Benita Altier, LVT, VTS (Dentistry), discusses how veterinary professionals can choose the best lighting and magnification tools for their individual needs.

Selecting the right fit in dentistry care tools

Benita Altier, LVT, VTS (Dentistry), owner of Pawsitive Dental Education, provides professional dental instruction and consultation to veterinary practices and conferences both in the US and internationally. Altier is president-elect for the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and a past president for the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Altier presented a continuing education (CE) session about lighting, magnification, and seating during the 2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Long Beach, California. In a 

interview, she discussed key points of this CE session, including selecting lighting and magnification tools such as loupes that best fit the individual needs of the care provider. This video is a portion of the interview.

The following is a transcript, lightly edited for clarity:

 You can't necessarily buy something off the shelf that's...one-size-fits-all, or even something that's infinitely adjustable that could potentially make it so multiple people could use the same pair of loupes. If you really want to do this profession for a long period of time and really be comfortable—and not actually cause more injury on top of injury—I would definitely recommend exploring the option of customized loupes and lights, because the manufacturer actually creates them based on your pupillary distance, [as well as] your torso height, your table height, and your working distance. That way, they're adjusted specifically for what you need them to be. Usually, the ones that are customized can have your prescription lenses in [them].

It really is going to be your happy place, so to speak, if you have well-fitting loupes and lights that actually have the correct prescription in them, or magnification, or whatever is going to be what you need. The other thing is [that], usually, the ones that are higher end and more customized are going to be lighter weight as well, and the lighting is going to be a lot safer [and] better quality....

To view additional coverage of the Fetch Long Beach conference from the 

content team, visit the event’s dedicated news page: 

https://www.dvm360.com/conference/fetch-long-beach

Videos

Selecting the right fit in dentistry care tools 

Parasitologist Susan Little explains how transmission timing differs by pathogen, demonstrates safe tick removal, and shows why year-round systemic tick control plus targeted vaccines best protect pets.

Prevent tick-borne disease with time-sensitive interventions

 interview, Susan Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), breaks down when common tick-borne pathogens are transmitted and what clinicians and owners can do to prevent them. She explains which infections can transfer within hours vs the 24- to 48-hour window for Lyme and 

, demonstrates gentle and effective tick removal, and outlines why continuous systemic tick control and selective vaccination are the most practical defenses. Watch for clear, actionable advice you can use at the clinic or share with clients.

Susan Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology):

 I'm Susan Little. I'm a veterinarian and a parasitologist. I worked in academia for 30 years, teaching veterinary students at the University of Georgia and Oklahoma State University. I still am active as a veterinary parasitologist, but I'm focusing more on continuing education for veterinarians and technicians, just sharing my love of parasites around the world. Here at the Fetch conference in Long Beach, I'm presenting on perfect timing—timing of transmission of tick-borne infections—because one of the most common questions we get from pet owners, and that I get from veterinarians, is: 

How long does a tick have to feed in order to transmit an infection?

 It's a complicated question, and I'm really excited that [Boehringer Ingelheim] invited me here to share about that topic.

The thing with tick-borne infections is that [they vary] so much. It depends on which tick and which infection. Even within the same tick-pathogen system, we see differences in different experimental models in terms of how long the tick has to feed to transmit infection. So there aren't hard-and-fast rules, but there are some general trends. The rickettsial infections—like 

 species [Rocky Mountain spotted fever agent]—are all transmitted within that first day of tick feeding. Anywhere from 3, 6, 12, to 24 hours, those pathogens can be transmitted from tick to host.

, the agent of Lyme disease, it takes longer—at least 24 to 48 hours of tick feeding before transmission to the host typically occurs—so we have a window of opportunity there to kill the tick before it can transmit infection. The same is true with 

—about 24 to 48 hours before the organism in the tick has matured enough to be transmitted to the host. Again, that gives us an opportunity to kill the ticks before they transmit infection.

To remove a tick that's already attached to one of our patients, the recommendation to clients and staff is gentle, steady rearward traction. Our goal, of course, is not to snap it off, because we don't want to leave mouthparts in the skin. If you do leave mouthparts, it's not a disaster—it's just a foreign body in the skin, similar to a splinter—but ideally, we remove the entire tick. I say “steady rearward traction” because we don't want to compress the tick and express its contents into the feeding site or onto our hands.

