Elanco recently announced a research agreement to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats and investigate approaches to prolong lifespan in pets. The collaboration will be between Elanco and WEDterinary LLC, a recently formed research engine aimed at developing innovative solutions to pet health care.

In the first phase of the project, the focus will be on the several high-potential programs using targeted gene therapy to treat CKD in felines. Researchers will also explore new avenues to extend the healthy lifespan of pets. According to Elanco, the shift toward younger generations of pet owners, along with the increased time spent with pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to rising expectations of care and a willingness to invest in protecting pet health.

In a news release by Elanco, William (Bill) F. Doyle, MBA, executive chairman of Novocure, and cofounder of WEDterinary LLC, expressed his enthusiasm about the new collaboration. “I believe combining Elanco’s expertise with the latest platforms and capabilities under development for human health can create opportunities to revolutionize pet care,” he said.

“Elanco is excited to partner with WEDterinary to pioneer new spaces in animal health using new technologies like gene therapy and AI,” Ellen de Brabander, PhD, executive vice president of R&D and Regulatory Affairs at Elanco Animal Health, added.

 “We believe Bill’s experience with Novocure and his history of bringing transformational, non-traditional innovation approaches to the market can unlock emerging innovation opportunities. Ultimately, the partnership increases our research capacity to refill our innovation pipeline and drive a consistent flow of high impact innovation to improve the lives of pets and their families.”

Elanco also announced that John P. (JP) Bilbrey, Kathy Turner, and Craig Wallace will not seek reelection to the Board of Directors when their terms end at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Additionally, due to his research agreement with Elanco, Doyle has resigned from the Board. According to Elanco, Doyle will continue advising Elanco on animal health innovations related to the research areas the agreement is focusing on.

“I’m grateful to my fellow Board members and Elanco leadership for the robust engagement these last years as we navigated Elanco’s standup, integration and the creation of a global, independent animal health leader that I’m confident is well positioned for long-term sustained growth,” Bilbrey said in the release.

“With the late-stage pipeline delivered, the strategy streamlined and commercialization well underway, now is the right time for me to retire.”

Paul Herendeen, MBA has been recommended by the Corporate Governance Committee to replace Bilbrey as chair of the finance, strategy, and oversight committee. In 2020, Herendeen joined the board of Elanco as an investor representative with experience in finance and the animal health and pharma industries. Among the new addition’s the company’s Board is also Stacey Ma, PhD. Ma is currently the head of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing at Gilead Sciences, a biotechnology research company.

Elanco announces changes to board of directors; signs research agreement to explore novel therapies for chronic kidney disease and life extension in pets. News release. Elanco Animal Health Incorporated. March 17, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2025. 

https://www.elanco.com/en-us/insights/elanco-announces-changes-to-board-of-directors-signs-research-agreement

Articles

The first phase of the project will focus on targeted gene therapy to treat chronic kidney disease in felines

Elanco enters research agreement to address CKD in cats and explore lifespan extension in pets

When it comes to patients, clients can never know what their pet can help themselves to, especially when it is dropped on the floor or left on the counter, causing a potentially toxic situation. However, there are scenarios not entirely the pet’s fault that could also be dangerous, such as accidentally giving the wrong medication or ingesting food that is fine for humans but toxic to pets.

For some pet owners, the first thought when realizing the possible toxic situation their pet is now in is to induce vomiting, but Pet Poison Helpline experts are recommending calling a professional before trying anything at home.

"Many pets are motivated by food, especially dogs, so when something is dropped or left on the floor, they assume it is edible" explained Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline. "We've had many pet owners who call us because they've dropped or given their pet the wrong medication. Dogs are also curious by nature, and explore new things with their mouths, often leading to unfortunate ingestions. If your pet does have an accidental poisoning, you may cause more harm by inducing vomiting on your own."

Pet Poison Helpline shared a recent case where the pet owner accidentally gave her dog her human cancer medication and once she realized her mistake, she had her dog drink a ‘dangerous’ amount of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. While the pill was retrieved, the dog had continued to vomit and not eat and the hydrogen peroxide did significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal system. Luckily, the pet was treated with medication and returned to full health. 

