 is reflecting on the veterinary industry news, clinical advancements, achievements in education, and more of the stories that had the most impact on our audience of veterinarians, veterinary technicians and nurses, customer service representatives, practice managers and administrators, pet owners, and other audience members.

Join us in looking back on the developments and memorable moments that contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine in 2025. Read on for the Top 25 veterinary news articles of the year, from first to last, as determined by dvm360.com data collected from January 1, 2025, to November 1, 2025.

Second drug for canine healthy lifespan extension receives FDA support

Loyal’s developmental therapy aims to increase longevity and quality of life for senior dogs.

Veterinary school warns of severe feline illness following ingestion of oclacitinib chewable tablets

Two cats who ingested the dog allergy medication experienced acute kidney injury and required 4 rounds of hemodialysis.

FDA notifies veterinarians of animal burn risk linked to human medical devices

Dogs have experienced burn injuries following unsafe use of Megadyne grounding pads.

Lincoln Memorial University sues American Veterinary Medical Association

The university claims in its lawsuit that the AVMA is violating US antitrust laws.

First drug shown to reverse feline HCM expected to receive FDA approval

The novel therapy is the first drug for treating cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Tick tidbits: Ticking off the 5 W’s on these tiny troublemakers

By Kathryn E. Reif, PhD, MSPH; Sponsored by Elanco

Tick bite risks, prevention strategies, and treatments are reviewed.

Vetlen launches 5-mL pouch for targeted antibiotic therapy in animals

The device received an FDA breakthrough device designation last year.

Veterinary visits decline as clients face rising costs, data reveal

A white paper by Vetsource found that the time between client visits increased by 48% from 2023 to 2024 compared with 3 years ago.

Dry dog food supporting patients with atopic dermatitis is relaunched

Skin Relief dry dog food by Rayne Nutrition is designed to help manage conditions such as atopic dermatitis, osteoarthritis, and more.

Relief practice allows veterinarians to thrive

Temporary work is a choice that a growing number of doctors have made in recent years.

Kitten and puppy food are voluntarily recalled

Certain Blue Ridge Beef products were found to be contaminated with bacteria that can cause illness in pets.

How urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio enhances CKD detection in dogs

Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the disease and improve quality of life for affected patients.

A new study examined how large companies that produce meals for animals communicate their sustainability practices.

The rising costs of veterinary care: challenges and pathways to greater success

By Emily M. Tincher, DVM; sponsored by Nationwide

By helping pet families plan for costs, embracing a spectrum of care, and exploring innovative care models, veterinary teams can play a pivotal role in improving access to care for all pets.

Several cat deaths reported following bird flu exposure through raw pet food and milk

Government officials are urging pet owners to avoid feeding pets raw diets amid multiple cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in felines and raw pet food recalls.

Many pet owners cannot afford veterinary care, survey finds

Nearly 1 in 3 pet parents says they know someone whose pet died because the owner could not afford the necessary treatment.

The case for year-round heartworm prevention and how to talk with clients about affordable options

By Peter C. Hann, DVM; sponsored by Aurora Pharmaceutical

Veterinary teams can help clients protect their pets from heartworm disease by offering compassionate guidance and affordable solutions, including safe and effective generic alternatives.

Drug label is updated for pain management therapy

Librela (bedinvetmab injection) is a monthly injectable monoclonal antibody for which real-world drug experience data have been collected in the past year.

Lyon College breaks ground on new veterinary school

The animal health campus in Cabot, Arkansas, will feature more than 100,000 square feet of educational and clinical space.

FDA notifies veterinarians of adverse events linked to canine osteoarthritis treatment

Articles

Advancements in drug therapies and a focus on the well-being of veterinary professionals were among the most viewed article topics on dvm360.com this year. 

The 2025 year in review

A veterinary staffing company has a new senior vice president of growth with prior experience at Antech Diagnostics and Zoetis. Meanwhile, at a membership-based veterinary company, 2 new leaders with more than a decade of experience have joined to take on the roles of chief financial officer and head of people, respectively.

