The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for lotilaner (Credelio; Elanco Animal Health) to treat New World screwworm (NWS) infestations in dogs,

 marking the first time the FDA has granted such an authorization for both a NWS treatment in canines and any animal drug. The announcement comes as cases of the parasite have been 

confirmed less than 70 miles south of the United States–Mexico border

“This first-ever emergency use authorization for NWS in dogs gives veterinarians and pet owners peace of mind, knowing there's an authorized treatment option available as soon as they may need it,” Ellen de Brabander, PhD, executive vice president of innovation and regulatory affairs at Elanco, said in an Elanco news release.

The emergency use authorization of the isoxazoline provides veterinarians and pet owners with a treatment option should the parasite enter the US. According to Elanco, the FDA granted the authorization after evaluating a study on the efficacy of lotilaner against myiasis caused by NWS in naturally infested dogs.

, found that oral administration of lotilaner at the minimum recommended dosage in 11 infested dogs demonstrated 100% efficacy against 

 (NWS) larvae within 24 hours of treatment.

“Lotilaner demonstrated a rapid onset of action and a high efficacy against 

. We therefore recommend lotilaner for the effective treatment of myiasis in dogs,” the authors of the study wrote.

Still, the data supporting lotilaner’s benefits against infestations caused by NWS larvae are limited. The study involved only 11 naturally infested dogs in Brazil, and its relevance to dogs in the US remains unknown. Researchers believe the primary mechanism of action against 

 is the expulsion of live larvae. However, the combined use of mechanical removal and the absence of a control group make it difficult to isolate the drug’s specific effect, Elanco noted.

 The larval expulsion rate in the study was 80.5% at 2 hours post treatment and 93% at 6 hours post treatment, reaching 100% efficacy at 24 hours post treatment.

FDA conditionally approves drug to prevent and treat screwworm in cattle

A NWS infestation occurs when a NWS fly lays eggs on open wounds or other body parts of live, warm-blooded animals. The eggs hatch into larvae that then invade the tissues of the animal by burrowing themselves into wounds and feeding on the animal’s tissue.

According to the CDC, a small wound from a tick bite is enough to attract a female fly to feed and lay her eggs in it.

 One female can lay 200 to 300 eggs at a time and up to 3000 eggs over a 10- to 30-day lifespan.

“Any break in the skin—from a scratch to a surgical incision—can become an entry point for NWS, due to its aggressive and invasive nature," said Casey Locklear, DVM, a Texas-based veterinarian and parasiticide lead at Elanco.

"Preventing or rapidly treating existing wounds is critical to protecting pets from NWS. One way to limit self-inflicted scratching includes using year-round flea and tick protection, such as Credelio."

Elanco's Credelio (lotilaner) receives first ever FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) against New World screwworm (NWS) in dogs. News release. Elanco Animal Health. October 24, 2025. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elancos-credelio-lotilaner-receives-first-ever-fda-emergency-use-authorization-eua-against-new-world-screwworm-nws-in-dogs-302594317.html

Bautista-Alejandre A. New World screwworm detected less than 70 miles from the US-Mexico border. 

. September 22, 2025. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-world-screwworm-detected-less-than-70-miles-from-the-us-mexico-border

do Vale TL, Costa AR, Miranda LM, et al. Efficacy of lotilaner against myiasis caused by 

 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in naturally infested dogs. 

 2023;16(1):86. doi:10.1186/s13071-023-05661-z

About New World screwworm. CDC. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/new-world-screwworm/about/index.html

Articles

The authorization is the first of its kind for dogs, as health officials track New World screwworm cases near the US-Mexico border.

FDA grants emergency use authorization for lotilaner to treat New World screwworm in dogs

A targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) therapy product promises to deliver full-body treatment and comfort for companion animals. In an announcement launching the new Assisi Loop Lounge from Zomedica, the company said the device is suitable for the needs of a wide range of species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and exotic animals.