We also recommend using a tool—forceps, tweezers, or a tick-removal tool, [a small spoon-like tool with a slot that lets you scoop under the tick without compressing it]. If you're going to use your hands, gloves are always recommended in practice because we don't want tick contents to get into hangnails or any open cuts on the hand. Once the tick is removed, transmission stops, but there may already have been exposure, so it's important to counsel the owner about ongoing tick control. What we always say is: Every pet, every month, all yearlong. Pets need continuous tick control to prevent the next tick from completing its feeding on the host.

A seropositive dog that appears asymptomatic always presents a quandary in practice. We have to sort out what that positive test means and whether the dog would benefit from antibiotic treatment. It's now recommended by [the Companion Animal Parasite Council, American Association of Feline Practitioners, and American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine] to test dogs annually for antibodies to tick-borne infections. Because of that, we find many dogs that are seropositive but clinically normal.

The first thing I encourage is to delve a little deeper into the patient and confirm they are truly asymptomatic. We want to pull additional laboratory work. For a dog that's antibody positive [for] 

 [Lyme], we would look carefully for evidence of proteinuria that might suggest the dog could be developing Lyme nephritis and might benefit from antibiotic treatment. I also suggest getting a really good history from the owner. If they tell you that their 3-year-old lab has suddenly become much quieter and more subdued, that suggests to me the dog might be [in pain]. Often, it's not clinically obvious because the dog is stoic, so it's up to us to sort that out and decide whether treatment is indicated.

, then for those pathogens, we're going to run a [complete blood count] and a serum chemistry profile and look for the classic thrombocytopenia, maybe some anemia, or even pancytopenia if it's severe ehrlichiosis. Large granular lymphocytes are common in ehrlichiosis. On serum chemistry, we look for evidence such as hypergammaglobulinemia.

The possibility of local [autochthonous] transmission of 

 is even more important now because more pets in more places are being infected. We used to think Lyme was contained to the Northeast and the upper Midwest, and maybe some spots along the West Coast, but we now know it's endemic and actively transmitted in places like Tennessee, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and throughout West Virginia.

For preventing tick-borne infections, we really have to focus on the ticks. We do have vaccines for Lyme in dogs, which is fantastic. If we get a robust OspA response to that vaccine, the dog will be protected from infection [by] 

. But that's just one infection; there are so many tick-transmitted pathogens, some described and some not yet recognized. By keeping pets on tick control—every pet, every month, all yearlong—we're limiting the time a tick can feed and therefore limiting transmission.

Some products are labeled to prevent transmission of 

—for example, NexGard or NexGard Plus has FDA label claims for prevention of transmission of Lyme in certain contexts—so that can be reassuring. But there are many different infections transmitted by ticks, and systemic tick control with the isoxazoline class [the “-laner” compounds, eg, fluralaner) is really the cornerstone of any tick control program.

If a pet lives in an area [where] the tick pressure is extremely high [for a few months]—for example, in the Southeast and south central states, [where] Lone Star ticks are abundant in spring, or in the Northeast and upper Midwest in October [and] November, when 

 activity is high—you might consider adding a second topical product for those intense months in addition to the systemic isoxazoline. But year-round systemic protection is important.

As veterinarians, we're always trying to balance providing appropriate care without overtreating. When we find antibodies to a tick-borne infection, that's an invitation to a conversation with the owner: Get the history and the additional lab work so that if the patient has clinical disease, we treat appropriately and they recover. We also need that information so we can advise the client on what to do going forward to make sure it doesn't happen again. Whether it's antibodies to a tick-borne infection or actually finding a tick on the pet, something has failed in the prevention system, and we want to make sure the pet is protected with a tick-control product going forward.

If the pet is on an isoxazoline [a “-laner”], the ticks do have to feed to acquire the drug and be killed. It's helpful to show owners a dead tick; an attached tick that is dry and crunchy and whose legs come off if you flick it [is] not a healthy tick. That shows the dog or cat is likely protected from infection because the tick was killed, which is exactly what we want the product to do. Helping owners understand how the tick-control product they're using actually works is...a real service to them.

