Esco Buff, CF, APF, PhD, has started a unique, yearlong challenge to chronicle the hoof-care journey of Jackson, a 15-year-old Clydesdale cross gelding used primarily for trail and pleasure riding in the southeastern U.S. Supported by Triple Crown Nutrition, Buff expects to gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative nature of equine care and the dedication it … [Read more...]
When rescue isn’t rescue: The problem with saving horses from kill pens
There’s a lot to think about in Allison Bowling’s letter to the Paulick Report editor here. From her experiences with the differences in how horses are represented, she opines on comparing ethical rescue versus exploitation. In small animal rescue, she writes, euthanasia is a devastating but real consequence of the overabundance of unwanted pets met by limited capacity for … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club’s September events
Keeping the conversations moving, The Bridge Club is hosting these virtual events: Retired but not done yet? Doug Mader, DVM, MSc, DABVP, DECZM, will guide the discussion September 10th, 6:00 EST. Register for free <Link>. From Scrubs to Sustainability: Small Shifts, Big Impact. Join a CE approved community conversation in partnership with Mars Veterinary Health … [Read more...]
PRN Pharmacal announces award program for veterinary technicians
PRN Pharmacal launched this program to celebrate and honor the vet techs who exemplify "PRN" – Professionalism, Resourcefulness, and Necessity – in their work. This award will focus on credentialed veterinary technicians in the animal healthcare industry within veterinary hospitals, shelters, and clinics and provide financial support that can be used toward continuing … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 4, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 28, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 28, 2025 AHD Bulletin – KC Animal Health Corridor Summit and initiative posts. Link-1 and Link-2 July VetWatch® commentary. Link. Everyone’s a coach. Link. Recognizing the early signs of joint disease (video). Link. The joy of sharing life … [Read more...]
20th annual Summit showcases startups, industry leaders, future of animal care
Snoretox captured the 2025 Animal Health Summit’s Innovation Award for its promising therapy, modeled after Botox therapy, to treat brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, a condition that affects short-snouted breeds. The innovations panel spotlighted feline medicine, telehealth and AI as forces that will affect clinical practice and reshape veterinary care. Keynote … [Read more...]
KC Corridor launches campaign to attract new talent into animal health
The KC Animal Health Corridor unveiled a new Workforce Campaign at the annual Summit that addresses the talent shortage in the animal health industry head-on. The Workforce Campaign challenges the common misconception that animal health careers are limited to veterinary medicine. Commenting about the talent gap threatening our industry’s future, Kimberly Young, president of … [Read more...]
July VetWatch metrics
Commentary The July VetWatch® commentary indicates practices are doing a good job of managing visit revenue when presented with pets. It is no surprise that pet owners express concerns about rising veterinary services costs and pet food prices, especially when higher spending on essentials, affordability of healthcare and overall consumer prices keep rising (2.7 percent in … [Read more...]
The joy of sharing life with a dog or cat comes with a solemn responsibility
Commentary Routine diagnostic tests for dogs and cats are the secret arsenal to uncover hidden threats early and protect a beloved companion’s future, according to this article. Secret arsenal? Simply that “secret” is used should raise eyebrows among animal health professionals. Secret? . . . Whose fault is that? Can clients name the two or three diagnostic tests their … [Read more...]
ALEC adopts resolution in full support of veterinary telemedicine
The American Legislative Exchange Council adopted a resolution in full support of veterinary telemedicine. Notably, the resolution states: 1) veterinarians should be allowed to practice to the full extent of their professional training through telehealth, and 2) no laws or regulations should require a client and patient to meet a veterinarian in person before they receive a … [Read more...]
Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association’s DEI publications now permanently open access
The first comprehensive publications on diversity, equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine are now free and permanently accessible online. The 2-part collection consists of 20 review articles and editorials written by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, social workers and educators. Source: DVM 360, August 19, 2025. Link. "In our current political and economic … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 25, 2025
2025 IBBY finalists named in six categories, Forum room block reservations extended through September 2nd, IBPSA staff announces weekly Zoom hours, more and more dogs and fewer and fewer children in Spain spawns luxury pet hotels, Mississippi is number 1 in heartworm infection rates, followed by Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Arkansas. Plus the August 21st AHD Bulletin, which … [Read more...]
Doodle mania has become a billion-dollar business
Despite the assertions of people like Emma Milne, BVSc, FRCVS, to reduce extreme conformations in dog and cat breeds <Link>, the doodle craze continues to drive interest, breeding experiments and value. We’re sharing Allie Conti’s article sans graphics, which describes how crossbreeding poodles with other breeds has created a billion-dollar business. It’s a long read, but … [Read more...]
First lung transplant from gene-edited pig performed in China
A 39-year-old brain-dead person in China has become the first human to receive a lung from a pig. With consent from the person’s family, researchers took the organ from a CRISPR’d pig, trimmed it, and stitched it into the chest, where it remained for nine days. Experts stress there is a long way to go before pig lungs can be used in patients. Source: The Guardian, August 25, … [Read more...]
