Evaluating the health of maternal pets can be expensive and involve invasive procedures.

 In dogs, pregnancy detection and assessment can involve trans-abdominal palpation, abdominal ultrasounds, or abdominal radiographs, which can be costly for the pet owner.

 A new tool—the Pregnancy Monitoring Module—for monitoring dogs throughout the pregnancy lifecycle with artificial intelligence (AI) was recently introduced. The module is expected to facilitate and improve the accuracy of maternal pet care by providing real-time insights, minimizing complications, and predicting whelping within a window of 10 days to 12 hours before labor.

The Pregnancy Monitoring Module was developed by PetPace, a pet health monitoring company that develops wearable technology for pets powered by AI and machine learning. The PetPace Pregnancy Monitoring Module employs AI and machine learning algorithms to deliver near real-time updates to pet owners of expecting pets. Moreover, it alerts owners of warning signs that could necessitate medical attention and offers timely forecasts for whelping. The module underwent rigorous clinical testing, involving numerous dogs.

The module will allow owners to offer their pets and newborn pups care that is guided by data-driven insights, according to the company. “The Pregnancy Monitoring Module will allow our users to deepen their commitment to their pets' health and step further into their roles as caretakers. The precision of these predictions helps to narrow down the time of whelping, allowing for better preparedness by the owners,” Asaf Dagan, DVM, Dip ABVP, PetPace co-founder, said in a news release.

: Collection of vital health data to create an AI-powered biometric baseline for evaluation throughout the pregnancy.

: Continuous tracking of the mother’s health data, with activated alerts for any negative health indicators.

: Alerts owners within a 10-day to 12-hour window before labor begins.

“I’m excited to see such accuracy of data collection and analytics during the gestational period all the way up to the moment of whelping. I believe that this revolutionary technology will be extremely valuable for researchers and breeders,” Smadar Tal, DVM, Dip. ECAR, PhD, renowned reproduction expert who guided and oversaw the study, said in the release.

The Pregnancy Monitoring Module study was showcased in a poster presentation during the last week of June 2024 at the 25th European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction (EVSSAR) Meeting in Barcelona, Spain, with Asaf Dagan, co-founder of PetPace, delivering an oral presentation that week.

1. PetPace launches AI-powered Pregnancy Monitoring Module at EVSSAR in Barcelona to enhance pet health data services. News release. PetPace. June 27, 2024, Accessed July 3, 2024. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240627177955/en/PetPace%E2%84%A2-Launches-AI-Powered-Pregnancy-Monitoring-Module-at-EVSSAR-In-Barcelona-to-Enhance-Pet-Health-Data-Services

2. Weir M. Breeding for pet owners – Pregnancy in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed July 3, 2024. 

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/breeding-for-pet-owners-pregnancy-in-dogs

Articles

The Pregnancy Monitoring Module uses AI and machine learning algorithms to help pet owners monitor their dog throughout the pregnancy lifecycle

Advancing maternal pet care through AI

Pet food recalls are often initiated as a precautionary measure to address potential contamination risks, ensuring the safety and well-being of pets. These recalls are typically prompted by concerns over bacterial contamination, such as 

, or the presence of harmful substances. The FDA recently announced the voluntary recalls of 2 pet food manufacturers: Viva Raw LLC, and Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc.

One of the recalled products from Viva Raw. (Photo courtesy of the FDA)

Viva Raw LLC, based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, is voluntarily recalling its dog and cat foods, including the Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground, Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked, Viva Turkey for Cats, Viva Pure Turkey, and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies all manufactured under Lot 21244. The 5 products included in this lot are contaminated with 

 and pose a potential health risk to people and pets.

 The contaminated products were discovered during a facility inspection conducted by the FDA and The North Carolina Department of Agriculture after tested samples from Lot 21244 were positive for 

 can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in pets consuming contaminated products. While 

 infections in pets are rare, it can cause diarrhea, fever, anorexia, and more severe symptoms. Infected pets can also be asymptomatic carriers, spreading the bacteria through feces and saliva. If your pet has consumed recalled food and shows symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Humans can be exposed through handling contaminated food, contact with affected pets, or touching surfaces like bowls and countertops that have been in contact with the food. The risk of human illness increases if hands and surfaces are not thoroughly cleaned after contact.

