The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) will receive 2 new giant pandas by the end of this year from China through an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA).

 The pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, will join the rest of the Smithsonian’s NZCBI giant panda conservation program.

“We’re thrilled to announce the next chapter of our breeding and conservation partnership begins by welcoming two new bears, including a descendent of our beloved panda family, to Washington, DC,” Brandie Smith, NZCBI’s John and Adrienne Mars director, said in a news release.

 “This historic moment is proof positive our collaboration with Chinese colleagues has made an irrefutable impact. Through this partnership, we have grown the panda population, advanced our shared understanding of how to care for this beloved bear and learned what’s needed to protect wild pandas and preserve native habitat.”

According to the release, Bao Li is a 2-year-old male whose name means “treasure” and “energetic” in Mandarin Chinese. Qing Bao is a 2-year-old female whose name means “green” and “treasure” in Mandarin Chinese.

Bao Li in his habitat at Shenshuping Base in Wolong, China. (Photo credit: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

“We look forward to once again calling the FedEx Panda Express into service and using our logistical expertise to safely move Qing Bao and Bao Li to Washington, DC,” Richard W. Smith, president and CEO, Airline and International, FedEx, said in the release. “It’s a privilege to take part in this next phase of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s giant panda program and provide the safest and most comfortable transportation for these beloved animals.”

During a 30-day quarantine period as per standard zoo procedure, the 2 pandas will have access to an enclosed area while the zoo keepers monitor the animals’ health. After this period, the pandas will have time to acclimate to their new environment and be available for public visitation once the animal health team grants approval.

Qing Bao in her habitat at Dujiangyan Base in Sichuan, China. (Photo credit: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

The zoo is also encouraging public and corporate donations for the new pandas to be used over the next 10 years. the funds will go towards exhibit renovations and health costs.

The agreement with CWCA also stated that any cubs born at NZCBI will move to China by the age of 4. These requirements, among others within the agreement, are in place to ensure the welfare of giant pandas in human care and expand work critical to the conservation of giant pandas in the wild.

Two new giant pandas coming to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute from China by end of the year. News release. Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. May 29, 2024. Accessed May 30, 2024. 

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/two-new-giant-pandas-coming-smithsonians-national-zoo-and-conservation-biology-institute-china

Articles

Bao Li and Qing Bao will join the zoo in Washington, DC, later this year

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute welcomes 2 giant pandas

United States public health officials are asking veterinary professionals to be on the lookout for antifungal-resistant ringworm infections. This strain is caused by a novel fungus originating from the Indian subcontinent 10 years ago and is a threat to both humans and animals across the globe.

present with a widespread inflamed or dry and scaly pruritic plaque of tinea corporis, cruris, facia on the body, crural fold, pubic region and adjacent thigh, or the face.

 Researchers believe that the overuse and inappropriate use of topical antifungals and corticosteroids is causing the epidemic of this disease. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), canines and cattle living in Iran and India have been diagnosed with this infection but, at this time, no animal cases have been reported within the US.

“We want to encourage US veterinarians to be aware of potential animal infections of 

 because of its high person-to-person transmissibility and its isolation in dogs and cattle,” Jeremy Gold, MD, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC’s mycotic diseases branch, said in a news release.

The ringworm infection in human cases is attributed to 

which is highly contagious and often drug resistant. The strain has been reported on 6 continents as well as reaching the US on February 28, 2023, when a dermatologist in New York, New York, notified public health officials that he was treating 2 patients with severe tinea that was not improving with oral terbinafine treatment. Skin culture isolates from the patients were previously identified by a clinical laboratory as 

 and was given to the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health for further analysis and review. In March 2023, the sample was identified as 

The CDC disclosed that there are no cases in which the infection spread from humans to animals, but this cannot be ruled out based on how infectious the fungus is. Data on 

infections in animals are limited, and it is unknown whether or how often transmission between animals and humans occurs. It is also unknown whether and how the clinical presentation of 

differs from ringworm that is caused by other dermatophytes.

“There’s a lot we are still learning about drug-resistant ringworm, and veterinarians are often like the eyes and ears of public health. So, it’s important for veterinarians concerned about possible antimicrobial-resistant ringworm to reach out to their public health officials or state public health veterinarian for support because they can provide useful information,” Goldman concluded.

Veterinarians advised to watch for drug-resistant ringworm infections. News release. May 28, 2024. Accessed May 30, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/news/veterinarians-advised-watch-drug-resistant-ringworm-infections?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news

Caplan AS, Chaturvedi S, Zhu Y, et al. Notes from the Field: First Reported U.S. Cases of Tinea Caused by Trichophyton indotineae - New York City, December 2021-March 2023. 

