A number of approved prescription and over-the-counter medications with labeled indications for veterinary patients pose a health hazard to humans. Elaine Blythe, PharmD, shares many in the veterinary profession are unfamiliar with the human hazards these medications may pose—both to themselves and to others. This article is important for pet services personnel as well as … [Read more...]
Emerging concerns in canine and feline parasitology: A preview of the 2026 AAHA One Health Guidelines
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...]
Diabetes care looks different in cats and dogs
Diabetes management can look very different in cats and dogs. The new 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines highlight that feline diabetes more closely resembles type 2 diabetes, while canine diabetes is characterized by permanent insulin deficiency. Monitoring also differs, with continuous glucose monitors preferred for cats and glucose curves still appropriate for dogs. … [Read more...]
Enter the Trends Teams@Work Photo Contest by October 15th
The Trends annual Teams@Work Photo Contest celebrates veterinary teams in honor of National Veterinary Technician Week. Send your best photos of veterinary teams working in the practice by October 15, 2026. Note the updated rules for 2026. Source: AAHA Trends, September 25, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
How sleep shapes canine behavior
Understanding why sleep affects dog behavior starts with understanding how they actually sleep, writes Colette Kase, citing a recent literature review. She covers sleep’s effects on behavior, what good sleep looks like, stimulation timing, environmental factors and how cognitive decline disrupts the sleep-wake cycle as dogs age. Kase’s article is written for veterinary … [Read more...]
A new framework for assessing dog bite risk
A new approach, beyond the “point-in-time” method, may provide veterinary professionals, behaviorists and caregivers with objective tools they can use to understand, assess and potentially manage a dog’s bite risk. Colette Kase shares these key factors: The importance of improving bite assessments The potential of a structured professional judgment approach used in … [Read more...]
Questioning single-use and reuse of medical supplies
The reuse of single-use medical supplies is not unheard of in veterinary medicine. Whether an established practice, cost-driven or to support environmental waste reductions, reusing single-use medical supplies is an accident or patient death, waiting to happen. Emily Singler, VMD, and Kristen Green Seymour discuss the issues, cross-contamination, infection transmission and … [Read more...]
Beyond obedience
Grahmn Garrison’s article argues that behavior is not an “obedience issue” but a core component of veterinary health, influencing diagnosis, treatment access, welfare, family dynamics and longevity. In it, experts encourage focusing on behavior changes in an individual pet’s normal patterns versus behavior problems. Garrison paints a broader behavior landscape, … [Read more...]
Tablets for tabbies: technology, animal welfare and interaction in cat cafes
A recent study investigated potential uses and challenges for technology in environments like cat cafes. What researchers learned could affect how similar technology is used in veterinary clinics in the future, writes Kristen Green Seymour. Source: AAHA Trends, December 23, 2025. Link. <There is> a really interesting future for cat technology, from applications used … [Read more...]
Credit card surcharges by veterinary practices may not meet resistance
Scratch Financial’s article positions credit card surcharges or swipe fees as a potential benefit for veterinary practices. Note the best practices for implementing surcharging at veterinary practices. Staff training, notice periods and state-by-state guidelines should be considered. Source: AAHA Trends, April 10, 2026. Link. Data suggests that when implemented … [Read more...]
Child-resistant packaging: Is your practice compliant?
Like the childhood warning before crossing the street, this article echoes the Stop, Look, Listen approach. Practice owners, managers and purchasing staff will benefit from reviewing it and ensuring practice processes and procedures are in place. Source: AAHA Trends, February 3, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Choosing colors is helpful for clients to distinguish their pets’ … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 6, 2026
This week’s Fast Bites welcomes 22 new provider members. Congratulations! Welcome aboard! Source: IBPSA, April 6, 2026. Link. Related: The PACCC Insider, Spring 2026 Edition. Link. Updates from the pet care industry, highlights of certified professionals, and tools to advance your career. Is boarding still worth it for veterinary practices? AAHA Trends, … [Read more...]
Review: AAHA’s Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines
March 13th recognizes National K9 Veterans Day and the dedicated K9 units who have served since World War II. In recognition of these canine heroes, AAHA created a quick starter guide to fielding calls from working dog handlers, straight out of the Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dogs Guidelines Toolkit. Source: AAHA Trends, March 13, 2026. Link. PDF of quick starter guide … [Read more...]
Start NOW to reduce barriers to heartworm prevention
A growing body of evidence-based protocols can help more pets get the care they need, while also supporting practice efficiency and revenue, writes Kristin Jankowski, VMD, CCRP, and Jenni Rizzo in this article. The key lies in understanding and removing barriers at every step of care: prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Consider this article as a reminder and resource to … [Read more...]
Debunking the cat lady stereotype
Katie Lever, PhD, addresses the harmful origins of negative “cat lady” stereotypes and why the data suggests that cat owners are far from lonely, childless or “crazy.” The roots of the cat lady trope are much more harmful than the common stereotype initially suggests. Source: AAHA Trends, April 18, 2025. Link. Today’s cat ownership statistics paint an entirely different … [Read more...]
