Jewel and her foal. (Photo courtesy of Meg Enslin and Virginia Tech)

At 6 months pregnant, Jewel, a draft mare, faced a colic emergency that threatened her life and the future of her unborn foal. At the time 5 years old, Jewel was the third horse on her farm that began to experience signs of colic in the last month.

Owned by Meg Enslin of Benchfield Farms in Newville, Pennsylvania, Jewel is trained for both wagon and carriage driving. She also competes as a farm pull horse, competing with other horses owned by local farmers in friendly competitions to determine which horse is the strongest.

In September 2023, Jewel started exhibiting signs of colic after a recent horse pull, according to a news release.

 She was taken to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Center (EMC) in Leesburg, Virginia to receive emergency colic treatment.

Following an initial assessment that included blood tests and ultrasounds, Jewel was admitted to the EMC hospital for fluid therapy and close observation. Despite the treatment, her signs of colic continued, which led the veterinary team to recommend surgery.

According to a Virginia Tech (VT) news release, Enslin was very worried that the procedure might endanger Jewel's unborn foal, but ultimately decided to proceed with the surgery. "Dr Marchitello was understanding about our concerns with the cost of the procedure and the stress of the situation we were facing," Enslin said in the release.

 "She was excellent at providing the best options while keeping in mind the costs associated with each option and was also patient and kind with explanations and options."

During exploratory surgery, veterinarians discovered that Jewel’s jejunum and duodenum were distended and filled with fluid. To alleviate this pressure, the fluid was manually decompressed into the cecum.

To further investigate Jewel’s condition, as well as the other horses on her farm who were also having similar experiences, a small intestinal biopsy was performed. This histopathological examination allowed the veterinary team to analyze dead cells. It was also discovered that Jewel's large colon had become displaced. This displacement was corrected by exteriorizing and decompressing the colon before repositioning it in its normal orientation.

Following surgery, Jewel required intensive care, including continuous intravenous (IV) infusions, multimodal analgesia, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories. She also received vitamins and gastric support to aid her recovery. However, the first few hours post-surgery were critical; Jewel produced large volumes of gastric reflux, a condition that occurs when digestive fluids back up in the stomach due to intestinal dysfunction. Unlike many animals, horses cannot vomit, making it crucial to manage this reflux effectively to prevent stomach rupture.

Jewel also exhibited signs of endotoxemia, a condition that can occur when inflammation or infection in the bowel leads to toxins leaking into the bloodstream. To combat this, the veterinary team gave Jewel additional anti-endotoxic therapies and provided dextrose for nutritional support.

After 2 days at the EMC, Jewel began to show signs of improvement, and her treatment plan was gradually adjusted as her condition stabilized. Laboratory tests were conducted regularly to monitor her hydration status, electrolyte levels, and immune function. Jewel was introduced to small feedings which she tolerated well, according to the release.

Regular fetal monitoring was also conducted, and ultrasounds confirmed that Jewel's unborn foal was active and had a normal heart rate.

The biopsy results eventually indicated a gastrointestinal infection. "After a thorough history was collected regarding farm practices, a new husbandry plan was instituted including feeding regimens, field maintenance, and deworming schedules to better support the immune systems of various horse populations on the farm," Marchitello said in the release.

Jewel returned to the farm after spending 8 days in the hospital “comfortable and well-hydrated with a well-healed abdominal incision.”

Nine days after her expected due date, Jewel gave birth to a healthy filly foal.

Peart S. Pregnant draft horse pulls through colic with help of Equine Medical Center. News release. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. November 11, 2024. Accessed November 18, 2024. 

https://news.vt.edu/articles/2024/11/vetmed-emc-success-story-jewel.html

Articles

A pregnant draft mare was found to have her jejunum and duodenum distended and filled with fluid and displayed signs of endotoxemia post-surgery

Colic emergency in a pregnant horse

As families across the globe begin to prepare for the holiday season, especially with Thanksgiving a little less than a week away, not all holidays traditions and decorations are pet friendly. To help, Pet Poison Helpline used their case data as well as toxicologist concerns to comply the Top 6 Holiday Toxin Dangers.

"The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year at Pet Poison Helpline," said Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, in an organizational release. "Holiday gatherings are often filled with many unusual situations for pets, such as new foods coming in the house, or perhaps visitors bringing unknown items into the home. It is also more difficult to watch your pets when the house is filled with lots of people, especially young children. Adults are focused on the safety of the kids, and people often forget to also keep an eye on their pets."

