As the animal care ecosystem evolves, new products, medications, platforms, and other technologies continue to emerge. To help readers stay up to date with the latest innovations in the veterinary and pet care spectrum, 

 has curated a list of new product and technology launches.

The following were highlighted in dvm360’s May/June magazine issue:

First drug for feline subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Felycin-CA1 (sirolimus delayed-release tablets) by TriviumVet received FDA conditional approval in March 2025 for the management of ventricular hypertrophy in cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The medication is administered to feline patients once a week at a target dose of 0.3 mg/kg orally and is available in 0.4-mg, 1.2-mg, and 2.4-mg tablet sizes. Felycin-CA1 is only available to veterinarians. Prior to starting Felycin-CA1, patients should be screened for preexisting liver disease. Felycin-CA1 should not be administered in cats with this disease or diabetes mellitus.

4CYTE Epiitalis Forte Dog by epiq Animal Health and Interpath Global is a supplement proven to enhance joint health in dogs. The product is formulated with the patented ingredient Epiitalis, which is derived from plant seed oil high in fatty acids, and is naturally and sustainably sourced.

 The supplement is available to US consumers online through Covetrus and Amazon.

Generic chewable tablets for canine osteoarthritis

Carprofen Soft Chewable Tablets by FelixVet is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for the management of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, as well as the control of postoperative pain associated with soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries in dogs. The tablets are the generic equivalent of Rimadyl and are available in 25-mg, 75-mg, and 100-mg doses. The tablets come in beef flavor.

GumPaws from ZyG recently launched their Dental & Oral Care gummy supplements for dogs. The GumPaws gummies are designed with a specific density and chewiness that promote increased friction to help clean plaque from teeth and improves dental care as dogs chew. The supplement has no added sugar or sweeteners and contains dietary fibers that have a prebiotic effect. GumPaws also uses gummy manufacturing techniques that mirror those used for human nutritional products.

Treatment for ‘white spot disease’ in ornamental finfish

Logo courtesy of Aquarium Münster Pahlsmeier GmbH

Faunamor by Aquarium Münster Pahlsmeier GmbH is now approved by the FDA and legally available for the treatment of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, also known as ich or white spot disease, in ornamental finfish, such as those in home aquariums and outdoor hobby ponds. The active ingredients in the antiparasitic and antimicrobial drug include methylthionine chloride, malachite green oxalate, and acriflavine chloride immersion solution. It is available in 20-mL and 100-mL glass bottles for over-the-counter purchase.

Sponsored by Canine Arthritis Resources and Education

CARE offers free tools to help Pet Parents and Veterinary Teams identify, diagnose, and manage canine arthritis with confidence. Access expert-backed resources and videos. Veterinary professionals can also earn CE with our free, RACE-approved courses.

RapidRead Dental, launched by Antech Diagnostics, is an artificial intelligence-powered radiology interpretation tool that provides dental radiograph evaluations within 10 minutes. The tool, which has the capacity to assess every tooth, can list individual pathologies on a tooth-by-tooth basis with 98% accuracy.

TriviumVet Secures FDA Conditional Approval for First Treatment for Feline Cardiac Disease. News release. TriviumVet. March 14, 2025. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.triviumvet.com/blog/triviumvet-secures-fda-conditional-approval-for-feline-cardiology-disease

epiq Animal Health and Interpath Global Launch Second Joint Health Product Offering - This One for Dogs. News release. epiq Animal Health. April 17, 2025.  Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epiq-animal-health-and-interpath-global-launch-second-joint-health-product-offering--this-one-for-dogs-302428970.html

Carprofen Soft Chewable Tablets. FelixVet. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.felixvet.com/product/carprofen-soft-chewable-tablets/#https://www.felixvet.com/product/carprofen-soft-chewable-tablets/#

Introducing GumPaws: The First-Ever Gummy Supplements Exclusively for Dogs; Revolutionizing Dental Health for Pets Through Gummy Nutrition. News release. ZyG. March 4, 2025. Accessed June 17, 2025. 

