Knowing how to accurately conduct focused respiratory assessments is crucial during respiratory emergencies. In her session, “Triaging the Respiratory Emergency,” presented at the 2024 New York Vet Show in New York, New York, Mariana Pardo, BVSc, MV, DACVECC, lectured attendees on how to recognize the different breathing patterns and respiratory sounds that patients in respiratory distress may display, and what these may indicate.

 She also provided an overview on lung and cardiac auscultation, teaching attendees how to identify determine whether or not there may be cardiac disease present in feline and canine patients. 

At the beginning of her lecture, Pardo outlined different breathing patterns that veterinarians should recognize and explained that patients with a normal breathing patten have a chest that rises with inspiration. If there is a long inspiration and exhalation however, it may mean that there is a constant airway obstruction. Patients exhibiting a long inspiration but normal exhalation, likely have laryngeal paralysis, or a dynamic obstruction. Meanwhile, a long, forceful exhalation with or without cough is indicative of intrathoracic airway collapse or obstruction. There is a concern for pleural space disease is rapid, shallow breathing is observed. Lastly, paradoxical breathing is when the chest falls on inspiration and the abdomen expands, or belly breathing is observed, Pardo explained.

Respiratory sounds consist of stridor, stertor, and noisy breathing.

: A high-pitched sound due to rigid tissue vibrations. A collapsing trachea will have that high-pitched sound. “Sometimes we can hear it from the lobby that it’s happening,” explained Pardo.

: A low-pitched sound resulting from flaccid tissue vibrating throughout the respiratory cycle. “We all have heard that Bulldog, low-pitch sound that's associated with that fatty tissue,” said Pardo.

A “noisy breathing effort and in general…wet panting, is all going to give you clues of potentially what is occurring,” added Pardo.

When auscultating lungs, it is imperative that the practitioner use a stethoscope to listen to the patient’s 

 lung, including the dorsal and ventral aspects of the chest, explained Pardo. “Sometimes we just listen to one spot, and then we're done, [but] the entire lung is much bigger than that,” she said.

Veterinarians should also pay attention to the quality of the sound, said Pardo. “So, is [the sound] stronger or not in one or more areas? [Are] there any wheezing, crackles? And specifically, is there a decreased or absent sounds all together?” she emphasized.

Wheezing is generally linked to narrowed airways (stenosis), typically due to inflammation in the airways. Additionally, decreased or absent lung sounds can be caused by:

Tissue obstructing the pathway to listen to the lungs or tissue within the lungs

Obstruction due to other material, such as blood or air, that may be present between the thoracic wall and the lung.

“You can also hear when there is really severe lung consolidation, so there’s just no air flow within that lung itself,” said Pardo. In cases of severe consolidation or lung disease, crackles may initially be heard, but as the condition worsens, lung sounds may completely disappear.

As part of her lecture, Pardo then showed attendees a table with various diseases and what their breathing patterns may be

Upper airway obstruction: inspiratory dyspnea and/or audible noises (stertor, stridor). 

Examples: brachycephalic airway disease, Laryngeal paralysis, or tracheal collapse

Lower airway obstruction: expiratory dyspnea, and/or wheezes. 

Pulmonary Parenchymal disease: rapid and/or shallow breathing, inspiratory and expiratory components. 

Examples: pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary contusions

Pleural space disease: inspiratory dyspnea, shallow or paradoxical breathing, or decreased or absent lung sounds. 

Examples: pneumothorax or pleural effusion

Flail chest: focal paradoxical breathing. 

Abdominal distention: inspiratory dyspnea. 

Look-alike disease: no specific breathing pattern. 

Examples: pain, severe anemia, hyperthermia, acidosis, or drugs like opioids

Cardiac auscultation and potential heart disease

Cardiac auscultations are important for determining if there is cardiac disease instead of respiratory disease, said Pardo during her lecture.

Pardo explained that the majority of dogs with congestive heart failure will have an audible heart murmur. “The caveat to that is that sometimes your lung cells are so bad when you have congestive heart failure that you may not just be able to hear your heart at all, and just not be able to know [if] there [is] a murmur present, [nor] be able to grade that, because all you hear are just white sounds,” she said. “But that doesn't mean there's not a murmur—you just can't assess the heart altogether.”