Matt Koch, senior vice president of growth, IndeVets

IndeVets, a veterinary staffing company, appointed Matt Koch as its senior vice president of growth this fall. Koch has more than 15 years in the veterinary industry. Previously, he held leadership roles at Antech Diagnostics and Zoetis. At Zoetis, Koch was involved in developing and scaling a cross-functional inside sales operation, with an emphasis on digital transformation and customer engagement. At IndeVets, Koch is working on building a sustainable growth engine to support veterinarians, hospital partners, and corporate groups.

“My priority is ensuring IndeVets can scale effectively while always keeping the veterinarian experience at the center of what we do,” said Koch in a company news release.

 “What excites me most is the opportunity to help reshape the future of veterinary staffing. IndeVets is uniquely positioned to bring balance and flexibility to veterinarians while providing hospitals with consistent, high-quality coverage. Being able to apply my experience in digital transformation, sales leadership, and data-driven growth to support that mission and ultimately make a difference in the lives of veterinarians, pets, and hospital partners is both inspiring and energizing.”

Mikhayl Alam, MBA, chief financial officer, Small Door Veterinary

This month, Small Door Veterinary, a membership-based veterinary care company, named Mikhayl Alam, MBA its new chief financial officer. With more than 15 years of experience with global consumer brands, Alam most recently worked with LaserAway as vice president of strategic finance and analytics, where he worked closely with the company’s CEO and executive team to develop a multi-year strategy, capital allocation, and analytics. Before that, Alam served leadership roles at L’Oréal USA.

“Small Door has always been viewed as a disruptor in the pet care industry, not just because of its state-of-the-art facilities or its hospitality-grade service, but because of its company culture and the way it treats its staff,” said Alam in a news release.

 “As we grow, we’re committed to safeguarding the values that built this company and ensuring that our teams feel supported, empowered and inspired.”

Collin Russell, MS, head of people, Small Door Veterinary

Alongside Alam, Collin Russell, MS, joined Small Door as its head of people—a newly created position. In his new role, Russell is helping shape a collaborative and productive work environment at the organization, according to Small Door. Russell has more than 10 years of experience, most recently working with Heyday as its vice president of people, where he helped shape talent strategy and organizational culture as the company expanded from four to more than 35 locations.

 Prior to Heyday, Russell worked in talent and programming leadership roles at SoulCycle Inc.

“We’re committed to building a team that not only delivers exceptional medical care, but also upholds the highest standards in our industry,” said Russell in a release.

 “By investing in extraordinary talent and fostering a culture grounded in excellence, we ensure every member experience reflects the quality and compassion pets deserve.”

IndeVets Welcomes Matt Koch as Senior Vice President of Growth. News release. IndeVets. October 23, 2025. Accessed December 23, 2025.

Small Door Veterinary Strengthens Executive Team as It Enters Next Phase of Growth. News release. Small Door Veterinary. December 3, 2025. Accessed December 23, 2025.

New leadership moves, recognition, and achievement.

Paws and profits: Small Door Veterinary appoints new chief financial officer, and other updates

The annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) will return to Orlando, Florida, in early 2026 with the theme “World Classic— Celebrating the Champions of Care.” Attendees from around the globe can access approximately 1200 hours of Registry of Approved Continuing Education–approved continuing education (CE), networking opportunities, an exposition hall, and entertainment that includes some well-known special guests.

“Our veterinary professionals embody everything it means to be world-class. Like true champions, they rise to challenges with courage and heart—delivering gold-level care to the animals we love,” Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, said in a news release.

 “VMX 2026: World Classic will celebrate the passion, precision and perseverance they bring to their work every day. We can’t wait to welcome our veterinary community back to Orlando in January 2026 for our most exciting conference yet.”

The 2026 VMX event will take place from January 17 to 21, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Special guests include the following

Actor Patrick Dempsey will deliver the event’s opening address on January 17, 2026. He will discuss his career in TV and film, his love for animals, and his commitment to the Dempsey Center in Auburn, Maine, which provides counseling and care for patients with cancer and their families.

Musician Riley Green will perform a concert exclusive to VMX attendees on January 18, 2026. The country music artist and outdoorsman will play his hits for veterinary professionals.

The stars of Nat Geo’s TV show “Critter Fixers: Country Vets,” Vernard L. Hodges, DVM, and Terrence Ferguson, DVM, will be featured during the VMX closing ceremony on January 21, 2026. The pair will discuss how to bring your passion forward and how you can be a champion in practice and in life, sharing their own stories.

