Merry Christmas dvm360 readers! As a present to you, we are dropping this Christmas episode to bring you into the world of exotic medicine. Our host, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed Rachel Siu, DVM, to share what it is like to be an exotic veterinarian, debunking some myths about costs and care, and providing tips to help professionals be more comfortable when treating an exotic pet in their clinic. 

What would you say to those that are tuning in that say, like, Oh, I'm still a little leery about it. I don't know if they say, oh my gosh, are rabbits coming down? I don't know, you know. Like, what would you say to some of those listeners out there?

I would say your critical thinking and research skills are super important. If you know, you have a rabbit coming in, for instance, make an hour long appointment, or even hour and a half you're really uncomfortable with them. Make sure you have enough time to really do your exam very slowly if you nee, do your research on which drugs are safe to give, and I know have the resources available, whether that be, you know, exotic textbook or VIN, or, you know, there's like the favorite, the Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary is, you know, one of the exotic Bibles. So make sure you have those resources available to you and really research, you know, things through before you just go prescribing things willy nilly, because I have seen other veterinarians prescribe, you know, antibiotics to rabbits and Guinea pigs that have killed them because it wasn't a safe medication. 

So, you know, I want people to be comfortable and start seeing exotics, if that's what they're passionate in, but make sure you you research things either ahead of time or, take the time during your appointment to to really make sure you're comfortable with what you're doing. 

Podcasts

Enter the world of veterinary exotics with our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Rachel Siu, DVM

The wonderful world of exotics

 editorial team is counting down our Top 20 news stories and articles of the year, from January 1, 2024, to November 15, 2024. Rank was determined by measurable audience interest and engagement.

A spotlight is shining on 1 article each day through New Year’s Eve, when the No. 1 dvm360 story of the year will be shared. The following article is No. 7 on this list:

Federal bill aims to help make veterinary care more affordable for pet owners

A bipartisan bill—the People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act—that would expand the use of tax-advantaged health care spending accounts to include veterinary care expenses has been introduced in Congress. The legislation seeks to amend Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d), and would increase animal health eligibility in programs that include Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

According to Congresswomen Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY), who both introduced the bipartisan bill, the PAW Act would allow pet owners to have up to $1,000 in veterinary care expenses or purchase an animal health insurance plan paid using their HSAs or FSAs.

 “Pets are more than just animals–they’re beloved members of families who bring joy, comfort, and even health benefits into our lives,” said Ross in a news release. “However, rising veterinary costs often make it challenging for families and veterans to provide care for their pets or service animals. As a dog owner, I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan PAW Act, which will include veterinary care and pet insurance as eligible expenses under HSAs and FSAs to help ensure every animal lover can afford care for their pets. I’m grateful for the partnership of Congresswoman Tenney and will keep working to see this bill signed into law.”

The legislation would also provide for limitless veterinary care expenses for service animals that assist individuals with mental and physical disabilities by ensuring the Internal Revenue Service continues to rely on an updated definition of “service animal” for health care spending accounts.

 "Our pets and service animals are cherished members of our families, and it's essential that owners have the ability to pay for quality care,” Tenney said in a news release. “The PAW Act offers greater flexibility to pet owners by allowing them to use HSAs and FSAs for pet care expenses. This legislation will help veterans, and all pet owners afford veterinary care for their beloved pets and service animals."

The bill was applauded by MetLife pet insurance provider, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) in news releases issued by the offices of both Congresswomen.

For more on this story, including references, view the full article here: 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/federal-bill-aims-to-help-make-veterinary-care-more-affordable-for-pet-owners

Articles

dvm360 is counting down the Top 20 news stories and articles from 2024 with this series of spotlights

2024 veterinary news in review: #7

A spotlight is shining on 1 article each day through New Year’s Eve, when the No. 1 dvm360 story of the year will be shared. The following article is No. 8 on this list:

written by Mélanie Perrier, DrMedVet, DACVS, DECVAS, CERP

The presentation of horses for wound evaluation following trauma is a frequent occurrence and one of the most common emergency presentations in equine medicine.