In cats however, the same does not apply. Only 50% of cats with heart disease will have a heart murmur, according to Pardo. “The other 50% will still have really, really bad heart disease, might still go into congestive heart failure, and have never had a heart murmur at all,” emphasized Pardo.

Instead, these felines will likely exhibit gallop sounds. “80% of cats [with heart disease] will have a gallop [heart sound]... so make sure you're still looking out for that as well,” said Pardo. Still, she explained that there are cats that will not have any abnormal heart sounds but will still have heart disease.

Recognizing various breathing patterns and respiratory sounds is essential for veterinarians diagnosing and managing respiratory and cardiac conditions in animals. As highlighted by Pardo, thorough lung auscultation and an understanding of the relationship between specific sounds and potential health issues can significantly improve patient outcomes. Additionally, integrating these assessments into practice can help veterinarians be able to better distinguish between respiratory and cardiac diseases.

Pardo M. Triaging the Respiratory Emergency. Presented at: 2024 New York Vet Show; November 7- 8, 2024; New York, NY.

Articles

Mariana Pardo, BVSc, MV, DACVECC, provided an overview on breathing patterns, respiratory sounds, lung auscultation; and what these different sounds, patterns, and signs may mean—and more—in her lecture at the 2024 NY Vet Show 

A guide for assessing respiratory emergencies

Image Credit: © otsphoto | stock.adobe.com

Otitis externa is one of the most common conditions clinicians encounter, particularly in dogs with allergic skin disease. This painful and persistent inflammation of the outer ear canal not only causes significant discomfort for the dog but also creates stress and frustration for owners who are seeking quick relief for their pets. This inflammation leads to symptoms such as intense pruritus, swelling, discharge, odor, and pain.

®, Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, shared, “Many of the dogs I see with otitis are in a great deal of discomfort, and this can lead to changes in their behavior, including irritability and avoidance of handling.” The ear canal becomes red, swollen, and warm to the touch, making even basic handling—like applying medications or cleaning—challenging for both the dog and the owner. Griffin added, “It’s heartbreaking for owners to see their dogs in pain, scratching at their ears or avoiding being touched. They expect us, as veterinarians, to provide relief quickly.”

Griffin conducted a post-approval study in collaboration with Virbac that aimed to evaluate otitis externa at days 0, 2, 7, and 28. This study compared a leading competitor with Easotic® (hydrocortisone aceponate, miconazole nitrate, gentamicin sulfate) Otic Suspension for Dogs. These products are indicated for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs associated with susceptible strains of yeast (

), and Easotic® Otic Suspension only requires one dose per day for just 5 days. The results of the study were presented at the 2024 World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology.

Traditional studies of otitis treatments often evaluate outcomes after weeks of treatment, but this time frame often fails to meet the expectations of pet owners, who are seeking more immediate improvement in their dog’s condition. The study by Griffin and her team looked to elucidate how rapidly these 2 treatments could alleviate signs. The study included 86 client-owned canines diagnosed with acute otitis externa. These dogs were randomly assigned to receive either Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs or a leading competitor (containing florfenicol, terbinafine, and mometasone furoate). Both treatments are designed to combat the microbial and inflammatory aspects of the disease.

Treatment with both products showed improvement by day 28, but the real differentiator was the speed at which they began to provide relief for some signs of otitis externa. “By day 2, we were already seeing notable differences,” Griffin explained. “While both products ultimately reduced symptoms by the end of the study, Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs provided fast relief, particularly in terms of discharge, stenosis, and odor reduction.”

At day 7, 90% of the dogs treated with Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs demonstrated a good or excellent response to treatment, with all signs of otitis externa resolved, compared with 71% of those treated with the competitor’s product. This difference was pronounced when looking at the reduction in discharge, stenosis, and odor—3 of the most bothersome signs for both dogs and their owners. “By day 2, Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs had already reduced ear discharge,” Griffin added. “The dogs treated with Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs showed improvements in stenosis and ear odor, which are often indicators of how comfortable the dog is feeling.”

A key factor contributing to rapid relief with Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs is its inclusion of hydrocortisone aceponate, a highly potent lipophilic steroid that penetrates the epidermis rapidly, providing targeted relief without serious systemic effects. “The ability to quickly treat inflammation in the ear is crucial,” Griffin said. “Hydrocortisone aceponate is particularly effective because it is converted to hydrocortisone, a weak steroid, once it reaches the bloodstream, but it works locally to reduce inflammation where it’s needed most—in the ear.”

