Mars Veterinary Health announced that it created a Medical Affairs Science Team that will focus on outcomes-based health care as well as clinical trials to leverage partnerships and the broad spectrum of data-driven insights. The goal of the team is to help veterinary professionals improve the lives of their patients through better ways to diagnose, treat, and predict patient conditions.

“We feel a responsibility to leverage our knowledge and reach to positively impact the future of veterinary care,” said Molly McAllister, DVM, MPH, chief medical officer, of Mars Veterinary Health, in an organizational release.

 “The formation of our Medical Affairs Science Team demonstrates our commitment to advancing the veterinary profession for the health and wellbeing of people, pets, and the planet.”

Led by Dottie Brown, MS, DVM, DACVS, vice president of science and healthcare innovation, the Medical Affairs Science Team consists of experienced veterinary scientists in both research and clinical care, who will focus on a client-centered health care delivery that prioritizes patient outcomes.

 The Medical Affairs Science team will also focus on the design, execution, and management of a high-quality and efficient clinical study. This will allow Mars Veterinary Health to contribute to the advancements of clinical science and research for the profession, according to the company.

The team will utilize partnerships with academic and industry institutions to gain data-driven insights and knowledge from across the 70,000 associates and 3,000 veterinary clinics within Mars Veterinary Health across the globe. The Medical Affairs Science Team hopes to enhance the lives of pets while also revolutionizing profession-wide care.

“As a purpose-driven, global organization at the forefront of veterinary care, we have the special opportunity to harness our knowledge, reach, and data-driven insights to lead industry-changing research and science,” said Brown.

 “This new team marks another step forward in our pursuit to advance veterinary medicine and ultimately make A Better World for Pets.”

Mars Veterinary Health doubles down on scientific focus with the formation of Medical Affairs Science Team. News release. March 14, 2024. Accessed March 14, 2024. 

https://www.marsveterinary.com/mvh-doubles-down-on-scientific-focus/

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The team will focus on clinical studies and outcome-based health care to improve the lives of pets. 

Veterinary care provider launches Medical Affairs Science Team 

Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, explains what role technicians can play in dermatological cases

Effectively utilizing your technicians in dermatology cases

Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, shared how she utilizes her technicians and what tasks they can take on to make patient visit run more smoothly. Teamwork in these cases can help with workload distribution and allow for maximized efficiency through coordinated efforts.

Dr Griffin will be speaking at the Fetch conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

 So dermatology cases can be very challenging and I think they take a lot of time. So, in my practice, I utilize my staff very heavily. There's things that they do to make my day run smoother. 

They're highly trained and very effective in having a kind of a comprehensive approach to each of the cases. My lecture is about how you can utilize your staff in general practice to make your derm cases go more smoothly.

A lot of it starts with using the staff members to collect thorough derm histories, which are very specific to skin cases. They can be very long and kind of exhaustive. But my staff will send those history forms out before the appointment and then when the client comes in, they go over those histories again, and try to glean from the pet parent the important information about that specific case.

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, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, joins Whitney Miller, DVM, DACVPM, chief veterinarian at Petco, to learn more her journey into veterinary medicine and the work she does with Petco. She also describes how AI can be a beneficial tool for veterinary professionals, specifically with radiology cases.

 From both a personal and Petco standpoint, we made a huge commitment at the beginning of this year, and we rolled out to all of our full service general practices the AI radiology technology. So that's really where we're kind of—I don't know if 'dipping the feet in' is the right term since we went big scale at the start, but definitely, we're still learning a ton and how to apply that to the day to day case workup for our veterinarians. 

You know, when you're working with cases you're taking those radiographs, typically, if you want or would like a expert review, [and] you're sending it off. During COVID-19, we saw super long lead times to get the radiologist's review back. Some of those are improving but this [AI technology] is an almost instantaneous read on that radiograph that our doctors can look at and leverage, again, as another tool in the toolbox. So I think kind of trying to allay that fear of AI is going to come in replace specialists, replace our diagnostic capabilities as veterinarians. That is not something that we advocate or even think is really going to happen.

Probably a lot of general practitioners out there, emergency practices, are looking at AI cytology. There's other things that are out there around AI within anesthetic monitoring, or other applications. I think that folks are still really learning what's going on there.

Learn more about Whitney Miller, DVM, DACVPM and how artificial intelligence can be used for veterinary radiology

AI and the veterinary profession

Surgical sterilization is the most performed procedure in veterinary medicine. Traditional sterilization techniques involve removal of the gonads, which eliminates hormonal secretions in addition to reproductive potential. The most common procedures performed to accomplish this in females include ovariohysterectomy (OVH) and ovariectomy (OVE). Each of these procedures has associated risks and complications.

