The Bird Bath
Welcome to The Bird Bath, a weekly news podcast. Join our host, Ryan Leech, as he highlights the latest news and trends in the evolving world of pet health. Stay tuned!
LMU vs. AVMA, New TAMU Dean and Chair, Nevada Vet School, and Nutrition
Last week of June, what’d you miss in vet med?
Education GaloreLincoln Memorial Sues the AVMANew dean at Texas A&MRoyal Canin funds new endowmentNew vet school in NevadaPartners Group expands animal health portfolioHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackBond Bails, Innovative Funding, $175M for Gx, The Farmer’s Dog Resident
Third week of June, what’d you miss in vet med?
Bond Vet hits some snagsWSAVA released Wellness PrinciplesOpen Door guides on HeartwormInnovative Pet Labs lands Seed roundFelix Pharma gets $175MThe Farmer’s Dog invests in EducationHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackWSAVA - Principles of WellnessOpen Door School - A Spectrum of Care Approach to Canine Heartworm DiseaseTennessee College of Veterinary Medicine - Internships and ResidenciesZoetis, IDEXX launches, Group Growth, $35M in REIT, 100th Episode
Second week of June, what’d you miss in vet med?
100th Episode!Zoetis and IDEXX’s new launchesPieper now COVEAcutePet turns One$35M Investment in REITBSAVA Congress RetiresHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackHarvard, Hill’s, OkState, Chewy and LMU, Mars’ Patient Safety, Lifetime Cost of Care
First week of June, what’d you miss in vet med?
Hill’s launches Microbiome Portal with HarvardOklahoma State OK’s $250M for new hospitalChewy pledges $1M to LMUMars studies patient safety eventsA call for more independenceSynchrony reports on Lifetime Costs of PetsHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackFrontiers - Making the case for a resurgent U.S. independent veterinary practice segment: a SWOT analysisThe One Health Microbiome ResourceAVMA Journals - Patient safety events cause harm across a variety of veterinary care settings: a global retrospective analysisSynchrony - Pet Lifetime of Care 2025Puppy Mill Bans, Target Brands, and New Locations
Last week of May, what’d you miss in vet med?
Multiple bills to ban puppy millsTarget Reintroduces pet brandPetfolk’s 11th new location for 2025CityVet’s 59th locationHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackMars and Stress, New Specialities, Intern Class Action, and a Busy Week
Third week of May, what’d you miss in vet med?
Mars and Calm put numbers to our pet loveResearchers warn against stressing your dogAcupuncture and Embryo Transfer seek Specialty DesignationInterns’ lawsuit surrounding MatchingA look back on a busy weekHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackAVMA - American Board of Veterinary SpecialtiesNOMV - Race Around the WorldAmazon PetRx, Koala’s $20M, Radimal x Petfolk, and Human Providers in Vet
Second week of May, what’d you miss in vet med?
Amazon launches Pet PharmacyKoala raises $20MRadimal and Petfolk announce partnershipRevDoc starts RevPetHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackNOMV - Race Around the WorldMOVES Moves, HCM, Rover Spree, Purina Grants, and NOMV
First week of May, what’d you miss in vet med?
MOVES launches Franchise ModelFeline HCM ready to go downRover’s next acquisitionPurina 2026 GrantsNOMV Race Around the WorldHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackNOMV - Race Around the WorldHCM - The HALT StudyPumpkin, Patterson, VIC on AI, Events
Last week of April, what’d you miss in vet med?
Florida passes Pet Insurance BillPumpkin launches instant paymentsVeterinary Innovation Council on AIPatterson complete saleCVS Group divests crematorium businessEvents GaloreHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackVIC – What Do Veterinary Professionals Need to Know about Artificial Intelligence in 2025?Flourish Academy MasterclassesAnimal Health, Nutrition & Technology Innovation – Shaping the Future of Animal Health in the USACollege of Veterinary Medicine – Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine (SAVY 2.0)My Pets Wellness, Home Delivery, Royal College Trouble, and THGeese
Fourth week of April, what’d you miss in vet med?
My Pets Wellness CollapseHome Delivery UpdatesRoyal Veterinary College CoE TroublesGeese and ChongHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackPets = Happy, Loyal enrolls 1000th dog, NE looking for vets
Third week of April, what’d you miss in vet med?
Research shows pets bring £70k of satisfactionLoyal’s trials hit new milestoneNebraska seeking rural DVMsHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackThe Value of Pets: The Quantifiable Impact of Pets on Life SatisfactionAPPA and Hill’s Reports, Litter Scents, and AgTech Startups
Second week of April, what’d you miss in vet med?
APPA’s State of the IndustryHill’s World of the CatDr. Elsey’s stops Scented LitterAnimal AgTech Innovation SummitHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackThrive’s $350M, Evette’s first DVM, Banfield Covers Tuition
First week of April, what’d you miss in vet med?