Inflammation is a driving force behind the pain and discomfort associated with otitis externa. As the inflammation worsens, the dog’s ear canal may become stenotic, trapping moisture and debris and creating an environment for further microbial growth. Rapidly reducing inflammation can prevent this cycle from worsening, allowing the dog’s ear to heal more quickly.

Significant improvements were observed as early as day 2 in some cases. For example, the reduction in ear discharge in the Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs group, compared with the other treatment, had a P value of .005 at day 2 and .001 at day 7. Other significant differences, such as reduced stenosis, ear odor, and ear dirtiness, were also noted at these early time points.

In a separate survey of pet owners, 93% reported that Easotic® otic suspension was easy to administer to their dogs.

When dogs experience improvement in their symptoms, owners may be more likely to follow through with the entire course of treatment, ensuring that the infection and inflammation are fully resolved. “It’s not just about treating the infection,” Griffin pointed out. “It’s about controlling the inflammation early so that the dog feels better sooner. This improves adherence, reduces the likelihood of not completing treatment, and, most importantly, provides comfort to the dog.”

Griffin’s study points to inflammation treatment as a key factor in achieving rapid relief for dogs suffering from otitis externa. Results from this study show potential in Easotic® Otic Suspension for Dogs as a treatment that delivers fast, reliable relief, improving not only the clinical outcome for the dog but also the overall experience for pet owners. “Inflammation is at the core of otitis externa, and treating it with a powerful anti-inflammatory is key to a successful outcome,” Griffin concluded.

EASOTIC® (hydrocortisone aceponate, miconazole nitrate, gentamicin sulfate) Otic Suspension for Dogs: For otic (ear) use in dogs only.

 Humans with known or suspected hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone, aminoglycoside antibiotics, or azole antifungals should not handle this product. Contraindicated in dogs with known or suspected hypersensitivity to corticosteroids, imidazole antifungals, or aminoglycoside antibiotics. Do not use in dogs with known tympanic membrane (eardrum) perforation. The safe use of EASOTIC Otic Suspension in dogs used for breeding purposes has not been evaluated. Do not administer orally.

For full prescribing information, contact Virbac at 1-800-338-3659 or visit http://vet-us.virbac.com.

von Simson C, Poincelot L, Jasmin P, Griffin J. Comparison of the efficacy of a gentamicin, miconazole, and hydrocortisone aceponate formulation and a florfenicol, terbinafine, and mometasone furoate formulation in the treatment of canine otitis externa with a focus on onset of action. Presented at: 10th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology; July 25-29, 2024; Boston, MA. Session P-36.

A powerful tool for addressing inflammation early in dogs with otitis externa

Accidents involving slips, trips, and falls occur 90% more often in human healthcare settings than in average commercial settings, making this a major concern.

 Enormous effort has been put into reducing these risks, and this has led to the development of amazing flooring products with new technologies that make them safer, as well as sanitary.

We are passionate about flooring products and its technical evolution because slips, trips, and falls are also problematic in veterinary hospitals. A veterinary floor might be more likely than a human medical floor to be wet, which increases risks. This is why it is so exciting to see new products enter the market that can be used in veterinary practices with great success.

Let’s begin with the basics. Slip resistance is measured by a coefficient of friction, which is a dimensionless value representing the friction of moving 2 surfaces against each other relative to the normal force of them at rest. This does not sound very exciting until we understand that the evolution of our understanding of these properties helps create flooring with measurable slip resistance, so consumers can choose safer products. Today, a new measurement, dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) helps us understand how products will perform in different conditions, such as wet and dry. The new standards are:

.42 or greater DCOF wet and dry for products used indoors.

.60 or greater DCOF wet and dry for products used outdoors. We would also apply this standard to indoor surfaces cleaned with water and chemicals, such as in dog kennels.

Let us consider animals, veterinary teammates, and clients. Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, explains that the fear of falling is a primal fear.

 When an animal slips on the floor, this provokes an instinctive fear response. It is difficult for an animal to recover from this type of fear. For teammates, slipping raises risks of workplace injuries. Clients slipping creates liability.

