On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and guests Megan Bauer, DVM, Fear Free Certified Elite, and Jessica Osborne, CVPM, Fear Free Certified Elite, discuss how the Fear Free concepts can be implemented into practices to make them a more calming and welcoming place for pets. 

Throughout the episode, the trio will address the importance of caring for both mental and physical wellbeing of patients, how practices can implement small changes to get big results, plus the positive impact of Fear Free practices on a clinic's relationship with its clients and patients. 

To those that may not know about it, what can you explain a little bit about what...fear free actually means? What's that mean?

Basically, looking after the mental well-being of your patients, and that was probably the hardest, well was the hardest discussion with clients. We can't trim your dog's nails today, but you did it last month. Yes, but you may not want to know what that looked like last month. And now this month, we're starting on our journey of Fear Free, and we're not going to hold them down. We're not going to use 3 assistants to do it. We need to give him some pre-visit medications and have him come back.

Yeah, like Jessica said, it's not thinking of physical and mental health as 2 separate things. Its all 1 being, you know, the more you learn about stress, the more you learn how it affects every system of the body and what we do for "just a second." "Oh, we're just going to hold him down 4 minutes and trim his nails" will last a minimum of 3 days in the body, potentially much, much longer, if you get into actual trauma. But it is not 2 separate things. Like, "well, that's just his mental health"... Nope, that's really important as well, just, it's just one animal, it's all together. 

Yeah, I love that you share. Yeah, "really quick, really quick" is what I hear too, like "it'll be really quick," you know, just to trim the nails or just to pop the vaccine or whatever. 

Podcasts

Learn more about Fear Free and the impact it has on veterinary clinics in this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360

Fear free in practice

Trimeprazine with Prednisolone Tablets, the generic equivalent of Temaril-P (Zoetis), will be displayed at this year’s 

 New Product Showcase exhibit by manufacturer Zyvet Animal Health. The product is the first generic trimeprazine with prednisolone tablets for dogs.

The generic drug is recommended for itch relief in dogs. This antihistamine and corticosteroid is also indicated for adjunctive treatment for various canine cough conditions such as tracheobronchitis, also known as ‘kennel cough’; bronchitis, including all allergic bronchitis; and infections and coughs of unknown cause.

 It can also lower inflammation related to most skin disorders of dogs, such as eczema caused by internal disorders, otitis, and dermatitis. It is often effective in relieving pruritic that does not respond to other treatments.

Zyvet's drug received FDA approval on June 20, 2024 as an antipruritic and antitussive therapy for dogs. It is only available by prescription in bottles of 100 or 1000 tablets. Each tablet contains 5 mg of trimeprazine as trimeprazine tartrate and 2 mg of prednisolone. The starting dose is based on the patient’s weight

For dogs up to 10 lb: ½ tablet twice daily

For dogs weighing 11-20 lb: 1 tablet twice daily

For dogs weighing 21-40 lb: 2 tablets twice daily

For dogs over 40 lb: 3 tablets twice daily

After 4 days of treatment, the dosage is decreased to half of the starting dose or adjusted to the minimum amount needed to maintain remission of symptoms, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“Less than 20% of the animal health market offers a generic to pioneer products. ZyVet leverages its parent company’s 70-year legacy in pharmaceutical excellence to challenge the status quo,” wrote ZyVet in a company release.

 “By delivering affordable, high-quality generics, ZyVet empowers veterinarians to provide exceptional care, enhancing the human-animal bond at affordable pricing.”

“We're here to disrupt and change the conversation about generics and reinforce that quality and innovation can go hand-in-hand,” Lauren Landolph, head of commerical for ZyVet, said in the release.

"The launch of Trimeprazine with Prednisolone Tablets, along with the full portfolio lineup, exemplifies our commitment to deliver effective and affordable solutions that meet the needs of today’s veterinary clinics.”

Trimeprazine with Prednisolone should not be used in animals with Cushing syndrome. Veterinary professionals should exercise caution when using in pregnant animals owing to risks of premature parturition or congenital anomalies. Adverse effects associated with corticosteroid use include delayed wound healing, vomiting, and bacterial infections.

Veterinarians can learn about more about ZyVet’s product lineup at VMX. The event will take place January 25-29 in Orlando, Florida.

ZyVet Animal Health brings affordable innovations to the veterinary profession. News release. ZyVet Animal Health. January 21, 2025. 