Nearly 30,000 veterinary professionals attended the 2025 event, which drew attendees from 87 countries and featured more than 700 exhibitors.1 In a 

interview at the 2025 VMX in Orlando, O’Neill described the annual event as the “crown jewel” in the organization’s portfolio.

“It is the largest educational expo event in the world for veterinarians, and we take great pride in that. But there also comes a responsibility with that, too,” O’Neill said.

CE sessions are open to veterinarians, veterinary technicians and nurses, and practice managers, covering a wide range of topics. Tracks that cover clinical practice topics for small, large, exotic, zoo, and aquatic animals are among the CE session options. Other topics focus on artificial intelligence, low-cost clinics, animal conservation, wildfire cases, customer service representatives, and more.

The NAVC will present 2 signature recognition programs at VMX: the VETTY Awards and the Pet Pitch Competition. These special events within VMX will highlight new “champions of care.”

Presentation of the 2025 VETTY Awards will be held during a reception on January 19, 2026. The international award program celebrates marketing excellence for animal health care products, programs, and services. Awards will be presented to “talented, creative professionals” who contributed to the industry’s successes, according to O’Neill.

 “Their passion for helping animals truly makes them the ‘Torchbearers of Care,’ ” he said.

The 2026 Pet Pitch Competition and its companion Startup Circle provide a unified platform for startup businesses to showcase themselves. Three finalists in the Pet Pitch Competition will pitch their ideas to a “Shark Tank”–like team of veterinary experts live at VMX before a winner is announced. These finalists and additional startups are provided with a fully furnished booth in the Expo Hall at a lower price than a commercial booth to allow them an introduction to the veterinary industry at VMX.

VMX 2026 program now live: “World Classic—Celebrating the Champions of Care” offers 1,200 hours of continuing education for veterinary professionals. News release. North American Veterinary Community. July 16, 2025. Accessed November 5, 2025. https://navc.com/wp-content/ uploads/2025/07/NAVC-Press-Release-Kick-off-VMX-2026.pdf

VMX 2026 entertainment: celebrating our veterinary community. North American Veterinary Community. Accessed November 5, 2025. https://navc.com/vmx-event/ entertainment/

O’Neill G, Crossley KC. NAVC celebrates the arts at VMX. 

. January 27, 2025. Accessed November 5, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/ navc-celebrates-the-arts-at-vmx

Celebrating the torchbearers of care in animal health care marketing. News release. North American Veterinary Community. September 9, 2025. Accessed November 5, 2025. https://navc.com/ vetty-awards-accepting-entries-animal-health-marketing/

Attention veterinary startups: apply for the VMX 2026 Startup Circle and Pet Pitch Competition! North American Veterinary Community. Accessed November 5, 2025. https://navc.com/ vmx-event/startup-circle-pet-pitch/

The North American Veterinary Community’s flagship event returns in January.

Conference Insider: VMX will celebrate “champions of care” in 2026

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has awarded the VOHC Seal of Acceptance to Tartar Shield Pro Care Natural Pet Toothpaste for tartar control in dogs.

 The product is a coconut oil–based toothpaste formulated with all-natural and nature-derived ingredient, and is the first chemically active pet toothpaste to receive the designation, according to the company.

Ratified by the American Veterinary Dental College Board of Directors, the recognition is an affirmation of the product’s clinically demonstrated ability to reduce tartar accumulation and highlights its role in advancing preventive oral health standards in veterinary practice. The VOHC Seal of Acceptance also highlights the product’s role in advancing preventive oral health standards in veterinary practice.

The VOHC is comprised of 9 members, which include veterinary dentists, dental scientists and a nonvoting director.

 According to the VOHC, it does not test products itself by reviews them to ensure products meet standards for effective plaque and tarter control in animals. “The Council reviews the submitted data to ensure it meets the clinical requirements to receive the Seal of Acceptance. When a product demonstrates dental efficacy, the VOHC Seal of Acceptance is awarded,” the VOHC wrote on its website.

Photo courtesy of Tarter Shield Pet Products.

Clinical studies conducted under VOHC protocols demonstrated that Tartar Shield Pro Care Natural Pet Toothpaste significantly reduced tartar, plaque, and halitosis, while using only topical application with no brushing device required. These findings reflect Tartar Shield’s longstanding commitment to science-driven performance and its continued efforts to elevate the quality and effectiveness of pet oral care, according to the company.

