The compounding pharmacy network Revelation Pharma is launching a new animal-focused division for serving the United States veterinary community.

 Revelation Animal Health will debut at the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX) hosted by the North American Veterinary Community in Orlando, Florida; January 25-29, 2025.

Revelation Animal Health aims to provide custom compounded medications that will help fill a gap in the animal health market, according to the company. Its’ products will support the health of companion pets and exotic animals as well as zoo and aquarium species.

“By maintaining the personalized care and community focus of a small pharmacy, plus offering the multi-state coverage, fast turnaround times, and broad product access of a larger organization, we can support veterinarians and their patients on a larger scale.” Kristin Berretta, PharmD, MS, director of business development, said in a news release.

 “Revelation Animal Health is about delivering the tailored solutions veterinarians trust, with the scale and efficiency they need to provide exceptional care for their patients."

According to the company release, Berretta and her team have decades of expertise in the animal health space. Their combined knowledge and experience include service to veterinary offices, zoos, aquariums, and other specialized practices. Revelation Animal Health has main pharmacy hubs on both of the country’s coasts and a network of pharmacies that continues to grow, which allows it to work with veterinarians across the country.

Revelation Pharma is a network of 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies. “This new division of Revelation Pharma will create additional options to serve our animal patients not just at home, but also in zoos, aquariums, and rescues,” said Eric Doherty, vice president, Revelation Pharma, said in a news release.

 “Revelation is dedicated to excellence; we’re excited to extend that dedication to our animal friends”

Each new pharmacy that joins Revelation Animal Health’s nationwide network is expected to contribute to the personalized needs of individual patients. However, the division’s focus will remain compounding as it grows. Expansive plans for the future include animal dietary supplements, nationwide availability of wholesale items, and clinical consultation with experts nationwide.

“This is only the beginning. With innovation, quality and commitment, we look to grow Revelation Animal Health into one of the nation’s leading animal health compounding pharmacy networks

As an addition to Revelation Pharma, we are now able to serve the needs of the entire family,” Doherty said.

According to Shawn Hodges, CEO of Revelation Pharma, the creation of the new animal health division provides an opportunity for the company to further its’ values and care. “We are excited to be able to fill the need for top quality, customized compounding for animals across the country,” Hodges, CEO of Revelation Pharma, said in a news release.

At VMX, Revelation Animal Health will host a booth in the Expo Hall at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Representatives of the company aim to connect with industry leaders and veterinarians, while showcasing their animal health compounding initiatives.

Revelation Pharma launches Revelation Animal Health: a nationwide leader in animal care compounding. News release. Revelation Pharma. January 21, 2025.

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Revelation Animal Health, part of the compounding pharmacy network Revelation Pharma, will debut at the 2025 VMX event in Orlando, Florida.

Pharmacy network is launching an animal health division

A new intensive care unit (ICU) was recently launched by the veterinary and medical technology company, Bionet America. The unit, the Super Air Smart ICU, offers features not found in traditional ICUs, including efficient oxygen and CO

 management, ionization-based air purification, and improved control of air heating and cooling along with monitoring of humidity levels, according to Bionet America.

The product is available in the United States and will be showcased at the 

 on January 25-29, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

“The Super Air Smart ICU marks a new category of products offered by Bionet. Temperature control, oxygen and CO

 management, and air purification are essentially important aspects of critical care, so our Smart ICU is designed to address some of the limitations of other units, without losing the performance, value, and reliability for which Bionet is known,” Jacqueline Lopez, director of sales, Animal Health Division, said in a company release.

 “It’s one more way that we aim to help veterinarians provide the best care possible.”

Super Air Smart ICU. (Photo courtesy of Bionet America)

Soda-lime technology is the traditional method in many veterinary ICUs to remove CO

, but it results in higher costs and more work for veterinary practices, according to a news release.

 “The Super Air Smart ICU is designed to remove CO

 without relying on the use of soda-lime while maintaining proper oxygen levels effectively, for better performance and less maintenance for veterinary staff,” wrote Bionet America in the release.

