Physical therapy and rehabilitation tailored specifically for cats can make a significant difference in the well-being of these felines. Cats who are recovering from surgery, have osteoarthritis, are overweight, or are healing from nonsurgical injuries may see improved mobility, faster recovery, and an overall improved quality of life, according to Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS. Jaffe, an associate professor of small animal surgery at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, led a Fetch dvm360 Conference lecture on the topic this past weekend in Kansas City, Missouri.

Other benefits of rehabilitation therapy include

Promoting early weight-bearing and return to function

Reducing pain, inflammation, and swelling

“I always say that with surgery, we put the pieces together, but physical therapy and rehab get the parts moving again. I think there's a lot of truth to that,” Jaffe said during his presentation.

Pet owners and practice owners who may not have specialized rehabilitation equipment can perform massage therapy on cats, Jaffe explained. This type of therapy promotes blood flow to the muscles, improves connective tissue strength and tendon elasticity, reduces some muscle spasms, and lowers stress and anxiety. According to Jaffe, massage therapy is also beneficial for breaking down adhesions.

“As far as lymphatic flow, that's important because any edema that may form in the tissue, or certainly distal to the tissue, can be mobilized pretty quickly in terms of promoting that blood flow and improving the lymphatics to help drain some of that edema that's forming in the interstitial space,” he said.

In patients who have undergone surgery, Jaffe explained that this therapy should be started within the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Some patients may even receive massage therapy before undergoing more intensive rehabilitation protocols, Jaffe noted. Additionally, clients can be taught to perform massage therapy on their pets at home.

When it comes to the massage technique, Jaffe said he likes to isolate 1 joint at a time rather than doing a bicycle movement or the “accordion movement where you grab the foot and pull the leg forward and back and forward and back.

“I really don't like to work on more than 1 joint at a time because with activities like the bicycle motion or the accordion motion, you are working all the joints at 1 time, and not every joint is going to be capable of the same mobility as others,” Jaffe said. “To try to prevent injuries, I think it's best to work each individual joint by itself: Hold the stretch for just a second or 2 and then...release it so we don't injure the patient.”

As Jaffe explained, hot compresses cause vasodilation, promoting blood flow to tissues and increasing their metabolic rate. Heat therapy also increases the release of histamines, bradykinins, and prostaglandins, which may help lower inflammation in the tissue that is being warmed.

“This does also have the benefit of improving flexibility of fibrous tissue, so [for the] joint capsule that may be a little bit contracted, it's going to loosen things up a little bit,” Jaffe said.

Patients with chronic diseases, such as osteoarthritis or back pain, will benefit from this form of therapy. According to Jaffe, heat therapy also improves lymphatic flow and can help decrease swelling and edema in tissue. Jaffe suggests applying a warm compress beginning at approximately 24 or 48 to 72 hours after a surgical procedure.

“Initially, we're going to use our cold compresses to try to reduce some of the pain and inflammation at the surgery site following surgery. We'll certainly do cold compresses on our incision, but [for] the muscles that we've manipulated and moved around and that have developed injuries, we're going to want to do warm compresses on those to try to improve that blood flow and promote healing,” Jaffe said.

“I often use [heat therapy] as part of our warm-up prior to any massage, passive range of motion, or other exercises,” Jaffe said. “I like to use it to help decrease some of the muscle tightness prior to when we do our stretches and help decrease any muscle spasms as we work our muscles and take them through range of motion.”

Jaffe warns against using heat therapy for tumors because the blood flow to the tissue could promote metastasis. Other contraindications include open wounds, patients with severe cardiac insufficiency, and acute inflammation—for which cold compresses should be used in the first 48 to 72 hours post surgery. Additionally, veterinary professionals and pet parents at home should be careful when using hot compresses in areas with decreased or absent sensation, as well as with making sure the temperature is not too hot that it can burn the pet.

Unlike heat therapy, cold therapy causes vasoconstriction, decreasing edema formation and helping to lower inflammation and hematomas that may form from an acute injury, Jaffe explained.

“A lot of times when we're putting a pet through a fairly vigorous workout with our rehab protocols, we're going to ice them down afterward,” Jaffe said. “We're going to use our cold compresses to decrease any pain, muscle spasms, or muscle injury that may have occurred during our rehab session.”

