Photo courtesy of Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA

The US Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

A bipartisan bill has reintroduced the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act in Congress. Endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the legislation would both categorize xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance and provide protection to animal care professionals that prescribe and administer the veterinary tranquilizer.

Xylazine is a nonopioid sedative used in the care of large animals, and is not approved for use in humans. It was earlier declared an emerging threat by The White House’s Office of National Drug Policy, and a National Response Plan was released in 2023.

According to the AVMA, xylazine is often used as a prescription sedative for cattle, horses, wildlife and research species. It has an important use in veterinary medicine as it allows for the safe handling and treatment of many animal species.

 However, the drug has affected the human opioid crisis because it is sometimes mixed with fentanyl, and overdoses involving xylazine have been reported. However, xylazine is not currently listed as a controlled substance in the US.

“Our country is facing a drug epidemic that has devasted families and communities across America. We must crack down on deadly drugs being flooded into our communities, especially given that drug traffickers are turning to xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, to make drugs more addictive—and more deadly,” US Representative August Pfluger (R-TX), one of the bill’s Congressional sponsors, said in news releases.

Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) cosponsored the bill in the House of Representatives. US Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) led a bipartisan group of sponsors to bring the bill to the US Senate.

“Illicit xylazine is exacerbating the deadly fentanyl crisis and devastating our communities,” Panetta said in news releases.

 “The bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act is how we fight back…With strong bipartisan and bicameral support, we are pushing for urgent action to stop this dangerous drug and save more lives.” 

In addition to listing xylazine as a controlled substance, the bill proposes enabling the US Drug Enforcement Administration to track manufacturing of the drug by requiring manufacturers and distributors to report inventory and sales to the Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System, as a way to help ensure xylazine is not diverted to the illicit market. It would also require the prevalence, risks and recommendations for xylazine to be reported.

In a public statement, Cortez Masto said the drug poses a growing threat to her Nevada jurisdiction, and the time for Congress to act is now. “Our law enforcement officers simply don’t have the tools they need to keep our communities safe from this dangerous drug,” Cortez Masto said in the releases.

Grassley said the bill recognizes the public health threat of xylazine and provides law enforcement with new tools to combat the drug's reach. “Illicit xylazine is contributing to the national drug epidemic and driving up overdose deaths in communities across the country. Our nation’s laws must keep pace with emerging drug trends,” Grassley said in a news release.

The sponsoring lawmakers said the bill also aims to ensure that veterinarians as well as ranchers and farmers can continue to use the drug for legitimate treatment of animals. The proposed legislation would create a clear definition of those professionals who are lawfully permitted to possess xylazine for veterinary use.

In a public statement about the Congressional bill, Sandra Faeh, DVM, president of the AVMA, said the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act strikes the right balance of addressing the public health threat that the drug poses, and affording veterinary access for continued use as an animal sedative. “This legislation is essential to protecting our communities from the grave health and safety risks of illicit xylazine, upholding animal welfare, supporting public health, and ensuring our nation’s veterinarians are equipped with all the necessary resources to provide high-quality veterinary care,” Faeh added.

The AVMA’s advocacy contributed to the reintroduction of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, according to the association. Faeh also noted that the AVMA is looking forward to working with Congress on getting the bill passed into law.

Cortez Masto, Grassley reintroduce bipartisan legislation to crack down on deadly fentanyl additive xylazine. News release. February 12, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-grassley-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-crack-down-on-deadly-fentanyl-additive-xylazine/

AVMA-endorsed xylazine legislation reintroduced in Congress. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. February 12, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025.

What you should know about xylazine. CDC. May 16, 2024. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/what-you-should-know-about-xylazine.html

Articles

The legislation seeks to empower law enforcement and fight the opioid epidemic while also protecting access to the drug for veterinary use

Congress reintroduces bipartisan xylazine bill 

Cattle and bison imports from Mexico are scheduled to resume soon, according to a recent announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) after shipments of Mexican cattle and bison have been under pause since November 2024.

