The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation (MFA), a nonprofit animal welfare organization focused on saving pets and reducing the number of homeless pets in shelters, recently announced a new partnership dedicated to defining the future of animal well-being and pet care. NAVC and MFA’s commitment course will span into 2035 and beyond and is aimed at uniting every facet of the animal health and pet care area globally.

One of the most imminent and significant highlights stemming from the new partnership is their upcoming first worldwide animal health and pet care landscape conference, Compass, which will be the first of its kind.

The conference, scheduled to be held April 10, 2025, to April 11, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, will be designed as a breeding ground for innovation and opportunities to interchange ideas. Industry leaders, visionaries, investors, and individualists who are part of or interested in the global realm of animal health and pet care will have chance to come together to discuss and investigate prospects and key impact areas of this field.

"As 2 leading industry bodies, MFA and NAVC bring the leadership of the conversation about the future of the animal health and pet care sector directly into the hands of the industry itself," Brett Yates, CEO of MFA, said in a news release.

 "The leaders in our industry need a place to come together, and Compass will be that platform. [It will be] the place where we convene to outline and discover future investment opportunities, advance technological development, collaborate on solving the issues ahead of us, and improve the lives of animals around the world long into the future.”

Currently, the pet and animal health industry exceeds $300 billion.

 A report by Bloomberg estimates that by 2030, the pet industry will grow to almost $500 billion as the global pet population and cost of food and services for these animals increases.

 Moreover, the rise in more complex drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies, which help increase the lifespan of animal companions is expected to make the pharmaceutical market reach $25 billion by the end of this decade, with the global pet food market possibly topping $135 by then.

At the Compass conference, individuals in the veterinary, technology, investment, supply chain, and pharmaceutical professions will be able to participate. Additionally, legislators and policymakers, philanthropic organizations, researchers and more stakeholders will also be attending and fostering a landscape of unique perspectives.

The conference, which will be the first of its kind and is being set up to take place annually, will cover many topics in animal health, including

Market dynamics and consumer behavior (supply chain and retail)

Regulatory policy and legislative development

Pet health care professionals and medical innovations

Industry advocacy and nonprofit perspectives

“Our relationship with animals continues to expand and converge in every aspect of our lives,” Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, said in the release.

 "They are at the center of an exciting socio-economic shift requiring bold, new ideas and a unified global approach to how we support their place in our lives today and in the future. Compass provides the platform for industry leaders from around the world to engage in novel, forward-looking dialogue with those across the entire animal health and pet care ecosystem. We will also invite visionaries outside of our industry to participate and serve as catalysts for new ideas and solutions we cannot even imagine today, to chart a rewarding and healthy future for animals and their relationship with people. No forum like this exists today, and we believe its impact will be game-changing."

Earlier this year, O’Neill discussed another new, global initiative: the philanthropic 

. “It's a recognition program that can more than just applaud things that happen around the country [and] around the world that benefit animals. Now we can help support that with a financial incentive,” he said in an interview with 

NAVC announced the inaugural winner of the first NAVC Gives award during the 2024 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida. The first 

 recipient was Pet Peace of Mind, a nonprofit organization based in Salem, Oregon, that received a $25,000 prize. Pet Peace of Mind helps humans entering hospice care keep their pets throughout their end-of-life journey, at no cost to the patient, and arrange a new home for the animal after its owner has died.

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and Michelson Found Animals Foundation (MFA) chart new course to define future of animal health and pet care in 2035 and beyond. News release. North American Veterinary Community. June 11, 2024. Accessed June 12, 2024. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-north-american-veterinary-community-navc-and-michelson-found-animals-foundation-mfa-chart-new-course-to-define-future-of-animal-health-and-pet-care-in-2035-and-beyond-302169490.html

Global pet industry to grow to $500 billion by 2030, Bloomberg Intelligence report finds. Bloomberg. March 24, 2023. Accessed June 12, 2024. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/company/press/global-pet-industry-to-grow-to-500-billion-by-2030-bloomberg-intelligence-finds/

Coppock K. NAVC Gives honors community members who benefit animals.

https://www.dvm360.com/view/navc-gives-honors-community-members-who-benefit-animals

McCafferty C. Pet Peace of Mind wins inaugural NAVC Gives Marquee Award. 