FDA Announces New Drug for Treating Common Disease in Ornamental Pet Fish. News release. US Food & Drug Administration. April 8, 2025. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-announces-new-drug-treating-common-disease-ornamental-pet-fish?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Antech™ Launches RapidRead™ Dental, the AI-Powered Radiology Interpretation Tool Revolutionizing Veterinary Dentistry. News release. Antech Diagnostics. May 20, 2025. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/press-release/antech-launches-rapidread-dental-the-ai-powered-radiology-interpretation-tool-revolutionizing-veterinary-dentistry/

Articles

A roundup of the latest products and innovative technology in veterinary medicine

Products+Services360: First drug for HCM, plus radiology interpretation tool

The emotional health of a pet can affect the quality of life for the patient and the caregiver. While some actions, such as tail wagging, are expressions of happiness, emotions like fear, stress, depression, and anxiety can manifest in a patient’s behavior with distressed responses or signs of discomfort.

Like in humans, emotions also affect a pet’s physical health. Poor mental health can take a physical toll on a pet. Anxiety can compromise the immune system, leading to a higher risk of illnesses and infections, while chronic stress has been linked to obesity, cardiac disease, and gastrointestinal conditions.

Commonly seen by small animal practitioners, separation anxiety can occur when pet owners are away from their animals, leading to distress. Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAACB), owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, noted in a continuing education session at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, that recording video of the patient at home is critical for identifying separation anxiety because the client and veterinary team can observe latency between an owner’s departure and the pet’s behaviors, which may include vocalizations.

A range of emotional responses can be triggered by fear and phobias. According to Pachel, there is “normal, appropriate” fear and responses that can intensify up to “significantly dangerous” to the individual and others in the vicinity.

The perception of fear for the patient has an identifiable trigger that causes distress and often results in a survival mode response. This response may reflect the patient’s past experiences.

A phobia is nonadaptive and may prompt persistent or excessive fear. Severity of the response may be out of context to the intensity of the stimulus, according to Pachel. Triggers can be discernible objects or situations such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or other sudden and loud noises.

Life changes such as a loss of an owner, divorce in the family, moving to a new house, and children growing up and leaving home, as well as chronic pain, can lead to depression in dogs.

 A loss of appetite, lethargy, and a lack of joy in activities can be signs.

Veterinary teams, animal behaviorists, and clients can all help promote emotional well-being in patients and pets. Educating clients about observed body language and how it correlates to distress triggers can increase empathy and attentiveness. This helps increase knowledge about a pet’s motivations for behavioral responses as well as what comforts them.

According to Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVB, LSHC-S, a veterinary behaviorist serving the New England region with Calder Veterinary Behavior Services, defining behaviors with nonobjective labels such as aggressive, feisty, spicy, angry, and spiteful should be avoided. Objective terminology should be used instead to help identify the emotional state, such as describing body language cues.

These descriptions may include ear position, pupil size, tail position, body positioning, and other body language cues.

 For example, fear, phobias, and anxiety often lead to active or passive coping strategies.

According to Pachel, active responders are animals that are likely to move and try to escape the situation.

 “They’re pacing. They’re exit seeking. They’re panicking, but that’s manifesting as movement and more active strategies,” he said.

Other animals respond more passively. “They essentially freeze, hunker down, and respond more with immobility,” Pachel said.

Medical conditions can also be a contributing factor to perceived emotional distress, according to Pachel. In another lecture presented at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 conference, he noted that once a medical condition is ruled out, an appropriate treatment plan can be created.

A variety of intervention strategies can help manage and improve a patient’s emotions. These include nutrition, exercise, socialization, a safe environment, and comfort.

The food consumed by a companion animal affects their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, much like how food affects humans. A nutritious and balanced diet affects how a pet feels every day.

An enriching environment, such as the use of interactive toys, provides mental and physical stimulation. Outdoor spaces also allow for activities like running, jumping, and general play that help prevent boredom and reduce stress.

New spaces also provide access to exploration opportunities, which can be stimulating and help prevent fear.

According to Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, regularly and intentionally introducing a pet to unfamiliar individuals and places can train the animal not to fear the unknown by having them grow accustomed to new things.

