A developmental drug targeting pain associated with feline osteoarthritis (OA) has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP). With this opinion, the CVMP is recommending marketing authorization for relfovetmab (Portela; Zoetis), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy.

Relfovetmab is on track to be the first approved long-acting anti–nerve growth factor (NGF) mAb therapy for cats, according to Zoetis. The company is anticipating the drug to become commercially available in the European Union in 2026.

The single-injection drug is designed to target NGF, a key mediator of OA pain, and provide 3 months of relief. The CVMP’s recommendation for marketing authorization is based on a positive benefit-risk balance of the safety and efficacy data submitted by Zoetis. Relfovetmab demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating OA pain in clinical trials. The therapy was also found to be well tolerated, including in felines with kidney disease.

“The CVMP’s positive opinion for [relfovetmab] represents a significant step forward in advancing feline pain management,” Rob Polzer, PhD, executive vice president and president of research and development with Zoetis, said in a news release.

 “The long-acting antibody properties of [relfovetmab] and its unique binding site to NGF will soon offer veterinarians and cat owners in the European Union a new option to alleviate pain associated with [OA], thereby helping to improve the quality of life for affected cats.”

Although less than 20% of felines are diagnosed with OA, up to 40% of cats have clinical signs of the chronic and progressive joint disease.

 “The statistics show that about 60% of cats over the age of 6 [years] have x-ray evidence of arthritis, and 90% of cats over the age of 12 [years] have radiographic [OA]," said Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, CACVSMR, founder of Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE).

“Arthritis is very common in cats. As they age, basically all cats are going to develop arthritis similar to how all humans...develop some degree of wear and tear and joint disease,” Kirkby Shaw said in a 

OA causes inflammation and breakdown of joints, which leads to pain and mobility issues.

 “Cats are, importantly, meant to be vertical creatures; they want to jump up [and] get up high. And as their joint disease and their associated pain get worse, it gets harder and harder for them to get up onto those higher surfaces,” Kirkby Shaw said.

The disease also affects sleep, relationships, and cognition, according to Zoetis.

 “If they ache and are trying to protect themselves from threats, they might actually pull away from engaging with their family. They may not want to be held or may not want to sit on the couch next to the family,” Kirkby Shaw said.

Quality of life can be improved with the management of pain associated with OA, and relfovetmab could join Zoetis’ frunevetmab (Solensia) therapy—an anti-NGF mAb for monthly relief of pain associated with OA in cats—as another therapeutic option.

“If approved, [relfovetmab] will be a new, science-driven solution designed to support long-term comfort and mobility for cats—with the added benefit that pet owners only need to bring their cats in for an injection once every 3 months," Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, global chief medical officer and head of medical affairs with Zoetis, said in the release. "We look forward to providing veterinarians with another innovative tool to help them improve the quality of life for the animals in their care."

Zoetis receives positive opinion from CVMP for Portela (relfovetmab) to alleviate pain associate with osteoarthritis in cats. News release. Zoetis. September 12, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. 

https://investor.zoetis.com/news/news-details/2025/Zoetis-Receives-Positive-Opinion-from-CVMP-for-Portela-relfovetmab-to-Alleviate-Pain-Associated-with-Osteoarthritis-in-Cats/default.aspx

Kirby Shaw K, Bautista-Alejandre A. Feline arthritis remains underdiagnosed. 

. May 22, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/feline-arthritis-remains-underdiagnosed

Kirby Shaw K, Bautista-Alejandre A. How osteoarthritis affects cats. 

. May 23, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/how-osteoarthritis-affects-cats

Articles

The monoclonal antibody therapy (Portela; Zoetis) is designed to provide relief from pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Developmental drug for feline pain takes a step forward in Europe

In this clip, Deborah Thomson, DVM, emphasizes the importance of public education on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) transmission. 

Educating the public on H5N1 risks through One Health

In this clip, Deborah Thomson, DVM, emphasizes the importance of public education on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) transmission. Through a One Health perspective, Thomson explains that the virus can spread from wild birds to farm animals through contaminated feed and water and notes a possible risk to humans via raw meat or milk. Although evidence for human infection through food is limited and still under study, Thomson highlights that clear communication about interconnected risks can help communities protect themselves and reduce worry about the virus.

