H9N2 avian influenza demonstrates significantly greater ability to replicate, spread and infect chickens, with more spillover potential. Source: Feedstuffs, May 15, 2026. Link. The study underscores the need for continued surveillance of avian influenza viruses, stronger biosecurity measures in poultry production and ongoing monitoring of viral evolution and gene exchange. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 21, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 14, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 14, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Words + Action = Trust. Link. 1 common skin bacteria, 2 outcomes. Link. These pet brands dominate ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. Link. Turn feline visits into lasting relationships. Link. Vesicular stomatitis … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 12, 2026
2026 Industry Benchmarking Report survey results webinar, Thursday, May 21st at 12 pm Mountain Time. Register here. Link. The webinar presentation will break down: The 4 distinct performance tiers shaping the industry The biggest gaps between top and underperforming operators The 5 operational disciplines that drive scalable growth Actionable insights you can … [Read more...]
Addressing hantavirus concerns
Dogs and cats are not thought to be susceptible to hantavirus infection and are not thought to play a role in spreading the disease to people, writes Ann E. Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, emphasizing the need for rodent control. Consider her article for newsletters or social media posts to reduce pet owner concerns. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, May 13, 2026. Link. The … [Read more...]
Turn feline visits into lasting relationships
Recent research by the Catalyst Council has led to a deeper understanding of the feline veterinary business and opportunities as cat visits now account for nearly one-fourth of veterinary traffic. Catalyst Council leaders share actionable opportunities in this edition of Feline Findings from the CATalyst 2026 State of the Cat 60,000-household survey report. Change the … [Read more...]
Free-range, indoor-outdoor cats can carry similar disease risk as feral cats
Owned cats allowed to roam outside unsupervised may carry infectious diseases at rates comparable to feral cats, even when they receive veterinary care, regular meals and shelter. Study results* show that how people manage their pets plays a major role in shaping disease transmission between wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Researchers highlight that strategies … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 14, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 7, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 7, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Gartner: Managers face increased workloads and demands. Link. The pet economy is splitting in two. Link. Air filtration is critical to reduce disease, protect herd productivity. Link. Hill’s first World of the Kitten Report. Link. … [Read more...]
Hill’s releases its first World of the Kitten Report
Complimentary Building upon Hill's World of the Cat Report, the World of the Kitten Report is positioned as a comprehensive, evidence-based guide that delivers expert insights into optimal kitten growth, nutrition, socialization and veterinary care, to help ensure healthier, happier feline companions across the globe. Hill's encourages a shift in focus to the first 12 … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 5, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Limited time FLASH sale on IBPSA education through May 11th New member benefits announced Financial survey results being tabulated IBBY nominations open soon Upcoming Webinar: Sustainability in Pet Care, May 13, 2026 1:00pm CST. Registration Link. Alex McKinnon has a global perspective on what sustainability in pet care really means. … [Read more...]
Golden Tempo’s victory in Kentucky Derby most-viewed on record
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby averaged 19.6 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-viewed Run for the Roses since Nielsen began tracking average audiences in 1988. Source: AP, May 3, 2026. Link. Jose Ortiz rallied 23-1 long shot Golden Tempo from way back to claim the 152st Derby and make history for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first … [Read more...]
Education course supports recognition of equine emotions
Whether a horse owner, equine enthusiast, veterinary team member or animal health pro serving the equine market, learning how to recognize and understand emotions horses exhibit will help advance animal welfare and owner satisfaction with their animals. Kris Hiney, PhD, shares research and a new online educational course to help horse owners accurately recognize and … [Read more...]
Vets write ‘Dr. Cluck’ book to help keep chickens healthy, safe
Science-based advice for poultry care at every life stage is now available in a new book from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. ‘Dr. Cluck’s Backyard Chickens’ is fun to read, peer-reviewed, poultry vet-approved and and reads like a sitcom. Maurice Pitesky, professor at the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine and veterinarian Evan Adler share … [Read more...]
Iowa officials moves decisively to contain 1st pseudorabies case in more than 20 years
Pseudorabies, a herpes virus, was officially eradicated in 2004 in commercial herds but remains endemic in feral swine populations. An April 30th detection in Iowa involved five boars in a small commercial herd with fewer than 100 animals. A direct trace-back shows the five positive boars were part of a shipment received several months ago from an outdoor “transitional” herd in … [Read more...]
Hill’s Pet Nutrition introduces product to support feline mobility, weight management
The new Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + j/d, brings two innovations together to help manage feline weight and mobility issues in one formula. Cat owners who have overweight cats struggling with mobility no longer have to choose which condition to address with their veterinarian. Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition, PR Newswire, April 30, 2026. Link. Hill's Prescription Diet … [Read more...]
Champions of Animal Health is theme for upcoming KC Animal Health Summit
Mark your calendars and register for the 2026 KC Animal Health Summit. The Summit features a robust lineup of sessions, panels and networking opportunities where top industry voices speak on the forces redefining animal health while competing early-stage companies take the stage in a Shark Tank-style pitch competition. Event details Date: August 31 to September … [Read more...]
