On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, to provide listeners more information on leptospirosis (lepto). Through the episode, Lee and Christman debunk myths surrounding the vaccinations and how almost everyone, including dogs and cats, are at risk for lepto, the issues with prevalence data, and how crucial testing for lepto really is to not only protect pets, but public health as well.

Let's chat a little bit about the prevalence of lepto. What do we know about the prevalence?

his is one of the most common questions that I get asked when speaking on lepto. And you know, a lot of times I'll ask the audience like, how often do you test? And it as time goes on, I'm getting a lot more people saying, 'oh, fairly regularly, to weekly to daily,' but I still get a lot of people that go, 'oh, well, we don't test because we don't see it here.' It's like, well, if you don't test, you probably wouldn't see it. But it becomes an issue of because we've been kind of trained that maybe we're not in a lepto area and we're not testing, and then we go, Well, maybe I, maybe I should rethink this, right? We've all thought that. And if you're listening to this podcast, you probably thought, gosh, maybe let me look it up. 

And if you look at any of the prevalence data, you're like, Well, I don't know. Should I be vaccinating? The problem is, is that we make up that data. Additionally, in veterinary medicine, we virtually don't have prevalence data. When you take a look at a lot of the prevalence maps, there is not true prevalence data within that. 

For example, CAPC maps, which are some of the most amazing things out there. I love that tool. It is just amazing. However, to know that from again, my specialty is a lot of biostatistics, there is no true prevalence or incidence data within that prevalence map. And what it is, it's more of test positivity, so it's what is being sent, and what's the percentage of there. So they're good data, but we don't have the prevalence. The key of the vaccines is really then, well, you know, should we or should we not? How do I know?

Articles

Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, provides listeners with more information on Leptospirosis, including whether or not vaccinations are dangerous for patients.

Get in the know with Lepto

The establishment and growth of new veterinary clinics and facilities enhance pet care by improving access to medical services, enabling pet owners to obtain timely treatment for their animals. These expansions not only lead to better health outcomes for pets but also raise awareness about animal welfare and preventive care in the community. Furthermore, the growth of veterinary facilities boosts local economies by generating employment opportunities and supporting related businesses.

Below are 3 new veterinary facilities opening in the United States:

Lovet Pet Health Care interior. (Photo courtesy of Lovet Pet Health Care)

Lovet Pet Health Care has opened its flagship veterinary hospital in Chicago's West Loop, a neighborhood in Illinois. Offering a new approach to accessible and comprehensive pet care, the facility provides free exam fees, same-day appointments, and flexible payment options to help ease the financial costs of veterinary care, according to a news release.

 The new facility features advanced technology and equipment. Additionally, the hospital partnered with Aracadis, an international architecture firm, to institute a low stress hospital layout and design for pets, clients, and staff.

"Lovet's goal is to ensure that pet parents never have to choose between their pet's health and financial stability," said Courtney Gruber, president of Lovet, in a news release.

 "With pilot initiatives like always offering free exam fees and flexible payment options through Lovet Pay, we're breaking down barriers to care and creating a supportive experience for pets and their families. We're excited to debut this approach with our Chicago flagship hospital, setting a new standard for accessible, convenient, and comprehensive veterinary care."

Cat Tales Feline Health Center (California)

Cat Tales Feline Health Center in Davis, California, opened the doors to its clinic at 6060 West Covell Boulevard. The center was founded by Julie Cole, DVM, DACT, PhD, and Chris “Shac” Shacoski, DVM, and offers specialized veterinary care exclusively for cats. Cat Friendly and Fear Free-certified, the center consists of a veterinary team with cat-care credentials and a partnership with UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The new facility offers a variety of services, including behavior/lifestyle counseling, dentistry, diagnostics, medical boarding, nutrition counseling, surgery, wellness and preventive care, and personalized care plans.

“After spending years working in and visiting traditional veterinary practices, I’ve seen the critical need for a peaceful, calm experience for cats,” Cole said in a news release.

 “Most existing practices are noisy, and their approach doesn’t effectively address cats’ anxiety. Everything we do at Cat Tales is designed with cats—and the people who love them—in mind. From the colors of the walls to the quiet atmosphere and the specialized cat-focused training our team undergoes, we strive to provide a place where both cats and their owners can feel as comfortable as possible.”

A new Chewy Vet Care location in Austin, Texas at 4700 W Guadalupe Street, Building A, Suite A-1 is now open. The new location, like Chewy Vet Care’s other locations, provides a full range of services, including routine check-ups, urgent care, surgery, rabies vaccination, dental cleaning, nail trimming, and more.