Pets are exposed to a variety of senses and experiences through socialization. Regular exposure to different sounds, smells, and sights can facilitate confidence, resilience, and emotional stability.

Dog parks, playdates, and training classes allow engagement with other humans and animals, which can help their communication skills and the development of appropriate interactions. Spending time and engaging in activities with a pet also helps strengthen the human-animal bond.

Providing access to a safe environment is important for a pet’s peace of mind.

 Indoor living spaces can be enhanced for comfort with special bedding, favorite toys, and treats. A hiding spot, like a pantry closet, may be preferred for pets experiencing fear or phobia triggered by weather or fireworks, while others may prefer a more open space. Providing access to choices is key.

“What we find is that by giving animals the ability to choose between options that are meaningful for them—in this case, talking about meaningful because of safety or reduced exposure—that actually addresses some of the anxiety component,” Pachel said in a 

In a veterinary clinic, safe spaces may look like species-specific waiting areas, soundproofed exam rooms, and nonslip flooring.

According to Grandin and Marty Becker, DVM, founder of Fear Free, nonslip surfaces are important in clinics and at home. Shiny floors and surfaces with a glare can elicit fear in a patient since they are viewed as falling hazards. “I can’t emphasize enough [having a] nonslip floor. Animals panic when they start to slip and fall,” Grandin said in a keynote address with Becker at a Fetch dvm360 conference.

Commercial products such as Thundershirts or iCalmPet can help destress an animal by providing comfort. Allowing a pet a safe space with favorite items, such as blankets or toys, can also be beneficial. This may incorporate calming sounds, aromatherapy, and pheromones.

 In a clinic setting, soothing music and warming towels can also help create a calmer space, especially for cats, according to Calder.

Desensitization and counterconditioning can help manage emotions by modifying a patient’s response to phobia triggers such as noise. “This involves controlled exposure to noise below the stress response threshold and gradually increasing intensity, paired with positive reinforcement,” Pachel said.

Pharmaceuticals can be administered to ease a patient’s emotional distress. Pachel noted that maintenance medications are most useful for frequent and unpredictable triggers, while quickacting situational drugs help manage predictable, infrequent triggers.

Responding to a pet’s emotional needs and body language can have an impact on the human-animal bond by creating a deeper connection and fostering a sense of security. A stronger human-animal bond can affect behavior and emotional wellness and promote happiness.

The emotional well-being of dogs. Veterans with Dogs. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://veteranswithdogs.org.uk/news/the-emotional-well-being-of-dogs

Why is your dog’s mental health important? The Melrose Vet. October 26, 2023. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://themelrosevet.com/blog/1088226-why-is-your-dogs-mental-health-important 

Boatright K. Medical management considerations for separation anxiety. dvm360. April 12, 2025. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/medical-management-considerations-for-separation-anxiety

Pachel C. Canine noise phobia and the anxiety patient. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 conference; March 14-16, 2025; Charlotte, NC.

Study: pet owners struggle to spot depression, anxiety in dogs. CBS News. May 11, 2022. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/pet-owners-dogs-depression-anxiety-study/

Pet mental health: recognizing signs of anxiety and depression in pets. GeniusVets. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.geniusvets.com/pet-care/learn/pets/blog/pet-mental-health-recognizing-signs-anxiety-and-depression-pets

Calder CD. Enhancing well-being by minimizing stress. 

. March 21, 2024. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/enhancing-well-being-by-minimizing-stress

Coppock K. Practicing with care for the emotional well-being of animals. 

. March 17, 2024. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/practicing-with-care-for-the-emotional-wellbeing-of-animals

The joyful journey: nurturing your pets’ emotional well-being. Wellness Pet LLC. May 15, 2024. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/blog/the-joyful-journey-nurturing-your-pets-emotional-wellbeing/

Pachel C, Coppock Crossley K. Creating safe spaces to mitigate fear in pets. 