Thrive brings in $350MBanfield covers final year TuitionEvette brings on a DVMIVP looks at $2M moreHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackReady, Vet, Go Mentorship ProgramACVR on AI, Hill’s Leadership, JustFoodForDogs, and Emerging Companies
Last week of March, what’d you miss in vet med?
ACVR and ECVDI release their findings on AIHill’s New Veterinary LeadershipJustFoodForDogs on your shelfApply for KC Animal Health Corridor Pitch ContestHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackAVMA - American College of Veterinary Radiology and European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging position statement on artificial intelligenceKC Animal Health Corridor - 2025 Animal Health Summit Emerging Company ApplicationVetsource Reports, Radimal Dentistry, JAB Updates, and GI Relief
Third week of March, what’d you miss in vet med?
Vetsource brings facts via WhitepaperRadimal launches Dental TeleconsultationsJAB Dives deeper into InsuranceRelief for K9 GIHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackInstinct Standards, $200M Growth Capital, Small Door COO, and More
Second week of March, what’d you miss in vet med?
Instinct launches Standards of CareLoneTree’s $200MSmall Door’s first COORoch Dog fundingUpdate on Pets at HomeHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackRoch Dog - Find The World's Best Dog Friendly HotelsLive at WVC! Loyal Up, Ellie’s new CEO, Pets at Home, and VPA Updates
First week of March, what’d you miss in vet med?
Loyal’s Big WeekEllie Diagnostics new CEOPets at Home murmersVPA movement in ColoradoViva Las VegasHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackTBD - Veterinary - Written Comments - CVR, LTRER Ups and Downs, PetSmart Scholarship, Funding, and AI Verified
Last week of February, what’d you miss in vet med?
Green Bay’s ER DesertVeritas Veterinary Partners’ ExpansionVetVerifi Closes Seed RoundPetSmart Charities Veterinary Scholarship AI Survey Peer ReviewedSee you in Vegas!Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackPetSmart Charities Veterinary ScholarshipAVMA Publications - Familiarity with artificial intelligence drives optimism and adoption among veterinary professionals: 2024 surveyGood News Edition! blendVET, ASPCA, Women Leaders, myBalto and More
Third week of February, what’d you miss in vet med?
blendVET goes InternationalASPCA’s outlet for veterinary voicesFeather in Her Cap WinnersmyBalto MadnessMars saves EarthHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackblendVET - Let's Build the Next Generation of Vet Med — Together.blendVET x Jacksonville 2025 Pathway Event Volunteer Registration FormblendVET Pathway Event Volunteer Registration FormJoin the ASPCA Veterinary Engagement Team (VET) to Help Shape Animal Welfare PolicyMarch Veterinary MadnessMars Veterinary Health 2024 Environmental Sustainability ReportVeterinary IT Services Podcast - Technology Generational Shifts and Consolidation in Veterinary PracticeRSS Podcast - Splashing into 2025: Catching up with The Bird Bath podcas...Quarterly Report$, Bird Flu Update, Animal Supply Company Layoffs
Second week of February, what’d you miss in vet med?
Big Q4 and 2024 for Animal HealthGrowth for Hills, IDEXX, Phibro, Merck and moreGlobal Bird Flu UpdatesAnimal Supply Company WoesThe Big Game!Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackVCA Closures, Prices in Europe, PE CEO
First week of February, what’d you miss in vet med?
VCA shuttering Urgent CaresVetnCare brings in new CEOItalian consolidationUpdate on UK pricesHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackLive at VMX 2025!
End of January, what’d you miss in vet med?
Live at VMX!REVAMP LaunchThe Bridge Club ICONPetSmart Charities Leadership ForumConsolidation newsHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackREVAMPVIC - Welcome to the Access to Care Resource HubAAHA - Resource Center$300M with CUBEX, Serenity Now, Mixlab Acquistions, and VMX
Fourth week of January, what’d you miss in vet med?
Mashura, CUBEX parent co., bringing in $300MSerenity Vet offers a new reliefMixlab ramps their lab portfolioFDA and CBDCatch me at VMX!Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackUse of Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol, in Veterinary Practice; Request for InformationMars goes to India, AI Advancements, TAMU Fighting Aging, Tax Rules
Third week of January, what’d you miss in vet med?
AI hits Animal Health Drug CreationTexas A&M pursues Rapamycin for agingMars invests in IndiaTax Laws in Spain, and US counterpartsHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackDog Aging Project2025 Animal Health Summit Emerging Company ApplicationSpecial with Vet Life Reimagined
First week of January, what’d you miss in vet med?
A special episode with Vet Life ReimaginedDive into what 2025 has in storeHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackWhat's Coming in Vet Med 2025? Industry Leaders Share Their Predictions | Part 1Vet Life ReimaginedWhat YOU listened to in 2024!
End of 2024, what’d you miss in vet med?