The new location also includes separate waiting areas specifically designed for shy or anxious animal patients. Clients can also access an online pet portal with a personalized care plan. The portal also allows clients to track prescriptions, receive reminders from the veterinary team as well as round-the-clock remote health guidance, and more.

Lovet Pet Health Care launches flagship veterinary hospital in Chicago, rebrands AZPetVet locations in Greater Phoenix area under same name. News release. Lovet Pet Health Care. January 15, 2025. Accessed January 15, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lovet-pet-health-care-launches-flagship-veterinary-hospital-in-chicago-rebrands-azpetvet-locations-in-greater-phoenix-area-under-same-name-302351215.html

Cat Tales Feline Health Center opens in Davis, California. News release. December 19, 2024. Accessed January 15, 2025. [email]

Hey, Austin, Texas find us in your neighborhood. Chewy Vet Care. Accessed January 15, 2025. 

https://www.chewy.com/vet-care/clinics/austin-tx/the-triangle

Take a look at these 3 veterinary centers newly opened or coming soon

Clinic center: New feline health center, and more

Since the launch of semaglutide weight loss medications, like Ozempic, Pet Poison Helpline has seen multiple cases where a client accidentally administered their diabetic pet the semaglutide weight loss medication rather than their insulin. Because of this, Pet Poison Helpline is warning clients of the dangers Ozempic and other semaglutide weight loss medications can have on pets.

"If you're not paying close attention, Ozempic can be easily confused with insulin," said Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, in an organizational release.

"While some insulin for pets is administered using an autoinjector pen, most is administered using insulin syringes. Because of the explosion of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, however, people have become very familiar with seeing the new autoinjector pens. Since people often store these medications together in the refrigerator, mixing up medications can easily happen and have dire consequences."

For calls to Pet Poison Helpline, almost 50% involve human medications, over the counter and prescription.

 In order, the top 10 medications they receive calls about are:

To help raise awareness, Pet Poison Helpline shared the case of a Siberian husky from Oregon. The canine was accidentally administered multiple doses of Ozempic by a pet sitter instead of her insulin. The pet was lethargic and vomiting when the owner returned and was brought to a local hospital. Once at the hospital, she was treated for hypoglycemia before the team made the realization that she had been received multiple doses of Ozempic instead of insulin. The patient remained at the hospital for 2 days for both hypoglycemia and supportive care before making a full recovery.

A similar scenario happened to a cat named Mario, who was being cared for by a family member. When Mario’s owner returned home, the cat was "nearly comatose" and they discovered that earlier in the week he had been administered at least one dose of Ozempic instead of insulin, but could have received more. He was brought to an emergency clinic and was severely hypoglycemic and dehydrated. He was treated with dextrose, IV fluids, and aggressive nursing care.

"Many people worry about leaving their pet when they go on vacation," explained Schmid.

 "If you're planning to leave your pet with a person who does not normally care for that particular pet, it is critical that you carefully go through all of your pet's medications with them, and thoroughly explain how they are administered. That includes any special food or treats. It is also ideal to move human medication out of sight, so it is not mistaken for the pet's medication."

 not all exposures are accidental injections with pets finding these administration pens and chewing on them, which leads to them ingesting some of its content. Schmid warns pet owners to never leave any medications where pets, or small children, can find them. She also recommends pet owners keep their medications separate from their pet’s medication to prevent any accidental ingestions, on both ends.

Are Pets Being Poisoned with Ozempic?. News Release. Pet Poison Helpline. January 15, 2025. Accessed January 15, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/are-pets-being-poisoned-with-ozempic-302350961.html

Human Medications Are Poisonous To Pets. Pet Poison Helpline. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-human-medications-poisonous-to-pets/

Veterinary toxicologists are warning clients about the dangers of accidental exposure to semaglutide weight loss medications

Protecting patients from Ozempic exposure

A study conducted by a group of researchers at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) has revealed that household dogs are an overlooked transmission source for zoonotic pathogens like nontyphoidal 

. According to the study's authors, given the close contact between dogs and humans, along with the use of “critically important” antibiotics in companion animal medicine, household dogs pose a risk for spreading antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella.

bacteria have adapted to survive antibiotic treatment, the public health concern associated with these antibiotic-resistant bacteria has grown in recent years, according to a Penn State report.

through contact with infected people or animals, such as coming into accidental contact with feces when stroking a pet or touching a person’s hand. Ingesting food contaminated with the bacteria is another route of infection.

infections in dogs can be clinical, Erika Ganda, PhD, DVM, BBA, assistant professor of food animal microbiome at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, and team leader for the study, explained that numerous studies have reported 

isolation from clinically healthy dogs, according to Penn State.

