You might expect innovation and disruption to be prominent in veterinary dentistry, considering that periodontal disease has been a prevalent health issue in dogs and cats for as long as we can remember. Fortunately, a shift has occurred: We now embrace inflammation as the primary trigger for periodontal disease instead of bacteria, leading to new strategies for prevention and treatment.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) was initially recognized for its applications in human orthopedics, ophthalmology, and wound healing. It is poised to become an advancement in veterinary dentistry for treating periodontal disease and improving oral surgical site recovery in pets.

Evidence-based, peer-reviewed studies have shown that a single dose of HA after a procedure accelerates tissue healing, enhances bone formation, and reduces probing pocket depth in various dental settings. The use of HA in veterinary dentistry is significant because of the following:

HA targets the underlying inflammation responsible for periodontal disease.

HA may slow the progression to more advanced periodontal

This shift toward using HA represents a more holistic and less invasive approach to managing pet periodontal disease. It also aligns with the increasing understanding of inflammation’s role in the condition and moves away from antibiotic-based interventions.

Understanding the challenge: Periodontal disease in companion animals

Periodontal disease remains one of the most prevalent health issues in veterinary practice, affecting approximately 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by 3 years of age.

 If left untreated, it can lead to progressive tissue destruction, chronic pain, systemic inflammation, and organ damage. Although traditional methods such as mechanical debridement, adjunctive therapies, and, ultimately, extractions continue to be the standard treatments, the increasing demand for more biocompatible solutions calls for innovative interventions.

What is HA, and why is it relevant in veterinary dentistry?

HA is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan found in extracellular matrices, synovial fluid, and soft tissues.

 Its hydrophilic properties enable it to retain moisture and encourage cellular migration, making it a component in tissue regeneration and repair. HA has been successfully integrated into treatment protocols for periodontitis, postextraction healing, and implantology in human dentistry.

 Its potential for veterinary applications is being explored through previously published studies showing significant benefits in managing periodontal disease in dogs and cats.

The primary advantages of HA in veterinary dentistry include the following:

Enhancing angiogenesis and tissue regeneration

By incorporating HA-based therapies into routine dental care, veterinarians can provide a multimodal approach to managing periodontal disease, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes and patient comfort.

Angiogenic benefits of HA in oral wound healing

One of HA’s contributions to veterinary dentistry is its ability to stimulate angiogenesis, which encourages tissue repair and accelerates postsurgical healing. HA’s proangiogenic effects are advantageous because impaired blood vessels lead to the progression of periodontal disease.

promoting endothelial cell migration and proliferation, enhancing capillary formation in damaged periodontal tissues;

improving oxygen and nutrient delivery, ensuring adequate support for regenerative processes; and

accelerating healing after surgery, especially at extraction sites, gingival flaps, and during grafting procedures.

The studies on dogs indicate that applying HA-based gels topically after dental procedures shortens healing time and enhances mucosal integrity. Additionally, HA emerged as a valuable adjunctive treatment for chronic periodontal issues and recovery after extractions. The 5 canine studies referenced in this article include histologic confirmation of the positive effects of HA on periodontal disease of varying severity, including gingival recession,

 Each of these studies reported statistically significant improvements in several end points, such as the regeneration of bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum.

Anti-inflammatory properties of HA in periodontal therapy

Inflammation is a key factor in the pathology of periodontal disease, as bacterial biofilms often provoke an extreme immune response that results in gingival destruction and alveolar bone loss.

 HA alleviates inflammatory damage through several mechanisms, including the following:

Regulation of cytokine activity: HA modulates the release of key inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, reducing excessive immune activation.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)1: HA inhibits the activity of MMPs, which break down extracellular matrix components and contribute to the degradation of the periodontal ligament.

Enhancing tissue hydration and lubrication: HA maintains mucosal hydration by binding to water molecules, reducing tissue irritation, and promoting healing.

Antimicrobial properties: HA’s role in controlling oral pathogens

Another aspect of HA use in veterinary dentistry is its intrinsic antimicrobial activity. The oral cavity harbors a diverse microbiome, and dysbiosis plays a key role in developing periodontal disease. HA exhibits antimicrobial effects through multiple mechanisms, including the following:

Direct bacteriostatic action: HA disrupts bacterial cell membranes, particularly in periodontal pathogens such as 

Biofilm disruption: HA hinders bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, decreasing plaque buildup and gum inflammation.

