readers! We hope this past Fourth of July weekend gave you some time to relax and decompress. For those who may have a missing or found pet over the holiday break, 

 database for lost pets may provide some guidance.

As you get back into the flow of things, take some time to check out this week’s top stories on dvm360.com:

Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM, shared 

 about canine leptospirosis at the annual 

The first generic methimazole oral solution for treating cats with hyperthyroidism— the most common endocrine disease in middle-aged cats and older—was recently 

Kathryn Junkins Sarpong, DVM, DABVP (canine/feline), discussed the 

 of felines and canines with diabetes, and went over evaluation practices for monitoring newly diagnosed patients with diabetes.

Researchers from various universities announced the development of a new 

 that uses probiotics to survive the gut of white-tailed deer.

Nicola A. Lakeman, MSc, BSc, (Hons), RVN, CertVNECC, CertSAN, VTS (Nutrition), talked about the 

 of felines as they age, in an interview with 

 at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

US Compounding Inc (USC), a subsidiary of DMK Pharmaceutical Corporation, 

 to distributing prescription drugs with sham prescriptions through an arrangement with a veterinarian.

Articles

Wrap up: Pharmaceutical company pleads guilty to falsifying prescription orders, and other news

In its mission to diversify and increase the number of veterinarians amid the ongoing shortage of professionals in the veterinary field, Banfield Pet Hospital offers a 

, titled NextVet, for aspiring veterinarians. It recently welcomed its 2024 class of interns, which consist of 30 students across the nation.

According to the company, NextVet provides students aged 16 and older paid, hands-on experience collaborating with hospital teams nationwide. The internship gives these students the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the veterinary medicine profession. This year, more than 500 applications were received for NextVet, resulting in the careful selection of 30 interns who will apply their passion for animals and eagerness to learn throughout the summer.

"As industry leaders, Banfield feels a responsibility to invest in youth-centered programs and initiatives that inspire and create opportunities for the next generation," Alea Harrison, DVM, chief medical officer of Banfield Pet Hospital, and one of only 10% of diverse veterinarians,

 "My love for animals started at a young age, but seeing myself represented in veterinary professionals as a student is what made me realize I could turn my passion into a career. I'm endlessly inspired and grateful for our veterinary associates who dedicate their time to engage with youth in their communities to show students interested in STEM what's possible."

One of NextVet’s upcoming Houston, Texas interns, Sarah, was asked about her future goals and the impact she aspires to make throughout her career. "Growing up, I never saw a Latino veterinarian. It inspired me to become one and to increase representation in the field, especially in a diverse city like Houston where Latinos are a significant population,” she said.

 “I've observed language barriers in underserved areas, which creates challenges between doctors and pet owners. I know it would mean the world to pet owners everywhere to have a veterinarian who speaks their language, understands their culture, and shares their experiences."

According to Banfield, many of its NextVet internship alumni have been successful in their pursuit of a veterinary degree, with many applying and developing skills they learned during the program in their education and early career.

Banfield is also continuing its national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which allows veterinarians and veterinary technicians to engage K-12 students from underrepresented backgrounds through career outreach events, according to the company. Among this year's NextVet interns is Erandy, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs, who will be joining Banfield's Tempe, AZ hospital this summer after learning about the opportunity through Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley's AZYouthforce program.

This initiative expands on the foundation of Banfield Pet Academy, which was launched to inspire future veterinary professionals by connecting them with local veterinary experts. Since its inception, the program has reached 120,000 youth. Additionally, Banfield has made all 3 editions of its Banfield Pet Academy curriculum—designed for elementary, middle, and high school students—available at no cost to the entire industry.

Banfield’s NextVet program and its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of many sprouting steps being taken by organizations to help diversify the veterinary profession. Last month, blendVET hosted an 

 aimed at helping middle schools students from underrepresented communities learn about the veterinary profession. Earlier this year, the Boehringer Ingelheim CARES Foundation 

 in scholarship money to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, a veterinary school that has provided education to more than 70% of Black veterinarians in the United States.

Banfield Pet Hospital welcomes 2024 NextVet class as they em-BARK on one-of-a-kind internship. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2024. Accessed July 10, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/banfield-pet-hospital-welcomes-2024-nextvet-class-as-they-em-bark-on-one-of-a-kind-internship-302178274.html

Labor Force Statistics From The Current Population survey. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. January 26, 2024. Accessed June 11, 2024. 

