Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAACB), discusses one way to help calm a canine patient in fear.

Creating safe spaces to mitigate fear in dogs

Discernible objects or situations such as thunderstorms, fireworks or other sudden and loud noises can trigger phobia, distress and a behavioral reaction in a pet. Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAACB), a practitioner at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, offered a variety of phobia and anxiety intervention strategies while presenting an educational session at the 

2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Charlotte

, North Carolina. The lecture included discussion of pets that may need spaces that they feel safe in, such as a quiet area with bedding or other comfort items. In a 

interview recorded at the conference, Pachel further discussed the need for safe spaces as one way to help calm a patient experiencing fear.

Understanding phobia and anxiety in patients

The following is a transcript of the video:

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAACB

 “Being able to access safety, whatever that means for the animal, and to have a sense of agency, to be able to make some choices, to be able to choose that, addresses both the exposure level, to be able to help them manage that situation, that noise, that stimulus, more effectively. The ability to have some agency and choice actually helps to address some of the anxiety components. What we find is that by giving animals the ability to choose between options that are meaningful for them—in this case, talking about meaningful because of safety or reduced exposure—that actually addresses some of the anxiety component. So we're coming at it from multiple angles. And what I love about really helping caregivers to understand what the animals needs are is they said, ‘Well, what do I do? What's going to make my pet feel better?’ And the honest answer is, ‘let's ask your dog. Let's ask your cat. Let's observe them.’

“I remember one particular case, which was a noise phobia case, and the owner said, ‘I don't know why, but in the storm noises, when we have fireworks, the dog always comes here’—and they pointed to a space just in the middle of their basement family room—'always here.’ And we said, ‘well, I don't know why.’ So, because I'm weird and I don't mind being awkward, I'm like, ‘Cool. Let me get down at your dog's level.’ And I'm down on my hands and knees in the middle of their living room. And I have no idea how to explain it from an acoustic standpoint, but it was like a little dead zone right there. And once you got into this 3 by 3 space, you could just kind of feel the reverberations of noises getting really, really muffled. The dog is clearly going to be able to recognize that and know that ‘I feel better here,’ rather than any other space. And so simply observing, they didn't know why yet, but observing that this is where my dog feels more comfortable, let's make sure they have access to that, and let's see why that might be meaningful. Can we replicate that? So then having that knowledge that, okay, your dog is more comfortable when their acoustics are buffered. Let's see if we can layer that into so many other scenarios as a way to, again, give them that sense of safety and control and agency.”

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Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAACB), a practitioner at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, discusses one way to help calm an animal that's afraid.

Creating safe spaces to mitigate fear in pets

Pet owners living with senior pets or a pet with a terminal disease often come to their veterinarian asking, “When is it time?” or “How will I know when it’s time to euthanize?”. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. As veterinarians, it is our duty to respond compassionately and provide owners with the education and tools they need to assess their pet’s quality of life. During a recent session at the Fetch dvm360 Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Leigh Ann Collins, DVM, CVA, CPEV, regional veterinary director with Lap of Love, discussed strategies veterinarians can use to help their clients with this difficult assessment.

In many disease processes, there is not an obvious time when euthanasia becomes appropriate. Instead, there is often a range of time during which euthanasia is appropriate, depending on the individual pet and family. Collins suggested that veterinarians discuss 4 factors with clients to help them answer the question of “When is it time?”: ailment, family beliefs, pet personality, and budgets.

“Every disease is different,” Collins said, and death looks different in each. Veterinarians must educate clients on the disease process their pet is experiencing and set expectations for how the disease will progress and what they may expect. Conversations will look different depending on the disease process as well.

In general, diseases can be divided into 3 categories:

Imminent, such as a hemoabdomen or respiratory distress, where a decline happens quickly and often does not allow families to plan for euthanasia or schedule in-home care.

Intermediate, such as heart failure, where there will be ups and downs over time. Some changes can happen quickly.

Non-imminent, such as chronic kidney disease or osteoarthritis, where the decline is slow and families will have time to plan for end-of-life care, including scheduling euthanasia or utilizing an in-home euthanasia service.