. April 16, 2025. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/creating-safe-spaces-to-mitigate-fear-in-pets

. May 29, 2024. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/calming-the-stressed-cat

A patient’s behaviors can serve as signs of distress, which may be managed with interventions

Caring for the emotional well-being of animals

A new veterinary nutrition residency has been established at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) with sponsorship from The Farmer’s Dog, a fresh pet food. The 2-year program was developed by UTCVM faculty and meets the standards for board eligibility set by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).

The sponsorship by The Farmer’s Dog is designed to fully fund the training of a select resident in clinical nutrition, preparing them for board certification in nutrition through ACVIM. The selected resident will receive extensive clinical, teaching, and didactic training with a strong emphasis on research and scholarly activity under the mentorship of university faculty members as well as and Angela Rollins, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), and Maryanne Murphy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition).

“Programs like this are critically important to develop the next generation of veterinary nutritionists and leaders in animal health,” Rollins, said in a news release. “The Farmer’s Dog’s support allows us to expand on crucial nutrition-based training opportunities while also elevating clinical practice and research standards in pet nutrition.”

The goal for program is to contribute to the growing body of published research in animal health, open doors for new clinical nutrition training opportunities, and ultimately shape the future of pet health through academic partnerships and scientific collaboration, according to The Farmer’s Dog. While nurturing the next generation of leaders in veterinary nutrition, the company’s sponsorship of the new residency also represents a milestone for the fresh pet food industry.

“There’s been a lot more interest lately in the science behind fresh, human-grade dog food,” Murphy said in a news release. “This program lets a resident dig deeper into that research.”


Additionally, the sponsorship underscores The Farmer’s Dog’s commitment to rigorous, evidence-based pet health research, according to the company. Jonathan Regev, cofounder and CEO of The Farmer’s Dog, said the company is excited to work with UTCVM and help equip veterinary residents with tools, support and knowledge they’ll need to flourish and help the pet health industry progress.

“Veterinarians have always been critical partners in helping us improve the lives of dogs, and sponsoring this residency program is one of the many ways we're putting real, tangible support to continue that partnership,” Regev said in a news release. “The Farmer’s Dog’s mission is to improve pets’ lives through minimally processed, science-backed food, and we’re proud to support the veterinary community that makes this progress possible.”

The UTCVM currently offers 8 residences in biomedical and diagnostic sciences, large animal clinical sciences, and small animal clinical sciences, in addition to veterinary nutrition.

 Additional information about UTCVM residencies and applications can be found online at 

vetmed.tennessee.edu/academics/internships-and-residencies.

The Farmer’s Dog funds veterinary nutrition residency at the University of Tennessee. News release. The Farmer’s Dog. June 16, 2025.

Internships and residences. University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed June 16, 2025. 

https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/academics/internships-and-residencies/

The Farmer's Dog fresh pet food company is providing funding for the new position.

Veterinary nutrition residency is launched at the University of Tennessee

Every day, veterinarians are faced with challenges that pull them in different directions: caring for patients, managing their clinic, staying up to date on the latest research and new technologies, communicating with clients, and caring for themselves and their colleagues in the veterinary profession. The one thing that veterinarians can count on is change.

Change can have a positive impact on the lives of pets—through the development of innovative diagnostic tools, medications, and groundbreaking dietary therapies—or it can further impact the challenges that veterinarians face.

These challenges can begin even before they enter the workforce, as the cost of veterinary education has risen exponentially, triggering an accompanying burden of student debt. Plus, the global health pandemic that spanned several years also accelerated additional industry changes, from expanding the growth of telemedicine and online pharmacies to creating new disparities in client access to veterinary care. For clients, pet ownership is currently at an all-time high in the United States, with 66% of households owning a pet.

Owners also have unprecedented access to online information about pet health conditions and management, resulting in skepticism of recommended treatments and costs. In addition, the rising cost of living has affected pet owners’ willingness—and sometimes their ability—to pay for veterinary care. Although veterinarians have a sense of duty to protect the pets in their community, a strained environment from a shortage of veterinarians, high staff turnover, and clients not able to pay for care has a personal cost, leaving veterinarians feeling depleted.

The bottom line is that although there have been advancements in veterinary medicine, technology and communication are improving the lives of pets, but those caring for our pets need support now more than ever to help overcome these obstacles.