 The lift comes after APHIS and Mexico implemented an extensive protocol for the pre-clearance inspection and treatment of ruminants following a New World screwworm (NWS), C

detection in a cow in southern Mexico last fall.

New World screwworm larva. (Photo courtesy of United States Department of Agriculture, John Kucharski, and American Veterinary Medical Association)

is a parasitic fly species that lays eggs on living mammals’ open wounds. These eggs hatch into larvae that burrow into the host’s flesh, leading to severe damage, infections, and often death.

On November 22, 2024, the discovery of NWS in Chiapas, Mexico 

prompted an emergency response from the US

 to prevent the parasitic species—which was eradicated from the US in 1966—from entering the country. As part of the response, the USDA APHIS announced on December 2024, $165 million in emergency funding to safeguard US livestock, pets, and wildlife.

“The question of whether it will arrive in the United States is not "if," but "when." If that happens, we will see myiasis cases on a regular basis, said Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, in an 

 on the growing concern of NWS in the US.

“What makes the New World screwworm so concerning is that it causes primary myiasis,” he continued.

“To clarify, myiasis occurs when a human or animal has live maggots feeding on them. Right now, in the US, we only see secondary myiasis, which means maggots are feeding on dead or decaying tissue.”

USDA issues new import restrictions for certain animals from Honduras

Per the protocol for the importation of ruminants from Mexico to the US, cattle and bison will be inspected and treated for screwworm by trained and authorized veterinarians prior to entering the pre-export inspection pens, where they will be reinspected by Mexican officials. These pre-export inspection pens in San Jeronimo and Agua Prieta, Sonora; as well as Chihuaha, have been identified and prepared by Mexico and been visited, inspected and approved by APHIS.

 Additionally, cattle and bison who have been approved for importation will be dipped in a solution to “ensure they are otherwise insect- and tick -free,” according to the USDA.

According to the announcement, the US and Mexico are closely collaborating to approve more pre-export inspection pens and resume trade through other ports of entry. “To support our efforts to keep NWS out of the United States, APHIS will continue working with partners in Mexico and Central America to eradicate NWS from the affected areas and to reestablish the biological barrier in Panama, which we have worked to maintain since 2006,” wrote the USDA in its announcement.

NWS continues to exist in Central and South American countries, with the parasite spreading north of the barrier in the last 2 years throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and more recently, Mexico. The rise in NWS is being driven by new areas of farming in previous barrier regions for fly control, as well as an increase of cattle movement into the region, according to the USDA. To combat the growing issue, APHIS is releasing sterile flies through aerial and ground release at strategic locations, concentrating efforts in Southern Mexico and other regions across Central America.

“If screwworms establish themselves in the US again, we will be facing a severe and urgent problem in veterinary and public health,” said Lee.

Cattle and bison imports from Mexico resume under new protocol. News release. United States Department of Agriculture. February 1, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/02/01/cattle-and-bison-imports-mexico-resume-under-new-protocol

With screwworm protocols in place, US resuming livestock, equine imports from Mexico. American Veterinary Medical Association. February 11, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://www.avma.org/news/screwworm-protocols-place-us-resuming-livestock-equine-imports-mexico?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news

McCafferty C. Screwworm case in Mexico prompts emergency response in the United States. 

. January 16, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/screwworm-case-in-mexico-prompts-emergency-response-in-the-united-states

Lee C. Screwworms are moving north—are we prepared? 

. February 4, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/screwworms-are-moving-north-are-we-prepared-

USDA APHIS and Mexico are collaborating on New World screwworm screening and treatment measures 

Cattle and bison imports from Mexico will resume following new screwworm inspection protocol 

Many veterinary clinics expand their practices to meet the growing demand for comprehensive pet care. Extending services to include more services and specialties can help more patients receive the care they need.

