Image quality comparison between ImageVue DR50 and ImageVue DR50 Plus is shown.

A new diagnostic imaging solution with a lower radiation dose than earlier iterations was launched at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida, by IDEXX. The ImageVue DR50 Plus Veterinary Digital Imaging System for veterinary practices in the US and Canada also combines high-definition imaging that relies on artificial intelligence (AI).

“It's actually an upgrade from the original [ImageVue] DR50 that we launched to the market in 2016, so we've had that panel in the marketplace now for going on upward of 10 years,” Ryan Bees, senior diagnostic imaging specialist for IDEXX, said in a 

interview at VMX. “This [ImageVue DR50 Plus] is the next generation of the DR50. It still [has] the same features and benefits of the DR50, but [DR50 Plus] is an even a lower-dose panel…. Not only are we gathering images at a lower exposure, but we're also improving image quality.”

Minimizing exposure to radiation is important for the health and safety of the veterinary team, and notably for women of childbearing age.

 Radiation exposure can be harmful in large amounts and frequencies by damaging DNA in cells, which can cause mutation that leads to cancer and other serious health issues, according to University of California, Davis researchers.

Veterinary technician takes the lead on radiation safety study

"As a veterinarian, providing timely, accurate diagnoses while ensuring patient and staff safety is my top priority,” Jean C. K. Pitcairn, DVM, CVC, CCRP, CVCHM, CHPCP Integrative Oncology, medical director of Chase Farm Veterinary Hospital in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and a consultant for IDEXX, said in a news release.

According to IDEXX internal data, ImageVue DR50 Plus offers a 25% lower radiation dose than the company’s ImageVue DR50 system currently in use by many practices, as well as a 60% lower radiation dose than other industry imaging solutions. “The ImageVue DR50 Plus system marks a new chapter in diagnostic imaging, delivering exceptional image quality and advancing radiation safety,” Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO of IDEXX, said in the release. “As the lowest-dose system to date, it expands clinical insight, reduces retakes, and streamlines the imaging workflow from capture to consult through seamless integration with our software and telemedicine solutions.”

When connected to IDEXX’s existing end-to-end imaging workflow and telemedicine solutions, the new imaging system also assists veterinary professionals with faster and “more confident” decision-making. “The ImageVue DR50 Plus system…[is] allowing us to make confident decisions and focus on quality care. The images are high quality, and I can show pet owners exactly what I see, building trust through transparency,” Pitcairn said.

Bees also noted that the panel size for the ImageVue DR50 Plus is larger than previous iterations of the system. “Historically, we've offered panel sizes at 14-by-17. With the [ImageVue] DR50 Plus, we are bringing to market a 17-by-17 option. [It’s] good for larger dogs, like mastiffs—real big, deep-chested dogs—where we don't have to get that additional image,” he said.

The ImageVue DR50 Plus system is now available to veterinary clinics. Bees said practices interested in obtaining the new imaging solution should contact IDEXX or their local representative for the company.

For more industry news and coverage of VMX, visit 

Lowest-dose radiology meets next-level imaging: IDEXX launches ImageVue DR50 Plus. News release. IDEXX. January 15, 2026. Accessed January 18, 2026. 

https://ir.idexx.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/404/lowest-dose-radiography-meets-next-level-imaging-idexx-launches-imagevue-dr50-plus

Hinds T. Veterinary technician-led team advances radiation safety research. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. December 18, 2025. Accessed January 18, 2026. 

https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/veterinary-technician-led-team-advances-radiation-safety-research

Articles

The digital solution system from IDEXX also uses artificial intelligence to help improve veterinary team workflows.

Diagnostic imaging has a new option with a lower radiation dose

Now that we have a few days of VMX behind us, there is still plenty of learning to do! To help navigate the over 1000 continuing education hours available to attendees, dvm360 has pulled some lectures we think are good ones to attend, with topics ranging from small ruminant emergencies to French bulldog neurological conditions, there are topics here for everyone!

What’s That Smell? Otitis Externa of Course!