Ice packs can be used for cold therapy, but caution should be taken not to put the packs directly on the cat’s skin. Instead, the ice packs should be wrapped in a towel to prevent cold shock or injury to the patient’s skin. Each session, Jaffe explained, should last no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. However, sessions can be repeated approximately every 4 hours as needed.

Jaffe MH. Feline physical therapy and rehabilitation. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 Conference; August 22-24, 2025; Kansas City, MO.

Articles

Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, talked about the benefits of feline physical therapy and guidelines to keep in mind during his lecture at Fetch Kansas City.

Massage, heat, and cold therapy in feline rehabilitation

To help readers stay up to date with the latest innovations in the veterinary and pet care spectrum, 

 has curated a list of recent product and technology launches.

The following were highlighted in dvm360’s July/August magazine issue:

The Benebone Bounce line is designed for interactive play and built to withstand fetching, tugging, and bouncing. The collection features the gentle-chewing Bone, Ball, Tug, slow-feeding Cone, and treat-dispensing Pawbler. The Benebone Bounce line is available for purchase at Tractor Supply, specialty pet stores nationwide, and benebone.com.
Image courtesy of Benebone LLC

Dry dog food for skin and digestive health

Wellness Pet Company is offering new dry dog food recipes for dogs with skin and gastrointestinal issues. The Wellness CORE+ Sensitive Skin & Stomach and Wellness Complete Health Sensitive Skin & Stomach foods are formulated with highly digestible ingredients, including salmon and dietary fiber. They also contain pre-, pro-, and postbiotics as well as ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids from salmon oil. Both foods avoid beef, chicken, and wheat, which are common allergens to dogs.
Logo courtesy of Wellness Pet Company

The Pawfit Lite by Pawfit is a location and real-time activity tracker for cats and small dogs and is the smaller, streamlined sibling of the Pawfit 3 series trackers. The product, which is 100% waterproof, is designed for pets with a weight of 6 lb or more. It features sound, temperature, and removal alerts; virtual fences; and LED light. Additionally, it is supported by a 4G network.
Image courtesy of Pawfit

Gentamicin, posaconazole, and mometasone furoate otic suspension (Mometamax Single) by MSD Animal Health is an FDA-approved, single-dose, in-clinic product for canine patients with otitis externa. The product is indicated for the treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It features 3 active ingredients: gentamicin, posaconazole, and mometasone furoate. Mometamax Single is not intended for patients with known tympanic membrane perforation or with known or suspected hypersensitivity to the product’s active ingredients. The product is for use in dogs only and should be administered by a veterinary professional.
Logo courtesy of MSD Animal Health

Logo courtesy of PetIQ, LLC, and VIP Petcare

VIP Petcare’s new My Pet Portal allows pet owners to access all their pet’s health documents and records in one place. The platform also sends automated reminders for rabies and other vaccinations. Additionally, clients can RSVP for upcoming clinics and access pet care resources through the portal. The My Pet Portal will also allow clients to refill heartworm medication and flea and tick treatments, manage autoships, and more.
Logo courtesy of PetIQ, LLC, and VIP Petcare

Image courtesy of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc

The Catalyst Cortisol Test by IDEXX Laboratories measures real-time quantitative cortisol concentrations in dogs to support the diagnosis of Addison disease and Cushing syndrome. It also supports the management of Cushing syndrome in canine patients. The test is the third new assay on the Catalyst platform within a year and expands options for in-clinic cortisol measurement. The test can be integrated with IDEXX Vetlab Station and VetConnect PLUS and can run alone or with additional chemistry tests using a single sample.

A roundup of the latest products and innovative technology in veterinary medicine.

Products+Services360: In-clinic cortisol test & more 

Did you know that September is Pet Pain Awareness Month? 

 will be highlighting it this month through interviews, articles, social media posts, and podcasts such as this one, advancements in pain management, leaders within the field, and new treatments available, such as Galliprant (grapiprant tablets). 

To kick off the month, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed special guest Elise Kelly, DVM, to chat all things pain management in veterinary medicine. Throughout the episode, the duo discusses canine osteoarthritis (OA) and highlights multimodal approaches to manage OA, the importance of consistent and long-term pain management, plus more on Galliprant (grapiprant tablets) and its safety profile. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

Let's kind of start first by talking about some of the important signs of OA pain in dogs, and are they consistent in all dogs with OA?

