In this episode of Vet Watch, our host Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, welcomes Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, to talk about 

From protection to poison: What went wrong

Moving on to endoparasites, those that kind of live inside of our pets, the American Heartworm Society, states heartworm is considered at least regionally endemic in each of the contiguous 48 states. Thus, all dogs and cats in the lower 48 really should be on prevention. So what are the most common drugs that we use for those and are those safe?

: Yeah, so the most common ones are going to be the avermectins or the macrocyclic lactone. So those are like ivermectin, Moxidectin, in those types of that class of drug usually have a wide margin of safety when they're used appropriately, as prescribed. Typically, what we see more of an issue is becoming the horse paste, the ivermectin horse paste, which is much more concentrated than the dog or cat heartworm preventative, or maybe the owner has dewormed their horse. Maybe the horse spit some of it out. The dog came in and ingested that. Because they were, of course, helping when all of that was going on. Or maybe they're using something for livestock, for cattle, and a very concentrated formula they either gave some orally or placed them along the back to help with that. 

Again, thinking that 1 or 2 drops isn't going to hurt anything, but they're at extremely high concentration compared to what is given for a dog or a cat. And so these are ones that we'll start to see some significant neurologic signs as well. We'll see significant lethargy, ataxia. We can see tremors and seizures in our patients as well. For that, and with those, a lot of times pet owners, they think, you know, a 1.87% concentration for a horse paste, it sounds really low. It sounds extremely low, but we're dosing our dogs and cats in micrograms, and cattle the concentration of 1% which is 10 milligrams per mil. Again, when we're dosing micrograms for that small animal patient, 1 or 2 drops can really be potentially life-threatening.

It seems simple, but looking at the species that it's labeled for is a key thing for pet owners.

Absolutely, if it doesn't show that your species is on the label, specifically, don't use it. Consult your veterinarian first to see if it is something that can be used, especially when we're talking about our exotic pets, our pocket pets. Most labels are going to just talk about dogs or cats or the livestock labels will talk about which, you know, which livestock it's approved for, but certainly check with your veterinarian before giving anything. 

And it's always disheartening to see when somebody gave a product because they were trying to save money, and then they have thousands of dollars in medical bills because of what has happened when they had good intentions, and certainly the best of intentions, for helping that particular animal, but always ask before you before you treat.

Sometimes expensive is cheap and cheap is expensive.

Videos

On this episode of Vet Watch, our host Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM and Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, break down the world of veterinary toxicology, offering essential insights and practical advice for clients pet toxicology consultationand veterinary professionals alike.

The FDA has issued an advisory cautioning pet owners that a sample of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw dog food, made by Arrow Reliance Inc, tested positive for 

), with another sample testing positive for 

 The affected products comprise certain lots of the BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free Beef Recipe for Dogs.

The FDA said it recommended that Arrow Reliance recall the 2 affected product lots. The company reportedly notified customers through a letter about the 

contamination in the 2 lots, but did not mention the 

The FDA noted that Arrow Reliance has not yet provided sufficient proof that the affected lots have been removed from the market. “Although Arrow Reliance may have notified its customers that it is withdrawing the 2 lots for 

, the firm has not yet provided sufficient documentation to the FDA to show that this action has removed the affected product from the marketplace and customers’ freezers,” the FDA wrote in its advisory.

 “Consumers may want to check Darwin’s BioLogics All-Natural and Grain-Free Beef for Dogs products for the affected lot numbers prior to feeding to pets.”

The affected products come in 2-lb white and clear plastic packages with “BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free” written in orange letters. Each package is divided into four 0.5-lb portions. 

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free Beef Recipe for Dogs (Lot 11895; manufacturing [MFG] date: July 29, 2025)

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free Beef Recipe for Dogs (Lot 11826; MFG date: July 7, 2025)

Clients can find lot codes on the front, lower-left corner of each 2-lb package.

The federal agency advises anyone with these products to throw away the food in a secure container and avoid feeding it to their pets or donating it. Pet supplies and surfaces that have come into contact with the food or pet should be cleaned and disinfected.

infection in pets include vomiting, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), fever, loss of appetite, and decreased energy levels. Some pets, however, may be asymptomatic but still shed the bacteria in their stool.

is not common, but affected animals may exhibit mild to severe diarrhea; anorexia; fever; nervous, muscular, and respiratory signs; pregnancy loss; depression; shock; and death. Like 

, asymptomatic pets can still transmit the bacteria to humans and contaminate the environment through their feces and saliva.

