Veterinarians and veterinary staff protect the interests of animals that cannot speak for themselves, provide both curative and palliative care, and care for both animals and humans, "without fanfare but with compassion and humility," writes oncologist Ranjana Srivastava.

The new federal tax and spending law introduced caps on federal student loans that could affect veterinary students starting in 2026. The legislation sets a $50,000 annual cap and a $200,000 total cap on federal loans for professional schooling, and it eliminates Graduate PLUS loans.

Researchers have identified the biological mechanism by which 6PPD-quinone, a chemical formed when a tire preservative mixes with ozone, causes mass mortality events in coho salmon in Puget Sound after rainstorms. The chemical breaches the blood-brain and blood-gill barriers, leading to suffocation. The findings, reported in Environmental Science & Technology, may enable development of safer alternatives to 6PPD.

Many people underestimate the climate impacts of actions such as avoiding long-haul flights and using renewable electricity, and many overestimate the impact of actions such as recycling and using energy-efficient appliances and lightbulbs, according to a study in PNAS Nexus. People also underestimate the negative impacts of dog ownership, which contributes to climate change primarily through feeding dogs beef. Dog owners can reduce their climate impacts by choosing less carbon-intensive foods, such as seafood and turkey.

An unsolicited email from Petchip.Network that claimed a pet owner's microchip registration had expired and seeking payment for renewing the registration is raising questions. Microchips do not expire, and although it is legal to offer to register chips for a fee, free services are available and can be used to update contact information.

Analysis of a 4,000-year-old sheep skeleton has yielded evidence that livestock played a role in spreading an ancient strain of bubonic plague-causing Yersinia pestis bacteria across Eurasia, according to a study in the journal Cell. The research suggests that domestic animals could have elevated the risk for human infections, although sheep and humans were likely not the primary carriers.

Small businesses could face $200 billion a year in tariff costs with current import rates, according to the US Chamber of Commerce, whose calculation is based on Census Bureau data showing that 236,000 small businesses imported $868 billion in goods last year. Increased expenses, driven by sweeping new tariffs, are expected to make everyday goods and production more expensive for small businesses, with unpredictable supply chains adding further challenges. The Chamber is urging the White House to consider a tariff exemption process for small enterprises.

Microchips greatly increase the chances that pets will be reunited with their families if they are lost or stolen. But a microchip only works if its registration information is accurate. To remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and to keep the registration information up-to-date, the AVMA and American Animal Hospital Association joined together to create Check the Chip Day. With support from HomeAgain, the AVMA develops materials to promote the event. Visit the AVMA website to learn more about AVMA’s Check The Chip Day resources.