Commercial Duck Farm in Elkhart County Hit with Bird Flu
For the second consecutive day, state animal health authorities have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial duck operation in northern Indiana, underscoring renewed concerns about regional biosecurity and disease containment in the commercial poultry sector.
Presumptive Cerebral Microbleeds in Dogs: A Common Yet Underrecognized Finding in Aging Canines
With advances in veterinary medicine and improved pet care, dogs are living longer than ever before. As the canine population ages, age-associated neurological changes—once rarely diagnosed—are now more frequently encountered on brain imaging. One such change is presumptive cerebral microbleeds (pCMBs), an MRI finding increasingly recognized in elderly dogs.
Global Seroprevalence and Prevalence of Influenza A in Dogs and Cats: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Influenza A virus (IAV), long recognized for its impact on human and animal health, has increasingly been identified in companion animals such as dogs and cats. While their role in the zoonotic transmission of IAV has often been underestimated, growing evidence suggests that these species may play a more significant part in the ecology of influenza viruses than previously thought.
California Expands Veterinary Technician and Assistant Scope of Practice to Address Workforce Shortage
California has enacted two significant pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the state's veterinary workforce shortage by expanding and clarifying the scope of practice for Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 516 on October 7, 2025, and Senate Bill 602 on October 11, 2025.
California Enacts Statewide Ban on Elective Feline Declawing
California has joined New York as only the second U.S. state to prohibit elective declawing of cats, following Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of Assembly Bill 867 into law this week. The legislation, authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San José), represents a significant shift in California's approach to feline welfare and veterinary practice standards.
Behavioral Addiction in Dogs: New Research Identifies Compulsive Toy-Seeking Patterns
A landmark study published in Scientific Reports provides the first scientific framework for identifying and understanding addictive-like behaviors toward toys in dogs—with implications for behavioral medicine and welfare assessment.