Environmental control through air heating and cooling to ensure optimal conditions for the patient

Continuous air purification with safe ionization technology that is patient-friendly

Improved oxygenation capabilities, reaching 40% oxygen levels in less than 10 minutes

User-friendly design with preset menus and parameters for users with varying levels of experience

Multipurpose flexibility with removable walls featuring removable walls to create larger or smaller compartments for animals of varying sizes, along with stackable configurations to optimize space in veterinary facilities

Also being exhibited, and launched for the first time at this year’s VMX, is a soft chew 

 that targets mRNA expression in skeletal muscle.

 Created by Virbac and Emmyon, the soft chews were designed to help treat muscle atrophy with the use of ursolic acid, which helps provide muscle support.

The supplement is aimed at improving muscle function and strength in aging, active, or recovering dogs. It also provides veterinarians with a new treatment option, giving pet owners the opportunity for more active years with their dogs.

Bionet America, Inc. Launches Super Air Smart ICU. News release. Bionet America, Inc. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/17/3011597/0/en/Bionet-America-Inc-Launches-Super-Air-Smart-ICU.html

Coppock Crossley K. New canine supplement is designed to improve muscle health. 

. January 21, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-canine-supplement-is-designed-to-improve-muscle-health

A new intensive care unit is being exhibited at this year’s Veterinary Meeting & Expo

New ICU moves away from soda-lime technology use to remove CO2

Samantha Miller, 55, from Columbia County, Oregon, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and payment of restitution on January 16, 2205, for her role in illegally dispensing prescription animal drugs without a lawful order of a veterinarian and defrauding customers seeking to adopt pets. The amount of the restitution has not yet been decided.

“Today’s sentence should make it clear to others engaged in unconscionable conduct that it will not be tolerated and they will be held responsible for their crimes,” Hannah Horsley, chief of the economic crimes unit for the District of Oregon, said in an organizational release.

Between November 2019 and January 2021, Miller conspired with others, through their Woofin Palooza animal rescue business, to obtain animals with behavioral and health problems from shelters outside Oregon at no cost to offer for adoption to paying customers in Portland, Oregon. Once in Portland, Miller did not provide the necessary care the animals needed through a licensed veterinarian, instead she either ignored them or tried to administer prescription animal drugs herself without the supervision of a veterinarian.

According to the release, Miller used the alias "Mandy Myers" and advertised animals for adoption on the Woofin Palooza and Petfinder websites with misleading or false statements about the known behavioral and medical histories of the animals.

 Once the pets were adopted, Miler then misrepresented the extent of the issues of the pets in contracts and communication with each of the new owners. Miller also dispensed to victims prescription animal drugs that she repacked with false or misleading labels, and without the order of licensed veterinarian. 

Victims were unknowingly adopting pets that were unhealthy and aggressive, forcing pet owners to seek training and veterinarian care, and in some cases euthanasia. These pet owners had incurred significant expenses in some cases as well.

“The [Food and Drug Administration] regulates animal drugs as part of its mission to protect the public health, which includes ensuring that prescription animal drugs are lawfully obtained, distributed, and dispensed,” Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki, FDA Ofﬁce of Criminal Investigations, Los Angeles Field Ofﬁce, said. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who criminally attempt to evade the law.”

A federal grand jury in Portland returned a 4-count superseding indictment on February 7, 2024, charging Miller with conspiring to commit wire fraud, conspiring to misbrand drugs, and misbranding animal drugs by dispensing them without a lawful order of a veterinarian, and by repackaging and relabeling the medications. Miller pleaded guilty on October 24, 2024, to conspiring to commit wire fraud and misbranding drugs by dispensing prescription animal drugs without a lawful order of a veterinarian.

The FDA investigated this case with the assistance of the FBI, and the case was prosecuted by Robert S. Trisotto and Meredith D.M. Bateman, assistant US attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Columbia County Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Wire Fraud Conspiracy and Illegally Dispensing Animal Drugs. News release. US Attorney's Office, District of Oregon. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/columbia-county-woman-sentenced-federal-prison-role-wire-fraud-conspiracy-and-illegally?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The defendant co-conspirators defrauded potential pet owners through a animal rescue operation.