. January 16, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/pet-peace-of-mind-wins-inaugural-nacv-gives-marquee-award

Articles

The North American Veterinary Community and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation partnered to bring the Compass conference to Maryland, bringing together animal health and pet care professionals from around the world

First global animal health conference of its kind coming in 2025

Harper-Keele veterinary students with VET.CT radiologist, Dr Ralph Lloyd-Edwards and HKVS Clinical Teaching Fellow, Dr Caroline Taylor (far left). (Photo courtesy of VET.CT).

In a move to offer a flexible educational structure intended to match contemporary professional settings and graduate outcomes, Harper & Keele Veterinary School (HKVS) in the United Kingdom (UK), and VET.CT, a global organization that provides remote veterinary specialist expertise, announced a collaboration that will implement a hybrid model of education in veterinary diagnostic imaging. The model combines practitioners’ in-person lectures with remote support from specialist radiologists and will provide clinical support services.

Designed for fourth-year clinical rotations, the program centers on ensuring students’ readiness for their final year of rotations. It incorporates remote diagnostic imaging education through interactive online content and remote live radiography sessions, along with in-person group sessions on advanced imaging.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in telemedicine services has been observed. A survey of pet owners on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on veterinary care showed that it led to a 20% increase in veterinarians providing digital or remote consultations, with 47% offering online services. Additionally, a UK service offering remote pet consultations experienced a 900% increase in demand since the pandemic lockdown.

“One of the strategic aims for Harper & Keele Veterinary School is to promote excellence in primary care practice and to prepare students for the advancements we are already seeing in general practice. Our partnership with VET.CT is a prime example of how collaboration with sector leaders can create contemporary models of clinical education which will ensure graduates are day-one-ready for modern veterinary practice,” Mike Cathcart, BVMS, reader in veterinary education, and director of education at HKVS, said in a news release.

VET.CT radiologist Ralph Lloyd-Edwards leading a live lecture at Harper-Keele Veterinary School. (Photo courtesy of VET.CT)

VET.CT's specialist team consists of more than 150 radiologists and 50 multidisciplinary specialists. It will offer support to the multidisciplinary clinical services at Garden Vets at Keele, an independent primary care veterinary practice and teaching center in Keele, UK. Garden Vets, established in collaboration with HKVS, enhances students’ final year of clinical education and learning modeled after the workplace. This holistic approach encompasses educational delivery, diagnostic imaging interpretation, advanced imaging, and clinical case management. Moreover, it allows students to interact with seasoned specialists and radiologists in both classroom and primary care settings.

“Being a pioneer in veterinary education is a key focus in our drive to be a force for good in advancing the industry. We are delighted to support education partners around the globe and this partnership with HKVS presents an exciting opportunity to develop an educational model for the future. We are excited to expand partnerships which deliver accessible, flexible teaching and learning opportunities for both educators and students, providing efficient, effective, nourishing education for the veterinarians of tomorrow,” Rebecca Sanchez, head of education at VET.CT, said in the release.

Harper & Keele Veterinary School pioneers new collaborative educational program in partnership with VET.CT. News release. Harper & Keele Veterinary School. June 13, 2024.

Three ways Covid-19 has changed the veterinary profession. HealthforAnimals. Accessed June 13, 2024. https://healthforanimals.org/resources/newsletter/articles/three-ways-covid-19-has-changed-the-veterinary-profession/#:~:text=Accelerated%20uptake%20of%20telemedicine%20tools&text=The%20number%20of%20veterinarians%20offering,services%2C%20according%20to%20pet%20owners.

Harper & Keele Veterinary School and VET.CT have partnered to bring forth a new diagnostic imaging educational program

Hybrid program aims to prepare veterinary students for the contemporary workplace

The FDA has approved the clinical trials conducted by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for researchers examining the use of stem cells to treat musculoskeletal and neurological abnormalities in dogs and horses.

 Christopher Frye, DVM, DACVSMR, associate professor and section chief of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, will lead the canine trial and Aimee Colbath, VMD, MS, DACVS-LA, assistant professor in the Section of Large Animal Orthopedic Surgery, will lead the equine trial.

“Our clinical trial aims to track the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapies used to treat a variety of nerve and musculoskeletal conditions,” Frye said in a Cornell news article.

According to Cornell University, stem cells have the potential to aid in tissue healing, mediate inflammation, and alleviate pain. They may target damaged tissue, alter their surroundings through cell signaling, and interact with the immune system. “The ultimate goal is to help animals recover from injuries more completely, and to reduce discomfort,” Colbath said.

