To help readers stay up to date with the latest innovations in the veterinary and pet care spectrum, 

 has curated a list of recent product and technology launches.

The following are being highlighted in dvm360’s January/February magazine issue:

Chi Dog launched Chi Cat, a new line of cooked, whole-food meals formulated for cats. Chi Cat includes the Water Diet, a hypoallergenic food that helps with kidney disease, arthritis, urinary incontinence, and inflammatory bowel disease; and the Fire Diet, which aids in pancreatitis, atopy, heart disease, anxiety, and chronic inflammation, according to Chi Dog. Both foods are developed with human-grade ingredients.

The Pet Health Predictor by Pumpkin is a free artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool that analyzes a pet’s breed, age, and location to forecast common conditions they may face, and estimates the price of related veterinary care. Using this information and AI, the tool generates tailored insights to help families plan for future care.

Vanguard Recombishield by Zoetis is a nonadjuvanted, recombinant injectable vaccine for protecting dogs 8 weeks of age and older against kennel cough (

). The therapy uses pertactin protein to mount an immune response to 

, making it the only vaccine for dogs with this protein. Additionally, it contains recombinant technology to minimize patient pain, swelling, stinging, and sensitivity.

adoro Pet Insurance Services is a new pet insurance provider that is now available in 28 states throughout the US. The company offers accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, plus optional wellness plans. Additionally, clients can receive reimbursements via Venmo or direct bank transfer.

Mytulin EQ by Gerosynth Labs is a supplement for immune health, cellular health, and performance recovery in horses. The product supports musculoskeletal health, gastrointestinal balance, and mitochondrial rejuvenation. Ingredients include wild-harvested chaga mushrooms (

(the Manuka plant), triglycerides, and filtered water.

Generic injectable antibiotic for canine and feline skin infections

Cefovecin sodium (Solovecin) by Dechra is a generic, long-acting injectable prescription antibiotic for treating skin infections in cats and dogs. The product is bioequivalent to Convenia by Zoetis. In dogs, the antibiotic is intended for the treatment of secondary superficial pyoderma, abscesses, and wounds caused by susceptible strains of 

 (group G). In cats, the product is indicated for wounds and abscesses caused by susceptible strains of 

Articles

The latest products and innovative technology in veterinary medicine.

Products+Services360: AI-powered predictive pet health tool and other products

During Australia’s extensive Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020, veterinarian Adrienne Lavinia, BVSc, BVetBiol, MSC (Conservation Medicine), the veterinary director at Ballarat Wildlife Hospital and an adjunct senior research specialist at Federation University based in Mount Helen, Victoria, was deployed from her then-work as a zoo veterinarian to triage koalas and other wildlife affected by the fires in the region. Since then, she has been involved in a koala research project that is providing critical insights into the postrelease survival, behavior, and habitat use of koalas around the Ballarat area.

“That experience was a turning point for me, and I wanted to do more for the region’s free-ranging koalas. My colleagues and I were motivated to contribute to local koala conservation beyond clinical and rehabilitation work and began collaborating with researchers at Federation University. Our initial plan for a population census and broad health assessment exceeded available funding, so we refocused on a targeted postrelease monitoring project,” Lavinia told 

“In 2022, the Ballarat Wildlife Hospital was established with an integrated clinical and research mandate, and we began tracking our first postrelease koalas that November. Koalas admitted to the hospital and subsequently treated and cleared for release are fitted with tracking collars during their final prerelease examination,” Lavinia said.

Utilizing movement data from koalas equipped with store-on-board GPS and VHF collars, the project aims to determine whether koalas survive and thrive post release, whether veterinary interventions support successful reintegration, and which landscape features influence survival.

Adrienne Lavinia, BVSc, BVetBiol, MSC (Conservation Medicine)

Lavinia and other investigators manually track the koalas in the field and remotely download the GPS data when the collars are within radio frequency range. “These field visits allow for the collection of fecal samples to support ongoing antimicrobial resistance research. For bushfire-affected koalas, we also assess whether they remain in regenerating habitat or relocate to unburnt areas. Road-crossing behavior is also monitored to identify high-risk locations and inform mitigation strategies,” Lavinia said.

“While numerous koala-tracking studies in Victoria have examined translocated populations or individuals affected by blue gum plantation harvesting, few have evaluated outcomes for koalas released from wildlife hospitals. Koala populations around Ballarat are often overlooked in state-wide conservation planning, partly because of perceptions that they represent a noncritical population,” she added.

Lavinia explained that without targeted research studies, surveillance, and long-term understanding, the Ballarat koala population remains at risk. “Broader conservation frameworks such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and [International Union for Conservation of Nature] listings provide essential guidance but may overlook the vulnerability of small, isolated populations to local extinction and range contraction without recognition and targeted management. This research addresses that gap by assessing the health, postrelease movement, habitat use, and survival of both bushfire- and non–bushfire-affected koalas treated at the Ballarat Wildlife Hospital,” Lavinia said.

