Vital Signs — Friday, November 6, 2026

*"Since it is possible that thou mayest depart from life this very moment, regulate every act and thought accordingly."* — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Treat each appointment like it might be the one that matters most — because for that patient, it is.

Editor's Pick

• Merck Animal Health Launches NOBIVAC NXT Rabies for Dogs and Cats in the United States · ~3 min read — Merck's new non-adjuvanted, preservative-free rabies vaccines come in 1-year and 3-year formulations with a low-volume 0.5 mL dose for dogs and cats 12 weeks and older, arriving weeks after the CDC warned of a nationwide rise in reported human rabies exposures. Why it matters: rabies is the rare vaccine conversation where a new product, a CDC alert, and client questions all land at once — this gives you a fresh option to offer when they ask.

By the Numbers

• 33% and 76% — As of September 2, 2026, use of licensed human rabies vaccines was up an estimated 33% and human rabies immune globulin up 76% versus the same period last year, per the CDC. Takeaway: human rabies exposures are climbing fast enough to move real product volumes, so expect more clients asking whether their pet's rabies vaccine is current.

In the Journals

• Cold-stored platelets show promise for bleeding in thrombocytopenic dogs · ~3 min read — In a retrospective study of 24 thrombocytopenic dogs receiving 27 transfusions at Washington State University, refrigerated platelets stored up to 21 days were linked to clinical improvement within 4 hours in 70% of transfusion events, with no transfusion reactions documented. Why it matters: room-temperature platelets last about 5 days, so a 3-week refrigerated option could make platelet transfusion practical for far more practices — though the authors caution the retrospective design can't prove cause and effect.
• Antibiotic pollution may be key factor in honeybee colony collapses · ~2 min read — A new JAVMA review from Auburn researchers argues that environmental antibiotic pollution — from agricultural use, wastewater, manure, and runoff — is an overlooked driver of honeybee colony losses, with residues creating reservoirs of antibiotics and resistance in soil, water, and air. Why it matters: bees pollinate three-quarters of cultivated crops, and the authors call for cutting non-essential antibiotic use in livestock systems — a stewardship argument that lands squarely in large-animal practice.
• Screwworm Cases Hit 90 Animals in Three States as Arizona Horse Case Triggers 12-Mile Quarantine Zone · ~4 min read — Update: U.S. screwworm cases rose from 74 on Oct. 29 to 90 as of Nov. 2, with 33 active, and Arizona's second case — a horse near Hereford with no known travel history — prompted a 12.4-mile infested zone where no animal may leave until the State Veterinarian says otherwise. Why it matters: the outbreak keeps spreading into new species and counties, so wound checks and movement paperwork matter for any client traveling with animals near the border region.

AI Watch

• Vetology Invites Veterinary Schools and Veterinary Technology Programs to Use Its AI Radiology Screening Free of Charge · ~2 min read — Vetology is opening its AI radiology screening — 94 classifiers across canine and feline thoracic, abdominal, and musculoskeletal imaging — free to veterinary schools and vet tech programs, so students can check positioning and interpretation against an AI report on every study. Why it matters: the next generation of techs and vets will arrive already fluent in AI-assisted imaging, so expect new hires to lean on these tools — and to need guidance on when to trust them. (Company press release.)

The Business End

• UMES Opens Applications for First Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at a Public HBCU · ~3 min read — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is now accepting applications for its inaugural DVM class, a three-year, year-round program starting summer 2027, with a January 15, 2027 deadline and applications through UMES directly rather than VMCAS this cycle. Why it matters: it's Maryland's first in-state vet school and the first at a public HBCU, and a shorter, cheaper path to a DVM is exactly the kind of pipeline change that could ease the hiring squeeze in a few years' time.

The Fine Print

• Nashville man charged with impersonating a veterinarian · ~4 min read — Nashville police arrested a man who allegedly presented himself as a veterinarian at an East Nashville clinic despite never holding a Tennessee license — he reportedly failed the licensing exam at least 10 times — after pet owners reported problems following procedures; at least 7 cases are known so far. Why it matters: clients already worry about who is treating their pet, and a case like this is a reminder that your license and credentials are worth showing, not just holding.
• Ohio Pet Breeder Agrees to Surrender Over 1,100 Chinchillas · ~4 min read — A federal consent decree ends a DOJ Animal Welfare Act case against an Ohio chinchilla breeder who concealed about 800 animals in a building withheld from inspection for years; USDA documented 59 violations in four years, and the breeder's license is permanently revoked. Why it matters: it's a blunt reminder of what the Animal Welfare Act actually enforces — and a useful answer when clients ask what happens to breeders who cut corners on care.

The Feel-Good Finish

• Rudy Could Barely Stand. His Rescuers Stayed by His Side · ~5 min read — A puppy found severely underweight, hypothermic at 90°F, and barely responsive needed a blood transfusion, a feeding tube, and weeks of intensive care — and by day 35 he was barking at passing dogs, taking his first steps, and wearing dinosaur pajamas on his way to being ready for adoption.

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