Top Stories
The Law That Saved the Whales Is Under Attack
Source: Scientific American Proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), introduced July 22 by Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-Alaska), could drastically weaken the 1972 law credited with preventing extinctions and driving recoveries of whales, dolphins,...
Photos of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest Held in California
Source: AP News The 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest was held on August 8 at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, celebrating canines with delightfully unconventional appearances. The lighthearted event featured a parade of unique dogs, including Little...
Beyond the Tools: Why Your Veterinary Practice Needs a Cybersecurity Framework
When it comes to protecting your Veterinary hospital’s network, the first thing that comes to mind is the specific tools used to keep you safe – perhaps you think about antivirus software, phishing-prevention tools, or backup solutions to restore functionality in the...
Cultivating a Culture of Accountability Without Killing Morale
Accountability. Much has been written about this, lectured about at conferences, and discussed amongst owners and managers over a drink. Yet, with all the publicity, creating a culture of accountability, without squashing autonomy and morale, remains a delicate...
Mastering Patient Care Plan (PCP) Sales: The Art of Quality Care Acceptance
In Veterinary practice, it’s tempting to focus solely on patient care and avoid financial discussions. Early in my career as a new practice owner, I did just that—prioritizing medicine over money. I’d treat patients, then retreat to the back, anxiously listening as...
Dog Nose Length Just One Predictor of Friendliness and Trainability
Source: New Atlas A study from Eötvös Loránd University examined whether flat-faced (brachycephalic) dog breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs truly have distinct behaviors or if traits are shaped more by size, training, and owner habits. Researchers surveyed over...
Four ‘Unwelcome’ Words: Which Words Have Worn Out Their Welcome in Veterinary Medicine?
Since 1976, Lake Superior State University has published an annual list of ‘Banished Words’. Originally named “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness,” this list highlights words that no longer bring value to...
Why Conversational Analytics Matter in Veterinary Leadership
For years, we as Veterinary leaders have pursued efficiency by optimizing schedules, workflows, and compensation models. We have treated the practice like a machine to be fine-tuned. But a more profound opportunity is now in front of us: leveraging a new kind of data...
Back to School, Back to Busy: Supporting Staff and Clients Through Seasonal Shifts
As summer winds down and families settle into new school schedules, many Veterinary practices notice a shift in the rhythm of their days. Appointments that seemed easy to fit in during the summer months suddenly become more difficult for clients to schedule. At the...
Financial Freedom Is the Real Antidote to Burnout
Burnout in Veterinary medicine is not just a buzzword. It is the reality for too many veterinarians. I have watched bright-eyed graduates lose their spark within a few years, and I have seen seasoned colleagues question the career they once loved. Even before I...
Why Sustainability September Matters More Than Ever in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine has always been driven by a mission of care for animals, people, and communities. Now, that mission is expanding to include another urgent priority: the health of our planet. This September, that commitment takes center stage with the launch...
Master the Controllables: How to Take Charge of Your Career and Let Go of the Rest
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.” — The Serenity Prayer This timeless quote, often associated with recovery communities, has broad relevance in every corner of...
3 Rising Trends Seen at the AVMA Convention
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention 2025, held in conjunction with the 40th World Veterinary Association (WVA) Congress, provided over 700 hours of continuing education (CE) sessions, encompassing a diverse range of topics. For me, there were...
Rabbits With ‘Tentacles’ or ‘Horns’ Growing From Their Heads Spotted in Fort Collins
Source: 9 News In Fort Collins, Colorado, residents have reported rabbits with unusual black, tentacle-like growths on their heads and faces. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) identified the cause as a virus that produces wart-like protrusions similar to benign...
Florida Dairy Farm Identified as Source of Raw Milk E. Coli Outbreak. Is Raw Milk Safe?
Source: The Daytona Beach News Journal The Florida Department of Health has linked raw milk from Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach to 21 cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections, with seven hospitalizations and two severe complications....
Fat Cats Shedding Pounds Can Offer Clues to Human Weight Loss
Source: Health News Florida A study from The Ohio State University suggests overweight cats could help us understand weight loss in humans. With six in 10 U.S. cats overweight, researchers placed a group of obese cats on a calorie-restricted diet for 12 weeks,...
Bar K Closes Doors as Popular Dog Bar Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Source: KSDK Kansas City-based Bar K, voted USA Today’s No. 1 dog bar in the U.S. in 2024 and dubbed “doggie Disney World” by its CEO, has closed its doors. Known for blending a dog park with a bar and restaurant that catered to both pets and people, Bar K struggled...
CATalyst Council Launches Landmark 40,000 Household Pet Ownership Study Focused on Advancing Feline Health
Source: Business Wire In honor of International Cat Day, CATalyst Council announced a landmark nationwide survey of 40,000 U.S. households to address the “feline care gap” and reshape cat-focused veterinary care. Conducted with industry partners and research...
AVMA shares insights into rising veterinary costs
Source: AVMA The AVMA is addressing public concern over rising veterinary care costs by explaining the factors driving increases and how veterinarians work with pet owners to find compassionate, budget-conscious solutions. Economic pressures since the COVID-19...
How I Learned About Animal Blood Donors
Source: Beaumonte Enterprise When Memphis, Kim Brent's cat, became critically ill with severe anemia from advanced oral cancer, multiple transfusions might have prolonged his life but only with continued suffering. The humane choice was euthanasia. Days later,...
Lakina the Walrus Undergoes Eye Procedure
Source: The Suburban Times Lakina, a 7-year-old Pacific walrus at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, developed a serious ulcer in her right eye after weeks of keeping it closed despite pain medications. Suspecting a genetic link—her parents also suffered chronic eye...
Health Officials Investigate Unusual Outbreak in Long Beach
Source: KTLA 5 As of July 31, 2025, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed 20 cases of flea-borne typhus, up from 12 during the same period last year. If the trend continues, the city could surpass its 2021 record of 28 annual cases....
Pooches Ride Waves at World Dog Surfing Championships
Source: AP News Charlie, a 10-year-old yellow lab with a passion for surfing, was one of 15 to 20 dogs who competed in the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, California, just south of San Francisco. This popular annual event draws thousands of spectators...
Buzz-Worthy: Spartan Research Saves the Bees
Source: MSU Today Michigan State University’s Pollinator Performance Center is at the forefront of pollinator protection and education, bringing together researchers, veterinarians, and even a retired K-9 dog named Maple to safeguard bee health. The center houses...
What Google Ratings Reveal about Veterinary Practice Closures
Source: Veterinary Advantage In Q1 2025, 262 enterprise-owned Veterinary practices closed permanently—a significant rise from the previous quarter—according to the Enterprise Practice Database. Nearly half of these closures involved Mars-owned practices, though...