Two pet food companies have recently recalled their dog treat products owing to potential 

contamination. Contamination risk for both products was identified after a third party tested and identified contamination in a related, unreleased batch of the same product, according to the FDA.

 can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products,” wrote the FDA in news releases announcing the recalls.

Hollywood Feed Carolina Made Chicken Chips.

(Photo courtesy of Carolina Prime Pet, Inc. and FDA)

Hollywood Feed Carolina Made Chicken Chips

Carolina Prime Pet, Inc, based in Lenoir, North Carolina, is recalling 400 16-oz bags of their Hollywood Feed Carolina Made Chicken Chips dog treats. The product, packaged in a purple and black bag, contains the lot number 20051324L2 and has an expiration date of 11/13/25 printed on the back side of the bag. This lot number is the only one identified as potentially contaminated.

The recalled treats were distributed to Hollywood Feed stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. They were also sold through the online retailer www.hollywoodfeed.com.

The FDA advises anyone who has purchased this product to discontinue use. For information on returning the product or obtaining a refund or replacement, clients can contact Carolina Prime Pet at treats@carolinaprimepet.com or 828-394-6460 Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM EST.

According to the FDA, there have been no reported illnesses associated with this recalled product to date.

Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips. (Photo courtesy of Gaines Pet Treats LLC and FDA)

In a recent announcement, Gaines Pet Treats LLC, based in Birmingham, Alabama, issued a voluntary recall of 204 bags of their “Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips.” The product comes in a 5-oz bag with lot number 20061124 and expiration date of 12/11/25 printed on its back side. Lot 20061124 is the only lot number that has been identified as potentially contaminated, according to the FDA.

The product was sold in a number of small independent pet retailers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, as well as through online retailers. “No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem and Gaines has made every effort possible to recover the potentially contaminated products,” wrote the federal agency in a news release.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled dog treats should stop using the product, the FDA warned in the release. Gaines can be contacted at Recall@GainesFamilyFarmstead.com for refund or replacements.

Pets displaying these symptoms who have consumed one or both of the recalled products should be seen by a veterinarian, the FDA advises.

 Pets may also appear healthy but be carriers of the disease, potentially infecting other humans and animals.

may exhibit similar signs as animals, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. In rare cases, 

 can lead to more severe health issues like arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers experiencing these symptoms after handling the recalled products should consult their health care providers.

Carolina Prime Pet, Inc. recalls “Hollywood Feed Carolina Made Chicken Chips” because of possible Salmonella health risk. News release. United States Food and Drug Administration. November 23, 2024. Accessed November 26, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/carolina-prime-pet-inc-recalls-hollywood-feed-carolina-made-chicken-chips-because-possible?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Gaines Pet Treats LLC voluntarily recalls “Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips for Dogs” due to possible Salmonella contamination. News release. United States Food and Drug Administration. November 22, 2024. Accessed November 26, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gaines-pet-treats-llc-voluntarily-recalls-gaines-family-farmstead-chicken-chips-dogs-due-possible?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Articles

Both products are at risk of potential Salmonella contamination

Two pet food companies issue recall of dog treats

In any veterinary hospital, maintaining a healthy profit margin depends on controlling operational expenses, including the often-overlooked cost of goods sold (COGS). Understanding and managing COGS is crucial for long-term financial health as it directly impacts profitability. It is also a major data point that buyers will focus on when considering the purchase of your hospital. 

What is the COGS in a veterinary hospital? 

COGS refers to the direct costs associated with the materials and supplies used to deliver veterinary services. These are costs incurred to provide care to animals and include items that are either consumed during treatments or are part of the veterinary services provided. Unlike operating expenses, which cover rent, utilities, and salaries, COGS focuses solely on materials and supplies directly linked to patient care. Key components of COGS in a veterinary hospital include the following: 

Medical supplies: Disposable items such as gloves, syringes, bandages, and antiseptics. 

Pharmaceuticals: Medications, vaccines, and anesthetics administered to patients. 

Surgical materials: Items such as sutures, drapes, and sterile instruments. 

Diagnostic tools: Laboratory tests, imaging, and other diagnostics conducted onsite or outsourced. 

Laboratory fees: External laboratories that perform tests, such as blood work, cytology, or histopathology. 

Anesthesia supplies: Equipment and consumables that include masks, tubing, and monitoring devices. 

Why COGS is important for veterinary hospitals 

Tracking COGS is crucial because it allows hospital owners to understand the relationship between revenue and the costs of delivering services. Here’s why keeping an eye on COGS matters: 

Profitability insight: High COGS can erode profits even if revenue appears strong. Monitoring this metric ensures that your pricing strategies and margins remain healthy. 