The products within this lot number were shipped to all 50 states and Viva Raw has contacted all customers who were shipped any Turkey or Beef & Turkey for Puppies products between May 16 and June 28, 2024. As of July 1, 2024, no illnesses related to this lot have been reported.

The FDA advises against handling the contaminated food product with bare hands and, instead, use gloves or paper towels to place the contaminated food in a sealed plastic bag before disposing of it in the garbage. Any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated product should be thoroughly sanitized.

Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc, based in Weston, Ohio, has elected to expand its voluntary recall to include the following lots of Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food and Vitakraft Vita Smart Hedgehog Food because it has the potential to be contaminated with 

 can infect animals that consume the products and pose a risk to humans who handle contaminated pet products. The risk is particularly high if individuals do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with the products or surfaces exposed to them.

Vitakraft Sun Seed was notified on this contamination on June 18, 2024, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture after an inspection sample of product from Lot Number 417429. The tests which discovered the bacteria were part of random testing performed by the State of Minnesota on consumer products, and not prompted by any consumer concerns.

 may exhibit lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may only show signs of decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Healthy pets can be carriers of Salmonella, potentially spreading the infection to other animals and humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and shows these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Humans should also be cautious and monitor for any signs of infection.

Products from these recalled lots were shipped to the following states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Vitakraft Sun Seed warns customers to discard of products from these affected lots and the company is offering a full refund to customers who purchased hedgehog food from any of these lots.

Viva Raw issues voluntary recall of dog and cat food including select Viva Turkey Recipes (Lot 21244) due to potential 

 health risk to people and pets. News release. Food and Drug Administration. July 1, 2024. Accessed July 3, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/viva-raw-issues-voluntary-recall-dog-and-cat-food-including-select-viva-turkey-recipes-lot-21244-due?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Vitakraft Sun Seed recall of Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food due to possible 

a health risk. News release. Food and Drug Administration. July 1, 2024. Accessed July 3, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vitakraft-sun-seed-recall-sun-seed-vita-prima-hedgehog-food-due-possible-salmonella-health-risk-0

The food was recalled as a precautionary measure because of potential contamination risks

Recent voluntary food recalls for dogs, cats, and hedgehogs

The establishment of new veterinary and pet care facilities across the country enhances access to animal care and services. With more veterinary and pet-centered facilities available, animal companions can more easily receive the care they need, leading to improved overall health and care outcomes for animals.

Here are 3 recent facilities opening across the United States:

VSSOC Surgery Center in Tustin, California

The Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County (VSSOC) recently announced they were beginning the construction of a new Surgery Center at 2937 Edinger Avenue, in Tustin, California. The facility is set to open in December 2024 and will span 10,000 sq ft and it will offer the community surgical care 7 days a week.

“VSSOC has been the leader in surgical care for the pets of Southern California for decades. We are excited to expand our practice into this new facility where our world-class surgeons can continue to provide a level of care that just isn’t possible elsewhere in the region,” Richard Pankowski, DVM, VSSOC hospital administrator, said in a news release.

 “Our commitment to help pets, their families, and the referring veterinary community remains steadfast. We view our role as a privilege and a responsibility that we take seriously. We look forward to opening our new doors to the public.”

Surgical procedures to be performed at the Surgery Center include cardiothoracic, emergency/trauma, oncologic, minimally invasive, neurologic, orthopedic, soft tissue, and reconstructive, and more. Additionally, PennHIP screening and of diagnostic imaging modalities will also be available. Amenities will include 10 pre- and post-operative treatment bays, sterile corridor with 5 surgical suites, inpatient and outpatient radiology suites, 128-slice CT, an onsite lab and pharmacy, a dedicated feline quiet-recovery ward and 20 oversized canine recovery suites.