Bautista-Alejandre A. Boehringer Ingelheim pledges $500,000 scholarship to help address lack of diversity. 

. June 18, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/boehringer-ingelheim-pledges-500-000-scholarship-to-help-address-lack-of-diversity

Banfield Pet Hospital selected 30 students out of 500 applications for its NextVet internship 

Pet hospital takes steps to diversify veterinary profession

US Compounding Inc, (USC), a subsidiary of DMK Pharmaceuticals Corporation, has plead guilty to multiple fraud cases before US District Judge Arun Subramanian. Along with the company pleading guilty, Sam Glover, a former USC executive, was charged and indicted with conspiring to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

“Distributing prescription drugs with sham prescriptions is wrong and illegal. The corporate resolution entered into today, and the indictment of Sam Glover, an executive who oversaw and allegedly perpetuated that scheme, reflects this Office’s commitment to holding accountable those who seek to violate laws designed to ensure that the drugs distributed across the United States are safe, necessary, and legal,” said Damian William, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a Department of Justice release.

According to the release, in 2015, while USC was a privately-held corporation, a sales representative for the company, ‘Sales Rep 1’, entered into an illegal agreement with a veterinarian, ‘the Veterinarian’. Through the agreement, Sales Rep 1 would use the Veterinarians state veterinary license to generate false prescription orders to vindicate shipping prescription drugs right to consumers, including consumers living in the Southern District of New York. This exchange is in violation of the FDCA, and the consumers lacked legitimate prescriptions for those drugs.

Per the agreement made with Sales Rep 1, the Veterinarian was promised a 10% commission on all sales generated using his credentials, despite Sales Rep 1, his supervisor, Glover, and the vice president of sales at USC all knowing that those prescriptions were a sham. Through this scheme, Glover, Sales Rep 1, and the sales team under them generated $1 million in sales annually, making up about one-third of Sales Rep 1’s total sales of USC drugs.

USC was then acquired in March 2016 by DMK Pharmaceutical Corporation (DMK), which at the time was named Adamis Pharmaceutical Corporation (Adamis). USC, through the acquisition, still retained essential functions by operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Adamis. A lot of its staff remained employed, including Glover. An executive at Adamis, ‘Adamis Executive’, was informed of the scheme and the Veterinarian’s role in it, leading Glover, in conjunction with Sales Rep 1 and Adamis Executive, to continue the fictitious prescription scheme while attempting to enter a sham consulting agreement with the Veterinarian. The new scheme would have the Veterinarian paid an hourly rate for consultations, but the payments would in reality be for covering up the commission payments the Veterinarian was receiving. If ever questioned, Glover and the others would claim the Veterinarian was a USC consultant and maintain that was what the payments were for.

“US Compounding, Inc. and its former executive, Sam Glover, allegedly committed various frauds and violated the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act by falsifying prescription orders. Despite scrutiny by members of the company who suspected the orders were unverified, the company’s leadership continued to allow the requests and collect profits as a result. This investigation is part of the FBI’s larger effort to ensure that both individuals and organizations who devise complex fraud schemes are prevented from furthering their illegitimate arrangements and making money off mistruths” said Christie M. Curtis, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) acting assistant director in charge.

The head of the USC pharmacy responsible for fulfilling prescription drug orders, ‘Pharmacist-1’, resigned in around December 2019 as a result of USC’s continued scheme of fulfilling drugs orders with unverified prescriptions submitted by its sales representatives. Pharmacist-1 was replaced by ‘Pharmacist-2’, but they too refused to fulfill further orders for unverified prescription drugs submitted by USC’s sale representatives. Pharmacist-2 brought up concerns to Glover and the Adamis Executive about USC’s prescription practices, but the concerns were initially dismissed. Eventually, Pharmacist-2 persuaded Adamis to adopt a new veterinary software platform to remove USC's sales representatives’ involvement from the process of creating or submitting prescriptions.

Still, Glover, the Adamis Executive, and Sales Rep 1 permitted sales representatives to continue submitting fraudulent prescriptions using the new software, bypassing the controls Pharmacist-2 pushed to implement. As a result, Pharmacist-2 and 2 other pharmacists employed at USC resigned in around September 2020, along with a 4th pharmacist employed at USC resigning the following week. Through the new software, USC sales representatives continued to falsely claim that drug orders were supported by valid prescriptions, even though they were not.