FDA advisory: do not feed two lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics dog food due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. News release. FDA. September 24, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-advisory-do-not-feed-two-lots-darwins-natural-pet-products-biologics-dog-food-due-salmonella-and?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Bautista-Alejandre A. Canada faces Salmonella outbreak linked to dog food and treats. 

. September 17, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/canada-faces-salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-dog-food-and-treats

McCafferty C. Viva Raw issues voluntary recall. 

. August 26, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/viva-raw-issues-voluntary-recall

Articles

The company has not yet provided sufficient proof that affected lots of BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free Beef Recipe for Dogs have been removed from the marketplace, the FDA said.

FDA warns of Listeria, Salmonella in Darwin’s raw dog food

Diabetes affects many canine and feline patients, especially senior pets but also younger animals. Type I is more common in dogs while Type II more often affects cats.

interviews, industry experts provided their insights about different aspects of the disease including treatment options, identification of the condition and treatment for it. These videos feature Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, founder of the education platform CriticalCareDVM.com; Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC), owner of Melissa Evans, VTS (ECC): Veterinary Nurse Consulting; and Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), a consultant at Veterinary Information Network.

Watch the following videos for their insights

Managing feline diabetes mellitus with SGLT2i

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have been used in human medicine for several years. Recently, 2 specific SGLT2is saw their introduction to feline medicine: Bexagliflozin (Bexacat;Elanco), and velagliflozin oral solution (Senvelgo; Boehringer Ingelheim).

Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, explained how these therapies work to help manage feline diabetes, in an interview with 

. Byers outlined the effectiveness of these medications on cats, and why it can prevent the development of clinical hypoglycemia.

What are the most common diabetic emergencies in veterinary medicine? Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC), discussed these endocrine conditions in a 

interview at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, where she presented a series of continuing education sessions, including one focused on diabetic emergencies.

Evans is an experienced emergency, intensive care unit, and critical care technician with additional experience in shelter, wildlife, and disaster medicine. She is a RECOVER CPR–certified instructor who has worked in referral and specialty hospitals in New Jersey and New York. Evans is also a relief technician for specialty hospitals throughout New York, New York.

A guide to monitoring feline patients on SGLT2 inhibitors

Monitoring feline patients with diabetes on SGLT2 inhibitors requires a different approach from monitoring those on insulin. Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), outlines what to monitor in feline patients on SGLT2 inhibitors, including when each parameter should be checked.

She also discusses a distinct form of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) seen in patients on SGLT2 inhibitors: euglycemic DKA. In the video, Behrend stresses that when treating this form of DKA, veterinarians must begin with administering insulin, even when blood glucose levels are low.

The prevalence of diabetes in pets. Oak Forest Veterinary Hospital. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://oakforestvet.com/the-prevalence-of-diabetes-in-pets/#:~:text=Diabetes%20continues%20to%20be%20one,many%20cases%20among%20younger%20animals.

In a series of dvm360 interviews, veterinary experts provided their insights about different aspects of the disease including treatment options, identification of the condition and treatment for it. 

3 must-see insights on patients with diabetes

Zoetis is expanding the availability of its advanced, point-of-care veterinary hematology analyzer into Europe. The Vetscan OptiCell is the first cartridge-based diagnostic tool powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and is already available in the US, the United Kingdom, and Australia, according to the animal health company.

“With Vetscan OptiCell—and the innovation behind it—we are supporting veterinary teams to elevate patient care, enhance clinical decision-making, and drive value in practice,” Abhay Nayak, president of global diagnostics at Zoetis, said in a news release. “Animal health and the well-being of veterinary professionals are central to our focus on building a truly comprehensive and connected diagnostics platform…. I’m really excited that veterinary teams and their patients across Europe will be able to benefit from the tool’s advanced capabilities.”

Demand for veterinary care has increased rapidly in recent years, according to Richard E. Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, senior vice president and chief medical officer of global diagnostics at Zoetis and a former professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. In a 

, he cited a combination of pet population growth and a global shortage of veterinarians as reasons for this growth.

