In a session at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor conference, Nathanael Oster, VMD, MBA, walked attendees through the biology, diagnosis, and treatment of the flea tapeworm in dogs and cats, including why cats are affected more often than dogs.

Here are this week's headlines

Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DACVM (Parasitology), discusses the clinical significance of Toxoplasma gondii, when veterinary professionals should consider testing, and how to communicate the risks of exposure to clients.

New CDC and climate data show tick exposure and pollen seasons are both stretching well beyond their traditional windows, a trend animal health company Elanco says is also increasing demand for veterinary care.

The flesh-eating parasite was found in a horse in Presidio County, Texas, on September 9, while a fourth infected dog was reported in a different area of the state.

A survey of more than 27,000 canine fecal samples found the zoonotic tapeworm only in coyotes and gray foxes, pointing to a diagnostic gap that routine fecal flotation is unlikely to close.

In a keynote address at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference, Jessica Pritchard, VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), shared research showing that many owners decline vaccines because they do not think their pet needs them, and discussed ways veterinary teams can address those concerns.

Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, FVTE, outlines key considerations for veterinary technicians during triage, from rapid patient assessment and prioritization to client communication and team coordination, in this interview from the Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference.