New treatment guidelines, a genetic first in cats, and fresh options in anesthesia make up the first half of our countdown of the year’s most-read stories.

The first major rewrite since 2015 sorts therapies by mechanism of action, splits care into reactive and proactive phases, and adds guidance on 2 newer Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

Adapted from a human eczema survey, the 0-to-30 scale proved consistent and responsive to change, though it fell short on ear disease.

In honor of Feline Diabetes Awareness Month, Kelly Cairns, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), explains what the new AAHA guidelines mean for diabetic cats, from spotting early clinical signs to weighing treatment options and building a long-term plan with clients.

The agency says the manufacturer, Arrow Reliance, has not adequately recalled the frozen food, which carries no expiration date and may still be in owners’ freezers.

A severely immunocompromised patient treated in Lyon died in early October. Investigators suspect the patient was bitten by an infected Culicoides midge in a region where the virus circulated in cattle this summer.

New CATalyst Council data show cat visits growing for a third straight year. The bigger question for practices may be how many new kittens are still coming in as they age.

New One Health guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association cover parasites that are spreading, resurfacing, or getting harder to treat. They also cover how to use parasite medications wisely and how to talk with clients about risk.