According to Zomedica, a diagnostic and therapeutic products company, Assisi Loop Lounge is a bed that can relieve pain and inflammation for treatment and post-surgery recovery, provide comfort for pets receiving palliative care, help manage osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic pain, and provide mobility support through tPEMF.

PEMF relies on nonthermal electromagnetic waves to deliver healing stimulation for bones and soft tissues, according to Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR. This therapy also reduces inflammation, swelling, and edema, and decreases pain. Beneficial effects of this type of therapy for postoperative analgesia have also been reported in studies. However, evidence for management of canine OA through PEMF is limited, Shaw wrote in a 

Nicole Westfall, senior vice president of marketing at Zomedica, noted that not all tPEMF devices are created equal. "The Assisi Loop Lounge combines scientifically proven tPEMF technology preferred, trusted, and recommended in veterinary medicine with a beautifully designed, comfortable solution that pet owners feel good about bringing into their homes. It's truly where science meets love," Westfall said in a news release.

The new Assisi Loop Lounge is a bed constructed with 3 inches of orthopedic foam, a liquid-resistant liner, and a performance fabric cover that is available in multiple sizes. The product is designed to be lightweight and portable, and fits inside most pet carriers, according to Zomedica. The company says the device also offers unlimited use and comes with a lifetime warranty.

“As the only scientifically backed tPEMF device in the small animal market, Assisi continues to set the benchmark for evidence-based healing. Veterinarians choose it for its proven efficacy; pet owners choose it because they see the difference in their animals' comfort, recovery, and quality of life," Mialisa Gluckert, senior director of commercialization at Zomedica, said in the release.

Rehabilitation veterinarian Matthew Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CCAT, Fellow, IAVRPT, said the Assisi Loop Lounge is a “critical component” of his practice. "It provides consistent, evidence-based pain relief and accelerates recovery for my patients. Whether in the clinic or at home, it gives veterinarians and owners a safe, effective tool to improve quality of life and support long-term healing,” Brunke said in the release.

An earlier Assisi Loop Lounge product was launched in 2018 as a collaboration between Assisi Animal Health and Sleepypod. That product incorporated Assisi Loop technology in the bedding of Sleepypod carriers.

Assisi Animal Health was acquired by Zomedica in 2022.

 Sleepypod was acquired by the pet health and wellness platform Paw Prosper in January 2025.

Zomedica announces launch of the Assisi Loop Lounge, scientifically backed tPEMF therapy for pets. News release. October 23, 2025. Accessed October 24, 2025. 

https://feeds.issuerdirect.com/news-release.html?newsid=4870699007325727&symbol=ZOM,ZOMDF

Shaw KK. Nonpharmacologic management of canine osteoarthritis, part 2. 

 January 12, 2024. Accessed October 24, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/nonpharmacologic-management-of-canine-osteoarthritis-part-2

Sleepypod and Assisi Animal Health introduce next generation technology for inflammation and pain management in small animals. News release. Sleepypod, October 30, 2018. Accessed October 24, 2025. 

https://www.prweb.com/releases/sleepypod-and-assisi-animal-health-introduce-next-generation-technology-for-inflammation-and-pain-management-in-small-animals-861662258.html

Paw Prosper strengthens its commitment to pet wellbeing with the acquisition of Sleepypod: global leader in crash-test-certified safety harnesses and carriers. News release. Paw Prosper. January 7, 2025. Accessed October 24, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paw-prosper-strengthens-its-commitment-to-pet-well-being-with-the-acquisition-of-sleepypod-global-leader-in-crash-test-certified-safety-harnesses-and-carriers-302344500.html

Zomedica acquires assets of leading tPEM company Assisi Animal Health. News release. Zomedica. July 18, 2022. Accessed October 25, 2025. 

https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/zomedica-acquires-assets-of-leading-tpemtm-company-assisi-animal-healt-708862

The new Assisi Loop Lounge provides pain relief and comfort to dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic animals.

Full-body therapy bed is launched for pain management and mobility support

Nancy Patsos, LVT, VTS (ECC), discusses unique issues and how practice leadership can help alleviate them. 