An OVH involves removal of the ovarian and uterine tissues, whereas an OVE involves the removal of ovarian tissue only. Both procedures significantly decrease the risk of uterine and mammary cancer, significantly decrease the risk of pyometra development, and effectively prevent unwanted pregnancy. From a technical standpoint, an OVE is less invasive, requires a smaller surgical incision, is less time consuming, and causes less tissue trauma. Potential advantages of this procedure include improved visualization of the ovarian pedicle, decreased risk of hemorrhage, shorter surgery time, and improved patient recovery.

 Theoretically an OVE is safer and less technically demanding; however, the veterinary literature has not shown a difference in short- or long-term outcomes when compared to OVH.

The major benefit of an OVH is the ability to remove the uterine tissue along with the ovaries. Therefore, when uterine pathology is present, including congenital uterine abnormalities, pyometra, mucometra, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, uterine torsion, uterine prolapse, uterine rupture, and/or uterine neoplasia, an OVH is preferred over an OVE.

In the past decade, there has been an increased interest in minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopic techniques from veterinarians and pet owners. The benefits of laparoscopic approaches have been well established and include decreased surgical and anesthetic times, improved visualization of abdominal organs, a reduction in postoperative pain, decreased surgical stress, and a decreased incidence of wound healing complications.

 Typically, an OVE is the most performed surgical technique when laparoscopy is desired; however, an OVH may still be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

A laparoscopic approach typically utilizes 1 to 3 portals to gain access to the abdominal cavity. The abdominal cavity is insufflated with gas, typically carbon dioxide, for improved visualization. Hemostasis is generally achieved with bipolar vessel sealing devices. If an OVH is to be performed, a laparoscopic-assisted approach is used, meaning one of the portal incisions is extended to facilitate removal of the uterine tissue. This results in longer incisions compared with a laparoscopic OVE and may decrease the traditional benefits of a laparoscopic procedure.

Potential complications of laparoscopic procedures include subcutaneous accumulation of carbon dioxide, omental herniation, seroma formation, and/or splenic, ovarian pedicle, or uterine hemorrhage.

 In some cases, conversion to an open abdominal approach is required if visualization is impaired or hemorrhage cannot be controlled. Complication rates are similar between laparoscopic OVE and laparoscopic-assisted OVH procedures; however, laparoscopic OVE has been associated with shorter surgical times, which may decrease overall complication rates.

 Although there are many potential benefits to laparoscopy, the technique is often more costly, requiring advanced training and specialized equipment.

OVE and OVH carry similar intraoperative risks including hemorrhage, inadvertent ureteral ligation, and incomplete removal of ovarian tissue. As discussed, there is the potential for less tissue trauma when performing an OVE because the uterine tissues are minimally manipulated. The more cranial location of the incision also improves visualization of the ovary, potentially decreasing the risk of postoperative ovarian remnant syndrome.

Potential long-term risks of spaying are well established and include urinary incontinence, decreased metabolism, and/or a predisposition to various joint conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and/or cruciate ligament disease. The incidence of these complications is likely equal for OVH and OVE procedures; however, existing literature is lacking. Early spaying at less than 6 months of age may be associated with an increased incidence of urinary incontinence and joint disorders.

 Additionally, heavier dogs with a projected adult weight of more than 25 kg may be at a higher risk of developing urinary incontinence if spayed earlier in their first year of life.

 There is a significant amount of breed variation for the development of orthopedic disease and urinary incontinence at different ages.

 The decision to delay performing a spay must be weighed against the increased likelihood of developing mammary cancer with consecutive heat cycles.

A common misconception is that performing an OVE increases the risk of developing a pyometra compared with an OVH as the uterine tissues remain present. Although the exact pathophysiology of pyometra formation is not completely understood, progesterone is known to play a key role. By removing the ovarian tissue, the source of endogenous progesterone is eliminated; therefore, a pyometra should not occur. One study evaluated 141 ovariectomized dogs over the course of 6 to 11 years and none developed a pyometra.

 It is important to note that a pyometra can still develop in an ovariectomized dog if there is exposure to exogenous estrogens, which is commonly found in topical hormonal replacement therapies used by menopausal women. Likewise, pyometras can occur in a similar manner in an ovariohysterectomized dog if all uterine tissue is not removed, which is uncommonly achieved in OVH procedures.

There is no current consensus among veterinary surgeons on the preferred sterilization procedure in dogs. Both OVE and OVH are appropriate spay techniques for apparently healthy females. If uterine pathology is present, an OVH should be performed. Given the lack of advantages to removing the uterus in clinically normal dogs and the potential advantages of an OVE as discussed, OVE procedures may be more readily performed in the future.

, is a 2021 graduate of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, and received clinical training at the University of Florida in Gainesville. His internships include Auburn University in Alabama, mentored by Katelyn Hlusko, DVM DACVS-SA.

