Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, discusses parasite awareness and control in a dvm360 interview at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo.

Varroa mites and their effect on honey bees

The care of honeybees requires understanding of the varroa mite and how it can affect an individual bee as well as its’ colony. To address this parasite and other apiary care topics, Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, professor of zoological medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, presented a series of educational session in a bee symposium at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) presented by the North American Veterinary Community, on Sunday, January 26. Mayer further discussed parasite awareness and control of the Varroa mite in a 

The following is a transcript of the video:

Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM

: If you talk to a beekeeper, if you want to get involved in in honeybee health topics, you need to be aware of what we call ‘public enemy No. 1’: the Varroa mite. Unfortunately, the Varroa is more or less everywhere where honeybees are and they're probably a really big contributor to what has been termed earlier on as 

. So basically, [contributing] to the mystery of the massive die off of honeybees kept in captivity or managed honeybee colonies. And this happens on a multitude of issues.

So, one of the big issues is that while the bee is affected by the parasitic function of the Varroa mite—the Varroa mite, while it's feasting on the body—it also introduces a lot of viruses and other pathogens to the honeybee. Most notably is a virus called 

, which actually doesn't allow the bee to fly anymore, and therefore it can't provide any pollination services. But there's another slew of viruses that affect them too. And even if they survive and they can't fly and do stuff, it's just, it's just a horrible parasitic situation on that individual bee. And then if we add this all up, a horrible situation for the colony, for the population. So everybody that works with honeybees needs to be aware that this is basically our main, main enemy that we got the fight.

There's a lot of different drugs and regiments out there to try to control [the Varroa mite]. We can't really eradicate the Varroa mite anymore. It's established well everywhere, and [as of], I think, 2 years ago, it now actually established also in Australia. Australia [had] managed to avoid that. I think 2 years ago now, Australia has it, and it's going to spread like a wildfire. And now the beekeepers in Australia face exactly the same problem as beekeepers all over the world. And so this is a huge topic that one needs to just be aware of.

Videos

Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, discusses parasite awareness and control in a dvm360 interview at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo

Varroa mites and their effect on honeybees

In this video interview with dvm360, Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Parasitology), shares how to effectively 

Video interview with Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Parasitology)

During an interview with dvm360 head of her upcoming lectures at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), explained the importance of veterinarians being aware of Cytauxzoonosis, a tick-borne disease in cats, due to its shifting geographic range, early clinical signs professionals can be aware of, diagnostic changes, and more. 

Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology): 

Some of the early clinical signs you might see may not necessarily be intuitive, and so I'll tell students when I'm giving them a refresher during their fourth year of veterinary school. Respiratory distress, high, high fever, [and] some of these cats are just flat out lethargic, like they're dying in front of you, and we often see them present sometime in the spring or early summer. And again, that's latitudinally contingent. So the further north you are, the further into summer those cats, well, early summer, right? That's when those cats are likely going to present.

If you're further south, you could see them early spring, quite frankly, whenever those ticks start becoming active as the temperatures warm up, and so being in tune to that respiratory distress, high fever, those are going to be 2 year big indications. And then when that disease progresses, a little more, cats become anemic. 

Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology) shares the clinical presentation, progression, and diagnostic challenges for feline patients with cytauxzoonosis

Treating and managing Cytauxzoonosis in feline patients

New updates to the 2014 “Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis,” are underway, with one incoming revision suggesting that topical therapy be the first line treatment for superficial bacterial folliculitis, or pyoderma, according to Jason B. Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD, assistant professor at Iowa State University.

 As Pieper explained in a lecture at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida, the first step in the treatment of pyoderma should now be topical therapy.

Pyoderma is a bacterial infection of the skin. It is divided based on the how deep the infection is in the skin and consists of surface, superficial, and deep pyoderma, with surface pyoderma being the most common form of the infection.

"Now one thing I will say…is superficial pyoderma does involve the hair follicles because again, the epidermis kind of goes down and surrounds….the hair shaft…with the hair follicle, so even infections down in that area are still considered a superficial pyoderma,” explained Pieper during his session.

When thinking about topical therapy for a pyoderma case, it is important to consider both the active ingredient that will be used and what the best formulation for the patient’s individual case is; as well as the frequency of the topical application, how labor intensive the therapy is, and what the realistic client compliance will be.

The antiseptic chlorhexidine is the most widely available antimicrobial, according to Pieper. It is effective against viruses, bacteria, and fungi and can work synergistically with other ingredients like miconazole. Addressing concerns over antimicrobial resistance to this ingredient, Pieper explained that there has been no documented clinical resistance to this antiseptic to date.