Rendering of Skiptown in Denver, Colorado. (Photo courtesy of Skiptown)

Skiptown, a membership-based destination for dogs and their owners, expressed its excitement of the upcoming opening of its first Denver facility, to be located at 3833 Steele St, Unit #1332, Denver, Colorado, in River North District’s York Street Yards. The new Skiptown location, a 50,000 sq ft facility, is scheduled to open its doors in late summer 2024. It will include an off-leash indoor/outdoor dog park with more than 27,000 sq ft of indoor and turfed outdoor spaces, a splash pad, a bar, and encompassing pet care services.

“We created Skiptown because it’s the experience we wanted with our own dogs,” Meggie Williams, founder and CEO of Skiptown, said in a news release.

 “We were always looking for a modern, one-stop shop where we could enjoy ourselves while our dogs play, or where we could drop them off, knowing they are with people who love them as much as we do. Skiptown has all that and more, providing a contemporary and enjoyable environment for both dogs and their owners. We are thrilled to introduce the Skiptown experience to the dog-friendly city of Denver.”

The new Skiptown location will offer daycare and overnight boarding facilities with cushioned flooring, a dog grooming salon, and a training studio, as well as valet daycare drop-off and round-the-clock supervised care. Clients will be able to schedule appointments, upload veterinary records, view visit reports, and tailor their dog’s preferences using the Skiptown app.

VCA Animal Hospitals in San Antonio, Texas

VCA Animal Hospitals opened the doors to a new urgent care center in Northwest San Antonio, located at 9710 State Highway 151, San Antonio, TX 78251. VCA Animal Hospitals Urgent Care – Northwest San Antonio is dedicated to serving the local communities, including Northwest San Antonio, San Antonio, Leon Valley, Loma Vista, and Lackland. It provides same-day veterinary care for urgent needs, operating 7 days a week year-round.

The new hospital gives clients easy access to care with transparent wait times and the option to promptly join the virtual waiting room, allowing them to wait at home until their appointment time arrives. The facility also provides pet owners with access to their free teletriage 24/7.

Additionally, VCA’s new hospital features a layout free of conventional front desks or phones, with client service representatives readily available to help clients settle in and complete check-ins using their mobile devices. The aim of this intentional design was to create a serene and welcoming atmosphere for both owners and pets.

Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County breaks ground on new, ultramodern 10,000-square-foot surgery center. News release. Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County. July 2, 2024. Accessed July 2, 2024. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240702812327/en/Veterinary-Surgical-Specialists-of-Orange-County-Breaks-Ground-on-New-Ultramodern-10000-Square-Foot-Surgery-Center

Denver’s largest off-leash dog park, bar, and pet care facility to open in RiNo late summer 2024. News release. Skiptown. June 20, 2024.

VCA Animal Hospitals opens urgent care in northwest San Antonio. News release. VCA Animal Hospitals. June 26, 2024.

Take a look at these 3 veterinary centers newly opened or coming soon

Clinic center: The newest veterinary and pet care facilities in the country

Cephalopods, including cuttlefish, octopuses, and squids, are known for their complex behaviors, particularly their dynamic skin displays. These behaviors include camouflage, inking, visual communication through skin patterns, and displaying patterns during sleep. Cephalopods’ skin is directly controlled by neurons from their brains, making their skin patterns a direct reflection of neural activity. This connection allows scientists to study how cephalopods perceive and interact with their environment.

Camouflage is the most notable cephalopod behavior. They can quickly change the color, pattern, and texture of their skin to blend into their surroundings, avoid predators, or hunt prey. Cephalopods do this by expanding and contracting pigment-filled sacs called chromatophores in their skin. They also have iridophores and leucophores, nonpigmented cell types, that contribute to their ability to change colors and create complex patterns. Despite being colorblind, cephalopods are highly adaptable when it comes to matching their surroundings, likely using a combination of visual textures and feature detection to create an effective camouflage.

Cephalopods also use their skin patterns for communication. During social interactions, such as courtship or conflict, they display distinct patterns that convey their internal states. For example, male cephalopods often display high-contrast patterns to attract females or intimidate rivals. Some species even show different patterns on each side of their body, demonstrating a form of divided attention. These social displays are usually innate and become more prominent as the animals mature.

Cephalopods' nervous systems are highly developed and centralized, with large brains relative to their body size. Their brains are divided into multiple lobes, each with specific functions related to sensory processing, motor control, and cognition. The optic lobes, which process visual information from the eyes, are particularly important for their dynamic skin behaviors. The neurons in these lobes send signals to motor neurons which control the chromatophores, enabling the rapid and complex changes in skin patterns.