 Horses can sustain wounds over any part of their body, with the distal extremities and head region being common locations for injuries. Like in the distal extremities, there is little soft tissue coverage in the head region, and in up to 80% of cases head lacerations can be accompanied by a traumatic fracture of some part of the skull, making them slightly more challenging to manage.

In one study, fractures involving a horse’s head following a kick from another horse comprised 12% of all incidents and were the second most common type of fractures, following splint bone fractures.

 A thorough knowledge of the horse’s anatomy is needed when addressing trauma and lacerations in the head region. Vital structures found in a horse’s head include the eyes, cerebrum, paranasal sinuses, and nasolacrimal duct.

The equine skull is complex and composed of bones including the incisive bone, nasal bone, frontal bone, maxilla, lacrimal bone, zygomatic bone, interparietal bone, parietal bone, temporal bone, sphenoid bone, occipital bone, ethmoid bone, palatine bone, vomer, pterygoid bone, and mandible.

 The most common bones injured in skull fractures are the nasal, frontal, and maxillary bones with the zygomatic process of the frontal bone.

 Additionally, lacerations to the face and subsequent facial bone fractures can be complex and involve various structures such as sinus compartments, the lacrimal duct, orbit, and cerebrum.

Last year, investigators, including this author, analyzed 13 cases that were presented in our practice over the past 4 years.

 Cases were included if they underwent CT diagnostics of the head with a history of facial trauma and had a fracture of at least 1 of the facial bones comprising the skull. We only included cases that were treated without internal fixation of the skull fracture.

For more on this story, including references and how to navigate bones and vital structures requiring knowledge of the horse’s anatomy, view the full article here: 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/equine-head-wounds-and-skull-fractures

2024 veterinary news in review: #8

Dr Natalie L. Marks discusses how HT Vista Heat Diffusion Imaging can be utilized by general practitioners to screen canine dermal and subcutaneous masses.

Take the AI out of WAIT: A Proactive Diagnostic Approach to Masses

During Fetch Long Beach 2024, Natalie L. Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, Elite FFCP-V, an internationally renowned veterinarian, veterinary educator, media expert, and angel investor based in Chicago, IL, presented a session on utilizing newer technologies, like HT Vista’s Heat Diffusion Imaging tool to screen for canine dermal and subcutaneous masses and differentiate between benign and potentially malignant tumors. "This isn’t a replacement for FNAs or biopsies," she emphasized, "but a decision-support tool to help us screen which masses need further investigation." By offering a middle ground between watchful waiting and invasive testing, HT Vista empowers clinicians to make more informed, proactive decisions during point-of-care visits.


The HT Vista device operates by heating tissue for 10 seconds and analyzing its cooling patterns over the next 30 seconds. Malignant tissues cool faster than benign ones due to differences in vascularity, metabolism, and tissue structure. The device generates a heat diffusion score from 1 to 10, with scores of 5–10 indicating a high likelihood of benignity, and scores of 1–4 suggesting malignancy, prompting further diagnostics. "The negative predictive value is huge," Dr. Marks explained. "It means 98% of the time, when this tool says a mass is benign, it really is. That’s the kind of confidence we need." Results are delivered in just four minutes, making it an efficient and valuable addition to veterinary practices.

Cost-Effective Screening & More Informed Decision-Making


Dr. Marks underscored the tool’s importance in addressing long-standing challenges in veterinary oncology. Traditional approaches, such as cytology, can be cost-prohibitive for many clients, leading to delays in diagnosis. "Unfortunately, for many veterinarians today, the recommendation is to watch and monitor," she noted. "Thirty years ago, that might have been fine, but we can and should do better now." HT Vista bridges this gap by offering a proactive and affordable screening solution that enhances access to care while providing clients with the peace of mind they need to make informed decisions.
Real-life cases highlighted the practical impact of HT Vista. Dr. Marks described a senior dog with 14 masses, a situation where aspirating all lumps would be financially and logistically challenging for most clients. "How many clients can afford to aspirate 14 masses?" she asked. "With HT Vista, you can screen them all and focus your diagnostics where it’s most needed." In another case, the device could have expedited the identification of a mast cell tumor, allowing for earlier intervention.


