Top Stories
Mars Launches Global Study on Pets’ Contribution to Human Wellbeing
Source: International Pet Food Mars, Inc. has launched the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS), the largest global research program on the human-animal bond and its impact on mental health. The multi-year study will involve over 35,000 participants in 20+ countries,...
Underweight Baby Seal is Rescued from Connecticut Streets and Recovering at an Aquarium
Source: AP News An underweight baby gray seal was rescued in New Haven, Connecticut, after being found 1,000 feet from the nearest river, near Yale University. A passerby reported the animal, and New Haven police officers stayed with it until it could be transported...
Dogs, like People, May Use Blinking to Bond
Source: Science A new study suggests that dogs blink in response to other dogs blinking, similar to how humans and primates unconsciously mimic blinks to bond. Researchers found that dogs watching videos of blinking dogs blinked 16% more often than when viewing...
Veterinarians Share Advice on Ensuring Livestock Safety During Freezing Temperatures
Source: WIBW Cold temperatures and wind chill can pose serious risks to livestock health, making it essential for owners to monitor their animals closely. Dr. Jeff Van Petten, a veterinarian at Meriden Animal Hospital, explains that snow on a cow’s back is a good...
K9 Hurricane, the Most Decorated Dog in U.S History, has Died
Source: PHL17 News K9 Hurricane, a 16-year-old Belgian Malinois and former U.S. Secret Service Special Operations Canine, passed away, leaving behind a heroic legacy. In 2014, he famously stopped a White House intruder while President Obama and his family were inside,...
The Dog Aging Project: How One Group is Working to Add Years to Dogs’ Lives (and maybe yours)
Source: AAHA The Dog Aging Project aims to extend and improve the lives of dogs by studying genetic and lifestyle factors that impact aging. A key area of research is the Test of Rapamycin in Aging Dogs (TRIAD) clinical trial, which examines whether low doses...
Emerging Trends in Animal Health: Innovations, Startups, and Industry Insights from AHNTI
In early February I attended the 10th annual Animal Health Nutrition, Technology and Innovation gathering in London and it was truly inspiring. The event buzzed with energy and fresh ideas shared by dedicated founders and their supporters. It was a melting pot of...
Can We Make It Easier to Have Dogs?
I thought I’d cover a topic that won’t lead to nuclear debate like so many Veterinary issues, most recently the mid-level practitioner known as VPA that was officially approved by Colorado voters and in the process (awkwardly) of being implemented. What’s my topic?...
Encouraging Preventative Veterinary Care: Leading by Example and Beyond
As a Veterinary professional, I frequently encounter pet owners, outside of the Veterinary clinic, who view routine preventative care—such as vaccinations, parasite prevention, and wellness exams—as optional. (I feel this is especially true with cats and exotic...
There is No Such Thing as ‘Free Email’
As a Veterinary practice manager or owner, you know that effective communication isn’t just about sending messages; it’s about conveying trust and professionalism every time. But is your email address sending the wrong message? And is the way you have your email set...
Rare Fungal Infection ‘Pythiosis’ Kills at Least 4 Dogs in Sarasota, Manatee Counties
Source: WWSB ABC7 News Pythiosis, a rare and often fatal fungal infection caused by Pythium insidiosum, has been reported in at least five dogs in Sarasota and Manatee Counties in the past month, with four cases proving fatal. The infection affects the skin or...
AAHA Opposes Mid-Level Practitioner Role in Veterinary Medicine
Source: AAHA The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has officially opposed the introduction of mid-level practitioners (MLPs) in Veterinary medicine, citing concerns about patient safety, quality of care, and regulatory challenges. MLPs, similar to nurse...
Animal Owners Worry About Pet Welfare After Microchip Company Closes
Source: USA Today The closure of Save This Life, a national pet microchip registration company, has left many pet owners concerned about their ability to reunite with lost pets. The Texas-based company shut down without notice, leaving its website and customer service...
‘Beneath the Rainbow Bridge’ Looks at the Silent Struggles of Veterinary Professionals
Source: WCTV Veterinarians face significant mental health challenges, with CDC research indicating they are two to four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. The immense emotional burden of their profession, including euthanasia decisions...
New Bills Signed Changing Veterinarian Telemedicine
Source: K8 News Two new Arkansas laws, Acts 18 and 19, will impact Veterinary medicine. Act 18 legalizes Veterinary telemedicine, allowing veterinarians to provide remote consultations, while Act 19 permits Veterinary technicians to respond to emergency calls without...
Cat Attachment Style Impacts Behavior and Hormone Levels, Study Finds
Source: PsyPost A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science reveals that cats form different attachment styles—secure, anxious, or avoidant—which impact their behavior, stress levels, and oxytocin release. Researchers at South China Agricultural...
Changes To The VTNE Technician Exam Raise Concerns
Source: AAHA The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) application process has undergone major modifications to streamline licensing. Changes include allowing students in AVMA- and CVMA-accredited programs to take the exam in their final semester,...
UC Davis Performs Its First Retinopexy
Source: dvm 360 Tashi, a 7-year-old Shih-Tzu, was diagnosed with retinal detachment in both eyes, leading to vision loss. Seeking treatment, her owners discovered that UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine had recently acquired a state-of-the-art microscope, making...
Mentorship is the Missing Link: How Independent Veterinarians Can Foster Future Owners
Medical mentorship is seen in every job posting catering to new graduate veterinarians. Nearly every new graduate wants to feel supported as they enter the beginning stages of their careers to feel confident in their medical decisions. A robust medical mentorship...
Associate Compensation Models: An Overview
In my previous blog post, I elaborated on a topic (pros and cons of in-house charities) that was borne of questions I received in a professional skill’s class at a veterinary school where I was teaching. This blog has similar roots and as we head into new graduate...
From Practitioner to Industry Voice: How to Share Your Expertise and Become a Recognized Speaker, Advisor, or Thought Leader
Veterinary professionals have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight to share—but too often, their expertise stays within the walls of their practice. If you’ve ever thought about speaking at conferences, advising industry companies, or becoming more involved...
The Dynamics Involved with Return-to-Office (RTO) Mandates
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the global workforce in ways previously unimaginable. Companies, once reluctant to embrace remote work, were forced to adopt work-from-home policies overnight. As the world adapted, many employees found remote work to be not just a...
KSVDL Urges Vigilance For Emerging Cattle Parasite
Source: Kansas Livestock Association The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) is warning livestock producers about Theileria orientalis Ikeda, a red blood cell parasite recently detected in calves imported to Kansas. This parasite causes theileriosis,...
Are More Record Cattle Prices Ahead in 2025?
Source: Drovers Cattle prices have reached record highs in early 2025, driven by historically low herd numbers and strong beef demand. According to CattleFax projections at CattleCon in San Antonio, the U.S. cow herd is at its smallest in 65 years, with total...
Texas A&M board approves Center for Comparative Genomics
Source: Feedstuffs The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved the establishment of the Center for Comparative Genomics to advance research in animal genetics. A joint initiative of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the College of Agriculture and...