Recent research has shed light on the intricate relationship between nutrition, the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome, and overall health, emphasizing its significance in both human and veterinary medicine. A healthy GI microbiome is essential for proper nutrient absorption, metabolism, and gut immunomodulation, which are crucial for the overall health and development of companion animals

. Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics have all shown promising results in improving GI health in adult companion animals

. Given the importance of establishing a robust GI microbiome, researchers at Hill’s Pet Nutrition have investigated the effects of a novel prebiotic blend on growing puppies in a recent study published in 

Prior research using this proprietary prebiotic blend resulted in positive effects on stool quality, pH, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and GI microbiome signatures in adult dogs and cats

 For the current study, 22 puppies between the ages of 4 and 10 months were fed a prefeed food for 2 weeks, then transitioned to the test food containing the prebiotic blend until they were 14 months old. The puppies showed normal growth and development throughout the study.

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Much like the adult dog study, the puppies had marked improvements in key parameters of GI health. Stool quality was improved and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were increased. Fecal SCFAs are important for maintaining intestinal homeostasis and supporting gut barrier function, which are important for proper nutrient absorption and metabolism. The puppies also showed an increase in serum immunoglobulin A levels suggesting an improved immune response

. Interleukin-17 (IL-17), an inflammatory cytokine, concentration decreased linearly over time and interleukin-18 (IL-18) trended towards linear decrease, which may indicate a reduction in inflammation over the course of the study. IL-7 is associated with inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease

, while IL-18 has been associated with intestinal inflammation in mice

. While these results are promising, more work needs to be done to evaluate the effects of fiber consumption on inflammatory markers in puppies.

Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of nutritional science concerning the GI health of puppies. As one of the first studies examining the impact of a prebiotic blend in puppy nutrition, this research offers insights for creating diets that provide superior nutrition for developing companion animals.

Lyu Y, Su C, Verbrugghe A, Van de Wiele T, Martos Martinez-Caja A, Hesta M. Past, present, and future of gastrointestinal microbiota research in cats. Front Microbiol. (2020) 11:1661. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01661

Sarkar A, Yoo JY, Valeria Ozorio Dutra S, Morgan KH, Groer M. The association between early-life gut microbiota and long-term health and diseases. J Clin Med. (2021) 10:459. doi: 10.3390/jcm10030459

Wernimont SM, Radosevich J, Jackson MI, Ephraim E, Badri DV, MacLeay JM, et al. The effects of nutrition on the gastrointestinal microbiome of cats and dogs: impact on health and disease. Front Microbiol. (2020) 11:1266. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01266.

Pilla R, Suchodolski JS. The gut microbiome of dogs and cats, and the influence of diet. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. (2021) 51:605–21. doi: 10.1016/j. Cvsm.2021.01.002

Lee D, Goh TW, Kang MG, Choi HJ, Yeo SY, Yang J, et al. Perspectives and advances in probiotics and the gut microbiome in companion animals. J Anim Sci Technol. (2022) 64:197–217. doi: 10.5187/jast.2022.e8

McGrath, A. P., Motsinger, L. A., Brejda, J., & Hancock, L. (2024). Prebiotic fiber blend supports growth and development and favorable digestive health in puppies. 

Fritsch DA, Jackson MI, Wernimont SM, Feld GK, Badri DV, Brejda JJ, et al. Adding a polyphenol-rich fiber bundle to food impacts the gastrointestinal microbiome and metabolome in dogs. Front Vet Sci. (2022) 9:1039032. doi: 10.3389/ fvets.2022.1039032

Wernimont SM, Fritsch DA, Schiefelbein HM, Brejda JJ, Gross KL. Food with specialized dietary fiber sources improves clinical outcomes in adult cats with constipation or diarrhea. FASEB J. (2020) 34:1. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.09918

Patel A, Jialal I. Biochemistry, immunoglobulin A In: StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing LLC (2024)

Willis CR, Seamons A, Maxwell J, Treuting PM, Nelson L, Chen G, et al. Interleukin-7 receptor blockade suppresses adaptive and innate inflammatory responses in experimental colitis. J Inflamm. (2012) 9:39. doi: 10.1186/1476-9255-9-39

Kanai T, Watanabe M, Okazawa A, Sato T, Yamazaki M, Okamoto S, et al. Macrophage-derived IL-18-mediated intestinal inflammation in the murine model of Crohn’s disease. Gastroenterology. (2001) 121:875–88. doi: 10.1053/gast.2001.28021

Articles

New study shows adding a prebiotic fiber blend to a puppy's diet supports growth and development and favorable digestive health

Artificial intelligence is now being used to help pet owners find their lost animal companions. The Petnow app, recently launched in Australia and New Zealand, uses advanced pet biometrics to help reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners by using mobile phones to scan and recognize the unique nose prints of dogs and the facial features of cats.