To read more news and view expert insights from Fetch Long Beach, visit 

’s dedicated site for conference coverage at 

Susan Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), explains how transmission timing differs by pathogen, demonstrates safe tick removal, and shows why year-round systemic tick control plus targeted vaccines best protect pets.

Five top US veterinary schools are creating new programs to support research and development in various areas of feline and canine health. The programs, which will focus on nutrition, dermatology, cognition, and canine performance, are being funded by donations from Purina.

The new programs will be developed at the following schools:

University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Auburn, Alabama

University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida

Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins, Colorado

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York

"For decades, we have worked closely with veterinary schools to advance pet health and support the professional development of the veterinary community," Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD, chief veterinary officer for Purina, said in an organizational press release.

 "These 5 new programs promise to offer nutritional and scientific advances and enrich the education and training of future leaders in veterinary medicine for generations to come."

 The school will develop the Purina Canine Cognition and Performance Program to expand the Penn Vet Working Dog Center in the areas of canine cognition and performance. The program will focus on furthering the health and safety of people, pets, and the environment, and it will include “lifesaving search and rescue dogs to family companions,” according to Purina.

Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine: 

For this school, the donation will result in the Purina Professorship in Veterinary Nutrition, which will focus on developing education and training across all areas of canine and feline nutrition. The objective is to ensure “current and future generations of veterinary professionals can offer the highest level of comprehensive, integrative care.”

University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine: 

The university will establish the Purina Endowed Professor of Dermatology, which will support diagnostic and interventional training, as well as research in veterinary dermatology and integrative nutrition.

Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine

At this college, students will have access to a new Purina Nutrition Suite—a 4-room building for education and training in nutrition. The facility will be located at the school’s Veterinary Health and Education Complex. The initiative will build on the recently established Purina Young Investigator Award Program, which provides ongoing funding to students and their faculty mentors to pursue and share scientific research.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: 

In Ithaca, Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine will create the Purina Cornell Veterinary Nutrition Program, which will build on the school’s work in nutrition, training, and clinical research. The program is intended to advance nutritional management strategies for healthy pets and those with complex health conditions. The new program will operate alongside the existing Purina Cornell Canine Healthy Aging and Mobility Program. “[T]his collaboration creates a multidisciplinary, integrative medicine center of excellence—one that will drive innovation and advance pet health and veterinary medicine,” Purina wrote in its announcement.

Purina announces donations to five leading veterinary schools to foster advancements in veterinary care. News release. Purina. December 9, 2025. Accessed December 9, 2025. https://newscenter.purina.com/2025-12-09-Purina-Announces-Donations-to-Five-Leading-Veterinary-Schools-to-Foster-Advancements-in-Veterinary-Care 

Articles

Five US veterinary schools will launch innovative programs funded by Purina, focusing on research in pet health, veterinary education, and more.

New programs to launch at 5 top veterinary schools

, our host, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Derek Matthews, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), to the show to educate our listeners more on feline cardiology and sirolimus delayed-release tablets (felycin-CA1). 

Throughout the episode, Christman and Matthews take a closer look at the medicine, who it should and should not be prescribed to, what to look out for, and previous research, including the results of the RAPACAT trial, which were published in the 

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

I just love how medicine evolves, because you're right, we did not learn those pathways in veterinary school.... Are there any contraindications [for] any cats?

Derek Matthews, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology): 

That's a really good question.... It does not work for cats with diabetes [or for] cats with preexisting liver disease or [that] are on other drugs that induce cytochrome P450. So, that's a lot of drugs—antifungals, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, cisapride, macrolide antibiotics, metoclopramide, phenobarbital, pimobendan, or any diuretics. The label also says that [for] cats with 

 gene mutations, it should be used with caution. It hasn't been evaluated at all in cats with viral diseases or chronic steroid use.

The other thing, just as a practicing clinician, [is that] blood work needs to be monitored closely before you start them on it...and 1 to 2 months after starting it to look for evidence of [them] becoming at risk for diabetes or develop[ing] [alanine aminotransferase] or [aspartate aminotransferase] liver enzyme changes—that kind of a thing. 

And cats [with] heart failure or with severe obstructions inside their heart...it's not clear that those cats should be on this medication.

Got it; [that's] interesting. [I] love it.

Podcasts

What exactly is Felycin-CA1, and how does it work?

