Renée Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)—pictured signing copies of her book at the 2023 Fetch Coastal conference—will be a keynote speaker at the 2024 Fetch Coastal conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

conference is returning to Atlantic City, New Jersey, from October 14 to 16, 2024. Atlantic City offers a vibrant, enjoyable experience with its picturesque Jersey Shore beaches and lively boardwalk, making it an ideal destination for recreation and educational opportunities. Attendees can experience 3 keynote presentations—one to start each day—more than 17 hours of continuing education (CE) credit hours, and over 140 sessions from which to choose. “I love Fetch events in general because they always have a lot of energy, and they’re a lot more fun and a great time to connect with our colleagues, but also get some good CE,” said Fetch faculty member Caitlin DeWilde, DVM, founder of The Social DVM, in a previous 

The keynote sessions include a joint lecture from Philip Richmond, DVM, CAPP, CPHSA, CCFP; and Josh Vaisman, MAPPCP, CCFP, on the first day. The second day will feature Renée Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology). Adesola Odunayo, DVM, MS, DACVECC, will close the conference on the third day. Richmond and Vaisman will discuss the strengths and challenges of veterinary medicine using a positive psychology lens. Alsarraf will dive into how canine companions can bring their human owners life lessons and the value of this bond. Odunayo will review common emergency scenarios and how to best handle these with skill and confidence.

Some other unique sessions include 2 air travel topics with Nelva Bryant, DVM, MPH, a former veterinarian for Delta Air Lines; rabbit analgesia and anesthesia with Elizabeth Vetrano, BS, CVT, VTS (Exotic Companion Animals), the exotic animals supervisor at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in New Jersey; and compounding pharmacies for chemotherapy agents presented by Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology), director of clinical studies for VCA Animal Hospitals.

“Fetch is such an intimate experience; I think you get to spend more time conversing with different attendees and colleagues than at these mega conferences. That’s really enjoyable,” said Fetch faculty member Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, in a previous interview with 

Attendees can also earn more CE credits with our 2 lunch-and-learn sessions. On October 14, interested professionals can learn about the top 10 mistakes made when buying or selling a practice with presenter Christopher Rocchio, DVM, a founding partner and managing director of Monarch Business Consulting. On October 15, attendees can learn more about lawsuit protection and tax reduction from Legally Mine, a lawsuit protection company.

Jamie Perkins, DVM, clinical director of education for 

, stated, “As a veterinarian, I’m absolutely thrilled about Fetch Atlantic City this year. The innovative sessions, including the exciting new faculty consult and connect in the exhibit hall, are game changers. This unique opportunity allows attendees to engage with leading veterinary experts in an intimate setting, fostering meaningful conversations and collaborations. The diverse range of topics and cutting-edge research presented at Fetch will undoubtedly inspire and educate attendees, ensuring they return to their practices with fresh perspectives and valuable insights. I can’t wait to experience the vibrant energy of Atlantic City and connect with passionate veterinary professionals from across the country.”

Articles

The annual event returns to Atlantic City, New Jersey; October 14-16, 2024.

Experience dvm360’s must-see Fetch Coastal sessions

Matt Welborn, professor and alum of LSU, cutting the ribbon with Oliver Garden, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM DECVIM-CA, dean of LSU Vet Med; along with Mike Strain, DVM, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry; and other special guests. (Photo courtesy of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine)

The Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine (Vet Med) recently unveiled its newly renovated food animal service area, located in the campus' large animal hospital. According to LSU Vet Med, more than 9000 sq ft of space was renovated, and 3875 sq ft were annexed to the building.

The renovation began in October 2022 and required a $4.125 million investment. During a July 10, 2024, ceremony celebrating the renovation, Oliver Garden, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM DECVIM-CA, dean of LSU Vet Med, recalled his time as a student at the school, when the facilities were new, emphasizing that LSU Vet Med represents not just a place but a community dedicated to knowledge and fellowship, according to a news release. After Garden’s remarks, guests were led on a tour of the new facilities, guided by Matt Welborn, professor and alum of LSU; associate professor Clare Scully; and assistant professor David Martinez.

The ceremony also hosted distinguished guests, which included Mike Strain, DVM, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, and LSU 1983 alum. Members of the Louisiana legislature also attended.

