On December 31, 2025, Elanco Animal Health received approval from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for tirnovetmab (Befrena), an anti–IL-31 monoclonal antibody injection that targets canine allergic and atopic dermatitis. The new product is recommended for dosing intervals of 6 to 8 weeks post treatment, compared with its competitor, which is currently on the market and recommends 4 to 8 weeks post treatment.

“The animal health sector is increasingly focused on antibody-based therapies, and today’s approval is an important step forward in delivering high-impact innovation that enhances the quality of life for pets,” Ellen de Brabander, PhD, executive vice president of research and development at Elanco, said in an organizational release.

 “We are pleased to offer veterinarians and pet owners Befrena, which delivers long-lasting relief to treat dogs with allergic itch.”

According to the release, tirnovetmab is the second dermatology product from Elanco to receive approval in less than 18 months and now joins ilunocitinib tablets (Zenrelia) in its dermatology portfolio. Tirnovetmab will launch in the first half of 2026.

In 2025, Elanco released its first report highlighting the impact itching has on canine patients, clients, and veterinary teams in its America’s Itchy Dogs report. The report, made up of findings from multiple surveys of pet owners and veterinarians, revealed that 9 in 10 dogs in the US are “itchy dogs” and have experienced symptoms of itchiness at some point in the year, according to their owners, which is nearly 79 million dogs.

 The study also found that clients spend approximately $400 on over-the-counter remedies and wait 6 weeks before bringing their pet to their veterinarian because they typically try to find solutions at home before seeking veterinary care. Because of this, pets whose owners waited too long to bring them in resulted in raw and infected skin, as well as owners who are irritated because they want their pet to have some relief.

Research from Elanco, as stated in their release, indicates that nearly 70% of veterinarians would be willing to stock another dermatology product in their clinics to help more patients find itch relief.

“Veterinarians need more options for itch relief so they can offer targeted therapy that focuses on [the] mode of action to meet the unique needs of the individual patient to deliver fast, effective, and valuable itch relief,” said Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, veterinary dermatologist. “USDA approval of Befrena brings veterinarians a step closer to having another beneficial and safe treatment option. I’m excited to collaborate with Elanco and plan to offer this product in my practice when it becomes available.”

To learn more about tirnovetmab, visit the Elanco Animal Health website.

Elanco receives USDA approval for Befrena (tirnovetmab), a new anti-IL31 monoclonal antibody injection targeting canine allergic and atopic dermatitis. News release. Elanco Animal Health. December 31, 2025. Accessed January 2, 2026. https://www.elanco.com/us/newsroom/press-releases/befrena-usda-approval

. Elanco Animal Health. Accessed January 2, 2026. 

https://assets.elanco.com/0cec44ed-3eaa-0009-2029-666567e7e4de/33474a48-bac3-4fc4-b7fc-3589b88560fb/ElancoItchyDogsReportFINAL.pdf

Articles

The new treatment will target canine allergic and atopic dermatitis. 

USDA approves new anti–IL-31 monoclonal antibody injection

 interview, Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) explains why the nutritional plan before surgery is important and how the microbiome fits into perioperative care.

How to correct internet misinformation in client conversations

 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.

Image Credit: © anastas_ | stock.adobe.com

What do you tell owners about diet before and after elective surgery?

: I like to broaden this beyond recovery and think about the before. Are they eating a complete and balanced diet. If a patient is malnourished it will make recovery harder. For elective procedures I want them in a good nutritional plane before anesthesia. If the gut is working after anesthesia, we should use it. In the hospital I give a light meal as they wake up and send them home with small meals to start. If we are going to recommend something bland like chicken and rice, I explain that it is not balanced and is only for the very short term. I prefer sending clients home on a highly digestible GI diet that is complete and balanced, so the patient gets the nutrients needed for healing.

How do you collect a diet history and act on it when a pet is coming in for surgery?

: For an elective case take a thorough history so you know what they are eating and why. If the diet is not supporting recovery, we can change it before surgery when the timing allows. For emergencies we do what we must, but when we can delay an elective procedure, it is often worth improving nutrition first, so the animal has a better chance to heal.

How do you respond when an owner arrives convinced by Dr Google or other online advice?

: Do not judge. Owners love their pets and are often trying to do the right thing. A confrontational response shuts them down. Acknowledge their concern, explain what is incorrect, give clear, compassionate rationale, and check their understanding. Most pet parents accept the recommendation once they see the why behind it.

What role does the microbiome play in surgical recovery?

