The most commonly used antimicrobial treatments for dogs and cats are not evidence-based, writes Scott Weese, DVM. Most antimicrobial treatment durations currently used in dogs and cats are probably way too long when we compare them to what’s done in human medicine for comparable conditions. Some of the differences are striking. Weese says a new systematic review entitled … [Read more...]
H5N1 influenza, ostriches and a debacle of unnecessary proportion
Scott Weese, DVM, recaps the bird flu fiasco on a British Columbia ostrich farm. The incident shared in his article underscores the importance of mandated reporting for all producers, regardless of species. “A producer’s errant choice went from an issue with one group of infected birds to having a convoy on the (quarantined) farm, massive misinformation, dodgy “media” … [Read more...]
Tick dragging, canine-style
Tick exposure risk varies over the seasons of the year and there is seasonality to what tick species dogs or people are likely to encounter, writes Scott Weese, DVM. His recent experience with his own dog and the article are relevant for veterinary teams, retailers, pet services personnel and pet owners as fall progresses. Source: Worms and Germs, October 21, 2025. … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health: more than 7 million rabies vaccines donated through Afya program
Complimentary Content Merck Animal Health remains committed to helping eliminate the deadly threat of rabies through its global non-profit initiative, the Afya Program, by donating NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines to support canine vaccination efforts in areas where rabies is endemic. More than seven million NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines have been donated. Combating rabies and … [Read more...]
DVM discusses half-dosing vaccines
Scott Weese, DVM, shares the short answer to a common question about half-dosing vaccines, emphazing “we don’t know.” He covers these key elements in this article: a) half-dose efficacy, b) adverse reactions and c) liability. Source: Worms and Germs, May 28, 2025. Link. About client requests, Weese writes, veterinarians are expected to act professionally and reasonably, … [Read more...]
H5N1 in North America: implications for small animal veterinarians
The spillover of H5N1 from wild birds and poultry to dairy cattle, cats and more raises new questions about virus evolution and its implications for veterinary medicine. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS, shares an overview of the disease, cross-species infection potential, viral mutation, risk mitigation and symptoms. Staying informed, practicing good biosecurity, and … [Read more...]
Bird flu enters a new phase, meanwhile, the environment cannot be sterilized
The latest data from the CDC and USDA shows the continued devastating effects of bird flu outbreaks across the United States. New York Times writer Apoorva Mandavilli provides a relevant and updated situation analysis in the second article shared here. Not yet a serious human threat, she shares the expanding discoveries in mammalian species, including cats both wild and … [Read more...]
FDA’s raw pet diet directive
Responding to multiple cases of H5N1 avian influenza in domestic and wild cats fed contaminated raw diets containing poultry, the FDA has issued a directive to pet food producers to ensure that their food safety plans address H5N1 influenza contamination issues. Scott Weese, DVM, discusses the directive and how to address pet owners who are inflexible about avoiding raw … [Read more...]
Bird flu may be reaching the boiling point
Scientists are increasingly worried about bird flu based on four key signals. The H5N1 virus has spread uncontrolled in animals, including cows frequently in contact with people. Additionally, detections in wastewater show the virus is leaving a wide-ranging imprint, and not just in farm animals. Some experts say they have lost faith in the government's ability to contain the … [Read more...]
Should we be concerned about H5N1 in horses?
The risk of H5N1 influenza infection in and from horses is probably very low. Horses rank far down the list of species about which I’m concerned, writes Scott Weese, DVM. However, they’re still on the list. Weese discusses some limited research on horse susceptibility, whether a horse could infect a person and remaining vigilant to the risk of recombination of flu viruses in … [Read more...]
Weese: Rabies deaths reminders of the need to educate public
Rabies is still here and will likely always be, writes Scott Weese, DVM. While we have tools to effectively prevent infections, the human factor is the weak prevention link. Sharing two cases of human deaths from rabies, he stresses the importance of a better public understanding of rabies risks. Source: Worms and Germs, November 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Weese: Perspectives on H5N1 in Colorado cats
Scott Weese, DVM, shares thoughts on Colorado cats diagnosed with avian flu. He advises a focus on infection control, against symptom biases and acknowledges the need for increased surveillance. The risk posed by cats to people and other animals is completely unclear at this time.” Source: Worms and Germs, August 11, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted Weese didn’t mention … [Read more...]
Buckle down on biosecurity: HPAI, BIAV
Mindy Ward’s title says it all, “Buckle down on biosecurity!” We’ve assembled a group of articles referencing emerging HPAI infections in non-bird species. Most notable is AABP’s renaming of the emerging cattle disease as Bovine Influenza A Virus versus HPAI followed by assertions to keep pets away from birds. There’s significant media coverage but, as we’ve learned before, … [Read more...]
Second case of avian influenza identified in a person in the U.S.
A person is being treated for bird flu following contact with dairy cows presumed to be infected with the virus in Texas. The article shares updates on avian flu detections across the U.S. Source: Agricultural Dive, April 1, 2024. Link. Also see: Human H5N1 likely linked to cattle, Worms and Germs, April 1, 2024. Link. A lot of attention is warranted, says Scott Weese, … [Read more...]
Fix this diarrhea!