Collins likened imminent diseases to a cliff, whereas intermediate diseases are a winding road, and non-imminent are a slow fade. Identifying which category of disease a pet family is facing can help frame the conversation around quality of life and euthanasia.

Euthanasia is an emotional decision for families and can be impacted by many factors. This includes cultural and/or religious beliefs, personal experiences, relationship with the individual pet, and the pet’s use, which is a particularly important factor for working animals. Collins encouraged veterinary teams to ask questions if you aren’t sure how a family’s beliefs are affecting their decision.

Collins encouraged veterinarians and pet owners to consider this question: “Just because there are options [for treatment], is it appropriate for the pet?” Families should consider how easy treatment will be and what their pet’s tolerance for medication, diet change, recheck veterinary appointments, and other treatment considerations may be. Treatment plans should be tailored to the individual pet’s personality. Although some pets may tolerate strict rest for medical management of intervertebral disc disease in dogs or subcutaneous fluids for chronic kidney disease, others could be extremely stressed. This will impact not only the pet’s quality of life but the relationship between pet and client.

The last factor to consider includes the family’s budgets. Although finances are often a factor, there are other budgets that need to be considered, including:

Physical ability to medicate and provide nursing care

Time to perform treatments like bathing or maintain a medication schedule

Caregiver burden can be experienced when caring for a sick pet and may be influenced by many factors including caregiving responsibilities for other pets or human family members as well as past experiences with sick pets. Collins encouraged veterinary teams to ask questions about clients’ previous experiences with euthanasia and end-of-life decisions to guide conversations about the current pet.

Objective approaches to measure quality of life

In Collins’ experience, “the [pet owner] who is doing the majority of the caretaking comes to the decision to euthanize first.” However, other family members may have differing opinions, and it is important that veterinarians compassionately guide the family through the decision-making process. Often, this starts with a discussion of assessing a pet’s quality of life.

Quality of life can be difficult to define and often looks different for each individual pet and family. Six major categories can be considered: mobility, hydration, appetite, hygiene, happiness, and pain. Collins noted that there are also many sensations that can detract from a pet’s quality of life, including physical pain, nausea, pruritus, breathlessness, thirst, and hunger. Additionally, social and emotional factors like anxiety or phobias, fear, isolation, loneliness, boredom and frustration, and stress can have major negative effects on quality.

Ultimately, we must find a way to measure a subjective concept. Collins encourages veterinary teams to give owners ways to evaluate quality of life at home and not assume that pet families know how to do this. Some common strategies for measuring quality of life include:

Make a list of the pet’s 5 favorite things to do and assess if they are still able to do them.

Consider things the pet hates/dislikes and determine if they are still reacting in the same way to these events (ie, mail delivery, thunderstorms).

Assess whether the pet still has their five freedoms, as defined by the ASPCA: freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury or disease; freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress.

Quantify good and bad days on a calendar or with colored marbles in a jar. This requires families to agree on how they define “good” and “bad” and what percentage of the day needs to fall into the category.

Provide quality of life assessments to owners. There are numerous tools available including Lap of Love resources (quality of life scale, calendar, daily assessment), the Ohio State University’s quality of life scale, and Dr. Alive Villalobos’ H5M2 scale.

Make a bucket list of experiences for the pet to celebrate their life together.

Encourage families to compare videos or pictures over time to see how the pet’s appearance and activity compares to previous times.

At times, pet families may not see how bad things are, even when it seems obvious to us as veterinary professionals. It is essential that we avoid judgment during these conversations. Collins suggested that veterinarians start by discussing the disease process and setting expectations for how the disease will progress, including what death without assistance will look like. She also encouraged owners to set a “line in the sand” that they would not want to cross, such as their pet entering respiratory distress or being unable to stand.

Another approach is to have the owner do a quality of life scale in the office and compare their answers to one filled out by the veterinarian. Ultimately, end-of-life decisions belong to the pet family. Veterinarians can discuss the family’s beliefs, concerns, and fears to determine how best to help both the pet and family. Veterinarians should consider the pet’s condition and prescribe pain and sedation as needed to maximize the pet’s comfort.

