Good morning dvm360 readers! The dvm360 team is preparing to head to the Veterinary & Meeting Expo (VMX) conference to provide you with the latest news and coverage on the top sessions. Check in throughout the next week for our live conference coverage, video interviews, and more. All our coverage will be available on 

Besides our VMX coverage, here is what else you can find this week on dvm360.com:

The US Food and Drug Administration determined that it is necessary for cat and dog food manufacturers that are covered by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule and using uncooked or unpasteurized materials derived from cattle or poultry to reanalyze their company’s food safety plans to include H5N1.

Bionet America Inc. announced the launch of Super Air Smart Intensive Care Unit that provides a spacious and high-tech environment optimized for oxygen therapy, critical care, and more.

On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Megan Bauer, DVM, Fear Free Certified Elite, and Jessica Osborne, CVOM, Fear Free Certified Elite, to discuss Fear Free in practices. 

One of dvm360 student ambassadors, Mariana Martinez, recently wrote an article to provide some tips for clinical students, and how they can get the post out of their rotations.

Extracorporeal therapy is a blood purification method that can be utilized to remove a pathogenic substance or “solute” from a patient’s body. Amanda Spillane, BVSc (Hons), MS, DACVECC, shared more about this procedure and its benefits in an upcoming article submitted by dvm360 Strategic Alliance Partner, Thrive Pet Healthcare.

Articles

Here is a sneak peek of this week’s headlines

Sneak peek: FDA requiring dog and cat food manufacturers to consider H5N1 in food safety plans, and other news 

Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC), discusses one hospital's capability for handling blood donors as well as the types of blood collected from canine and feline patients.

Collecting patient blood donations

January is National Blood Donor Month, which brings a focus on blood donation services and needs for veterinary patients. In an interview with 

, Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC), a team trainer at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in New Jersey, discusses the facility's blood donor program and patient eligibiity to serve as a donor. She also addresses blood types for canine and feline patients including those most common.

The following is transcript of the video:

We have a blood donor program here at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital. We have a lot of regular canine blood donors. So, there is criteria to be a blood donor. The dog has to be between the ages of 2 and 8 [years], healthy, up to date on vaccines. No diseases. Up to date on all the preventives for ticks, fleas, heartworm, and that type of thing. And they have to have the right temperament as well, because they have to lay down and have a giant needle stuck in their jugular vein.

Dogs have—it depends on the source you read—anywhere from 12 to 18 different blood types. We were mostly looking for the negative blood type because that is a universal donor, which is fantastic, but all our donors are typed. All the recipients get typed before they get blood.

Cats actually have to be pretty sedated in order to do a blood draw, so we don't use client pets for that. It has to be staff pets, and we just don't have enough to keep up with the demand. And so it's generally we have to order from blood banks, and it can be really hard to get the blood.

We have the facilities here to also spin down the blood and separate it so that we have packed cells, and then we have the plasma. So the packed cells can be refrigerated for a little over a month, and then the plasma is frozen, and that's good for up to 5 years. And then the plasma itself, if we're just giving plasma that's usually used to treat animals that have clotting disorders and if they have... protein loss and stuff like that. So it's really nice to be able to separate it and only give what we need to have.

Cats have only a couple of blood types. They've got A, they've got B, and they've got AB. A is the most common. When we get a B, we're like, ‘oh dear,’ because it's really hard to find a donor for that.

Videos

Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC), discusses one hospital's capability for handling blood donors as well as the types of blood collected from canine and feline patients

Collecting patient blood donations 

This week, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), in partnership with Chewy Health, announced the 2025 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Cohort. The Chewy Veterinary Leaders Cohort is a program that combines financial assistance, mentorship opportunities, and professional development to second year veterinary students to help underrepresented veterinary students begin to thrive as a future leader in their field.

“The Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive veterinary community,” said Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health, in an AAVMC release.

 “By providing financial assistance, leadership development, and peer mentorship, we’re not only helping students navigate their educational journeys but also empowering them to become the next generation of leaders in veterinary medicine. We are proud to work with the AAVMC to build a stronger foundation for the profession.”

According to the release, the program awards scholarships of $20,000 to the 15 selected second-year veterinary students from underserving communities to recognize their leadership potential and dedication to diversifying the veterinary profession. Along with the scholarship, the chosen students will have access to bi-monthly peer support sessions, leadership training at Chewy’s headquarters, and post-graduation enrollment in MentorVet LEAP’s 6-month early career mentorship program. The awardees will also be granted access to the Chewy Veterinary Leaders alumni network to foster ongoing community and professional growth.

Jean Alvarado Colon, Colorado State University

Erynn Black, Mississippi State University

Aniya Brown, North Carolina State University

Melanie Kicker, Washington State University

Gabriela Monico, University of California, Davis

Vanessa Salgado, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“We are proud to partner with Chewy Health to support a more inclusive veterinary profession by equipping talented young leaders with the opportunities they need to propel their careers forward,” said Lisa Greenhill, MPA, EdD, AAVMC chief diversity officer and senior director for Institutional Research. “Championing diversity enables us to better meet the evolving needs of society and advance veterinary medicine for all.”