Below are recent veterinary facility expansions and growth:

DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (Oregon)

DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital. (Photo courtesy of DoveLewis)

DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital recently opened a new 30,000 sq ft specialty facility in Portland, Oregon. The new building joins in as part of one of the largest and “most comprehensive” veterinary medical centers outside of a university setting in the United States, according to a news release.

 As a VECCS (Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society) Level 1 facility, the expansion of DoveLewis will give patients a smoother transition from urgent care or emergency room (ER) visits to specialized treatments under one hospital system, according to the hospital.

The new building has 12 exam rooms, 8 treatment rooms and 3 surgical suites for the hospital’s specialties, which include neurology, cardiology, surgery, and internal medicine. It also has 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), accounting for the only 3T MRI for animals in Oregon. As a teaching hospital, the facility’s expansion also features a 100-person community room for seminars, workshops, and hands-on training.

“As a nonprofit, our goal has always been to reinvest our resources into advancing patient care and supporting our community,” Ron Morgan, DoveLewis president and CEO, said in a news release.

 “This expansion is a reflection of that commitment. By increasing our capacity and capabilities, we’re able to provide more pets with access to the highest standard of emergency and specialty care, without the pressure of financial returns guiding our decisions.”

Freeport Veterinary Hospital in Maine has expanded its services to include same-day urgent care. “This new service aims to address your pet's unexpected health concerns promptly and efficiently, providing peace of mind for pet owners when they need it most,” wrote the hospital in a news release.

The hospital offers services for cats and dogs, as well as general services. These include anesthesia, bathing and hygiene, behavior, cancer treatment, cardiology, dental care, dermatology, deworming, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, eye care, parasite prevention, kitten and puppy care, senior care, critical care for accidents and trauma, and more. According to the hospital, the facility is a Cat-Friendly Practice, with a certification by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association.

"At Freeport Veterinary Hospital, our goal is to provide top-quality care for your pets while making your experience as convenient as possible. We're thrilled to offer this extended service to better support our clients and their furry family members,” James Desir, DVM, CCRP, medical director at Freeport Veterinary Hospital, said in the release.

All Pets Hospital, based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, recently introduced urgent care services with extended hours and increased its same-day appointment availability. The hospital’s urgent care hours are now Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 5 pm to 10 pm and every other Saturday 9 am to 3 pm.

To book an urgent care appointment, clients can check in online or through their phones. 

The hospital’s urgent care diagnostics include a full suite of in-house blood analyzers, ultrasound, and radiology equipment. They also offer wellness care, dental care, holistic veterinary care, surgical services, pet grooming, end-of-life care, laboratory, microchipping, nutrition, and pharmacy services.

"Our goal is to provide timely and compassionate care for pets when they need it most. These expanded services will allow us to meet the needs of our clients more efficiently, ensuring that their furry family members receive the attention they deserve,” Sierra Shoman, DVM, medical director at All Pets Hospital, said in a release.

Transforming veterinary medicine: DoveLewis’ 30,000 sq. ft. expansion sets a new standard for emergency & specialty care. News release. February 5, 2025. DoveLewis.

Freeport Veterinary Hospital introduces same-day urgent care services. News release. January 24, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/freeport-veterinary-hospital-introduces-same-day-urgent-care-services-302359688.html

Our Services. Freeport Veterinary Hospital. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

All Pets Hospital introduces extended hours and same-day urgent care services. News release. All Pets Hospital. January 23, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-pets-hospital-introduces-extended-hours-and-same-day-urgent-care-services-302358952.html

Same Day Urgent Care. All Pets Hospital. Accessed February 12, 2025. 

https://allpetshospitalinc.com/same-day-urgent-care/

Take a look at these veterinary centers newly opened, coming soon, or expanding

Clinic center: Veterinary clinics expand their services 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed by a whole genome sequence the detection of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle in Nevada. This genotype is commonly found mostly in wild birds and poultry, making it the first detection of this class in dairy cow.