“Tartar Shield has demonstrated a strong commitment to scientific rigor and to supporting the VOHC’s mission to provide assurance of clinical efficacy for pet oral care,” Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, director of the VOHC, said in a news release.

Started in the US in 1998, the VOHC Seal of Acceptance is globally recognized across veterinary and consumer pet dental product categories. It is now also used in Canada, Europe and Japan.

Tarter Shield Natural Pet Toothpaste granted VOCH Seal of Acceptance. News release. Tarter Shield Pet Products. November 17, 2025. Accessed December 24, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251117759410/en/Tartar-Shield-Natural-Pet-Toothpaste-Granted-VOHC-Seal-of-Acceptance

Veterinary Oral Health Council. Accepted products: products for dogs. Veterinary Oral Health Council. 2025. Accessed December 24, 2025. 

Veterinary Oral Health Council. What does the VOHC do? Veterinary Oral Health Council. Accessed December 24, 2025. 

Veterinary Oral Health Council. History of the VOHC. Veterinary Oral Health Council. Accessed December 24, 2025. 

Veterinary Oral Health Council. Leadership: The VOHC Council. Veterinary Oral Health Council. Accessed December 24, 2025.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council determined the product met its standards for effective use in animals, when used as directed.

Tarter control toothpaste receives VOHC Seal of Acceptance

Jane Sykes, BVSc, PhD, MPH, MBA, FNAP, summarizes the practical parts of the 2023 ACVIM consensus update on leptospirosis and explains what it means for general practice. She covers the biggest shift in recommendations, how to talk to owners about vaccine safety, when to test, and how to handle suspected cases safely in the clinic.

Make leptospirosis vaccination part of the annual conversation

 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.

What is the single most important change from the consensus statement that GPs need to know?

The big change is that our knowledge of epidemiology, diagnostics, and vaccines has shifted. Leptospirosis is not just a rural dog disease anymore. Newer vaccines are safer and we have more evidence on duration of immunity. Because of that the guidance now supports vaccinating all dogs annually for leptospirosis. That is a major change compared with when leptospirosis was considered noncore.

How do you explain vaccine benefits and safety to owners who are worried?

Tell stories. Explain that the vaccines have changed and they appear to be as safe as the distemper, hepatitis, and parvo vaccines. Share that most of the dogs we see with leptospirosis are unvaccinated or improperly vaccinated. Point out that leptospirosis can be fatal and that treatment costs can run into the thousands of dollars and the dog might not survive. If an owner declines vaccination document that decision in the medical record.

Test dogs with consistent clinical signs, especially when there is evidence of acute kidney injury after 24 to 48 hours of illness. Early on leptospirosis can be a nonspecific febrile illness. We often see evidence of acute kidney injury after the first day or two. While leptospirosis can also cause liver disease those findings usually occur alongside kidney injury. Also consider vaccination history. Dogs that are properly vaccinated are much less likely to have leptospirosis and prior vaccination can interfere with antibody-based testing.

If you have a suspected case in clinic what is your workflow?

We do handling precautions rather than full isolation. For the first 48 hours of antibiotic therapy the risk of transmission is highest. During that period wear water impermeable gowns, gloves, and facial protection and handle urine and excreta carefully. Take a dog outside to urinate on a gurney or similar to avoid contamination of hospital surfaces. Inside the clinic if urine is spilled use any effective disinfectant according to label instructions. We do not need to use extreme chemicals or bleach routinely. Pregnant staff should not handle suspect cases. After the first 48 hours of appropriate antibiotics the risk of transmission becomes extremely low and handling precautions can be lifted while still using good judgement.

Vaccinate all dogs annually for leptospirosis when following the current consensus guidance.

Test dogs with compatible signs and evidence of acute kidney injury, especially after 24 to 48 hours of illness.

Use handling precautions for the first 48 hours of antibiotic therapy. Wear impermeable gowns, gloves, and face protection when handling urine or excreta. Pregnant staff should avoid direct handling.

Use PCR on blood and urine early when available. Interpret point of care antibody tests in context of timing and vaccination status. Consider repeating antibody testing in one week for seroconversion.