Released by Petnow Inc, a South Korea-based developer of pet identification solutions, the app allows users to send alerts to neighbors when a registered pet goes missing. According to the company, the goal is to enable quicker and more efficient recoveries through community involvement.

The Petnow app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play in both Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, the pet identification services offered by the app are free for pet owners. According to the company, the app provides extra protection for pets without needing specialized devices. The app also allows community members without pets to participate by assisting in the reunion of lost animals, according to a news release.

Petnow app. (Photo courtesy of PetNow Inc)

PetNow Inc’s pet biometrics technology is undergoing pilot testing for integration with the Korean national pet registry. Furthermore, the company is in talks with pet insurance providers, pet registry management authorities, and pet adoption agencies in Europe and North America to expand its use.

"Since early 2024, we have garnered significant attention and forged connections with partners worldwide, demonstrating our technology's strong performance in competitions like the iF Design Award, Interzoo Fresh Ideas Stage, and VIVA Technology MyGlobalVillage. We are eager to welcome new partners in Australia and New Zealand following our app launch," Jesse Joonho Lim, PhD, CEO of Petnow Inc, said in an organizational release.

Statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), an animal welfare charity in England and Wales, reveal that more than 87,000 animals are admitted to shelters in Australia annually, and around 33,000 animals enter shelters in New Zealand each year, according to a news release.

 Additionally, in Australia, 3% of pets are homeless, with 110,000 of them being cats and 38,000 being dogs. In Australian shelters, there are approximately 62,000 dogs across the country, and almost twice the number of cats at 117,000. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, 12% of cats and dogs are homeless.

According to the State of Pet Homelessness Project, a global data initiative on the global state of pet homelessness, approximately 362 million cats and dogs are homeless across 20 surveyed countries. The report also revealed that nearly half of the people surveyed reported having lost a pet, with 60% of those never recovered.

Biometrics for dogs and cats: Petnow app launches in Australia and New Zealand. News release. Petnow Inc. July 24, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biometrics-for-dogs-and-cats-petnow-app-launches-in-australia-and-new-zealand-302205016.html

State of Pet Homelessness Project: A global initiative for understanding pet homelessness. Mars Petcare or Affiliates. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://stateofpethomelessness.com

Global research reveals how many stray animals are on the street. Animal Friendly Life. January 29, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://animalfriendlylife.com.au/news/global-research-reveals-how-many-stray-animals-are-on-the-streets/

The Petnow app can scan dogs’ noses and cats’ faces to help these animals reunite with their owners

New app uses pet biometrics to find lost cats and dogs

Everyone knows that becoming a veterinarian is a long, intense and—most of all—extremely competitive journey. From getting into veterinary school, to securing a coveted internship or job, you need a competitive spirit to stand out in a sea of equally intelligent, motivated, and accomplished peers. After 4 years or more, this tenacious, self-focused, type-A approach can become second nature.

Some new graduates enter the veterinary community and struggle to lose this guarded, independent, performance-based mindset. Unfortunately, this can slow professional growth—including networking and learning opportunities—and limit the intrinsic rewards and joy of being a veterinarian. Now that they are preparing to enter the next chapter of their veterinary career, it is time to focus on collegiality instead of competitiveness.

What is collegiality in veterinary medicine?

Collegiality refers to a positive relationship between colleagues that is based on mutual respect for each other’s valuable knowledge and contributions. These relationships prioritize shared goals and outcomes and recognize the collective rather than the individual effort. In veterinary medicine, we share a common goal, such as enhancing pet health and wellbeing, but may have wildly diverse experiences, specialty interests, and perspectives based on a variety of factors such as age, region, practice areas, and personal interests. So, it’s easy to see how a collegial approach can yield better results than a solo effort.

Many years ago, I was working in an overnight emergency practice here in California when a canine patient was admitted for squinting and ocular discomfort. The only notable medical history was a recent porcupine encounter on a family trip to Michigan. A Michigan emergency veterinarian removed the majority of the quills, but after sedating the dog, I found one remaining quill embedded near the dog’s eye. I was by myself in the middle of the night in the pre-Google era and completely unfamiliar with porcupine-related matters, so I did the only thing I could think of—I called a random emergency room center in Michigan and asked for the veterinarian on duty.