Below we have compiled a list of some of our favorite products on the market to reduce slips and falls. 

Some are TOO gritty, and they will be really difficult to clean. Ensure the product has been used in healthcare settings, as opposed to on the floors of buses. For example, where specifiers care more about grittiness, and less about cleanability. Get a sample of the product and touch it – it should be bumpy but not at all grainy to the touch.

Sheet vinyl flooring products have always been useful to veterinary spaces. They are affordable. They are both sanitary and seamless. Sheet vinyl products have improved over the years, and now there are many products with sealed top surfaces, meaning they do not have to be waxed and stripped like the floors of yesterday. But they are slippery, particularly when wet. Fortunately, the need to develop cost-effective, sanitary products has led to many more nonslip sheet vinyl options.

Altro Symphonia, achieving a DCOF of .44. Altro Symphonia Smooth vinyl flooring. Please note, Altro has other lines of flooring with even greater slip resistance, but they are too difficult to clean in a veterinary setting.

Rubber products are very interesting because they are both non-slip and resilient, which means they have natural cushioning. They can be used in medical spaces in the same places we would use sheet vinyl. However, rubber products are more expensive, a little more difficult to install as they must be installed over dry slabs, and they need to be cleaned with gentle cleaners. This is doable because rubber is naturally antimicrobial. While rubber products have not yet been evaluated for the Dynamic Coefficient of Friction standard, they tend to be very non-slip when dry, and adequately non-slip when wet.

This is why rubber flooring is used for basketball courts and other sports settings. Two good product lines are:

Nora Healthcare Rubber Flooring Products Healthcare Floor Rubber Floor Covering nora achieve coefficient of friction ratings of greater than .90, under the old rating systems. This makes them one of the best non-slip healthcare-appropriate products.

ECORE HydroGrip Motivate. This product is extremely durable and is nonslip when wet and dry. It would be too expensive for an entire healthcare space but would be perfect for a specialty room such as a canine rehabilitation suite. HydroGrip Motivate Ecore Flooring

These are less sanitary than sheet rubber products, but they are rugged. With rubber’s natural antimicrobial properties, recycled products are great in spaces from your favorite workout studio to a dog playroom. In dog play areas, we want a product that is going to be grippy enough for the dogs to run around without slipping. We look for the most sanitary versions of these recycled products when specifying them, as they need to be more cleanable due to their usage.

Ecore Performance line of flooring Performance Motivate Ecore Flooring. We like this one because it is sealed on the top, making it more sanitary than some recycled rubber products.

For lobbies and client areas, as well as hose-down areas

You heard that right! For those who have not looked at tile products recently, it is time to re-evaluate them. Tile has advanced several generations, from a technical perspective, in the last ten years. There are endless aesthetic options, price points, and characteristics. If you are worried about grout and dirt, fear not, as this problem has been solved with high-performance epoxy grouts. These grout joints are just as sanitary as the tile. Most importantly, tile is a great product for tough environments, including wet spaces, retrofits, where the existing slabs are in poor condition, and even outdoors. Of course, when choosing a tile, it is especially important for it to be both nonslip, as well as cleanable, as it is likely to be used in areas that will get wet.

One certification we love is Stepwise by Daltile. This label is evaluated for wet and dry slip resistance, and it applies to a wide variety of aesthetic tile options. All options under this label can be used in wet and dry conditions, outside, and inside, and they all meet DCOF criteria of greater than .60, ensuring their safety in wet and dry conditions. StepWise: Superior Slip Resistant Tile Daltile

We expect the science of nonslip flooring to continue to grow rapidly in the next few years. Keep your eye out for amazing products that help keep your team and your animals safe and healthy, so you can focus on caring for animals instead of on your flooring.

, is an architect with over 24 years of experience designing spaces for the care of animals and the people who care for them. She works with veterinary leadership consultant and professional coach Marnette Falley, MS, PCC, and Portia Stewart, BS, RYT 500, RPYT, C-IAYT, a veterinary journalist and a certified yoga therapist, on the Veterinary Joy Project. The Veterinary Joy Project focuses on sharing independent ideas and insights and innovative thinking to help people who provide care for pets find ease, meaning, and joy in their work. Learn more at www.facebook.com/veterinaryjoyproject.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Healthcare Workers DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

.; 2010. Accessed November 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2011-123/pdfs/2011-123.pdf

Alaburda B. Leverage how animals think differently to handle them with less fear stress. 

