Horses racing at Churchill Downs in Kentucky.

A colt once destined for the Kentucky Derby is missing the big race with a condylar fracture of a front leg after his jockey noticed something wasn’t right. The racehorse, Tappan Street, experienced the injury at Churchill Downs, during a workout leading up to the prestigious event in Louisville, Kentucky, and was quickly taken for x-rays. Although the fracture isn’t expected to end Tappan Street’s career, it did put him out of the race.

Veterinary professionals at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville said Tappan Street’s injury serves as a reminder that these “world-class athletes” need veterinary care to be ready for racing. “Similar to elite human athletes, equine athletes require a veritable team to keep them healthy, fit and competition ready. Veterinary medical care is an important part of this equation and can include everything from post-injury physical therapy to preventive protection against infectious diseases,” Sally DeNotta, DVM, PhD, a clinical associate professor of equine medicine and equine extension specialist at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, said in a prepared statement.

In noting their similarities to elite human athletes, DeNotta also pointed out a key difference. “The difference is that they can’t tell us that something is sore. It’s up to us to develop better ways to ID (minor injuries) before they become a problem,” she said in a 

Veterinary medicine is often on the front lines of the annual Kentucky Derby, running May 2-3, 2025, for the 151st time, at Churchill Downs. “This is a race with a lot of history in America,” DeNotta said. 

At the Kentucky Derby and other horse races, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) operates the high-profile 

 program. This program assists racetrack management with media and live coverage to provide accurate reporting of any veterinary issues that arise.

According to DeNotta, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission also has veterinarians at Churchill Downs at all times during the Kentucky Derby. “The veterinarians conduct pre-race inspections to ensure horses are healthy and sound. Those veterinarians also administer any needed medication before the race in accordance with guidelines,” DeNotta said.

However, DeNotta said, although the Kentucky Derby is world-famous and has public support, there is also public concern for the health and welfare of equine athletes and the longevity of horse racing as an industry. “There is a big push nationally and globally to ensure the horses are kept as safe and healthy as possible,” she said.

Recent veterinary science initiatives have focused on catastrophic injuries, DeNotta said. There is work being done to identify and address injuries before they end careers as well as injury risk factors such as track conditions, how horses are exercised, and medications that are administered to equine athletes. “Our goal is to conduct research that supports the longevity of the sport by promoting the health and safety of the equine athletes that make it all possible,” DeNotta added.

Photo courtesy of Brianne Lehan-UF Emerging Pathogens Institute

Sally DeNotta, DVM, PhD, a clinical associate professor of equine medicine and equine extension specialist at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, exams a horse.

DeNotta’s work includes an active study, “Effects of Repeated Furosemide Administration on Electrolyte Homeostasis and Bone Density in Healthy Adult Exercising Thoroughbreds,” for which she is principal investigator. The year-long research is funded by the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Commission (HISA).

Furosemide (Lasix) is an FDA-approved loop diuretic for human use

, but is also administered to horses to reduce bleeding in the lungs caused by exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). DeNotta said it may also help improve race performance. However, the effectiveness of furosemide for this use and the drug’s health effects on equine patients have come under public scrutiny.

“If we better understand the long-term effects of commonly used medications, we can create science-based guidelines for how to safely use these medications to treat disease and injury while avoiding negative side effects,” DeNotta said.

In her study, 15 thoroughbred horses are exercising on a high-speed treadmill. Some are receiving furosemide for 3 months while others are administered a placebo. The 2 groups are then swapped. “The drug is known to prevent and treat EIPH. We are looking at the long-term effects of electrolytes,” DeNotta said.

There are other studies focused on furosemide, which has been banned at Churchill Downs and other major racetracks for same-day use in horses under the age of 3 years. These include a large investigation ongoing in South Africa and another study on the same drug that is underway at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, and is also supported by HISA.

 is investigating the drug’s effect on thoroughbred racehorses. According to WSU, investigators are working to better understand how regular furosemide treatment correlates with increased career longevity and race participation as well as the effect of a furosemide ban on horses' careers and the number of starts for horses 2 years old.

“We hypothesize that our study will show horses that regularly get furosemide before racing have more races and longer careers than those that don’t,” Warwick Bayly, BVSc (Honors), PhD, MS, who is leading the study with Macarena Sanz, DVM, PhD, MS, said in a news release.