Participation in these animal cell, tissue, and cell- and tissue-based product studies are always voluntary

 and Frye and Colbath are working closely with patients experiencing common conditions like osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, hip and elbow dysplasia, or nerve pain as potential treatment candidates. Eligible volunteers can also be those with general related nerve, bone, joint, or muscle issues.

The canine trial will track the extraction of stem cells from the patient’s own fat or bone marrow, and then used to treat muscle, bone, and nerve conditions. Owner, Sharon Roehm, brought in her golden retriever Molly to Cornell University’s Hospital for Animals (CUHA) in Ithaca, New York, and was one of the first dogs to come to CUHA for stem cell and platelet-rich plasma therapy. “Molly is now 8 ½ years old, was diagnosed at 14 months and is still an active, happy golden retriever,” Roehm told Cornell.

 “Without Chris Frye and his fantastic team, I’m not sure that Molly would be able to live the normal, comfortable life that she enjoys.”

Molly comes to CUHA every 4 months and stays once overnight to ensure pain control. She also does rehabilitation therapy twice a week at home.

Tiffany Amalfi is another owner who brings her 9-year-old mixed breed dog Maximus to CUHA elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis treatment. “At the beginning of our journey, we treated Max with anti-inflammatory and pain medication, but once his dysplasia started to affect his quality of life, we started platelet-rich plasma,” Amalfi told Cornell. “Max is a runner and we’ve always referred to him as a circus dog. He can jump over 6 feet in the air, and after his stem cell therapy, he goes right back to his zoomies, razing, juking, jumping playful self.”

For the horse clinical trial, owner Hattie Ruttenberg brought her horse Leo to CUHA after he sustained a soft tissue injury. “After a series of 3 [stem cell and platelet lysate] injections and carefully managed rehab, Leo is again sound and back to work,” Ruttenberg reported to Cornell.

The researchers from Cornell are hopeful that if the canine clinical trials prove successful, the information and data gained can be used for human medicine. According to the university, humans and dogs share similarities with musculoskeletal diseases.

Greaver Cordova M. FDA approves Cornell stem cell trial for dogs and horses. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. June 11, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2024. 

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/fda-approves-cornell-stem-cell-trial-dogs-and-horses

Clinical field studies for animal cells, tissues, and cell- and tissue-based products (ACTPs). FDA. Accessed June 13, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cell-and-tissue-products-animals/clinical-field-studies-animal-cells-tissues-and-cell-and-tissue-based-products-actps

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine was approved to studied stem cell therapies in dogs and horses

Stem cell trials explore musculoskeletal and neurological abnormalities

Veterinary technician Nicola Lakeman explains more about the microbiome

Interview with Nicola Lakeman

The microbiome is a collection of all microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live within patients, and veterinary professionals.

 Although research is being done to learn more about the microbiome, it is known to have an effect on wellness and health. So what does that mean for patients in the veterinary clinic?

Nicola A. Lakeman, MSc, BSc, (Hons), RVN, CertVNECC, CertSAN, VTS (Nutrition), explains that although we are still learning what exactly is living within the microbiome, some of what we do know the microbiome is capable of. 

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

: The biome helps with such a vast array of different roles, and we just don't know all of it yet, because we don't even know half the populations that are within our biome. But our biome does lots of roles, and primarily that, the main one that springs to mind, at the top [of my head] is fermentation of carbohydrates into short chain fatty acids. And those short chain fatty acids, they're an energy source, but they also alter the pH. 

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Microbiome. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Published July 7, 2023. Accessed June 13, 2024. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/microbiome#:~:text=Introduction

Nicola A. Lakeman, MSc, BSc, (Hons), RVN, CertVNECC, CertSAN, VTS (Nutrition), explains how the microbiome can promote nutrition

The mysterious microbiome

Majority of people who have a pet or work with pets know how powerful the human animal bond is. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 92% of pet owners globally say there’s no reason they would ever be convinced to give up their pet.

 Because of the benefits of having a pet, what happens for those who want a pet or have one already, but are struggling to pay for care? 

, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP emeritus, to discuss Peticad and how it can help Coloradans.