. August 28, 2022. Accessed November 15, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/leverage-how-animals-think-differently-to-handle-them-with-less-fear-stress

Slips, trips, and falls are major hazards in veterinary practices, where wet floors and bustling activity are everyday challenges

Better flooring, better hospitals

Blue Buffalo Diet

 Hi, my name is Dr. Julia Miller. I am a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. I practice out of Louisville, Kentucky, and I'm here to chat a little bit about Blue Buffalo with you. 

 And I'm Karen Labarre. I'm the Veterinary Sales Director for Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diets and we're owned by General Mills, so we're based out of Minneapolis now. 

So, Karen, I know certainly a lot about how I utilize these in practice, but could you help us know a little bit about how they're created, some of the background, AAFCO feeding, things like that? 

Sure. All our diets are formulated by Ph.D. nutritionists and veterinarians that work for the company. We do AAFCO feeding trials on all our dry diets, so they're all AAFCO fed. And then we also do all kinds of quality checks while they're being manufactured. So, like on your dermatology diets, we do a burnout, which is kind of like, I like to tell people it's like having yourself cleaning oven turned up to 700 degrees to burn anything out, that might be stuck in the lines. We do a clean out and then we do a flush to make sure that there's no other protein sources or other kibble that are in the lines before we make them. 

I think that's so important because if you hear any dermatologist lecture about how to do a diet trial, we always preach that prescription diets are superior to over the counter. And just like Karen just mentioned, this is exactly what Blue Buffalo does to make sure that the proteins that they say are in the food are exactly what you're getting. That burnout, that washout is very important. That's not something you get in over-the-counter diets. So, I think it's great that you have so many checks and balances in order. 

 Right, and then what we do on top of that is we do ELISA testing on it. So we're testing to make sure there's no other proteins. So we're checking for beef, for chicken, for soy to make sure there's nothing in there. And then on our alligator diet, we also do PCR testing, which will say that the DNA is definitely alligator. 

 From a dermatologist, that matters tremendously to me, because if I'm feeding a diet that says it doesn't contain chicken, one of the number one allergens, I want to know for a fact that it doesn't contain chicken. So, whenever my clients talk to me about “oh, but that prescription diet is so expensive,” this is why it is expensive. Because there's incredible quality control and you actually know what you're getting which is not the case with over-the-counter diets. 

 Correct, correct. A couple of key facts our alligator diet is it's also approved for all life stages. If you have puppies that come in at an early age that you suspect a food allergy, you can feed that even to a large breed puppy. 

So as a dermatologist, I get asked fairly regularly, “what do I do with a puppy, especially like a large breed growing puppy? How can I do a diet trial? What diet is approved for growth?” And what's lovely is the NP, the alligator based novel protein NP is labeled for growth. So, this is safe for you to use in your Great Dane puppy or your Labrador puppy or your Chihuahua or even a kitten, right? You could also use it for a young cat so you've got a lot of opportunities there. The other questions I always get asked about this diet in particular is, “is it swampy? How does it taste? How does it smell, right?” Nobody wants a swampy dog burp happening all the time. This product is lovely. It doesn't smell swampy or fishy or nasty to me. I like it a lot. 

 It’s all farm raised alligators so it's not like we're out catching alligators after the hurricanes, but it is all farm raised so we can you know have consistency in the ingredients that we're getting to make sure that from one batch to the other it's going to meet the same standards for every time we make it. 

 And that's so important. I think standards and making sure that everything is exactly as it's presented, that's the benefit of utilizing a company like Blue Buffalo. They put a lot of time and effort into making sure that what you see is what you get, and that's not necessarily true for every food company. So, I think that they really strive and shine there, which is great, yeah. Another diet of yours that I love, that I use all the time, is the HF. And HF is the hydrolyzed salmon. So, tell us a little bit about the hydrolyzed salmon diet. 

It’s a hydrolyzed salmon. It's hydrolyzed down to 2,000 Daltons, which is relatively low on the Dalton scale. The palatability is good because it's salmon. It's very high in omega-3 fatty acids. And like I said, we do the ELISA testing on that so we know that it's salmon. Salmon hydrosilate is the first ingredient. So, the palatability is very high on that. It's our number one diet. 