CAAMS seeking DVM feedback regarding antimicrobial use in dogs
Companion Animal Antimicrobial Stewards committee is recruiting participants to participate in a research study to learn more about veterinarians’ preferences for perioperative and postoperative antimicrobial use in dogs. To participate, you must be a licensed veterinarian who treats dogs greater than 18 years of age. Source: AAHA Trends, February 4, 2026. Link. Link to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 12, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 5, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 5, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Pet humanization predicted to double global pet care market by 2035. Link. Why Ro is spending $233,000 per second on a Super Bowl ad. Link. The pro/con list – useless. Link. Dental revenue remains behind; 90 percent of … [Read more...]
Why veterinarians recommend using a broker for pet insurance
This article is a good read for veterinary teams willing to promote pet insurance benefits but hesitant to direct pet owners to specific pet insurance brands. To support those discussions, Animal Health Digest created a “Pet Insurance Guide.” The guide is a free tool designed to save time, advance pet health insurance conversations, and highlight the benefits for clients, their … [Read more...]
Vetmedin chewable tablets receive full FDA approval for delay of congestive heart failure in dogs label indication
Emily Singler, VMD, shares that for the first time the FDA has granted full approval for an indication for an animal drug that was previously approved under the FDA’s expanded conditional approval authority. Vetmedin® (pimobendan) Chewable Tablets label has officially expanded to include an indication for the delay of the onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with stage B2 … [Read more...]
Beyond the SEO algorithms, AI is changing “search”
Includes Commercial Content* This isn’t just an update to an algorithm; it’s a fundamental shift in how pet owners find and choose veterinary care, writes Rachel Null. She explains the two types of pet owner search and preparing for AI citation to ensure your practice is not only visible, but actively quoted and positioned. Source: AAHA Trends, January 9, 2026. Link. The … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 8, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 31, 2025. Link. ============================================== Top 10 AAHA Trends articles of 2025 Source: AAHA Trends, December 24, 2025. Link. Trends' first all-digital year was packed daily with news and features. It will be interesting to see how the AAHA Board’s vision for the future of … [Read more...]
10 years later, November 2015 post still relevant
As part of our 10th anniversary, we looked back at some of the first posts we wrote for animal health pros. This one remains relevant. AAHA Trends’ main feature dove into the experience economy and examines what it takes to make a great impression on every client. Source: Welcome to the experience economy. It’s everything!, Animal Health Digest, November 16, 2015. … [Read more...]
How to support pet food pantries; it is increasingly important
Jen Reeder shares a situational overview of the need for increased support for pet food pantries, rewarding ways to help and a resource to share with clients and local media contacts, PetHelpFinder.org. Source: AAHA Trends, December 8, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 11, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 4, 2025. Link. Most read posts from December 4th AHD Bulletin – Beat seasonal depression before it arrives. Link. Barrel racing event in Waco, TX, epicenter of EHV-1/EHM outbreaks. Link. How cold is too cold? Link. Unused PTO: a red flag. Link. Stay informed without doomscrolling. … [Read more...]
Dog training apps have inherent value, some risks
Dog training has gone digital. While the best of these digital programs offer real-time access to training and behavior professionals, the field remains unregulated. Colette Kase shares the importance of veterinary professionals understanding this rapidly emerging field and focuses on meeting challenges in this growing field. Dog training apps have the potential to prevent … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy and the importance of client communication
Vaccine hesitancy, compliance and adherence are everyday challenges in veterinary hospitals that are not going away. “Same stuff, different day” apathy can become the norm when veterinary teams face anti-vax sentiment. Yet we know the importance of vaccination to prevent disease and must address client objections to best serve their pets. Each time an animal health pro reads … [Read more...]
Canine sports medicine has a promising future
The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation’s new Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency program is generating excitement about specialty training that will benefit any pet with mobility challenges. The program kicked off in July 2025 with residents and mentors at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and Colorado State University College … [Read more...]
Black cat bias
Black cats face lower adoption rates and higher euthanasia rates at shelters, according to research conducted by Robert Carini, PhD. He says it’s clear that ideas rooted in stereotypes around black cats are strong and enduring. Source: AAHA Trends, June 13, 2025. Link. The study found that “white cats had the most favorable euthanasia and adoption outcomes while brown and … [Read more...]
AAHA resources complement veterinary technician support, development
While National Veterinary Technician Week has ended, the opportunity to involve, develop and use veterinary technicians in practice teams remains every day. Connor Dunwoodie pulled together resources in this article, beginning with the 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines and Veterinary Technician Utilization Toolkit. Source: AAHA Trends, October 14, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 16, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 9, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 9, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Ways to help cats and their caregivers prepare for veterinary visits. Link. Understanding the rise of career dysmorphia; what to do about it. Link. Competitive rivalries. Link. 4 giants dominate consumer pet food market … [Read more...]