an overview of the risks and benefits of these systemic medications

Examining the medications associated with treating otitis externa symptoms

While at the Fetch conference in Long Beach, California, Brittany A. Lancellotti, DVM, DACVD, sat down with 

 in an interview and explained the risks and benefits of systemic medications used for the treatment of allergic itch and inflammation associated with otitis externa. 

The following is a partial transcript of the video.

 Hi I'm Dr Brittany Lancellotti. I am a veterinary dermatologist at Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles, California.

There are lots of different medications that can be reached for when we are managing otitis externa. And some of the systemic medications that we typically use are going to be focused around the itch and inflammation that triggers the secondary infection...Each of these medications has its own benefits and risks and should be selected based on what that individual pet needs.

Videos

Brittany A. Lancellotti, DVM, DACVD, gave an overview of the risks and benefits of these systemic medications

Katy Nelson, DVM, associate director of veterinary relations for Chewy Health, discusses the importance of innovation to the company . 

Company focuses on innovation

 and Chewy Health presented the 2023 Innovator of the Year Award to 2 veterinary professionals during the Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California. Katy Nelson, DVM, associate director of veterinary relations for Chewy Health, discussed the company's focus on innovation in an interview with dvm360 as well as its interest in recognizing the award winners: Philip J. Bergman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology); and Ellen M. Carozza LVT, VTS(CP-Feline).

: It's important from a Chewy perspective to celebrate these individuals and to promote innovation. I think that we're known as a fairly innovative company ourselves. You know, we started our pharmacy in 2018. We've now got more than just a pharmacy, we've got a compounding pharmacy, we have Care Plus health insurance and pet health insurance that we've partnered with Trupanion and Lemonade… We have updated and upgraded PetMD over the past few years. We have our Connect to the Vet service. We have a practice hub and pet prescriptions. 

And so, we've got all of these things that we're doing, you know, on our end to try and help to innovate those who are in practice, as well as for our pet parents. So, for us, this was just a natural progression to be able to recognize some of these innovators in the veterinary field.

A veterinarian and a paraprofessional are celebrated for their innovation

Katy Nelson, DVM, associate director of veterinary relations for Chewy Health, discussed the company's focus on innovation in an interview with dvm360 as well as its' interest in recognizing the 2023 Innovation of the Year Award winners

The winners of the 2023 Innovator of the Year Award program were recognized at the Fetch 

 conference in Long Beach, California, in a special midday presentation. Program partners dvm360 and Chewy Health honored the 2 veterinary professionals— Philip J. Bergman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology); and Ellen M. Carozza LVT, VTS(CP-Feline)—for their innovative work that is propelling the veterinary industry forward.

Emcee Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for dvm360, told the audience the event was “celebrating the incredible achievements and groundbreaking contributions” of the 2 award recipients. “Their unwavering commitment to advancing the wellbeing of our animal companions aligns seamlessly with the spirit of innovation we celebrate this afternoon,” said Christman, during the event.

John Hydrusko, vice president of sales for dvm360 and MJH Life Sciences; and Katy Nelson, DVM, associate director, veterinary services for Chewy, were also on hand to recognize the pair of award recipients. Addressing the audience, Nelson noted that Bergman and Carozza have made a lasting impact on the lives of many animals and their human companions.

 “The 2 winners are absolutely incredible people,” she later said, in an interview with 

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for dvm360 (left), and Katy Nelson, DVM, associate director of veterinary relations for Chewy Health, present an Innovator of the Year Award to Phillip J. Bergman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology), at the 2023 Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California.

Philip J. Bergman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology)

Bergman is the director of clinical studies for VCA Animal Hospitals and has been championing veterinary and comparative oncology for more than 30 years. He was instrumental in the development of the ONCEPT Canine Melanoma Vaccine, the first DNA-based canine cancer vaccine that is now fully licensed by the USDA, and he continues to act as principal veterinary investigator for the groundbreaking treatment.

 “Dr. Bergman is incredibly inspiring for all the work that he has done, for years and years, with pet cancer,” said Nelson.