“At LSU Vet Med, we are committed to advancing veterinary medicine and enhancing animal health. The recent extensive renovations to our food animal hospital reflect our dedication to providing state-of-the-art care for food-producing animals, thereby supporting our strong animal agricultural industry and food security in our state,” Garden said in a news release.

 “These transformative improvements will not only benefit our patients and clients but enrich the educational experience for our students as we build a pipeline of food animal veterinarians to serve Louisiana and the south-east.

“We are very excited about the opportunities these enhancements bring and look forward to continuing to deliver on our vision of bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery for Louisiana and beyond,” Garden continued.

LSU Vet Med is among 33 veterinary schools nationwide and stands as Louisiana's sole institution of its kind. Its Food Animal Health Maintenance group, which is overseen by board-certified veterinary specialists accredited by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in equine practice and food animal practice, sees approximately 4000 animals annually.

Additionally, these veterinary specialists are supported by technicians, caretakers, office staff, and students to provide extensive, advanced medical, surgical, and reproductive care for individual farm animals in hospital settings. They also provide 24/7 herd health and individualized care for farm animals directly onsite.

LSU Vet Med reveals food animal service area renovation. News release. July 10, 2024. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. 

Food animal health maintenance. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed July 12, 2024. 

https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/veterinary_hospital/food_animal.php

The renovation was a $4.125M investment for the School of Veterinary Medicine

LSU renovates its food animal service area

Canine osteoarthritis is a complex disease that impacts quality of life for many of our canine patients. Part 2 of this podcast series will highlight why effective management requires development of a baseline treatment plan that is customized to the individual patient and includes a plan for managing flare-ups. A systematic, evidence-based approach will be presented that can be implemented in general practice.



Recognize the importance of a customized treatment plan; that one-size does not fit all for canine osteoarthritis

Appreciate the ebb and flow of osteoarthritis with periods of calmness followed by periods of flare-ups

Appreciate the multimodal management of osteoarthritis 

Podcasts

David L. Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS joins Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to explain treatment for osteoarthritis and the need for individualized patient plans.




Podcast CE: A Surgeon’s Perspective on Current Trends for the Management of Osteoarthritis, Part 2

“Back in my day” is not something I would ever say, but more than 20 years ago, I remember feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) as a “kitten killer” and a “death sentence”—every time. My fledgling role as a veterinary assistant in a feline-exclusive clinic gave me firsthand experience with the devastating effects of this disease early in my career under a veterinarian whose treatments for other difficult conditions were admirable. However, there was no known help for these unfortunate owners with kittens who were often just a few months old. Additional experiences with FIP-afflicted cats came through a feline shelter where I had practiced for over 3 years. Despite excellent supportive care from volunteers and staff present 24/7, all perished.

(Box) An oral medication could also be obtained; although less costly, it did not have a high success rate with more advanced effusive disease or neurologic and ocular presentations, later understood to be due to insufficient concentrations of the drug crossing the blood-brain or blood-ocular barriers.

 Those cases of FIP were still reliant on injectable medication. For cat owners in the US, this injectable drug was most accessible through a virtual underground network of volunteers known as FIP Warriors, who would order it from China in bulk and facilitate distribution. 

In recent years, nucleoside analogues have been developed, including an injectable treatment from China for FIP-diagnosed patients that has started to gain momentum in the US. However, it had to be sourced through less-than-ideal methods. The downsides of this drug were as follows:

Veterinarians could not legally prescribe nor assist owners in administering this painful injection, which an owner had to give daily for 84 days.

It was not readily accessible for most people without the aid of multiple faceless Samaritans nationwide.

Acquired vials used in treatment were not labeled by the FDA for use in the US for our companion animals, nor was the drug guaranteed to be consistent in where it was produced or how effective it might be.

The drug is expensive, and 84 days is a long treatment period. There was no guarantee of a positive outcome, and some cats would succumb to a relapse, requiring another round of treatment.