: Ear infections are one of the most common reasons canine patients are brought into the clinic. Because of that, having a deeper understanding of otitis externa can help make talking to clients about this frustrating problem easier for everyone, and potentially even improve the outcomes for these patients in your clinic. 

Back to the Basics: Spinal Trauma Management

Melissa Lewis, VMD, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology)

: It never hurts to go back to the basics! Lewis will take attendees back to the beginning by covering the principles of fluid therapy as well as fluid prescription for the sick and critically ill patients in your veterinary clinic.

Full-Service, High-Quality, Low-Cost Clinics: Expanding Access To Care

: In the veterinary industry, what of the hottest topics and one with a lot of concern surrounding it is access to care and it becoming increasingly more expensive and inaccessible.Sabshin will help attendees learn strategies manage and run high quality and low cost clinics successfully.

Caregiver Burden in Feline Chronic Kidney Disease: Identifying How We Can Help

: When you have a feline patient with chronic kidney disease, along with the treatment plan for the patient, are you also taking into consideration the care giver burden for whomever is caring for the cat? This lecture will help veterinary professionals learn how to communicate with clients effectively as well as practice intervention recommendations to help improve the caregiver’s wellbeing. 

911! Emergencies in Small Ruminant Practice

, When it comes to any animal, emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere, and this is true for backyard farm animals as well Peasto in this lecture will help prepare attendees for small ruminant emergencies to help better equipped them to help. Not to mention, Pesato was named a VMX 2025 Speaker of the Year so this will be a lecture to attendee for sure!

Vaccine Hesitancy in Vet Med: How To Move the Needle in Client Conversations

Jessica Pritchard, VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)

Recently in human medicine, there has been an uptick in vaccine hesitancy that is now spilling over into veterinary medicine, so it is important to understand the landscape and the impact it has on the choices clients are making. Because of this, having practical and evidence-based strategies to use with clients is a way to build trust and improve communications to help patients get the protection they need and deserve.

What Clients Need To Know About Cataracts and Surgery

This lecture could address a major pain point for some general practitioners, managing client expectations, especially when it comes to a patients eyes. The information provided in this lecture to attendees will also help them advise and guide clients with realistic expectations before they are referred to a ophthalmologist. 

As students graduate veterinary school, pass the NAVLE, and enter the market, have hiring practices considered what they really want? Green, who is the Associate Dean for Organizational Health and Mentorship and an Associate Professor of Veterinary Cardiology at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, will offer attendees his insights from being around students to help practices create environments that students want to work in as they begin their career.

Diagnostics in Action: Top Tips for Integrating Imaging and Laboratory Insights in Clinical Practice

 Holly Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP; and Diane Wilson, DVM, DACVR

This lecture, presented by a credentialed radiologist and credentialed clinical pathologist, will take attendees on a journey to showcase the power of diagnostics in clinical decision making, practical guidance for good sample collection and interpretation, and strategies to optimize diagnostic imaging.

:Janet Grimes, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA; PhD, and Camille Torres-Henderson, DVM, DABVP, DACVIM (Nutrition)

Are you up to date on the current literature regarding digit amputations? If not, this lecture is for you! Attendees will also get an overview of digit tumors as well as other reasons a digit amputation might be needed. Plus, attendees will walk through with the speaker’s preoperative management and surgical management for these surgeries.

You Want Me To See What? Backyard Poultry for the Not-So-Poultry Veterinarian

Veterinary professionals could never predict what is going to walk through the doors of their clinic, and some of these surprises could include backyard poultry. Pesato will use this hour to teach veterinary professionals exactly what they can do for these animals as a “not-so-poultry veterinarian”

Episode 5: The View on Procedural Sedation From A to Zenalpha

Tannetje Crocker, DVM; Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia); Jane Quandt, MS, DACVAA, DACVECC

 Kick off your morning with a talk-show styled panel discussion to learn more about what industry leaders think about procedural sedation. The trio will talk about the goals of procedural sedation, and what it means in veterinary medicine, plus what veterinary teams should consider in drug sedating for health dogs and dogs aging with cardiovascular issue. 