Pricing decisions: COGS directly affects how you should price veterinary services. If COGS is too high compared with pricing, profit margins shrink. y Inventory management: Analyzing COGS helps you identify inefficiencies in supply use or overordering, preventing waste and overstock. 

Budgeting: Knowing your COGS helps in creating more accurate budgets and financial forecasts, enabling better cost management and planning for growth. 

How to calculate COGS in a veterinary hospital

To calculate your veterinary hospital’s COGS, use this formula: beginning inventory plus purchases minus ending inventory equals COGS. Let’s break this down: 

Beginning inventory: The value of veterinary supplies and materials on hand at the start of the period (eg, month or quarter). 

Purchases: The cost of additional materials and supplies purchased during the period. 

Ending inventory: The value of veterinary supplies and materials that remain at the end of the period. 

For example, if you begin the quarter with $10,000 in supplies, purchase an additional $5000 worth of materials during the quarter, and have $4000 left in inventory at the end, your COGS for the period is: $10,000 plus $5000 minus $4000 equals $11,000. This $11,000 represents the cost of the goods consumed during the quarter, which directly relates to the services provided. 


Key strategies for managing and reducing COGS

COGS in a veterinary hospital can fluctuate significantly based on how well costs are managed. Inventory mismanagement can lead to overstocking or stockouts, both of which increase costs. Hospitals should implement the following steps for streamlining inventory: 

Automate inventory tracking: Use hospital management software to track inventory levels in real-time, set reorder alerts, and reduce excess ordering. 

Build vendor relationships: Build strong relationships with suppliers and consider negotiating bulk purchase discounts to lower supply costs. 

Assess inventory turnover: Regularly assess inventory turnover rates to ensure you are not holding on to supplies for too long, which could lead to expiration and waste. 

Evaluate supplier contracts and costs A regular review of supplier contracts is essential. Sometimes, long-standing suppliers may increase prices incrementally over time. Consider the following: 

Price comparisons: Periodically compare pricing from different suppliers to ensure you’re getting competitive rates for the materials you purchase frequently. 

Vendor consolidation: Purchasing from fewer vendors can lead to better discounts and easier tracking of supplies. 

Optimize treatment processes Optimizing how materials are used during procedures can also lower COGS. Note the following: 

Efficient material use: Train your staff to minimize wastage of expensive materials, such as surgical sutures or diagnostic tests. Small amounts of wasted material can add up over time. 

Procedure standardization: Standardize treatment protocols to ensure consistent material usage across different procedures. This prevents the overuse of materials and makes ordering supplies easier. 

Monitor laboratory fees Fees for diagnostics and treatments can be a significant part of COGS. Consider the following: 

Negotiating lab fees: If you have a high volume of lab work, negotiate better rates with external labs. 

In-house capabilities: For hospitals performing many tests, investing in in-house diagnostic equipment can reduce external lab costs over time. 

Tracking COGS should be a monthly or quarterly task for hospital owners and managers. Regular monitoring allows you to: 

Spot trends: Identifying trends in rising supply costs early helps you address the issue before it impacts your profitability. 

Set budgets: With regular tracking, you can create more accurate budgets and ensure that actual COGS remains aligned with projections. 

One of the most useful ways to analyze COGS is as a percentage of total revenue. Ideally, COGS should be at or below 23% to 27% of revenue in a general veterinary hospital, depending on the types of services performed. A hospital with higher-end services may see a higher COGS percentage, while a general veterinary hospital might have a lower COGS percentage. If your hospital’s COGS percentage is approaching, or worse, eclipsing 30%, you may have an issue to address. 

To calculate COGS as a percentage of revenue, divide COGS by total revenue and multiply that amount by 100. For example, if your hospital’s COGS for a given period is $25,000 and your total revenue is $100,000, the COGS percentage is: 25,000 divided by 100,000 equals 0.25, multiplied by 100 equals 25%. 

Tracking this ratio over time helps ensure that your practice’s pricing and cost management strategies remain effective.

A guide to managing the cost of goods sold

Understanding COGS in a veterinary hospital

Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, discusses his lecture “Mast Cell Tumors: The Latest and Greatest,” in an interview with dvm360

Exploring the latest findings on mast cell tumors

 delivers expert-led veterinary continuing education on your schedule. With 

, you can access top-tier sessions anytime, anywhere—whether at home, in the clinic, or on the go. Ready to earn CE credits? Watch this session and more on 

Insured pets are 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with a mast cell tumor, Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), explained in an interview with 

earlier this fall during the Fetch dvm360 conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At the conference, Bergman presented the lecture “Mast Cell Tumors: The Latest and Greatest,” where he talked all about mast cell tumors. During his session, he covered controversial topics relating to these tumors, treatment protocols—including new therapeutics, and more. Watch this interview clip to learn more about Bergman’s lecture.

Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology): 

We sit down and talk about some of the newer, newer literature related to risk. And one of the things that comes out is that if your pet is insured, there's a 5-time greater chance that [they’re] going to be diagnosed with a mast cell. So, it's not that the insurance caused it, it's that the insurance allowed us to have a client that could afford doing the appropriate tests to then prove that it was a mast cell. We then will sit down and talk about ‘what's an appropriate amount of staging or looking for spread in our patients?’ because that's an area of controversy currently in my world.

Then we sit down and talk a lot about some of the treatment protocols that are out there, when it's Palladia indicated, and then a very cool new therapeutic that's an intralesional treatment called Stelfonta, which is FDA approved for dogs with mast cell. We actually sit down and talk about the indications, and when you can get into trouble with that drug. And so really, it's an eye towards, you know, ‘what are the latest and greatest things that are becoming available to us?’

Videos

Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), discusses his lecture “Mast Cell Tumors: The Latest and Greatest,” in an interview with dvm360

It’s been 2 decades since I first stepped foot in the veterinary world. From the over-eager assistant who thought they knew it all, to an experienced certified veterinary technician helping to shape new professionals—it’s been a wild ride. I went from being trained to leading training sessions, and along the way, I learned that this field is as rewarding as it is relentless.

Throughout this journey, I’ve crossed paths with countless people in roles such as supervisors, senior technicians, directors, coworkers, teammates, and friends. However, among them, a select few stepped up and wore the badge of mentor. There was the brilliant, borderline intimidating surgeon who not only changed my career path but, quite literally, altered the course of my life. A clinician with a heart as big as her skills stood by me in moments that I didn’t even realize I needed a hand with, pushing me to grow beyond my comfort zone. Then there was the academic who taught me that words could wield as much power as a scalpel when used with intention. These mentors walked with me through different chapters of my journey, leaving permanent imprints on who I am today.

Why mentorship matters—and why it’s not just a buzzword

Mentorship isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s critical in a field like veterinary medicine where burnout rates are high, and compassion fatigue is real. Did you know that nearly 50% of veterinary professionals experience burnout at some point in their careers?

Having a mentor who can guide, uplift, and challenge you to keep going can make the difference between staying in the field or burning out.

For me, mentorship goes beyond textbook definitions. It’s not about a “sage on a stage” spouting wisdom. Real mentors see your potential even when you’re doubting it. They dig in with you, guide you through the messes, and remind you why you started when the going gets tough. This isn’t just anecdotal—studies show that employees with mentors are 5 times more likely to be promoted and 22% more likely to stay with their current organization.

Mentorship cultivates loyalty and growth, not just for mentees but for entire teams.

The best mentors I’ve known were strong, fearless, and fiercely committed to seeing others succeed. They didn’t just hand out “pearls of wisdom” from behind a podium; they got down in the trenches. They opened doors, held up mirrors, and sometimes, when I needed it most, pushed me out of my comfort zone. They made me uncomfortable. They made me dig deeper, question more, and become a better, healthier version of myself.

National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America

In recent years, I’ve had the privilege of stepping into the role of mentor myself—training and coaching some truly incredible people. I tried my best to channel what my mentors instilled in me, but with my own spin. Did I get it right every time? Definitely not. There were moments of failure, but those failures taught me more than success ever could. There were days when I ended up covered in fur, sweat, and exhaustion. But every step, every lesson, was worth it.

My thanks will always go to those who lifted me up when I needed it, and to those who refused to let me quit when things got rough. They’ve shaped me, and I hope to keep passing that gift on to others. Mentorship in vet med is at its best when we lift each other up.

To those wondering if mentorship is worth the effort, I say this: 88% of professionals with mentors report greater job satisfaction,

 and in a field as demanding as ours, we need every ounce of support we can get. Let’s keep opening doors, building each other up, and remembering why we started this journey.

Because in the end, mentorship isn’t just about teaching. It’s about walking side-by-side, through every triumph and every mess, making sure no one has to go it alone. So, let’s connect, grow, and mentor like we’re meant to—boldly and authentically.

Steffey MA, Griffon DJ, Risselada M, et al. Veterinarian burnout demographics and organizational impacts: a narrative review. 