Bergman has also held leadership roles in several veterinary boards and organizations, including the Veterinary Cancer Society.

 In receiving the Innovator of the Year Award for veterinarians, Bergman thanked the colleagues he has worked with over the years. “That includes a lot of amazing assistants, technicians, doctors, and a lot of folks I work with on a daily basis,” he said, before also acknowledging his wife as his “rock.”

Ellen Carozza, LVT, VTS(CP-Feline), (left) an Innovator of the Year Award winner for 2023 addresses the audience during the 2023 Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California, while Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, Katy Nelson, DVM, associate director of veterinary relations for Chewy Health, and John Hydrusko, vice president of Sales for dvm360 and MJH Life Sciences, (from left to right) look on and listen.

Carozza is a veterinary technician and consultant specializing in feline medicine. She founded The Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation, a nonprofit that provides medical care for neonatal at-risk kittens,

 in tribute to a late colleague, who reportedly died by suicide. Additionally, Carozza led the creation of a new veterinary technician credential, VTS Feline that focuses specifically on cat care. She is currently 1 of only 3 veterinary technicians in the world to obtain this certification, which requires completion of a rigorous process.

In an interview with dvm360, Carozza said that she was surprised when she heard she was receiving the award. “I have never received an award of this caliber that recognizes the work that I do,” Carozza said. “[The award] just goes to show that somebody is paying attention to the work that we’ve been doing for the past 10 years with the foundation for Chris Griffey and that we are spreading the word that pediatric medicine really matters… It is such an honor to get more cats noticed in practice.”

Chewy Health is committed to improving the lives of pets and the people who work tirelessly to care for them. “I think that we are known as a fairly innovative company ourselves. For us, [at Chewy Health], this was a natural progression to be able to recognize some of these innovators in the veterinary field,” said Nelson.

During the awards presentation, Nelson announced 2 donations of $5000 from Chewy Health were being made to charities chosen by each of the winners. Bergman selected Not One More Vet, a nonprofit organization that addresses well-being in veterinary medicine through inclusive pathways. Carozza chose The Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation for the second donation.

“Ellen is such a kind soul,” said Nelson. “It meant so much to her to have these funds given to this foundation… These funds are going to be used to buy anesthetic equipment and bring surgical packs to an area that really is in desperate need of it.”

In addition to the donations, Chewy Health presented both winners with hand-painted portraits of their respective pets. Bergman and Carozza also received customized glass trophies to take home from Long Beach.

Innovator of the Year 2023 Award Presentation. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 conference; Long Beach, CA. December 1-3, 2023.

dvm360® and Chewy Health announce the 2023 Innovator of the year AwardTM recipients. New release. MJH Life Sciences. December 4, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2023. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/dvm360-and-chewy-health-announce-the-2023-innovator-of-the-year-award-recipients

Articles

Award program partners dvm360 and Chewy Health their pair for their respective work at the Fetch Long Beach conference

dvm360 is highlighting our 2023 top most engaging continuing education programs and the presenters who brought them to life from over 160 on-demand CE courses! Our top opportunities, made up of 

, include the latest medical updates from these specialties: Cardiology, dermatology, general practice, integrative medicine, neurology, nutrition, and parasitology. There’s still plenty of time to meet state license renewal requirements when you enroll with dvm360 Flex before CE expiration in 2024.

And if you missed out on our live, interactive Fetch Conferences this year, 

features 2 multi-specialty collections of simulive CE programs from some of the best education at Fetch San Diego 2022 and Fetch Kansas City 2023. These collections provide an additional 40 on-demand CE credits and are available by subscription. 

: Anthony P. Carr, Dr. med. vet., DACVIM (small animal internal medicine)

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a disease seen both in dogs and cats, though the presentation is quite different. In dogs, it is generally a disease of the young, whereas it is usually seen in older cats. The varied clinical signs (classic diarrhea in dogs; weight loss without diarrhea in cats) will be addressed. This lecture will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of EPI in cats and dogs. If you are looking for it, you will find a lot more cases than you expect; it is not always a straightforward diagnosis. UTid+ culture system and conventional urine culture also will be discussed.

