Top Stories
2023 U.S. Pet Spending by Generation – Boomers Back on Top!
Source: Pet Business Professor In 2023, U.S. pet spending surged to $117.6 billion, a 14.5% increase from 2022, driven by growth across all categories, including record highs in pet food. Baby Boomers reclaimed the top spot in pet spending, contributing $39.25...
Dolphins Are Testing Positive for Fentanyl
Source: Health Day A study by Texas A&M University has revealed that fentanyl, a potent opioid, has been detected in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers found traces of fentanyl in 30 of 89 dolphins sampled, including 18 live...
The Next Normal
Source: Today's Veterinary Business The Veterinary profession has seen transformative changes over the decades, from the 1990s' wave of innovation—including electronic medical records, wellness plans, and advanced diagnostics—to a two-decade slowdown in breakthroughs....
Tech Runway Entrepreneur Wins Funding from ‘Sharks’ at FAU’s CrocTank
Source: Florida Atlantic University Florida Atlantic University (FAU) hosted CrocTank, a unique live business pitch event featuring judges from ABC's Shark Tank at its Boca Raton campus. Four entrepreneurs from FAU’s ecosystem, including the Research Park and Tech...
Veterinary Teaching Hospital Teams Work Together on Dog’s Medical Mystery
Source: Virginia Tech News Zia, a German shorthaired pointer and avid hunting dog, underwent life-saving thoracic surgery at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital after months of unexplained lethargy. Her case showcased the teaching hospital's collaborative model, uniting...
Scientists Just Discovered a New Bee in Texas—and it’s Blue
Source: Chron Scientists have discovered a new species of mining bee, Andrena androfovea, in Texas and Oklahoma, marking a significant breakthrough in bee biodiversity research. Published in Ecology and Evolution, the study reveals that this species, unique for its...
Valley Woman Dies from Rabies After Suspected Bat Bite, Health Officials Confirm
Source: ABC 30 Action News A Fresno County teacher, 60-year-old Leah Seneng, has died from rabies, believed to be contracted from a bat encounter in Merced County. Seneng, an art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, was described by her friend Laura Splotch...
New Study Reveals Link Between Owner Demographics And Canine Nutrition
Source: Texas A&M Today A study by the Dog Aging Project (DAP) at Texas A&M University and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine reveals that dog owners’ demographics, especially age, significantly influence their dietary choices for pets, more than...
Survey Finds Puppy Owners are Overwhelmed by all the Available Pet Food Options
Source: dvm 360 Becoming a dog owner can be overwhelming, especially when choosing the right nutrition for a puppy. A Royal Canin survey of 1,023 North American puppy owners found that 62% are confused by the wide array of food options and struggle to identify...
This Super Common Dog Owner Habit May Be Shaving Years Off Your Pet’s Life
Source: Huffpost Feeding dogs extra treats or scraps can lead to health issues, as about 59% of dogs are overweight or obese. Owners often fail to recognize weight gain, which can have severe consequences for a dog's health and lifespan. Experts suggest using tools...
WSU Veterinary Team Arrives on Saipan
Source: Saipan Tribune The Saipan Humane Society (SHS) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Animal Health division, supported by a USDA NextGen Grant, are hosting a Veterinary team from Washington State University (WSU) to enhance animal health services...
Gene Behind Orange Fur in Cats Found at Last
Source: Science Scientists have identified the genetic basis for orange fur in cats and the unique coloration of calico and tortoiseshell patterns, solving a decades-long mystery. Two independent studies found that a mutation near the Arhgap36 gene, located on the X...
At AAEP 2024, Agfa Showcases SmartRotate™ for Equine, Powered by Artificial Intelligence
Source: PR Newswire At the 2024 AAEP convention, Agfa unveiled its AI-powered SmartRotate™ for Equine, revolutionizing equine radiography by automatically orienting X-ray images correctly. This innovation enhances efficiency, accuracy, and ease, saving time for...
Ugo’s Second Act: How Open Heart Surgery Helped a Beloved Hound
Source: AAHA When Sue Gelsomino’s dog Ugo, a 12-year-old Cirneco dell’Etna, progressed to congestive heart failure in mid-2023, she sought advanced treatment. Initial evaluations ruled him out for a less invasive procedure, but he was deemed a candidate for surgical...
BISSELL Pet Foundation kicks off ‘Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope’ adoption event Dec. 1
Source: Tulsa 8 ABC The BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters - Holiday Hope event runs from December 1 to December 17, offering reduced-fee adoptions to help homeless pets find homes. Over 400 shelters in 45 states are participating, including several in...
Alley Cat Allies Launches New Community Resource Tool™️ to Connect People with Lifesaving Help for Cats
Source: PR Newswire Alley Cat Allies, a leading advocacy organization for cats, has launched the Community Resource Tool at gethelp.alleycat.org to connect cat caregivers across the U.S. with essential local resources. This easy-to-use tool helps users find Veterinary...
BC SPCA Sees Increased Demand for Specialized Pet Food Across the Province
Source: Sooke News Mirror The BC SPCA is facing increased demand for specialized pet food at its animal centres and through its pet food bank partners. Specialized diets, essential for pets with medical conditions like allergies or kidney disease, are costly and less...
Virbac: Türkiye: Virbac acquires its companion animal distributor
Source: GlobeNewswire Virbac has finalized the acquisition of Mopsan, a Turkish distributor specializing in pet food and companion animal health products. With over 20 years of presence in Türkiye, including its own subsidiary since 2018, Virbac’s acquisition of...
We Joined Forces with the U.S. Against Cattle Screwworm
Source: Gobierno de Mexico The governments of Mexico and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on preventing and controlling the cattle screwworm (GBG) in North America. Both nations aim to protect food production and facilitate trade...
Proposition 129: A Polarizing Proposal for Veterinary Professionals in Colorado
In November 2024, Colorado voters passed Proposition 129, which has sparked intense debate within the veterinary community and beyond. The proposal outlines a new framework for veterinary professionals in the state and aims to create a new category of veterinary...
Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safeguard Your Veterinary Practice’s Data?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a buzzword making waves across various industries, including veterinary medicine. You might wonder: can AI help market your practice, streamline operations, or—most critically—protect your hospital’s data? The answer to these questions,...
Should Veterinary Hospitals Reduce Prices?
I get to wear two hats as a professional – a consultant through Blue Heron Consulting, and that of a private practice owner in my personal hospitals. As a consultant, I never thought I’d write today’s blog post – begging the question of whether hospital owners should...
Reflect, Relax, and Reimagine: Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Think About Your Personal Brand for 2025
As the holidays approach, it’s a season to celebrate, reflect, and connect with what matters most. Between gatherings with loved ones, cozy moments, and enjoying some well-earned downtime, this time of year offers a unique opportunity to take a gentle pause and look...
Inside the Journey of Startup Founders
The Veterinary industry is experiencing a surge of innovation, driven by a new wave of startups redefining animal healthcare. From cutting-edge diagnostics to telemedicine and AI-powered platforms, these emerging companies are leveraging technology to enhance the...
Declining Practice Visits and the Cost of Veterinary Care
Many practices had a significant spike in veterinary visits during the pandemic, to the point where they were stretched thin in serving their current clients’ needs and stopped taking on new clients. That trend is now reversing; several reliable veterinary data...