He also noted that higher concentrations of chlorhexidine are not always better than lower concentrations, citing a 2013 study on chlorhexidine shampoos in 0.8, 2, 3, and 4% concentrations that found larger zones of bacterial growth inhibition in shampoos with 2 and 3% chlorhexidine compared to the shampoos containing 0.8 and 4% chlorhexidine.

This ingredient has antibacterial, keratolytic, degreasing, and follicular flushing activity. “People use this for acne, so again, cleaning out the hair follicles and kind of breaking up the oils, stuff like that,” said Pieper.

However, benzoyl peroxide can cause excessive drying of the skin, which lead to increased pruritus. It could also potentially bleach fabrics like bedding. Additionally, the ingredient has a low number of formulations.

Sodium hypochlorite is similar to chlorhexidine in its effectiveness against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. “Historically people have talked about in human medicine using something called a Dakin’s solution. And what they would do is that they would go ahead and take bleach, dilute with water, put some baking soda in there, boil it to neutralize it, things like that, and…they would use it for children and do baths with some really resistant infections,” said Pieper. However, as Pieper explained, its drying effect is the concern.

“There is one study out there with just bleach and water, which is kind of what we think of with sodium hypochlorite, that did not show it to be drying when they used it, so that’s a nice benefit with this compared to say, benzoyl peroxide,” he added. There is a shampoo with salicylic acid (Command) that is available, said Pieper. Studies have shown that this shampoo is effective, according to his session.

This ingredient is widely used for decontamination. It works well against gram-positive bacteria, some gram-negative bacteria, and dermatophytes, according to Pieper. He explained that there is a veterinary shampoo available with this ingredient in a one-gallon container that could be an effective option for decontamination.

Considering the formulation that will be used for the patient is crucial, as it is important to consider which formulation will be best for the patient, location of the infection, formulation efficacy, and compliance. “There’s nothing worse than giving [patients] a product and they don’t use it at all—it’s not going to work at all,” said Pieper.

One of the oldest formulations, shampoo is labor intensive but is effective for generalized disease. As Pieper explained, shampoos have the ability to reach lesions that may have not been noticed. For shampoos, a contact time of 10 minutes is recommended, explained Pieper.

Although sprays can be easily applied, application can also be difficult with patients that have a thick haircoat. Moreover, compliance can be an issue with this type of formulation, as many cats and dogs are fearful of sprays.

“A lot of studies have shown that you’re going to need to apply that 1-2 times a day,” said Pieper, explaining that patients will need to be distracted after application to prevent treatment removal. Although relatively labor-intensive, sprays are useful for generalized lesions if wide areas are covered, as well as for small areas.

This formulation is available in a range of combination medications, including steroids. “I typically think of them as your triple threat-type product,” said Pieper, explaining that ear medication ointments can work really well.

Ointments also work well for localized lesions. This formulation will also be applied 1-2 times a day.

Wipes are a newer type of formulation. Applied 1-2 a day, these work best for localized lesions, especially in areas that are difficult to reach, according to Pieper. “I like them for paws, especially kind of those bulldog paws to get that kind of cheesy stuff in between,” he said. “It works really well to…get in there, wipe it out, and physically remove that debris.” He noted that the liquid in the wipes will also leave residual product in the area.

This formulation is the newest formulation, explained Pieper. Mousse is best for multifocal, as well as generalized lesions, depending on the dog, their coat length, thickness, affected area, etc. It is applied a few times a week, depending on the patient. According to Pieper, mousse is a “great alternative to bath.” However, some products can irritate ulcerated lesions.

Pieper JB. Updates in pyoderma: Diagnosis and treatment. Presented at: Veterinary Meeting & Expo; Orlando, FL. January 25-29, 2025.

Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases). 

Kloos I, Straubinger RK, Werckenthin C, Mueller RS. Residual antibacterial activity of dog hairs after therapy with antimicrobial shampoos. 

Articles

Jason B. Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD, talked about pyoderma, including ingredients and formulations, in his lecture at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo

Topical treatments for pyoderma

IDEXX Laboratories shared earlier this month the launch of IDEXX Cancer Dx, a diagnostic panel with early detection of lymphoma in canine patients. The new panel is an accessible blood test that can be added to the panels of sick pets and can be integrated into annual wellness screenings. IDEXX Cancer Dx costs as low as $15, providing professionals in the United States with actionable results within 2 to 3 days.

"Building on over 40 years of IDEXX's leadership in veterinary research and technology development, IDEXX Cancer Dx is our latest groundbreaking solution to deliver unmatched diagnostic insights," said Jay Mazelsky, president and chief executive officer of IDEXX, in an organizational release.