Recent advancements in machine learning, optical imaging, and electrophysiological tools are helping scientists explore the neural bases of cephalopod behaviors in greater detail. For example, by tracking the expansion and contraction of individual chromatophores, investigators can see how cephalopods develop and control their skin patterns.

Understanding these processes not only provides insight into cephalopod biology but also has broader implications for the study of neural computation and behavior in other animals. With ongoing advancements in research tools, scientists are looking forward to uncovering even more about cephalopod behavior and neurobiology.

Ava Landry is a 2026 PharmD candidate studying veterinary pharmacy at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Shook EN, Barlow GT, Garcia-Rosales D, Gibbons CJ, Montague TG. Dynamic skin behaviors in cephalopods. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2024.102876

Understanding how these aquatic animals communicate and camouflage has broader implications for the study of neural computation and behavior in other animals

The hidden language of cephalopod skin

If you ask most practice managers what they would do to become the go-to clinic in their area, many will center their answer around being able to provide exceptional care to patients. While that's partly true, and exceptional care is crucial for any practice to succeed, it doesn't paint the full picture of what needs to be done behind the scenes to build a practice that is well-known and well-respected. As a practice owner for over 30 years, I've learned exactly what priorities and actions are most impactful for becoming your community's obvious choice for veterinary care.

It all starts with your mission and culture

When sharing my thoughts on practice management, the importance of a practice’s mission is always one of the topics I discuss most, and not without good reason — a strong mission is the cornerstone of any successful veterinary practice.

Every practice should have a strong mission that represents what they do in their clinic every day. When you position your mission as the central truth of your practice, you're able to make informed, strategic decisions that support your values and create alignment across your entire organization.

Within a veterinary practice, culture is how the team plays in our sandbox. Culture should be palpable when clients walk into any business and sets the tone for the behavior in the practice, from how employees interact with each other to how your team shares themselves with your clients. It defines how we hire, how we train, and sometimes how we must fire.

At the Drake Center, we ensure that every member of our team, from the front desk staff to our surgical team, embodies the values of kindness, respect, teamwork, and fun. Hiring individuals who resonate with our mission and actively contribute to a positive work culture has created an environment where excellence and collaboration are expected. We’ve always preferred to hire people who believe in our mission and fit our culture, and then we train for the skills needed for them to thrive in their role.

Consistency within a veterinary practice is critical. From the way receptionists respond to phone calls to the medications and treatments doctors recommend, clients should be able to expect the same level of service and quality of information they receive from every member of the team. When everyone in your practice is on the same page and working with the same clear vision, it reflects in the quality of care you provide.

Practical tips for aligning your practice

Alignment may seem like a simple concept, but it takes a lot of thoughtful and intentional action to achieve.

Schedule recurring monthly management meetings with key leadership figures from every team to discuss your practice's alignment. Every team should be represented at these meetings to get the most input on how to best align your entire team. For example, the owner, practice manager, associates, front lead, and a technician lead, should attend, as these individuals support the mission, embody the culture, are positive and want to serve the team, patients, and client.

Be mentally and physically present at these meetings by bringing issues to discuss and new ideas to facilitate better alignment.

Take the insights gained from these meetings and begin taking steps towards better alignment, even if that means just bringing the discussion from your monthly meetings to larger staff meetings to be addressed.

The most important takeaway from these steps is the need for a designated system to address misalignment on your team. If you don't take a systemized approach, then you will just constantly have an unaligned practice with lots of issues that go unresolved.

Making your expertise and care accessible

A crucial, yet often overlooked element of becoming the lead veterinary practice in your community is accessibility. What good are your culture, services, and expertise when clients can't access them?

Being available when your clients need you is paramount, and this is why physical availability should be a top priority for every practice. This means having flexible hours that accommodate different schedules and ensuring that your practice can handle emergencies. If your practice has grown to a size that can support it, consider being open 7 days a week. This level of availability can set you apart from other practices that might be booked weeks in advance.