Even with all the challenges they face, 1 vital factor has remained constant: the passion and dedication all veterinarians share for improving the lives of patients and clients. Many companies and organizations that support the veterinary industry have demonstrated their commitment to veterinary professionals in heartfelt, positive ways. From conducting veterinary well-being studies to providing scholarships for student debt relief, and from funding psychological support services to finding new and innovative ways to provide continuing education, significant steps are happening to support the veterinary profession. For veterinarians, patients, and clients to continue to thrive, we all must continue to do our part and explore new ways to demonstrate our dedication and gratitude.

Pro Plan Veterinary believes that no veterinarian should face obstacles alone when providing care. That’s why we established the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission, an initiative designed to help remove barriers veterinarians often face
in practice. We know the impact veterinarians make on pets and their families is infinite. That’s why Pro Plan Veterinary is helping to remove stress-inducing obstacles and providing resources that foster well-being to help veterinarians focus on what they do best, delivering patient care.

Since launching in 2024, the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission has surpassed more than $2 million in donations to organizations addressing the biggest obstacles veterinarians encounter. Our goal is to make a difference in the difference veterinarians make by supporting their calling to care.

Our partners in removing barriers to care

Central to the success of the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission are strategic partnerships with industry-leading organizations dedicated to veterinary care with a focus on helping veterinarians thrive both professionally and personally.

The Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission’s inaugural and continued partner is the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) and its Reaching Every Animal With Charitable Healthcare (REACH) Program. REACH was created in 2023 by the AVMF to increase assistance to the most vulnerable communities and to help reduce economic pressures that veterinarians may face during challenging situations. More than 2100 pets have been supported through the REACH program, which helps to offset veterinarians’ costs for time and services when helping pets in need. The program has helped pets like Rihanna, a canine patient who, due to fluid in her chest and around her lungs, needed a CT scan and open chest surgery. Payment was going to be a challenge for the owner, but thanks to the availability of the REACH program, the clinic was able to do the surgery, allowing Rihanna to make a full recovery and live her fullest life. Success stories like Rihanna’s and those of countless others are why veterinarians do what they do.

Our goal at Pro Plan Veterinary is to address the challenges within the veterinary industry, enabling veterinarians to prioritize what truly matters—their health and well-being, as well as the health of their patients. This is why the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission has partnered with Paisley Paws, a charitable veterinary foundation that provides funds exclusively to their 199 PAWrtner Clinics. The mission at Paisley Paws is to enhance the well-being of pets and veterinary professionals in need of lifesaving, life-enhancing hardship support. The Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission currently supports 2 of its strategic pillars. The Life-Saving, Life-Enhancing Pillar provides financial support directly to PAWrtner Clinics during times of medical crises for pet owners who are unable to afford veterinary care. The Betterment of Mental Health Fund provides financial aid to veterinary professionals experiencing mental health crises. This support helps cover essential living expenses and medical costs, allowing those in need to take necessary medical leave without the added stress of financial worries.

Pro Plan Veterinary is also dedicated to creating a brighter future and supporting the next generation of veterinarians by providing resources to support veterinary students and young veterinarians when they enter this profession. The Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission has partnered with Utah State University in sponsoring the Purina Mental Health Services Suite at the university’s new Veterinary Medical Education Building. This facility ensures that veterinary medicine students have access to private spaces where they can seek assistance and speak with professional counselors to promote mental well-being.

In our ongoing commitment to veterinarians, we continue to explore partnerships with organizations in the industry to help address the obstacles veterinarians face.

The Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission is a testament to the incredible impact that veterinarians make every single day. By addressing barriers to care and supporting mental health initiatives, we can empower veterinarians to continue their vital work of caring for pets.

Visit www.ProPlanVetSupport.com to learn more about the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission and our partners.