 That's a great question. No, they're not consistent in all dogs with OA. And we know from an owner perspective, oftentimes they're going to tell us that their dogs may be kind of lagging behind on walks or hesitant to go up and down stairs, jump in bed, jump up in their vehicles, maybe not enjoy their favorite activities like they used to. One thing that I think a lot of times pet owners and vets alike don't think about is sleep. Sometimes dogs when they're very restless at night or they can't lay down and get comfortable, that can be a sign of pain and osteoarthritis as well, but it can present differently in all different types of dogs and as veterinarians, when we're doing our physical exam, of course, we're looking for things like changes in range of motion, crepitus in the joint, swelling, inflammation, any pain when we manipulate that joint. 

But again, every dog is a little bit different, and I think it's important to understand also here that we tend to think about osteoarthritis as an old age dog disease, and it's really not. It's really a young dog disease. And I don't know about you, Adam, but [the] youngest dog I ever diagnosed with osteoarthritis was a 9-month-old Boston Terrier who had awful hip dysplasia, and so it's really a developmental disease for these dogs, and sadly, most of them aren't diagnosed until they're between 8 and 13. 

So, one of my pleas for veterinarians today is to be really vigilant about asking these questions to pet owners to look for these specific changes we talked about at home earlier on, even maybe starting at 2 or 3 years of age. So if we can catch osteoarthritis earlier and start treating earlier, it's just going to be better long-term quality of life for that pet and the pet parent.

Galliprant controls pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.

For use in dogs only. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or overdose. Galliprant is a non-COX inhibiting NSAID. As a class, NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, kidney and liver side effects. Evaluation for pre-existing conditions and regular monitoring are recommended. Do not use in dogs that have a hypersensitivity to grapiprant. Concomitant use of Galliprant with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids should be avoided. Concurrent use with other anti-inflammatory drugs or protein-bound drugs has not been studied. The safe use of Galliprant has not been evaluated in dogs younger than 9 months of age and less than 8 lbs (3.6 kg), dogs used for breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs, or dogs with cardiac disease. Owners should be advised to observe for signs of potential drug toxicity. Adverse reactions may include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, watery or bloody stools, and decreases in serum albumin and total protein.

Podcasts

Explore advancements in pain management for dogs during Animal Pain Awareness Month

Advances in diagnosing and managing osteoarthritis in dogs

Gilvetmab: A Novel Immunotherapy in the Fight Against Cancer

: Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology) 

Veterinary oncology has seen significant advancements in immunotherapy, offering novel treatment approaches for companion animals diagnosed with cancer. Immunotherapy aims to harness the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancerous cells, reducing reliance on traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This lecture discusses the novel class of agents called “checkpoint inhibitors,” focusing on the first in veterinary medicine, gilvetmab.

Canine Osteoarthritis: What’s New, What Works and What Is the Science

: Janice L. Huntingford, DVM, MS-TCVM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CVA 

This course covers the essential points of diagnosis and treatment of otitis. Both acute and chronic cases of otitis will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the PSPP classification system (primary causes, secondary causes, predisposing causes, and perpetuating factors).

Don’t Get Bitten! Veterinary Job Buzzwords, Benefits, and Watchouts!

Many of us have experienced the physical and mental toll that unrelenting stress, long hours, limiting contracts, crushing production models, and meager benefits can take on veterinarians and staff. Veterinary students or new vets may wonder, “How can I enjoy my chosen profession and avoid burning out?” Or you’ve been told these negatives just come with the territory of being a vet and are learning to live with them. Veterinarian stress, depression, compassion fatigue, and career burnout are things we take very seriously. We believe that doctors deserve greater choice, autonomy, and flexibility that enable them to lead happier and healthier lives.

Implementation and Interpretation of Canine Genetic Screening in General Practice

: Jenna Dockweiler, dvm, ms, dact, ccrt, cvat 

During this course, participants can expect to learn basic genetics terminology and concepts (such as penetrance, expression, and mode of inheritance). A brief overview of the various technologies utilized to determine genotype will be provided. Participants will then learn to apply these concepts through clinical case walkthroughs and how to communicate the benefits and results of canine genetic screening to their clients. Lastly, participants will learn how canine genetic screening can fit into various practices.