 "As leaders in key cancer diagnostic categories, like pathology and imaging, we continue to innovate technologies that can redefine how veterinarians approach cancer detection and monitoring in pets. We're proud to be at the forefront of early cancer detection in dogs and look forward to expanding IDEXX Cancer Dx to cover other cancer types."

The panel delivers qualitative results for lymphoma, and B-cell and T-cell phenotype classification will be provided positive results as available for no additional cost.

 The IDEXX Cancer Dx has high sensitivity and specific yield results to be used with confidence for both sick and in routine preventative care for at risk canine patients.

 The panel includes the most comprehensive portfolio of products and services supporting veterinary professionals with preventative care, IDEXX Cancer Dx, unlocks additional insights for at-risk canine patients.

Personalized guidance and comprehensive support: 

results come with access to IDEXX Medical Consultants, which includes board certified oncologists and internists as well as educational materials for pet owners and resources to support client communication.

IDEXX cancer Dx is designed to fit into already existing workflows and diagnostic wellness panels, using a single blood sample.

Cancer is currently the leading cause of death in canine patients with 1 in 4 dogs expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, with lymphoma being one of the most common cancers in dogs.

 If detected early, treatments for canine lymphoma can help expand the lifespan of dogs, and improve their quality of life. According to the release, IDEXX Cancer Dx panel can provide a clinical diagnosis of canine lymphoma earlier than traditional diagnostics.

"IDEXX Cancer Dx is a powerful innovation in oncology diagnostics," explained Timothy Fan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology, Small Animal Internal Medicine). "At an affordable price point, this test increases access to cancer diagnoses and care, and it enables veterinarians the opportunity to intervene sooner and improve the quality of life for canine cancer patients."

IDEXX Cancer Dx testing with canine lymphoma will be available in the United States and Canada in late March 2025 and professionals can learn more in the IDEXX Cancer Dx testing website.

IDEXX Announces Groundbreaking Cancer Dx Panel with Affordable Early Detection Test for Canine Lymphoma. News release. IDEXX Laboratories Inc. January 23, 2025. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idexx-announces-groundbreaking-cancer-dx-panel-with-affordable-early-detection-test-for-canine-lymphoma-852823118.html

Veterinary Cancer Society. Pet Owner Resources. Veterinary Cancer Society. Accessed January 27, 2025. 

https://vetcancersociety.org/resources/pet-owners/pet-owner-resources/

Vail DM, Thamm DH, Liptak JM. Hematopoietic Tumors. 

Withrow and MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology

. 2019;688-772. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-59496-7.00033-5

Over the next 3 years, IDEXX Cancer Dx will expand to include most canine cancer cases

Affordable early detection test for canine lymphoma to hit the market

NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill discusses attendance at VMX and the artistic theme for the 2025 event..

NAVC celebrates science and the arts at VMX

The 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), began Saturday, January 25, and runs through Wednesday, January 29. In an interview with 

, Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, discussed the organization’s largest attendance to date and this year’s unique theme.

NAVC has a drive to help wildlife affected by California wildfires through VMX

The following is an edited transcript of the video:

: VMX is the crown jewel in our portfolio. Obviously, it's the it is the largest educational expo event in the world for veterinarians, and we take a great pride in that. But there also comes a responsibility with that too, because [in] this facility, and as large as it is, this year we're expecting nearly 30,000 of our closest veterinary professional friends, and it could get a little tricky sometimes in coordinating where people go at what time to different sessions. But we were able to segment it so that if you're a veterinary technician or veterinary nurse, you can stay in a certain area.

This year, our theme was Festival of the HeArts. And it really is a festival when you walk around the floors and you hear the excitement, you see the colors from all the paintings that are out there. We have a gallery on the expo floor of paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures; all designed and produced by veterinarians or other professionals in this space. Not only do you get to see the painting, but there are also audio clips that you can listen to on your app about the about the artist, [and] what they were thinking when they designed the piece. You can even purchase the piece. You can donate the piece. So, it's really pretty cool, the way we set this whole thing up this year.

NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill discusses attendance at VMX this year and the theme for the 2025 event in an interview with dvm360.

NAVC celebrates the arts at VMX

Mara Tugel, DVM, shares with listeners in this video interview with dvm360 some success stories surrounding Elanco's product Zenrelia

Interview with Elanco's Mara Tugel, DVM 

Elanco Animal Health incorporated shared today first allergic canine patients who have been treated for atopic dermatitis successfully with ilunocitinib tablets (Zenrelia; Elanco).