Brakke Consulting, Trone Research and Consulting announce market research JV
Combining Brakke and Trone research creates a strategic combination of their individual market research businesses. The two companies have more than 50 combined years of animal health consulting and market research expertise. Effective August 22, 2025, the new joint venture will operate under the name Trone Research and Consulting. Source: Trone Research and Consulting, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 27, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 21, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 21, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Many problems with extreme conformation in dog and cat breeds. Link. 8 Gen Z habits that make others say, “Huh?” Link. Time management or prioritization? Link. Expert views on the importance of recordkeeping. Link. … [Read more...]
Emma Milne: The (many) problems with extreme conformation in dog and cat breeds
Commentary Kudos to Kristen Green Seymour, who took on the challenge to share the bent of several topics Emma Milne, BVSc, FRCVS, covers in this video interview. Like her, we recommend this article and video as “required” for all animal health pros. We found reading the article while listening to it was most helpful. It doesn’t matter which side you’re on. This discussion … [Read more...]
New tool helps clarify pet insurance decisions for owners
Animal Health Digest introduces a “Pet Insurance Guide,” a tool designed to save time, advance pet health insurance conversations, and highlight its benefits for clients, their pets, veterinarians, and their teams. The free, non-commercial PDF is available here. Link. AHD’s Pet Insurance Guide helps animal pros easily take pet owners through the “who, what, when, where, and … [Read more...]
Time management or prioritization?
Includes Commentary Time management in animal healthcare isn’t about squeezing more hours out of the day – it’s about spending the hours you have on what moves the needle, writes Brian Sullivan. His focus is on salespeople, but the guidance is universal. He asserts that it’s not time that’s scarce, it’s your focus. Agreed. Source: Veterinary Advantage, April 2025. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 18, 2025
The latest ahead of the upcoming FORUM, IBPSA Zoom office hours, clearing up travel expense confusion, Digs Dog Care and more. Source: IBPSA, August 18, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
HABRI announces 2025 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award winners at SUPERZOO
The Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards recognize companies, individuals and organizations with innovative programs and practices designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society. Awards were presented in the public service, media, pet-inclusive culture and pet-inclusive infrastructure categories. Source: Pet Age, August 18, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Healing dogs with their own cells: The promise of regenerative medicine
Commentary Part of our curation commitment at AHD is to capture articles that may drive animal owner questions to veterinary team members. This article fits that profile. Consider sharing it with clinic teams as a discussion topic so they present a consistent position when asked about regenerative options. Source: AKC Canine Health Foundation, August 19, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Back to school: exciting for families, not so much for pets
This infographic appeared in the recent B2C Fear Free Happy Homes email. While many clinics, pet services businesses and shelters have adopted Fear Free practices, personnel may not be seeing what pet owners are receiving. We’re sharing it to help all animal health pros keep the Back to School narratives consistent. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, August 15, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Vets urge smarter parasite control to combat drug resistance
Commentary The topic of parasite resistance is not new to U.S. livestock production. However, the British Veterinary Association’s actions described in this article are important. Many foreign production environments are more condensed than those in the U.S. and can foretell future domestic production issues. The BVA’s new policy position warns that routine, blanket … [Read more...]
USDA to build $750M sterile fly facility to combat New World screwworm spread
USDA is moving ahead with plans to build a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base near Edinburg, Texas, to produce 300 million sterile flies to combat New World screwworm and reduce reliance on foreign sources. Source: Farm Progress, August 18, 2025. Link. Also see: Emergency use of animal drugs authorized for screwworms, BEEF, August 19, 2025. Link. HHS … [Read more...]
Plug and Play Topeka selects 13 animal health startups for accelerator program
In collaboration with GO Topeka, the economic development group for Kansas' capital city, Plug and Play Topeka, a global industry-specific accelerator program, has selected 13 animal health startups for its ninth cohort. The group includes global startups focusing on animal health diagnostics or therapeutics, food safety and quality, packaging, or novel ingredients, and … [Read more...]
Celebration highlights $250 million investment in new OSU veterinary college
Alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters gathered August 12 to celebrate the historic $250 million state funding appropriation that was announced last May (Link) for Oklahoma State University’s new veterinary teaching hospital. Combined with $79 million allocated in 2023, the university will build a 255,000-square-foot facility to replace the existing one designed for 60 … [Read more...]
Dr. Gary Smith awarded CAB’s Industry Achievement Award
Likely the most renowned meat scientist in the U.S., Dr. Gary Smith received the Industry Achievement Award from Certified Angus Beef during its Feeding Quality Program in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 24. Source: Certified Angus Beef, August 2025. Link (includes video). Dr. Gary Smith originally had no plans to become a meat scientist. But thank goodness he did. … [Read more...]
IVAP approved by NAVTA
IGNITE’s Veterinary Assistant Program has officially earned approval from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, joining an elite group of just seven online programs nationwide. IGNITE now serves more than 22,000 members and offers membership programs tailored to practice owners, practice managers, technicians, veterinary assistants and front desk … [Read more...]
Doing pet telehealth right isn’t optional; it’s essential
Complimentary Content Telehealth should support, not compete with, local veterinarians, writes Deb Leon, founder and CEO of whiskerDocs. She asserts that the best systems relieve pressure on clinics, help triage smartly and improve access without undermining the critical role of in-person exams. Warning of the risks from cutting corners as the services grow, she outlines why … [Read more...]