Avian influenza, One Health, and a new resource for educating communities

Thomson is the founder and executive director of One Health Lessons, author of the acclaimed book 

, and chair of the World Veterinary Association’s One Health Education Subgroup.

Cats as H5N1 indicators in the community and response steps

Below is the video transcript, lightly edited for improved clarity.

 Hello, I'm Dr Deborah Thompson, and I am the founder and executive director of One Health Lessons. One Health Lessons is an educational nonprofit that teaches about One Health.

Everybody is interconnected on this planet. If the environment is hurting, then animals can have issues and people can have issues—we all know that. When it comes to bird flu, what a lot of people just don't realize is how it can transmit. That particular virus can transmit from wild birds to eventually people. And so, if we as veterinarians explain in a simple way that wild birds can contaminate feed and water sources and farm animals, then that can ultimately transmit to us via raw milk or raw meat. And the same thing goes with house pets too. So just keeping it very simple and educating the public about that connection between everything is going to help people not only protect themselves, but also worry less about this particular virus.

Videos

Deborah Thomson, DVM, discusses how One Health education connects environmental health, animal welfare, and human safety, especially regarding bird flu transmission.

Terravet Real Estate Solutions, a veterinary property owner and management company, has acquired multiple hospital properties in recent months. The latest announced by the company is Eastern Animal Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Eastern Animal Hospital has been in business more than 30 years.

 Its current facility, built in 2019, is a 16,433 sq ft property.

"It's rare to find a facility this well designed, this well located, and backed by such a high-performing practice," Daniel Eisenstadt, CEO of Terravet, said in a news release.

 "Eastern Animal Hospital raises the bar for what veterinary real estate can look like in an urban setting and represents exactly the kind of long-term, value-driven property we aim to hold."

The facility's accommodates clinical and nonmedical services versatile layout that allows for future expansion. It is located in a highly visible, dense urban corridor and is accessible to pet owners in the city and surrounding area, according to Terravet.

The practice offers urgent and emergency care as well as dentistry, behavioral medicine, surgery, microchipping, wellness, diagnostics and laboratory services. The facility also houses a pharmacy, and provides boarding, daycare, hospice and euthanasia services.

The practice provides waiting clients with complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, water and snacks. It also offers customers a Bark Bucks Rewards Program, which allows them to earn points that can be redeemed for free services and products.

Terravet’s recent acquisitions also included the following:

 (OVG) in California: A 45-year-old practice housed in a 12,861 sq ft property that was completed in 2023. A team of more than 50 veterinary professionals provides general, emergency and specialty care.

“OVG's new facility is one of the most advanced veterinary properties in the Central Valley, and securing it ensures long-term stability for a practice that has provided trusted care to generations of Oakdale pet owners," Eisenstadt said in a news release.

 in Marietta, Georgia: The 12,726 sq ft facility is the only 24/7 emergency hospital in its area. The practice employs more than 70 veterinary professionals.

“Facilities like Dogwood play a critical role in their communities by providing the specialized expertise and round-the-clock availability that pet owners depend on during emergencies,” Eisenstadt said in a news release.

 in Mississippi: The newly renovated facility supports a practice that has served its community for more than 30 years. Improvements include ADA compliance, and an increased number or exam room and parking for clients. The project also includes space for future expansion.

“The new space allows us to provide a higher level of care and meet ongoing demand from pet owners in the northwest Mississippi region,” Mark Ziller, president and CEO of Innovetive Pet Care, the owner of Hernando Animal Clinic, said in a news release.

Terravet has also acquired a brewery in Tukwila, Washington, that is converted into veterinary space. In partnership with 

the redevelopment project expands the practice’s footprint to 14,825 sq ft. The 24/7 emergency facility features a flexible layout and state-of-the-art infrastructure, according to Terravet.

"This project shows how adaptive reuse can meet the needs of veterinary operators and the communities they serve. We've reinforced BluePearl's long-term presence by delivering a property that works for them and increasing access to high-quality pet care in South King County," Eisenstadt said in a news release.

