Highly pathogenic avian influenza infections have been found in foxes, raccoons, striped skunks and cats recently in six Texas Panhandle counties, according to the state Parks and Wildlife Department. Officials said wildlife rehabilitators should take precautions when taking in animals to prevent the virus' spread.

Topical emodepside solution for cats administered orally to dogs is not bioequivalent to the pill form of the drug for dogs, which is approved in Europe but not the US, researchers reported in the Journal of the AVMA. If feline topical emodepside must be given to dogs as a last line of defense against drug-resistant hookworms, the dosage should be halved, study co-leader Stephanie Martinez said.

Formulating antibiotic eye drops with hyaluronic acid may keep higher concentrations of the antibiotic in the eyes for a longer period of time and thus may be more effective than formulations containing polyvinyl alcohol, according to a study in Veterinary Ophthalmology. The approach may also enable lower doses of antibiotic eye drops to be used.

Biome9 and Treat Therapeutics are among startups focusing on the microbiome to improve pet health. Biome9, recently acquired by Pooch & Mutt, uses machine learning to create targeted gut health recommendations, and researchers there have worked with the maker of supplements that might help dogs with canine epilepsy. Treat Therapeutics partners with biotechnology and pet food companies on home-based clinical trials to explore links between human and animal health.

A pregnant mare in Douglas County, Colo., and another in Jefferson County were humanely euthanized after testing positive for equine infectious anemia. The Colorado Department of Agriculture says the risk to the state's equid population is considered low, but "CDA strongly recommends that all equestrian shows, rodeos, fairs, and other equine events require a negative EIA test for entry, even if the horses haven't crossed state lines, to further safeguard the equine population from potential disease spread," agency officials said in a news release.

Live chicks, ducklings and bunnies may be cute in Easter baskets, but they soon grow into adult animals that need just as much care as a dog or cat. Surrenders of such animals rise around Easter, "and there are very few resources for poultry and rabbits," said AJ Springfield, director of PupSavers Rescue in West Virginia. However, rabbits, chickens and ducks born and raised in captivity lack the instincts to survive in city parks or wild forests, "so they're easy prey and they meet gruesome ends," Springfield said.

Capybaras, the world's largest rodent, look cute and cuddly and have become social media sensations, but their populations have exploded in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they cause traffic jams, destroy plants and get into the occasional fight with pets. The government has launched pilot projects to control the amphibious rodent's numbers by sterilizing them or administering contraceptive vaccinations.

Small businesses increasingly use bundled financial services to manage cash flow, improve visibility into finances and optimize working capital amid economic uncertainty, says Priority Technology CEO Tom Priore. These services enable faster fund settlements and better supplier negotiations, offering a unified commerce experience with various payment solutions in one platform. With nearly 80% of consumers curbing spending, according to PYMNTS Intelligence, small businesses must proactively manage cash flow to mitigate the effects and sustain operations, advises Priore.

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, sponsored by the AVMA to protect the bond between dogs and people. Dog bite prevention is a community effort that continues beyond just this week. Today’s theme encourages everyone—pet owners, parents, educators, and policymakers—to keep spreading awareness and practicing bite prevention year-round. Share dog bite prevention tips with others to keep the conversation going. Take advantage of resources from veterinary and animal organizations, such as AVMA’s coloring book, brochure, and other resources to help kids learn how to behave safely around dogs. Visit the AVMA website to learn more about National Dog Bite Prevention Week.