According to the release, in certain situations, dogs are the only animal that may be able to have a vomiting attempted at home with hydrogen peroxide because if given to other species, like cats and birds, it can be fatal. Even in the case of dogs, negative effects can occur so veterinary professionals need to make sure their clients know to never attempt to induce vomiting without consulting a veterinary professional or Pet Poison Helpline.

In a Pet Poison Helpline case from Pennsylvania, an owner called after his Sheltie ate some raisins before his owner could stop him. Grapes, raisins, and currants are toxic to dogs, and even the smallest amount of these foods ingested can cause severe, acute kidney failure.

"Fortunately, the owner called Pet Poison Helpline before trying to induce vomiting at home,” Schmid said. "We were able to walk him through the process of administering the correct amount of hydrogen peroxide, and he was able to safely retrieve the raisins before they caused any harm."

Hydrogen peroxide is a legitimate treatment that can be lifesaving for pets, but it is always more ideal for induced vomiting to be done by a veterinary professional. Each installment of Pet Poison Helpline's 

 features a case where the pet featured makes a full recovery from the poisoning. 

If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic, Hold the Hydrogen Peroxide. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. April 9, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/if-your-pet-eats-something-toxic-hold-the-hydrogen-peroxide-302423659.html

Pet Poison Helpline’s latest installment of Toxin Tails encourages clients to contact veterinary professionals before attempting to induce vomiting 

Hold the hydrogen peroxide

Recent advancements in animal care facilities are improving services and their access across the country. Many of these facilities aim to improve veterinary care, support animal welfare, and provide resources for local communities. Recently, the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital announced updates to an ongoing renovation, 2 nonprofit organizations opened a “first-of-its-kind” animal support center, and a pet care brand is set to introduce its first location in Arizona.

Below are 3 new animal care facility recent openings and upcoming openings:

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (New York)

AMC's Avian & Exotics Unit. (Image courtesy of Schwarzman Animal Medical Center)

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York City has completed phase 2 of its 83,000 sq ft, $125 million transformational center-wide expansion and renovation. The second phase of the project consists of a new commercial tower with 9 floors and the opening of a new intensive care unit, medical-surgical unit, avian and exotics unit, and education and conference center. The facility began welcoming clients and patients earlier this month and is open 7 days a week, year-round.

“Opening this new intensive care unit, medical-surgical unit, avian & exotics unit, and education and conference center is exciting for our entire team at AMC, since it expands the possibilities for care and treatment that we can provide to our pet patients,” Katherine Quesenberry, chief medical officer and head of avian & exotics at AMC, said in an organizational release.

 “The previous facility was originally built back in 1960 and our team was outgrowing the space. Today’s state-of-the-art facility with such advanced technology and expanded space will allow us to better collaborate together, pioneer new treatments, and ultimately save more lives. We’re very grateful to AMC’s supporters who have made this a reality.”

OCHS Animal Support Center. (Image courtesy of Oktibbeha County Humane Society and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

With the Oktibbeha County Humane Society (OCHS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) calling it a “first-of-its-kind,” an animal support center by these 2 organizations is being opened in Mississippi. The OCHS Animal Support Center will provide animal sheltering and veterinary care services to thousands of animals in the state every year, according to the OCHS and ASPCA.

The center will contain the OCHS Spay & Neuter Clinic and the VanLandingham Kennel Facility—a temporary care hub for regional shelter animals awaiting relocation to other shelters for adoption. The new VanLandingham Kennel Facility will create approximately 3300 sq ft of extra space, containing 30 new kennels, a separate holding area for animals being transported to other shelters, and a covered space with a weatherized loading and unloading area.

"Over the next few years, we hope to see the OCHS Animal Support Center by the ASPCA serve as a catalyst for positive change in animal welfare in the region, enabling OCHS to not only support more animals, but serve as a resource for pets and their people," said Michele Anderson, executive director of Oktibbeha County Humane Society, in a news release.