Addressing challenges for veterinary technicians

Veterinary technicians are an integral part of any animal health practice. However, the role presents unique challenges as these professionals balance patient care, client relations, and administrative tasks. Energy, emotions, and personal wellness are known contributors to how a veterinary professional handles these challenges. In a 

interview, Nancy Patsos, LVT, VTS (ECC), chief veterinary technician at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center—the world’s largest nonprofit animal hospital—in New York, New York, discussed what challenges many veterinary technicians face on the job and how practices can help alleviate them.

Collective heritage: Honoring the past, inspiring the future

The following is a transcript of the video:

What are challenges that veterinary technicians often face on the job?

 High patient value and time pressures. The technicians are frequently expected to assist multiple patients in short time frames…whether they're drawing blood or running diagnostic tests. [Short time frames] can really lead to rushed procedures or decreased accuracy or attention to detail, [as well as] physical and mental fatigue.

There's emotional stress. Technicians witness patient suffering, discomfort, and emergencies, which, over time, can lead to compassion fatigue, burnout, and difficulty maintaining emotional boundaries.

Keeping up with technology is another challenge. Technology is changing so fast, and technicians can struggle with constantly learning new equipment and software.

Addressing these challenges often requires good support systems, ongoing education, and clear communication from the leaderships and colleagues.

Exploring career options for veterinary technicians

Caring for zoo animals as a veterinary technician

In recognition of National Veterinary Technician Week in early October, 

 is celebrating veterinary technicians throughout the entire month. Follow our dedicated 

 page for the latest content highlighting the roles and stories of these veterinary professionals.

Videos

Good morning dvm360 readers! Did you know dvm360 recently launched Fetch Encore? On December 14, for only $25 USD, attendees will have the chance to earn 6 live CE credits in feline medicine through this new virtual symposium. The symposium will feature well-known industry leaders such as Christopher Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, Caitlin Dutcher-Lundy, RVT, VTS (CP-Feline), Autumn McBride, DVM, and more! Register 

 today to secure your spot for our first Fetch Encore!

Besides the exciting news of Fetch Encore, here is what else you can find this week on dvm360.com:

In an unpublished opinion, a New Jersey federal district court 

 a class action lawsuit against Zoetis, Inc., that was brought by 8 pet owners claiming Zoetis misrepresented the safety of its bedinvetmab injection (Librela; Zoetis), a monoclonal antibody treatment for osteoarthritis pain in canine patients

Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine 

 this week it has received full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, making the school 1 of 31 fully accredited veterinary schools in the US.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed Dana Connell, DVM, MPH, DACVIM (Oncology), and Zachary L. Neumann, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology) to the show to chat about IDEX Cancer Dx testing.

 is now available online! Mélanie Perrier, DrMedVet, DACVS, DECVS, CERP, discussed how to manage equine back pain, a common problem in these patients that is often multifactorial and requires a complete and accurate diagnosis.

 shared a commentary about celebrating professional wins and shares that before most veterinary professionals joined the industry, they were clients.

Wrap up: Class action lawsuit against Zoetis over Librela dismissed, and other news

Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), DECVIM-CA. (Image courtesy of Zoetis)

Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), DECVIM-CA, is internationally recognized for his expertise in companion animal medicine. He currently serves as global chief medical officer at Zoetis. Before joining Zoetis, Goldstein was chief medical officer at the Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, New York, the largest nonprofit animal hospital globally. He previously served as an associate professor of internal medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, where his work focused on infectious, renal, and genetic diseases.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

National Pet Wellness Month emphasizes prevention. How does osteoarthritis (OA) fit into the larger preventative care conversation for cats and dogs, especially considering many cases go undiagnosed until later stages?

 That’s a really important question and important concept. Osteoarthritis is a disease that starts in young dogs. It starts subtly. It’s a disease that causes abnormal inflammation in the joint that then causes pain, and all of those things start young. Often, pet owners don’t pick up on it until dogs are older because they don’t pick up on it until it’s quite severe.