Oregon woman sentenced for wire fraud and illegal animal drug distribution

Patrick Dempsey will begin the VMX conference with his keynote address, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. During the address, Dempsey will discuss his commitment to the Dempsey Center, which provides personalized care and counseling to those with cancer and their families, his esteemed acting career, and his love for animals. Dempsey will take the main stage within the Expo Hall beginning at 11:15 AM. 

To close out the first day of the conference, Dan + Shay, best known for their Songs Tequila, Speechless, 10,000 Hours, and more, will perform for VMX attendees. Dan + Shay are 2 time CMA Duo of the Year winners, 3 time ACM Awards Duo of the Year winners, and were named Top Country Duo/Group at the Billboard Music Award. The concert is sponsored by Merck Animal Health and will begin at 8 PM Saturday, January 25, 2025, and will conclude at 10:30 PM.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is sponsoring the VMX Sunday Spectacular so join them in the Expo Hall at the VMX Main Stage from 7:30 to 9:30 PM Sunday, January 26, 2025, to see Acrobatic Art with HeART, a performance that was customized just for the veterinary profession.

Jörg Mayer DVM, DABVP(ECM), DECZM, DACZM, a VMX 2024 Speaker of the Year, will lead this educational track that highlights the precision of livestock farming in beekeeping as well as discuss how these practices are crucial for improving bee health and supporting conservation efforts. Along with this, Mayer will also explore with attendees the therapeutic potential of bee products, like bee venom for inflammation reduction, and their modern-day and historic applications in medicine.

Empowering Recovery: The Vital Role of Veterinary Technicians in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

On Saturday January 25, 2025, Wendy Davies, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation) will share the role of the trained rehabilitation veterinary technician in caring for rehabilitation patients, such as performing treatments that the veterinarian prescribed as a way to free more time for the veterinarian to perform rechecks, evaluations, and procedures for their patients. Davies will also explain how veterinary technicians can communicate with clients about programs to help increase the success of the rehabilitation.

Jason Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD, will discuss with attendees during his Saturday morning lecture environmental allergies in both canine and feline patients, including pathogenesis, diagnosis and clinical signs. The majority of the session will also delve into the multiple treatment options available for these patients.

Patient safety is a growing focus in veterinary medicine, paralleling its established importance in human healthcare. Errors not only impact patients but can also affect healthcare teams. During her lecture, Kara M Burns, CVT, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), will explore safety culture principles and provide attendees strategies to integrate them into daily hospital operations.

HPAI in Texas Dairy Cows: A Practitioner’s Experience

Last spring, an outbreak of undiagnosed symptoms spread throughout dairies located in the Texas Panhandle, with clinical signs varying and initial diagnostics inconclusive. Benjamin Newcomer, DVM,PhD, DACVPM, will outline his experience managing highly pathogenic avian influenza in these affected herds before and after diagnosis.

Managing the Diet of Patients With Multiple Comorbidities

Angie Rollins, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition) will outline the systematic approach to selecting the best diet for pets with multiple diseases, which can be a process that feels overwhelming. Rollins will help attendees break down the decision-making process into 4 steps for the veterinary team to simplify complex cases and provide optimal care.

Problems With Parts: Heart Disease in ECM

Sarah Ozawa, DVM, DACZM, will share the multiple differences in cardiovascular anatomy in small mammals compared to cats and dogs. She will educate attendees on how to detect common clinical diseases as well as treat cardiovascular diseases in exotic mammal species.

What We Can Learn From Willy Wonka’s Recruitment System

Recruitment in veterinary medicine requires a careful balance of skills, ethics, and cultural fit to ensure quality care. Drawing inspiration from Willy Wonka’s innovative and selective hiring in 

Dave Nicol, BVMS, Cert Mgmt, MRCVS, will use 5 key moments in his process to educate attendees on lessons to help them in modern day veterinary recruitment,

Vicky Ograin, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), will review the basics of the microbiome with attendees and its power to transform gut health in patients. Each attendee will learn the tools that are out there to manipulate microbiome health as well as explore the evidence that exists to support its use in patients through the roles of prebiotics, probiotics, and post biotics.