Getting to the Heart of the Problem: Current Trends and Recommendations on Canine Heartworm Disease

: Guilherme G. Verocai, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVM (Parasitology) 

Heartworm is the most important canine parasite in the United States. This presentation will review the parasite’s life cycle and infection-associated pathology. Trends in heartworm distribution will be examined. Recommendations for accurate diagnostics will be discussed. The role of owner adherence in heartworm prevention will be examined, considering the emergence of resistance to macrocyclic lactones. In addition, advice on best practices for treating infection will be provided.

Practical Corneal Ulcer Management for General Practitioners

Experts will review corneal anatomy and how that pertains to our understanding of ulcer management. This program will delve into the specifics of recognizing and treating corneal ulcers from superficial to deep in your practice in a digestible manner

NEW Canine Lymphoma Treatment—Never a One-Size-Fits-All

: Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology) 

This 1-hour virtual webinar will discuss how Laverdia CA-1 (verdinexor tabs) fits into treating dogs with lymphoma. We will discuss the mechanism of action, dosing, adverse events, and efficacy of this novel agent. Finally, we will discuss why Laverdia CA-1 should be utilized in the primary care setting.

Check out these continuing education opportunities now available

Flex Forecast: September/October 2025

PetSmart has a new executive vice president and chief commercial officer with more than 30 years of experience. Meanwhile, a veterinary-focused artificial intelligence (AI) company appointed a a new strategic advisor with experience in AI startups, CEO roles, and more. Moreover, recently, a pet care plan provider announced a new managing director for its United States division.

Continue reading to learn more about each of these individuals.

Sean Fitzgerald, managing director US, Premier Vet Alliance

Sean Fitzgerald, managing director US, Premier Vet Alliance. (Image courtesy of Premier Vet Alliance)

The pet care plan provider Premier Vet Alliance appointed Sean Fitzerald as its new managing director US. Fitzgerald has experience in sales leadership and coaching, strategic development, and account management. Previously, Fitzgerald has held roles with Zoetis, Elanco, and Vetsource.

"I am excited to join Premier Vet Alliance and look forward to working with the talented team to further strengthen our position in the US market. Together, we will continue to innovate and provide outstanding support to veterinary practices and pet owners. I am committed to leveraging my experience to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to the practices we serve,” said Fitzgerlad in a company release.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sean to the Premier Vet Alliance team," said Dominic Tonner, CEO of Premier Vet Alliance. "His deep understanding of the veterinary industry and his strategic vision will be instrumental in driving our growth. We’re confident Sean will help elevate our services and support, delivering exceptional value to our clients."

Jesica Duarte, MBA, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, PetSmart

Jesica Duarte, MBA, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, PetSmart. (Image courtesy of PetSmart)

Earlier this month, PetSmart announced Jesica Duarte, MBA, as its new executive vice president and chief commercial officer. In her new position, Duarte will lead merchandising, proprietary brands, merchandise planning & allocation, digital, and marketing organizations at the pet retailer.

"Jesica is a strategic and growth-minded leader, with an impressive career tenure working across successful retail brands" Ken Hicks, PetSmart president and CEO, said in an organizational release.

 "She has led teams through significant business and process transformations, while delivering strong business results and her expertise will be invaluable as we work to advance our long-range plan."

Duarte has more than 3 decades of experience in leadership and served as group vice president of national merchandising for the Albertsons Companies in her most recent role. She has also held positions at Walmart, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Beam Suntory, Estee Lauder and J.C. Penney. A native of Chile, Duarte has also served as chair of the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Bryan Haardt, strategic advisor, ABC Intelligence

Bryan Haardt, strategic advisor, ABC Intelligence.

ABC Intelligence, a company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data solutions and decision-support platforms for animal health, recently welcomed Bryan Haardt as its strategic advisor. In his new role, Haardt will work with the ABC Intelligence’s executive team on market strategy, go-to-market acceleration, and more.