 Because humans and canine companions are often in close proximity, a major concern is the increased risk of 

The study used current biosurveillance infrastructure to investigate antimicrobial-resistant 

and the zoonotic potential of nontyphoidal 

 isolated from dogs and humans. Researchers analyzed strains from the FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, identifying 87 cases of nontyphoidal 

 from domestic dogs between May 2017 and March 2023. 

Consequently, the team matched these cases with strains isolated from humans from the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Biotechnology Information database and found 77 suspected zoonotic cases, consisting of 164 strains, collected from 17 US states.

The strains from dogs were diverse, consisting of a range of serovars—distinct variations of 

 Most strains were “clinically relevant to human health.”

“All strains possessed [antimicrobial-resistant] determinants for drug classes deemed critically or highly important by the World Health Organization. We identified sixteen [nontyphoidal 

] isolates from humans closely related to ≥1 of six dog-associated strains,” wrote the study’s authors.

“Collectively, our data emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and sustained biosurveillance beyond human and agriculture-associated veterinary medicine, using a ‘One Health’ framework, that accounts for all transmission points—including companion animals. One Health is an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment,” Sophia Kenney, a student in the molecular, cellular and integrative biosciences doctoral program and in the department of animal science, leader of the study, said in the report.

As Kenney explained in the report, antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal veterinary medicine is essential for combating antimicrobial resistance within the One Health framework.

 “Especially with Salmonella, we think about the role of agriculture and transmission—we think about eggs, we think about beef. But the thing is, we don't let cows sleep in our beds or lick our faces, but we do dogs,” she said.

 “We have this close bond with companion animals in general, and we have a really close interface with dogs. So, we asked the question: What's the role of companion animals in transmission of zoonotic disease like Salmonella, since they can get it. Salmonella infections in dogs are not common but we’re aware of foodborne outbreaks related to pet treats or from contact with contaminated pet food and improper food handling.”

The chances of infection can increase from improper food handling, food contamination, and other related pet-management decisions.

 Most recently, the puppy food Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix 2 lb bag was voluntarily 

 A report about a litter of sick puppies led the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to uncover the contamination.

According to the researchers, a greater awareness of the risks pet dogs pose in spreading antimicrobial-resistant 

, as well as proper hygiene could help reduce the likelihood of cross-species infections, the Penn State report noted.

“…simple hygiene practices such as hand washing are needed to protect both our furry friends and ourselves—our dogs are family but even the healthiest pup can carry Salmonella,” study coauthor Nkuchia M’ikanatha, lead epidemiologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Health and an affiliated researcher in Penn State’s department of food science said in the report.

"Salmonella is a quintessential human microbe, its presence intertwined with our history since the dawn of agriculture. Emerging research suggests this pathogen may have shadowed humanity for some 10,000 years, coinciding with the rise of animal domestication. With nearly 40% of Pennsylvania households and over half of the United States homes including dogs, we must respect the enduring threat of Salmonella and remain vigilant in preventing its spread within our families,” he continued.

Kenney SM, M’ikanatha NM, Ganda E. Antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic potential of nontyphoidal 

. Published online November 15, 2024. doi:10.1111/zph.13174

Mulhollem J. Pet dogs often overlooked as spreader of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella. Penn State University. December 23, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2025. 

https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/pet-dogs-often-overlooked-spreader-antimicrobial-resistant-salmonella

Voluntary recall is issued for puppy food. dvm360

December 4, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2025.

Greater awareness of this risk and proper hygiene are crucial, Penn State researchers emphasize

Dogs are an overlooked risk for antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spread, study finds

Zeke, a racehorse whose registered name is Bully for You, is the son of legendary barrel racing champion, Bully Bullion. Following in his father’s footsteps, Zeke had the pedigree, speed, and heart to earn him over $250,000 in the arena while he was competing. However, Zeke’s competition life took a toll on him, and he sustained a sesamoid injury. The bone injury did not affect Zeke immediately, but over time it affected his ability to run and compete at a prominent level.

