Vital Signs — Friday, November 13, 2026

Editor's Pick

• USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Dairy Herd in Oregon · ~2 min read — USDA confirmed H5N1 in an Oregon dairy herd on Nov. 10 — the state's first case in cattle and the 22nd state affected since March 2024 — after the herd tested positive through routine milk surveillance despite consistently negative results before. Why it matters: the outbreak keeps reaching new states even under routine surveillance, so biosecurity and herd monitoring stay worth the effort.

"I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world?" — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book V (trans. George Long)

A Friday reminder that the work itself is the point.

By the Numbers

51 — dairy herds confirmed with H5N1 in the last 30 days, per USDA data reported Nov. 12. The outbreak is still adding roughly a dozen herds a week, and new states are still joining the list.

In the Journals

• Two studies reach different conclusions on serum amyloid A in feline respiratory disease · ~4 min read — A small French study (n=22, retrospective) found SAA separated inflammatory from cardiac or neoplastic respiratory disease in cats, while a larger German study (n=102, prospective) found it could not clearly tell respiratory conditions apart — and both teams call for larger prospective studies.
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Invests in Cat Care with New Nutrition and Supplement Innovations · ~2 min read — Purina is adding a UR Urinary St/Ox + Calm diet (available Nov. 23) and two liquid supplements for joint care and hairballs to its Pro Plan Veterinary feline line. (Company press release.)
• CIDRAP database tracks more than 150 coronavirus vaccines for animals · ~2 min read — The University of Minnesota's free CIDRAP tracker now lists 156 coronavirus vaccine candidates across 7 animal species, including 8 dog entries and 6 cat entries — the cat list includes Zoetis' Felocell FIP.

The Business End

• Virginia funds large animal veterinarians as rural shortages persist across the US · ~4 min read — Virginia awarded $890,000 to seven large-animal veterinarians on Nov. 6, and a September USDA report found 81% of rural counties have been in a veterinary shortage area at least once since 2010, with rural food-animal practice revenue down 22% in real terms since 2021.
• Mars Will Invest $1.4 Billion In U.S. Manufacturing and Operations in 2027 · ~2 min read — Mars plans to spend more than $34 million early next year opening four new BluePearl and Banfield hospitals in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina, adding up to 195 jobs. (Company press release.)

The Fine Print

• Laub's Feeding & Cubing, Inc. Voluntary Recalls Grade A Mini Hay Cubes Because of Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination · ~2 min read — Laub's is recalling up to 89 tons of Grade A Mini Hay Cubes sold Oct. 3–31 in Utah after horse illnesses and deaths in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona; botulism is suspected but unconfirmed, and owners with the cubes should not feed them.

The Feel-Good Finish

• Senior Shelter Dog's Last Day Being Invisible Turns Into the Start of Something Beautiful After Adoption · ~2 min read — Dandy, a nearly 9-year-old dog who spent 1,263 days at a Georgia shelter, was finally adopted this week by a family who drove two hours to bring him home.

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