Number 2: Understanding Client Motivations Behind Feeding a Raw or Fresh Food Diet

: Lindsay Meyers, BS, CVT; and James Templeman, PhD

This course reviews why clients are choosing more expensive, less convenient options for their pets: fresh food diets. We will discuss the available literature that may support the anecdotal results of raw or fresh food diets.

Number 3: Avoid These Dermatology Case Pitfalls and Succeed! A Case-Based Approach

: Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD; and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA

Multiple real-world challenging dermatology cases will be presented. Some will be straightforward, some will have a “twist.” Participants will learn how to avoid common dermatologic pitfalls and customize diagnostic and treatment plans for each case, leading to the best outcomes for patients with allergic dermatitis and their owners. This presentation will show how a dermatology specialist works up cases, which can be applied to a general practitioner’s pruritic canine patients.

Number 4: Thinking About Supplements for the Canine Behavior Patient

: Donna M. Raditic, DVM, CVA, ACVIM (Nutrition)

Studies of dogs with behavior issues have reported gut dysfunctions and dysbiosis. If you think about it, how friendly and engaging are you when you are suffering from gastrointestinal upset? This area of research is now termed the Gut-Brain Axis. It recognizes that the brain and nervous system have continual bidirectional communication with the gut and its microbiota, which is essential for healthy brain and gut functions.

Studies in the Gut-Brain Axis seek to identify potential supplements, nutritional support products, and other nonpharmacological interventions that can be a part of treatment and management. Through case examples, participants will learn about the Gut-Brain Axis and how supplement strategies can help canine behavior patients.

Number 5: In the Know About Noses: Health Trends in Brachycephalic Breeds

With brachycephalic breeds such as French bulldogs, Boxers, and English bulldogs routinely included in most popular breed lists in the US, the only thing more common than treating them in your practice may be strong feelings about their health. But how many of the things we know about brachycephalic breeds are supported by years of pet health data? In 2022, Nationwide started publishing results of novel evidence-based pet health studies about cancer and diseases of aging pets, leveraging their 40 years of pet health experience and data to provide pet owners and veterinary healthcare teams with tangible analysis and insights. This session will provide newly published insights into diseases of brachycephalic dogs, offering a data-informed approach to brachycephalic disease awareness, education, and management.

Number 1: Canine Cardiology: The Practical Guide to the Mitral Valve Patient

During this course, attendees will learn about the prevalence and common signalment of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in canine patients, and why this disease matters to veterinarians and pet owners. We will then discuss the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines for staging heart disease to understand when we intervene, which pharmaceuticals are used, and why. We will transition into a brief revisit of the canine diagnostic workup that general practices can perform to be proactive and take control of their patients. The remainder of the presentation will detail why spironolactone is a critical piece of intervention, why blocking aldosterone is important, and how combination therapy can help increase compliance and medical outcomes.

: Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM-Parasitology

Let’s discuss the importance of tapeworm infections to pets and owners, including the disconnect between how our profession traditionally views tapeworms and what many clients think about them. New strategies to identify and control tapeworm infections in pets will be described.

Number 3: New Guidelines in the Management of Canine Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is one of the most common and serious infectious diseases of dogs younger than 6 months of age. We will discuss the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of CPV and emphasize expected laboratory changes, including hematologic and electrolyte abnormalities.

Exciting new treatments for CPV will be discussed including the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA), which is the only monoclonal antibody treatment that targets CPV and is conditionally approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. CPMA selectively binds and blocks canine parvovirus from entering and destroying the enterocytes, thus stopping this destructive and potentially deadly virus.

Throughout 2023, dvm360 shared new ways veterinary professionals can earn CE credits, including our VetxChange program and CE articles running in our print publication. 

: Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)

Learn a pragmatic approach to the initial seizure evaluation. Differential diagnoses above and beyond idiopathic epilepsy are discussed including metabolic and structural encephalopathies. Cursory description of anti-seizure medications, their benefits, contraindications, and management are covered. Most importantly, the value of communication in these high-intensity presentations is emphasized.

VetxChange: Evaluation and Treatment of Suspected Hyperadrenocorticism Syndrome in Dogs

Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) or Cushing's syndrome is a common endocrine disease in dogs. This syndrome includes ACTH dependent (pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism), ACTH independent (adrenal dependent), iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, and atypical sex hormone. This course includes a review of signs of hyperadrenocorticism, as well as changes seen in a minimum data base that may lead the practitioner to suspect hyperadrenocorticism. Both screening and differentiation tests will be reviewed. Lastly, therapeutic options will be discussed.

dvm360 Flex’s top on-demand continuing education opportunities in 2023

Flex Forecast: December 2023

discussed the most common concern he hears from veterinary professionals about lasers

Taking away the fear of expensive lasers

While at the Fetch conference in Long Beach, California, Tom Walsh, DVM, CCRP, MBA, owner of PrimePet Rehabilitation Therapy in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sat down with 

 in an interview and explained his background in veterinary rehabilitation and concerns he hears from veterinary professionals about laser devices. 

 I'm Dr Tom Walsh. I am the owner and veterinarian at PrimePet Rehab in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and I'm a veterinarian that focuses solely on physical therapy and rehabilitation.

I think that the biggest thing that I hear about lasers is that it's too costly and too expensive for them to apply it and/or get any sort of investment return on it...And my argument is that technology is getting better and faster, just like our cell phones. And with each iteration, the prices and competition is making things come down and there's a better spectrum now than there used to be.

Tom Walsh, DVM, CCRP, MBA, discussed the most common concern he hears from veterinary professionals about lasers

Animal Dermatology Group, Inc. (ADG) shared the news that is acquired Animal Dermatology & Allergy in Rocklin, California, and SkinVet Clinic in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The acquisition is part of ADG’s planned expansion into Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

 Animal Dermatology & Allergy was founded in 1996 and is a California-based veterinary dermatology specialty referral practice. The practice is led by Becky Sakai, DVM, DACVD, who works closely with veterinarians and clients to help get their pets the best outcome they can.

"We strongly believe in the importance of educating our clients about their pet's dermatological disease and feel it is an integral part of a successful treatment plan and our practice's client loyalty," expressed Sakai, in the release.

 "Joining ADG aligns with our practice's culture, and we look forward to joining a company committed to providing unsurpassed specialty care in the field of veterinary dermatology."

The SkinVet Clinic was created by Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD, in 2009 after recognizing a need for dermatology care for pets within the area. Plant specializes in treating pets who suffer from allergy, skin, and ear conditions.

"Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with an advanced diagnostic suite allowing us to perform diagnostics needed to get to the root of a problem and monitor a pet with skin or ear disease," said Plant.

 "We are looking forward to our partnership with ADG and continuing to provide the most advanced patient care in the Portland market along with Animal Dermatology Clinic - Portland."

With the latest additions of Animal Dermatology & Allergy and SkinVet Clinic, ADG has expanded its medical team of almost 70 doctors within 14 states who are providing much-needed dermatology services to pets in need.

"The addition of both Animal Dermatology & Allergy and the SkinVet Clinic to Animal Dermatology Group is exciting for us as they complement our expansion in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest and dedication to providing unsurpassed veterinary dermatology care to pet owners throughout the United States," concluded Steven Mrha, CEO of ADG.

Animal Dermatology Group Acquires Animal Dermatology & Allergy and SkinVet Clinic, Strengthens Veterinary Dermatology Position in the Pacific Northwest. News release. Animal Dermatology Group. November 30, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2023. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/animal-dermatology-group-acquires-animal-dermatology--allergy-and-skinvet-clinic-strengthens-veterinary-dermatology-position-in-the-pacific-northwest-302002595.html

Animal Dermatology Group expanded into North California and Oregon with its latest expansion 