Do the WSAVA Guidelines for Reproduction Control Reflect Realities in the Real World?

In 2024, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association published a first-of-its-kind Guidelines for the Control of Reproduction in Dogs and Cats, but what is the purpose of these documents? Explore the guidelines with Powell to determine if they represent the current body or research or ‘realities in the real world.’

Helping Pet Parents Through Heartfelt Endings and Honored Memories

Euthanasia are one of the most emotional experiences a veterinary team and client can be involved in at the veterinary clinic. With all of the uncertainty, fear, and grief from clients, it is important veterinary teams can guide them through the emotions in a compassionate and confident way, which is why Gardner’s lecture is one to attend.

Vaster Than Yoga and Suicide: The Hardest Parts of the Mental Health Spectrum

When it comes to mental health needs and interventions, there is a wide spectrum. Throughout this lecture, Tanguay will help attendees by encouraging them to consider the entire spectrum of mental health, and how it applies to the veterinary industry, to help those who fall on all ends of it.

Community Cats: Evolving Understanding of Management and the Role of Veterinarians and Shelters

Most, if not all neighborhoods, in the US have what is known now as community cats. They are seen walking around neighborhoods, climbing on fences, scavenging through the garbage, or just an overall presence in the community. Some have homes, and some don’t, but are veterinarians responsible for their welfare? Are they pests or pets? Is there a right way to help them? Explore all of these questions and more with Powell.

Extending Healthy Lifespan for Dogs: The Ultimate, Scientific Deep Dive 

Loyal has been all over the news both in the veterinary world and national news for their work on longevity drug trials. Within this lecture, McKenzie will take a deep diver with attendees on major drivers of age-related declines in canine health and quality of life.

Muscles, Motion, Mechanics: The Core Science Behind Canine Exercise

This lecture will bridge the cap between theoretical science and clinical application, and attendees will walk out of the lecture with a plethora of tools to create life-stage-appropriate exercise plans that can not only maximize performance, but minimize injury risk as well.

What the Frenchie: Common Neurologic Diseases

French Bulldogs are the top dog in America, but they also come with some potential neurologic conditions. Throughout this lecture, Laflen will explain the neurologic conditions these dogs can be born with or develop in their lifetime, plus treatment options and nursing concerns.

With so many lectures happening at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo, which are you attending? 

VMX lectures to watch: Part 2 

Actor and animal advocate John Travolta spoke to veterinary professionals during the opening session of the Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Movie star John Travolta is known for playing a tough guy in many of his film and television roles. Although he spoke about some of acting experiences at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida, he also shared stories from his life off-screen, which includes his role as animal rescuer.

Travolta stepped onto the VMX stage following a video montage showing many of his characters from an acting career that has spanned more than 50 years. His most popular works include 

, which each elicited cheers from the VMX crowd as they were shown.

After the New Jersey native waved to the crowd, moderator Jaimie Roberts immediately asked Travolta about his pet, Peanut. Travolta, who has also had up to 16 pet cats in his home, said he met the dog at an Academy Awards ceremony in 2022. “I didn’t win an Oscar that night, but I did get something much more important to our family’s life,” said the actor, who was nominated for Oscar awards in 1978 (

Travolta went on to explain that his friend, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, had spoken that night about animal adoption and then encouraged him to take Peanut home. He said the then-puppy reached for him in a human child-like manner, and his “heart melted.”

Photo courtesy of North American Veterinary Community

Actor John Travolta discusses pet adoption and other tales from his life and career with moderator Jaimie Roberts at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Travolta further explained that Peanut was welcomed into his home after his wife and the mother of his children, actress Kelly Preston, died. The positive effect that Peanut had on him and his children, Ella and Ben, made the pet adoption more important to him than winning an Oscar, he said.