Then, in around July of 2020, USC sales representatives stopped submitting false prescriptions under the Veterinarian’s name. This move was a response to increased perceived scrutiny of USC’s operations. USC sales representatives began to instead falsely classify direct-to-consumer sales of prescription drugs as office stock sales to the Veterinarian, asserting that the Veterinarian was prescribing these drugs to USC’s customers. USC's internal sales data indicated that sales of a specific prescription drug to the Veterinarian's practice rose proportionally as direct-to-consumer sales of that drug decreased.

About a year later, in around April 2021, the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy issued an Order and Notice of Hearing addressed to the pharmacist who succeeded Pharmacist-2. Before the hearing, USC entered into a consent order in which it agreed to stop all operations in Arkansas. USC also agreed to surrender its licenses as a pharmacy and wholesale distributor in Arkansas. As part of the resolution, USC admitted to several factual points

USC “failed to ensure prescribing veterinarians were licensed in the state into which product was ordered and/or shipped”

USC “allowed for issuance of veterinary legend products directly to consumers without receipt of a legal prescription”

USC “provided remuneration directly to a veterinarian in connection with a veterinary prescription”

USC “provided veterinary prescriptions drugs to animal owners without the authorization of a licensed veterinarian and a prescription”

USC “filled veterinary prescriptions for patients that did not have a valid practitioner-patient relationship”

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York came to its agreement with USC based on the nature, seriousness, and extent of the offense, as well as a consideration of USC and its parent company’s cooperation efforts in the federal criminal investigation. Adamis, upon learning of the investigation in May 2021, cooperated through its Audit Committee, conducting an internal investigation and addressing inquiries from the US Attorney’s Office. Adamis also took remedial actions on behalf of USC, including halting USC operations, dismissing employees involved in the crime, and engaging a 3rd party to conduct cross-company enterprise risk assessment to evaluate several factors.

Per the plea agreement, USC agreed to pay approximately $4.2 million in forfeiture and could face a criminal fine of up to $16.9 million. Additionally, Glover was charged with one count of conspiring to violate the FDCA, which could lead to a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.

U.S. Compounding, Inc pleads guilty to multiple fraud offenses and company vice president indicted in scheme to distribute drugs nationally using false prescriptions. News release. United States Department of Justice. July 9, 2024. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-compounding-inc-pleads-guilty-multiple-fraud-offenses-and-company-vice-president?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

US Compounding Inc pleads guilty to multiple offenses and its vice president indicted 

A subsidiary of a publicly traded company pleads guilty to multiple fraud offenses 

Happy summer, colleagues! I hope you take some time to unplug, decompress, and vacation with your loved ones, which may also include your pets! In recent years, the trend of vacationing with pets has surged in popularity, with a significant number of American pet owners opting to bring their dogs and cats on their travels. This shift presents unique opportunities and challenges for our profession, requiring updated knowledge on travel protocols, vaccination guidelines, and the best petfriendly destinations. Now is a great time to revisit travel guidelines for our clients and their pets and to provide social media tips to share with your clients and community

According to results from a survey by Forbes Advisor, dog owners travel sometimes with their pets by car (82%) and by airplane (33%).

 These statistics underscore a cultural shift where pets are increasingly viewed as integral family members, deserving of shared experiences and adventures. The rise in pet-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and activities has made it easier than ever for pet owners to include their animals in their travel plans.

The United States boasts numerous pet-friendly destinations that cater to the needs of both pets and their owners. Not every city or town is pet friendly, so it’s a good idea to be familiar with areas in your state or community that provide restrictions and ordinances. However, here are some of the most notable pet-friendly towns in the United States:

: Known for its welcoming attitude toward dogs, Asheville offers numerous pet-friendly breweries, parks, and trails. The Biltmore Estate even allows dogs on its grounds, and many local hotels and vacation rentals accommodate pets.

: With its vibrant outdoor scene, Austin is perfect for pet owners. Zilker Metropolitan Park, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and Lady Bird Lake provide ample space for dogs to roam. The city also features many pet-friendly restaurants and cafés.