About 4 years ago, I was practicing as a relief doctor filling in at a local urgent pet care facility. I could not help a couple with a Maine coon, barely 16 months old, with effusive FIP—partly because the male owner’s work imposed severe restrictions over his personal life, which included not allowing any social media presence for him or his wife, and partly because I was not enabled to by any legal means. I could not guide them to FIP Warriors volunteers, and they did not have the resources to obtain the medication of their own accord. I had just moved to the area a few months prior, so I knew no other way to help them and felt like an utter failure as a veterinarian. I will never forget the devastated looks on their faces as they held their handsome silver classic tabby boy in their laps and how it wrenched at my heart to give them half-helpful supportive care suggestions along with my recommendation to appreciate every day they could while he had some quality of life remaining.

This risky treatment was painful, costly, and hard to get, and veterinarians in the US could not order, prescribe, or administer it without risking our licenses. So, standing by and observing laypeople take over the responsibility of care for these FIP-afflicted patients was enfeebling to those of us who devoted our lives and education to healing and relieving suffering.

The silver lining to this drug was that it was working. On average, over 80% of cats survived into remission and thrived from our collective spectators’ position on the sidelines, cheating death.

 The survival of patients could be higher depending on individual cases, combination therapy, or increased doses based on certain variables.

The main barrier was that we could not readily access an FDA-labeled drug in the US or Canada for veterinary use. Injectable remdesivir (Veklury; Gilead Sciences) was granted approval with few restrictions for human use against COVID-19 in 2020 and then received further FDA approval in 2022 to include pediatric patients at least 4 weeks old or 3 kg in weight,

 but veterinarians could not yet access it, in part due to confusion around the “emergency use” status.

A few months ago, veterinary professionals began hearing through the virtual grapevine that we could obtain the injectable remdesivir as emergency use restrictions were lifted. However, when we tried to procure the drug, it was still unavailable through the usual distributors, and, once again, we felt like we had hit a wall between us and treating our patients.

Bova Group was producing GS-441524, the metabolite of remdesivir, but was blocked from shipping to the US due to the threat of severe legal consequences by Gilead. Fortunately, Canada has not had the same obstructions and has obtained GS-441524 via Bova Group for feline patients in recent months.

As of June 1, 2024, Stokes Pharmacy, in partnership with Bova Group, is offering an FDA-approved compounded oral medication for use in veterinary patients to treat FIP.

 Gilead had not pursued FDA approval for veterinary use of GS-441524 when it was showing efficacy against FIP. I suspect Stokes Pharmacy is silently thanking Gilead because Stokes will now have the first accessible foothold on providing a labeled FIP treatment in the US. Although this may not be the cure-all for patients with the most advanced FIP or complex neurological developments, it will provide peace of mind to thousands of clients and veterinarians.

Collectively, our feline-treating veterinary community will breathe a huge sigh of relief at being able to offer effective, safe, and available treatment. Hopefully, this oral medication, along with better access to legal treatments, will gradually eliminate FIP fatalities.

New antiviral medications are being studied and are in the process of licensing for FIP therapies, such as GC376 via Kansas State University and its veterinary biotechnology partner in this pursuit, Anivive Lifesciences.

 In another vein, Mutian Sciences of China has been marketing a new oral “cure” for feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), labeled Mutoral. This oral medication has as its active ingredients the antibiotic moxifloxacin hydrochloride and components listed only as “MT-2071” on the package or “MT-2073” from their website, where they describe MT-2073 as a JAK inhibitor. This raises eyebrows of veterinarians who would like to know how safe and effective this could be against the elusive and frustrating oral disease. Meanwhile, researchers at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine are focused on stem cell research in hopes of treating FCGS.

 The curiosity of those hoping for a reliable, effective treatment for FCGS has been piqued. Hopefully, this will lead to more developments in excellent care for our feline companions with a (formerly) incurable disease.

Jones S, Novicoff W, Nadeau J, Evans S. Unlicensed GS-441524- like antiviral therapy can be effective for at-home treatment of feline infectious peritonitis. 

. 2021;11(8):2257. doi:10.3390/ani11082257

Dickinson PJ, Bannasch M, Thomasy SM, et al. Antiviral treatment using the adenosine nucleoside analogue GS-441524 in cats with clinically diagnosed neurological feline infectious peritonitis. 

. 2020;34(4):1587-1593. doi:10.1111/jvim.15780

Murphy BG, Perron M, Murakami E, et al. The nucleoside analog GS-441524 strongly inhibits feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus in tissue culture and experimental cat infection studies. 