: The GI microbiome is a major part of the immune system. Estimates are that 70 to 80 percent of immune activity is gut related. A healthy microbiome supports immune function and healing. Prebiotic fiber feeds beneficial bacteria. Ingredients like FOS, MOS, and beet pulp in proper amounts help maintain that healthy state. Some clinicians also use probiotics. Many commercial foods now incorporate prebiotic fibers so you can help build a healthy microbiome before surgery.

Is nutrition an optional extra or a critical part of treatment plans?

: Nutrition is critical. It is the basis of everything. For conditions like cancer or recurrent uroliths proper diet supports healing and can help manage disease long term. Improving nutrition can reduce recurrence and improve quality of life and longevity. If we want the best surgical and medical outcomes nutrition must be part of the plan.

One quick tip vets can share with clients?

: Take a diet history before surgery. If the patient is not on a complete and balanced diet, consider changing it before the procedure. Use small, digestible meals as the patient wakes up and send home a GI diet that is complete and balanced rather than an unbalanced bland home mix.

Anything else you are working on that clinicians should know

: I am focusing on new pet food label regulations and how to help pet parents interpret labels. Packaging and labeling rules are changing and may be confusing. My goal is to educate veterinary professionals so they can guide owners through the new information.

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

Good nutrition before and after surgery may improve healing and reduce complications.

Q&A: Set nutrition before surgery to improve outcomes

Note that many of the upcoming industry events are being held in person or via a combination of live and virtual learning. Please visit individual event websites for details.

Photo: Walter L. Brown Jr, BS, RVTg, VTS (ECC)/dvm360

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Upcoming industry events for earning continuing education credits.

Veterinary conference calendar (January 2026)

Every December, I pause to take stock of what has been happening across veterinary medicine. I am not talking about the polished conference headlines or marketing reels, but rather the pulse of our profession. And in 2025, it felt like this was the year the industry started asking itself the difficult questions. What are we building toward? Who’s being left behind? How do we protect the soul of this work while technology, client expectations, and clinical science accelerate faster than we can catch our breath?

As we step into 2026, I don’t think the story is about burnout, workforce shortages, or “vetflation”—the rising cost of veterinary goods and services. The story is about 

. Here are the shifts I see defining where we, as a profession, go next:

The rise (and reckoning) of the midlevel practitioner

This year, the proposed creation of a midlevel practitioner role in veterinary medicine ignited more debate than any topic since telemedicine. The concept—a credentialed clinician working between a veterinary technician and a veterinarian—is gaining traction in some states, with pilot programs proposed to help address workforce shortages and access to care gaps.

On paper, the concept makes sense. It could help address access-to-care challenges, reduce burnout, and offer technicians new professional pathways. In practice, though, it asks us to pause and consider what we truly value about the doctor of veterinary medicine and veterinary medical doctor degrees, as well as the structure of veterinary care itself. After chatting with many colleagues and listening to various discussions, it is clear this is not a black-and-white issue. Veterinarians are understandably concerned about maintaining medical oversight and accountability; some technicians, meanwhile, see this as a long-overdue opportunity to expand their impact and earn recognition commensurate with their skills and education. Both perspectives come from a place of deep care for the profession. The real challenge lies in finding a model that elevates everyone involved in patient care, rather than creating new divisions between us.

The bottom line is that we must own this conversation before policy does it for us. Medicine evolves, and roles evolve. Our job as leaders is to shape the conversation ethically and intelligently, not reactively.

Hormone-sparing spay/ neuter: The new frontier in reproductive medicine

For years, the traditional spay/neuter model was untouchable dogma. Now, with new insights emerging on long-term health implications of gonadectomy timing, veterinary schools and specialists are introducing hormone-sparing sterilization (such as ovary-sparing spays and vasectomies) into the mainstream.

This shift is about how we teach critical thinking. It is time for future veterinarians to learn that there isn’t always one right answer, one gold-standard surgery, or a one-size-fits-all preventive approach. Our clients expect us to individualize care, which starts in the classroom or at a veterinary conference. Teaching flexibility and evidence-based medicine is our professional responsibility.

Technology grows up, as does artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools went from experimental platforms to actual clinical allies in 2025. From radiology triage to medical record summarization, AI is being integrated into real-world clinical workflows. Now it’s forcing every veterinarian to rethink their relationship with diagnostics, documentation, and even empathy.

AI doesn’t replace our judgment, but rather reveals it. When technology takes care of the redundant, we are left with what only humans can do: connect, explain, comfort, and decide. 2026 will be the year we learn to balance those tools without losing ourselves in them. We are one of the most compassion-led professions, which requires using empathy and emotional intelligence.

Mental health and boundaries become non-negotiable

In 2025, we finally started moving beyond awareness and into implementation. Boundaries became a form of medicine. Clinics adopted “no after-hours text” policies, built wellness check-ins into staff meetings, and enforced paid time off.