“We had a vacancy in our hearts, in our home. We were hurting, and suddenly this little, tiny thing injected more life [and lifted] my spirit. Just such a surprise. It's like a miracle,” Travolta said. “And then we carried on, and my daughter got a brown poodle, and then our assistant has 2 miniature Dobermans. They're all in the house, running around now, so our house is getting filled up.”

As he told the story, Travolta was reminded about a plant in his home that wasn’t doing well. He shared that he began giving it extra care and more water and moved it into sunlight, watching it come back to life little by little. He said the plant was a representation of his philosophy on all living things, including humans and animals.

“You would not believe the size of that plant today. It is just everywhere. And I thought, ‘Wow, maybe that's a message.’ If we just treat all life forms with TLC and care and kindness, you inject life into it,” Travolta said.

Referencing the 2026 VMX theme of celebrating “champions of care,” Roberts also asked Travolta about the heroes he’s had throughout his career and life. He replied that although there are different kinds of heroes, he thinks of first responders, including veterinarians. 

“Everyone in this audience is a hero to me, because [when] it’s 2 [o’clock] in the morning and you are worried about your animal, there’s some veterinarian in some town [who] is willing to wake up and help you. That is a miracle. So, veterinarians are my heroes,” he said.

For more industry news and coverage of VMX, visit

The movie star spoke candidly about his off-screen role as a dog owner at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo.

Pet adoption was a "miracle" for John Travolta

Christina Gentry, DVM, DACVM, discusses her 2026 VMX lecture, co-presented with Patty Lathan, VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)

Understanding concurrent endocrine and dermatological conditions

What should veterinary professionals understand about concurrent endocrine and dermatologic diseases? Christina Gentry, DVM, DACVM, assistant clinical professor at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences; and Patty Lathan, VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), are presenting a lecture on “Navigating Concurrent Endocrine and Dermatological Disease” at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), hosted by the North American Veterinary Community, in Orlando, Florida, to address the topic. In a 

 interview, Gentry outlined some lecture insights and what VMX attendees can expect to hear from the speakers and takeaway from the lecture on January 19, 2026 .

The following is transcript of the interview portion shown in the video:

What can [lecture] attendees learn about concurrent endocrine and dermatological disease?

 “We're going to talk about patients that have endocrine disease but also have skin and manifestations of that. So our main focus is going to be hypothyroidism and hypercortisolism, also known as Cushing [disease], because those patients may present to, either, the internist for systemic signs, PU/PD [polyuria and polydipsia], lethargy, weight gain, pot belly appearance—depending on which endocrine disease it is—vs those same animals [that] could actually present to a dermatologist for the skin changes.

For hypothyroidism, for example, we get patients for noninflamed wear and tear alopecia—just the hair is not growing back. And then with further questioning, yes, he is lethargic, yes, they've maybe gained weight. And then for hypercortisolism, we often see patients present that maybe aren't as obvious with their PU/PD, and so they don't go to internal medicine. First, they come to us for truncal hair loss, maybe thinner belly skin scaling and secondary bacterial infections. And they often think that the dog is suffering from allergies because there is recurrent infection and the infection is itchy, but when the infection goes away, they're not itchy, which is more consistent with endocrine disease. So we're going to talk about depending on who you go to first [and] how we work them up. Then, we're also going to talk a little bit about—I think that's the most important thing for this talk, because I think it's the most complicate—is ‘what do you do if you have a dog that has secondary infection or secondary mycosis, but you need to test them for endocrine diseases? What test can you still run in light of having these other inflammatory diseases, and how do you kind of circumvent some of those issues?

For more industry news and coverage of VMX, visit 

Videos

Christina Gentry, DVM, DACVM, discusses her 2026 VMX lecture, co-presented with Patty Lathan, VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), in a dvm360 interview.

Understanding concurrent endocrine and dermatology conditions

Adolescence can be one of the most challenging and misunderstood stages of a dog’s development. During this period, many dogs display sudden behavior changes that can surprise pet owners and strain the human–animal bond, even when training has previously gone well. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, most dogs and cats relinquished to shelters, euthanized for behavioral problems, or abandoned are between 1 and 3 years old, when these animals are in their adolescent phase.