According to the organizational release, chocolate is made up of theobromine and caffeine and when it is ingested in toxic amounts, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and in certain cases, death. Xylitol, a natural sugar substitute, is commonly found in candies such as chewing gums, puddings, sauces, jams, chocolate, toothpastes, and other common household and holiday items. If a pet ingests xylitol, it can cause life threatening low blood sugar and acute liver failure.

"We receive more calls regarding chocolate than any other potential toxin," Schmid explained.

 "It may not be unique to the holidays, but I'm confident it will again be the most common toxin this holiday season. If the chocolate contains xylitol, marijuana, raisins, or macadamia nuts, then the ingestion can become even more serious. In all cases, if the pet ingests a large enough quantity, it can be deadly."

Schmid also described stuffing as a ‘potential trifecta of dangers’ because it contains a plethora of toxins to pets, including garlic, onions, and in some recipe’s raisins. Consuming any of these is concerning, but consumed in combination, it can be even more dangerous because of the different effects each could have on the pet.

For example, on Thanksgiving 2023, Elizabeth Laroche of Vanceboro, North Carolina, was cleaning up the leftovers of thanksgiving in a storage container and accidentally dropped some on the ground. To her horror, and her dog Rocky’s glee, Rocky was able to ingest the stuffing before she could clean it up. Because she uses raisins in her stuffing recipes and knows how dangerous they can be dogs, she knew it would be a problem, especially because they did not know how much he managed to eat. The family then tried to induce vomiting, but were unsuccessful

Pet Poison Helpline discourages clients from inducing vomiting at home without a consultation from a veterinary professional because certain toxic or damaging materials can cause more harm when vomited back up. The organizational also strongly discourages cat owners inducing vomiting because there is no safe way to do it at home.

In Rocky’s case, he began showing signs of poisoning later that night and was taken to the Pet Emergency Clinic 30 minutes away from Laroche’s home in Greenville. The medical team on site consulted with pet Poison Helpline to create a treatment plan and Rocky was kept overnight. Rocky then stayed with his usual veterinarian during the day before spending a second night at the emergency hospital. His kidney functions were tested at both clinics and he received fluids and was continuously monitored for any other reactions or symptoms. Rocky luckily did not ingest enough to cause any lasting problems. 

Laroche warned anyone hosting family and friends over the holidays to beware of anyone sneaking food to pets. Even though Rocky’s incident happens during clean up, it taught them to keep pets out of the kitchen during cooking or cleaning in case something is dropped just like in Rocky’s story.

Other toxins that rounded off the top 6 are unbaked bread dough and marijuana.

"Unbaked bread dough that contains yeast can be dangerous when ingested by dogs and cats," Schmid explained. "When ingested, the unbaked bread dough expands in the warm, moist environment of the stomach and releases carbon dioxide gas, which can result in a bloated or distended stomach. The carbon dioxide gas is what makes bread rise. Although it is less common, this can progress to twisting of the stomach, also known as gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV) or bloat. Signs of bloat or GDV include vomiting, non-productive retching, a distended stomach, an elevated heart rate, weakness, collapse and death."

As for marijuana, this toxin has been continuously rising on the Pet Poison Helpline top toxins list now that is has become more availably medically and recreationally. Pet Poison Helpline also explained that the variety of how people ingest marijuana, such as pills, oils and tinctures, and foods, is also making these products more accessible.

"It may sound funny to get your dog stoned, but it is actually very dangerous," Schmid concluded. "Signs of marijuana poisoning you'd expect include a dazed expression, glassy eyes, incoordination, slow response times and dribbling urine. Other signs include vomiting, drooling and changes in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, or coma. Just like alcohol, pet parents should keep their recreational and prescription drugs away from pets."

Alcohol, despite not being on the list, it is something to also be cautious about when it comes to pet safety. Because it rapidly absorbs in the bloodstream, it can impact pets rather quickly and can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperatures. Pets that are intoxicated can experience seizures and respiratory failure.

Holiday Pie of Pet Dangers. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. November 13, 2024. Accessed November 18, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holiday-pie-of-pet-dangers-302302902.html

Winter Holiday Pet Poison Tips. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. Accessed November 18, 2024. 

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/seasons/winter-holiday-pet-poison-tips/

Help clients and patients have a happy and healthy holiday season by warning them of these not-so-jolly toxins 

Holiday warnings for pet owners 

Behavioral euthanasia is an emotionally charged, nuanced decision. Every individual who participates in conversations about euthanasia for behavioral reasons— whether as a veterinarian, pet owner, caregiver from a rescue, or trainer—has a unique perspective that is shaped by their own past experiences and beliefs. During a session at the 

 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, of the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, provided his tips for discussing these difficult and often highly emotional decisions for aggressive dogs with pet owners.