. 2018;219:226-233. doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.04.026

Wogan L. Overdue good news arrives for FIP cats in the US. VIN News Service. May 9, 2024. Accessed May 26, 2024. https:// news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=12090343&f5=1

Coggins SJ, Norris JM, Malik R, et al. Outcomes of treatment of cats with feline infectious peritonitis using parenterally administered remdesivir, with or without transition to orally administered GS-441524. 

. 2023;37(5):1772-1783. doi:10.1111/ jvim.16803

FDA approves first treatment for COVID-19. News release. FDA. October 22, 2020. Accessed May 31, 2024. https:// www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/ fda-approves-first-treatment-covid-19

New drug therapy approvals 2022. FDA. January 10, 2023. Accessed June 10, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/ novel-drug-approvals-fda/new-drug-therapy-approvals-2022

Wogan L. Confusion besets first legal FIP treatment in US (updated). VIN News Service. Updated February 22, 2024. Accessed June 2, 2024. https://news.vin.com/default. aspx?pid=210&Id=11910939&f5=1

Wogan L. Unproven treatment for oral disease in cats surfaces in US. VIN News Service. May 16, 2024. Accessed May 28, 2024. https://news.vin.com/default. aspx?pid=210&catId=620&Id=12099794

How far have we come, and where are we going? 

Effective feline infectious peritonitis treatment

Pet travel via cargo can have a bad reputation. However, this need not be the case.

All US airlines (with 60 or more seats) have been required to report animal incidents to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) on a monthly and yearly basis since 2015.

 Data provided by the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics show that in 2022, airlines transported 188,223 animals, with 9 incidents reported. These included 7 animal deaths, 1 injured animal, and 1 lost animal.

Most airlines have developed policies and procedures to prevent such incidents. However, many animal incidents are caused by pets not being prepared for air travel, being in crates not meant for cargo transport, and not being medically fit for air travel.

Currently, pet travel education is inadequate. Much of the following information covers the needs of transporting pets, such as making reservations/bookings for air travel, obtaining a pet health certification, and getting an appropriate travel crate. However, limited resources are available to provide adequate information to properly educate owners on preparing their pets for air travel. As a result, pets may be treated as an accessory or an afterthought, and their safety is unknowingly jeopardized.

I am accustomed to seeing animals transported via cargo up close because of my experience in the airline industry. I have seen evidence of the lack of preparation, such as pets trying to escape their crates, owners attempting to transport their beloved companions in travel crates that do not provide adequate protection, and requests to ship animals in crates that are too small. I have also seen considerable images, reels, and videos on social media of pets during air travel that convey inaccurate information regarding the requirements for pets traveling by air.

Over the past several years, my mission has been to improve the travel experience for pets and the owners who love them. I have sought to bring my veterinary and public health perspective to these challenging issues.

The greatest misconception about pet travel is that obtaining a domestic health certificate (HC) or an international HC (IHC) means an animal is healthy and medically fit for air travel. A thorough examination, review of medical records, and additional diagnostic tests are needed to determine whether a pet is medically fit for air travel. If a pet has a preexisting medical condition, such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, anxiety, or pregnancy, air travel may not be in the animal’s best interest. Pet owners must know about their animals’ medical conditions and whether air travel could negatively impact their health. There is value in clients having a very guided discussion on this matter with their veterinarian.

Pet crates have multiple uses, including training purposes (potty training or behavior control), traveling via car (veterinary visits), and traveling via air. Additionally, many different crate designs are available, such as wire, plastic, soft-sided, and heavy-duty crates. 

Based on the uses and types of crates available, it should not be assumed that one crate fits all, even though this is a common misconception. Without thought and effort by pet owners, the crate used for potty training their puppy is often used years later to transport the now-adult dog via cargo. The crate that was large enough when the dog was a puppy is now too small. T he pet owner is often unaware of the crate size requirements or that the crate lacks safety features for transporting pets via cargo. Some pet owners also use a crate for air travel that is easy to assemble and has double doors, typically used to transport a cat to veterinary visits. However, pet travel crates used for transport via cargo should not be easy to assemble nor have double doors.