Each of the chosen students was nominated by their institution and then selected for the potential to lead and inspire within veterinary medicine. The applications for the 2026 cohort will open later in the year, and anyone interested can learn more on the AAVMC website.

AAVMC Names 2025 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Cohort, Awards $300,000 in Scholarship Funds. News release. American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. January 13, 2025. Accessed January 17, 2025. 

https://www.aavmc.org/news/aavmc-names-2025-chewy-veterinary-leaders-cohort-awards-300000-in-scholarship-funds/

Each of the 15 selected students will receive a $20,000 scholarship 

AAVMC announces Chewy Veterinary leaders Cohort

Studies have shown that comfort-driven elements like memory foam bedding, high-sided beds, and comfortable enclosed spaces can be beneficial to pets in boarding and veterinary facilities.

 These types of features can provide a familiar sensory experience and address fear, anxiety, and stress in patients, according to a news release.

VetEdge Recovery Pet Bed. (Photo courtesy of Pet Therapeutics)

With this in mind, Pet Therapeutics, a producer of pet furniture specializing in orthopedic dog beds and memory foam cushions, recently introduced the VetEdge Recovery Pet Bed, designed to decrease stress and improve health outcomes in pets. The bed was developed with soft corners, contour handles, and fold-and-snap sides to help lower visual and auditory stress in patients, facilitating the transition from surgery to recovery.

“These advancements are reshaping the lodging experience, offering significant benefits for pets and facility operators in both the pet boarding and veterinary communities,” wrote the company in a release.

"Creating familiar, secure environments is essential for reducing pet stress," Fred Silber, founder of Pet Therapeutics, said in a company release.

 "Our solutions, including the VetEdge Recovery Pet Bed, combine home-like materials with science-based design and easy-to-clean materials to ensure both pet well-being and operational efficiency."

Pet Therapeutics is part of the Fear Free Preferred Product Program (PPP). The program gives Fear Free-certified professionals access to products and services that align with Fear Free’s protocols and recommendations. Current products included in the program are targeted pulsed electromagnetic field therapy devices, hospital mats, ultrasound solutions, animal housing, and more. These products and services are intended to help with the integration of Fear Free practices into veterinary and pet care settings.

Fear Free offers virtual education to veterinary and pet professionals, animal welfare organizations, and pet owners. These resources are designed to help veterinary professionals and caregivers address pets' physical and emotional well-being. Courses are created by boarded veterinary behaviorists; anesthesiologists; internists; pain, shelter medicine, and animal training experts; and more.

“Facilities that adopt…comfort-enrichment standards not only improve pets' physical and emotional health but also enhance client loyalty. Metrics show that enriched environments and advanced products like the VetEdge Recovery Pet Bed contribute to increased revenue driven by premium offerings and positive referrals,” wrote Pet Therapeutics in the release.

Vet care & pet lodging revolutionized with comfort-driven enrichment. News release. Pet Therapeutics. January 2025. Accessed January 17, 2025. [email]

Fear Free Preferred Product. Fear Free, LLC. Accessed January 17, 2025. 

https://fearfreepets.com/resources/preferred-product-program/

Fear Free leaders in animal wellbeing. Fear Free, LLC. Accessed January 17, 2025. 

https://fearfreepets.com/about/what-is-fear-free/

The product can help reduce stress for patients at veterinary facilities

New pet bed incorporates Fear Free features

Happy Friday dvm360 readers! We are officially less than a month away from our first Fetch conference of 2025, Fetch Charlotte. Join us in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a weekend full of learning, networking, wet labs, and more! We will also be welcoming 10 new faculty members so don’t miss their debut at Fetch Charlotte by learning more and registering 

Here is what was popular this week on dvm360.com:

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been 

 in 2 raw pet food products, which is linked to several infections in cats and one death. Additional deaths have also been reported following the ingestion of infected raw milk.

Veterinary toxicologists at Pet Poison Helpline are warning pet parents about the dangers of accidental exposure to semaglutide weight loss medications, like 

, after multiple calls to the helpline were made after pets received these medications instead of insulin.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, the newest addition to the dvm360 editorial advisory board, shares insights into leptospirosis with host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA.

 through a recent study that household dogs are an overlooked transmission source for nontyphoidal 

 with dvm360, Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPM, VTS (Anesthesia) shared an inside look into her upcoming workshop which she will be presenting on mechanical ventilation. She will be co-presenting with Tami Lind, BS, RVT, VTS (ECC), and Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) at the upcoming Veterinary & Meeting Expo in Orlando, Florida.

The American Veterinary Medical Association 

 its new tool that will connect trained veterinary first responders with state officials that are in need of their services during emergencies and disasters.

Wrap up: Multiple feline deaths reported after HPAI exposure through raw milk and pet food, and other veterinary news

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in 2 raw pet food products, resulting in several infected cats and one death. According to public health officials, additional cat deaths have been reported following infected raw milk consumption. As of December 24, 2024, more potential cases of H5 bird flu in cats are under investigation.