Zeke’s original owners sold him once his career was paused to their best friend, Steele Hunter, who grew up on a ranch so was no stranger to the equine industry. Hunter became determined to give him a great ranch life as well as rehabilitation for his injury. Because Hunter and his family split their time between Arkansas and Arizona, Zeke was brought to Arizona where he met with a performance horse veterinarian. The veterinarian ran a series of tests on Zeke, including a nuclear scintigraphy, which showed he had widespread inflammation.

Steele Hunter holding Zeke as he is examined by Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine students conduct an assessment (Image courtesy of Oklahoma State University) 

“During his bone scan, he lit up like a Christmas tree,” Hunter explained, in an organizational release.

“The veterinarians at the time injected him to help with the soreness but it was unknown to us that he had any sort of infection.”

During his time in Arizona, Hunter and his family would notice that Zeke would get a small swollen area on his chest that would drain fluid every once in a while. The veterinarian at the time suspected he had pigeon fever, also known as dryland distemper or false strangles. The infection is caused by bacteria 

that usually causes large abscesses to form on the chest or stomach region of the horse, resembling the pigeon’s breast.

 However, when it came to testing, Zeke’s were always inconclusive, and he began receiving injections and antibiotics for chronic infections and soreness.

Once the Hunter family returned to Arkansas, Zeke was still not back to normal, so they brought him to the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (OSU VMTH) to get another opinion. Once he arrived, Lyndi Gilliam, DVM, DACVIM, PhD, and her team evaluated him and during his routine exam, something stuck out to Gilliam, the bump on his chest. She asked the family to explain that to her because it should not be there and Hunter told Gilliam the bump has been these since he bought Zeke and will sometimes get bigger or be wet, but it was never diagnosed as anything other than pigeon fever.

Gilliam and the team aspirated the bump and discovered a pocket of fluid deep down because of an abscess, saying it was not a common place for an abscess to be unless he was kicked at some point.

“We treated him with antibiotics, and he would get better for a while, and then it would come back,” Gilliam said. “Any time that happens, you worry that something more serious could be going on, and you want to follow up.”

Since this abscess was not healing and subsiding completely, the team decided they needed to explore further but were met with the challenge of finding a way to X-ray Zeke’s sternum. Currently, there is no equipment for large animal X-ray machines to easily photograph the area of the bump.

 With help from Cody Collum, a diagnostic imaging technician supervisor, they worked to find a way to accurately radiograph Zeke’s sternum. 

According to the release, x-rays showed that Zeke had an osteomyelitis in his sternum.

 Because of infection and unhealthy bone, a piece of the bone was dead and no longer attached, causing it to act as a nidus for infection to hide.

 The floating fragment would also continually fester, causing Zeke pain.

Treating Zeke would require a rare, never been done before surgery, according to the release.

 The team would be removing a piece of bone in a horse’s sternum, which is risky. The team at OSU prepped with the OSU equine specialist team and were able to remove the bone fragment.

Zeke required many rounds of antibiotics following surgery in the hospital. After the care immediately following surgery, Zeke was able to go home but would need to remain under care for several months and make periodic trips back to the OSU VMTH to make sure he was still on the road to recovery.

Now, Zeke is returning to the arena after long term antibiotics and follow up. He is currently back in Arkansas and is watched closely by Hunter to make sure he stays healthy on his journey back to competing.

“I absolutely think Gilliam and her team are unmatched,” Hunter concluded.

 “I know there are some good doctors out there, but it’s not just about being the smartest—it’s the combination of Gilliam’s passion, her care for the animal and the owner, and her willingness to think outside the box that makes her the best.”

CVM veterinarians solve horse’s medical issues by removing loose bone piece. News release. Oklahoma State University. January 13, 2025. Accessed January 14, 2025. 

https://news.okstate.edu/magazines/veterinary-medicine/vet-cetera/articles/2024/cvm_veterinarians_solve_horses_medical_issues_by_removing_loose_bone_piece.html

Young A. Pigeon Fever. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. July 5, 2019. Accessed January 14, 2025. 

https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/pigeon-fever

Zeke the horse was brought to Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital where he presented with a small bump in his chest

Veterinarians solve horse's unique medical issue

New label indications for several parasiticide therapies have been approved by the FDA. The agency has expanded uses for Zoetis’ sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets (Simparica Trio); sarolaner (Simparica Chewables), and selamectin and sarolaner topical solution (Revolution Plus), according to the company.

Sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel combination tablets are newly indicated for the treatment and control of Asian longhorned tick (

) infestations in canines aged 8 weeks or older and weighing 2.8 lbs or more.

 This tick species is not native to Western Hemisphere and was first reported in the US in 2017.

“Ticks pose a significant health risk to pets. Ensuring readily available and efficient tick control options is crucial to safeguarding pets' health, ultimately enabling them to enjoy more quality time with their owners,” Mason Reichard, PhD, field parasitologist at Zoetis, said in a news release.

 “Expanding the efficacy claim of Simparica Trio to include treatment and control of infestations of the Asian longhorned tick offers veterinarians a valuable resource to combat this invasive tick species and gives dog owners peace of mind.”

Sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel combination tablets were previously approved to prevent heartworm disease caused by 

Ancylostoma caninum; adult Uncinaria stenocephala

) infestations and prevent and treat their infestations. It is also approved by the FDA for treating and controlling several types of tick infestations. It is also indicated for prevention of 

The FDA has determined sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel combination tablets to be safe and effective, based on data submitted by Zoetis. According to the agency, 2 safety studies have now demonstrated the efficacy of sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel combination tablets against Asian longhorned ticks in dogs. Both studies showed the combination drug was equal or greater than 99.6% effective at controlling these infestations.

A seizure was reported in 1 dog during one of the 2 studies.

 Zoetis is cautioning use of this combination drug in dogs with a history of seizures.

Sarolaner chewables received a label expansion for the treatment of Asian longhorned tick infestations in dogs ages 6 months and older at a weight of 2.8 lbs or more. The FDA determined safe and effective use for this new use when administered as the label indicates.

According to the FDA, sarolaner chewables were previously approved by the agency for killing adult fleas, and treating and preventing their infestations; treating and controlling infestations of the lone star tick (

 infections by killing black-legged vector ticks.

A pair of studies demonstrated that sarolaner chewables are effective against Asian longhorned tick infestations in dogs 6 months of age or older. In each study, enrolled canines were experimentally infested with viable, unfed, adult Asian longhorned ticks and administered sarolaner chewables or a control tablet. Periodic tick counts in both studies showed sarolaner chewables was greater than 99% effective at controlling Asian longhorned tick infestations for 1 month, while dogs in the control group remained infested with live ticks at each tick count. The drug was also shown to be effective at treating Asian longhorned tick infestations by increasing the number of dead ticks, for which treated dogs had a higher number than the control group, for 1 month. Neither study had reported adverse reactions.

Selamectin and sarolaner topical solution

Approval for the prevention of tapeworm (

) infections as a direct result of killing vector fleas was granted by the FDA for expansion of the label for selamectin and sarolaner topical solution. This new indication is for 1 month use in cats and kittens aged 8 weeks and older, and weighing 2.8 lbs or more.

The topical solution previously received FDA approval for managing various parasite infestations in cats and kittens. These indications include prevention of heartworm disease; treatment and control of certain roundworm (

) infections; treatment and control of ear mite (

) infestations; killing adult fleas; treatment and prevention of flea infestations; and treatment and control of infestations with lone star tick, Gulf Coast tick, American dog tick, and black-legged tick.

Officials with the FDA have determined selamectin and sarolaner topical solution to be safe and effective for cats, based on data submitted by Zoetis. The company conducted 2 studies that show efficacy in preventing tapeworm infection in cats, according to the FDA. Results of these studies demonstrated the topical solution was more than 94% effective in killing adult fleas and greater than 97% effective at preventing flea infections.

Although no adverse events were reported in these 2 recent studies, earlier clinical trials reported adverse effects with the use of selamectin and sarolaner topical solution that included lethargy and anorexia. Zoetis also recommends using the product with caution in felines with a history of neurologic disorders.

Zoetis reinforces its commitment to innovation and leadership in parasiticides with its latest FDA approvals broadening protection for dogs and cats. News release. Zoetis. January 14, 2025. Accessed January 14, 2025. 

https://www.zoetisus.com/news-and-media/zoetis-reinforces-its-commitment-to-innovation-and-leadership

FOI summary for the supplemental approval of new animal drug application 141-521. FDA. November 6, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2025. 

https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/16065

FOI summary for the supplemental approval of new animal drug application 141-452. FDA. November 22, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2025. 

https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/16325

FOI summary for the supplemental approval of new animal drug application 141-502. FDA. November 13, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2025. 

https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/16247

Indications are broadened for Zoetis products to include new protections against Asian longhorned ticks and tapeworms