 In 2022, workplace burnout cost the industry an estimated $2 billion, with veterinarians reporting a "lack of resources and support" (73%) and "not enough time and energy" (72%).

Vetscan OptiCell provides fast and accurate insights through complete blood count (CBC) analysis.

 According to Zoetis, this diagnostic tool features TEF, the company’s proprietary microfluidic technology. TEF aligns cells in a single layer, enabling sharp focus imaging, minimizing errors, and allowing veterinarians to identify platelet recognition within a clump.

Vetscan OptiCell’s single-use cartridge system contains the blood sample, reagents, and waste. According to Zoetis, this system is unique in that it offers ease of use, minimal maintenance, no calibration requirement, and no cross-contamination with samples.

According to Dr Michelle Larsen, head of medical platforms, clinical studies, and medical education for Zoetis, this diagnostic tool offers precise, high-quality results and enhances clinical efficiency with its compact, user-friendly design. “By leveraging advanced AI image recognition, it enables an expert-level accuracy in blood cell characterization, moving beyond traditional size-based analysis…. This advancement marks a significant milestone in our hematology journey and reflects Zoetis’ continued commitment to supporting animal health and the professionals who care for them,” Larsen said in the release.

Zoetis announced the late 2024 launch of Vetscan OptiCell in the US, UK, and Australia during the early fall of that year.

 In Europe, the tool will initially launch in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Spain. Later in 2025 and in 2026, Zoetis plans to expand availability into the remaining countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

For a complete hematology picture, CBC results from Vetscan OptiCell can be paired with Zoetis' Vetscan Imagyst AI blood smear, according to the release. These tools are supported by experts through the ZoetisDx portal and within the Zoetis Virtual Laboratory. The company also continues to offer Vetscan HM5, Zoetis’ first hematology analyzer.

Zoetis launches AI-powered hematology analyzer Vetscan OptiCell across Europe. News release. Zoetis. September 25, 2025.

Data on file, Study No. DHXMZ-US-24-235, Zoetis Inc.

Goldstein RE. Beyond the microscope: what’s behind veterinary technology. 

. January 3, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/beyond-the-microscope-what-s-behind-veterinary-technology-

Nolen RS. Artificial intelligence poised to transform veterinary care. American Veterinary Medical Association. May 29, 2024. Accessed October 15, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/news/artificialintelligence-poised-transform-veterinary-care

McCafferty C. Zoetis to unveil new diagnostic too. 

. September 17, 2024. Accessed September 25, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/zoetis-to-unveil-new-diagnostic-tool

Zoetis' new technology is powered by artificial intelligence to provide fast and accurate complete blood count analysis.

Advanced diagnostic tool is launched in Europe

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine announced plans last week for a major expansion of its veterinary medical complex, backed by $110.5 million in philanthropic support. The expansion, to be completed within the next decade, will include a new veterinary education pavilion, a primary care hospital, an equine hospital, a veterinary cancer center, a spay-neuter clinic, and a raptor center.

Raptor Center aerial drawing and description. (Courtesy of UC Davis)

According to the school, the project aims to address the national shortage of veterinarians while also expanding patient care and advancing research in cancer, translational medicine, and other areas of biomedical science.

“This next phase builds upon a successful series of facility projects since 2016 that have continued to modernize and expand the capabilities of veterinary medicine,” UC Davis wrote in a news report.

The veterinary education pavilion will allow UC Davis to raise enrollment in its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program from 600 to 800 students. In its announcement, the school said the upcoming pavilion will still meet accreditation standards.

UC Davis Veterinary Education Pavilion video

Veterinary Education Pavilion

Veterinary Education Pavilion video rendering. (Courtesy of UC Davis)

Fifty-seven house officers begin advanced training programs at UC Davis

Meanwhile, the complex’s new clinical and hospital facilities will increase the yearly patient capacity by 20,000, raising patient volume from 50,000 to 70,000. The expansion will also have new spaces for working on veterinary health research and treatments.

“UC Davis researchers are at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries improving care for animals and humans,” UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May, PhD, MS, said in the report.

 “As a global leader in veterinary treatment and research, it’s our responsibility to ensure that care and compassion extend as far as possible.”

The announcement came as the school celebrated the 

opening of a new All Species Imaging Center

, created to serve as a central hub for advanced diagnostic imaging of small and large animals.