 "With increased transport capacity and expanded spay/neuter services, we expect to see more positive outcomes for animals in the region. Through this new facility, OCHS and our partners will show what's possible when we come together to tackle animal welfare challenges head-on."

The Dog Stop, Arizona. (Image Courtesy of The Dog Stop)

The Dog Stop, a dog care brand, will be opening its first location in Phoenix, Arizona in fall 2025. The franchise employs a one-stop-shop model that offers pet care products and supplies while also providing playtime-focused daycare, spa-style grooming, year-round overnight boarding, and individualized training and enrichment activities.

"Bringing The Dog Stop to Arizona is an exciting step in our national expansion strategy," said Jesse Coslov, CEO and co-founder of The Dog Stop, in a company release.

 "As more pet owners seek high-quality, comprehensive care for their dogs, we're committed to growing in communities where we can make the biggest impact. Phoenix is just the beginning, and we look forward to establishing a strong presence across the state."

“I'm excited to bring The Dog Stop to Arizona and introduce local pet owners to everything we have to offer," said Jonah Mars, MBA, owner and future operator of the new location.

 "Phoenix is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the country, and with so many dog owners here, there's a real need for high-quality, all-in-one pet care. Whether it's daycare, boarding, grooming, or retail, we want to be the trusted partner for dogs and their families in the community."

Think your hospital has an award-winning design? Submit to the 2025 Hospital Design360® Competition by May 31! Winners will receive national recognition in the dvm360® magazine, a Hospital Design Award, and free admission to a 2025 Fetch Conference. Categories include over 8000 sq ft, 3500–8000 sq ft, and under 3500 sq ft. Enter 

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center completes phase II of 83,000 square-foot, $125 million transformative center-wide expansion & renovation. News release. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. April 2, 2025.

ASPCA and Oktibbeha County Humane Society announce opening of lifesaving Animal Support Center in Mississippi

The Dog Stop signs deal for first Arizona location, setting the stage for statewide expansion. News release. The Dog Stop. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-dog-stop-signs-deal-for-first-arizona-location-setting-the-stage-for-statewide-expansion-302423597.html

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments

Clinic center: New animal support center, and more

you know that muscle loss in cats can be an external sign of chronic illness, sometimes even years before other signs are apparent to cat owners? Muscle scoring is a useful practice in feline medicine, and adopting it can elevate the standard of feline care and allow earlier detection of chronic disease. The muscle condition score can be incorporated into medical records the same way the body condition score is with every physical examination.

Body condition score vs muscle condition score

These 2 scores are not the same. Cats can be overweight with increased fat deposits (increased body condition) and have muscle loss (low muscle score). Conversely, cats can also be underweight (low body condition) with normal muscle mass (normal muscle score).

 The goal, of course, is for an animal to have both normal body condition and muscle scores.

The muscle condition score is assessed at different sites than the body condition score. To assess the muscle score, start by palpating the epaxial muscles, which are the muscles along the lumbar or thoracic spine on either side.

 This is usually the first group of muscles to atrophy (except for disuse muscle atrophy in a limb).

: The vertebral spinous processes (bony projections on vertebrae) are not palpable, even when pressure is applied. They are covered by normal layers of muscle, fat, and skin. One of the indications of feline health is normal muscle scoring.

: The vertebral spinous processes can be mildly palpated.

: The vertebral spinous processes are moderately prominent on palpation, even without pressure applied. Other bones, such as the scapulae and skull, can also be palpated.

: The vertebral spinous processes are severely prominent. Not only can these bones be easily palpated, but there can be visible indentations along the spine. Other bones, such as the scapulae and skull, are also prominent.

Once muscle loss is identified, the next step is to determine its cause or type.

is age-related muscle loss in cats 11 years and older without the presence of disease.

 Cachexia is the loss of muscle mass from diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), neoplasia, and congestive heart failure.

In these chronic conditions, amino acids from muscles are used as an energy source more so than fat, and there is usually reduced food intake. Other factors, such as inflammatory cytokines, can also play a role.

Additionally, cachexia is a negative prognostic indicator for cats with CKD, and it is usually progressive. In one study, cats were found to have weight loss 3 years before CKD was diagnosed.