Synergy with other antimicrobial agents: HA enhances the efficacy of antiseptics such as chlorhexidine and essential oils, making it a valuable adjunct in plaque-control strategies.


With increasing concerns regarding antibiotic resistance, HA presents a nonantibiotic antimicrobial aid for managing periodontal infections, reducing bacterial load, and supporting a healthier oral environment.

Analgesic effects of HA in veterinary dental procedures

Pain management is a vital aspect of veterinary dentistry, as ignoring oral pain can severely affect an animal’s quality of life. HA possesses intrinsic analgesic properties, making it especially effective for decreasing pain related to periodontal disease and oral surgery. The following includes the ways in which HA provides pain relief:

Modulating pain receptors: HA interacts with nerve endings, reducing nociceptive signaling and discomfort.

Promoting soft tissue healing: Quicker tissue repair leads to less inflammation and extended pain relief after surgery.

Demonstrating localized analgesic effects: Clinical studies in human dentistry showcase HA’s effectiveness in alleviating postprocedural pain, a benefit that is now being used in veterinary applications.

Clinical applications of HA in veterinary dentistry

HA is available in various veterinary formulations, including oral gels, mouth rinses, and injectable solutions. I am currently using the gel formulation for the following:

Periodontal disease management: HA gels applied to gingival pockets after scaling and root planing help reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. (

Postextraction care: HA minimizes the risk of alveolar osteitis (dry socket in humans) and accelerates healing. (

Wound healing after oral surgery: HA-based formulations enhance mucosal recovery following gingival flap surgery and tumor excision.

Integrating HA into veterinary dental protocols

Despite its promising benefits, HA’s use in veterinary dentistry remains underutilized because of limited awareness and product availability. However, innovative formulations, such as the HA-based gel formulated for veterinary use, offer veterinarians a practical tool for incorporating HA into standard dental care protocols.

As more clinical trials validate the efficacy of HA in veterinary dentistry, we anticipate a broader adoption of HA-based therapies. Future research should concentrate on the following:

Optimizing application protocols for periodontal treatments

Assessing the long-term impacts of HA on periodontal health

Developing combination therapies with existing dental treatments

HA is an advanced treatment for periodontal disease in dogs and cats. Its angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties make it a valuable tool for veterinarians committed to enhancing patient outcomes. As veterinary dentistry progresses, incorporating HA-based products into practice presents a promising opportunity to improve oral health and overall patient well-being.

Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP (Canine, Feline), FAVD

received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in Alabama. After completing an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York, New York, he moved to Florida, where he practices companion animal medicine surgery and dentistry at All Pets Dental in Weston.

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Articles

The disruptive and innovative roles of hyaluronic acid in managing dog and cat dental disease

Dentistry A to Z: "I" is for innovation

Animal shelters and rescues across the United States have seen an increase in animals over the past several years, with 6.5 million cats and dogs entering shelters in 2023 alone.

 In the last 4 years, animal shelters and rescues have been experiencing an overcrowding crisis.

 According to Data from Shelters Animals Count, a national database for animal rescues and shelters, animals are remaining in shelters longer than they did in 2019, worsening the challenges shelters are facing, which include overcrowding, increased surrenders, rising costs, and lack of funding.

Recently, PetPlace and Pets Best—an online resource for pet owners and veterinary professionals, and a pet insurance provider, respectively—awarded 5 animal rescues with the Heroic Hearts Collective. Announced in February 2025, the Heroic Hearts Collective is an initiative that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards pet rescues across the United States.

“Pet rescues work tirelessly to save and rehome pets, often with limited resources. At PetPlace, we’re honored to support these organizations through the Heroic Hearts Collective, recognizing their dedication and providing meaningful aid to help them continue their lifesaving work,” Sam Watson, president of PetPlace, said in a news release.

