Clinical

From new Oncology Guidelines to fresh podcasts, AAHA has gifts for everyone this holiday season! Check out what’s to come in December.

Jaci Christensen, BAS, LVT, VTS (Oncology), is cochair of the task force for the 2026 AAHA Oncology Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, which launches on Friday, January 2, 2026. These new guidelines aim to help primary care veterinary teams support pets and their families through diagnosis, staging, treatment, and/or referral of cancer cases.

Cancer is common in cats and dogs, but rapid advancements in diagnosis and treatment can make it challenging for those who don’t specialize in oncology to keep up. Still, there’s plenty that primary care teams can do to help oncology patients and their families—and, as Christensen shares below, there’s also plenty that both general and specialty practices need to know to ensure their staff remains safe while providing those treatments.

Animals that live in zoos and shelters often have enrichment programs created for them to reduce their stress, and veterinary professionals commonly recommend enrichment to pet owners for them to implement at home. But enrichment can also be a powerful tool to reduce stress and strengthen bonds in the veterinary practice, whether it’s for an overnight hospitalization or a quick visit for an exam.

Muzzles can help keep pets and people safe in a variety of situations, but all too often, muzzle stigma prevents pet parents from introducing their dogs to muzzles. Here’s what you should know about muzzle training, including why it’s important for veterinary professionals to discuss muzzles with their clients (even before a muzzle might be needed).

Esteban Soto, MSc, DVM, PhD, DACVM, DABVP (Fish Practice), CertAqV, professor of Aquatic Animal Health in the Department of Medicine & Epidemiology at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine answers the five questions.

What do you find most challenging about oncology cases? AAHA recently surveyed over 300 veterinary professionals to better understand what parts of the cancer care journey they find most difficult, as well as the companies, brands, and resources they rely on for support.

Veterinary professionals have a new free resource for infection prevention and control that can help hospitals all over the world keep their patients and the people who care for them safer.

Your goldendoodle will probably never have to deal with it, but some European dogs are prone to suffer from BAATs, or boar-attack-associated trauma. Yes, that’s boar as in wild boar, the snout-nosed ungulates with large tusks.

When it comes to dog training, there’s an app for that—but not all dog training apps are created equal. Some can lead to improved behavior and even medical outcomes, while others might actually lead pet parents to delay seeking medical advice. Here’s what behavior experts say reputable apps offer, as well as the red flags you should caution your clients about.

The AAHA Veterinary Practice Biosecurity Tracker is a useful tool that can help guide your practice on the journey toward optimal infection and disease control. Try it out and see where your strengths and growth areas are!