This wasn’t performative self-care, but rather survival through structure. The next step? Making those systems sustainable when the urgency fades. Culture only changes when consistency does.

With 2026 on the horizon, my mantra is this: The profession isn’t broken. It’s shedding its old skin like a snake. The discomfort we’re feeling isn’t collapse. It’s recalibration. Between midlevel debates, hormone-sparing education, AI integration, and shifting expectations, we’re finally confronting what veterinary medicine means in this new era.

We can choose to resist or lead. I vote for leading together. On behalf of 

and Fetch veterinary conferences, thank you for making us one of your top educational platforms. We continue to innovate and adapt to provide world-class education and immersive experiences for your personal growth and professional career. Thank you for being in the best profession on the planet. We wish you, your team, and your families a happy and healthy 2026!

The year of reckoning and the road to reinvention.

Veterinary medicine 2025

As 2025 fades and we prepare to begin 2026, 

is re-sharing 3 articles that evoke New Year’s Eve. These include a message about keeping busy during the holiday season, a 

that followed a New Year’s Eve celebration, and realistic resolutions.

From the CVO: 7 reasons you’re busy this holiday season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for 

breaks down all the things keeping you going.

Case study: A new year to keep pets safe from alcohol poisoning

This cautionary tale from Pet Poison Helpline shares the story of Red, Red, a golden retriever-Saint Bernard mix, who ingested alcoholic Jell-O shots his owners mistakenly left out.

5 tips for New Year’s resolutions that work

Andrew Roark, DVM, MS, discusses common annual goals that are more likely to be achieved than abandoned.

is wishing all of our readers a safe and happy New Year’s Eve, and a wonderful 2026!

Polls

These dvm360 articles aim to inspire, educate and entertain.

3 Must-reads for New Year's Eve

 in looking back on our most popular podcasts of 2025, including episodes of 

program. Our list was determined by transcript views and audio listens with data collected from internal sources. Take a listen to hear what made these episodes resonate with our audience.

, sponsored by Pharmacal, Jennifer Mathis, DVM, DAVDC, talks with Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, about periodontal disease treatment ReGum application for advanced cases, and techniques to improve tooth preservation.

Vet Watch: Tips and pitfalls of dermatology in the new age of isooxazolines

host Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, and Alice Jeromin, DVM, RPh, DACVD, provide an overview of how isoxazoline parasiticides have revolutionized ectoparasite management in small-animal practice. Their discussion includes the mechanism of action of these parasiticides, extra-label uses, and available isoxazoline products, among other topics.

Christman and Lee provide listeners with information on leptospirosis (lepto). Through this episode of 

, they debunk myths surrounding the vaccinations and how almost everyone, including dogs and cats, is at risk for lepto; the issues with prevalence data; and how crucial testing for lepto is to protect not only pets, but also public health.

Inventor and entrepreneur Joe Jesse Owens III, DVM, joins Christman on 

to discuss the importance of clear communication, setting professional boundaries, and prioritizing self-care to help veterinary teams ensure they can balance client expectations and animal welfare to make sure pets are getting the care they need and owners gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding their pet.

Eye to eye: Navigating ophthalmology emergencies

To help general practitioners feel more comfortable when an ocular emergency comes into their clinic, Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, and Christman chat about the common ocular emergencies general practitioners could see, and how to go about diagnosing and treating them, on 

Artificial Intelligence in veterinary medicine

Christman chatted with Sebastian Gabor, MBA, to discuss the artificial intelligence (AI) landscape in this early 2025 episode of 

. Gabor and Christman discuss the strengths AI can provide to veterinary clinics, the amount of time it can save veterinary professionals, and the need for holistic AI integration in current systems.

Christman and guests Megan Bauer, DVM, Fear Free Certified Elite, and Jessica Osborne, CVPM, Fear Free Certified Elite, discuss how the Fear Free concepts can be implemented into practices to make them a more calming and welcoming place for pets.

As the weather warmed and spring was on the horizon, Christman welcomed Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, to educate listeners on the seasonal toxins their patients could be up against, and how to help, during this episode of 

Michelle Evason, DVM, BSc, DACVIM (SAIM), MRCVS, sat down with Christman to talk about what spectrum of care means, especially in the world of feline care, during this continuing education episode of

Christman welcomed Karl Maritato, DVM, DACVS-SA, to 

 to chat about cranial cruciate ligaments in canines. They go over the surgical options for these patients, the importance of proper techniques, the use of braces and rehabilitation protocols, and how Maritato encourages pet owners to consider long-term care, as well as the benefits of timely surgery.

A year in review of the most popular episodes of The Vet Blast Podcast and more.