On Vet Candy News, a groundbreaking new study has revealed the extent of animal use in veterinary education across the U.S. and Canada. Researchers reviewed 120 animal use protocols from 26 public vet schools and found widespread reliance on cadavers and terminal teaching exercises—despite ethical guidelines urging alternatives.

Key findings: nearly all schools used horses, cows, or small ruminants; poultry were used in the highest numbers, mainly for euthanasia training; and dogs, cats, and rodents were also included. While donation programs supply many cadavers, sourcing remains inconsistent and sometimes vague.

Most protocols admitted alternatives exist but argued they weren’t equal for teaching. Alarmingly, some schools gave no consideration to alternatives at all—despite guidelines discouraging euthanasia for training purposes.

The authors say this is likely an undercount, since cadavers used in anatomy and pathology aren’t always tracked. Overall, the study highlights a gap between ethical standards and actual practices, urging vet schools to embrace proven alternatives like simulators and clinical cases to train future veterinarians with both skill and compassion.

#veterinarynews #veterinary #vetmed #vetschool.

In a letter sent to veterinary school deans, the COE said it will “not require programs to report on, or comply with, current aspects of the Standards of Accreditation that relate to DEI…in a manner that conflicts with applicable law or other institutional directives.” In effect, what was once mandatory is now optional.

The council emphasized that schools may still pursue and share DEI initiatives, but critics warn that removing accountability has serious consequences for the profession:

Loss of Transparency: Without required reporting, schools may sideline DEI work, making it difficult to measure progress.

Student & Faculty Impact: Data on recruitment, retention, and support of underrepresented groups could disappear, allowing disparities to persist unnoticed.

Equity Setbacks: Mandatory reporting has been one of the few tools to push the overwhelmingly white profession toward change. Making it optional risks slowing that momentum.

Veterinary medicine already faces deep representation gaps. According to AVMA data, as of 2021 the profession was 91.9% white, with Black veterinarians making up less than 1%. Without structured reporting, inequities may remain invisible—robbing underrepresented students and faculty of the support they need.

The COE frames the change as protecting institutions from legal conflicts, but many veterinarians, students, and educators see it as a step backward. During the public comment period, dozens urged the council to preserve DEI reporting. Their concerns went unanswered.

For those who believe accountability is essential, action is still possible: contact AVMA representatives, engage with the House of Delegates, and advocate within veterinary schools. Without continued pressure, the profession risks losing one of its few mechanisms for tracking—and tackling—its diversity problem.

#veterinary #veterinarymedicine #animalhealth #deireporting #AVMA #AVMACOE

#veterinaryschool

On today's Vet Candy News under 5, we hear updates on H5N1.

The detection of H5N1 in a Texas dairy herd and the unresolved source of the California child’s infection highlight the evolving challenges posed by avian influenza. Collaboration between animal and human health sectors—guided by a One Health framework—is essential to mitigate risks. Vigilance, biosecurity, and continued research are key to safeguarding both animal and human health.

#veterinarymedicine #vetmed #veterinarynew

A new study from the University of Nottingham shows that in the U.K., no commercially available dog foods—plant-based, meat-based, or veterinary—fully meet all adult dog nutritional guidelines. Published in PLOS One on September 3, 2025, researchers analyzed 31 dry dog foods labeled “complete,” including 19 meat-based, 6 plant-based, and 6 veterinary diets designed for dogs with kidney concerns.

While dogs are omnivores capable of thriving on a variety of diets, the study revealed gaps across all types of dog foods. All products met vitamin D requirements, but compliance dropped significantly for amino acids (17/31), minerals (5/31), and B-vitamins (4/31). Plant-based diets were particularly prone to deficiencies in iodine and B-vitamins, but supplementation can help cover these gaps. Veterinary diets, despite being specially formulated for renal support, often lacked essential amino acids.

Lead researcher Rebecca Brociek emphasized: “Dogs don’t need meat—they need the right nutrients. Our study shows that plant-based diets can be viable with supplementation, but every type of dog food has nutritional gaps that veterinarians and owners should be aware of.”

These findings underscore the importance of evaluating nutrient intake, especially for dogs on plant-based or therapeutic diets, and may guide veterinarians in recommending supplements or dietary adjustments.

Summer just got a whole lot hotter—because the latest issue of Vet Candy Magazine is officially live! Brought to you by PRN Pharmacal, this month’s edition is bursting with energy, real talk, and the kind of inspiration that makes you want to high-five the nearest vet mom you know.

Gracing our cover is none other than Dr. Elān Armstrong, the unstoppable Connecticut veterinarian who juggles a thriving career, co-hosts our brand-new talk show Pop with Dr. Shannon Gregoire, and somehow still finds time to raise four (yes, four!) amazing kids. She's smart, she's fierce, and she’s redefining what it means to be a modern vet—and we are so here for it.

Listen to the deepdive and stay up to date!

Brought to you by PRN Pharmacal, maker of Reconcile for separation anxiety in dogs.  Check out reconcile.com for more!