“In traditional general practice, we don’t have as much time to have these conversations,” Collins noted. General practitioners should be aware of resources for pet owners to help with anticipatory grief and consider referring clients to a hospice and palliative care veterinarian to continue the end-of-life conversations, often in the home environment.

When guiding owners through end-of-life decision making, assessing quality of life is an essential component. Veterinarians should maintain compassion and withhold judgment throughout the process while educating owners and providing tools clients can use to objectively assess their pet’s quality of life.

, is a 2013 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, a practicing veterinarian, and freelance speaker and author in western Pennsylvania. She is passionate about mentorship, spectrum of care, and addressing common sources of stress for veterinary teams and recent graduates. Outside of clinical practice, Boatright is actively involved in organized veterinary medicine.

Collins L. Helping owners with assessing quality of life. Presented at dvm360 Fetch Charlotte 2025: Charlotte, NC. March 16, 2025.

Five freedoms. ASPCA. Accessed April 16, 2025. 

https://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/upload/images/aspca_asv_five_freedoms_final1.ashx_.pdf

Articles

Helping owners assess their pet’s quality of life is an important part of the end-of-life decision making process

Guiding pet owners through end-of-life decision-making

Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, DACVIM, talks about what a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor is

Understanding the physiology behind SGLT2 inhibitors 

, Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), past faculty of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and a current consultant at Veterinary Information Network, an online community and resource center for veterinarians, explains what a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is. Behrend, who specializes in small animal endocrinology, noted that this new class of oral medications have “revolutionized” the treatment of type 2 diabetes in humans and is now being used in veterinary medicine.

Currently, SGLT2 inhibitors are used in cats only as single agents for diabetes. In the video, Behrend goes into detail on how these medications work to decrease blood glucose concentrations in feline patients with diabetes.

Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM): 

I'm Ellen Behrend. I am a board-certified small animal internist with a special interest in small animal endocrinology. I spent the majority of my career as a faculty member at Auburn University, and I now am a consultant for Veterinary Information Network.

[SGLT2 inhibitors] are drugs that have revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes in people, and they're relatively new to veterinary medicine. We use them in cats only as single agents for diabetes.

SGLTs are a class of molecules that transport glucose across membranes. SGLT2 is mainly in the kidneys.

So, remember from physiology that glucose is freely filtered at the glomerulus and then the body in a normal dog, cat, human, typically reabsorbs pretty much all of the glucose, so there's no glucose in the urine. An SGLT2 inhibitor inhibits that. So, it stops the reabsorption of glucose from the renal tubules, meaning that the glucose is going to then be excreted through the urine instead, and by getting rid of all of that glucose in the urine, that's how SGLT2 inhibitors decrease blood glucose concentrations in diabetics.

Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), describes a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor in a dvm360 interview.

You might expect innovation and disruption to be prominent in veterinary dentistry, considering that periodontal disease has been a prevalent health issue in dogs and cats for as long as we can remember. Fortunately, a shift has occurred: We now embrace inflammation as the primary trigger for periodontal disease instead of bacteria, leading to new strategies for prevention and treatment.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) was initially recognized for its applications in human orthopedics, ophthalmology, and wound healing. It is poised to become an advancement in veterinary dentistry for treating periodontal disease and improving oral surgical site recovery in pets.

Evidence-based, peer-reviewed studies have shown that a single dose of HA after a procedure accelerates tissue healing, enhances bone formation, and reduces probing pocket depth in various dental settings. The use of HA in veterinary dentistry is significant because of the following:

HA targets the underlying inflammation responsible for periodontal disease.

HA may slow the progression to more advanced periodontal

This shift toward using HA represents a more holistic and less invasive approach to managing pet periodontal disease. It also aligns with the increasing understanding of inflammation’s role in the condition and moves away from antibiotic-based interventions.

Understanding the challenge: Periodontal disease in companion animals

Periodontal disease remains one of the most prevalent health issues in veterinary practice, affecting approximately 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by 3 years of age.