 “The results of this study are going to help guide the final decision on the future use of furosemide.”

Veterinarians can support the racing industry by supporting the horses that make it possible, DeNotta said. Veterinary scientists can help equine medicine practitioners better understand how medications affect racehorses by continuing to conduct research.

“It’s a team effort, keeping racehorses healthy,” DeNotta said. “The goal is to do the right thing for the horse.”

Tappan Street out of Kentucky Derby with condylar fracture. 

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/tappan-street-out-of-kentucky-derby-with-condylar-fracture/

AAEP On-Call program to provide horse health updates for Derby week racing. News release. American Association of Equine Practitioners. 

https://aaep.org/post/aaep-on-call-program-to-provide-horse-health-updates-for-derby-week-racing/

Khan TM, Patel R, Siddqui AH. Furosemide. May 8, 2023. Accessed May 2, 2025. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499921/

McCafferty C. Researchers investigate effects of furosemide on racehorses. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/researchers-investigate-effects-of-furosemide-on-racehorses

Rokyta D. WSU to study effect of controversial drug on racehorses. News release. Washington State University. April 23,2024. Accessed May 2, 2025. 

https://news.wsu.edu/news/2024/04/23/wsu-to-study-effect-of-controversial-drug-on-racehorses/

Articles

As equine veterinarians and advocates work to ensure their patient-athletes are receiving proper care, scientists work to advance therapies and better understand their physiology 

Reaching for a racing win with healthy horses and equine wellness 

Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, discusses how veterinarians can guide clients in spotting subtle signs of feline arthritis at home

Signs a cat may have arthritis

Cats with arthritis often hide their pain, making client education on feline signs of discomfort an important step for an accurate diagnosis. In this video, Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, founder of Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE), discusses signs cat owners should watch out for that may indicate their feline companion is in pain.

Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR:

 Cats with arthritis are going to do everything possible to hide their pain, especially when they come into the vet clinic. So...veterinarians really need to rely on the caregiver—the pet parent—to know what signs of pain look like at home. Those signs are typically going to be changes in the cat's behavior and changes in their mobility.

There are 6 things that have been specifically identified that correlate with arthritis pain in cats, and those 6 things are:

. It's not necessarily that the cat stops jumping up, stops jumping down, or stops playing, but they alter their behavior and their body mechanics to make it easier for them, like taking multiple little jumps or angling their body.

So, talking to pet parents and cat owners about how their cats are moving and how that might have changed over time, those are the big things to look for [and identify] signs of pain. Other things could include urinating or defecating outside the litter box. So, it might be painful to get into the litter box. They may be overgrooming or undergrooming themselves, or they just might hide more often because they hurt and don't want to be touched.

Videos

Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, discusses how veterinarians can guide clients in spotting subtle signs of feline arthritis at home.

, the leading multimedia provider of animal health care communications, education and research for veterinary professionals, is thrilled to announce its 2025–2026 Editorial Advisory Board, featuring 17 inspiring new members who are raising the bar for the profession.

The addition of new board members ensures the editorial direction remains current, relevant and responsive to the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine. This year’s board is packed with changemakers who represent diverse perspectives from across the care team, allowing them to contribute to innovation and help shape content that speaks to the challenges and opportunities faced by the profession. By bringing these diverse voices together, dvm360 is doubling down on its commitment to delivering content that is relevant, practical and ahead of the curve.

“We are honored to welcome the 2025–2026 dvm360 Editorial Advisory Board—an exceptional group of diverse and dedicated professionals who represent the very best of veterinary medicine,” said Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer at dvm360. “Their insight, expertise, and commitment to the profession will guide our editorial direction as we continue to elevate, educate and innovate for the entire veterinary community. We’re especially excited to welcome 17 new members whose fresh perspectives will help us stay responsive to the evolving needs of the field.”

As critical topics such as well-being, artificial intelligence, technology integration and pain management take on greater prominence, the expanded board brings valuable insight to ensure dvm360 remains aligned with the most pressing needs of veterinary teams and practice environments. Advisory board members bring hands-on experience and thought leadership that directly inform editorial planning and educational programming.

“Veterinary professionals are facing unprecedented changes and opportunities,” said John Hydrusko, vice president of sales for MJH Life Sciences

, the parent company of dvm360. “Our new advisory board members are leaders who understand the realities of practice today. Their insights will help us align our content with what matters most to veterinary teams: delivering better care, fostering stronger teams and embracing innovation with confidence.”