Muscle loss is an early and visible indicator of internal disease in cats, a species known for instinctively hiding signs of illness. Detecting muscle loss early enables timely intervention, improving outcomes and allowing for dietary adjustments before the underlying condition becomes severe.

The veterinary team and cat owners can be educated about this valuable tool. Teaching staff how to assess and record muscle scores consistently while also helping cat owners understand the significance fosters a collaborative approach to early disease detection and management.

By incorporating muscle condition scoring into routine feline exams, veterinary professionals can detect illnesses earlier, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for their patients. Let’s make this underutilized tool a standard part of feline care.

Muscle condition score. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Muscle-Condition-Score-Chart-for-Cats.pdf

Freeman LM. Cachexia and sarcopenia: emerging syndromes of importance in dogs and cats. 

. 2012;26(1);3-17. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00838.x

Freeman LM, Lachaud MP, Matthews S, Rhodes L, Zollers B. Evaluation of weight loss over time in cats with chronic kidney disease

. 2016;30(5):1661-1666. doi:10.1111/ jvim.14561

This useful practice can elevate the standard of feline care and allow earlier detection of chronic disease.

Muscle condition scoring in cats

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2023 and 2024 economic reports, there has been a reported sharp decline in telehealth from 38% to 29.2% in 2024.

 However, despite the decrease, Chewy announced that its telehealth platform, Connect with a Vet, surpassed 1 million consultations last month. Connect with a Vet is a service provided by Chewy that is made up of online veterinarians and technicians. The visits are offered as live online chats or video sessions to help provide clients with answers to their questions and concerns about their pets. These chats are also only supplementary to in-office visits, and the team cannot diagnose or treat conditions or prescribe medications.

"As we approach the 5-year anniversary of this platform and celebrate our first million consultations, I couldn't be prouder of the team driving this success,” said Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health.

 “This milestone is a testament to the dedication of the hundreds of employees who make it all possible—from our veterinary experts connecting with pet parents to the team behind the scenes delivering cutting-edge technology and comprehensive online resources for our customers. This is just the beginning, and we remain committed to continuous innovation, improvement, and supporting pet parents when it matters most."

According to the release, the telehealth platform is available to pet parents between 6 AM and 12 AM ET every day of the week to get their questions answered on topics ranging from food and nutrition to skin, behavior, new pet advice, and more.

 Chewy stated in its release that its program is a resource that pet owners can utilize during life crises, from wildfires to hurricanes, to give support to pet parents who need it most, and waives fees for those impacted.

For its 1 millionth consultant, pet parent Kacey utilized the platform to ask about Fish, her cat. Kacey explained that she had a feeling something was going on with her cat and was "trying to determine if she is just chubby or if there’s something else going on." After a veterinary technician reviewed the images submitted to Connect with a Vet and asked about Fish’s health history and diet, it was determined that Fish needed healthy weight management, and the technician gave advice and support to Kacey.

“I really like this service,” Kacey said in an email 

 “In part because they can let me know if a situation is serious and I need to take them to an in-person vet.”

2025 AVMA Report on the Economic State of the Veterinary Profession. 

https://ebusiness.avma.org/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=2215

2024 AVMA Economic State of the Profession. 

https://ebusiness.avma.org/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=2157

Chewy marks 1 million telehealth consultations, a milestone for "Connect with a Vet." News release. Chewy, Inc. March 31, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2025.

More than 1 million consultations have been done through Chewy’s Connect with a Vet telehealth program.

Connect With a Vet reaches significant milestone 

Honeybees serve as agricultural pollinators that are widely managed by commercial beekeepers. They also host pathogens and Varroa mites that can affect a colony’s strength and survival.

Antibiotics approved by the FDA can be used to proactively manage infection and endemic disease occurring in the US and Canada. These target 2 common bacterial diseases: American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB).

There are a dozen antimicrobial drugs approved by the FDA for use in honeybee colonies for AFB and EFB. These all rely on 1 of 3 antibiotics: oxytetracycline, tylosin and lincomycin. These medications—which are also approved for use in other animal species—are required to be ordered or administered by a licensed veterinarian through a prescription or a veterinary feed directive (VFD).