According to APHIS, the confirmation was a result of Nevada tracing and investigating, following an initial detection on silo testing under the USDA’s Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS). The Nevada Department of Agriculture and the USDA APHIS will work together to conduct additional on-farm investigation, testing, and gather additional epidemiological information to gain a better understanding of the detection, plus limit the disease from spreading further.

Unpasteurized milk will now be tested in effort to tackle H5N1 in dairy cattle

Up until this confirmation, all the previous detections of the virus in dairy cattle were HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.5b, genotype B3.13, and infections have been widespread in the United States since March 2024, with more than 950 herds in 16 states affected.

 For H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infections, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 67 people in the United States were infected by this strain, with 23 of the cases associated with exposure to infected poultry, 40 infected through exposure to dairy cattle, and 4 remain unknown, with potential exposure to backyard flocks, wild birds, mammals, and other animals.

Most human cases at this time were infected by genotype B3.13, but 1 person in the United States was confirmed with D1.1 in December 2024.

 The CDC has also announced 1 death associated with a H5N1 infection in the United States. The CDC shared that although the public health risk is low, it is watching the situation carefully as well as working with states to monitor people with animal exposure.

Despite the detection, federal authorities will not change the USDA’s HPAI eradication strategy, and thanks the NMTS for facilitating comprehensive H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herd. At this time, there are 38 states enrolled in the NMTS program, which is designed to increase understanding of how the virus is spreading in the United States, support the rapid implementation of enhanced biosecurity to decrease transmission risks to other livestock, and protect farmworkers through informing them of critical efforts to help lower the risk of exposure.

Several cat deaths reported following bird flu exposure through raw pet food and milk

There will be a technical brief on the findings of this first detection of 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle on the APHIS website and will post the sequence data on GenBank. Veterinary professionals can learn more on response efforts to H5N1 in dairy cattle on the USDA, CDC, and FDA websites. The AVMA will also provide professionals with up-to-date information on avian influenza and its epidemiology in the US.

APHIS Confirms D1.1 Genotype in Dairy Cattle in Nevada. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/program-update/aphis-confirms-d11-genotype-dairy-cattle-nevada-0

New avian influenza genotype found in dairy cattle. American Veterinary Medical Association. February 6, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/new-avian-influenza-genotype-found-dairy-cattle?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news

H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 21, 2024. Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html

Originally found mostly in wild birds and poultry, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1, was discovered in dairy cattle last month 

USDA confirms new avian influenza genotype in dairy cattle 

Zomedica Products360 with Nicole Westfall

Zomedica Products360

 Hey everyone, Adam Christman, Chief Veterinary Officer here at DVM360. Welcome to Product360. We want to thank our friends from Zomedica for supporting this great conversation as we chat with Nicole Westfall, senior vice president of marketing at Zomedica. Thanks for being here!

 So, pain and inflammation in our pets—we know about osteoarthritis (OA), wound management, post-op care—the list goes on. Non pharmacologic or drug free ways of managing these issues is something we’re going to chat about today.

And, in addition, to understanding pain modalities, we’re also going to chat about behavior and separation anxiety because that can be a challenge too. So, we have a couple of products about that as well.

First off, we have the Assisi Loop. This is tPEMF technology. So, what is this for?

 This is a great device to reduce pain and inflammation in pets as well as wound care and post-operative care.

There is 150 in each one of these and they’re 15-minute treatments. All you have to do is press the button and see the lights like a cute little flashing disco ball. It will turn itself off when it’s done.

 Let’s chat how it works. So for the Assisi line of products, they work by exciting calcium and calmodulin and then trigger the nitric oxide cascade. When you think about it, we have the endothelial nitric oxide that stimulates a cyclic inosine monophosphate synthesis, activating the downstream targets that increase endothelial cell proliferation, migration, survival, and permeability. It enhances angiogenesis and tissue repair. So that’s pretty fascinating. There are multiple studies in both the human and animal space that support the efficacy.

Okay, and we have two different forms of pain. We have the acute and chronic pain. Does it vary depending on what kind of pain I’m dealing with?