After I explained the reason for my call, this anonymous, gracious, and patient veterinarian walked me through the quill removal process, sharing knowledge I otherwise wouldn’t have had—for example, determining whether the quill should be pulled straight out or twisted. After I successfully extracted the quill, the veterinarian admitted that she’d never removed a foxtail—an unfortunate specialty here in California—and asked me to share my method. This unexpected phone conversation in the middle of the night, from halfway across the country, was such a beautiful demonstration of collegiality that it stays in my mind to this day, decades after I chose that random emergency room number, dialed, and hoped for the best.

Making the transition from competitive to collegial

Letting go of traits that are no longer beneficial can be challenging, but because collegiality yields mutual gain on many levels—helping us not only learn but also to experience a greater sense of belonging and support—the more you practice, the more collegial you’ll become.

Here are some practical and easy ways to adopt a collegial spirit in veterinary medicine

Veterinarians won’t always agree on how to approach a case or handle a client, and that’s okay. Whether you disagree or someone disagrees with you, keep an open mind and actively listen to different perspectives. It’s not about being the best—it’s about doing what’s best for the patient and client.

#2: Collaborate and share whenever you can

Veterinary medicine is not a solo sport. Engage with others, ask questions, and be humble enough to ask for assistance, advice, and fresh ideas. This makes you a better clinician! Similarly, if you think you have insights that can help others, be generous and forthcoming and share them with your peers and colleagues.

Honesty, authenticity, and kindness are essential to collegial interactions. Communicate with intention, respect both sides of the conversation, and avoid harsh sentiments, such as blame, bias, or judgment. Remember, we’re all working toward a shared goal!

Professional relationships are built, not born—they take intentional and ongoing effort. Connect with your mentor and veterinary colleagues, in-clinic and beyond, and build your network and expand your learning. Whenever possible, grow and maintain your connections through regular communication or interactions, such as check-ins, idea-sharing, online forums and communities, such as those available in Ready, Vet, Go, conferences, or getting together for a meal or drinks.

#5: Accept feedback with gratitude and consideration

Competitive professionals often find that accepting feedback is too difficult, but reframing incoming information as an opportunity to grow and improve can help you depersonalize constructive criticism, determine helpful from unhelpful feedback, and take positive action.

Alternatively, feedback that you provide to others should help them succeed and improve their contributions to your shared goals and the greater veterinary community. Recently, I saw a patient who had visited an emergency room overnight because of toxic mushroom ingestion. I reviewed the bloodwork, and noted an abnormal liver value that the emergency room veterinarian didn’t address. Assuming this was a simple oversight—and something I’d want to know about if it were me—I called the emergency room to speak with the veterinarian. The veterinarian and her medical director were so pleased, not only to learn about the error, but also to be informed in a non-confrontational, judgment-free manner, that they sent me a thank-you gift!

We can all do great things, so acknowledge and celebrate your colleagues’ victories and accomplishments, as well as those of our industry at large. In a collegial relationship, uplifting others uplifts us all. Plus, celebration is a great stress reliever!

A flexible personality helps you work with others more effectively and stay open to new ideas, techniques, and perspectives. Adaptability not only creates a more harmonious work environment, but also makes you easier to work with, which increases the likelihood that others will help you when you need it!

Collegiality transforms our work by shifting our focus from how to be our best selves to how to be our best for others. It breaks down the barriers that we build from our individual achievements and shows us how to forge better, stronger paths together.

Finally, when we understand the value and importance of collegiality and genuine collaboration, we can all realize our full potential as veterinarians and human beings, and deliver optimal care to pets, pet parents and, ultimately, ourselves.

 is a veterinarian, communication coach, and mentor. She is the founder of Ready, Vet, Go, a remote veterinary mentorship program and community that supports new and early veterinarians, and complements the clinical mentorship that practices provide to their new associates. She graduated from UC Davis in 2004 and completed an internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists. She feels extremely privileged to be able to help veterinarians thrive in this profession that she loves so much.