“By focusing on rehabilitated individuals in this understudied region, the research provides insights into the outcomes of the rescue-treatment-release process and identifies landscape features critical to long-term survival, informing more effective rehabilitation, land management, and conservation strategies.”

Nature and animals inspire novelist veterinarian

Having long been fascinated by the human-animal bond and the connections between people and animals, veterinarian and author Karen Viggers, BVSc (Hons I), PhD, is currently working on her sixth contemporary fiction novel. Each of her books focuses on social or conservation issues, such as the ethics of wildlife rescue and scientific research, end-of-life choices, native forest logging, kangaroo culling, and, more recently, children’s sport.

“My books are human stories threaded with wildlife and domestic animals. In this way, my veterinary work and experiences feed my creative work. I love the whole creative process because it uses a different part of my brain compared [with] my veterinary work. That doesn’t mean writing a book is easy. It’s definitely not. Each book takes from 3 to 4 years, with several drafts and lots of editing. There are many periods of doubt and loss of confidence,” Viggers said exclusively to 

“But what I’ve learned over the years is to trust my process, even though it’s messy and iterative. The first draft is often wild and joyful. I plunge in and follow tangents and see where the ideas want to go. Then comes the deep work of redrafting and crafting it into something worthwhile, which can take a long time. After that, I have to find the social and gregarious parts of myself to do the publicity. It’s like coming out of a cave. This is why I value my veterinary work. It keeps me in touch with people and the real world.”

The 5 novels that Viggers has had published are 

 (2024). She is currently writing the second draft of her sixth novel, which is focused on the human impact on the oceans.

“I’ve had a few personal challenges in the past 2 years, which have slowed my creative process a little. I’ve also traveled to some remarkable places, including Zambia, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, Peru, and Ecuador. This hasn’t helped my time frames with writing either. But I want to go on adventures while I still can. Hiking and wild places are important to me, and feed my work,” Viggers shared.

“As part of my creative journey, I love to support other writers, so I interview other authors at writers’ festivals and on the 

 podcast that I cohost with another author. At the 2025 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali, I interviewed several. It was such a thrill to attend an international festival and meet other writers,” she said.

After graduating as a veterinarian in 1987, Viggers initially worked in mixed-animal practice before doing weekend and locum work at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria to progress her interest in wildlife conservation, which she also draws on in her writing. “I met my husband-to-be over a leadbeater’s possum in the veterinary center at Healesville Sanctuary. We then moved to Canberra, and I undertook a PhD [program] in wildlife health and parasite ecology. This helped me to develop research skills and also opened myriad opportunities to assist wildlife biologists in the field,” Viggers said.

“As a result, I have been privileged to have worked with a wide range of native species, including squirrel gliders, potoroos, quolls, bandicoots, pygmy possums, possums, kangaroos, Australian fur seals, diamond pythons, and many others. I have also worked in Antarctica on crabeater seals, Weddell seals, Adélie penguins, and leopard seals. During my career as a wildlife veterinarian, I have also continued to work part-time in small animal practice, which I enjoy to this day.”

Although Viggers has loved writing since she was a child, it wasn’t until later in her life that she had the time and opportunity to pursue her literary interests.

“It wasn’t until after I’d completed my PhD and a post-doc and had 2 children that I decided to try writing a novel. By then, I was in my late thirties and realized that if I didn’t start soon, I would be 80 and still saying I wanted to write. So, in between working part-time as a vet and raising 2 small children, I wrote my first novel, 

“It was an interesting process. My PhD thesis had been good training for writing. I learned how to complete a large project, how to edit and be critical of my own writing, and how to accept input from editors. Getting published wasn’t easy. I received a few rejections and started another novel, which became my second published book, 

. But it wasn’t until I found an agent that my first novel was published in 2008,” she added.

Viggers is currently completing the final draft of her next book, which will be published in the next year or so, she said.

dvm360’s Australian correspondent Phil Tucak updates on research into koalas released back into the wild after hospital treatment; and meet the veterinarian and author whose novels interweave stories about people, wildlife, and domestic animals.

Veterinary Scene Down Under: Koala research aids understanding of understudied region

The FDA has approved pergolide tablets (Zygolide; Dechra) for controlling clinical signs associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses, also known as equine Cushing disease. According to Dechra, the medication is a generic, bioequivalent option for horses with the condition.

PPID, an age-related endocrine disorder, is characterized by the degeneration of neurons that affect the production and regulation of hormones, including adrenocorticotropic hormone. Common clinical signs include a long, curly-hair coat, delayed shedding, muscle loss, polydipsia, polyuria, lethargy, and laminitis. Some horses may also exhibit a rounded abdomen, exercise intolerance, abnormal sweating, and fat deposits above the eyes and on the top of the neck and tailhead.