It does. Of course, as a veterinarian, you know best how to treat for each condition, but it can be used up to four times a day for acute post-operative or for ongoing OA. You can also use it once a day or once every couple of days depending on what you see fit.

 There’s a misconception that you actually have to put the dog’s leg through it. What does it look like?

Absolutely. That is not the case. With this big one here, you get 10 inches on either side as the treatment field. If you were to treat this dog’s back, you would be getting 10 inches this way and 10 inches this way, so you would be treating this whole stuffed animal. He’d get all the treatment at once.

Correct, non-prescription, but great for veterinarians to stock in their office so they can send them home with their clients. It gives pet owners a way to be involved in the treatment, ongoing, and is very easy to manage by just pressing a button.

 Yeah, she hit the nail on the head, too, that pet parents really want to be involved in pain management for their animals. This is a great proactive way of doing it. We also have the DentaLOOP from Assisi as well, right?

 Absolutely. What this is great for using is in clinic. The dentist will send this home ahead of time to reduce pain and inflammation in the teeth, so the surgery is easier for them to do, whether it’s a cleaning or extraction. Afterwards, they use it for about a week and they need less meds with it.

 I know dentists were saying, which I think of those cat patients where you have to do full mouth extractions on, and they’ll recommend doing this before the procedure. So that’s fantastic. Are there any contraindications we should be made aware of?

 There’s only three that you should worry about. The first is pacemakers. You never want it near a pet parent with a pacemaker or a pet with a pacemaker. The second one is certain types of cancers.

 Yeah, I think of hemangiosarcoma would probably be the one.

 Right. And the other one is if you’re using it in clinic, all stainless-steel cages. It bounces the signal differently, so it makes it not as effective. It will still work, just not as effectively.

 Excellent, good to know. We also have the Assisi Loop Lounge. This is really neat, right?

This is really neat, Adam. So, we just talked about the Loop technology and how it works. This lounge is like a bed for your pet with that technology built in. To think of it in an easy way, imagine the Loops laying inside of it and connected together. The whole bed is one giant Loop for your pet to lay on. The best part about this is with this little box here, you get 6000 treatments before you need to get a new box. Remember, you only get 150 with the loop, but with this you get 6000. If you have an ongoing condition like OA or you’re using it for multiple pets every day, this is going to save you money in the long run.

Yes, I love that. And there’s three different sizes.

There are. Small, medium, and large, just like you would expect. Large is for giant breed pets. They’re all plushes so they’re all very thick and comfortable. Ready to make your pet a happy home.

I think about when we’re trying to minimize fear and anxiety and stress, I can imagine having this for the pet owners at home. Give them treats, near the fireplace or what not. They already want to sleep on something comfortable so might as well make it something that can be helpful for pain.

 Absolutely. One of the best things about this is the treatment field. It’s 12 inches high off of it. What a lot of pet parents are doing is great for holiday road trips. They’re putting it this way in their car and the pet just lays like normal against the backseat while receiving treatment. People do it on their couches at home as well.

Or they slide it under the dog bed because you get 12 inches high of treatment and the pets never know it’s there.

That’s really cool. I didn’t know that. We’ve been talking about pain, but also now behavior with tPEMF technology. What is this cutie here doing?

Our demo dog Paco is showing us the Calmer Canine product line. This is tPEMF therapy, similar to the loop, but a different signal. It is a much faster signal aimed at the amygdala of the brain to deal with separation anxiety. Did you know that we did a study with NC State and out of the dogs in the study, 65% of them after the course of treatment, were completely resolved of the separation anxiety. The remaining 35% were able to lower their meds. You know behavior is so subjective and nothing works for everyone, but it had a positive effect on everyone. Either less medicine or totally solved.

 That’s great too, especially non pharmacologic. There is a video you have to see on dvm360.com where my Capone was wearing this to demonstrate and he enjoyed it, too. It is very lightweight.