Practice owners must understand the importance of quality websites and social media profiles for connecting with clients. These platforms serve as the first point of contact for potential clients and provide valuable information when you are unavailable. A great website should be robust, interactive, and reflective of your practice's values and services. Your social media channels can also help build meaningful client relationships.

Becoming the go-to veterinary practice in your community doesn't happen overnight; it takes a lot of effort and commitment on the part of every staff member at a veterinary practice.

So, start reflecting on what you and your team can do to work toward becoming a well-aligned and mission-driven practice, and the rest will fall into place.

is the owner of The Drake Center for Veterinary Care in Encinitas, California, a 10-doctor, 55-employee hospital that consistently outperforms competitors and industry averages because of Drake’s passion for embracing change and new technologies. She has served on committees and advisory boards for the University of California, American Animal Hospital Association, Novartis, and more. Drake completed her DVM at the University of Missouri and founded The Drake Center in 1992. She also serves as the chief veterinary officer for GeniusVets. Michele can be reached via email at michele@geniusvets.com.

Becoming the preferred veterinary practice in your community can be a long, but rewarding journey

Positioning your veterinary practice as a community leader

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd, a biotechnology company developing proprietary small molecule drugs for cancer and inflammatory diseases, reported positive results from a multicenter clinical study on osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs treated with Piclidenoson, an IB-MECA oral small molecule drug formulated in a tablet.

 Can-Fite describes Piclidenoson as a novel A3 adenosine receptor agonist small molecule, orally bioavailable drug.

 Vetbiolix, Can-Fite’s veterinary partner, is responsible for all costs of the veterinary clinical development of the study and has successfully concluded the study's interim analysis.

Following the demonstrated efficacy of Piclidenoson, Vetbiolix can choose to enter into a full licensing agreement with Can-Fite. Acoording to the company release,

 this agreement would require Vetbiolix to make upfront and milestone payments to Can-Fite, as well as pay royalties on sales upon regulatory approval.

The study evaluated the effects of 90 days of Piclidenoson treatment at doses of 100 μg/kg and 500 μg/kg, administered orally twice daily, in dogs with OA. The primary objective was to assess symptom severity using the “Liverpool OsteoArthritis in Dogs” (LOAD) questionnaire, which evaluates the mobility of the dogs. Secondary objectives included pain assessment by pet owners using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and lameness and pain assessment by veterinarians using the Numerical Rating Score (NRS). The study successfully met its primary and secondary endpoints, showing a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect of Piclidenoson on LOAD, VAS, and NRS. Significant improvements in clinical status and pain reduction were observed at the 500 μg/kg dose.

“We are very much encouraged by the positive results in the osteoarthritis dog clinical study and hope Piclidenoson can be used as an efficacious drug with this unmet clinical indication,” stated Can-Fite CSO Pnina Fishman, PhD, in the release.

 “This veterinary indication offers Can-Fite the opportunity to get Piclidenoson onto the market faster to benefit canines, while also potentially contributing near-term revenues. We are very pleased to work productively with the team at Vetbiolix.”

Can-Fite and Vetbiolix recognize the market need for more OA treatment options since approximately 40% of dogs experience OA-induced pain.

 Besides nonpharmacological options like weight management, exercise, laser therapy, and supplement, the only drug treatments for OA include oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and an injectable disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug.

 Studies like these can expand treatment options for OA in dogs, providing veterinarians with more effective therapies to improve the quality of life for their patients.

Positive results from osteoarthritis clinical study in dogs reported by Can-Fite’s partner Vetbiolix. News release. Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. June 28, 2024. Accessed July 2, 2024. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240628278831/en/Positive-Results-from-Osteoarthritis-Clinical-Study-in-Dogs-Reported-by-Can-Fite%E2%80%99s-Partner-Vetbiolix

Piclidenoson (CF101). Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. Accessed July 2, 2024. 

https://www.canfite.com/category/Piclidenoson

Wright A, Amodie DM, Cernicchiaro N, et al. Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner-reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests. 

. 2022;63(8):609-618. doi:10.1111/jsap.13500

Analyzing the effectiveness of Piclidenoson, an IB-MECA oral small molecule drug