 If left untreated, it can lead to progressive tissue destruction, chronic pain, systemic inflammation, and organ damage. Although traditional methods such as mechanical debridement, adjunctive therapies, and, ultimately, extractions continue to be the standard treatments, the increasing demand for more biocompatible solutions calls for innovative interventions.

What is HA, and why is it relevant in veterinary dentistry?

HA is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan found in extracellular matrices, synovial fluid, and soft tissues.

 Its hydrophilic properties enable it to retain moisture and encourage cellular migration, making it a component in tissue regeneration and repair. HA has been successfully integrated into treatment protocols for periodontitis, postextraction healing, and implantology in human dentistry.

 Its potential for veterinary applications is being explored through previously published studies showing significant benefits in managing periodontal disease in dogs and cats.

The primary advantages of HA in veterinary dentistry include the following:

Enhancing angiogenesis and tissue regeneration

By incorporating HA-based therapies into routine dental care, veterinarians can provide a multimodal approach to managing periodontal disease, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes and patient comfort.

Angiogenic benefits of HA in oral wound healing

One of HA’s contributions to veterinary dentistry is its ability to stimulate angiogenesis, which encourages tissue repair and accelerates postsurgical healing. HA’s proangiogenic effects are advantageous because impaired blood vessels lead to the progression of periodontal disease.

promoting endothelial cell migration and proliferation, enhancing capillary formation in damaged periodontal tissues;

improving oxygen and nutrient delivery, ensuring adequate support for regenerative processes; and

accelerating healing after surgery, especially at extraction sites, gingival flaps, and during grafting procedures.

The studies on dogs indicate that applying HA-based gels topically after dental procedures shortens healing time and enhances mucosal integrity. Additionally, HA emerged as a valuable adjunctive treatment for chronic periodontal issues and recovery after extractions. The 5 canine studies referenced in this article include histologic confirmation of the positive effects of HA on periodontal disease of varying severity, including gingival recession,

 Each of these studies reported statistically significant improvements in several end points, such as the regeneration of bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum.

Anti-inflammatory properties of HA in periodontal therapy

Inflammation is a key factor in the pathology of periodontal disease, as bacterial biofilms often provoke an extreme immune response that results in gingival destruction and alveolar bone loss.

 HA alleviates inflammatory damage through several mechanisms, including the following:

Regulation of cytokine activity: HA modulates the release of key inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, reducing excessive immune activation.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)1: HA inhibits the activity of MMPs, which break down extracellular matrix components and contribute to the degradation of the periodontal ligament.

Enhancing tissue hydration and lubrication: HA maintains mucosal hydration by binding to water molecules, reducing tissue irritation, and promoting healing.

Antimicrobial properties: HA’s role in controlling oral pathogens

Another aspect of HA use in veterinary dentistry is its intrinsic antimicrobial activity. The oral cavity harbors a diverse microbiome, and dysbiosis plays a key role in developing periodontal disease. HA exhibits antimicrobial effects through multiple mechanisms, including the following:

Direct bacteriostatic action: HA disrupts bacterial cell membranes, particularly in periodontal pathogens such as 

Biofilm disruption: HA hinders bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, decreasing plaque buildup and gum inflammation.

Synergy with other antimicrobial agents: HA enhances the efficacy of antiseptics such as chlorhexidine and essential oils, making it a valuable adjunct in plaque-control strategies.


With increasing concerns regarding antibiotic resistance, HA presents a nonantibiotic antimicrobial aid for managing periodontal infections, reducing bacterial load, and supporting a healthier oral environment.

Analgesic effects of HA in veterinary dental procedures

Pain management is a vital aspect of veterinary dentistry, as ignoring oral pain can severely affect an animal’s quality of life. HA possesses intrinsic analgesic properties, making it especially effective for decreasing pain related to periodontal disease and oral surgery. The following includes the ways in which HA provides pain relief:

Modulating pain receptors: HA interacts with nerve endings, reducing nociceptive signaling and discomfort.

Promoting soft tissue healing: Quicker tissue repair leads to less inflammation and extended pain relief after surgery.

Demonstrating localized analgesic effects: Clinical studies in human dentistry showcase HA’s effectiveness in alleviating postprocedural pain, a benefit that is now being used in veterinary applications.