The editorial board’s purpose is to elevate the content quality through the input from professionals who are actively shaping veterinary medicine. The 2025–2026 board members offer expertise in clinical care, practice operations, client communication and team development. Their contributions will help guide content strategy across dvm360’s multimedia platforms, including articles, webinars, videos and national Fetch conferences.

The 2025–2026 Editorial Advisory Board includes (* indicates newly added):

Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)

Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, Elite FFC-V*

Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

Christopher Pinard, DVM, DSVc, DACVIM (Oncology)*

Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR

Kristen Ward, BSN-RN, RVT-VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)*

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)

The appointment of the 2025–2026 Editorial Advisory Board reflects dvm360’s ongoing commitment to excellence in veterinary education and content development. Visit 

 is the leading multimedia provider of animal health care communications, education and research for veterinary professionals. We engage audiences with top-of-the-line, in-depth digital and print news, medical information and veterinary resources focusing on every aspect of a veterinary professional’s life. With our online learning platform, dvm360 Flex, we also deliver a 360-degree solution for continuing education in various mediums including print, digital, in-person and on-demand.


MJH Life Sciences is the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels, providing health care professionals with the information and resources they need to optimize patient outcomes. MJH combines the reach and influence of its powerful portfolio of digital and print product lines, live events, educational programs and market research with the customization capabilities of a boutique firm. Clients include world-leading pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and biotech companies. For more information, please visit 

Big ideas. Bold voices. A fresh wave of insight is here.

dvm360® unveils 2025–2026 Editorial Advisory Board: Fresh perspectives spark innovation across the veterinary field

Good afternoon and happy Friday dvm360 readers! It is officially May, which means Fetch Nashville is right around the corner! Come join us in Nashville, Tennessee, for 2 days packed with educational lectures from key industry leaders, networking with fellow veterinary professionals and exhibitors, and fun. It is not too late to register, so learn more about the conference and secure your spot 

After you register for the conference, check back here to see what was popular this week on dvm360.com:

 earlier this week that it has received FDA approval for marbofloxacin, terbinafine, and dexamethasone otic suspension (Ostiserene; Dechra). This new medication is to treat canine patients with otitis externa through a single dose of medication administered by a veterinary professional.

 of a prescription sedative and analgesic for companion animals as a precautionary measure due to the presence of visible particulate matter in one lot each for 2 products containing dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection 0.5 mg/mL (Dexased, Aspen; and Dexmedvet, Cronus Pharma).

 of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CHPV, CTPEP, and Chelsea McGivney, DVM, from Caring Pathways, join our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to discuss end of life care and how to make this process as comfortable and easy for clients, patients, and veterinary teams.

A 9-year-old golden retriever named Lola was 

 to the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital after she was diagnosed with an oral melanoma that spread to her lungs for a clinical trial.

 with dvm360 that took place on-site at the 2025 Fetch Charlotte Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Steven Ringold, DVM, DACVR, shared the significance of pulmonary patterns in thoracic radiology. If you want to learn more from Ringold, his lecture from Fetch Charlotte is now available 

Wrap up: Dechra announces new canine otitis externa medication, and other news 

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.

Feeding design system for appetite stimulation 

Enjoy-A-Bowl, by the titular company, is designed to help pets on prescription diets or who have appetite challenges have a more enjoyable mealtime experience. The feeding design system has a separate compartment underneath the pet’s bowl that can safely hold aromatic leftovers or treats, helping to stimulate the pet’s appetite without affecting dietary restrictions

Generic propofol injectable emulsion for dogs

PropofolVet Multidose is an anesthetic injection developed by Parnell for veterinary use. It supports induction anesthesia and maintenance of general anesthesia via intermittent bolus injections for short procedures. Veterinarians can also use this generic propofol injectable emulsion when maintenance is provided by inhalant anesthetics. The product has a 28-day in-use shelf life. Refrigeration is not required.

Spirited Paw’s Probiotic+Gut Health supplement is designed to help improve digestive and immune health for cats and dogs. Each capsule contains more than 7 billion colony-forming units of probiotics at the time of manufacture, including live probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis, probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii, and EpiCor—a postbiotic with immune-supporting properties. The product also has inulin and natural fiber psyllium husk. 