: San Diego’s numerous dog beaches, such as Ocean Beach and Coronado Dog Beach, make it an ideal destination for dogs who love the water. Pet-friendly hiking trails and a variety of accommodations cater to traveling pet owners.

n: Portland’s extensive network of parks and green spaces, along with its dog-friendly businesses, makes it a top choice for pet owners. Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the US, offers miles of trails for dogs and their owners to explore

With the increase in pet travel, we as veterinary professionals must adapt vaccination protocols to ensure the health and safety of pets on the move. Ask specific questions on where clients are heading (especially if it’s outside the US) and whether any day care or boarding will be needed. Here are some key vaccine reminders:

: Ensure that all pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations, as this is a legal requirement in many states and crucial for public health. 

: Given the likelihood of exposure to other dogs in boarding facilities, parks, and beaches, the Bordetella vaccine is highly recommended. Making sure the dogs are protected immunologically ahead of time is crucial for vacation planning.

: This bacterial infection is spread through water and soil contaminated by infected animals. It is strongly advisable to ensure dogs are protected against this disease, especially if owners plan on camping, hiking, and taking pets into rivers, ponds, and lakes to swim.

: For pets traveling to regions where Lyme disease is endemic, such as the Northeast and Upper Midwest, vaccination is advised. Regular tick prevention measures should also be emphasized.

: Areas with reported outbreaks of canine influenza necessitate vaccination to protect against this highly contagious respiratory infection. Discuss with clients the local risks and consider vaccination based on travel destinations.

: With recent outbreaks of parvovirus throughout the country, it is strongly advisable to evaluate your patient’s medical record and make sure they are properly protected against this infectious disease along with canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, and parainfluenza.

Providing educational content on your website, social media pages, and email blasts about vacationing with your pets is so valuable to your clientele. Providing constant tips and reminders throughout the summer is a great way of anticipating your clients’ travel needs with their pets and provides exceptional bonding to your practice. Here are some ideas to consider:

 Ensure pets are microchipped and that contact information is up to date. Recommend owners use collars with current identification tags. Perhaps provide a microchip day to your community or a “check the chip” campaign to ensure updated client information is provided through that microchip.

: For interstate or international travel, pets may be required to carry health certificates. Your team should be familiar with the specific requirements of various destinations and provide the necessary documentation through a US Department of Agriculture– accredited team member.

: Address common travel-related issues such as anxiety and motion sickness. Recommending appropriate medications and behavior modifications can help make the journey more comfortable for pets. 

: Encourage pet owners to carry a pet first aid kit that includes bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and any necessary medications. There are also great companies that sell first aid kits, or you can create an inexpensive do-it-yourself kit.

: Stress the importance of maintaining regular feeding schedules, ensuring pets have access to clean water throughout the trip, and carrying essential products such as probiotics in case of dietary indiscretion. Show the importance of prepacking foods and how to keep pet food fresh when traveling. 

Copy of medical records and medical refills

: This is a big one. Be sure your clients have access to their pets’ medical records either online, in an app, or in printed copies. It’s also good to make sure they have enough of their pet’s long-term medications to hold them over on their trip.

: Collaborate with local pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, and travel agencies to create a network of trusted services for your clients. These services may be part of a larger franchise group, and showcasing your support and endorsement of these particular businesses can help improve decision-making for your clients.

: Provide tips on best practices for traveling with cats and securing dogs comfortably in the car or on a flight. Veterinarian Nelva Bryant, DVM, MPH—this month’s cover story author—is the industry’s first in-house veterinarian to review and revise policies related to transportation of live animals. Her website www.whenpets.com is full of excellent resources both for you and your clients.

The trend of vacationing with pets is not just a fleeting fad but a growing aspect of pet ownership that requires us, the veterinary professionals, to adapt and provide comprehensive care. By staying informed about pet-friendly destinations, updating vaccination protocols, and offering thorough travel preparation advice, veterinary professionals can ensure the health and happiness of pets on the move. This proactive approach not only enhances the bond between pet owners and their animals but also reinforces the integral role our profession plays in their lives. Wishing everyone safe travels and a happy summer. 

Metz J. The Best Cities To Travel To With Your Dog – Forbes Advisor. www.forbes.com. Published June 18, 2023. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/best-cities-to-travel-to-with-dog/

Veterinarians provide insights on health, safety, and top destinations for traveling with pets

Grab the poop bags and go

Diabetes is a common disease in cats and dogs that results from a decline in insulin secreted by the pancreas and/or decreased sensitivity of the body’s tissue to insulin. The resulting hyperglycemia causes the initial symptoms noted by the owner, such as polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. Later in the disease, the patient may have lethargy, poor body condition, weakness, and potentially cataracts. Frequently, diabetes presents with other comorbidities such as obesity, pancreatitis, urinary tract infections, hyperadrenocorticism, or infections. Comorbidities may impact the response to therapy and should be evaluated and addressed.