 Additionally, affected horses face a higher risk of chronic infection and abscesses. These equines also have decreased wound healing and higher parasite burdens.

In a news release announcing the approval, Dechra said pergolide tablets are an essential therapy whose FDA approval expands access for one of the most common endocrine disorders in older horses.

 Researchers estimate that approximately 20% to 33% of all horses develop PPID by 20 years of age.

According to the UC Davis Center for Equine Health, the condition typically occurs in horses older than 15 years.

Still, cases of PPID have been documented in horses as young as 7 years of age.

According to Dechra, their pergolide tablets come in a peppermint flavor and are scored around the entire tablet for splitting ease. Beginning this month, the therapy will be made available to veterinarians at major online pharmacies across the United States. Currently, the medication is only available in the United States.

Pergolide tablets (Zygolide; Dechra). (Image courtesy of Dechra)

The medication has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses. Adverse effects include loss of appetite, weight loss, lack of energy, and behavioral changes. According to Dechra, most cases of appetite loss are mild, though a temporary dose reduction may be necessary in severe cases. Pergolide tablets are contraindicated in horses with hypersensitivity to pergolide mesylate or other ergot derivatives, Dechra said.

“The FDA approval of Zygolide brings to market a high-quality, cost-effective option to help make the management of PPID more accessible,” Greg Schmid, DVM, Dechra’s equine medical affairs lead, said in the company news release.

“This therapy provides another option for horses living with the condition, including a pill structure with 360-degree scoring on all sides and a peppermint flavor profile, helping to reduce stress for both horses and their caretakers.”

Dechra announces FDA approval of Zygolide (pergolide tablets) for the control of clinical signs associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (equine Cushing’s disease) in horses. News release. Dechra. January 5, 2026. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260105450851/en/Dechra-Announces-FDA-Approval-of-Zygolide-pergolide-tablets-for-the-Control-of-Clinical-Signs-Associated-with-Pituitary-Pars-Intermedia-Dysfunction-Equine-Cushings-Disease-in-Horses

Young A, Berryhill E. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). UC Davis Center for Equine Health. March 23, 2020. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/pituitary-pars-intermedia-dysfunction-ppid

Equine Cushing’s disease: back to basics. Kentucky Equine Research. January 15, 2018. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://ker.com/equinews/equine-cushings-disease-back-basics/#:~:text=Recognizing%20PPID,Laminitis

Zygolide by Dechra offers a generic, bioequivalent option for managing pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses. 

FDA approves generic pergolide tablets for equine Cushing disease

The annual National Bird Day—held this year on January 5, 2026—was created by the Avian Welfare Coalition as an awareness campaign. The coalition’s mission is to educate the public about the welfare of birds in captivity and ways to improve it.

 interviews, avian experts Laila Proença DVM, PhD, MV, MSc, DACZM, founder and CEO of VetAhead; Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, host of 

 podcast; and Deborah Thomson, DVM, founder and executive director of One Health Lessons; share insights for bird care.

Sedation is the key to better bird radiographs

Laila Proença DVM, PhD, MV, MSc, DACZM, explains positioning checks to ensure diagnostic images, warns against hands-on restraint and improvised fixes, and recommends appropriate sedation to reduce stress and improve image quality.

Avian influenza, One Health, and a new resource for educating communities

Deborah Thomson, DVM, discusses lessons and other resources that assist veterinary professionals in educating themselves and the public about avian influenza, which can help protect their communities, families, and pets.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza and biosecurity

Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, explains why early detection and enhanced biosecurity are essential for mitigating the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Avian Welfare Coalition. National Bird Day. Avian Welfare Coalition. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://www.avianwelfare.org/nationalbirdday/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPIo11leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUMHRjQmZnaExrWWlLMEFFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpv8-h1XA7LeFqwvoZapT427TwKe8LCIj6AzKuiUsoGNhMLL60EUe0icU3ah_aem_1pH8O_nsgwtvqQUKxCz_uw

Proença L, Alaburda R. Sedation is the key to better bird radiographs. 

December 19, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/sedation-is-the-key-to-better-bird-radiographs

Thomson D, Alejandre-Bautista. Avian influenza, One Health, and a new resource for educating communities. 

. April 1, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/avian-influenza-one-health-and-a-new-resource-for-educating-communities

Lee C, Alaburda R. Highly pathogenic avian influenza and biosecurity. 

. March 28, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-and-biosecurity

Laila Proença DVM, PhD, MV, MSc, DACZM; Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM; and Deborah Thomson, DVM, share their perspectives on avian radiology, avian influenza and more, in dvm360 interviews.