. 2023;10:1184526. Published 2023 Jul 4. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1184526

Mentorink. Mentoring Statistics 2025: Tomorrow’s Blueprint. Mentorink. Published November 14, 2024. Accessed November 21, 2024. 

https://www.mentorink.com/blog/mentoring-statistics/

Moore M. Promoting manager success. twomentor. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.twomentor.com/want-an-88-boost-in-productivity-say-yes-to-mentoring-your-managers/

Mentorship is how we thrive—not just survive—in this profession


Mentorship: Make it personal to keep it professional

When our technicians discuss vaccinating dogs for Lyme disease with clients, some decline. What should they say to be more persuasive?

Client conversations about vaccinating for Lyme disease need to happen before, during, and after appointments. An American Animal Hospital Association study found repetition of the message increases compliance.

When you send recall messages to clients who have pets due for care but haven’t scheduled appointments, list all services due, including Lyme disease vaccination. Depending on your practice information management software and third-party reminder service, you could include hyperlinks or client information sheets. 

Send online forms with appointment confirmations 

Clients will complete and submit forms before appointments. This saves 10 to 15 minutes that technicians and assistants previously spent asking history questions at the start of appointments. Clients’ answers can be reviewed before exams, resulting in more efficient use of exam time. 

Ask questions related to Lyme disease on wellness forms such as the following: 

Have you seen any fleas or ticks on your pet? 

Which flea/tick preventive do you use, and when did you give the last dose? 

Do you travel with your dog to areas where ticks or mosquitoes may be present? 

Have you ever found a tick on your dog or on any other pet or person in your home? 

Check the purchase history of flea/tick preventives 

Technicians should know when preventives were last purchased, how many doses were sold, and how many dogs are in the home in case the client is sharing a box of preventives among pets. 

Identify whether you previously discussed the need for Lyme disease vaccination with the client. Did the client accept or decline the Lyme disease vaccine on the last visit? 

Exam rooms are classrooms. Posters, digital photo frames, slideshows on computers, and brochures will help you educate clients about Lyme disease. The Companion Animal Parasite Council offers prevalence maps by county and state. In Saratoga County, New York, for example, 1 in 10 dogs has tested positive for Lyme disease this year. Preview services when starting exams At the beginning of appointments, technicians should explain their roles and summarize services that will be delivered during the day’s appointment. 

Say, “I am , who will assist Dr <name>. <Pet's name> needs an exam and vaccines for distemper/ parvovirus, rabies, 

, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease. We will test for intestinal parasites and heartworm/tick diseases. <Pet's name> needs refills of flea/tick and heartworm preventives. I will tell you about rebates so you may save the most. What questions may I answer before we begin?” 

 when discussing services due rather than the wiggle word of 

. Clients may hear that Lyme disease vaccination is just a recommendation and is not medically necessary. If the pet owner doesn’t understand or declines Lyme disease vaccination, the technician will explain, “Lyme disease is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of infected ticks. Symptoms may include lameness, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Lyme disease can cause serious kidney complications. Two boosters are given several weeks apart the first time your dog is vaccinated, and then it is given annually. Shall we vaccinate your dog for Lyme disease, or do you want to talk with the doctor?” 

Use yes-or-yes technique to lead the client to accept the vaccine or to get more information from the veterinarian. With further education, the client may accept Lyme vaccination. 

Protecting dogs from Lyme disease is like a 3-legged stool. The first leg is testing for tickborne diseases, which is a recurring annual screen. Say “recurring” instead of “routine” to communicate that the test repeats annually and is medically necessary. The second leg is vaccinating for Lyme disease annually. The third leg is giving flea/tick preventives monthly. This pyramid of protection is best. If you remove 1 of the 3 legs, the stool will fall over. Likewise, if the dog is unvaccinated for Lyme vaccine, it cannot be fully protected with the remaining 2 legs of flea/tick preventives and testing. 

Before the doctor enters the exam room, the technician will let the veterinarian know whether a client questions or declines a vaccine. The veterinarian can explain area prevalence, health consequences, and cost of treatment. This additional information from an expert may persuade the pet owner. 

Almost no one refuses when Chris Brockett, DVM, owner of Saratoga Veterinary Hospital in Wilton, New York, tells clients: “ shared that you declined the vaccine for Lyme disease for your pet. We live at ground zero for Lyme disease in both pets and people. While core vaccines such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus are important, the likelihood of your pet being exposed is quite small. On the other hand, the chances your pet will be exposed to Lyme disease are quite high. I know this because our doctors diagnose multiple dogs every week. Lyme disease can create chronic inflammatory disease and, in severe cases, kidney damage in your pet. Almost everyone I know has a friend with Lyme disease and those inflammatory problems. The vaccine is extremely safe and protects dogs against the disease they are most likely to encounter in their lives. Lyme vaccination is an important one to include with our services today. Shall I vaccinate your dog for Lyme disease, or do you need more information?” 