Additionally, most pet travel crates on the commercial market are falsely advertised as “airline-approved/compliant.” This stems from crate manufacturers’ and suppliers’ lack of awareness of the requirements that most commercial airlines follow in transporting animals via cargo. Most airlines—and many European countries—comply with the International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations (IATA LAR) and will prohibit animals from being transported in many of these so-called “airline-approved/ compliant” travel crates.

IATA LAR provides safety and animal welfare guidelines for transporting live animals via air. This includes crate specifications, such as construction, ventilation, and size, to provide adequate protection and comfort during transport. Pets traveling via cargo must be transported in an appropriately sized crate that complies with the current edition of IATA LAR Container Requirement #1.

 For example, it is required that each animal in the crate has enough space to stand, sit erect, lie in a natural position, and turn around normally while standing.

 An actual “airline-approved/compliant” crate must be modified to meet the requirements of the IATA LAR Container Requirement #1.

Veterinarians can recommend strategies to reduce travel-related stress for pets, such as crate acclimation and using calming supplements or medications when and where appropriate, based on a review of all pet history, physical examination, and detailed discussions with owners. Pets ought to be acclimated to confinement in their crate well before travel. They should be encouraged to spend increasing amounts of time in their crate, be provided positive reinforcement when they do so, and take short trips while crated to simulate the travel experience. Be aware: It can take weeks to months for a pet to acclimate. Some pets may require significant time to acclimate, whereas others may never do so. For guidance, review the YouTube video “How to Acclimate Your Pet to a Crate for Travel.”

While completing the HC/IHC, discussing strategies for reducing stress during travel is advisable. Most pet owners request the use of mild sedatives or antianxiety medication; however, alternatives should be considered, such as calming supplements (eg, pheromones, cannabidiol). Remember, the American Veterinary Medical Association does not recommend using sedatives during air travel.

 Also, airlines will prohibit sedated pets from being transported via cargo.

The right anxiolytic strategy is often developed through trial, documentation, and further client follow-ups with the veterinarian. Some pet-motion capture devices and video or photo feedback may be useful in understanding the true benefit of a particular strategy.

Your anxiolytic strategy may often be started hours before leaving home for the airport. Pets should be fed a small meal at least 4 hours before leaving home, and they should be exercised and have a potty break prior to arrival at the airline’s cargo facility. Why? A tired pet will relax and rest during air travel.

Compliance with government regulations and airline policies

Pet owners tend to believe an HC and IHC are simple and easy to obtain from their veterinarian. However, these are official documents certifying that a pet has met the requirements of the destination. Some destinations require months of planning, testing, and documentation.

Ideally, when a pet owner decides to travel with their pets to a destination, they must immediately inform their veterinarian. If requirements are not met, the pet can be denied entry. A great place to research the requirements and for veterinarians to point owners to is the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

 Also, in the current edition of Ettinger’s Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, a chapter is devoted to international pet travel.

Lastly, compliance with airline pet travel policies is mandatory. Noncompliance can lead to pets being denied transport via cargo. These policies can be more stringent than federal, state, and international regulations, and they are in place for the safety and welfare of pets. Some policies include temperature limits for transport, embargoed or restricted dog/cat breeds, no sedation, etc. Unfortunately, the policies can vary by airline. Therefore, it is recommended that pet owners contact their airline of choice to determine accurate pet travel policies.

US Department of Transportation. Reports by air carriers on incidents involving animals during air transport. January 13, 2015. Accessed June 11, 2024.https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/IndustryNoticeAnimalReportingRuleFinal_Jan_13_2015_0.pdf 

Air travel consumer report: December 2022, full year 2022 numbers. US Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics. March 16, 2023. Accessed June 13, 2024. https://www.bts.gov/newsroom/air-travel-consumer-report-december-2022-full-year-2022-numbers

International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations Container Requirement #1, edition 50. January 2024. Accessed June 11, 2024.https://www.iata.org/contentassets/b0016da92c86449f850fe9560827bbea/pet-container-requirements.pdf

How to acclimate your pet to a crate for travel. Petmate Pet Products YouTube page. June 14, 2018. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcy7unMm4Gs

Traveling with your pet FAQ. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/traveling-your-pet-faq

Travel with a pet. USDepartment of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Updated March 29, 2024. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel

Bryant NJ. International travel. In:Côté E, Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Ettinger’s Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine.9th ed. Elsevier; 2024:50-52.