The Bird Bath is WorldwideStories you couldn’t get enough ofOur top trendsHappy New Year!Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackHill’s Brings Cheer to Shelters, Bird Flu Update, and Santa’s Herd
Happy Holidays, what’d you miss in vet med?
Hill’s rolls out “Welcome Home” Adoption CampaignCalifornia and National Bird Flu UpdatesHappy news for Santa’s ReindeerHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substack2025 Welcome Home Participating SheltersPatterson for $4.1B, TVC Merck’d, VCA/Antech One Health
Third week of December, what’d you miss in vet med?
Patterson Agrees to $4.1B AcquistionMerck cuts off TVCVCA/Antech Publish One Health FrameworkUpdate on NY Puppymill BanHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackVCA Voice - Six Step Framework for Companion Animal Public Health CollaborationPurina Donations, Owners’ Age Impact, Wearables in Telemed
Second week of December, what’d you miss in vet med?
Purina donates $4.5MStudy links Age of Owners to Food PreferenceAI-Wearable Partnership for TelemedicineHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackAVMA - Dog and owner demographics impact dietary choices in Dog Aging Project cohortToday's Veterinary Business - What a Year It WasCambridge Troubles, Big Fat Dogs, and NY Fights Puppy Mills
Kicking of December, what’d you miss in vet med?
IAMS puts Fat Dogs in ChicagoNY ban on Puppy Mills is SetCambridge Vet School fails AccreditationMidlevel Pracitioner WebinarHelpful links:
The Bird Bath substackThe Bird BathHealthy Weight Dog HubUniversity of Cambridge 2024 ReportCatfishing CEO, Obrigado L Catterton, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Last week of November, what’d you miss in vet med?
Evette CEO caught faking DVM profileL Catterton moves into BrazilMidlevel Practitioner WebinarHappy Thanksgiving!Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackThe Bird BathSupport Future Innovators in Memory of Kelly ClayZoetis Shakeup, $1.45B with GenMills, $15M slap for Elanco
Second week of November, what’d you miss in vet med?
Zoetis Shakes up it’s Global LeadershipElanco takes a $15M SEC FineGeneral Mills ponies up $1.45MMI:RNA joins the USHowdy London!Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackGen Z Pet Debt, Boom in Boarding, LifeLearn AI, and London
Second week of November, what’d you miss in vet med?
Rover acquires Cat in a FlatMore growth in BoardingNew Study shows Pets over PeopleLifeLearn brings AI to ClientEdIt’s all BananasCatch me in London!Subscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackThe State of Pets - Unpacking America's Pet PreferencesVeterinary Innovation Podcast - Navigating Veterinary Industry Trends and Innovations in 2025Petfolk EXCLUSIVE, Stock Trends, LeBark James
Start of November, what’d you miss in vet med?
Exclusive Interview with PetfolkQuarterly Earnings and What they mean to YouWestminster Trading CardsJoin our SubstackSubscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackDr. Audrey Wystrach: Major Heat Up in Consolidation – Consolidation for ConsolidatorsTractor Supply, VIP COO, Vetster + Mella, and Midlevel Practioners
Last week of October, what’d you miss in vet med?
Tractor Supply Company set to acquire AllivetVeterinary Innovative Partners hires first COOVetster and Mella team upDon’t forget to vote!Subscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
The Bird Bath substackAVMA - How Colorado became ground zero for veterinary midlevel practitioner debateMobile Consolidation, IPH, Mars, and AAVMC Promotions, and Recycling
Fourth week of October, what’d you miss in vet med?
The Vets x BettervetFear Free Top 5 in 15Lots of PromotionsPetsmart RecyclesJoin our SubstackSubscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
“Top 5 in 15” Webinar Series by Fear FreeThe Bird Bath on SubstackAVMA Shortage Again, Vet Tech Week, Synchrony, and IVs
Third week of October, what’d you miss in vet med?
National Veterinary Technician WeekAVMA says, No Shortage…AgainCareCredit+InsuranceIV FluidsSubscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
National Veterinary Technician WeekChewy for Grads, Instinct State of ER, AVMA, and OpenAI
Second week of October, what’d you miss in vet med?
Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program is openThe State of ER & Specialty Veterinary Care by InstinctOllie scoops up DIG LabsAVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum$157B Valuation for OpenAISubscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
AAVMC - Awards, Grants, and ScholarshipsThe State of ER & Specialty Veterinary Care in 2024AVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum 2024Patterson, Zoetis, Scribes, and Mt. Kilimanjaro
Kicking off Spooky Season, what’d you miss in vet med?
Patterson jumps on the acquisition trainZoetis adds more AIScribes on the moveCollege newsTwo vets and a big hillSubscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
Veterinary Innovation Summit Pre-ShowVetForum Live, Practices Everywhere, Victor Acquired
End of September, what’d you miss in vet med?
The gold standard of Practice DataMidwest acquires VictorLive Insights from VetForumSubscribe to the Fountain Report weekly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JTYjRz
Helpful links:
Antelligence: Enterprise Practice Database