Yes, very lightweight and all you have to do is press the button. A 15-minute treatment twice a day, eight hours apart, for four to six weeks. The best part is it has a therapeutic effect so within the first five minutes, the pets just instantly calm and lay down.

With the Calmer Canine, it can help reduce barking, howling, panting, pacing, and even reduce destruction and house soiling. It will also increase resting for when these guys are home alone and create long-lasting results. It also reduces other anxieties like noise sensitivity, travel, and general anxiety. I know as a veterinarian, we love embracing new things like and innovation. This makes such an impact because a lot of our clients are asking for non-pharmacologic options out there. And these are great options. And multi-modal options for behavior and pain so you have to check this out.

Nicole, thank you so much for being here.

 Thank you for having me, Adam. It was so fun.

 Where can we learn more about all of this?

Excellent. Thank you for tuning in on Product360. We’ll see you next time. Take care, everybody.

Videos

How Zomedica's Assisi Loop and Calmer Canine line use targeted pulsed electromagnetic fields (tPEMF) to reduce pain and anxiety in pets. 

Drug free ways to manage pain and separation anxiety in pets

Anticipatory grief is the emotional response that pet owners experience when they foresee the inevitable loss of a beloved companion animal. For many, this begins with a diagnosis of a terminal illness or the gradual decline of a pet’s quality of life or a combination of chronic and age-related conditions. Unlike grief that occurs after a loss, anticipatory grief unfolds while the pet is still alive, and it can be a lengthy, roller-coaster–like experience as owners juggle feelings of hope, sadness, fear, and acceptance.

As veterinarians, understanding anticipatory grief is essential for supporting clients who may be struggling with complex emotions. It also provides insight into how these emotions can shape decision-making and impact caregiver burden, both of which are key to providing empathetic and effective end-of-life care.

Key characteristics of anticipatory grief include the following:

Emotional volatility: Owners may feel a mix of sadness, guilt, denial, anger, or fear on any given day.

Worry and anxiety about the future: Many fear the when and how of their pet’s death.

Guilt and doubt: Questions of whether they’re doing enough or if they’re making the right choices are common.

Recognizing and naming these feelings can be therapeutic for pet owners, who may not realize that the heavy emotions they’re experiencing are both normal and valid.

How anticipatory grief affects decision-making

For pet owners, each decision—from pursuing a treatment to choosing hospice care, to ultimately deciding on euthanasia—can be charged with emotional weight. Anticipatory grief influences these choices in several ways. 

1 Procrastination and delayed decision-making

Anticipatory grief can lead to avoidance because owners fear making any decision that might hasten their pet’s death. This can result in prolonged suffering for the animal and emotional stress for the owner. Educating owners on options for palliative care or hospice services can help them feel they are actively supporting their pet’s well-being rather than avoiding hard choices. 

Conversely, some pet owners may feel guilty and worry that they are not doing enough for their pets, leading them to pursue aggressive treatments. Guilt-driven decisions often lead to regret later. As a veterinarian, you can help by discussing quality-of-life assessments with owners and providing guidance on balancing treatment options with the pet’s comfort and quality of life in mind. 

3 Conflicted choices in balancing personal needs

Pet owners may face internal conflict when their pet’s needs start to impact their own lives and quality of life significantly. Caregivers can feel torn between attending to their pet and managing their responsibilities, such as work and family. It is helpful for veterinarians to remind pet families that it’s OK to consider their well-being because it affects their ability to care for their pets effectively. 

Society often imposes unspoken expectations on pet owners to go above and beyond for their animals. Owners may feel pressured to pursue every possible intervention. Veterinarians play a pivotal role in providing owners with objective information about what constitutes humane and compassionate care, helping them make choices that align with their values, budgets, and their pet’s best interest 

As anticipatory grief intensifies, it often leads to caregiver burden, where the physical, emotional, and financial demands of caring for a declining pet become overwhelming. Pet owners can experience fatigue, depression, anxiety, and even physical symptoms caused by stress. This burden not only affects the caregiver but can also inadvertently impact the pet’s quality of life.