As recent veterinary school graduates prepare to take on the professional world, here is why they should relinquish competitiveness and embrace collegiality

Collegiality in veterinary medicine

Instrument processing is referred to as pack prep in the veterinary industry because its sole purpose is to prepare packs to be used during a surgical procedure. A pack is a package of instruments that have been carefully bundled together based on what is needed for a specific procedure. Packs are cleaned, sterilized, and appropriately stored until they are needed for surgery. These tend to be forced into a corner of the treatment area, in whatever space is left. Given the importance of disease transmission prevention and creating spaces that are easier for your staff to use, a properly laid-out pack prep room is a key component to a well-functioning hospital.

Upstate Vet Specialty + Emergency Care – Greenville (Image courtesy of Tim Murphy | Foto Imagery) 

The key to a well-designed pack prep area is to keep the flow of instrument processing moving in a circular path from dirty to clean.

Your focus should be on allowing your technicians to move the instruments along the processing path without taking more physical steps than necessary. Key elements required for this process are plenty of counter space, storage, and power. You want all items to be within easy reach. The circular flow can be broken down into 7 basic steps or stations.

Laundry, such as the wraps on the packs and reusable gowns, is separated out and put in the washer. It is convenient to have a stackable washer/dryer in the pack prep room, but it is not 100% necessary. If the washer/dryer is not in the pack prep area, you may want to consider having a second set of washers and dryers so surgery linens can be kept separate from the washing for the rest of the hospital.

As trash items are discarded, trash cans must be accessible.

Counters that are 2-to 3-ft wide are helpful in this zone to allow technicians to set down dirty packs.

A mop sink is also helpful in this dirty zone.

Cleaning is typically done in a sink. Although most of your surgical instruments are small, there are also items like anesthesia tubing and fluid containers that are bulkier. A deeper sink is useful for these items. Some facilities benefit from both a shallow basin sink and a deep sink to allow for variation in instrument/item sizing.

A drying rack for tubing is a nice idea and could be placed on the wall near the sink with a simple pegboard design.

After gross cleaning, the instruments are typically placed in the ultrasonic cleaner to get rid of smaller debris. They are then rinsed again before being treated with instrument milk.

Different hospitals have different protocols as they relate to the initial cleaning process. In general, if you have your ultrasonic cleaner near your sink(s), you should be in good shape.

A minimum of 2 to 3 ft of counter space is useful for drying instruments. All instruments are left in the open position and cannot be touching each other, so they tend to take up a lot of counter space while drying. If you have a busy surgery practice and multiple surgeries going on simultaneously, additional drying space will be needed.

After instruments are clean and dry, they are then packed back up. This needs additional counter or layout space. The wraps for the packs are on rolls and can be stored underneath a center island used for wrapping the packs. If you don’t have the luxury of a built-in island or are tight on space, you can design your cabinetry to have a pull-out counter that tucks away when not in use, or you can use a mobile stainless-steel cart.

Heat-sensitive tape and heat sealers are used in this area. Storage and power are needed.

SAGE Veterinary Centers – Concord, (Image courtesy of Tim Murphy - Foto Imagery)

After packs are wrapped, they are placed into the appropriate sterilizers depending on the instrument. For example, the gas sterilizer is used for things that would melt in the high-temperature steam sterilizer.

Make sure you have appropriate clearance around the sterilizer, as well as proper power (usually dedicated), plumbing (floor drains are required for larger steam sterilizers), and ventilation (gas sterilizers require ventilation). Always try to get your hands on the specifications for the machine you will be using or plan for the worst-case scenario. Making decisions early about what equipment you will be purchasing and providing this information to your design team is crucial to not incur costs for changes later in the construction process.

Technology changes, so it’s best to build in flexibility to the sterilizer area of your pack prep space. Provide deeper counters and additional power for future potential equipment needs.

Ethos VERC ( Image courtesy of Tim Murphy | Foto Imagery)

Discuss storage needs with your team. Some people prefer pass-through windows into each surgery suite, whereas others may prefer 1 group storage area in a sterile hallway or even in the pack prep room.

There can be cloth packs with multiple instruments in them, as well as individual envelopes that contain 1 instrument each. Individual instruments are packaged to supplement a surgical procedure. Generally, these individually prepared instruments are most accessible when stored in a more common area, such as a sterile corridor or in the pack prep room itself.

Image courtesy of VCA Animal Emergency & Referral Centre

Pack prep areas need quick access to the surgery suites, the sterile corridor, surgery recovery areas, and surgery induction. The technicians preparing the packs are usually the same team members who care for animals throughout the surgical process.