Dietary modifications can help regulate diabetes in addition to insulin or the newer feline sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. All owners of newly diabetic animals should be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia and how to address them at home. Because glucosuria causes increased urination, lots of fresh water should be consistently available for the diabetic animal. The dietary recommendations for diabetic cats and dogs differ to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Cats with diabetes often experience insulin resistance secondary to hyperglycemia and obesity.

With chronicity, the pancreatic beta cells that usually produce insulin start to produce less, worsening the endocrinopathy. Studies have shown that these obligate carnivores can have diabetes remission at varied reported rates when a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet is combined with insulin therapy.

Prescription feline diabetes diets are lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein. Canned foods generally have lower carbohydrate content and higher moisture content than dry kibble based food. The lower carbohydrate profile improves glycemic control by reducing blood glucose spikes.

Most insulin therapies in cats require a dosing interval of 12 hours.

 Feeding a lower-carbohydrate canned meal twice daily, shortly before administering insulin, can result in good glucose control in most diabetic cats.

Dividing the daily caloric requirement into meals is ideal if the cat will adjust or already eats twice daily. Free choice or timed feeding can be done if the cat’s eating routine cannot be adjusted without causing stress. The impact of insulin on hyperglycemia usually peaks at 4 to 8 hours after injection, and a snack can be offered then if desired. Some owners will play an activity game to encourage physical activity during snack time and encourage lean muscle mass development in indoor cats.

Obesity contributes to insulin resistance, and controlled weight loss in overly conditioned cats is part of good diabetes management.

 Weight loss in obese cats should not exceed 2% of body weight per week.

Lower-carbohydrate foods impact glucose more than high-fiber foods, which are not recommended for cats with diabetes.

Dogs with diabetes lack adequate insulin production by the pancreatic beta cells and always require exogenous insulin administration.

 A dog’s diet can impact postprandial hyperglycemia but is generally considered less important than the diet fed to cats with diabetes.

 Food high in insoluble fiber is often used to promote ideal body condition and minimize postprandial hyperglycemia by slowing glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced and palatable diet is essential so food can be fed consistently, along with insulin injections, for good glycemic control.

If an animal does not eat a single meal, an appetite stimulant can be used, or half the insulin given at regular mealtime can be used to prevent a diabetic ketoacidosis state. An evaluation should be done to check for other concurrent diseases in an animal that has continued poor appetite.

Because diet less impacts glucose control in dogs with diabetes, feeding for comorbid diseases or palatability takes precedence when dietary regulation is needed for other conditions such as food allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, renal disease, or urinary stones. Weight loss in dogs with obesity should not exceed 2% of body weight a week.

To monitor the newly diagnosed patient with diabetes, the clinician should use a combination of symptoms noted at home, body weight trends, urinalysis, and blood glucose levels to determine what therapy adjustments are needed. Careful questions about feeding amounts, timing, palatability, and other snacks/treats should be considered for dietary evaluation. With planning, client education, and patience, dietary modifications can be integral to achieving diabetes control.

Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P, Rucinsky R, Schulman R. 2018 AAHA diabetes management guidelines for dogs and cats. 

. 2018;54(1):1-21. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6822

Zoran DL, Rand JS. The role of diet in the prevention and management of feline diabetes. 

. 2013;43(2):233-243. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2012.11.004

Öhlund M, Egenvall A, Fall T, Hansson-Hamlin H, Röcklinsberg H, Holst BS. Environmental risk factors for diabetes mellitus in cats. 

. 2017;31(1):29-35. doi:10.1111/jvim.14618

Bennett N, Greco DS, Peterson ME, Kirk C, Mathes M, Fettman MJ. Comparison of a low carbohydrate-low fiber diet and a moderate carbohydrate-high fiber diet in the management of feline diabetes mellitus. 

. 2006;8(2):73-84. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2005.08.004

Heeley AM, O’Neill DG, Davison LJ, Church DB, Corless EK, Brodbelt DC. Diabetes mellitus in dogs attending UK primary-care practices: frequency, risk factors and survival. 

