Vital Signs — Sunday, November 8, 2026

Editor's Pick

• USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Dairy Herd in Indiana · ~2 min read — USDA confirmed HPAI H5N1 genotype B3.13 in an Indiana dairy herd on November 2 — the state's first cattle case, caught by routine National Milk Testing Strategy screening — bringing the total to 21 states with infected dairy herds since March 2024. Why it matters: with the virus still finding new states through routine milk testing, dairy clients need the biosecurity and report-sick-animals message before a case lands on their farm, not after.

"Therefore, my dear Lucilius, begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life." — Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 101.10

Each day gets its own fresh start — yesterday's unfinished list doesn't own this one.

By the Numbers

• 21.3% vs. 26.0% — Practice owners made up 21.3% of veterinarians in private practice in 2025, down from 26.0% in 2023, per the AVMA's 2026 Report on the Economic State of the Veterinary Profession. Takeaway: independent ownership keeps thinning out — about one in five private-practice vets now, down from about one in four two years ago — even as owners report the highest job satisfaction in the profession (84.5% vs. 68.9% for associates), so the succession question is only getting sharper.

In the Journals

• Canine atopic dermatitis treatment guidelines updated for first time since 2015: What to know · ~6 min read — ICADA's first major rewrite of canine atopic dermatitis treatment guidelines since 2015, published September 28 in Veterinary Dermatology, reorganizes therapy by mechanism of action into reactive and proactive phases, with A-level recommendations for topical glucocorticoids, oclacitinib, ilunocitinib, and lokivetmab. Why it matters: atopic dermatitis is a daily caseload staple, and the new reactive/proactive framing plus the JAK-inhibitor comparisons give a clear structure for the itchy-dog conversation — including that allergen-specific immunotherapy is recommended for all dogs with environmental allergy.
• The new nutrition tool built to make veterinary diet recommendations easier · audio — Ohio State's Valerie Parker and Rene Paschall describe VetsBowl, a searchable database that pulls scattered diet information together so veterinarians can quickly find and compare diets for a patient's needs. Why it matters: nutrition comes up at nearly every visit, and a single searchable source beats flipping through product guides mid-appointment.

AI Watch

• Animal Welfare, Academics and Tech Leaders Develop First Charter for Responsible AI · ~3 min read — Nearly 60 leaders from animal welfare, academia, and tech met October 9–10 at Southern Utah University and produced the first Charter for Responsible AI in Animal Welfare — eight commitments covering lifesaving, humanity, integrity, oversight, accountability, intentionality, adaptability, and sustainability. Why it matters: the charter is written for organizations without specialized AI staff, so it doubles as a usable starting point for a small practice writing its own AI policy — human judgment stays in charge.

The Business End

• October Consumer Research Confirms Pet Health Remains Non-Negotiable Household Priority · ~3 min read — Elanco's October survey of 2,018 U.S. consumers (1,495 dog and cat owners) found 93% maintained or increased pet spending over the past three months, only 7% would cut pet health spending under economic pressure, and 38% have shifted medication purchases outside the clinic in the past year or two. Why it matters: clients still rank pet health near the top of the protected list — but more than a third are now buying meds elsewhere, so the recommendation conversation, not the discount, is what keeps that revenue in the clinic. (Industry-sponsored survey — Elanco press release.)

The Feel-Good Finish

• Cross-Country Effort Helps Hawaii Family Save Beloved Dog · ~1 min read — Moka, a 3-year-old dog in Hawaii given less than six months to live with a serious heart condition, got lifesaving pacemaker surgery in Washington thanks to a cross-country effort involving the Hawaiian Veterinary Medical Association, Washington State University, and local officials — and is now back running on the beach and playing with other dogs.

Know an independent practice owner? Please forward this to them.