FDA roundup: June 21, 2024. News release. US Food & Drug Administration. June 21, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-roundup-june-21-2024

Freedom of Information Summary. US Food & Drug Administration. June 20, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/15546

FDA approves first generic drug for hyperthyroidism in cats. American Veterinary Medical Association. August 6, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.avma.org/news/fda-approves-first-generic-drug-hyperthyroidism-cats#:~:text=On%20June%2020%2C%20the%20FDA,drug%20product%2C%20Temaril%2DP

Articles

The antihistamine and corticosteroid Trimeprazine with Prednisolone Tablets received FDA approval last year

First generic drug for pruritus and cough conditions in dogs to be exhibited at VMX

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health issue in canines, especially as they age. This condition involves long-term, progressive changes in kidney function or structure. CKD can lead to severe complications like anemia, uremic gastroenteritis, and renal secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Early detection is crucial for managing the disease and improving the quality of life for affected dogs. A key focus in advancing early diagnosis is the use of biomarkers, particularly the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UAC). This ratio has emerged as a valuable tool not only for diagnosing CKD in dogs but also for comparing disease progression between humans and canines.

The measurement UAC is a powerful diagnostic biomarker for CKD, particularly in its early stages. In both dogs and humans, an elevated UAC signals kidney damage. In dogs, veterinarians can use the UAC to differentiate between healthy dogs and those suffering from CKD. The importance of this test lies in its ability to detect CKD early, before other biomarkers like serum creatinine or clinical symptoms show noticeable changes. Research has demonstrated that dogs with CKD exhibit significantly higher UAC values than healthy dogs, making it an essential marker for veterinary diagnostics.

 evaluated UAC as a diagnostic tool for early CKD detection in dogs. It included 99 healthy dogs and 122 dogs with CKD, using the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines to classify disease stages. The results showed that UAC values were significantly higher in dogs with CKD, particularly in the early stages of the disease, when other markers like serum creatinine might not yet indicate kidney dysfunction. The UAC correlated well with other renal biomarkers such as the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC), serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and symmetric dimethylarginine,suggesting that UAC can be used alongside these biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy.

A critical finding was the introduction of a “grey zone” for UAC values. This zone, defined by a UAC range between 19.20 mg/g and the upper normal limit (64.20 mg/g), represents a diagnostic window where early kidney dysfunction may not be immediately obvious but is still detectable. This concept offers a more nuanced approach to diagnosing CKD, helping veterinarians identify at-risk dogs before they reach more advanced stages of the disease. In this way, grey zone expands the UAC’s diagnostic utility, enabling clinicians to intervene earlier in the disease process and potentially slow its progression.

The study also compared the UAC in dogs to similar biomarkers used in humans. In human medicine, the albumin-to-creatinine ratio is a key biomarker for diagnosing CKD, with microalbuminuria signaling early kidney damage. The UAC cut-off value in humans is typically set at 30 mg/g, which differs from the lower cut-off of 19.20 mg/g found in dogs. This difference highlights the species-specific variations in how kidney damage manifests but reinforces the UAC's role as a useful biomarker for CKD across species. Similar to humans, higher levels of albumin in dogs’ urine correlate with a higher risk of CKD progression. Therefore, monitoring UAC in both humans and dogs can help track the disease over time and guide management strategies.

Despite its promising potential, UAC does have some limitations. Analysis revealed that the UAC has a diagnostic accuracy with an area under the curve of 0.817, which, although promising, is not perfect. The sensitivity and specificity of the UAC at the 19.20 mg/g cut-off value were 72% and 71%, respectively. These results demonstrate that while the UAC is a valuable marker for CKD, it should not be relied upon exclusively. The use of multiple biomarkers in combination provides a more comprehensive and reliable diagnostic approach.

Thus, the UAC is a valuable biomarker for diagnosing early-stage CKD in dogs. It effectively distinguishes between healthy dogs and those with CKD at IRIS stage 1, making it essential in veterinary medicine. When combined with other renal biomarkers, UAC provides a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing CKD. As research advances, UAC will likely play an even greater role in early detection, treatment decisions, and improving the quality of life for dogs with CKD.

is a 2026 PharmD candidate at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where she is studying veterinary pharmacy.

Lee SY, Cha YE, Kang HM, et al. Diagnostic validation of the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio for early renal disease in healthy dogs and dogs with chronic kidney disease. J Vet Sci. 2024;25(6):e77. doi:10.4142/jvs.24183

Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the disease and improve quality of life for affected patients. 

How urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio enhances CKD detection in dogs

The pet insurance marketplace Pawlicy Advisor has surpassed 1 million pet owners using the company’s free platform. The milestone was marked January 22, 2025, with a company announcement that included notice of new leadership appointments.

“Surpassing 1 million pet owners helped [mark] a significant step forward in our mission to make pet insurance more accessible and empower pet owners to make informed decisions,” Woody Mawhinney, CEO and co-founder of Pawlicy Advisor, said in a news release.

Pawlicy Advisor is recognized by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) as the organization’s Preferred Business Provider for pet insurance. As a Preferred Business Provider, Pawlicy Advisor offers exclusive benefits to AAHA members. The pet insurer also supports AAHA programming through a royalty fee paid to the professional association.

According to Pawlicy Advisor, its marketplace platform offers unbiased, breed-specific recommendations to pet owners. These recommendations are customized to each pet’s unique needs and circumstances. Furthermore, the platform is designed to assist pet owners with alternative financial resources that include financing for veterinary care and charitable grant programs.

“One of the things that we're seeing in veterinary medicine in general is increased stress and anxiety of owners due to finances. People are coming in [to veterinary hospitals] more aware of the money that's in their pocket, given the way that the world has been recently, and the veterinary prices are increasing…with that inflation,” Ricky Walther, DVM, chief medical officer, Pawlicy Advisor, said in a 2024 

Additionally, the service helps veterinary teams navigate the complexities of pet insurance and having those conversations with clients. It also supports practices through saved time and liability reduction, while increasing the percentage of insured pets.

“As veterinary team members, we ultimately want what's best for the pet and so helping owners financially prepare allows us to do our part and make sure that [the] pet gets the care that they need in the future,” Walther said in the interview.

 “So, I think having these conversations in puppy visits [and] annual wellness visits for young healthy pets are extremely important, so the people hear it multiple times.”

Overall, Pawlicy Advisor is supporting the goal of improved outcomes. “We’re grateful for the trust the veterinary community has placed in us and remain committed to improving access to care through innovative solutions,” Mawhinney said.

In reaching the 1 million milestone for pet owners assisted by Pawlicy Advisor, the company remains committed to building up services for pet owners and veterinary teams. According to the company, it is in position to make an even greater impact this year and in the future. Ongoing investments in proprietary technology, educational resources for veterinary professionals, and new strategic partnerships may support that forecast.

In continuing to look forward, Pawlicy Advisor announced the appointments of Paul Piggott as head of marketing and Paul Abrudan as director of engineering for the company. In his role, Piggott will be focused on client education and helping veterinary practices grow their insured client bases.

“I'm thrilled to join Pawlicy Advisor and contribute to its mission of making pet insurance accessible to more pets and pet owners than ever before,” Piggott said in a news release.

 "With a company so deeply committed to innovation and to supporting pets, veterinarians, and pet owners in everything they do, I’m excited to leverage my experience to drive growth and further cement Pawlicy Advisor’s position as a leader in this space.”

One million pet owners helped. News release. Pawlicy Advisor. January 22, 2025. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/one-milion-pet-owners-helped/

Preferred business providers. American Animal Hospital Association. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.aaha.org/for-veterinary-professionals/savings-programs/preferred-providers/

Kicking off the new year with pet insurance. 

. January 3, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/kicking-off-the-new-year-with-pet-insurance

Pawlicy Advisor announced its achievement helping 1 million pet owners as well as new leadership appointments

Pet insurance platform reaches a milestone

The compounding pharmacy network Revelation Pharma is launching a new animal-focused division for serving the United States veterinary community.

 Revelation Animal Health will debut at the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX) hosted by the North American Veterinary Community in Orlando, Florida; January 25-29, 2025.

Revelation Animal Health aims to provide custom compounded medications that will help fill a gap in the animal health market, according to the company. Its’ products will support the health of companion pets and exotic animals as well as zoo and aquarium species.

“By maintaining the personalized care and community focus of a small pharmacy, plus offering the multi-state coverage, fast turnaround times, and broad product access of a larger organization, we can support veterinarians and their patients on a larger scale.” Kristin Berretta, PharmD, MS, director of business development, said in a news release.

 “Revelation Animal Health is about delivering the tailored solutions veterinarians trust, with the scale and efficiency they need to provide exceptional care for their patients."