In this wildly entertaining episode of All Creatures, fictional Connecticut veterinarians Dr. Greathouse (Caitlin Palmer) and Dr. Smalls (Clay Palmer) trade clinic life for the rodeo scene at the Goshen Stampede Fair—only to find themselves wrapped in a cryptid mystery that’s more science than superstition.

What starts as a fun weekend filled with bull riding and deep-fried Oreos quickly turns into a veterinary whodunit when prize cattle are found dead—bloodless, woundless, and raising serious Chupacabra alarm bells. But with the help of real veterinary pathologists and parasitologists (yes, tick experts!), the duo uncovers a shocking culprit: the self-cloning, bloodsucking Asian longhorned tick.

As rumors swirl and cows vanish, our vet heroes team up with fan-favorites like Dr. Aleksandra Żuraw, Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, and Dr. Risa Pesapane, while shady roadside hustler Joaquin stirs up Chupacabra hype to sell his fried "Chupacabra Balls."

Just when things couldn’t get weirder, a runaway cow, a wrecked Airstream, and a secret rodeo star (we see you, Quisha!) bring the episode to a hilarious, action-packed climax.

💡 Fangs on the Farm is everything you love about All Creatures—mystery, myth-busting, real vet science, and unforgettable characters—all wrapped up in deep-fried chaos.

Catch the episode now!

#veterinary #vetmed #mystery #comedypodcast #funny

Ready to get your brain buzzing and your sides hurting? On the newest episode of Vet Candy’s hit game show, Brain Smarts, your favorite vet pro comedians Clay and Caitlin Palmer, are joined by none other than Ashli Selke — the unstoppable force shaking up veterinary medicine.

She’s not just a veterinary technician powerhouse. Ashli is a legal strategist rewriting the rules, a former NAVTA President, a board member, and the ultimate champion for rising leaders.

She’s not just breaking glass ceilings — she’s tearing down the whole roof so the right people can rise. Expect spicy hot takes, jaw-dropping insider stories, and laughs you won’t find anywhere else.

Brought to you by PRN Pharmacal, maker of Reconcile for separation anxiety in dogs. Learn more at reconcile.com!

This week on Vet Candy's Brain Smarts,  Clay and Caitlin Palmer welcome a vet who’s got the medical chops and the hot glue gun to prove it—Dr. Hannah Jordan! She treats exotic animals by day, crafts earrings by night, and channels her inner Steve Irwin 24/7.

Join us as we dive into vet med trivia that’ll make you laugh, cringe, and question everything you know about parrots with potty mouths. Dr. Jordan shares how she balances saving lives with sparkle, why empathy is her superpower, and what happens when a hedgehog needs therapy.

It’s brains, jokes, animal facts you didn’t ask for—and yes, emotional support bearded dragons.

Brought to you by PRN Pharmacal, makers of Reconcile® for dogs. 🐶 Learn more at reconcile.com.

🐍🦜🎨🦔 Don’t miss this wildly educational episode—it’s like vet school, but funny and zero tuition.

#veterinarymedicine #vetmed #funny #comedypodcast

Dr. Smalls & Dr. Greathouse (played by hilarious comedians Caitlin & Clay Palmer) are back—and this time, they're diving headfirst into a small-town nightmare where deadly avian flu meets small-town legend!

📍 Point Pleasant, West Virginia is under siege—not just by a highly contagious bird virus, but by whispers of the winged, red-eyed terror himself… MOTHMAN! 🦇👀

As the vets race to contain the outbreak, they’ll have to:

Suspense, science, and supernatural chaos collide in this edge-of-your-seat episode—packed with laughs, chills, and feathers flying everywhere!

💊 Brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim, maker of NexGard® PLUS—because even cryptids need parasite protection! 🐾 Learn more: bit.ly/3WOJTcQ

🎧 Want FREE RACE-approved CE credit while you hunt Mothman? Tune in here:

Don’t miss the episode that’s got the whole vet world squawking! 🦜🔥 #VetMed #MothmanMystery #BirdFluBattles

Brought to you by PRN Pharmacal, makers of KBroVet CA-1.  Learn more at Kbrovet.com

🎉 Get Ready for Another Wild Round of Brain Smarts! 🎉

Welcome to Brain Smarts by Vet Candy – the veterinary game show where knowledge collides with comedy, and the competition is fiercer than a cat at the vet! 🐱💡 Hosted by the hilarious Clay & Caitlin Palmer, this fast-paced showdown puts veterinary pros to the ultimate test with brain-busting trivia, current events, and unexpected twists.

This episode features the incredible Dr. Christina Kaye, a feline-loving, adventure-seeking veterinarian who’s as passionate about ophthalmology as she is about conquering Tough Mudders! 🏆🐍 With experience in emergency medicine, multiple specialty internships, and a dedication to making vet visits stress-free for cats, Dr. Kaye is bringing her smarts (and maybe some of her homemade desserts? 🍰) to the Brain Smarts stage.

Will she rise to the challenge and claim the Brain Smarts Champion title? Or will the trivia questions leave her scratching her head like a puzzled housecat? Tune in to find out—because in this game, the only thing certain is fun, facts, and fierce competition!