The 5 winners of the award will each receive a donation of $1000 in cash, 50 standard microchips, 1 universal microchip scanner, and a feature story on Petplace.com. According to PetPlace and Pets Best, there were more than 15,000 nominations for the Heroic Hearts Collective award this year.

Located in New York and started by a group of volunteers helping pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina, AmsterDog Rescue has been serving the greater New York City area for more than 14 years. The rescue is run entirely by volunteers and is foster-based, focusing on dogs facing euthanasia, those with urgent medical needs, or dogs that have been passed multiple times.

The Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Society(TGPR) is based in Spring, Texas, and is also a volunteer-run organization that focuses on rehabilitating and rehoming at-risk Great Pyrenees dogs. Every year, TGPR averages more than 500 rescues of these dogs, working to help Great Pyrenees that are neglected and/or have serious medical needs. The organization also conducts large-scale rescue efforts with multiple teams across different cities.

Founded in 2016, this organization in Kissimmee, Florida works with dogs that are at risk of euthanasia in county shelters. Foster-based and volunteer-run, The Pittie Party of Central Florida (TPPCF)aims to give dogs “a chance to thrive,” focusing on those that are seen as unadoptable.

 “TPPCF stood out not just for its rescue work, but for its focus on hospice care, behavioral support, and building a strong, reliable foster network. They’re not just saving dogs – they’re doing it with compassion, commitment, and the help of a deeply engaged community,” wrote PetPlace in a feature story.

Based in Pittsburg, California, Umbrella of Hope Rescue is dedicated to saving senior pets, pets with disabilities, and those with ongoing medical needs. “Umbrella of Hope began with one simple but powerful idea: animals with medical or age-related challenges still deserve a chance. The rescue was founded after seeing how often these animals were overlooked in shelters,” wrote PetPlace.

Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary is located in Tucson, Arizona and specializes in rescuing cats. The organization places a special focus on seniors and cats with disabilities or chronic illnesses. At the sanctuary, volunteers get to know each cat’s behavior and needs, offering medical treatment for injuries, calm spaces for shy cats, and specialized routines for those that have lost their sight or mobility. According to PetPlace, the philosophy of Whiskers N Wishes is that cats who may be “deemed “unadoptable” still deserve the warmth of human kindness and the chance to live without constant fear or discomfort.”

Bautista-Alejandre A. New report reveals shelter pet adoption data. 

. July 29, 2024. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-report-reveals-shelter-pet-adoption-data

PetPlace and Pets Best Insurance honor five extraordinary pet rescues as “Heroic Hearts Collective” award recipients on national pet day. News release. PetPlace, Pets Best Insurance. April 11, 2025.

Rowlands R. AmsterDog Rescue: A Heroic Heart for NYC’s Forgotten Dogs. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/amsterdog-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue: A Heroic Heart for Gentle Giants. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/texas-great-pyrenees-rescue-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. The Pittie Party of Central Florida: A Heroic Heart for At-Risk Dogs. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/pittie-party-central-florida-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. Umbrella of Hope: A Heroic Heart for Special Needs Animals. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/umbrella-of-hope-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary: A Heroic Heart for Cats in Need. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/whiskers-wishes-sanctuary-heroic-hearts

The recipients of the Heroic Hearts Collective will receive $1000, 50 standard microchips, and more

5 animal rescues in the US receive award for their impact on pet lives

Kitten and puppy foods from Blue Ridge Beef are being recalled because of 

 contamination, which can affect animals ingesting these raw products. The recall is for 1080 lbs of 2 lb logs of Kitten Mix (lot number N26 0114) and 1230 lbs of 2 lb logs of Puppy Mix (lot number N25 1230).

Samples of the recalled products were collected on March 20, 2025, by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in response to a customer complaint of animal illness. On April 1, 2025, Blue Ridge Beef was notified by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture that the products tested positive for 

. The recall was issued with FDA notification.

These recalled food products are packaged in clear plastic and were distributed between January 3, 2025, to January 24, 2025. The recalled items were primarily sold through retail stores in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. Lot numbers can be found stamped in the clips on the end of the product bags.