Now I'm looking at at the bigger issue, which is so many low income families, families in need, and the working poor that have pets just cannot afford veterinary care. They just can't afford it, so they don't get it. And, of course, bad things happen and there's always the overpopulation of pets issue out there. So this program is targeting, again, those working families and households with pets, and it's called Peticaid. It's actually called Peticaid 2030 to be honest, because it we think it's going to take a few years to get this rolling. 

It's somewhat self explanatory. It's actually a supplement, it's proposed federal and state Medicaid supplement to people that are already on Medicaid, and there's close to 80 million people that are already on it. If they have pets, they're going to be allowed to enroll 2 pets as a supplement to their Medicaid into this Peticaid program, and those pets will each be provided with $400 of veterinary care per year per pet as an allowance, and they will be paying a 20% copay for that care. So it's a radical idea in the sense that it's the first time that that government funding will be applied toward veterinary care for pets.

International Survey of Pet Owners & Veterinarians. Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://habri.org/international-hab-survey/

Podcasts

Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP emeritus, discusses his hopes of creating Peticad in the state of Colorado

Pets and poverty: Visions of a better future

ADM Animal Nutrition has issued another recall on feed products for cattle, chickens, equine, goats, lambs, llamas, rabbits, sheep, and swine, owing to elevated levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium, chloride and/or phosphorus. The recent recall, announced June 10, 2024, expands on the 

 reported by the company on March 30, 2024, and April 11, 2024.

The affected products come from the Grostrong, MoorMan’s, MaxLean, Roughhage Buster, Pen Pals, Patriot, Goat Power, Juniorglo, Rack Plus, and Seniorglo brands. The complete list of additional products included in the latest recall consists of 

Some of the newly recalled products include the following

Goat Power Mineral for goats: lot number 505042QN; 50 lb bag; product number 80869AAA14; distributed January 17, 2024 through April 12, 2024; states affected are Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio

21% Lamb Creep BT for lambs: lot number 505416QN and 507705QN; 50 lb bag; product number 80909BGXE4; distributed January 19, 2024, through April 2, 2024; states affected are Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

18% Lamb Grower CIT BT for lambs: lot number 505457QN; 50 lb bag; product number 80910BGXE4; distributed February 2, 2024, through April 1, 2024; states affected are Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin

Juniorglo Horse Feed for equines: lot number 505902QN; 50 lb bag; product number 80955AAA24; distributed February 5, 2024, through March 28, 2024; states affected are Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming

Elevated levels of these minerals are harmful to farm animals. The most recognizable effect of excessive intake of magnesium in farm animals is diarrhea. Very high consumption of magnesium can also reduce feed consumption and hinder weight gain.

 In rabbits, increased levels can cause loose stools, reduced growth rate, and weakness.

Relative to sodium, excess intake can lead to reduced feed consumption, egg production in chicken, growth rate, increased water consumption, and can be fatal to these animals.

 Adverse effects of elevated calcium and/or phosphorus levels include reduced feed intake and in swine, feed conversion.

According to ADM Animal Nutrition, no illnesses have been reported to date. The products’ lot codes are located at the bottom of the 

. The company advises consumers who have purchased the recalled products to immediately stop using them and return them to their distributor or “directly to ADM Animal Nutrition for a full refund.” Additionally, customers can contact ADM Animal Nutrition at 800-217-2007 between the hours of 8 AM and 4 PM (CST), Monday through Friday.

ADM Animal Nutrition expands recall to include additional lots of various feed products. News release. FDA. June 11, 2024. Accessed June 12, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/adm-animal-nutrition-expands-recall-include-additional-lots-various-feed-products?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Additional products table. ADM Animal Nutrition. 2024. Accessed June 12, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/media/179271/download?attachment

Pinotti L, Manoni M, Ferrari L, Tretola M, Cazzola R, Givens I. The contribution of dietary magnesium in farm animals and human nutrition. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):509. doi:

ADM Animal Nutrition expands recall to include 17 additional lots of chicken, swine and rabbit feed products. News release. FDA. April 11, 2024. Accessed April 12, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/adm-animal-nutrition-expands-recall-include-17-additional-lots-chicken-swine-and-rabbit-feed?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#recall-announcement

ADM Animal Nutrition recalls 17 more lots of animal feed. dvm360. April 12, 2024. Accessed June 12, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/adm-animal-nutrition-recalls-17-more-lots-of-animal-feed

The company recently released a third list of recalled products following previous recalls announced earlier in 2024