Haardt has an extensive background in AI, software platforms, and Internet of Things. According to ABC Intelligence, he often serves as an advisor to AI startups and investment groups interested in transformative technology. Haardt has also been CEO of various digital health companies and held a leadership role at Boehringer Ingelheim. Haardt has also served as the chief technology officer for the Houston Technology Center and was a founding member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Emerging Business Council.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Bryan to ABC Intelligence. His ability to scale complex technologies and align vision with execution is exactly what we need as we enter our next phase of growth,” Scott Woodrow, CEO of ABC Intelligence, said in a news release.

 “Bryan’s strategic insights and track record in AI commercialization make him an invaluable addition to our team.”

Premier Vet Alliance appoints Sean Fitzgerald as new managing director USA. News release. Premier Vet Alliance. July 24, 2025.

PetSmart appoints Jesica Duarte as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. News release. PetSmart. August 4, 2025. Accessed August 29, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petsmart-appoints-jesica-duarte-as-executive-vice-president-and-chief-commercial-officer-302520931.html

ABC Intelligence, Inc. appoints Bryan Haardt as strategic advisor. News release. August 4, 2025. 

New leadership moves, recognition, and achievement.

Paws and profits: PetSmart announces new executive vice president, and more

An Australian start-up developing a therapy to treat brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) received the Innovation Award during the closing of the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. The winning company, Snoretox, was 1 of 14 start-ups from 6 countries to pitch their products and services at the summit.

The recognition goes to “the most innovative presentation of this year’s summit,” Emily McVey, vice president of the KC Animal Health Corridor, said while presenting the award.

 The decision by the 6-member judges panel was unanimous, according to Snoretox.

Photo: Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA/dvm360

BOAS affects bulldogs, pugs, and other short-snouted breeds.

Throat surgery is currently a common treatment for the condition, according to Anthony Sasse, FRACP, a pulmonologist in rural Australia and member of the Snoretox team. "The price of surgery is $5000 USD. Efficacy, unfortunately, is only poor. Sixty percent [of patients] still have their respiratory function compromised,” he said during the pitch presentation.

The KC Animal Health Corridor bestowed the Innovation Award in recognition of the therapy’s promise as an alternative to surgery for dogs in need of help to breathe easier. Modeled after Botox therapy, Snoretox’s injectable treatment strengthens muscle tone using tetanus toxin to keep canine airways open.

“How does our drug work? It's injected into the geniohyoid [muscle], which is at the floor of the mouth, bilaterally. It consists of 2 components. Firstly, a decoy, which attracts, absorbs, and removes the local antibodies. Then tetanus toxin, in a tiny dose, causes increased neural tone. This acts to stabilize the anterior airway,” Sasse said.

According to Sasse, the developmental product has the potential to address a critical unmet need for the companion animal population. However, he noted that the product also offers a future pipeline of possibilities. The company believes the product can be effective in treating certain feline and canine conditions, a variety of equine muscle disorders, and other neuromuscular conditions across animal species. “This product has platform potential,” Sasse said.

According to Snoretox, opportunities are already opening up to the company as it continues to attract interest. “This award has supported this momentum and added value to our company,” the winning start-up wrote in a public statement.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the KC Animal Health Corridor region stretches from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri. It has become home to more than 300 companies and is responsible for $4 billion in capital investment, 4500 new jobs, and 85 company relocations, according to the KC Animal Health Corridor. The 2025 summit brought together more than 600 industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and students. Over the past 2 decades, more than 600 emerging companies have applied to present at the summit over the past 20 years. Collectively, participants have raised more than $500 million and have secured licensing, distribution, and acquisition deals.

McVey E. Presentation of Innovation Award. Presented at: KC Animal Health Corridor Summit; August 25-26, 2025; Kansas City, MO.

Snoretox, creator of therapy for brachycephalic dogs, wins 2025 Animal Health Summit Innovation Award. News release. KC Animal Health Corridor. August 27, 2025.

Snoretox wins the 2025 Innovation Award at the Animal Health Summit in Kansas City. News release. Snoretox. August 27, 2025. Accessed August 29, 2025. 

https://snoretox.com/snoretox-wins-the-2025-innovation-award-at-the-animal-health-summit-in-kansas-city/

Sasse A. Emerging Companies Presentations: Snoretox. Presented at: KC Animal Health Corridor Summit; August 25-26, 2025; Kansas City, MO.

Australian start-up Snoretox pitched the injectable therapy during the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.