Vital Signs — Monday, October 26, 2026

"While we are postponing, life speeds by." — Seneca, Letters to Lucilius

A Monday nudge to handle the small thing today instead of letting it slide to next week.

Editor's Pick

• Heat Diffusion: Study shows AI classifies some canine tumours — A peer-reviewed study found an AI heat-diffusion scanner could rule out malignancy in dog skin masses with 98% negative predictive value, and new classifiers now flag likely lipomas and mast cell tumours specifically. Why it matters: most lumps currently go untested, so a non-invasive, in-clinic screen could change which masses get worked up and which get watched.

By the Numbers

• Human-animal bond, benefits of pet ownership highlighted in new survey — 98% of pet owners say they have experienced at least one health benefit from owning a pet. Takeaway: clients who hear about the science behind the human-animal bond are more likely to keep up with regular vet checkups — a conversation worth having in the exam room.

In the Journals

• Veterinary Market Update: RECOVER First Aid Guidelines — The RECOVER Initiative has published the first evidence- and consensus-based first aid guidelines for dogs and cats, covering burns, choking, heatstroke, toxin ingestion, severe bleeding and hypoglycemia in the critical window before a patient reaches the clinic.

The Business End

• Chewy Vet Care opening clinic in Manatee County — Chewy Vet Care opened its ninth Florida clinic in Parrish on Oct. 20, offering walk-in and scheduled wellness, urgent care, diagnostics and surgery, with a pet portal and Chewy Pharmacy integration.
• Lakeville Family Pet Clinic Opens New Two-Story, 9,030-Square-Foot Veterinary Clinic in Lakeville — An independently owned, AAHA-accredited practice more than doubled its space to 9,030 square feet while keeping the same team — a reminder that growth doesn't have to mean selling out.
• Q&A: What veterinary teams need to know about effective patient triage — Credentialed technician Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, FVTE, lays out a team-based triage system — assess urgency in the first 30 to 60 seconds, assign clear roles, and keep the client informed at every stage — so no single person carries the emergency alone.

The Feel-Good Finish

• Rescue Dog Canyon Wins National Award for His Heroic Work — Rescued sick and neglected from the streets of Mississippi in 2021, Canyon is now the 2026 ASPCA Dog of the Year after years of search-and-recovery work at disasters including the Maui wildfires and the 2025 Texas floods.
• Denkai Animal Sanctuary to host low-cost veterinary clinic in Farmington — A New Mexico sanctuary teamed up with the county sheriff's office for a drive-through clinic offering $20 vaccines and $25 heartworm tests, aiming to catch parvo and distemper before they become $500–$1,000 emergencies.

Know an independent practice owner? Forward this.