While acknowledging some current limitations, such as inapplicability to ulcerated or reproductive masses, Dr. Marks emphasized the potential for growth as HT Vista’s AI technology evolves. "The more data we feed it, the smarter it gets," she explained. She urged veterinary teams to embrace innovations like HT Vista, which complement traditional diagnostics rather than replacing them. "This is about preserving the bond between families and their pets," she said. "It’s why we became veterinarians—to improve the quality and quantity of life for our patients." By incorporating HT Vista into their practices, veterinarians can provide comprehensive, compassionate care while enhancing client trust and patient outcomes.


Videos

Dr. Natalie L. Marks discusses how HT Vista Heat Diffusion Imaging can be utilized by general practitioners to screen canine dermal and subcutaneous masses.

Take the “AI” out of “WAIT”:  A Proactive Diagnostic Approach to Masses

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Alejandro Bernal, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with over 25 years of experience in animal health. Dr. Bernal shares his journey and insights on industry challenges, and highlights Wedgewood Pharmacy’s approach to connecting veterinary professionals with the exciting innovations transforming veterinary care.




•	Hear more about changes expected to impact the veterinary industry within the next five to ten years.
•	Learn how veterinary professionals can improve their mental health and establish a better work-life balance.
•	Gain insight into the latest technological developments shaping the veterinary field.

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, connects with Alejandro Bernal, DVM, MSc, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy, to discuss Wedgewood’s approach to addressing needs of today’s veterinary professionals.

Bridging Compassion and Technology in Animal Health

A spotlight is shining on 1 article each day through New Year’s Eve, when the No. 1 dvm360 story of the year will be shared. The following article is No. 9 on this list:

Animal health company assure veterinarians that OA drugs are safe

written by Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA; Caitlin McCafferty, and Sydney Yankowicz, 

Zoetis is standing by its osteoarthritis (OA) therapies for dogs and cats in the wake of a published report questioning the safety of the company’s bedinvetmab injection (Librela) and frunevetmab injection (Solensia) products. In a 

 article published on April 12, 2024, pet owners claimed their animals were sickened by these drugs rather than seeing the medications' intended improvement of the animals' conditions.

In one case, according to the news article, a 12-year-old dog was reportedly euthanized within 2 months after an initial dose of bedinvetmab for treatment of a stiff hip. The dog demonstrated a decrease in mobility and appetite, became lethargic and lost kidney function before dying. Similar cases with another dog and a 16-year-old cat that used either bedinvetmab or frunevetmab, respectively, were also documented.

 Since publication, the report has received increased attention on social media platforms.

, representatives of Zoetis acknowledged adverse effects have been reported in a small number of patients using these drugs. However, they noted that an “overwhelming majority” of patients using bedinvetmab injection and frunevetmab injection have benefitted from them. “There are rare adverse events, like any other medication,” said Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, global chief medical officer for Zoetis. “We are very confident in the safety and efficacy of Librela and Solensia. We are very confident with the fact that [Librela] is efficacious, that it's helping thousands of dogs worldwide. But [we are] also aware that a small percentage of cases, just like any other drug, have potential side effects.”

Bedinvetmab injection was approved by FDA officials

 in May 2023, becoming the first monoclonal antibody for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis pain. Bedinvetmab injection is only available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian to ensure the drug is given and monitored for safety and the treatment of any adverse effects.

 These adverse effects include blood urea nitrogen, urinary tract infection, dermatitis, erythema, pain at the injection site, vomiting, weight loss, etc. The drug works by binding to and inhibiting the biological activity of canine nerve growth factor (NGF).

https://www.dvm360.com/view/animal-health-company-assures-veterinarians-that-oa-drugs-are-safe