The Clot Thickens: Overview of Common and Uncommon Equine Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders in horses occur relatively less frequently when compared to small animal. However, hemostatic abnormalities in equine patients can sometimes manifest acutely and severely, which requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. In this lecture, Austin Viall, DVM, MS, DACVP, will use interactive cases of hemostatic disorders with intertwining, integrated review of diagnostic testing, plus abnormalities associated with bleeding disorders in equine patients.

Danielle DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology), will explore the dual effects of chemotherapy in its efficacy in targeting cancer cells and the resulting adverse effects it has on the gastrointestinal system. The lecture will highlight the mechanism by which chemotherapy drugs affect the cell cycle and emphasize the significance of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and diarrhea. The lecture will also examine specific drugs known for their varying degrees of gastrointestinal effects.

A New Look At Old Labs: Understanding Familiar Lab Values in a New Way as Indicators of Unhealthy Aging

As dogs age, subtle changes in clinical lab values, often dismissed as “normal aging,” may signal early underlying processes leading to disease. In this lecture Brennen McKenzie, VMD, will share more about how new research suggests that recognizing these changes, even within reference ranges, can support preventive care strategies to mitigate health impacts and promote healthier aging.

What to do and where to go for the first 2 days of VMX

VMX 2025: Saturday and Sunday

A supplement that targets mRNA expression in skeletal muscle has been developed through a collaboration between Virbac and biotechnology company Emmyon, for use in treating muscle atrophy. According to Virbac, Ursolyx Soft Chews is a first-in-its-class product that uses ursolic acid— a natural compound—to provide muscle support. The product is expected to be launched at the 

presented by the North American Veterinary Community, January 25-29, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

Skeletal muscle atrophy affects a dog’s quality of life by impairing activity, strength, endurance, and overall health. A highly prevalent canine condition, skeletal muscle atrophy can be caused by a variety of factors that include advanced age, malnutrition, chronic kidney disease, cancer, congestive heart failure, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, osteoarthritis, critical illness, and joint injuries.

The supplement is designed to enhance muscle function and strength for dogs that are aging, active or undergoing muscle recovery, according to a news release. It also offers a new treatment solution for veterinarians, and allows pet owners the possibility of more active years with their dogs.

Giovanni Abruzzini, president and CEO of Virbac US, noted that although many older dogs are experiencing muscle atrophy, joints have traditionally received the veterinary industry’s focus when it comes to mobility. “Of course, the joint is a critical part. But if you also think about the aging process, the muscles are probably even more important than the joints, because the skeletal muscles bring everything together,” Abruzzini said in an interview with 

Studies have shown that ursolic inhibits mRNA expression changes associated with muscle atrophy, which helps improve exercise performance and functional muscle health in dogs. These studies include a placebo-controlled investigation on senior dogs with sarcopenia. Additional study results have found significant improvement in skeletal muscle mRNA biomarkers, which signal improved muscle health; enhanced exercise performance including agility and with participation; safety, and high palatability, which helps ensure adherence.

According to Virbac, the soft chews are bacon flavored and administered once daily. They are available in dosages that accommodate small, medium and large canines.

"Ursolyx Soft Chews redefine what's possible for canine mobility, empowering veterinarians to address muscle health proactively to help their patients' health span keep pace with their lifespan," Abruzzini said in the release.

Veterinary professionals attending VMX can learn more about the science behind Ursolyx Soft Chews in a continuing education session sponsored by Virbac. The session—“Muscle Matters: Revolutionizing Canine Mobility with Ursolic Acid”—will be presented at 2:45 PM to 3:35 PM at the Orange County Convention Center by Christopher Adams, president and CEO of Emmyon Inc., and Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR. director of rehabilitation at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, New York.

“[Adams and Alvarez], together, are going to deliver a very interesting and engaging conversation. [It is an] opportunity for everyone to get to know, not only the science behind but also the results and the use of the product,” Abruzzini said in the interview.

Virbac introduces URSOLYX Soft Chews: innovation in canine muscle health. News release. Accessed January 9, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virbac-introduces-ursolyx-soft-chews-innovation-in-canine-muscle-health-302344758.html

Ebert SM, Nicolas CS, Schreiber P, et al. Ursolic acid induces beneficial changes in skeletal muscle mRNA expression and increases exercise participation and performance in dogs with age-related muscle atrophy. 