NASC proposes Animal Health Supplement Act for regulatory clarity
The National Animal Supplement Council has proposed a federal law that would establish a statutory category for animal health supplements. Named the Animal Health Supplement Act it would formally define animal health supplements as products intended for structure/function use only; meaning disease claims would remain prohibited. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 6, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 7, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 30, 2026. Link. Most read posts from April 30, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Four stoic rules to master your emotions at work. Link. How Simon Sinek changed business strategy to an infinite game. Link. Great to good to average to mediocre. Link. Most read post in April 2026: Personal responsibility. … [Read more...]
CDC: Tick season off to a fast start
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an early advisory to the public this week to guard against ticks. The CDC’s tracking system shows that weekly rates of emergency room visits for tick bites are the highest for this time of year since 2017. The warning is a reminder to communicate with animal owners about the need to protect their animals and themselves … [Read more...]
Banking PTO, self-preservation in an era of job insecurity
New data highlights just how pervasive unused PTO has become, and how it could be a major red flag for costly employee well-being issues. Source: HR Executive, April 27, 2026. Link. Time off is becoming more and more about self-preservation or job insurance, says Michael Baynes. Employees are holding onto time off as a buffer to use for possible job searches, as well as … [Read more...]
An update on canine influenza virus vaccine options
Canine influenza virus vaccines TruCan Ultra by Elanco and Nobivac NXT by Merck, were introduced in 2025. Each of these elicit significant disease-sparing responses in experimentally infected dogs, as measured by reduction in CIV-induced pulmonary lesions, writes John Ellis DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVM. His article focuses on new additions to the prophylactic armamentarium for CIV, … [Read more...]
NEW 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats
For veterinary teams managing diabetic patients, this is a meaningful update. The LinkedIn post below shares a high-level look at how care is evolving. Source: AAHA, LinkedIn, April 27, 2026. Link. Full version of 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats <Link>. Also see: Guidelines at a glance <Link>. … [Read more...]
Nothing beats “eyes on animals” when monitoring for NWS
With New World screwworm getting closer to the U.S., experts are telling producers to quit worrying and take action. A panel of representatives from East Foundation, Florida Department of Agriculture, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and USDA-APHIS, recently shared ways to manage for NWS arrival from revamping breeding and … [Read more...]
Flesh eating Vibrio vulnificus found in Long Island Sound
In recent years, scientists have documented Vibrio sp. expanding into places that were once too cold to support the bacteria, pushing as far north along the U.S. East Coast as Maine and appearing with more prevalence in temperate seas around the world. A small number of Vibrio sp. can sicken and even kill people and pets. Vibrio is reportedly present in water bodies across … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 20, 2026
IBPSA is pausing the Annual Conference in 2026. However, the IBBY Award Celebration will be held during the inaugural Canis Conference in October. Register to attend <Link>. This week’s Fast Bites: BARK Rangers at National Parks. Link. Service dogs interpret the needs of their humans. Link. First-ever pet-centric private aviation terminal. Link. … [Read more...]
Two industries, one mission, mostly disconnected
There is something about pets that overrides conventional career logic, writes veterinary nutritionist Megan Sprinkle, DVM. She shares her observations from a trip to Global Pet Expo 2026 and contrasts parallel industries with a common customer commenting on the opportunity of shared purpose. Source: Animal Health News and Views, April 2026. Link. Diverse perspectives and … [Read more...]
Rethink milk fever: The immune-calcium connection in transition cows
New research is helping reframe hypocalcemia through what is being called the calci-inflammatory network which is a model that links calcium dynamics directly to immune function during the transition period. It offers a more integrated way to understand milk fever; one that connects metabolism, inflammation and mineral dynamics. Calcium is not simply a nutrient to maintain but … [Read more...]
The Bird Bath launches “Terminal,” a new veterinary market intelligence platform and practice database
The Bird Bath, an animal health information and insights provider, launched Terminal, a new veterinary market intelligence platform designed to help business-side stakeholders in veterinary medicine access, analyze and act on industry data in one place. To view Terminal and the subscription model click here <Link>. Source: PR Newswire, April 21, 2026. Link. The dataset … [Read more...]
Free guide to win visibility in AI search
AI tools like ChatGPT are changing how pet owners find veterinary care. Gain an edge in online visibility using LifeLearn’s free guide to optimize AI discovery: 5 Minutes to Winning Clients in the Age of AI Search. Source: LifeLearn Animal Health, April 21, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 23, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 16, 2026. Link. Most read posts from April 16, 2026 AHD Bulletin – When you start to find employee requests irritating. Link. The wise leader. Link. Credit card surcharges by veterinary practices may not meet resistance. Link. How to identify and address grooming neglect. Link. Erase 10 … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 13, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Pet industry surveys from a) Australia , b) Canada, and c) United Kingdom Legislative updates from a) New York, b) New Jersey, and c) Iowa Source: IBPSA, April 13, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 9th. Link. Personal responsibility, leadership maturity, the power of introverts, emotional support animals, and … [Read more...]