. 2020;7:6. doi:10.1186/s40575-020-00087-7

Kathryn Junkins Sarpong, DVM, DABVP (canine/feline),

 is a small animal veterinarian and business owner who loves to mentor and teach newly minted veterinarians and help her colleagues with challenging cases. Initially, she trained as a chemical engineer at the University of Virginia and worked for Merck as a technical operations engineer. Junkins Sarpong course corrected early in her career, and she obtained her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 2001. She completed an internship with Stephen Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Cardiology),

at California Animal Hospital Veterinary Specialty Group in 2002.

She enjoyed practicing emergency medicine for several years before opening a small animal practice with a former classmate in 2006. The practice grew to 3 locations with 16 doctors, and Junkins Sarpong mentored numerous new veterinarians. In 2011, she completed the requirements to become board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine/feline practice. She served as treasurer and later president of Emergency Animal Clinic Inc., the largest and oldest Dallas emergency animal hospital before navigating its sale to MedVet.

Other activities include publications, serving as a key opinion leader, past president of the veterinary leadership group for Innovetive Petcare, and serving on the Companion Animal Parasite Council board since 2022.

In 2023, she became director of leadership and learning for Innovetive Petcare. She developed a curriculum to create local leaders at each clinic location and personally mentored more than 40 local medical directors. She enables local leaders to drive medical excellence and business success.

Therapeutic success can be maximized through dietary modifications 

What to feed patients with diabetes

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test used to measure inflammation in the body. In veterinary medicine, the ESR is mainly used as an inflammatory marker and monitoring parameter in conditions such as osteoarthritis and tick-borne diseases in dogs.

Although research about the use of ESR in canines is abundant, information regarding the use of ESR in felines is limited. However, a recent study in 

 indicates that ESR could be useful to assess inflammatory markers in cats.

Red blood cells (RBCs) contain glycoproteins that have a negative electric charge and create a repulsion effect between cells. During inflammation, the protein composition in RBCs changes, which disrupts the electric charge and causes RBCs to stick to each other, leading to an increase in ESR. In the past, the use of the ESR in animals was limited using the Western Method because a large volume of blood was required; the turn-around time for results was long.

The MINI-PET is an automated continuous-loading instrument for the ESR that has recently been validated for use in dogs and horses. This tool has a quick turn-around time of 14 minutes, requires small blood samples, and displays results on the device. This device is more convenient for determining ESR in veterinary medicine.

This study’s main goals were to define the ESR reference interval (RI), compare ESR values between healthy and sick cats, evaluate relationships between the ESR and some inflammatory markers used in feline practice, and assess ESR changes in different durations of illness (acute, chronic, or acute-on-chronic).

This prospective multicentric cohort study enrolled 200 client-owned felines: 57 healthy cats and 143 ill cats. Cats were classified as having acute, chronic, or acute-on-chronic conditions. The investigators measured ESR with MINI-PET using the same K3-EDTA tubes that are used for CBCs. The total leukocyte count (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), fibrinogen, serum amyloid A, and albumin/globulin ratio (A/G) were measured.

The study results showed that ill cats had a significantly higher ESR (median 29 mm/h; range 12–46 mm/h) than that in healthy cats (median 10 mm/h; range 1–12 mm/h). The ESR positively correlated only with fibrinogen. Cats with acute-on-chronic diseases had the highest ESRs (median 47 mm/h; range 35–56 mm/h) compared with acute (median 16 mm/h; range 14–42 mm/h) and chronic cats (median 14 mm/h; range 10–31 mm/h).

Overall, the study demonstrated that the ESR can be used to assess inflammation in cats with acute diseases. ESR was consistently elevated in cats with acute-on-chronic diseases which indicates it may be more useful in this population. Using the MINI-PET is considered an inexpensive and easy method to measure the ESR.

An official RI for the feline ESR has not been published yet. Further studies may be needed to investigate the use of the ESR in cats.

Nicola Wood is a 2025 PharmD candidate studying veterinary pharmacy at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Gori E, Pasquini A, Paltrinieri S, et al. Prospective Application of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as a possible inflammatory marker in feline patients. 

. 2024;2024(4):2313447. doi:10.1155/2024/2313447

A recent study examined the usefulness of ESR in felines with acute diseases