According to Katie Tolbert, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, a clinical associate professor in internal medicine and nutrition at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in College Station, 

is a [bacterium] frequently found in the gastrointestinal tract of many mammals and birds, but some species of 

 produce toxins that cause infections when the bacteria adhere to the lining of the gut, causing gut inflammation and damage,” Tolbert explained in a news release.

infection may include lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain also affect some patients, according to the FDA. Healthy pets can be carriers of infection and transmit 

Pet owners should be aware of the causes, symptoms and treatments of 

 and client education can help. The FDA is encouraging pet owners to contact a veterinarian if their animal has eaten a product included in the Blue Ridge Beef recall and is showing symptoms of possible infection.

The infection can travel to other sites of the body, such as the joints or heart, and if the infection is not recognized, it could lead to severe consequences, including death,” Tolbert said.

In cases with significant symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness, pet owners should visit their veterinarian as soon as possible, according to Tolbert. An appropriate treatment plan can be created if the illness is caused by 

 infection, and the earlier the treatment, the quicker the pet’s condition can improve.

“Warning signs that should prompt a pet owner to bring their dog or cat to be evaluated include prolonged reluctance to eat for longer than 24 to 48 hours; fever; persistent vomiting or diarrhea; lethargy for longer than 24 hours; signs of dehydration, such as dry or tacky gums; and signs of pain, shown through abnormal behaviors such as hiding or growling,” Tolbert said.

Veterinarians may hospitalize pets and provide them with intravenous fluids and supportive care if the illness is severe. However, mild cases of diarrhea, the most common symptom of a mild form of salmonella infection in pets, are often resolved on their own regardless of whether there is treatment.

disease is rare in canines and felines, despite when infection occurs. Pets showing signs of infection typically have mild gastrointestinal symptoms that may include diarrhea and vomiting. In more serious cases, fever, muscle pain, breathing problems and pregnancy loss may show as symptoms, and death can occur.

Canines and felines that consume contaminated pet food can be carriers of 

, even when there are no signs of listeriosis. Infected pets that appear healthy can shed 

 in their stool. Pet waste from infected animals, both sick and healthy, can be a source of infection for other animals as well as humans.

 infection to humans that handle contaminated raw food products. The FDA advises healthy people with 

 exposure to monitor themselves for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever, which are possible symptoms of infection. In rare cases, this type of bacterial infection can cause more serious ailments such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Humans exhibiting these signs of infection following exposure to the recalled products should contact their health care providers, according to the FDA.

The FDA is encouraging consumers who have purchased these products to return them to the place of purchase or destroy the food in a way that children and animals, including pets and wildlife, cannot access them. Pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers that have come into contact with the recalled products should be washed and sanitized. Human hands and exposed surfaces should also be washed and sanitized after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food.

For more information about the recall, email blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com or call (704) 873-2072 Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM EST.

Blue Ridge Beef issues voluntary recall of Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination. News release. FDA. April 11, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-ridge-beef-issues-voluntary-recall-blue-ridge-beef-puppy-mix-and-kitten-mix-due-salmonella?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#recall-announcement

The hidden dangers of Salmonella infections. New release. Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. March 30, 2023. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/salmonella-infections/

Get the facts about Listeria. FDA. August 3, 2020. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-listeria

Certain Blue Ridge Beef products were found contaminated with bacteria that can cause illness to pets

Kitten and puppy foods are voluntarily recalled

PetDesk Product360 with Mary Schwartz, CVT

PetDesk Product360

 Hey everyone! Dr Adam Christman, Chief Veterinary Officer here at DVM360. We're live here in Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and we are chatting with our friends here at PetDesk because it's Product360. We have PetDesk Scribe, the future of AI-powered veterinary note-taking. Joining us is Mary Schwartz, CVT, Manager of Sales Enablement at PetDesk. Thanks so much for being here.

 My pleasure. This is beautiful. Listen, AI is all the rage right now, and dictation software is around. I love that we're chatting about improving workflow. We have inefficiencies that are there, so can you introduce us a little bit to PetDesk Scribe and talk about its inception?

 You mentioned workflow and I think that’s really important. A lot of the tools that PetDesk offers are around workflow. They're here to make the day-to-day life and practice easier, but one thing that we want to focus on going forward is veterinarians as well, right? So, our communication tools—they help front desk, they help technicians, and they help veterinarians some. Scribe is here to really optimize veterinary workflows, get you out of the hospital on time, get your notes taken for you, and do it accurately, so you don't have to do a lot of edits.