Cardiology insights: Building on the RAPACAT trial with a new study for cats

Fromm Family Foods has voluntarily recalled 300 cases of its Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food amid concerns that the frozen dog food may be contaminated with plastic, the company said in an announcement shared by the FDA last week.

The recall was announced after Fromm received complaints of plastic contamination from consumers.

In its announcement, the company said it was taking steps to address the issue. “We have identified the error, and in addition to our existing safety process, we have put corrective actions in place to prevent this from happening again,” Fromm wrote.

The affected product, Bonnihill BeefiBowls Beef Recipe, comes in a 16-oz cylindrical, sausage-like tube. Its best by date is December 25, 2026. Below is additional information:

The product was distributed at neighborhood pet stores in parts of the United States, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. It was also sold in Ontario, Canada.

To date, the company has not received any reports of illness or injury linked to the contaminated product, Fromm said. According to the company, none of its other products were affected by the recall.

Symptoms associated with plastic ingestion in dogs include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or stomach pain. Plastic can create cuts in the digestive tract and pose a choking hazard.

 In larger amounts, plastic consumption can lead to an intestinal obstruction.

One concerning sign is a dog that is hunched over and straining to defecate, producing little or no stool. Dogs may crouch close to the ground with their tails tucked or show other signs of discomfort. If this posture is paired with whining, it can suggest abdominal pain or even a possible bowel obstruction, which requires immediate veterinary care.

Respiratory issues, such as difficulty breathing, heavy panting, or lying on one side while breathing with an open mouth, can also be indicative of an obstruction. Pronounced abdominal breathing should also be evaluated by a veterinarian.

I purchased Bonnihill BeefiBowls Beef Recipe, now what?

Fromm is urging anyone who bought the Bonnihill BeefiBowls Beef Recipe dog food with a “Best By 12/25/2026” to return it to the place of purchase. Consumers who have any questions can contact the company at 1-800-325-6331 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time. The company can also be emailed at info@frommfamily.com.

Fromm Family Foods voluntarily recalls Bonnihill BeefiBowls food for dogs due to potential foreign material contamination. News release. FDA. December 3, 2025. Accessed December 9, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fromm-family-foods-voluntarily-recalls-bonnihill-beefibowls-food-dogs-due-potential-foreign-material

My dog ate plastic: what do I do next? Fetch Specialty & Emergency Veterinary Centers. Accessed December 9, 2025. 

https://fetchvets.com/blog/dog-ate-plastic-brandon-fl/

Miranda G. My dog ate plastic, what do I do? VEG ER for Pets. November 8, 2021. Accessed December 9, 2025. 

The product was sold in more than 10 states.

Frozen dog food voluntarily recalled following complaints of plastic contamination

This content is sponsored by PRN Pharmacal.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most frequently diagnosed cardiac condition in cats, affecting approximately 1 in 7 felines (14%), a rate significantly higher than that seen in humans (1 in 300-500). The disease is characterized by abnormal thickening of the left ventricle, leading to impaired diastolic function. This myocardial hypertrophy involves disarrayed cardiomyocytes, fibrotic changes within the heart muscle, and compromised myocardial blood supply.

Although HCM is thought to be predominantly genetic, a substantial number of cats with the disease do not carry any currently recognized mutations, underscoring the need for ongoing investigation. Several genetic variants have been associated with HCM in certain purebred breeds—most notably 

 mutations, including the A31P variant in Maine coons and mutations identified in Ragdolls.

Although prevalence is high, the diagnosis of subclinical HCM can be challenging. Early detection offers the best opportunity to intervene.

 This is considered the gold standard for diagnosis and clinical staging of HCM.

 Heart murmurs are not sensitive or specific for HCM, although louder murmurs (≥ 3/6) warrant additional screening for HCM. Gallop sounds are a good indication of myocardial disease and should prompt echocardiography.

 NTproBNP is currently the best-performing biomarker. Quantitative testing is preferred when screening for subclinical disease. Values in excess of 50 pmol/L should prompt reevaluation, and values over 100 pmol/L should prompt immediate HCM screening by echocardiography.

 The presence of arrhythmias, predominantly ventricular, should prompt echocardiographic screening for HCM.