How have diagnostics changed and how should clinicians use point of care tests?

We now have point of care antibody assays in the US such as the IDEXX SNAP Lepto and the Zoetis Witness Lepto rapid test. The IDEXX test detects IgG and IgM antibodies. The Witness test detects IgM only. Both are antibody tests so in the first week of illness they can be negative because antibody response takes time. If you get a negative point of care result do not rule out leptospirosis. Retest in a week and you may see seroconversion. Also, antibody tests can be positive from past vaccination or subclinical exposure. In surveys of healthy dogs, 10% or more can be antibody positive. An IgM based test like Witness is less likely to be positive from past exposure and in a sick dog with compatible clinical signs and acute kidney injury a positive IgM rapid test is strongly supportive of leptospirosis.

We have increased use of PCR on blood and urine. In our Los Angeles outbreak work many dogs were PCR positive in blood or urine and combining both sample types detected nearly all cases. The microscopic agglutination test or MAT remains the serologic gold standard, but it is labor intensive and often performed retrospectively by reference labs. MAT requires acute and convalescent samples and interpretation can be delayed by batching. Use PCR early in illness on blood and urine and interpret antibody tests with vaccination and timing in mind.

Do you have a soapbox or a final strong opinion on this topic?

I have advocated for vaccinating every dog because leptospirosis causes very severe disease in dogs and we see cases that require dialysis. Treatment costs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. I remain determined to prevent this disease with vaccination.

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

Q&A: What the 2023 ACVIM update means for leptospirosis vaccination

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (New York City, New York)

Earlier this month, the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) announced it completed its 83,000 sq ft expansion and renovation. The final phase of the project resulted in a new emergency room and new facilities for cardiology, radiology, ophthalmology, neurology, and internal medical services.

The $125 million project took 4 years to complete, with the AMC first breaking ground in 2021. Since then, the hospital completed phased openings of various new facilities and features.

“Today is a landmark moment and a historic new chapter in AMC’s history,” Helen Irving, RN, MBA, president and CEO of the AMC, said in a news release.

“For over 115 years, AMC has been dedicated to providing unparalleled care to animals and their families and to leading the advancement of veterinary medicine through innovative clinical research and education. The new state-of-the-art facility will now match our brilliant medical team and enhances our ability to provide leading medical care to pet families 24/7—bringing us into the next 115 years.”

Dermatology for Animals (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Dermatology for Animals Knoxville recently opened its first location in Tennessee. The company now has 23 locations across 14 states. In 2020, the practice joined Thrive Pet Healthcare.

The new facility will be led by Danielle Nolitt, DVM,a graduate of the University of Tennessee. According to Dermatology for Animals, Nolitt is interested in autoimmune skin diseases, allergies, otology, carbon dioxide laser procedures, and equine dermatology.

“Skin and ear problems are chronic conditions best managed early in the disease process,” Nolitt said in an organizational release.

 “Our goal is to give pet owners answers, discuss options and provide a clear plan for helping their pets feel their best long term, not limiting care to temporary fixes.”

Through a partnership with VitalRADS, a teleradiology service earlier this year, Zoetis expanded its diagnostic platform, the Zoetis Virtual Laboratory. VitalRADS offers teleradiology reading services for all species. According to Zoetis, routine results are usually available within 3 hours. For urgent cases, STAT reports are available in less than 1 hour. However, dedicated workflows for echocardiogram studies are usually read by the next business day.

The VitalRADS network includes specialists in radiology, cardiology, dentistry, and neurology who can interpret radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography (including echocardiography), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography/CT, and electrocardiograms.

“Our goal is to empower veterinarians with world-class diagnostics that improve clinic workflow and patient outcomes,” Abhay Nayak, president for global diagnostics at Zoetis, said in a company press release.

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center completes a four-year, 83,000-square-foot, $125 million transformation. News release. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. December 9, 2025. Accessed December 22, 2025.

Knoxville pet owners now have a new local option for specialized skin and allergy care. News release. Thrive Pet Healthcare. December 4, 2025. Accessed December 22, 2025.

Zoetis expands virtual laboratory with 24/7 VitalRADS teleradiology service. News release. Zoetis. Accessed December 22, 2025.

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments and platforms.