By focusing on the needs of the animal, owners can lower the risk of stress and injury

How to prepare for pet cargo travel

Editor's note: The author is president of the World Veterinary Association.

Imagine a veterinarian and the thought of a stricken cat or an injured dog is likely not far behind.Although it’s true that the vast majority of veterinarians work in small animal practice, providing vital services like protecting pets from parasites and disease, the reality is that veterinarians’ contribution to society goes far beyond dogs and cats.

From ensuring the safety of meat, milk and eggs, to protecting human and environmental health, veterinarians play a vital yet hidden role in keeping humans, animals, and the environment safe. And to fulfill all of these different roles, they require years of extensive formal education and training as well as licensure, adherence to regulations, and ongoing learning.

As a result of such vast roles and responsibilities, veterinarians are also too often left to deal with significant work-related stress and other challenges, contributing to depression, burn-out, and even suicide. In the United States, a third of those considering leaving the profession in 2021 cited mental health issues while more than a quarter blamed work-life balance. In the Netherlands, around 1 in 6 recently graduated veterinarians left within 5 years.1

The work of veterinarians as essential health workers often flies under the radar, and, therefore, deserves better appreciation by governments, the public health sector and the public at large. Otherwise, we potentially risk losing their vital contributions.

Here are some common yet critical features of veterinary practice that most people know little about:

Firstly, it’s veterinarians who are responsible for checking the safety of the animal-source food on our tables.From your eggs in the morning to your steak dinner, none of this will safely reach your table without first having been inspected by a veterinarian and their teams. In the US, the FDA has a dedicated Center for Veterinary Medicine and veterinarians are among the expert panel on animal health and welfare that advises the European Food Safety Authority.

Veterinarians also play a vital role in upholding food animal production and safety standards. This includes vaccinating farm animals, inspecting meat, poultry and fish products, and ensuring the welfare of food-producing animals. Caring for livestock takes place at all hours of the day, sometimes at short notice and in stressful situations, adding to the demands of the profession.

Secondly, veterinarians also play an essential role in safeguarding human health as part of One Health approaches that recognize the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.This includes monitoring and tackling the threat of zoonotic diseases, including those originating from both domesticated animals and wildlife populations, such as the ongoing avian flu outbreak. Veterinary medicine can often be the starting point for treatments and vaccines ultimately used for people, making it doubly valuable.

Veterinarians also oversee the responsible use of antibiotics in animal health care, which is fundamental to reducing the development of drug resistance. This One Health threat can impact humans and animals alike by creating untreatable diseases.

Lastly, veterinarians help educate society on the value of animals, animal welfare, and acceptable animal husbandry.Research shows that the human-animal bond contributes to improved wellbeing in both humans and their animal counterparts, and veterinarians are instrumental in fostering this relationship.2

Yet many regions are seeing increasing needs for veterinarians as levels of pet ownership continue to rise and public health needs evolve. Some countries in Africa, for example, have just a few thousand veterinarians to serve the entire population, which is largely insufficient to cover their needs.

Looking ahead, it will be critical to ensure veterinarians can continue to provide the full range of benefits to society. Support for existing veterinary schools and the development of new ones is needed to guarantee that an adequate number of veterinarians remain available for all animals in the future, and that enough professionals are available to fill support roles like those of the veterinary technician to fully meet the needs of society.

That is why this year’s World Veterinary Day on April 27, 2024, was dedicated to the conviction that veterinarians are essential health workers.3 A greater understanding of the full value of veterinarians should give way to more appreciation for this humble yet vital profession that keeps everyone—humans, animals and their environment—safe and healthy.

Jansen W, Lockett L, Colville T, Uldahl M, De Briyne N. Veterinarian-chasing a dream job? a comparative survey on wellbeing and stress levels among European veterinarians between 2018 and 2023. 

. 2024;11(1):48. doi:10.3390/vetsci11010048

Understanding the human-animal bond. Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Accessed July 11, 2024. 

World Veterinary Day 2024. World Veterinary Association. Accessed July 11, 2024. 

https://worldvet.org/activities/world-veterinary-day/

In an opinion piece, the World Veterinary Association president discusses how veterinary professionals also protect humans and the environment