So, how it works is very easy. You'll have the Scribe app on your phone. You'll be able to hit “Start Appointment” when you go in the exam room. It'll start recording your appointment right there in the room. It'll capture the entire dialogue and natural chat with the pet parents you’re working with. When you're done, you stop and finalize your appointment, and then it'll go right into our web browser. And then it's ready for your review as the doctor. So, by the time you wrap up in the room, talk to your techs about the checkout process, and go to sit down at your desk, your notes are done.

 And this does help you reduce some of that administrative burden, right?

 Yes, absolutely. I have plenty of friends who are veterinarians, and they absolutely are still doing notes at home. I had one last night who texted me that they couldn’t go out with their friends because they were sitting at home having to do notes after a long Friday, and I'm sure you know plenty of friends of your own that have that same problem.

 Yes, and you keep hearing these great stories about getting home on time, and how it's shaving two hours out of your busy day, so you can pick up the kids from school, do some of the things that are really important to your own personal life. It’s so important.

 Exactly. You spend so much time and effort becoming a veterinarian, and you invest so much of your life into it to begin with. You want, at some point, to have a little bit of that payback, where you can spend some time with your family and develop your personal life. We’re here to help.

 Walk us through this a little bit, getting started with PetDesk Scribe and integrating it into the existing workflow.

 You go in the room, you record the appointment—quick and easy. By the time you get back to your desk, your appointment should be ready to review, and it is lined out as a SOAP note—all ready to go, everything that you verbalized in the room. One thing that's really cool about this, just to differentiate between dictation tools and AI note-taking, is you don't have to dictate to this. You don't have to say, “Ear, nose, and throat are clear. The GI system is within normal limits.” You don't have to say those things. All you have to do is tell the pet parent, “Grover's tummy feels really good today. I'm not feeling any problems here. His ears look great. His eyes are nice and clear.” And this will automatically pick it up and turn it right into a note for you, and you can edit if you need to. But, that's one of the things we're working really hard on, making it so you don't have to edit much. Then you copy and paste them right into the medical note in the practice management software.

Look at this. It's got high-quality accuracy, too, which is incredible.

 That's our main focus: the accuracy and quality of those notes. It doesn't do us much good to send you back to your desk with something that you have to spend another 30 minutes editing.

 Yes, so this is going to be customizable. Our first premier product, which is going to be released in May of 2025 for all general customers, and then in April of 2025 for PetDesk customers, is going to have this format, so the typical SOAP format. But long-term what we're looking at is customizing templates and being able to add a lot more unique phrases or formats to how each practice does their medical notes.

 And there are some that are out there. What sets this from other ones that might be out there?

 The biggest thing for us is quality, right? I know I've been hounding on that, but it's so important, because we don't want you to have to sit down at your desk and edit. So, the goal here, and what we're finding a lot with our initial user group, is that the quality is already really high, but there's a little bit of room for improvement. So, by the time we get to our general launch in May, we're going to have really high-quality medical notes that don't require a lot of editing and allow you to get out on time and reduce your time spent charting.

 That's a nice, sweet spot right there, which is really good.

 PetDesk has so many different offerings within its umbrella. To those of you who are thinking about it, or think about making the decision…why PetDesk?

 So, one of the things that's going to make PetDesk Scribe powerful is the additional tools that we have, and the future integrations into those tools. Think about how AI note-taking could empower client communications, could do follow-up messaging for you—and even at our initial launch, we're going to have a client summary for you to send home with your pet parents of the entire appointment. If you start embedding this across different areas of our platform, it can be helpful with our phone system, our client communication system, and then being able to integrate into PIMS. So eventually, you don't even have to copy it. You just approve it and it's in your medical record, and you don't have to do anything else.

 The number one concern that we see with pet owners out there—I'm sure many of you know this—is miscommunication.

 “I wasn't told this. No one told me. This was miscommunicated.” This helps. This is what helps.

 I mean, this is what really, really helps to make sure everyone is aligned. This is incredible.