The road to behavioral euthanasia conversations

Although euthanasia is commonly performed for medical reasons, there are key differences in the decision-making processes for medical and behavioral euthanasias. In the case of medical euthanasia, we are often navigating a progressive disease process that will result in death without any intervention. This situation is often viewed as a prevention of suffering.

But when it comes to behavioral euthanasia, many of these pets are young and otherwise physically healthy. Whether to euthanize these pets becomes a more active decision. Behavioral euthanasia is often considered because of a safety concern for either the pet itself or the humans and/ or other animals in the pet’s environment. It may also be a consideration if a pet’s quality of life is deemed poor because of the severity of a behavioral condition, such as severe phobias and anxiety that can result in self-injury.

Conversations around behavioral euthanasia may come at the beginning, middle, or end of the treatment process. They often occur after an incident or escalated concern for patient or family safety. Sometimes the conversation is proactively begun as part of a discussion of potential interventions. In other cases, it may be discussed as an alternative to adoption or rehoming of an aggressive animal.

Pachel noted that behavioral euthanasia should not be thought of as a punishment or consequence of “bad” behavior. “In essentially every case I’ve been involved with, the individuals are wrestling with the desire to be merciful,” Pachel stated, citing one definition of euthanasia as “direct administration of a lethal substance to the patient by another party with merciful intent.” He continued to say, “In the cases where euthanasia is the chosen outcome, it is a gift that we can provide to end the life of an animal with dignity and respect.”

When is behavioral euthanasia the appropriate next step?

In Pachel’s opinion and experience, “there isn’t a formula that is applicable to all cases.” Each case has specific factors that must be considered, including the individual patient and pet owners’ skill set, finances, family structure, relationships, and environment. Ultimately, the pet’s caregivers must define what their acceptable level of risk is.

“As a veterinarian or consultant, [the acceptable level of risk] is not mine to determine,” Pachel stated. It must be determined by an animal’s caregiver. However, in the event that an owner’s acceptable level of risk potentially exposes a vulnerable population—which includes individuals with immune or cognitive compromise or children—or public safety to excessive risk, veterinarians can reach out for support. In these cases, “my job is to enlist help [from] those who advocate for these populations,” Pachel said, but it is not to enforce his beliefs on a pet family.

When performing a risk assessment with a caregiver, the following 4 factors should be considered:

Animal size, which includes not only the physical size of the animal but their size relative to other animals or humans in the environment (ie, children, small dogs, cats)

Bite or incident history, which is evaluated retrospectively and includes both the frequency and severity of past incidents

This information is used to determine whether the animal can stay in its current environment safely or whether there is an alternative environment where the animal can be managed safely. If the answer to both questions is no, then “humane euthanasia becomes the remaining safe outcome,” Pachel said.

In some cases, caregivers will not consider euthanasia even if the pet’s behavior is beyond the acceptable level of risk that they have determined. Pachel said that the caregivers are moving forward at this point with the knowledge that the situation is inherently unsafe. He manages the client’s expectations about what can be accomplished with intervention in the context of their available resources and may have the client sign a waiver of risks.

Communication tips for behavioral euthanasia conversations

These conversations are emotionally charged and often lengthy. It is essential that veterinarians remain nonjudgmental and do not make assumptions of what the caregiver is thinking. We must balance the discussions to consider both what options are available and which are accessible to a pet family within their individual context.

“Choosing to make the lifestyle adjustments to manage a patient safely is hard. Choosing euthanasia is hard,” Pachel stated. Clients must choose which hard path to take. Pachel sees our role as veterinarians as providers of information and perspective. “There is value in assisting the caregiver in taking ownership of their decision and not making the decision for them,” he said.

Because these conversations often occur following a bite or other incident, emotions are particularly high and clients may not be making a thoughtful decision. Pachel suggested offering a pause. This means asking whether there is somewhere the animal can safely stay to give the client time to process the decision. “I’m not trying to talk them into one [decision] or the other,” he said. “I’m trying to give them time and space to make a decision without emotional clouding.”

Pachel shared that he often hears clients ask, “How could I consider behavioral euthanasia when [my pet] is wonderful so much of the time?” In these cases, Pachel discusses the predictability of the behavior, which helps clients assess the risks and the potential emotional costs going forward. If a behavior is unpredictable and the caregiver doesn’t know when it might occur, they must always be watching for it. This results in a much higher stress level than when behaviors are predictable and can be more easily anticipated.