Clinical applications of HA in veterinary dentistry

HA is available in various veterinary formulations, including oral gels, mouth rinses, and injectable solutions. I am currently using the gel formulation for the following:

Periodontal disease management: HA gels applied to gingival pockets after scaling and root planing help reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. (

Postextraction care: HA minimizes the risk of alveolar osteitis (dry socket in humans) and accelerates healing. (

Wound healing after oral surgery: HA-based formulations enhance mucosal recovery following gingival flap surgery and tumor excision.

Integrating HA into veterinary dental protocols

Despite its promising benefits, HA’s use in veterinary dentistry remains underutilized because of limited awareness and product availability. However, innovative formulations, such as the HA-based gel formulated for veterinary use, offer veterinarians a practical tool for incorporating HA into standard dental care protocols.

As more clinical trials validate the efficacy of HA in veterinary dentistry, we anticipate a broader adoption of HA-based therapies. Future research should concentrate on the following:

Optimizing application protocols for periodontal treatments

Assessing the long-term impacts of HA on periodontal health

Developing combination therapies with existing dental treatments

HA is an advanced treatment for periodontal disease in dogs and cats. Its angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties make it a valuable tool for veterinarians committed to enhancing patient outcomes. As veterinary dentistry progresses, incorporating HA-based products into practice presents a promising opportunity to improve oral health and overall patient well-being.

Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP (Canine, Feline), FAVD

received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in Alabama. After completing an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York, New York, he moved to Florida, where he practices companion animal medicine surgery and dentistry at All Pets Dental in Weston.

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The disruptive and innovative roles of hyaluronic acid in managing dog and cat dental disease

Dentistry A to Z: "I" is for innovation

Animal shelters and rescues across the United States have seen an increase in animals over the past several years, with 6.5 million cats and dogs entering shelters in 2023 alone.

 In the last 4 years, animal shelters and rescues have been experiencing an overcrowding crisis.

 According to Data from Shelters Animals Count, a national database for animal rescues and shelters, animals are remaining in shelters longer than they did in 2019, worsening the challenges shelters are facing, which include overcrowding, increased surrenders, rising costs, and lack of funding.

Recently, PetPlace and Pets Best—an online resource for pet owners and veterinary professionals, and a pet insurance provider, respectively—awarded 5 animal rescues with the Heroic Hearts Collective. Announced in February 2025, the Heroic Hearts Collective is an initiative that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards pet rescues across the United States.

“Pet rescues work tirelessly to save and rehome pets, often with limited resources. At PetPlace, we’re honored to support these organizations through the Heroic Hearts Collective, recognizing their dedication and providing meaningful aid to help them continue their lifesaving work,” Sam Watson, president of PetPlace, said in a news release.

The 5 winners of the award will each receive a donation of $1000 in cash, 50 standard microchips, 1 universal microchip scanner, and a feature story on Petplace.com. According to PetPlace and Pets Best, there were more than 15,000 nominations for the Heroic Hearts Collective award this year.

Located in New York and started by a group of volunteers helping pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina, AmsterDog Rescue has been serving the greater New York City area for more than 14 years. The rescue is run entirely by volunteers and is foster-based, focusing on dogs facing euthanasia, those with urgent medical needs, or dogs that have been passed multiple times.

The Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Society(TGPR) is based in Spring, Texas, and is also a volunteer-run organization that focuses on rehabilitating and rehoming at-risk Great Pyrenees dogs. Every year, TGPR averages more than 500 rescues of these dogs, working to help Great Pyrenees that are neglected and/or have serious medical needs. The organization also conducts large-scale rescue efforts with multiple teams across different cities.

Founded in 2016, this organization in Kissimmee, Florida works with dogs that are at risk of euthanasia in county shelters. Foster-based and volunteer-run, The Pittie Party of Central Florida (TPPCF)aims to give dogs “a chance to thrive,” focusing on those that are seen as unadoptable.