. 2023;72(19):536-537. Published 2023 May 12. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7219a4

CDC asks veterinary professionals to be on the lookout for difficult-to-treat ringworm infection patients 

Veterinarians warned of drug-resistant ringworm infections

This week's episode features Amy Thomson, DVM, DAVDC, and host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, as they delve into how Thomson originally fell in love with veterinary dentistry, the importance of collaborating with dental specialists, emphasizing the need for effective communication between practitioners, and how all of this lead Thomson to open her own mobile clinic. 

So for general practitioners tuning in, when should they offer their clients a referral to a veterinary dentist or oral surgeon?

 I don't feel like there's ever a time that it's like, wrong to, and I can only speak for myself, but I feel very comfortable with my colleagues saying there's nothing—it's been funny, I've been asked before, this owner is really nervous, can we send you if we think it's only going to be a cleaning, and in my mind, I'm like, it's really never just a cleaning, but there's nothing beneath me. I treat the whole mouth and so I never think it's wrong to offer that. But things like fractured teeth, where owners really don't want to extract they want to preserve the function of that too. So like a root canal treatment, that's definitely something that would be referral based. 

Most jaw fracture maxillofacial trauma is ideal to refer. Some of it is having a dialogue that, we want to put the pet back together as quickly as possible return function as soon as possible. However, that often is at a higher cost of care. So I just was having a conversation with a DVM yesterday, about even if owners can't afford that, at least we can discuss all the options and then find one. That sounds weird, but like fits the family's budget while still providing care. So those are kind of big cases that are referred, but I would say it's never wrong.

Podcasts

Host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Amy Thomson, DVM, DAVDC,
discuss the importance working with a dental specialist

Tooth be told! Partnering with dental specialists

A long-term drug delivery system (OKV-119; Vivani Medical) is typically used for chronic weight management in obese or overweight human patients with one or more risk factors.

 However, the drug was recently tested for use in cats, specifically to support in feline obesity and diabetes management. The peer-reviewed paper was published in 

 and examined the effects of this miniature, subdermal, exenatide drug implant after it was administered to cats.

“The data published in BMC Veterinary Research is further evidence that our proprietary NanoPortal implant technology holds promise in reducing obesity in cats,” said Adam Mendelsohn, PhD, Vivani president and CEO, in a company release.

 “Felines share many pathophysiologic obesity phenotypes with humans, and our [data] supports the efforts to clinically evaluate our miniature, subdermal GLP-1 implants for the treatment of chronic weight management in obese or overweight human patients and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Vivani is dedicated to rapidly developing our portfolio of weight loss focused implants as they collectively have the potential to improve medication adherence, tolerability and real-world patient results.”

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are known to help obese people lose weight and improve heart health2 and the OKV-119 drug was being tested to give the GLP-1RA drug exenatide to cats over a long period. For the study, 5 purpose-bred neutered male cats were implanted with OKV-119 protypes and observed for a 112-day period. At the time of enrollment, cats were 28 months old and weighed a median of 5.61 kg (a range of 5.14 –7.38 kg).

 Throughout the study period, researchers measured the cats' food intake, weekly exenatide levels in their blood, and body weight.

The cats were given a standardized pelleted feline diet (Purina Cat Indoor formula), with 90 g of fresh food provided once daily in the morning. If their caloric intake was too low, they were offered canned wet food (Friskies Meaty Bits) to encourage eating. After Day 28, the cats were taken out of their individual pens and collectively given 450 g of the dry pelleted food for the rest of the study period.

Results showed that exenatide levels in the cats' blood were detectable from day 7 and stayed above baseline for over 84 days. Four out of 5 cats ate less and lost weight in the first 28 days. These cats kept off at least 5% of their body weight for the entire 112 days. The study indicates a positive potential use of the OKV-119 implant to release exenatide for several months. Researchers determined that blood levels of exenatide between 1.5 ng/ml and 4 ng/ml are enough to cause weight loss in cats.

The researchers in this study determined a need for more feline weight management options and cited Banfield Pet Hospital data to express the rise in cat obesity levels in the United States.

 Banfield has seen a 114% increase in cats diagnosed with obesity, from 18% of cats in 2011 to 38% in 2020.

Vivani has also separately demonstrated the delivery of exenatide over a 6-month duration both in vitro and in vivo with rats and anticipates extending the duration of OKV-119 to 6 months for future studies.

Vivani Medical announces publication of positive weight loss data supporting potential veterinary use of OKV-119 miniature, long-term GLP-1 implant. News release. Vivani Medical Inc. May 28, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240528848430/en/Vivani-Medical-Announces-Publication-of-Positive-Weight-Loss-Data-Supporting-Potential-Veterinary-Use-of-OKV-119-Miniature-Long-term-GLP-1-Implant

Klotsman M, Anderson WH, Gilor C. Drug release profile of a novel exenatide long-term drug delivery system (OKV-119) administered to cats. 