According to the FDA and Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, professor of zoological medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, oxytetracycline is the only FDA-approved antimicrobial for bees that requires a VFD.

“As a broad generalization for the bees: All medically important feed additives require a VFD and all medically important water soluble antibiotics require a prescription,” Mayer said in a lecture at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting and Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Although many individuals primarily view honeybees as food-producing animals, all veterinarians including those in general practice, can care for and prescribe for them, according to Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, DABVP (Canine/ Feline), an assistant professor in clinical primary care at the University of Pennsylvania’s Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia, as well as a beekeeper. “We don’t really learn about bee medicine in veterinary school…but as veterinarians, we have a responsibility to the bees,” Krebs said in a 

interview at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention in Austin, Texas.

According to Mayer, when writing a prescription or VFD for honeybees, a veterinarian must be able to diagnose AFB and EFB. “The big problem that veterinarians writing those prescriptions or [VFDs] need to be aware [of is] that there are many states where [AFB] is either a notifiable or reportable disease,” Mayer said in a 

When it comes to prescribing antimicrobials, Lee Pope, DVM, a veterinary consultant for Revelation Animal Health, emphasized the need for veterinarians to be mindful of the honey being created by bees and, like any drug, to provide education for administering proper doses. “The caution with beekeepers and veterinarians treating bees is just to remember [that] this is a food animal species, essentially. So we can’t just grab random medications. We have to be very cautious in what we use [and] how it’s used,” Pope said in a 

interview. “Going over the prescription with the client, about how to give it and giving specific details…[and] being very specific so there’s no gray zone.”

After a beekeeper has obtained a prescription or VFD from a veterinarian, they can work with a distributor of the drug or medicated feed or manufacture their own feed while complying with applicable regulations.

Drugs approved by the FDA for use in honeybee colonies are not typically packed specifically for that purpose. Because these medications are not typically purchased in “unit-of-use containers” appropriate for honeybee use, veterinarians often are required to repackage them to accommodate exact doses that a beekeeper can administer.

Before antibiotics are administered to a honeybee colony, they are often mixed with dry sugar. The compounded mixture is then sprinkled on top of the brood nest at the bottom of the hive.

Pope noted that although more research in the field is anticipated, these medications have been studied with bees. “We know how well it works,” he said.

Mayer noted that beekeepers should be encouraged to reach out to veterinarians if they think they need antibiotics.2 “There are plenty of references and resources available to help everyone work through the process,” he said.

Krebs said continuing education opportunities, industry conference lectures, webinars and online resources are available to professionals seeking information about caring for honeybees.4 “The AVMA has a great handbook for veterinarians who are looking to get into honeybees and there’s the Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium as well that provides a ton of resources for veterinary practitioners. But there’s a ton of other resources out there as well,” she said.

Anderson KE, Allen NO, Copeland DC, et al. A longitudinal field study of commercial honeybees shows that nonnative probiotics do not rescue antibiotic treatment, and are generally not beneficial. 

. 2024;14(1):1954. doi:10.1038/ s41598-024-52118-z

Mayer J. Bee germs: bacterial and fungal diseases in the honeybee. Presented at: Veterinary Meeting & Expo; January 25-29, 2025. Orlando, FL.

Using medically important antimicrobials in bees—questions and answers. FDA. January 3, 2024. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/development-approval-process/using-medically-important-antimicrobials-bees-questions-and-answers

Krebs K, Coppock K. Caring for honeybees in general practice. 

. June 21, 2024. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/ caring-for-honey-bees-in-general-practice

Richards ED, Tell LA, Davis JL, et al. Honeybee medicine for veterinarians and guidance for avoiding violative chemical residues in honey. 

. 2021;259(8);860-873. doi:10.2460/javma.259.8.860

How to administer antibiotics to a beehive. 

September 10, 2017. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www. dvm360.com/view/how-to-administer-antibiotics-to-a-beehive

The entire hive can be treated for common bacterial diseases