1. Charlesworth TM, Sanchez FT. A comparison of the rates of postoperative complications between dogs undergoing laparoscopic and open ovariectomy. 

. 2019;60(4):218-222. doi:10.1111/jsap.12993

2. DeTora M, McCarthy RJ. Ovariohysterectomy versus ovariectomy for elective sterilization of female dogs and cats: is removal of the uterus necessary? 

. 2011;239(11):1409-1412. doi:10.2460/javma.239.11.1409

3. Davidson EB, Moll HD, Payton ME. Comparison of laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy and ovariohysterectomy in dogs. 

. 2004;33(1): 62-69. doi:10.1111/j.1532-950x.2004.04003.x

4. Hancock RB, Lanz OI, Waldron DR, Duncan RB, Broadstone RV, Hendrix PK. Comparison of postoperative pain after ovariohysterectomy by harmonic scalpel-assisted laparoscopy compared with median celiotomy and ligation in dogs. 

. 2005;34(3):273-282. doi:10.1111/j.1532-950x.2005.00041.x

5. Devitt CM, Cox RE, Hailey JJ. Duration, complications, stress, and pain of open ovariohysterectomy versus a simple method of laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs. 

. 2005;227(6):921-927. doi:10.2460/javma.2005.227.921

eterinary Surgery: Small Animal. Elsevier; 2018.

7. Corriveau KM, Giuffrida MA, Mayhew PD, Runge JJ. Outcome of laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs: 278 cases (2003-2013). 

. 2017;251(4):443-450. doi:10.2460/javma.251.4.443

8. Pegram C, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, et al. Associations between neutering and early-onset urinary incontinence in UK bitches under primary veterinary care. 

. 2019;60(12):723-733. doi:10.1111/jsap.13072

9. Byron JK, Taylor KH, Phillips GS, Stahl MS. Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in 163 neutered female dogs: diagnosis, treatment, and relationship of weight and age at neuter to development of disease. 

. 2017;31(2):442-448. doi:10.1111/jvim.14678

10. Hart BL, Hart LA, Thigpen AP, Willits NH. Assisting decision-making on age of neutering for 35 breeds of dogs: associated joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence. 

. 2020;7:388. doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00388

11. Okkens AC, Kooistra HS, Nickel RF. Comparison of long-term effects of ovariectomy versus ovariohysterectomy in bitches. 

12. Ivaldi F, Ogdon C, Khan FA. A rare case of vulvar discharge associated with exogenous oestrogen exposure in a spayed Weimaraner bitch. 

. 2022;8(5):1872-1876. doi:10.1002/vms3.860

An overview of ovariohysterectomy and ovariectomy procedures

Female sterilization procedures

The new Veterinary Trauma Readiness and Operational Medicine Agility (Vet-TROMA) program was announced today, in honor of K9 Veterans Day. A partnership of BluePearl, the US Army Office of the Surgeon General and US Army Veterinary Corps, the program is a first-of-its-kind veterinary military-civilian partnership.

BluePearl, a member of the Mars Veterinary Health family of businesses, provides specialty and emergency veterinary care training to US Army veterinarians to enhance their abilities to treat Military Working Dogs (MWDs) combat casualties. The US Army Veterinary Corps provides medical and surgical care to more than 1600 active duty MWDs that deploy and can be injured like human military personnel. Vet-TROMA is an additional training experience available for US Army veterinary personnel to prepare them to provide lifesaving care to MWD’s at their time of greatest need.

Vet-TROMA is currently offered at 2 BluePearl hospitals near US Army facilities in Lakewood, Washington, and Cary, North Carolina, with plans to expand to additional BluePearl locations. US Army veterinarians complete 67-hours of didactic distance learning followed by an intensive 3-week clinical rotation at the BluePearl sites.

“US Army veterinary teams are often faced with trauma situations in which split-second, life-or-death decisions must be made,” said Richard Stone, DVM, chief medical officer at BluePearl, in a company release. “The advanced training offered through Vet-TROMA helps create more skilled and confident veterinarians—qualities that are necessary to care for canines in combat. We are already seeing the program’s impact in the field, and we look forward to growing this partnership and giving more options for US Army veterinarians to feel confident caring for Military Working Dogs injured in combat.”

Captain Abbey Calvo, formally a veterinary team leader from the 218th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service Support), was the first Veterinary Corps officer to complete a clinical rotation with BluePearl as part of the Vet-TROMA program. During the onsite immersion, Calvo saw 105 emergency cases, including a dog with a gunshot wound to the chest, acute toxicities, and patients requiring blood transfusions—all which MWD’s may experience on the battlefield.