According to the company release, Berretta and her team have decades of expertise in the animal health space. Their combined knowledge and experience include service to veterinary offices, zoos, aquariums, and other specialized practices. Revelation Animal Health has main pharmacy hubs on both of the country’s coasts and a network of pharmacies that continues to grow, which allows it to work with veterinarians across the country.

Revelation Pharma is a network of 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies. “This new division of Revelation Pharma will create additional options to serve our animal patients not just at home, but also in zoos, aquariums, and rescues,” said Eric Doherty, vice president, Revelation Pharma, said in a news release.

 “Revelation is dedicated to excellence; we’re excited to extend that dedication to our animal friends”

Each new pharmacy that joins Revelation Animal Health’s nationwide network is expected to contribute to the personalized needs of individual patients. However, the division’s focus will remain compounding as it grows. Expansive plans for the future include animal dietary supplements, nationwide availability of wholesale items, and clinical consultation with experts nationwide.

“This is only the beginning. With innovation, quality and commitment, we look to grow Revelation Animal Health into one of the nation’s leading animal health compounding pharmacy networks

As an addition to Revelation Pharma, we are now able to serve the needs of the entire family,” Doherty said.

According to Shawn Hodges, CEO of Revelation Pharma, the creation of the new animal health division provides an opportunity for the company to further its’ values and care. “We are excited to be able to fill the need for top quality, customized compounding for animals across the country,” Hodges, CEO of Revelation Pharma, said in a news release.

At VMX, Revelation Animal Health will host a booth in the Expo Hall at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Representatives of the company aim to connect with industry leaders and veterinarians, while showcasing their animal health compounding initiatives.

Revelation Pharma launches Revelation Animal Health: a nationwide leader in animal care compounding. News release. Revelation Pharma. January 21, 2025.

Revelation Animal Health, part of the compounding pharmacy network Revelation Pharma, will debut at the 2025 VMX event in Orlando, Florida.

Pharmacy network is launching an animal health division

A new intensive care unit (ICU) was recently launched by the veterinary and medical technology company, Bionet America. The unit, the Super Air Smart ICU, offers features not found in traditional ICUs, including efficient oxygen and CO

 management, ionization-based air purification, and improved control of air heating and cooling along with monitoring of humidity levels, according to Bionet America.

The product is available in the United States and will be showcased at the 

 on January 25-29, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

“The Super Air Smart ICU marks a new category of products offered by Bionet. Temperature control, oxygen and CO

 management, and air purification are essentially important aspects of critical care, so our Smart ICU is designed to address some of the limitations of other units, without losing the performance, value, and reliability for which Bionet is known,” Jacqueline Lopez, director of sales, Animal Health Division, said in a company release.

 “It’s one more way that we aim to help veterinarians provide the best care possible.”

Super Air Smart ICU. (Photo courtesy of Bionet America)

Soda-lime technology is the traditional method in many veterinary ICUs to remove CO

, but it results in higher costs and more work for veterinary practices, according to a news release.

 “The Super Air Smart ICU is designed to remove CO

 without relying on the use of soda-lime while maintaining proper oxygen levels effectively, for better performance and less maintenance for veterinary staff,” wrote Bionet America in the release.

Environmental control through air heating and cooling to ensure optimal conditions for the patient

Continuous air purification with safe ionization technology that is patient-friendly

Improved oxygenation capabilities, reaching 40% oxygen levels in less than 10 minutes

User-friendly design with preset menus and parameters for users with varying levels of experience

Multipurpose flexibility with removable walls featuring removable walls to create larger or smaller compartments for animals of varying sizes, along with stackable configurations to optimize space in veterinary facilities

Also being exhibited, and launched for the first time at this year’s VMX, is a soft chew 

 that targets mRNA expression in skeletal muscle.

 Created by Virbac and Emmyon, the soft chews were designed to help treat muscle atrophy with the use of ursolic acid, which helps provide muscle support.

The supplement is aimed at improving muscle function and strength in aging, active, or recovering dogs. It also provides veterinarians with a new treatment option, giving pet owners the opportunity for more active years with their dogs.

Bionet America, Inc. Launches Super Air Smart ICU. News release. Bionet America, Inc. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/17/3011597/0/en/Bionet-America-Inc-Launches-Super-Air-Smart-ICU.html

Coppock Crossley K. New canine supplement is designed to improve muscle health. 

. January 21, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-canine-supplement-is-designed-to-improve-muscle-health

A new intensive care unit is being exhibited at this year’s Veterinary Meeting & Expo