 It's great. So, full disclosure guys, I feed this to my own dogs. Again, it's not too fishy smelling. The burps are not so bad in my house. What I love about HF, and I reach for this all the time, the palatability is incredible. There's a canned option, there's a dry option, I mean we got lots of good stuff, but the palatability is awesome. The second thing is that it is hydrolyzed, which we love, and it's salmon, so it's kind of a twofer. You get a hydrolyzed and a novel protein for certain dogs, so you get a two for one there. And there actually is a study that looked at this compared to Ultamino, and it actually performed very similar with fewer side effects in that particular diet. So, it's a wonderful diet. It checks all of my boxes. Not labeled for growth, but that's okay. We got NP covered, you know, if we need to do that. But I think the HF is an awesome diet and I reach for it all the time. 

Great. And for the cat, we do have a hydrolyzed salmon can, which, you know, is very hard to find a hydrolyzed salmon or a hydrolyzed of anything on the market. 

 And that's really palatable for the cats too. And palability matters, right? Diet trials aren't gonna work unless your dog eats them and there's a lot of diets out on the market prescription wise that just don't taste that good. So, one thing that I actually like about all of the Blue Buffalo diets is the palatability is really there and if your pet will eat it then you can be successful in going through your diet trial. 

If for any reason your pet doesn't eat it, we'll take it back. 

 Yeah, you want a company that's great to work with. I mean Blue Buffalo has been amazing. My clients can get free bags of food if there's something up with the bag, money back guarantees. They've been an incredible company to work with and my clients have all been really pleased at their customer service which also you don't always get that for some of the other companies to be honest with you. I think they've been great. And these little sample bags, I mean these things are incredible. Because I get so many clients that'll say, “Well I don't want to buy a big bag. I don't know if they’ll eat it.” If you can get your hands on a little sample bag this is perfect to send home and say, give it a shot. If he eats it great, order the big bag. If not, we'll move on to another thing. So, I love that too. 

 And those are free to any clinic that would like to order them from us. They just have to contact our customer service, and we'll get a rep to send some out to you. 

: So, if you haven't given Blue Buffalo a try, I think you should. It's a great company. 

How Blue Buffalo ensures a high quality diet for both dogs and cats.

A diet with the pet in mind

The veterinary industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of AI technology, opening new possibilities for proactive, data-driven care. One of the most transformative innovations is AI-powered wearables designed specifically for cats. These devices provide real-time health data, offering deeper insights into a cat’s well-being and enabling earlier detection and more informed decision-making in feline care. As the first of its kind, wearables like Moggie, which sends real-time health data updates to users’ phones,

 help bridge the gap between veterinary professionals and cat caregivers, enhancing health outcomes and strengthening the human-animal bond.

The unique nature of cats: Masters of hiding discomfort

Cats are dual species—predators and prey—and their instincts drive them to hide signs of pain or distress. This evolution helps them survive in the wild, but it makes detecting illness challenging for caregivers. Research shows that up to 80% of feline illnesses manifest as subtle behavioral changes before physical symptoms appear, such as decreased activity, changes in eating habits, or increased vocalization.

 Unfortunately, many caregivers miss these early signs, leading to delayed diagnoses and missed opportunities for early intervention.

Furthermore, 33% of cats don't return to the veterinarian for follow-up care after their first visit,

 contributing to a lack of routine health monitoring. These challenges highlight the need for solutions that help increase feline medicalization.

The power of AI-driven wearables for early detection

AI technology is revolutionizing the way we monitor feline health. Wearables, such as Moggie, continuously track key behaviors—activity, sleep, eating habits, grooming, and litter box use—providing valuable real-time insights. With up to 6 million data points collected weekly, these devices empower caregivers to identify potential health issues before they become visible to the naked eye.

For example, reduced activity may signal joint pain or early osteoarthritis, changes in eating or drinking could indicate gastrointestinal problems or dental disease, and litter box behavior can highlight urinary tract infections or kidney issues. By detecting these subtle shifts in behavior, wearables enable caregivers to take early action, improving outcomes through proactive care.