We can even expand prevention conversations to wellness discussions. Prevention is part of an overall wellness program, and it includes seeing dogs and cats on a schedule, starting when they’re puppies and kittens, even if there is nothing apparently wrong with them.

And then we prevent the things that we can from happening using vaccines and parasiticides, but we also try to do early detection. We try to pick up things early before there are clinical signs by doing physical exams and blood work. Maybe take x-rays if OA is suspected, and then we can start treating early. There are huge advantages to starting treatment early. So, I would say prevention is wonderful. Wellness as an overall package is even better, and that includes prevention and early detection, and treatment.

What are some of the most common barriers veterinarians face in identifying osteoarthritis early clinically and in communicating with clients about subtle signs of pain?

 I think part of it is just that mindset of wellness and prevention. I think pet owners—and many veterinarians—are still used to a 

 kind of mentality, which means wait until it’s really late—until the dog and cat are showing obvious signs, and then bring them to the vet. We need to change our mindset to a wellness-first one.

There is also a lot of education that needs to happen, both for veterinarians and for pet owners, on how to detect osteoarthritis early. Dogs and cats are very good at hiding their clinical signs. They’re a lot closer to the wild than we are, so they’re not going to show [many] subtle signs. [When we feel pain,] we [might prefer] to take something for it. We don't want to be at that level of pain.

But dogs and cats still appear to be normal—they’ll chase a ball and catch a Frisbee despite being in pain. So, it's important to educate pet owners on what the early signs of pain are. Don’t wait until they can’t go up the stairs. Look at how they get up. Look at how they’re sitting. Look at how they’re lying down. Look at how long it takes them to get up in the morning. Make videos of your dog when they’re normal, when they’re young and healthy, and then see how that progresses.

For cats, we have a feline OA checklist that shows people things that you can look for to diagnose OA early. Those kinds of tools are really important.

It's important even for the veterinarian. Many veterinarians didn’t learn about this in vet school. Pain was often not a huge subject, even though part of our role as veterinarians and the oath we take is to manage pain.

So, education should come first. We should also have the awareness that pain is a disease. We don’t want dogs to be in pain, even if it appears subtle; it’s probably not subtle to them.

We have therapies today that can alleviate that pain in an easy, convenient, persistent way. I think that [conversations on] pain should be part of the discussion that clients have with a new puppy or kitten, just like nutrition, spay/neuter, and vaccines.

Let’s talk about your dog’s or cat’s mobility. Look at how they can run around and wiggle today. Let’s make sure that they have that level of comfort for as long as they possibly can in their life. If there is any change at all, let’s jump on it early and treat it.

 The number we have is 40%—it may be even higher for dogs because a lot of it goes undiagnosed. It is one of the most common and undiagnosed problems because people think their dogs are just getting older, and they don’t bring them to the vet. By the time they’re 8 or 9 or 10, other issues need to be addressed as well. They might have metabolic diseases or other diseases, and then osteoarthritis kind of takes a backseat because there are more pressing issues. Really, the timeframe to diagnose osteoarthritis is when pets are young and when the disease is relatively less clinical, and then jump on it early and try to prevent that pain from getting worse down the road before the patient potentially develops other conditions as they age.

dvm360: Over the past few years, how have advances in pain management, including monoclonal antibodies, changed the way veterinarians approach OA earlier and more effectively?

 Monoclonal antibodies have changed a lot of things. They’ve changed how we treat dermatologic disease and now they’re changing how we treat pain. Traditionally, in veterinary medicine, again, there was this mindset of “if it’s not severe, I’m not going to worry about it.” Back in the day, when I was in vet school, many veterinarians didn’t believe that pain was a thing. Luckily, we’ve gone past that.

However, today, many veterinarians still treat pain as needed. There’s this concept of 

if they’re having a bad day, give them a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). 

Because of concerns about chronic NSAID use and the inconvenience of daily dosing—once or twice a day—these medications are often given only [when symptoms flare up]. In essence, we’re telling owners, “Your dog will have good days and bad days. When they have a bad day, give them something."