. 2024;14(2):186. doi:10.3390/ani14020186

Muscle Matters: Revolutionizing Canine Mobility with Ursolic Acid. North American Veterinary Community. Accessed January 20, 2025. https://connect.navc.com/widget/event/vmx-2025-2/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjQ3MjI5MQ==

At VMX, Virbac is launching an oral product featuring ursolic acid, in collaboration with Emmyon Inc.

New canine supplement is designed to improve muscle health

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently updated it policy for pre-slaughter surveillance of turkeys in its efforts to control the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The announcement comes after a 

 from infected raw turkey pet food in late December 2024.

“Out of an abundance of caution, and to remove a potential avenue for ongoing disease spread as well as to bolster consumer and trading partner confidence, APHIS collaborated with state animal health officials and the poultry industry to update its guidance for existing pre-slaughter surveillance steps to further ensure that affected poultry does not enter the food system,” the agency wrote in a news release.

For turkey premises outside control zones in states affected by HPAI, the new updates involve the implementation of isolation protocols, clinical monitoring, and premovement testing 72 hours before transporting turkeys to slaughter. The initiative will be piloted by the APHIS and will begin with turkey premises with more than 500 birds in Minnesota and South Dakota. States were chosen based on current and historical HPAI cases in commercial turkey premises in these regions, as well as genetic links between HPAI H5N1 in infected cats and the high frequency of HPAI cases in turkeys, according to the APHIS.

The agency will keep assessing the outbreak's progression and may revise the policy again to add more states if necessary.

 “USDA consistently operates on a science-based, step-by-step approach, informed by what it learns about this virus through its everyday work and research and surveillance efforts,” wrote the APHIS.

 “APHIS will continue to update its guidance for pre-slaughter surveillance schemes as USDA continues to follow the science on HPAI.”

In the last 30 days, 89 flocks, including commercial and backyard, have tested positive for HPAI, totaling 12.97 million birds on infected premises.

 According to January 20, 2024 data, the virus was last detected on January 17, 2025 in Georgia, Indiana, New York, and Ohio, with 499,700 birds affected from this most recent HPAI detection.

 Confirmed HPAI findings will continue to be reported by APHIS to the World Organization for Animal Health and on the APHIS website.

In May 2024, the USDA announced the allocation of 

 from the Commodity Credit Corporation to the APHIS to better protect the health of the nation’s livestock and poultry, and to support initiatives to address H5N1. The fund supports anticipated diagnostics, field response activities, pre-movement testing, and surveillance and control efforts, including wildlife monitoring by APHIS.

 It also supports the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in developing HPAI vaccines for cattle, goats, pigs, and turkeys, as well as funding for food safety research conducted by ARS and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

According to the APHIS, multiple studies have been carried out by FSIS, APHIS, and ARS to confirm that properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to consume. To assess the safety of the meat supply, these agencies have conducted 3 separate beef safety studies on avian influenza in meat from dairy cattle, according to the APHIS.

“USDA remains confident in the safety of the food supply,” the agency wrote. “We also continue to encourage all bird owners to practice strong biosecurity—that means reducing opportunities for wildlife to spread the virus to their birds and preventing the spread of the virus from one premises to another.”

APHIS updates policy to enhance surveillance of turkey flocks in highly pathogenic avian influenza affected states. News release. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 20, 2025. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/aphis-updates-policy-enhance-surveillance-turkey-flocks-highly-pathogenic

Bautista-Alejandre A. Several cat deaths reported following bird flu exposure through raw pet food and milk. 

. January 16, 2025. Accessed January 20, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/several-cat-deaths-reported-following-bird-flu-exposure-through-raw-pet-food-and-milk

Confirmations of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial and backyard flocks. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. January 20, 2025. Accessed January 20, 2025. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

Bautista-Alejandre A. USDA takes additional measures to contain the spread of avian influenza A. 

. June 27, 2024. Accessed January 20, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/usda-takes-additional-measures-to-contain-the-spread-of-avian-influenza-a

The revised policy includes isolation protocols, clinical monitoring, and premovement testing