3 Must-see expert insights for National Bird Day

Good morning dvm360 readers, and Happy New Year! As we begin the first full week of 2026, it is a time to not only reflect on the year that has passed, but the one we are looking ahead to. Everyone here at dvm360 is looking forward to another year of Fetch conferences, dvm360 print publications, podcast episodes, and more! To kick off the year, the dvm360 team will be heading to the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida later this month, so be on the lookout for expert interviews, session coverage, social media posts, and more.

As we prepare to continue kicking off 2026, here is what you can find this week on dvm360.com:

Dechra announced earlier today that it has received approval from the FDA for its pergolide tablets (Zygolide; Dechra) to treat equine patients suffering from pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, also known as Equine Cushing’s Disease.

On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Tiffany Tupler, DVM, CBCC-KA, and Lindsey Braun, vice president of research for Human Animal Bond Research Institute, join host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA for our first episode of the year! In the episode, to share some insights into new research into the challenges to the human animal bond, and the solutions pet parents find most interesting and helpful.

Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CTPEP, CVPP, shares part 2 of her Strategic design of geriatric pet programs in veterinary practice articles to educate veterinary professionals on how frailty assessments, proactive caregiver education, and more can help transform.

The veterinary team at theTexas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Small Animal Teaching Hospital recently shared the story of Vlad the Impaler, a 4-year-old tuxedo cat who needed intensive treatment to remove a serious intestinal blockage.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

 took a deeper dive into getting a better understanding of radiation safety in veterinary imaging. The lead author, a technician from UC Davis, and her fellow researchers examined decades of published literature on occupational radiation exposure during PET/CT imaging with the radiotracer 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in positive emission tomography scans.

dvm360’s first installment of our clinic center is going to be available this week! Some of the hospitals featured include Shenandoah Veterinary Associates Hospital opening as a pet emergency room and Oregon State University’s Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital opening an emergency room for cats and dogs.

Here is a sneak peek at this week’s headlines.

Sneak peek: FDA approves treatment for Equine Cushing’s Disease, and other news

 interview, Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, covers decision-making for extractions, how to talk to clients about the oral systemic link, feline stomatitis and tooth resorption, and more.

How to decide when dental extraction improves senior pet health

 Q&A has been lightly edited and consolidated from a verbal interview to better fit a written format while retaining the substance of the original conversation.

When you see mixed periodontal disease, what tips you toward extraction instead of saving the tooth?

 For midrange periodontal disease with 25% to 50% attachment loss, we decide based on the tooth and the patient. We are less likely to spend time saving a small incisor than a canine or carnassial. If the patient has systemic disease, such as heart or kidney problems, the additional anesthetic time to preserve a tooth may not be in the pet’s best interest. Chronic inflammation from a problematic tooth can worsen other conditions, so extraction may make the patient healthier. Client preference and cost also influence the decision.

How often are you combating Dr Google and similar sources in dentistry cases?

 Owners often research and bring ideas to the clinic. By the time they reach a specialist, they usually already know there is a problem because their general practitioner has identified it. Education is key. Explain that dental disease is ongoing—often below the gumline—and requires professional care under general anesthesia. Quick cosmetic fixes and nonanesthetic cleanings do not address the true disease.

What can general practitioners do before referring a dental case to a specialist?

 Continue client education about the progressive nature of dental disease and why professional care is necessary. Perform appropriate diagnostics when possible and stabilize systemic issues so patients are in the best possible shape for referral. Explain risks and benefits clearly so owners understand the reasons for treatment.

How do you frame the oral-systemic connection for clients?

 Emphasize that chronic oral inflammation is likely driving much of the systemic impact we see. Historically, we talked about bacteria entering the bloodstream. Now we focus more on how chronic sterile inflammation from dental disease can accelerate aging and affect multiple organs. Explain that treating oral inflammation can reduce that systemic inflammatory burden and improve overall health.

What practical advice do you give for feline stomatitis and tooth resorption?

 For severe stomatitis, we often recommend full mouth extractions because the inflammation and ulceration severely affect quality of life. Tooth resorption is common and may be painful when the lesion reaches the crown. Management is case dependent, and extractions are performed selectively when resorption is causing discomfort.

How do you approach anesthesia and analgesia for senior dental patients?

 Senior patients need careful workup and stabilization of comorbidities so they can tolerate general anesthesia. Often, dental surgery in senior [patients] addresses chronic inflammation that is harming other organ systems. We balance risk and benefit, and, when possible, removing oral inflammation can substantially improve how the patient feels in 2 weeks.

To read more news and view expert insights from Fetch Long Beach, visit 

’s dedicated site for conference coverage at 

https://www.dvm360.com/conference/fetch-long-beach

Proper dental care can help reduce chronic inflammation and may improve overall systemic health and quality of life.