In this Q&A, adapted from an interview with 

on his 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo session on teenage dogs, Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAABC), breaks down the neurobiological and hormonal changes driving adolescent behavior in dogs. He explains why traditional training methods may fail during this stage, outlines an alternative approach better suited for teenage dogs, and discusses how veterinary teams can proactively guide client conversations before behavioral challenges become an issue. Understanding what’s happening in the teenage dog’s brain can help veterinary teams better support clients through this normal but often frustrating phase.

 Q&A has been lightly edited and consolidated from a verbal interview to better fit a written format while retaining the substance of the original conversation.

: What are some behavioral patterns common in adolescent dogs?

 There are so many adolescent dog patterns that closely mirror what we see in the adolescence of any species, including humans. Teenagers tend to be a bit impulsive and a little less well emotionally regulated. They tend to have "big feelings" in both directions—the positives are really positive, [whereas] the negatives are devastating—and we see some of that emotional volatility.

We also know that teenagers are experiencing the influence of some of those brain changes at a time when hormonal influences are also playing a factor for a lot of our dogs, cats, and humans. So, we may see behavior patterns associated with the onset of sexual maturity, such as urine marking, roaming behaviors, mounting, or other hormonally influenced challenges, all converging at a time when that dog looks like an adult, but from a neurobiological standpoint, they are anything but.

: You mentioned neurobiological changes. Could you dig deeper into the specific shifts occurring in the brain that drive these behaviors?

 Absolutely. To oversimplify things for the sake of demonstration, when we think about the brain and the way that it regulates emotions and behaviors, and that relationship between emotion and behavior, we often think about the prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain behind the forehead for both dogs and people. That region cognitively regulates arousal; it’s the executive center, heavily involved in decision-making and rational thought.

When we look at the way that particular region of the brain operates in complement or contrast to the limbic system, that's where those emotional centers are really at the forefront of the influence they have on emotions and behavioral patterns, and there's this relationship that exists between them.

I often describe this to owners as a teeter-totter: If we're really emotional, it’s hard to access that rational decision-making piece of the brain, and vice versa. If we're very much in a “this is what I do” vs “this is what I feel” mode, sometimes it's hard to access or regulate some of the emotional responses. So, it's a relationship. Neither is better or worse. They're simply different parts of the brain working in complement.

What we know about the brains of teenagers is that the prefrontal cortex is not yet fully mature. In dogs, that often takes until they are between 2.5 and 3.5 years of age, depending on breed, size, and some other influences.

On the early side of the teenage months, we see a dramatic uptick in the activation of the limbic centers of the brain in a way that exaggerates emotionality and overrides the "thinking" part of the brain. This is actually supposed to happen—teenagers are supposed to be risky and "break the mold.” Even when we know better, our brains are kind of hijacking that process.

It’s not until we get closer to social maturity, usually around 3 [years of age], that those 2 brain regions come back together in a balanced convergence, providing fully developed executive function and a more modulated and mature emotional regulation system. But there's a lot of teenager to get through before we get to that point for dogs, as well as for other species.

: How should the understanding of these shifts change how a professional designs a training plan for a teenage dog vs a puppy or an adult?

 I love this question. With puppies, we can often assume they are relatively naive. They’re a "blank slate" [knowing that puppies aren't fully a blank slate, even as 6- and 8-week-old youngsters], and we are laying learning experiences on top of that. By the time they hit 9 to 18 months [old], that animal is no longer naive; their learning history has accumulated.

If caregivers don't recognize the impact of the teenage brain, they often think, "We did our training, you know what to do." As the brain starts to go "offline" in that emotional direction, caregivers may resort to correction-based training to get the dog back in line.

[Although] I really understand the frustration, what those teenagers need more than correction is consistency. They need consistency in expectations, training, exercise, enrichment, and daily routines. Every day doesn’t have to be a mirror image of the next, but we need to consistently provide for the needs of those animals, knowing that they are changing during that teenage phase.

