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...]
Cockroach milk proteins churn out an Ig Nobel win
Researchers found that cockroach milk proteins boast more than triple the energy content of dairy milk, winning the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Milk proteins from Diploptera punctata, the Pacific beetle cockroach, have more than three times as much energy as milk proteins from cows Source: Scientist Digest, September 3, 2026. Link. D. punctata, in particular, is one of … [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...]
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...]
New Age Pet partners with Dr. Jan Pol on collection of dog, cat, bird products
Complimentary New Age Pet has partnered with the Dr. Pol brand to develop and launch new innovative pet products that combine the trusted veterinary expertise with thoughtful, pet-centric design. Five new products were developed with Dr. Jan Pol’s practical, no-nonsense approach to animal care and New Age Pet’s commitment to safe, durable and stylish products for … [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...]
Pet loss goes unacknowledged for many owners, survey finds
Includes commercial reference Many pet owners receive little acknowledgment after their animal dies, even though that is the support they most want. A recent survey found that 1,139 U.S. adults who had experienced a pet loss received less support than those who had experienced a loss of a person across every category measured. For veterinary practices, the results expose … [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...]
High school science students introduced to Fear Free
From everyday interactions with classroom animals to exploring future careers in animal care, a high school animal science teacher uses Fear Free education to help bring a more thoughtful approach to animal wellbeing into the classroom. Note how Ms. Carberry integrated the Fear Free Pet Sitter Certification into her curriculum. Source: Fear Free LLC., LinkedIn, September … [Read more...]
Pyrograzing turns ordinary livestock into fire prevention heroes
Livestock being used intentionally used for wildfire control is gaining federal attention as severe wildfire seasons push firefighters and public land budgets to the brink. Rangeland scientists who study how to effectively use livestock grazing to manage wildfire fuels and invasive plants see the potential and explain some limitations. The content here focuses on the USDA … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 17, 2026
Most read posts from September 10th AHD Bulletin – Vertical integration is driving up patient costs, study finds. Link. Minimize costs by maximizing value. Link. The obedience fallacy. Link. We’re all talking less. That’s not good. Link. The late-game respiratory disease that’s costing feedlots big money. Also see: Good Rx saves on pet prescriptions, … [Read more...]
2026 Audubon Photography Awards capture breathless bird shots once again
Amazing bird photos and videos from four countries make up double the traditional number of entries in the Audubon Photography Awards. Check out the photos and videos and you’ll walk away smiling and feeling relaxed. Source: The Audubon Society, September 2, 2026. Link. As in 2025, this year’s awards encompass two parallel contests: one open to photographers and … [Read more...]
4 applications of manuka honey in canine medicine
Unlike regular honey, manuka honey contains a uniquely high concentration of methylglyoxal which is largely responsible for its potent antimicrobial activity. The authors explore the properties that make manuka honey a distinctive therapeutic option and explain how it fits in the veterinary toolkit. Source: IVC Journal, September 8, 2026. Link. Manuka honey is derived from … [Read more...]
8 new equine West Nile virus cases confirmed
Eight new equine West Nile virus cases have been reported to the Equine Disease Communication Center. They are located in California, Colorado, Montana, Wisconsin and Utah. Source: The Horse, September 8, 2026. Link. West Nile virus is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and … [Read more...]
Horse owners need to rethink bug season this year
Complimentary Content In a year defined by weather volatility, expanding tick ranges and an emerging threat crossing U.S. borders for the first time in decades, horse owners can’t rely on last year’s assumptions to protect their horses this season. Now is the time to review vector control strategies and update horses’ core vaccinations. Source: Merck Animal Health, … [Read more...]