Latest pet ownership and spending data from APPA reveals continued strength of national pet industry in the face of economic uncertainty. News release. American Pet Products Association. March 23, 2023. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://americanpetproducts.org/news/latest- pet-ownership-and-spending-data-from-appa-reveals-continued- strength-of-national-pet-industry-in-the-face-of-economic-uncertainty

The Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission is working for vets

With Nashville behind us, are you missing the excitement or is your fear of missing out taking over? Do not worry, 

 has you covered with this post conference recap! Here, you can have a glimpse into the conference through coverage of the keynote addresses, interviews with Fetch facutly, and articles highlighting continuing education sessions. All of 

 on dvm360.com, but here are some highlights!

A musical journey in discovering dermatology

Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD, kicked off Fetch Nashville on Friday May 30, 2025, with her musical keynote address. Using parodies of popular songs, Miller took attendees through her journey into becoming a veterinary dermatologist, including how she went from studying theater and opera at Indiana University to veterinary professional. Along with her history in veterinary medicine, Miller provided “down and dermy” tips she has learned through her personal experiences in dermatology to attendees.

Four actionable Fear Free tips from Temple Grandin, PhD, and Marty Becker, DVM

On Day 2 of Fetch Nashville, the dvm360 team welcomed Temple Grandin, PhD, and Marty Becker, DVM, to the keynote stage to provide insight into how a Fear Free approach at your clinic can help give patients a “life worth living.’ Throughout the address, the duo walked attendees through the history of livestock handling, and how the lessons Grandin learned doing that could be applied to small animals, plus Becker explained how the advice that Grandin provided attendees can turn into practical ways professionals can effect the well-being on companion animals positively.

Rethinking feline house soiling: What you should know

During her interview with dvm360, Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFC, shared 3 key details she wanted attendees to take away from her lecture “Litterbox Lessons: Keeping Cats in the Litterbox,” including why it is important to offer feline caregivers empathy and support as well as helping clients move away from blame-based narratives surrounding cats, like "spiteful" or "inappropriate" behavior.

 ahead of her lectures at Fetch Nashville, Kathryn E. Reif, MSPH, PhD, shared with the audience the adoption of endectocide-based protocols for true “one-and-done” protection.

“So previously, in order to control our ectoparasites and a variety of our different endoparasites that affect our dogs, we may have had to reach for multiple products to provide really comprehensive, broad parasite control. But over the last decade or so, we’re now starting to see different companies bring together ectoparasite-control drugs as well as endoparasite-control drugs to create what they call an endectocide product—one that offers protection against both ectoparasites, like fleas and ticks, and a variety of endoparasites, like hookworms, heartworms, roundworms, etc,” Reif explained during the interview.

Kristen Ward, RN-BSN, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia), shared during her interview with 

 at the 2025 Fetch Nashville conference why veterinary professionals should know about capnography as well as some insights into the use of it with anesthesia in veterinary medicine

During their joint lecture at Fetch Nashville, Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, Julia Miller DVM, DACVD, and Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, Elite FFCP-V, discussed with the crowd practical insights on how and when general practitioners should implement diet trials for their dermatology cases. Through the lecture, the debunked some myths, shared some advice, and discussed common errors that can happen during a trial, and how to avoid them.

The importance of “pet-alized” dental care for older animals

Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, in her lecture “They are NOT Too Old for Dental Procedures (Usually)” during the conference focused on how to treat older patients with periodontal disease, plus tailor pain management and anesthesia protocols veterinarians can put into practice to reduce the risks of treatments in these older patients. Throughout 

’s coverage, check out the questions Lobprise answered through the lecture, including why do many dogs not receive ongoing dental car throughout their lives, what are the challenges of senior dentistry, and more.
“The best monitor is a good technician,” Lobprise said in her lecture. “Having someone dedicated to watching the patient during anesthesia is extremely critical.”

Torsemide for canine CHF: Emerging evidence and clinical benefits

William Rausch, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), tackled torsemide and how to use it for canine hearth failutre during his lecture at Fetch Nashville. Rausch highlighted the loop diuretics remain the cornerstone of congestive heart failure therapy but noted evolving evidence suggesting torsemide may outperform the long-standing “workhorse” furosemide in certain clinical scenarios. Rausch provided dosing and monitoring consideration from a clinical standpoint, the pharmacokinetic advantages of torsemide, clinical trial evidence, and more to attendees, and in this recap article of his session.