Empowering caregivers with real-time data

Today’s cat caregivers are proactive, research-driven, cautious, and deeply invested in their cats' well-being and health journey. Wearables provide them with actionable data to better understand their cat’s health and empower them to partner effectively with their veterinary team. With the ability to track and respond to key behavioral insights, caregivers can have more informed and collaborative discussions with their veterinarians, enhancing care plans, diagnostics, and interventions.

By offering insights aligning with the veterinarian’s care plan, wearables give caregivers the confidence to take action and follow through on recommendations. The result is a stronger, more informed partnership between the veterinarian and the caregiver, ensuring better care for the cat.

Vet Med opportunities: A data-driven approach to care

AI-driven activity tracking is opening new opportunities for veterinarians to elevate the care they provide. With real-time insights, veterinarians can detect health issues earlier, leading to more efficient interventions that improve health outcomes and increase client compliance. This proactive approach not only improves the medicalization of cats but also helps build stronger relationships between veterinarians and their clients.

Wearables enhance veterinarians' ability to make more informed decisions by providing a comprehensive set of behavioral metrics. This data-driven approach aids in streamlining diagnosis and treatment plans, ensuring that health strategies are aligned with the insights gathered from the cat’s behavior. By focusing on behavioral data, veterinarians can improve the overall quality of care and offer more precise, proactive interventions.

As the future of veterinary care becomes more predictive and personalized, AI-driven wearables will continue to be integral to managing feline health. Moggie’s ability to collect and analyze behavioral data provides a level of precision never seen in veterinary medicine. Beyond identifying current health concerns, these technologies also have the potential to predict disease risks, offering a level of precision in feline healthcare that’s never been seen before. As wearables continue to shape the future of feline health, they empower veterinarians and caregivers to manage feline health more effectively, strengthening the partnership and ensuring better, data-driven outcomes for our feline patients.

Wearables like Moggie set a new standard in feline healthcare by providing real-time health data and insights. For a species historically unable to communicate its needs, these devices give cats a voice, allowing us to better understand their behavior and well-being. Powered by AI, they enable a proactive approach to disease management, improving early detection and intervention. This technology is transforming how we care for cats—emotionally and highly aware companions—helping ensure healthier, longer lives while strengthening the bond between veterinarians, caregivers, and their feline patients.

Your cat can’t tell you how it’s doing. Moggie can. Moggie. Accessed November 15, 2024. 

Sordo L, Breheny C, Halls V, et al. Prevalence of disease and age-related behavioural changes in cats: Past and present. Veterinary Sciences. 2020;7(3):85. 

Camps T, Amat M, Manteca X. A review of medical conditions and behavioral problems in dogs and cats. Animals. 2019;9(12):1133. 

CATalyst Report 2024. Catalyst Council. August 8, 2024. 

https://catalystcouncil.org/catalyst-council-releases-2024-catalyst-report/

AI technology is revolutionizing the veterinary profession with artificial-intelligence wearables for cats that provide real-time health insights 

Unlocking feline health: Adopting AI-driven activity insights as essential tools for modern feline care

Богдан Маліцький/stock.adobe.com

 readers and happy Friday! We are officially less than a month away from our final conference of the year: Fetch Long Beach. From December 6-8, 2024, veterinary professionals, industry leaders, and the 

 team will head to Long Beach, California for a weekend full of learning, networking, and fun! There is still time to sign up, so register 

 today. If you cannot make it, you can follow along with all the highlights, covered sessions, and video interviews on the dedicated 

, formerly known as Proposed Initiative 145, which will introduce a new midlevel practitioner (MLP) position in veterinary medicine, despite multiple organizations speaking out against it. The new position will be master level trained and would be allowed to diagnose, treat, and perform surgery on veterinary patients. 

Andrea Pace, CVT, VTS (ECC), reviewed the importance of using Kirby’s Rule of 20, a list of 20 essential parameters that should be assessed every day in critically ill animals at your practice.

 continues to cover the 2024 New York Vet, we have compiled a list of all our current coverage in one article. From interviews with faculty, to covering sessions, you can find it all 

 and hosted by Adam Christman, DVM, MBA; Anne Chauvet, DVM, DACVIM, CHT-V shared with listeners her path to becoming a veterinary neurologist, and tips and tricks she learned along the way.

 that for the first time since 2015, it updated its Feline Heartworm Guidelines for veterinarians and addressed persistent undermanagement and underdiagnosis of heartworm diseases in cats.