 2024; 20 (211). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04051-6

New data shows pet obesity epidemic existed before the "Covid 15". Banfield Pet Hospital. June 21, 2021. Accessed May 29, 2024. https://www.banfield.com/en/about-banfield/newsroom/press-releases/2021/new-data-reveals-pet-obesity-epidemic-existed-long-before-quarantine

A new peer-reviewed paper published in BMC Veterinary Research shows the potential veterinary use of weight loss drug implant

Human drug implant shows positive outcomes for feline obesity and diabetes management

Coming into the veterinary clinic can be a stressful time for felines, pet owners, and veterinary professionals. If pet owners know their cat does not respond positively to visiting the clinic, it could delay or prevent them from seeking care their pet needs.

 Although a cat’s fear and anxiety can be treated with medications such as gabapentin, some clinics and shelters turn to pheromone diffusers to help calm feline patients in distress. 

“This is probably the most widely studied product in all of veterinary medicine. There are studies in cats and in dogs. There are studies looking at effects of the pheromones on relationships between animals, relationships with people, fear of storms, fear of sounds, in shelters, fear in the veterinary clinic, urine marking, [and] behavior in puppies,” Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB, owner of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service, said in an interview with 

“I consider it one of our first-line products. Pheromones are unlikely to do harm and probably will help to some extent with most behavior problems that involve fear, anxiety, and stress. Like everything else, nothing works 100% for every single animal,” she said. 

The late Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, MS, DABVP (Feline), who died in September 2023, explained that pheromones are substances that are secreted from sebaceous and sweat glands, in a 2023 interview with 

. Like most mammals, cats communicate with other felines by leaving and detecting messages from pheromones left within the environment by rubbing their face on things, urine marking, or scratching an upright surface. The pheromones create a sense of safety that relieves stress and soothes the cat. 

“If you think 'air fresheners,' that’s what we’re talking about here. Only instead of a scent such as lavender or pumpkin pie being infused into an area, it’s a pheromone, a species-specific chemical signal that affects behavior,” explained Terry Curtis, DVM, MS, DACVB, a courtesy clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, in an interview with 

. “The pheromone products for use in the veterinary arena are generally used to affect behavior–in a positive way–in cats. These pheromone products can be used as a sole treatment, and in many cases quite successfully, or as part of a multipronged treatment plan,” Curtis added. 

Pheromone diffusers can help calm cats of all ages in various scenarios. Colleran explained that anytime a territorial animal is removed from its home, it will experience arousal and stress. These products can be used to help ease the stress of leaving as well as aggression and social tension that may arise when a family welcomes another feline into the home. In a study funded by Ceva Santé Animale, researchers investigated the efficiency of appeasing pheromone diffusers for managing feline aggression in homes with more than 1 cat.

For some clients, traveling with pets can be a necessity. For feline patients, pheromones can be sprayed inside the travel carrier before a car or plane trip. A study published by the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery investigated how to use a multimodal approach for treating feline stress during air travel. 

This study found that using a synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of the feline facial pheromone has been reported to reduce anxiety in cats that are in unfamiliar surroundings. The researchers also shared that feline facial pheromone treatment reduced somatic stress responses and anxiety-related behavior for cats traveling in a car.

Although pheromone diffusers can help treat anxiety and keep felines calm in the clinic, they are not an end-all cure. If any pet owner is interested in testing these products, Radosta stated that although it is an option, pheromones do not substitute for providing safe, secure, and enriched environments for feline patients, which is especially important for multicat households. 

“What’s nice about these products is that they are easily obtained [no prescription needed], relatively inexpensive, and generally a 'do no harm' effective option," Curtis added. “That said, as with all treatments for pets with behavioral issues, there isn’t any 1 product that is a panacea, a cure-all for all dogs and cats in all situations. But to be honest and transparent, I put a pheromone collar on every dog patient that I see and have done so for the past 20 years. I wouldn’t continue to do so if I—and my clients—didn’t see positive effects.” 

Pheromone diffusers are an additional tool that can help with behavior or conflict but are not the solution. Veterinary professionals should encourage clients to speak with them or their team members beforehand if they are interested in using pheromones to help treat their pets. 

Pereira JS, Fragoso S, Beck A, Lavigne S, Varejão AS, da Graça Pereira G. Improving the feline veterinary consultation: the usefulness of Feliway spray in reducing cats’ stress. 

. 2016;18(12):959-964. doi:10.1177/1098612X15599420 

DePorter TL, Bledsoe DL, Beck A, Ollivier E. Evaluation of the efficacy of an appeasing pheromone diffuser product vs placebo for management of feline aggression in multi-cat households: a pilot study. 