Consideration should be given to work surface heights. The typical standing work height is 36 in; however, if you want to provide a few options for your team in terms of heights—or better yet, an adjustable-height work surface like a desk—this will allow for better ergonomics.

You can never have too much storage in this part of your hospital. You want to maximize undercounter and uppercabinet storage. If you have drills with rechargeable batteries, you will need a spot to station the chargers. Power and a deck space will also be needed.

Inventory management systems, like an Omnicell or Cubex system, are helpful to track the use of surgical equipment in your facility. These units can be large or small, and they require floor space, power, and data.

If you focus on the step-by-step process needed to properly care for, clean, sterilize, and store your instruments when designing the pack prep area of your hospital, you will create an efficient and effective space that will help your team provide the best care to your patients while also protecting the health and safety of your team. 

Instrument processing areas are spaces that are seldom thought about but are a key component to a hospital’s design

Pack prep room design 101

Schmid gives a sneak peek into her upcoming lecture at Fetch Kansas City 

Interview with Dr Renee Schmid

Missed out on Fetch Kansas City 2024? No worries—we’ve got you covered! For just $199, Fetch On-Demand gives you access to the best sessions, speakers, and over 30 CE credits. Learn when, where, and how it fits into your busy life. Whether you’re catching up between appointments, learning from the comfort of home, or squeezing in a quick session over coffee, Fetch On-Demand gives you the flexibility you need to earn CE credits on your terms.

Ready to jump in? Start exploring the best of

, the Pet Poison Helpline will share the top 10 calls they receive for consultation each year. The team hopes that by sharing this data it can help veterinary professionals be prepared for toxic cases within their clinics and how to help. Although there are common toxins that are on everyone's radar, such as chocolate, ever wonder if any new toxin is out there that veterinary professionals should be educating clients on?

In a sneak peek of her upcoming lecture, "A year in review: Toxin Trends from a Poison Control Center", that she will be presenting at this year's 

, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, shared some trends that have made their way onto the Top 10 Toxins list at Pet Poison Helpline, including a veterinary drug becoming the first to break the top 10. 

It shouldn't be surprising, but interesting to see marijuana and THC. That's something that has continued to creep up the list. It's up to number 6 back in 2023, so this past year, we always kind of look at the year before, and so it's continuing to increase in numbers, as far as the number of calls that we received from that. 

The other thing that I found that was interesting and looking at the trends is when we looked at different ages with animals, dogs and cats, and what they're most commonly getting into, and as the pet population ages, we start to see a higher increase in number of things that they get into that are more common in older animals too.

Videos

In a preview of her upcoming lecture, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, shares toxins making their way up Pet Poison Helpline's Top 10 toxins. 

Trends from a poison control center

Caring for senior pets presents unique challenges for both vets and owners. There's a lot we can do to ensure their comfort and help owners navigate this sensitive stage of their pet's life. 

Commercial to Home Prepared: The Art and Science of Fresh-Food Diets

Speaker: Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) 

This lecture examines the rising trend of feeding fresh-food diets to pets, explores the potential risks and benefits, and offers tips for vets to assess these diets in their practice.

Spray, Slather, Dab, or Dip? Topical Management Tips to Improve Your Skin Successes

This course teaches vets to effectively treat various pet skin conditions with topical therapies, going beyond traditional shampoos, and developing longterm prevention plans.

Protecting Our Dogs From Infectious Diseases—How Can We Do Better?

Speaker: Jason Stull, VMD, MPVM, PhD, DACVPM

This course teaches vets the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases in dogs, addresses common challenges in implementation, and offers solutions to improve compliance among staff and pet owners.

Advance your therapeutic specialty knowledge for better patient outcomes. Learning Pathways empowers you to achieve learning milestones as you work toward your specialty CE certification. 

 and earn RACE-approved CE. Check out our veterinary dentistry pathway and more to come

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Introducing Inside the Clinic, our real-time clinical case webcasts from clinics across the nation. Adam Christman, dvm, mba, chief veterinary officer, tours veterinary practices across the nation to bring you live video coverage of clinical cases in action from your peers. You’ll discover key takeaways from subject matter experts, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and boost your confidence levels to advance your specialty expertise. Watch

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—our new clinical interchange. We are bringing th e latest clinical insights to the forefront of veterinary medicine from our conversations with the veterinary experts you trust the most. Moderated by Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer of dvm360, watch, learn, and earn RACE-approved CE credit hours from our clinical video CE series, available exclusively on dvm360 Flex. 

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