Pachel noted that both pet caregivers and veterinary team members are affected by the emotional weight of these conversations and decisions. He encourages veterinary teams to ensure clients have a support system to lean on. If they don’t, we can refer them to someone who is equipped to help, such as a veterinary social worker.

But Pachel also stressed the importance of having strategies for processing these emotions as veterinary professionals. “We are underequipped as a profession to navigate what we are asked and what we choose to take on,” he said. We must remain aware of burnout and emotional fatigue and seek support to process these cases as well as the many others that weigh on us as veterinary professionals.

Pachel C. Behavioral euthanasia considerations: bringing the conversation out of the shadows. Presented at: Fetch Coastal 2024; October 14-16, 2024; Atlantic City, NJ.

Veterinarians play an important role in helping to guide pet owners
through the decision-making process leading to behavioral euthanasia

Tips for managing behavioral euthanasia conversations

Good morning and happy Monday dvm360 readers! Did you know that along with all the networking, learning, and fun activities at our upcoming conference in Fetch Long Beach, we will also be honoring the 2024 Veterinary Heroes®?This year, 12 veterinary professionals from all over the country and from all different specialties will be honored in front of their peers at a luncheon dedicated to them! Any Fetch attendee is invited to come honor and celebrate our heroes, plus get a free lunch. You can 

As we continue to prepare for Fetch Long Beach, here is what you can find this week on dvm360.com:

A 3 judge panel of the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that the clinical advice Ronald S. Hines, DVM, emailed to pet owners was protected speech under the First Amendment, after being presented before the court for the third time.

On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Boaz Man, DVM, joins our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to share more about brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

Royal Canin and The Human Animal Bond Research Institute announced they have joined forces to help increase the strength of the human-animal bond by providing pet owners with important information regarding their pet’s nutrition and healthy habits.

In an exclusive interview with dvm360 from Fetch Coastal last month, Richard Gerhold, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), explains the best way veterinary professionals can diagnose, treat, and then prevent mites in patients.

Kane, a 9-year-old police K9, was brought to and saved by professionals at Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital after he developed a severe and antibiotic-resistant skin infection.

Here is a sneak peek of this week’s headlines

Sneak peek: Federal appeals court overturns Texas VCPR decision, and other veterinary news 

Veterinary and pet industry leaders play a crucial role in keeping their practices and businesses running smoothly. Their proactive mindset encourages growth, supports innovation, and promotes sustainability, ultimately benefiting animals, their owners, and veterinary professionals.

Recently, several veterinary organizations announced new promotions and appointments. Below are some individuals advancing in their careers:

Dan Wheeler, chief marketing officer, K9 Resorts

Dan Wheeler (Photo courtesy of K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel)

In late October, K9 resorts announced the appointment of Dan Wheeler as its chief marketing officer (CMO). Wheeler has more than 25 years of marketing experience, having been CMO at Uncle Julio’s Restaurant Group in his last role. In his new position, Wheeler will drive his efforts on increasing brand awareness for K9 Resorts and boosting revenue growth for both franchise and corporate-owned locations.

"K9 Resorts has already set the gold standard in pet care, but as we continue to grow, so does the potential to further amplify our brand's impact," Wheeler said in a news release

"I'm excited to build meaningful connections within our communities to ensure that K9 Resorts remains the premier choice for luxury dog boarding and daycare.”

Mary Fraser, PhD, BVMS, FRCVS, vice chair of Trustees, Humanimal Trust

The charity Humanimal Trust appointed Mary Fraser, PhD, BVMS, FRCVS, as its new vice chair of Trustees. Fraser is currently the director of education, training, and assessment at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, where she manages training and examination programs for medical professionals. In addition, she teaches evidence based veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow. A prolific researcher and author, Fraser has published more than 100 scholarly works and was honored with a fellowship from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2017 for her “meritorious contributions to the profession.”

“I am delighted to join Humanimal Trust at this exciting time. There are so many opportunities to bring together professionals from both human and veterinary medicine to advance One Medicine. As the Trust’s recent 10-year anniversary symposium showed, there is now real momentum from professionals on both sides who can see the benefits for all species that come with closer collaboration. I'm really looking forward to working with the team and helping to make this happen,” Fraser said in a news release.

Haley Israelson, MBA, CEO, ElleVet Sciences

Haley Israelson, MBA (Photo courtesy of ElleVet Sciences)

Also stepping into the role of CEO is Haley Israelson, MBA. Recently appointed to lead ElleVet Sciences, Israelson will assume the role on January 1, 2025. Currently, she is the company’s chief financial officer.