 Absolutely, and you think about how adults learn and retain. Verbal is very low, but now we send them home with something that's in their pocket. You can text it. You can email it. They're not going to set it on the counter and forget it as soon as they get home, or have it get swept into the recycling bin. They're going to have it to pull up. If they can't remember what happened with Grover's appointment, it's right there in their phone. They can glance through it, and then they can text you with any questions they might have.

 That's wonderful. Just thinking about it, too, my friends—how often is the primary caregiver in the exam room?

 How often is it the husband who hardly knows the animal's name?

 Right, because we know that sometimes they're just not there, so now everybody's aligned when we have these instructions that are being sent home with them. That way they know, “No, I wasn't told this. Oh, here it is. It's right here.”

 How many times is the primary caregiver not there, and then you as the doctor end up having to tell the person in the room what's going on and then contact the primary caregiver in addition? Now, it’s all in one place—easy and ready to go home.

 Mary, this has been fantastic, where can we learn more about this?

. Here we'll have a way for you to join our wait list. You can view a little bit more about how scribe works. Check it out, we've already got some testimonials from our initial users that you can look at and all of our benefits, how we're going to help you out. All you have to do is fill out this form right here, hit submit, and then when we release, we'll ship you an email and you'll get six months half off.

 Oh, wow, that's great. Thank you so much. Fantastic information. If you haven't checked out PetDesk, you really need to their portfolio is absolutely incredible, and this is what I love about veterinary medicine; it's how we advance together. So, thank you, Mary, and thank your friends at PetDesk for supporting this great conversation. And we'll see you next time right here on Product360. Take care, everyone.

Videos

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 In this interview taken during the 2025 WVC conference, Dr Courtney Campbell and Jonathan Wainberg, MBA, shared with listeners the positive impact offering simple financial solutions has on pet owners.

Video interview with Courtney Campbell, DVM, DACVS-SA, and Jonathan Wainberg, MBA

During an interview with dvm360 at the 2025 WVC conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, Courtney Campbell, DVM, DACVS-SA, and Jonathan Wainberg, MBA, senior vice president and general manager of Synchrony, pets, share why it is important for veterinary teams to provide a variety of financial options to clients. Throughout the interview, the duo discussed wellness funds, pet insurance, and other offerings that can cater to the unique needs and situations of the patients and clients in the clinic, plus how having financial solutions can ease the stress on clients that comes from paying for treatments. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited for clarity.

: When you're discussing different financial options with pet owners, the one thing that's been in my experience, and I've seen this just throughout the board, is when you discuss those 3 easy steps, and you say, 'Listen, come in. You pay for it with your Care Credit credit card. You file a claim, and then you just get reimbursed directly to their credit card.' There are so many families who say, 'No, really?' They're almost blown away at the simplicity, they're almost blown away at the ease, and they're almost relieved, like there's a, I like to say relief is the cousin of happiness, right? Because if you drop your cell phone and it's on the floor and you're worried to see if it's cracked in that moment right before you see there's no cracks, just relief, that's happiness, right? It's cousin. And so you see that relief on their face, and I think that's where the real magic comes in, is having that discussion with them, providing them with an innovative financial solution, and seeing that relief on their face, like, Ah, I finally have a way to care for my family member without the struggle of going through it. That's been my experience, but I'd love to hear yours.

I think it's also, it's about choice, right? I think...there's not one solution that's going to work for everyone, right? We've put together what we think is a portfolio of ideas that will help create that safety net for when financial hardship comes up, or a bill that is there. So that is a Care Credit, is it Pets Best insurance? Is it a wellness fund? But you're going to be able to catch some of that stuff. 

So understand that there's not going to be one solution that works for everyone, but as long as you're giving them those tools and those options, they're going to be able to figure out a way to do it. And that's why, you know, we love what we're doing together with Pets Best, and that Care Credit [is] powering this, this solution behind it, because you're going to be able to have the variety of solutions that you have, and the ease to make it easier, whether it be for something that's routine or something that's an emergency. 

Courtney Campbell, DVM, DACVS-SA, and Jonathan Wainberg, MBA, have a conversation on financial relief and flexibility for clients