. 2019;21(4):293-305. doi:10.1177/1098612X18774437 

Jahn K, DePorter T. Feline stress management during air travel: a multimodal approach. 

. 2023;25(1):1098612X221145521. doi:10.1177/1098612X221145521

Pheromone diffusers can be a valuable tool for veterinary teams and clients seeking to help relieve their pet’s stress 

Calming the stressed cat

With cancer affecting approximately 6 million dogs each year,

 the veterinary demand for individualized canine cancer testing has been on the rise.

 In an effort to revolutionize clinical approaches to cancer treatment for dogs, ImpriMed, a precision medicine startup, recently announced the launch of ImpriMed Drug Response Predictions (DRP), an artificial intelligence (AI) service that delivers personalized anticancer drug response predictions for canine patients with lymphoma or leukemia.

ImpriMed’s DRP tool is an addition to the company’s personalized prediction profile, which includes an “immunoprofile” report that provides clonality and immunophenotype information. This report allows the veterinary oncologist to definitively diagnose the presence and subtype of lymphoma and leukemia.

 DRP, which is also being offered as a standalone test, utilizes AI technology and a database of known clinical outcomes of canine patients with lymphoma and leukemia.

 The prediction tool analyzes the patient’s health information, including their live cancer cells, medical history, and breed to provide insight into which drugs are likely to result in effective treatment.

"AI is a powerful ally in advancing patient outcomes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatments, and ultimately, elevating the standard of care,” Sungwon Lim, PhD, CEO and cofounder of ImpriMed, said in a news release.

 “We’re thrilled to unveil ImpriMed Drug Response Predictions to fulfill growing customer demand for individualized testing and fundamentally transform clinical approaches to canine cancer treatment. With ImpriMed’s personalized predictions, veterinarians can quickly and confidently establish treatment plans that improve the quality of life for patients and their pet parents.”

During the testing process, the patient’s live cancer cells are exposed to 13 commonly used blood cancer drugs.

 Thereafter, the prognostic predictions for CHOP, a chemotherapy drug combination that contains cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, are delivered within 6 to 7 calendar days of receiving patient samples at ImpriMed’s California laboratory.

According to ImpriMed, their AI technology services have resulted in the following

, dogs with relapsed B-cell lymphoma that received ImpriMed's DRP experienced an extended median survival time of 160 to 187 days.4

Improved veterinarian-client relationships

: 70 of 87 surveyed veterinary oncologists reported having a better understanding of treatment options through the individualized care plans provided in ImpriMed reports. Expedited access to the most effective treatments, may help reduce client expenses and potentially improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.

: 83 of 87 surveyed veterinary oncologists using ImpriMed were satisfied with the company’s report content and their services overall. Survey respondents noted decreased treatment costs, improved clinician or facility/clinic reputation, and the potential to improve patient survival time as primary service benefits.

In a 2016 necropsy study of 2002 dogs, it was revealed that 45% of canines aged 10 years or older and 23% of dogs of all ages died of cancer.

 Moreover, according to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 6 million cats receive a new cancer diagnosis yearly.

 An AI drug response prediction tool like ImpriMed’s DRP is a promising step toward improved pet patient care, according to the company.

What is comparative oncology? National Cancer Institute. Accessed May 28, 2024. 

https://ccr.cancer.gov/Comparative-Oncology-Program/pet-owners/what-is-comp-onc

ImpriMed launches innovative AI-driven Drug Response Predictions (DRP) service to guide tailored treatments, meet rising demand in veterinary oncology. News release. ImpriMed. May 28, 2024. Accessed May 28, 2024. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240528896580/en/ImpriMed-Launches-Innovative-AI-Driven-Drug-Response-Predictions-DRP-Service-to-Guide-Tailored-Treatments-Meet-Rising-Demand-in-Veterinary-Oncology

Services for canine lymphoma & leukemia. ImpriMed. Accessed May 28, 2024. 

https://www.imprimedicine.com/immunoprofile#:~:text=The%20ImpriMed%20Immunoprofile%20report%20includes,subtype%20of%20lymphoma%20and%20leukemia

Callegari AJ, Tsang J, Park S, et al. Multimodal Machine Learning models identify chemotherapy drugs with prospective clinical efficacy in dogs with relapsed B-cell lymphoma. Frontiers in Oncology. 2024;14. 

https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1304144

Gardner HL, Fenger JM, London CA. Dogs as a model for cancer. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences. 2016;4(1):199-222. 

https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-110911

ImpriMed has announced the launch of the Drug Response Predictions service used to forecast how each dog will respond to certain oncology treatments.  