 Zenrelia, which received FDA approval in September 2024, is a once-daily Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used for controlling pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis for canine patients at least 12 months of age.

“Our research shows that when pet owners see their dog at their worst levels of itch, they’re concerned, stressed, frustrated and anxious,” said Bobby Modi, executive vice president, US Pet Health and Global Digital Transformation, in an organizational release.

 “Pet owners shouldn’t allow allergic itch to disrupt zen for them or their pups. Zenrelia is designed to begin working from the very first dose and help get dogs back to normal.”

, recently published a new study that described the findings of a clinical trial that was randomized and compared Zenrelia to the leading JAK inhibitor on the veterinary marketing, oclacitinib chewable tablets (Apoquel Chewable; Zoetis). The study contained 308 allergic dogs who each received oclacitnib (0.4–0.6 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days; then once daily) or ilunocitinib (0.6–0.8 mg/kg once daily), for up to 112 days.3 The owners of the participating dogs then assessed skin lesions on their pets using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4

“I’ve had the opportunity to use Zenrelia in my practice and it’s helped several of my patients get back to normal levels of itch,” explained 

, a veterinary dermatologist at Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles, California.

 “In the fight against allergic dermatitis, I’ve found that every dog is different - it’s great to have another effective treatment option in my toolbox.”

Answering commonly asked Zenrelia questions

Researchers found that the reduction in pruritus and CADESI-04 was similar for both groups from days 1-14. However, on days 28-112, Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) and CADESI-04 scores were significantly lower for ilunocitinib when compared to the oclacitinib. Also on days 28-112, a greater number of ilunocitinib-treated dogs achieved clinical remission of pruritus. The subjective assessment of overall response was better for the ilunocitinib on days 28-112, and both drugs demonstrated similar safety throughout the study.

Along with the recently published research, Elanco also shared some of the faces of canine patients who have had success with Zenrelia.

Hunter, a 8-year-old chocolate lab, from Ohio suffered from dermatitis most of his life, and his symptoms worsen as he aged, especially licking at his feet and lower logs. Cristy, his owner and a receptionist at a local veterinary clinic tried everything recommended by Hunter’s veterinarian, including injections 3-4 weeks, antihistamines, medicated shampoos and wipes, and even steroids in the times of the year when his condition would worsen. Despite this routine, his symptoms were never controlled.

“His back feet were pretty much naked up until his first joint and his front feet would be scabby and scaly from the constant licking,” Cristy said.

 “It was really discouraging as his dog mom that I couldn’t do anything to help him. He’s so much more comfortable since being on Zenrelia. It’s such a relief that he has relief.”

Scrappy, a 9-year-old Yorkshire Terrier- Chihuahua mix, and his owner Lisa tried everything to give Scrappy some relief. His itching had gotten to the point where he was lost a significant amount of future, lost interest in going on walks and playing, and no one in the family was getting a good night sleep. After trying multiple options, Lisa tried Zenrelia and Scrapy’s itch level improved after 2 days. Lisa reported that Scrappy is happy, his fur has regrown, and he is taking long walks again.

“I was excited to get Trooper, Scrappy and some other patients started on Zenrelia as soon as it was available to order,” said Thomas Lewis, DVM, DACVD, veterinary dermatologist and founder of Dermatology for Animals, a group of veterinary dermatology clinics committed to caring for pets with allergies.

 “Seeing these dogs get back to normal levels of itch and seeing the bond restored between the dog and pet parents is incredibly rewarding. Pet owners should contact their veterinarian and ask if Zenrelia is right for their dog.”

Veterinary professionals can learn more about Zenrelia on ZenreliaForVets.com

Meet the Faces of Zen: Elanco’s Zenrelia™ (ilunocitinib tablets) Helps Allergic Dogs Get Back to Normal. News release. Elanco Animal Health Incorporated. January 27, 2025. Accessed January 27, 2025. 

https://www.multivu.com/elanco/9235451-en-elanco-zenrelia-canine-dermatology

McCafferty C. Treatment for allergic skin conditions receives FDA approval. dvm360. September 19, 2024. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/zenrelia-receives-fda-approval

‌Forster S, Boegel A, Despa S, Trout C, King S. Comparative efficacy and safety of ilunocitinib and oclacitinib for the control of pruritus and associated skin lesions in dogs with atopic dermatitis. 

. Published online January 6, 2025. doi:10.1111/vde.13319

A newly published study compared clinical outcomes of Zenrelia and another leading JAK inhibitor, plus the latest faces of Zenrelia