SuperZoo 2026: Words most heard at this year’s show
Lisa Cleaver shares a few buzzwords and phrases from SuperZoo 2026, along with a few examples of new commercial products supporting them. Longevity Proactive not reactive Active adventure pets Lickables Functional Will these become commonplace in animal health pro vocabularies? Source: Petfood Industry, August 19, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Autumn migration underway
There were 200 million birds flying above the U.S. on Monday night, August 17th, a sign that autumn migration is well underway. The BirdCast Migration Dashboard can compute an estimate of migration traffic for every county in the Lower 48 states. Source: Cornell Lab eNews, August 23, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Migration traffic is an important component of biosecurity efforts … [Read more...]
Demonstration in the exam room can improve adherence
In this short video, Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, demonstrates using MAXI/GUARD® Oral Cleansing Wipes on a patient’s teeth. Incorporating everyday oral care tools into practice reinforces the importance of preventive dental health with every patient’s owner.” Source: Addison Biological Laboratory Inc., Instagram, May 28, 2026. Link. [25 seconds] Also see: Demonstration … [Read more...]
Busy August for animal health pros ends in Kansas City
Complimentary By all reports from AVMA, Groomer Expo, SUPERZOO and the new WVC Nashville, animal health pros have renewed old contacts, made new ones, shared meals and beverages, and viewed the latest topics and products. Fetch KC takes place August 28 to 30 and the month is bookended by the KC Corridor’s 2026 Animal Health Summit August 31 to September 1. There’s still … [Read more...]
Cat fleas contributing to flea-borne murine typhus incidence
A study from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences detected DNA from Rickettsia typhi, the bacterium that causes flea-borne murine typhus, in cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) collected from domestic cats in the Rio Grande Valley, the southernmost point of Texas. This region consistently records some of the highest human murine typhus case … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 20, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 13, 2026. Link. Most read posts from August 13th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – When pain changes more than movement. Link. Emotionally intelligent leaders consistently exhibit 6 habits. Link. Malone: AI in your hospital? Link. Role of the veterinary nurse in Spectrum of Care. Link. 7 ways … [Read more...]
Spectrum of care in veterinary medicine; the role of the veterinary nurse
Commentary Every week we see articles on various barriers to veterinary care. Cost consistently tops the list. Empowering veterinary professionals and clients to consider a wide range of treatment strategies, from technologically advanced and expensive to more traditional and less expensive, can potentially improve access to medical care all pets need, writes Julie Ann … [Read more...]
Raccoons bring more than bite risks
We’re sharing this article after seeing several social media posts of people feeding raccoons. Single sow raccoons that ate cat food and birdseed on porches are now bringing their litters and teaching them their opportunistic “trash panda” ways. Beyond the obvious bite risks, most people don’t realize that you do not need to touch a raccoon to be exposed to harmful diseases. … [Read more...]
CLiK™ Extra (dicyclanil topical suspension) Wound Spray receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced it has received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for CLiK Extra (dicyclanil topical suspension) wound spray for application on or around wounds to prevent infestations of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) in sheep, cattle, goats, swine and camelids, as well as captive … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 13, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 6, 2026. Link. þ Most read posts from August 6th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – The 23-hour horse: What confinement costs. Link. 30 studies show vegan dog and cat food generally well digested. Link. Summer pinkeye: A frustrating foe on pasture. Link. Malone: It’s the journey, not the destination. … [Read more...]
5 hard realities of managing the Asian longhorned tick
Complimentary The Asian longhorned tick is an emerging threat to cattle producers across the U.S., capable of spreading quickly and impacting herd health. In this Farm Journal TV exclusive, you'll learn what every producer should know about identifying the risk, recognizing early warning signs and implementing practical strategies to help protect your operation. Source: … [Read more...]
Animal Health Institute announces its officers and executive committee
The Animal Health Institute's Board of Directors recently elected Jamie Brannan of Zoetis as board chair and Brad McCollum of Ceva as vice-chair for the 2026-28 term. Joseph N. Huff, president of Colorado Serum Company, was elected to another term as treasurer. Richard R. DeLuca Jr., executive vice president and president of Merck Animal Health, continues as immediate past … [Read more...]