What business opportunities exist for veterinary technicians?

As a technician, do you know what career pathways and opportunities are available to you? Kucera broke down the diverse pathways that a veterinary technician can take beyond the traditional roles in the clinic, and how to utilize the skills technicians must create business opportunities and increase earning potential.

“A lot of vet techs are not advocating for themselves,” Kucera said. “It’s a big problem in our field. We need to be that voice for each other. 

"The biggest takeaway [from my presentation] is that you’re not stuck,” Kucera added. “The grass is greener on the other side.”

The microorganism in pets, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa, play a crucial role in the health of patients. Vicky Orgrain, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), scientific communication senior specialist with Hill's Pet Nutrition, took the stage at Fech Nashville to help attendees get a petter understanding of its significant, and how to modulate it with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. 

“There's so much more that we need to learn, so we are just starting to really get the tip of the iceberg of all the things that the microbiome is associated with. It really affects every part of our body,” Ograin explained during her lecture.

Registration for Fetch Nashville 2026 is now open and you can register 

Since dvm360's 2025 conference in the Music City is officially finished, here are some highlights from the show 

Fetch Nashville 2025 wrap up 

Asking clients to record videos of their cat at home can play a major role in helping identify pain

Tips for identifying pain in cats

Extensive collaboration with clients plays a major role in the identification of pain in cats. In this discussion, Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP, encourages veterinary professionals to request video footage of the patient’s gait and daily activities captured at home to help identify if a patient is experiencing pain. These videos, Kucera explains, can be a "game changer" in assessing baseline behavior and providing instant feedback.

She also talks about the value of sharing tools with clients to help manage and identify pain. These tools include the Feline Grimace Scale, fecal score charts, videos of cats exhibiting different signs of pain, and more.

Below is a partial transcript, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity:

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP:

 Chronic pain is hard, so we have to be kind to ourselves—that's the one big thing, and we need, capital N-E-E-D, the caregiver's help. We can't do it on our own. Just like in human medicine, chronic pain is really challenging. Acute pain is a little easier for both vet med and human med.

So, one of the things I recommend to all my colleagues, but also the caregivers I work with, is every vet visit should include 2 to 3, 1 to 3-minute videos of the cat's gait, so your cat's walking, your cat's playing, eating, and/or doing their favorite thing. I'm not really specific, because first off, everyone has smartphones, which is amazing. And I tell my caregivers, “it's appropriate for your vet not to have the cat walk up and down the hallway if they have severe fear and stress, which unfortunately is pretty common. So, your vet can't acknowledge or assess your cat's gait.”

And also, of course, that cat's behavior is going to be more their baseline, and they'll feel more comfortable exhibiting those normal behaviors in the home setting. So that video thing is a game changer.

It also helps you to identify other things. [For example], these litter boxes are the store-bought ones that are way too small, this cat has to jump over to do an everyday function. Or, oh, that cat really loves to go on the couch or rest on that bed, let's create a few steps, whether it's a little ottoman or cat steps. You could literally provide immediate feedback to make that animal's life more comfortable, which is awesome.

And then also...we're getting more and more resources about pain identification and sharing those with caregivers. The Feline VMA has a great Chronic Pain Education Toolbook. But I'm also a huge fan of the Feline Grimace Scale app, catswitharthritis.com.

And I'm a huge proponent—I did not use this enough in [general practice] before I worked for myself—[of]fecal score charts. Caregivers can easily look at poop. I usually include the kits in the consult to keep track of the poop. And the number of pretty severe medical issues that have been diagnosed just due to my caregivers doing that simple step has been huge. Again, I’m like, 

And then also identifying the animal's baseline. Are they doing their favorite things? Are they resting in their favorite spots? How does their relationship look with the other animals in the home? Again, identifying what's their baseline, and has their behavior changed at all—[all] of those things can be really helpful as well as sharing. I have lots of videos of cats exhibiting various symptoms of chronic pain, and I'll share those with my caregivers. Then I'll kind of put it together with their cat's video and help them understand.