 “TPPCF stood out not just for its rescue work, but for its focus on hospice care, behavioral support, and building a strong, reliable foster network. They’re not just saving dogs – they’re doing it with compassion, commitment, and the help of a deeply engaged community,” wrote PetPlace in a feature story.

Based in Pittsburg, California, Umbrella of Hope Rescue is dedicated to saving senior pets, pets with disabilities, and those with ongoing medical needs. “Umbrella of Hope began with one simple but powerful idea: animals with medical or age-related challenges still deserve a chance. The rescue was founded after seeing how often these animals were overlooked in shelters,” wrote PetPlace.

Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary is located in Tucson, Arizona and specializes in rescuing cats. The organization places a special focus on seniors and cats with disabilities or chronic illnesses. At the sanctuary, volunteers get to know each cat’s behavior and needs, offering medical treatment for injuries, calm spaces for shy cats, and specialized routines for those that have lost their sight or mobility. According to PetPlace, the philosophy of Whiskers N Wishes is that cats who may be “deemed “unadoptable” still deserve the warmth of human kindness and the chance to live without constant fear or discomfort.”

Bautista-Alejandre A. New report reveals shelter pet adoption data. 

. July 29, 2024. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-report-reveals-shelter-pet-adoption-data

PetPlace and Pets Best Insurance honor five extraordinary pet rescues as “Heroic Hearts Collective” award recipients on national pet day. News release. PetPlace, Pets Best Insurance. April 11, 2025.

Rowlands R. AmsterDog Rescue: A Heroic Heart for NYC’s Forgotten Dogs. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/amsterdog-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue: A Heroic Heart for Gentle Giants. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/texas-great-pyrenees-rescue-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. The Pittie Party of Central Florida: A Heroic Heart for At-Risk Dogs. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/pittie-party-central-florida-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. Umbrella of Hope: A Heroic Heart for Special Needs Animals. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/umbrella-of-hope-heroic-hearts

Rowlands R. Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary: A Heroic Heart for Cats in Need. PetPlace. April 8, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2025. 

https://www.petplace.com/article/general/pet-care/whiskers-wishes-sanctuary-heroic-hearts

The recipients of the Heroic Hearts Collective will receive $1000, 50 standard microchips, and more

5 animal rescues in the US receive award for their impact on pet lives

Kitten and puppy foods from Blue Ridge Beef are being recalled because of 

 contamination, which can affect animals ingesting these raw products. The recall is for 1080 lbs of 2 lb logs of Kitten Mix (lot number N26 0114) and 1230 lbs of 2 lb logs of Puppy Mix (lot number N25 1230).

Samples of the recalled products were collected on March 20, 2025, by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in response to a customer complaint of animal illness. On April 1, 2025, Blue Ridge Beef was notified by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture that the products tested positive for 

. The recall was issued with FDA notification.

These recalled food products are packaged in clear plastic and were distributed between January 3, 2025, to January 24, 2025. The recalled items were primarily sold through retail stores in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. Lot numbers can be found stamped in the clips on the end of the product bags.

According to Katie Tolbert, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, a clinical associate professor in internal medicine and nutrition at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in College Station, 

is a [bacterium] frequently found in the gastrointestinal tract of many mammals and birds, but some species of 

 produce toxins that cause infections when the bacteria adhere to the lining of the gut, causing gut inflammation and damage,” Tolbert explained in a news release.

infection may include lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain also affect some patients, according to the FDA. Healthy pets can be carriers of infection and transmit 

Pet owners should be aware of the causes, symptoms and treatments of 

 and client education can help. The FDA is encouraging pet owners to contact a veterinarian if their animal has eaten a product included in the Blue Ridge Beef recall and is showing symptoms of possible infection.

The infection can travel to other sites of the body, such as the joints or heart, and if the infection is not recognized, it could lead to severe consequences, including death,” Tolbert said.

In cases with significant symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness, pet owners should visit their veterinarian as soon as possible, according to Tolbert. An appropriate treatment plan can be created if the illness is caused by 

 infection, and the earlier the treatment, the quicker the pet’s condition can improve.

Certain Blue Ridge Beef products were found contaminated with bacteria that can cause illness to pets