Veterinarians see dogs with diarrhea much quicker than physicians see their patients with diarrhea and are conditioned to do something about it. The question though is, “Did the dog get better because of what we did or despite it?” writes Scott Weese, DVM. Weese references a study in Veterinary Journal, 2024 and upcoming canine acute diarrhea antimicrobial use guidelines. … [Read more...]
New WHO medically important antimicrobial list
Sharing what he considers a foundational document for considering how we use and monitor antimicrobial use in animals. Scott Weese, DVM, shares the who, what and why of the latest version of the WHO’s Medically Important Antimicrobial List. Source: Worms and Germs, February 13, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 8, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 1, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the February 1st AHD Bulletin – A plan is not a strategy. Link. Studies: Early social housing helps dairy calves thrive. Link. Using standing equine CT in veterinary diagnostics. Link. Do it NOW! Link. ============================================ … [Read more...]
Weese: Paxlovid use in dogs? No evidence, many concerns.
Scott Weese, DVM, responded quickly to media rumors about Paxlovid used to cure a dog with respiratory disease. Paxlovid is an antiviral that we know basically nothing about in dogs. We don’t have dosing or safety info, don’t have evidence that the respiratory disease we’re encountering in dogs is caused by a virus that’s susceptible to Paxlovid. So, I don’t see its use being … [Read more...]
Mystery canine respiratory virus has growing footprint
Eleven states have now reported a mystery respiratory illness in dogs <Link>. The mysterious illness was described as an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease that presents similar to kennel cough, but doesn’t respond to normal medication. Plus, the cough lasts longer than the normal seven to 10 days. Source: CNN, November 28, 2023. Link. At least two-hundred … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy in pets: A look at adverse event rates
Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is a concern for people and pets alike, especially if it results in reduced rabies vaccination coverage writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DACVIM. He also acknowledges that concerns about adverse events are real but ultimately de minimis making the risk:reward worth it. Weese shares results from studies referencing adverse events in dogs and … [Read more...]
Oklahoma kennels, groomers require canine flu vaccines plus influenza mapping
Taking a pet to a dog park, groomer or boarding business can put dogs at risk in areas where canine flu outbreaks occur. Businesses that group dogs together are requiring owners to get their dogs vaccinated with a canine flu vaccine. Source: KOCO-TV via AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief, January 3, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Canine influenza vaccine is a lifestyle vaccine … [Read more...]
Vaccinating unhealthy animals by Scott Weese, DVM
In part 3 of his series on vaccination, Scott Weese, DVM, addresses the challenges and decisions to vaccinate unhealthy animals or not. Vaccine labels don’t say to NOT use them in unhealthy pets, but they also don’t give any guidance for vaccine use in such animals.” Source: Worms and Germs, October 27, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet vaccination questions addressed by Scott Weese, DVM
Scott Weese, DVM, shares his thoughts on a series of vaccine issues, questions and dogmas surrounding rabies and core pet vaccines. . . . we need to vaccinate <pets> until we’re sure they’re old enough to respond properly to a vaccine.: - Scott Weese, DVM Source: Worms and Germs Blog. Link. Part 1: rabies vaccine timing, October 20, 2022. Link. Part 2: the puppy … [Read more...]
Protect poultry from bird flu
Bird flu circulates among wild birds worldwide. When domestic birds encounter the virus that causes bird flu, it can cause mild symptoms. Some strains, referred to as highly pathogenic avian influenza, can cause severe symptoms and death. Since last January, HPAI has been detected in nearly every U.S. state. Source: University of Florida Extension, September 23, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Reptile- and feeder rodent-associated Salmonellosis: Alberta
Reptile contact is a very well-known risk factor for acquiring Salmonella, especially in kids. Scott Weese, DVM, shares the challenges of feeder rodent-associated Salmonella sp. outbreaks as a reminder for reptile owners and handlers. Weese shares some important basic preventive measures when it comes to Salmonella sp. including: Feeder rodents should be handled like … [Read more...]
Deer strains of SARS-CoV-2 might be emerging
Scientists estimate that more than six of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals <Link>. In a recent Worms and Germs blog, Scott Weese, DVM, shares details and speculation about SARS-CoV-2 infections in the highly susceptible deer population. … [Read more...]
Urban wildlife and SARS-CoV-2 variants
Scott Weese, DVM, has kept information and perspective on SARS-CoV-2 updated and fresh over the past two years. He writes, “While control of the pandemic at this stage is pretty much still solely dependent on addressing human-to-human transmission, as things slowly get more controlled in people, other sources of infection and other sources of variants become more relevant. The … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 16, 2021
Last week’s most read post Toxic positivity. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 9, 2021. Link. AHD posts one year ago Archives for December 2020, Animal Health Digest. Link. Zoonotic infection from household aquarium Source: Worms and Germs, November 30, 2021. Link. Scott Weese, DVM, reminds us to use some … [Read more...]
Canine origin coronavirus causing a stir
Preliminary reports of a dog origin alpha canine coronavirus infecting people are alarming. Scientific diligence is needed to confirm the species jump and determine how much risk management is required, if any. We’re sharing three articles for your review and consideration. I think the more we look, the more we will find that these coronaviruses are crossing species … [Read more...]