We need to acknowledge that even if a dog knows the rules, they are still going to break them sometimes because that’s what the dopamine in their brain is telling them to do. Management and continued education are key so that as the brain matures, they’re maturing in a consistent direction.

During adolescence—when the emotional system is dialed up, and both positive and negative experiences are magnified—even a small correction may have a big impact. That impact may be positive in some cases, but it can also be negative and contribute to a traumatic experience that changes how the brain processes future stimuli. So, for the average canine teenager, consistency of implementation is way more important than escalation of correction.

: How can veterinary teams begin having these "teenage" conversations with clients before behavioral issues reach a breaking point?

I like to have them before they’re necessary. When I was in general practice, I would have these conversations as we were wrapping up the puppy vaccination or wellness series around the 4- to 6-month mark.

Often, there is a gap of up to a year before they’re “due” to come back in for a booster or some other diagnostic testing, and by then, they are 14 to 18 months old and fully in the teenager phase. At that point, we may now be trying to do repair work on that pet-owner relationship rather than being proactively in the driver’s seat to help guide and support our clients.

So…I used to [say] 2 things. One of them was to say, “I would love to see your puppy back for a quick recheck somewhere around 8 months of age. That gives us an opportunity to make sure that, physically, they’re maturing the way they’re supposed to, that they’ve lost all their baby teeth the way they’re supposed to. Let’s take a look at those things.”

Secretly, what I was able to do in that 8-month appointment was say, “Hey, everything looks great”—hopefully it does—“and you may not know this already, but your dog is about to become a teenager. Things could go off the rails in a way that feels really frustrating or problematic. If that happens, even though I know your puppy is an angel and would probably never do these things [that] I’m about to share with you, if they do, please know that a lot of this is actually normal, and it’s something we can work with. I can help match you with a positive reinforcement trainer who can help guide you through that process.”

So for me, the answer to the question is proactive expectation setting: Letting folks know that this is, in fact, something they’re likely to experience, normalizing it as part of that caregiver journey, and making sure they understand how I, my team, or the trainers in our community can be a viable resource to help them through it.

Age and behavior. American Animal Hospital Association. May 10, 2019. Accessed January 9, 2026. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2015-aaha-canine-and-feline-behavior-management-guidelines/age-and-behavior/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

In this guide to the canine adolescent years, Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAABC), breaks down this critical phase—from hormones to the prefrontal cortex—based on his 2026 VMX session in Orlando, Florida.

Q&A on teenage dogs: Brain development, behavior, training strategies, and client guidance

When it comes to social media, this form of communication is not just a marketing option for clinics. For some, it has become a primary method of talking to clients and is now a tool to connect clinics to their local communities and the veterinary industry as a whole. Along with the benefits of increased visibility, however, there can also be some not-so-beneficial aspects.

During her lecture, "Avoiding the Digital Doghouse: Social Media Safety in Veterinary Medicine," at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida, Rhonda Bell, CVPM, PCM, CDMP, provided attendees with guidance on navigating the world of social media in a safe and beneficial way.

To maintain control over your clinic’s online presence, you must start with a deep understanding and implementation of privacy settings. These settings play a crucial part for both the practice's official account and the individual accounts of any team members who could be publicly affiliated with the clinic. If a practice ignores or underutilizes privacy settings, it can cause unintended exposure of client data, sensitive information, or internal operations.

Veterinary teams should regularly review privacy tools, especially after a platform update, as these tools enable practices to control who can view posts, send messages, tag content, and access profile information. Bell suggests teams consider using business management tools, such as Meta Business Suite, to centralize roles, permissions, and monitoring, and she advises teams not to log into professional accounts from unsecured personal devices. As an extra security step, teams can also enable 2-factor authentication, require strong and unique passwords for each account (updated on a regular basis), and never reuse passwords across personal and professional accounts. If needed, teams can also utilize a secure password manager to store credentials.