“Military working dogs are an irreplaceable asset to our military and loyally work to protect our service members, so I need to be prepared to save them if they get injured or become ill on the battlefield,” Calvo said in the release. “The training I received from BluePearl through the Vet-TROMA program was life-changing for me and the dogs I serve, giving me additional tools, I need to ensure I am ready to assist our canine counterparts when they need me most.”

The US Army Veterinary Corps was established in 1916 to care for the large number of animals used by the US military during World War I. The Army is the only military service that delivers veterinary support within the Department of Defense to include providing veterinary medical and surgical care to working animals, decreasing the potential for transmission of diseases from animals to humans, safeguarding the food supply for service members and their families, and supporting military research and development efforts. There are currently more than 800 US Army veterinarians on active duty and in the Reserves providing care to MWDs globally.

BluePearl announces first-of-its-kind veterinary partnership with US Army. News release. Blue Pearl. March 13, 2024.

In honor of K9 Veterans Day, BluePearl announced a new program in collaboration with the US Army Office of the Surgeon General and the US Army Veterinary Corps. 

Veterinary military-civilian partnership aims to enhance lifesaving care to US Army working dogs

A companion animal therapeutics developer has published a new study with results that demonstrate the potential of an antigen-specific immunotherapy, AKS-107, to target and delete insulin-specific ß cells. The results also show the versatility of the development platform the therapy was based on.

 showed that the AKS-107 human IgG1 Fc-fusion protein safely prevented spontaneous diabetes in nonobese mice with diabetes and insulin-reactive ß cell receptor transgenic mouse strains, according to Akston Biosciences in Beverly, Massachusetts. A promising candidate for clinical development of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) prevention therapy, this protein is engineered to retain conformational insulin epitopes that bind to ß cell receptors and prevents binding to the insulin metabolic receptor, according to a news release. Additional studies have shown that AKS-107 has a protracted pharmacokinetic profile and was well-tolerated in mice and nonhuman primates.

Partnered with Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC, Akston Biosciences is also working to commercialize canine and feline insulin therapies in its’ animal health pipeline.

These include novel therapeutic candidates AKS-321d for managing canine diabetes and AK425c for feline diabetes.

 “These insulins are able to be injected once a week,” said Todd Zion, PhD, president and CEO of Akston Biosciences, in a presentation at the 2023 Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.

Development of both companion animal insulin therapies and AKS-107 are based on Akston Biosciences' Ambifect Fc-fusion protein platform.

 This common platform enables the company to develop therapeutic candidates that interact with parts of the immune system related to the target disease while minimizing the effects off-target.

Through this technology, Akston can reduce therapeutic development time and manufacturing costs across its pipeline, according to the company. "Akston has confirmed the versatility of the Ambifect platform across diverse treatment areas, including extended duration insulin therapies, infectious disease vaccines, and, with AKS-107, interrupting an autoimmune cascade," said Zion, in a recent news release.

 “We are now exploring its application to therapeutic vaccination, where the immune system is recruited to target proteins involved in noncommunicable diseases.”

The Ambifect Fc-fusion platform was recognized with the Most Innovative Award at the 2023 Animal Health Corridor Summit. During the summit, hosted by the KC Animal Health Corridor organization, Zion presented Akston Biosciences’ work on developing novel therapies for canine and feline diabetes that rely on monoclonal antibodies, which are also used in human medicine. He noted that the company invested in its own manufacturing facility and is leveraging technology to find cost-effective, efficient methods to address various needs in the animal health space. “We really believe that the veterinary field health field is poised to experience its’ own revolution in this area,” Zion said, at the summit.

Akston Biosciences’ AKS-107 study published in 

, displaying Ambifect Platform’s versatility. News release. Akston Biosciences. March 11, 2024. Accessed March 12, 2024. 

https://www.akstonbio.com/akston-biosciences-aks-107-study-published-in-frontiers-in-immunology-displaying-ambifect-platforms-versatility/

Alleva DG, Delpero AR, Sathiyaseelan T, etal. An antigen-specific immunotherapeutic, AKS-107, deletes insulin-specific B cells and prevents murine autoimmune diabetes. 

https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1367514

Long-acting Fc-fusion proteins. Akston Biosciences. Accessed March 12, 2024. 

Akston Biosciences. Ambifect platform advantages. Akston Biosciences website. Accessed March 12, 2024. 

Zion T. Emerging Companies: Akston Biosciences. Presented at: 2023 Animal Health Summit; Kansas City, MO. August 28-29, 2023.

Burke J. Akston Biosciences wins innovation award at animal health summit. 

. August 31, 2023. Accessed March 12, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/akston-biosciences-wins-innovation-award-at-animal-health-summit

The Akston Biosciences technology is used to design therapies for humans and animals with diabetes