Other recent acquisitions and redevelopment projects include the conversion of a former furniture store in Roseville, California, into a 31,000 sq ft veterinary hospital, and the purchase of 3 suburban veterinary and pet care properties in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Terravet Real Estate Solutions acquires Baltimore’s State-of-the-Art Eastern Animal Hospital for $7.75 million. News release. September 11, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250911402126/en/Terravet-Real-Estate-Solutions-Acquires-Baltimores-State-of-the-Art-Eastern-Animal-Hospital-for-%247.75-Million

About Eastern Animal Hospital. Eastern Animal Hospital. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://easternanimalhospital.com/about-eastern-animal-hospital/

Veterinary services. Eastern Animal Hospital. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://easternanimalhospital.com/baltimore-md-veterinary-services/

Terravet completes $6 million acquisition of Oakdale Veterinary Group’s purpose-built facility in California’s Central Valley. News release. August 28, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250828367605/en/Terravet-Completes-%246-Million-Acquisition-of-Oakdale-Veterinary-Groups-Purpose-Built-Facility-in-Californias-Central-Valley

Terravet Real Estate Solutions acquires $3.33 million specialty emergency hospital in partnership with innovative in Marietta, Georgia. News release. August 7, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250807606199/en/Terravet-Real-Estate-Solutions-Acquires-%243.33-Million-Specialty-Emergency-Hospital-in-Partnership-with-Innovetive-in-Marietta-Georgia

Terravet Real Estate Solutions opens renovated $2.19 million Hernando Animal Clinic following strategic acquisition and expansion. July 31, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250731226064/en/Terravet-Real-Estate-Solutions-Opens-Renovated-%242.19-Million-Hernando-Animal-Clinic-Following-Strategic-Acquisition-and-Expansion

Terravet Real Estate Solutions acquires nearly $5 million former brewery for BluePearl Pet Hospital in Seattle metro. News release. July 22, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250722645998/en/Terravet-Real-Estate-Solutions-Acquires-Nearly-%245-Million-Former-Brewery-for-BluePearl-Pet-Hospital-in-Seattle-Metro

Facilities in Maryland, Georgia, California and Mississippi have recently been purchased or renovated by Terravet Real Estate Solutions.

Veterinary property management company has acquired multiple clinics

Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC), discusses signs of each condition

Differentiating between hypoglycemia, DKA, and HHS in emergency settings

In this clip, Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC), owner and founder of Melissa Evans, VTS (ECC): Veterinary Nurse Consulting, talks about clinical signs that can help veterinary professionals quickly differentiate between hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) when a patient with diabetes presents to the emergency department. She explains that differentiating between DKA and HHS can be challenging due to similar clinical signs. Patients with HHS, she explains, may present with lethargy, mental dullness, and, in extreme cases, coma. Still, Evans emphasizes that the only way to truly differentiate between the 2 conditions is to analyze the patient’s blood values and to do calculations to confirm whether the patient is experiencing HHS. Signs of hypoglycemia, meanwhile, include anorexia, lethargy, unresponsiveness, immobility, seizures (including facial seizures), and twitching.

Below is a transcript of the video, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity.

Usually, with hypoglycemia, we'll have reports from the owners that [the patients] haven’t been eating or that they are a known [cat with diabetes] who may have gotten extra insulin. Clinical signs [of hypoglycemia] are usually lethargy; they may not be moving at all [or] might not be responsive to things. Sometimes, they can have seizures, or a lot of owners say they start twitching; they have little focal facial seizures that [are] very common in hypoglycemia.

In DKA and HHS, it's a little harder to differentiate. The symptoms are very similar. Usually, with [HHS], the patients are much more lethargic. They're very dull mentally. Sometimes they're even obtunded. If it's really bad, they can be in a coma, but the only way to really differentiate between the 2 is to do some math and to look at their blood values, and then calculate [whether] they are hyperosmolar.

Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC), discusses signs of hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.

In this clip, Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC), owner and founder of Melissa Evans, VTS (ECC) Veterinary Nurse Consulting, discusses the top 3 complications that can occur from urinary obstructions. 

Top 3 complications from urinary obstructions

Atrial standstill is an abnormal heart rhythm that is seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG). The rhythm is characterized by the absence of P waves on the ECG machine.

 If left untreated, an atrial standstill can lead to asystole, or cardiac arrest.

In this clip, Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC), owner and founder of Melissa Evans, VTS (ECC) Veterinary Nurse Consulting, discusses the top 3 complications that can occur from urinary obstructions. She explains that the number 1 complication is hyperkalemia, which can lead to atrial standstill and then asystole if not treated in time.