Another way to protect your clinic is to train team members to recognize phishing attempts, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and refrain from sharing login credentials over email or direct messages. Online scammers and hackers can often manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information by impersonating a trusted source or even other team members. Being prepared and trained is a great step toward being as safe as a clinic can be online.

“Use Meta Business Suite. Centralize the management of Facebook and Instagram to make it easy on yourself. You can post to Facebook and Instagram at the same time if you connect [them]. You can do 2[-factor] authentication. You can also [enable] people on your team to access it by having them as administrators or editors,” Bell said. 

Finally, Bell warns attendees that if a staff member with social media access leaves the clinic, their access to all digital accounts should be revoked immediately. If this is not done, it can give the former employee access to sensitive data and increase the risk of account misuse. Practices should keep a record of everyone who has access to the accounts and review it periodically. Teams can even create a checklist to keep in employee files; each time a password or permission is issued, it should be marked on the list. This helps if an individual leaves because the clinic can easily see which accounts they had access to and ensure they are removed.

Online security is a team effort, so if everyone does their part, there is a higher chance of not falling for these potential schemes.

Employee biographies on clinic websites and social media can be a great way for clients to get to know the staff taking care of their pets, but they can also pose serious security risks. Biographies often include personal details, including the names of spouses or children, favorite pets, hobbies, and hometowns. Although charming, Bell warns that this information can be a “gold mine for hackers” as they attempt to guess passwords or breach security questions. This can also be dangerous for staff by potentially opening them up to unwanted contact from individuals during emotionally charged situations or personal domestic issues.

Teams can still include biographies on their websites safely if they take a cautious and creative approach to writing them. Instead of direct personal information, Bell suggests practices write biographies from a pet's perspective or use a professional but fun tone to highlight team member roles. This can create a warm and engaging tone without overexposing staff.

Bell also suggests veterinary clinics use pet photos or illustrations instead of headshots. This can help protect personal privacy while making the clinic stand out by reflecting a lighthearted culture.

Biographies walk a tightrope between personal connection and safety, so give team members the chance to approve biographies before they are used and keep the content updated within current privacy best practices to ensure no one is at risk.

Distinguish between professional and personal branding

“It is so critical that your clients can know just from walking in [your clinic], seeing your teachings, seeing your website, seeing your team, hearing you talk—everything. They [should] know exactly who your practice is” Bell said. "So much so that whenever they come in, they understand your personality, they understand the voice, they understand the culture—the whole thing.”

Most people today use social media on a personal level, so it is important that there is a difference between that and professional social media usage. Veterinary professionals should create separate accounts from their personal ones to maintain better control over the content and images being shared. According to Bell, professional accounts should reflect the veterinary clinic’s mission, values, and services, along with its logo, colors, and tone of voice. To protect staff, she also encouraged teams to include biographies of their team members but not to overshare personal details.

However, branding is more than logos and colors; it is the personality of the veterinary practice portrayed through visual and verbal cues. Establishing a strong brand online can help current and potential clients remember the practice, so having a unified look across any social media platforms the clinic is using is very important. Teams can even create brand guides with examples to ensure the clinic’s key messages, mission, and statements remain consistent, as anyone contributing to the social media content should understand and follow these guidelines.

Bell emphasized that branding is about trust, so a consistent and professional presence online lets clients know that the practice is organized, reliable, and invested in the well-being of their pets.

Social media is constantly changing and evolving, so clinics need to stay on top of their digital platforms. Bell recommends teams conduct regular audits of their social media performance and policies. Team members should also be encouraged to stay informed on online safety and how to protect themselves and the clinic through continuing education, webinars, or professional groups. By focusing on safety and having the team follow guidelines and participate in training, social media can be a great place to help teams and practices grow.

Bell R. Avoiding the digital doghouse: social media safety in veterinary medicine. Presented at: Veterinary Meeting & Expo; January 17-21, 2026; Orlando, FL.

With social media playing a crucial role in marketing, business, and client education for veterinary clinics, is your clinic safe?