What we should be saying is, “We don’t want your dog to have good days and bad days. We want every day to be a good day.”

So, let’s make sure we have something on board that will alleviate pain chronically, even in the days where it’s not as obvious, because the things that are causing pain—the abnormalities in the joints—they’re there all the time. The pain is there all the time. Even if pets don’t display pain consistently, the underlying discomfort remains constant. Let’s make sure they’re not in pain at all.

Monoclonal antibodies are canine-specific antibodies and function like the body’s own antibodies, which makes them very safe. They’re given once a month chronically, and they provide persistent, constant pain relief, without the ups and downs of “I’m going to give a pill or not give a pill.” It’s game-changing for how we can treat pain starting early on and then persistently for the life of the dog or cat or as long as they’re in pain. Again, our oath is—and I think every pet owner would agree—we don’t want them to be in pain at all.

Beyond new therapies, what other developments in preventive medicine or technology excite you the most about the future of maintaining long-term mobility and comfort in pets?

 It’s definitely an exciting area. It’s a great question because it’s an area I am and all of us are very passionate about. [The future of preventive medicine is about] helping drive that transition into preventive medicine and wellness, which will provide longer, healthier, happier lives with a better quality of life for our patients.

Quality of life is really the key goal. Conversations around giving veterinarians better tools for earlier diagnosis and disease prevention support the mission of helping pets live longer, happier lives. It’s about shifting the mindset—educating veterinarians and pet owners, and providing the right tools, like the ability to watch videos and ensure that these animals are maintaining the same mobility they had as puppies and kittens.

It’s also about education: knowing what to do once you start noticing subtle signs. For example, if you’re palpating a joint and it feels a little uncomfortable, take an x-ray—and then help the pet owner understand the value of that step. You’re often asking them to invest in an x-ray for a dog that seems relatively healthy, so explaining the “why” behind it is key. When we diagnose osteoarthritis early and start managing it, we not only relieve pain now, but also prevent it from worsening down the road.

That’s what excites me most about where we’re headed: having the right tools and continuing to shift the profession toward a wellness-first, prevention-driven mindset rather than a “call me if there’s a problem” approach.  

Goldstein calls for a shift in veterinary practice from reactive pain treatment to proactive osteoarthritis prevention and lifelong wellness, as National Pet Wellness Month comes to a close.

Rethinking pain: Q&A with Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), DECVIM-CA on preventive OA management

Melody Martínez urges veterinary technicians to unite for fair pay, recognition, and professional growth through collaboration and advocacy in their field.

A message to vet techs from Melody Martínez, CVT

In this video, Melody Martínez, CVT, executive director of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association, calls on veterinary technicians to unite, collaborate, and innovate within their profession to achieve fair pay, better utilization, and greater recognition. She also encourages technicians to advocate for their professional goals and growth.

On being seen in veterinary medicine: A conversation with Melody Martínez, CVT

Below is a transcript of the video, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity.

 I think that we have not seen a lot of change in the way that technicians are respected in the profession, and I think that it can inspire people to just give up. I think that we have to keep going. And so I want to tell technicians: reach out to each other and continue to collaborate and to innovate the way that technicians do. 

I think that it's important for us to continue to demand the things that we are entitled to and the things that we deserve from the profession. [Such as] being fully utilized, being paid a living wage or [a] thriving wage, ideally; and being supported. And then for assistance, in particular, to be supported to go to school, if that's what you want; being given clear pathways that grow your skills and grow your pay. I want to see that we are advocating—communicating clearly, [saying] "This is what we want. We want steps to grow. We want to see those steps clearly laid out so that we can reach them. And we want every time we reach those milestones, every time we gain that new skill, we want to see our pay increase." I think that's huge.

"I started to question my self-worth": A first-generation vet tech on belonging, access to care, and her journey through vet med

Melody Martínez, CVT, urges veterinary technicians to unite for fair pay, recognition, and professional growth through collaboration and advocacy in their field.