 The imaging center, along with the Meadowview Foundation 

 and an Advanced Veterinary Surgery Center, which opened in 2025 and 2024, respectively, are all part of the expansion project.

Included in the All Species Imaging Center are 4 diagnostic imaging suites, 2 control rooms, a patient waiting room, a room used by radiologists for image interpretation, and staff office spaces.

 Additionally, the imaging suites contain CT for small and/or large animals, high field MRI for small and large animals, PET for small and large animals, and a large bore equine CT.

Meanwhile, the layout of the Meadowview Foundation Dentistry and Oral Surgery Center was inspired by human dentistry suites. In the center, there are 3 stand-alone dental care/oral surgery operatory spaces, a sterilization center, a space for staff breaks, and more.

According to the university, all parts of the new facilities were fully or largely funded through philanthropy, including a $50 million challenge grant from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation.

$110.5M in gifts fuel UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine expansion. University of California, Davis. September 18, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/1105m-gifts-fuel-uc-davis-school-veterinary-medicine-expansion

Coppock Crossley K. UC Davis unveils a new diagnostic imaging center. 

. September 20, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/uc-davis-unveils-a-new-diagnostic-imaging-center

Bautista-Alejandre A. New UC Davis Dentistry and Oral Surgery Center layout inspired by human dentistry suites. 

. January 30, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-dentistry-and-oral-surgery-center-at-uc-davis-layout-inspired-by-human-dentistry-suites

Among other things, the project is intended to address the national shortage of veterinarians.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine announces $110 million expansion

The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success, a new dvm360 video podcast, aims to help veterinary professionals build the physical and emotional resilience needed to thrive in the profession. 

The Resilient Vet: A new podcast for a better life in vet med

Burnout, exhaustion, and difficult cases often define life in veterinary medicine. 

The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success

video podcast, aims to help veterinary professionals build the physical and emotional resilience needed to thrive in the profession.

Through the show, hosts Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, and Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, set out to change and improve veterinary medicine for professionals through transparency and curiosity, offering practical tips on everything from stress management and mindset shifts to nutrition, movement, boundary setting, and more.

In this debut episode, Shaw and Edwards share their personal journeys, explore what resilience means, and discuss some of their own viewpoints about veterinary medicine that may “go against the grain.”

 How is life in veterinary medicine? As we all know, it can be very challenging. Do you find it stressful? Do you sometimes experience burnout? Get overwhelmed with all the cases and the clients who, well, we know sometimes can be a challenge? How is it 

Life in veterinary medicine actually can be really great. Do you want to be able to create the physical and emotional resilience that's needed for long-term sustainability? It's available. It's not always easy, but it is available. And if that's what you want, you have come to the right place. Welcome to 

. We're your hosts. I'm Dr Jennifer Edwards.

And my name is Aaron Shaw. And in this show, we're going to share practical tips and strategies to help boost your physical and emotional resilience. We're going to discuss everything from nutrition on the go, boundary setting, stress management, physical exercises to add physical durability to the demands of veterinary medicine, and how to create the deep mindset shifts that are needed for sustainability in this demanding profession.

Future topics that we'll cover will also be based on what your feedback is for us—what piques your interest. We will do a deep dive to make sure you have the tools needed for a fulfilling career. It's always going to be practical tips—real action steps you can start applying today, inside the clinic and outside the clinic.

, so what does resilience actually mean? Resilience is defined as “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.” It also means toughness. The reality is [that] veterinary medicine is tough, and it's OK to say that.

It doesn't mean it's bad. It's actually great. It's an amazing profession, and honestly, your toughness is part of the reason you were attracted to this profession in the first place.

We deal with so much. We know so much. We can do so much. [There] are few professions in this world that compare, but that doesn't mean it's not also challenging.

We are here to help you to be tougher, to be able to sustain yourself, to build a great life, [and to take] care of your patients [by] interacting with your clients and your teams in ways that light you up, make you happy, and make you want to be here. The...difference that you make is so important for the people and for everybody involved. In our show, we will always have a theme of resilience. We're here to help you learn how to do whatever it is that you need to create a long-term, amazing life in veterinary medicine.

In this debut episode of The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success, Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, and Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, share their personal journeys, explore what resilience means in veterinary medicine, and more.