The IDEXX Cancer Dx is a blood test for early detection of canine lymphoma. Veterinarians can add the product to existing diagnostic wellness panels with a single blood sample. The test provides qualitative results for lymphoma with B-cell and T-cell phenotype classification. Data have shown that the panel can detect lymphoma before the presence of clinical signs. 

TEEF’s Lickable Treat Powder for cats and dogs is a freeze-dried protein powder mixed with Protektin42K that supports dental health. TEEF’s proprietary Protekin42K combines prebiotic and postbiotic ingredients that promote a balanced oral microbiome, supporting fresh breath, healthy gums, and clean teeth. The treat powder comes in 2 flavors: beef liver and wild caught salmon. 

The Super Air Smart ICU by Bionet America is an intensive care unit (ICU) that features efficient oxygen and CO2 management, ionization-based air purification, improved control of air heating and cooling, and humidity monitoring. Unlike many traditional ICUs, the Super Air Smart ICU removes CO2 without reliance on soda-lime technology. 

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

Products+Services360: March/April 2025

Dystocia affects 3% to 8% of purebred feline pregnancies and is harder to estimate in nonpedigree cats. It poses risks to both queens and kittens, with higher kitten mortality than natural births. The causes and treatments are poorly understood, and current guidelines often mirror canine medicine. Diagnosing dystocia in cats is challenging because of the wide variation in labor duration and frequent unplanned pregnancies, making due dates uncertain. Prior studies are limited and rarely assess kitten outcomes.

 recently published a study that investigates the occurrence and management of dystocia in cats, based on an evaluation of 111 cases treated for the condition at a Swedish animal hospital, from 2017 to 2024. The study confirms that feline dystocia is associated with high kitten mortality but low mortality in queens.

This retrospective study describes feline dystocia cases by examining hematology, serum biochemistry, and diagnostic imaging findings. Additionally, the study aimed to compare the outcomes of various treatments and assess kitten mortality in relation to factors linked to feline dystocia.

The study highlights that most feline dystocia cases are maternal in origin, with uterine inertia being the leading cause. Despite high kitten mortality, often because of stillbirths occurring before treatment, queen survival rates remain high. The fact that many deaths occurred before veterinary care suggests that complications likely began early in labor. Surgical intervention, particularly cesarean delivery (CD), was commonly performed. Ovariohysterectomy was more frequently performed in queens with a history of CD, suggesting a risk of recurrence.

Additionally, the study found that maternal hyperglycemia was associated with increased kitten mortality, likely reflecting stress rather than endocrine disease, while maternal anemia showed no significant impact. Hypocalcemia contributed to dystocia in a minority of cases. Although medical treatment had low overall success, it showed promise in some nonobstructive cases, especially when fewer than 3 fetuses remained. Treatment with calcium, alone or in combination with oxytocin, was effective even in normocalcemic queens, suggesting benefits beyond correcting hypocalcemia by enhancing uterine contractility. Although diagnostic imaging is crucial for a reliable diagnosis in managing dystocia, the study showed that ultrasound can overestimate fetal death, particularly in stressed queens.

The study also found that Ragdolls and British short- or longhair cats were the most represented pedigree breeds among dystocia cases. However, their high numbers may simply reflect their popularity in Sweden rather than a true predisposition to dystocia. Therefore, it remains difficult to assess true dystocia risk by breed because of limitations in data reliability and population distribution.

Overall, the study provides valuable clinical insights into the management of feline dystocia and offers important guidance for reproductive planning. Investigators suggest breeders should be advised of the long-term reproductive risks associated with queens that have experienced dystocia. Clinicians should anticipate and be prepared for surgical intervention while recognizing the potential role of medical treatment in select cases. Timely assessment and prompt decision-making are important to minimize fetal and maternal complications.

Additionally, clinicians should interpret diagnostic imaging with caution and consider repeat imaging or integrating additional diagnostics, according to investigators. These insights contribute to a more informed, evidence-based approach to managing this challenging and often urgent condition in feline practice.

 is a 2025 PharmD candidate studying veterinary medicine at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Axnér E, Jakobsson J, Vermelin T, Hermansson U. A retrospective study on dystocia in the cat, evaluation of 111 cases. 

. 2025;67(1):20. doi:10.1186/s13028-025-00805-w

A new study aims to improve understanding of occurrence and management of the condition