Since joining ElleVet as head of finance in 2019, Israelson has played a key role in driving and overseeing the company's rapid growth. Throughout her time at ElleVet Sciences, she has also taken on various responsibilities beyond finance, including managing Ecommerce and Operations.

“I am honored to become the CEO of ElleVet Sciences, an amazing company and a pioneer in the field of science-backed nutraceuticals for pets. Central to ElleVet’s DNA is our science first approach, our promise to provide outstanding customer experiences, and our commitment to always doing what is right. These core elements provide an impactful framework for all decision making and I look forward to continuing to live by, and lead with, these company values” Israelson said in a company release.

Petsmart LLC recently appointed Ken Hicks, MBA, its new CEO. Also a member of the company’s board of directors, Hicks assumed his new position on October 31, 2024. Prior to this appointment, Hicks was the CEO and executive chairman at Academy Sports + Outdoors. Hicks is also a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and has served in the US Army.

"On behalf of the entire board of directors, I am thrilled to welcome Ken Hicks to PetSmart," Raymond Svider, chairman of the board of directors of PetSmart and Chairman of BC Partners, said in a company release.

 "His depth and breadth of retail experience, visionary leadership, and proven track record of creating shareholder value, will be invaluable as PetSmart continues to execute on its strategic growth plan."

Stacey Ma, PhD, board of directors, Elanco

Stacey Ma, PhD (Photo courtesy of Elanco Animal Health)

On November 12, 2024, Elanco Animal Health Incorporate announced that Stacey Ma, PhD, was appointed to its board of directors, effective immediately. Currently, Ma is the executive vice president of Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing at Gilead Sciences, where she oversees product strategy, technical development, and manufacturing operations for the company’s pipeline. She has actively contributed to the scientific community by co-chairing international conferences, serving as an associate director on the board of CASSS, and being named a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. In 2020, she was recognized as one of the "Top 20 Women Leaders in Biopharma R&D" by Endpoints News.

"I am honored to join the Elanco board of directors," Ma said, in an organizational release.

 "I am passionate about innovation and technical excellence in life sciences and look forward to contributing to Elanco's mission of improving the health and wellbeing of animals."

K9 Resorts strengthens leadership team with the appointment of Dan Wheeler as chief marketing officer. News release. K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel. October 23, 2024. Accessed November 16, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/k9-resorts-strengthens-leadership-team-with-the-appointment-of-dan-wheeler-as-chief-marketing-officer-302284260.html

Humanimal Trust appoints Dr Mary Fraser as new vice chair of Trustees. News release. Humanimal Trust. October 25, 2024. Accessed November 15, 2024. [email]

ElleVet Sciences promotes Haley Israelson to chief executive officer. News release. ElleVet Sciences. October 31, 2024. Accessed November 15, 2024. [email]

PetSmart names Ken Hicks as chief executive officer. News release. PetSmart. October 23, 2024. Accessed November 15, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petsmart-names-ken-hicks-as-chief-executive-officer-302284837.html

Elanco Strengthens board of directors with addition of Stacey Ma. News release. Elanco Animal Health. November 12, 2024. Accessed November 15, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elanco-strengthens-board-of-directors-with-addition-of-stacey-ma-302301818.htm

Check out the latest news in the veterinary industry with these 5 recent position promotions

Paws and profits: Career advancements in the veterinary industry

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC; Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC); and Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, offer unique perspectives about caring for patients with diabetes in a series of interviews with 

. Each of these experts recently delivered continuing education sessions at Fetch dvm360 conferences, sharing their knowledge with attendees in Kansas City, Missouri, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 3 videos that follow further convey their informative insights:

The impact of medical conditions on feline behavior

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, discussed various medical conditions in felines—including arthritis and osteoarthritis, and endocrine disorders like hyperthyroidism and diabetes—that can show up as behavioral changes, in an interview with 

. He also discussed changes in eating habits, irritability and stress thresholds, and what these changes could mean.

An education in emergency and critical care: DKA

Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC), a training mentor at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in New Jersey, has a keen interest in veterinary emergency and critical care. In an interview with 

, ahead of the 2024 Fetch Coastal conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Roach discussed the topics she presented to attendees including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Managing feline diabetes mellitus with SGLT2i

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have been used in human medicine for several years. Recently, 2 specific SGLT2is saw their introduction to feline medicine: Bexagliflozin (Bexacat; Elanco), and velagliflozin oral solution (Senvelgo; Boehringer Ingelheim). Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, explained how they work in the management of feline diabetes mellitus. Byers outlined the effectiveness of these medications on cats, and why it can prevent the development of clinical hypoglycemia, in an interview with 

Fetch faculty members offer unique insights about behavior associated with diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, and new drug therapies.