 Not sensitive for early disease detection and thus not recommended for screening. However, if left atrial or ventricular enlargement is obvious on thoracic radiographs, echocardiography is recommended.

Maine coon and Ragdoll cats should be genetically tested for known 

Positive cats should begin annual NTproBNP or echo screening at 2 to 3 years.

Obstructive HCM (oHCM) is a subtype of HCM involving left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, often from septal bulges or systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Obstruction increases systolic left ventricular pressure and exacerbates hypertrophy. Cats with oHCM often have heart murmurs and thus may be more readily detected in the population.

HCM is diagnosed by echocardiographic identification of left ventricular wall thickness exceeding 6 mm (excluding papillary muscles/moderator bands) during diastole. For cats under 3 kg, a 5-mm threshold may be more appropriate. 

HCM isn’t the only thing that causes left ventricular thickening; phenocopies must also be ruled out:

 Common in older cats; test total thyroxine in cats older than 6 years.

 Screen via Doppler blood pressure and fundic exam.

 Aortic stenosis, acromegaly, transient thickening post severe stress, and severe hypovolemia.

Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic to congestive heart failure (CHF), thromboembolism, and/or sudden death. Myocardial ischemia and ventricular arrhythmias are common in more advanced stages.

 At-risk cats without evidence of disease (eg, Maine coon cat with 

 mutation); recommend annual reevaluations.

 Asymptomatic cats with left ventricular hypertrophy but normal or minimally enlarged left atrial size; annual rechecks advised.

 Left ventricular hypertrophy with moderate left atrial enlargement or other obvious disease progression risk factors, but no clinical signs.

 Clinical signs (eg, CHF, thromboembolic disease) are present.

 can occur at any of these stages and may come and go from evaluation to evaluation.

 Occasionally used for moderate to severe oHCM. Theoretical benefits include reducing obstruction, preventing arrhythmias, improving myocardial perfusion, and cardioprotection. However, no study (although largely underpowered) has identified a survival benefit or improvement in disease morbidity.

Sirolimus delayed-release tablets (Felycin-CA1):

 This delayed-release rapamycin product is now conditionally approved for the management of left ventricular hypertrophy in cats with subclinical HCM. It should be avoided in cats with diabetes and those with abnormal liver enzymes on routine biochemistry.

 Recommended to reduce thromboembolic risk due to left atrial enlargement. Though unproven for preventing first-time events, its safety and efficacy in secondary prevention support its use.

 Approximately 20% of cats are resistant to standard clopidogrel dosing, which may be in part due to genetic variants. Consider genetic testing and/or adding 

 in high-risk cases, such as those with severe atrial enlargement, obvious blood stasis, or early clot formation in the left atrium.

ACE inhibitors (enalapril or benazepril):

 Sometimes used to mitigate remodeling and fluid retention in advanced stage B2. No survival benefit has been demonstrated.

 Recommended first-line diuretic to manage fluid accumulation.

 Used to mitigate remodeling and fluid retention in cats with appropriate renal function.

 Added in advanced CHF to further inhibit RAAS.

 Frequently used in first-time or repeat CHF, especially in nonobstructive cases. It is shown to improve left atrial function in multiple studies and does not appear to cause harm.

Therapeutic options for feline HCM have been limited for decades, but several medications under investigation are showing promise:

Delayed-release rapamycin (Felycin-CA1): 

In a recent pilot study, rapamycin reduced or halted ventricular thickening in subclinical HCM. A conditionally approved product is now available, and the fully approved product is awaiting the results of larger clinical trials. A large, multicenter trial (HALT HCM) is underway. This represents the most promising advancement in feline cardiomyopathy management to date.

Sarcomere contractility inhibitors (eg, mavacamten/aficamten):

 These appear effective in humans with HCM and oHCM. Both have shown appropriate pharmacologic activity in cats, but feline-specific chronic dosing trials are lacking.

Feline HCM remains a complex, prevalent, and often devastating disease. Although cats can remain asymptomatic for years, progression to CHF or thromboembolism can be sudden. A structured approach to screening, staging, and individualized therapy is essential.

New therapies, such as rapamycin and myosin inhibitors, hold the potential to fundamentally alter the HCM treatment landscape in cats. Continued research and clinical trial participation are critical to move the field forward for this incredibly common feline disease.