Ways veterinarians can help alleviate caregiver burden 

Simple acknowledgment of an owner’s emotional burden can be incredibly powerful. Assuring them that it’s OK to feel overwhelmed can provide a sense of relief and a safe space for them to share their concerns. 

Pet owners may need support in setting boundaries on how much time, energy, or resources they’re able to devote to caregiving. Provide realistic advice on self-care ,and encourage them to lean on supportive networks, whether that’s family, friends, caregiving and anticipatory grief support groups, or a mental health professional. 

Directing owners to pet loss support groups or counseling resources can be beneficial, especially for those deeply impacted by the thought of losing their pet. These resources offer a community where owners can feel understood and less isolated. For example, Caring Pathways is an end-of-life practice with a grief support specialist on staff who connects with families who are experiencing anticipatory grief. A standard packet of information about anticipatory grief is provided to all Caring Pathways hospice and palliative clients. Many crematories also employ grief specialists who may be available to your clients, and local pet loss support groups often welcome those anticipating a loss to attend. Additionally, the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement hosts a free chat-based anticipatory grief support group on the first Thursday of each month from 8 to 10 pm EST. 

4 Providing educational tools and quality-of-life assessments

Many owners struggle to gauge their pet’s comfort objectively, making it hard to recognize when a pet is suffering. Quality-of-life assessment tools can help owners make informed decisions about their pet’s well-being. These tools can be introduced early in the caregiving journey to help owners track changes and adjust care decisions over time. Virtual quality-of-life consultations are available nationwide from dedicated end-of-life veterinary professionals and can provide reassurance as well as second (and even third) opinions for families struggling with decisionmaking. Caring Conversations (https://caringconversations.pet/) has also provided support to families all over the country and reinforces the veterinary care they are receiving through the end-of-life process.

Communication strategies for veterinarians

Navigating conversations with owners dealing with anticipatory grief requires sensitivity and openness. Here are some key strategies for providing support. 

Use language that validates their feelings. Acknowledging that grief often begins long before a pet dies can help owners feel less alone in their experience. 

Asking questions like, “How are you feeling about [pet’s name]’s current state?” or “What are your hopes and worries about the upcoming months?” can invite owners to share openly. Listening with empathy and without judgment can help them feel heard. 

3 Provide clear information and reassurance

Be transparent about the pet’s health but avoid overwhelming them with medical jargon. Offering reassurance, such as “Our goal is to ensure [pet’s name] is as comfortable as possible,” can help reduce anxiety and promote trust. 

Help owners understand the range of options for their pet’s care and the potential outcomes. Knowing that they have choices can provide them with a sense of control, which can ease the stress of anticipatory grief.

As veterinarians, understanding anticipatory grief can deepen our empathy and improve our ability to support pet owners through difficult times. By recognizing how grief affects decision-making and caregiver burden, we can guide our clients in making choices that honor their pet’s quality of life and help alleviate their emotional strain. With compassionate communication, we can ensure that pet owners feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout their journey, ultimately helping both them and their beloved pets experience a dignified end-of-life transition.

Anticipatory grief is challenging, but with the right tools, support, and guidance, veterinarians can make a meaningful difference in the lives of pet owners. Compassionate care can turn a difficult journey into one of peace, love, and healing for both the caregiver and the pet.

Tyler Carmack, DVM, CHPV, CVPP, CVA, CVFT, CTPEP, CPEV, 

is the director of hospice and palliative care for Caring Pathways. She founded Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, an end-of-life practice based in Virginia and accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association and has exclusively practice hospice and palliative care since 2011. She has served on the board of directors of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care since 2016 in various roles, including president in 2020 and 2025. Carmack holds certifications in animal hospice and palliative care, veterinary pain management, peaceful euthanasia, veterinary acupuncture, and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine in food therapy and end-of-life care.

Learn about caregiver burden, how to improve communication with clients, and why their decision-making is affected by a pet’s end-of-life journey