM, and Kim King from Carthage Systems discuss the importance of preparing for myriad variables in the pork business beyond a producer’s reach with the elements of a risk management plan. Source: Carthage Veterinary Service, Link. Risk management is not … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 1, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 24, 2026. Link. Most read posts from September 24th AHD Bulletin – Why job hopping is surging among Gen Zers. Link. Community outreach “stuffy style” Link. Malone: Role reversal. Link. BioSphere Essentials: Enzymes in animal nutrition. Link. FFA: Growing the future. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Community outreach “stuffy style”
Commentary We often recommend that local outreach and visibility are important for veterinary professionals. Doctors Justin Sobota and Brooke Alnwick had a great idea to help familiarize animal owners about veterinarians, what they do and also raise the profile of horses. The team set up a Stuffy ER at The Great Frederick Fair on September 20th. The Stuffy ER idea can be … [Read more...]
World Rabies Day theme is: Stronger Together
September 28th is World Rabies Day for 2026. It reinforces the importance of a One Health approach, recognizing the connection between human, animal, and environmental health. Rabies elimination strategies rely heavily on working together for dog vaccination campaigns, community education, and rapid response to potential exposures. Source: World Health Organization, … [Read more...]
FFA: Growing the future
Modern FFA programs are framing agriculture in familiar urban and suburban environments, writes Kristy Meyer. Students learn that agricultural careers can exist in stadiums, parks, school districts, golf courses, universities and professional sports facilities, in addition to traditional farm and ranch settings. Source: AgriLife, October 2026. Link. Leadership in FFA does … [Read more...]
BioSphere Essentials: Enzymes in animal nutrition. From mode of action to impact.
Discover how enzymes interact with specific substrates, how conditions within the digestive system influence their activity, and how differences between animals, diets and production systems can shape their impact during this Novonesis webinar at 4:00 p.m. CDT on September 30th. (Check your time zone against Copenhagen time.) How enzymes work and why substrate specificity … [Read more...]
Reminder: Late season pasture fly control
As fall work progresses, animal health pros can help producers manage horn flies and face flies while reducing resistance development in the overwintering fly population. Many fly control products used in spring and early summer are at the end of their useful life, allowing fly populations to rapidly increase. Insecticide resistance in fly populations tends to develop in late … [Read more...]