If the client still declines, note the decision in the medical record. Revisit the need for vaccination during the next exam, as persistence may get results. 

Have technicians make medical callbacks 1 week later 

The first no is not the final no. Create a service reminder called “Lyme vaccine needed” that will print on the client’s receipt and trigger a callback in 7 days. The outpatient technician will call the client because they have an existing relationship, and the client is more likely to remember the technician who helped with last week’s appointment. 

Say, “This is <technician's name> with <hospital name>. I enjoyed seeing you and <pet's name> last week. Dr <name> asked me to follow up with you on our discussion about the need to vaccinate for Lyme disease. Because is current on a doctor’s exam, we can schedule a technician appointment to give the Lyme vaccine. The cost of the vaccine is $__. Our next available technician appointments are <date, time 1> or <date, time 2>. Which do you prefer?” 

Use the doctor’s name to bring credibility and authority to the call. You also communicate that Lyme disease vaccination is medically necessary. Explain the vaccine cost and that paying for another doctor exam isn’t required. Use the 2-yes-options technique to nudge the client to schedule a technician appointment.

Best known as the "Queen of Scripts," Wendy S Myers, CVJ, has taught communication and client service skills for more than 2 decades. As founder of Communication Solutions for Veterinarians, she teaches practical skills through online courses, onsite coaching, and conferences. Myers was a partner in a specialty and emergency practice. Visit Csvetscourses.com to learn more.

Scripts for confident client conversations

When clients decline vaccines

In veterinary medicine, the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has become a standard approach for treating gastrointestinal (GI) issues such as ulceration, bleeding, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in dogs and cats. However, determining the optimal dose and frequency of administration remains a challenge, especially for larger dogs. Veterinarians rely on human pharmacodynamic targets such as gastric pH due to the lack of canine-specific benchmarks. Although effective, PPIs like omeprazole and its isomer esomeprazole can cause adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite loss, which can be challenging for pet owners, especially with larger dogs.

 evaluated whether lower esomeprazole doses could achieve therapeutic pH goals while minimizing adverse effects. Investigators administered 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg doses once daily to 9 healthy, medium to large breed dogs. Intragastric pH capsules measured pH changes over 96 hours, with both doses significantly raising pH levels compared to baseline. However, one-third of the dogs did not meet therapeutic targets with once-daily dosing. For these dogs, twice-daily 1 mg/kg dosing successfully achieved the desired pH levels.

Despite promising results, the study highlighted significant variability in how individual dogs responded to esomeprazole. This variability was linked to factors such as differences in drug metabolism, inconsistent drug administration timing, and environmental influences like diet and housing conditions. For instance, cytochrome P450 enzyme activity probably played a role in affecting PPI metabolism, resulting in variations in intragastric pH responses. Given these factors, veterinarians should adopt a patient-specific approach when prescribing PPIs, especially for dogs that do not consistently respond to once-daily dosing.

Adverse events during the study occurred infrequently but followed a dose-dependent pattern. Only one dog experienced vomiting, which expelled the pH capsule shortly after administration. Diarrhea was more common, with the higher 1 mg/kg dose, affecting 3 dogs. In contrast, the lower dose (0.5 mg/kg) caused fewer GI effects, suggesting it could be a safer alternative for sensitive dogs. Reducing esomeprazole dosages may help minimize adverse effects without compromising efficacy for many dogs.

Both 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg doses of esomeprazole increased intragastric pH in healthy medium to large-breed dogs. However, the higher dose led to more GI adverse effects, highlighting a trade-off between efficacy and tolerability. Twice-daily dosing was essential for achieving therapeutic pH levels in non-responding dogs, underscoring the need for individualized treatment plans. Veterinarians must balance cost, efficacy, and side effects when prescribing esomeprazole, tailoring therapy to each dog’s unique needs and circumstances to provide more effective care for dogs with GI conditions.

Ava Landry is a 2026 PharmD candidate at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where she is studying veterinary pharmacy.

Ostronic A, Gremillion C, Zhang S, Steiner JM, Tolbert MK, Gould EN. Pharmacodynamics of 2 dosages of orally administered esomeprazole in client-owned, healthy dogs: A prospective, crossover study. 

 October 8, 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024. doi:10.1111/jvim.17233

A recent study evaluated whether lower esomeprazole doses could achieve therapeutic pH goals while minimizing adverse effects. 