Number one is hyperkalemia—that can really cause some major heart issues. And so, if we don't get that dealt with—if a patient doesn't get treatment in time—it can, in fact, lead to something called atrial standstill and then to asystole, where [patients] can die. So [that is] definitely [the] top complication.

Secondarily, we often see patients get very dehydrated and so after being obstructed, we have something called post obstructive diuresis, where we are giving them fluids, and we want the fluids that go into the patient to match the fluids that the patient excretes. And so, we will see them start to excrete more fluid than we are actually giving them, which can also cause dehydration. So, we want to try and match that [intake and excretion] as much as possible.

And then number 3, I'd say, is fairly rare, but it can happen when [patients] come in...late [and] it's been a while: that bladder can actually pop, basically. And then we have a uroabdomen. This can also happen when we're unblocking. Sometimes if we cause a tear in the urethra when it's being unblocked that can also cause a uroabdomen, and so we have to be really careful with that.

Atrial standstill. Animal Care Hospital. Accessed September 10, 2025. https://www.animalcarehospital.vet/sites/site-4271/documents/Atrial%20Standstill.pdf

The number 1 complication can lead to cardiac arrest if not treated in time.

With September marking National Service Dog Month, Pet Poison Helpline recently highlighted a case of 2 police K9s who fell ill during a training exercise after being exposed to high concentrations of hexachloroethane smoke.

 In the US, the military uses hexachloroethane for military or law enforcement tools designed to create heavy smoke clouds.

Django. (Image courtesy of Pet Poison Helpline)

The K9 dogs, Xander and Django, developed lethargy, vomiting, and respiratory signs shortly after they were exposed to the hexachloroethane smoke.

 Jordan Cross, K9 deputy at the Missoula County Sheriff's Office in Montana—the same department where Xander and Django serve as police canines—said Django became immediately lethargic and vomited shortly after. Django and Xander then rested for 15 minutes, but Django vomited again and coughed up mucus. According to Pet Poison Helpline, the dogs were monitored overnight, but when they continued to exhibit respiratory symptoms, they were brought to Ancare Veterinary Clinic in Missoula. The team at Ancare then contacted Pet Poison Helpline.

"It was a very good lesson," Cross said in a Pet Poison Helpline news release.

 "We were doing a joint training session with the SWAT team when 2 of our department's canines, Xander and Django, had a chemical exposure. We use 2 types of material: one is...2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile tear gas, and the other is...hexachloroethane smoke. The dogs did well with the gas, but we made an error with the smoke. It is supposed to be used in an open environment, but we used a higher concentration in an area that had a shed, and smoke accumulated in the building. When the canines went into the environment, there was too much smoke concentrated in a confined area. Basically, our poor planning negatively affected their airways."

Previous studies have found that hexachloroethane is “moderately irritating” in human skin, mucous membranes, and liver. Animals exposed to hexachloroethane have exhibited neurological, liver, and kidney effects.

Older Environmental Protection Agency documents classify hexachloroethane as a potential Group C human carcinogen.

Once the dogs were at Ancare, their veterinary team and Pet Poison Helpline devised a treatment plan that consisted of oxygen therapy, pain medication, chest x-rays, and several gastrointestinal protectants. According to Pet Poison Helpline, the team was also worried about the patients’ liver function. However, both dogs have experienced a successful, complete recovery and are back at work.

"Law enforcement officers are used to dealing with emergency situations, and fortunately, so are we," Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, said in a news release.

"The dogs had a strong reaction to the [hexachloroethane] smoke, which creates zinc chloride when it is discharged. [Because] September is National Service Dog Month, and police officers are also lifesavers, we thought it was a perfect time to share their story."

"This was the first time Xander and Django experienced live gas and smoke," Cross said.

 "The point was to get them used to it so they'd be ready when the real thing happens. We'll know what to correct in the future, and that's the point of training. We all learned from this mistake."

Police dogs leap into toxic training situation. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. September 10, 2025. Accessed September 10, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/police-dogs-leap-into-toxic-training-situation-302550259.html

Hexachloroethane. Environmental Protection Agency. January 2000. Accessed September 10, 2025. 

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/hexachloroethane.pdf

Hexachloroethane. National Institutes of Health. Accessed September 10, 2025.  

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hexachloroethane

The 2 dogs, Xander and Django, were successfully treated and have experienced a full recovery.