Northwest Naturals recalled 2 lb Feline Turkey Recipe front. (Photo courtesy of Northwest Naturals)

Northwest Naturals recalled 2 lb Feline Turkey Recipe back. (Photo courtesy of Northwest Naturals)

Northwest Naturals, based in Portland, Oregon, voluntarily recalled its Northwest Naturals brand 2 lb Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after it tested positive for H5 bird flu.

 The product comes in a blue-colored plastic bag with “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1.

Distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington in the United States, as well as British Columbia, Canada, sold the product nationwide.

Testing was conducted by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University following the death of a cat in Washington County, Oregon who contracted H5N1 and died after consuming the raw pet food product.

 A genetic match between the H5N1 virus found in the pet food and the infected cat was confirmed.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Ryan Scholz, DVM, MPH, Oregon Department of Agriculture state veterinarian, said in a state government release.

“This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

Clients who have bought the recalled product should discard it right away and contact the retailer for a full refund, wrote the ODA in a release.

 Northwest Naturals of Portland can be contacted at info@nw-naturals.net or at 866-637-1872, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM PST for additional information or questions.

Monarch Raw Pet Food. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)

H5 bird flu was also detected in Monarch Raw Pet Food product samples.

Following detection, county officials from the Los Angeles (LA) County Department of Public Health are urging residents to avoid feeding their pets this product, which was sold at California farmers markets in Laguna Niguel, Orange, San Jacinto, Fountain Valley, Beaumont, Corona, and Palm Springs.

A house cat that consumed Monarch Raw Pet Food was confirmed to be positive with H5 bird flu, according to LA County Department of Public Health. “Four other house cats from the same household are presumed to have also been positive for H5 bird flu after consuming the product,” the department wrote in a news release.

“Residents who fed their pets Monarch Raw Pet Food products or other raw meat or dairy products and notice their pet is experiencing symptoms should immediately contact their veterinarian,” they continued. “Residents should avoid consumption of all raw milk and raw meat products, and not feed these to their pets.”

Monarch Raw Pet Food released a statement on January 3, 2025 in response to the H5 bird flu claims, asserting the safety of their product. “We want to assure our customers and the public that these claims are not substantiated by any scientific evidence at this time,” the company wrote.

“At Monarch Raw Food Pet Company, we adhere to the highest industry standards when it comes to quality and safety,” the company continued. “The ingredients that we purchase for our products undergo rigorous testing and quality assurance processes to ensure they are safe for pets.”

According to Monarch Raw Food Pet Company, they are monitoring the situation and will work with veterinary and health professionals to investigate the claim.

LA County health officials are also investigating a separate case of H5 bird flu in 4 house cats. The virus was confirmed in these felines after they consumed raw milk contaminated with the virus and became sick and died, according to the department.

The state health department is also looking into additional potential H5 bird flu cases in 3 house cats from a different household. One cat was confirmed to have Influenza A, a rare finding in felines that suggests the potential presence of H5 bird flu, wrote the state health department.

The agency also reported the death of 2 more cats after a “worsening respiratory illness.” Testing is still pending, but these felines are presumed to have also been infected with Influenza A.

“These cats were not known to be exposed to raw milk, however public health is investigating other possible sources of infection, including raw meat,” wrote the agency.

The state health department published a comprehensive 

guidance document for veterinary practices with suspect cases of H5 bird flu in pet patients

 that includes guidance for communicating with clients about H5 bird flu risks, what to do in the case of a potential H5 bird flu case in a patient, and instructions for H5 bird flu sampling of animals with veterinary public health test kits.

 The document advises veterinary professionals to urge clients to not consume nor feed their pets raw dairy, raw meat, raw poultry, or raw pet food diets; stay informed about recalls, sharing information with clients; and more.

Public Health warns against feeding pets raw food following H5 bird flu virus detection. County of Los Angeles Public Health. December 24, 2024. Accessed January 16, 2025. 

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&ou=ph&prog=media&cur=cur&prid=4918&row=25&start=1

Northwest Naturals of Portland voluntary recall of Northwest Naturals brand 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food due to HPAI contamination. News release. Oregon Department of Agriculture. December 26, 2024. Accessed January 16, 2025. 

https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODA/Posts/Post/morasch-meats-voluntary-recall-feline-raw-pet-food-hpai

Public Health warns against feeding pets raw food following H5 flu virus detection. News release. County of Los Angeles Public Health. December 31, 2024. Accessed January 16, 2025. 

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&ou=ph&prog=media&cur=cur&prid=4923&row=25&start=1

Monarch Raw Pet Food. Monarch Raw Pet Food. Accessed January 16, 2025. 

https://www.monarchrawpetfood.com/where-to-buy

Monarch Raw Food Pet Company addresses allegations regarding bird flu claims. News release. January 3, 2025. Accessed January 16, 2025. 

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/62d89ce7b18a3bef5ade55c6/67789acebe437367772eee7e_Monarch%20Statement%20v1.1%2001-03-25.pdf

Guidance for veterinary practices with suspect cases of H5 bird flu in pets. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Accessed January 16, 2025. 

http://ph.lacounty.gov/vet/docs/GuidanceForVets_H5BirdFluSuspectAnimals.pdf

Government officials are urging pet owners to avoid feeding pets raw diets amid multiple cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in felines and raw pet food recalls