Few experiences in veterinary school test a student’s understanding of their  limits more than the diagnostic pathology rotation. This rotation, which involves performing the animal-equivalent of human autopsies, always loomed over me as a veterinary student, growing more daunting as pathology lectures filled my second-year schedule. I expected to confront it much later, but a summer fellowship at the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory brought me face-to-face with it far sooner than I had imagined.

I applied for the fellowship because I plan to specialize in dermatology, and the opportunity to gain experience in biopsy processing and histopathology interpretation aligned closely with my long-term goals. Entering the fellowship, my mission was simple: spend as much time as possible in the biopsy department while strategically avoiding the necropsy lab. During my interview, I was asked how I would approach the necropsy component, and I answered cautiously, noting that I would need time to observe before fully participating. In truth, I had no intention of getting involved in necropsies beyond quick peeks through the observation windows from the biopsy trimming room.

My seemingly foolproof plan fell apart on my second day when I was handed a set of coveralls, a container of Vick’s VapoRub to mask the smell, and promptly escorted straight into the necropsy laboratory. I dipped my shoes into the disinfectant pool with a plastered-on smile, feeling completely out of place and, above all, terrified.

As expected, the sights and smells were initially overwhelming, but by the end of the first week, the purpose of the work had begun to unmask itself. I was developing pattern recognition skills, visualizing anatomy in 3 dimensions, and observing the effects of disease on the body as they unfolded. With continued exposure, what had once provoked near-paralyzing fear became familiar, approachable, and increasingly meaningful.

Necropsy work can be physically demanding, unpleasant, and emotionally challenging. Forensic cases, sudden deaths, and juvenile patients can be particularly difficult. Acknowledging these challenges and relying on personal support systems is essential.

Thoughtful and thorough sample collection is critical. Even when gross findings do not immediately suggest a diagnosis, well-collected samples give pathologists the best chance to determine what occurred.

Any memorabilia requested by an owner should be prepared with care. These items often represent the only tangible connection an owner has left to a pet and bring deeper meaning to postmortem work.

Every animal encountered during the rotation carries significance, whether through a known history, an unknown past, or the circumstances surrounding its death. Approach every case with respect, efficiency, and compassion.

As the weeks progressed, I became increasingly involved in the necropsy service, assisting and supporting upperclassmen and even residents as they rotated through. With new students arriving every 2 weeks, I became adept at recognizing the same apprehension I had felt on my first day, which allowed me to approach them with patience and empathy. My goal quickly became for each student to leave the rotation with a stronger appreciation of diagnostic pathology and with less fear than they had brought in with them. For those who struggled emotionally, I offered reassurance and perspective, reminding them that the rotation, while challenging, was finite and manageable. Watching their confidence grow over the course of 2 weeks became one of the most rewarding aspects of the fellowship.

I now view diagnostic pathology as one of the most valuable and under-recognized rotations in veterinary education. For me, it marked a turning point. The rotation strengthened my ability to think critically, reinforced clinicopathologic correlation, and sharpened my descriptive skills. It deepened my understanding of disease pathogenesis and progression, including how organ systems interact during illness and how subtle findings can guide a diagnosis. Beyond technical lessons, diagnostic pathology teaches resilience and humility, fostering a deeper respect for the animals entrusted to our care. It also emphasizes the importance of balancing scientific objectivity with an awareness of the stories, known or unknown, behind each case.

Diagnostic pathology taught me that meaning in veterinary medicine is not always found in outcomes or cures, but often in the answers we uncover and the closure we provide. Sometimes it lies in careful observation, thoughtful documentation, and the responsibility of bearing witness. Approaching the rotation with openness transformed it from something I feared into an experience that reshaped how I learn, how I think, and how I understand my role as a future veterinarian. The lessons I gained extend far beyond the necropsy laboratory, continuing to influence how I approach patients, colleagues, and the work itself.

When approached with intention, diagnostic pathology shifts fear into understanding, apprehension into purpose, and leaves a lasting mark on how a veterinarian approaches medicine and their role within it. It serves as a powerful reminder that the challenges we fear, yet still confront, shape who we are and who we become.

Articles

How one veterinary student learned the transformative power of diagnostic pathology and turned fear into understanding.

Lessons from the necropsy table: Making sense of what remains

Credit: The University of Sydney. Photo by Nicola Bailey.

A new population genomics analysis of canine heartworms is challenging the long-held idea that 

 spreads worldwide mostly through modern, human-driven movement of domestic dogs.

Although the researchers caution that the results are not conclusive, the findings could reshape how veterinarians think about surveillance and manage emerging drug resistance.

An international team of researchers led by the University of Sydney sequenced and compared whole genomes from 127 adult heartworms collected from dogs and wild carnivores across Australia, the United States, Central America, Europe, and Asia. Rather than finding a single, relatively uniform global parasite population consistent with a recent “hitchhiking” narrative, the investigators report strong genetic structuring by continent and signals that older canid movements likely helped shape heartworm’s distribution over tens of thousands of years.

“What we can say with confidence is that heartworm evolution is far older and more complex than a simple story of parasites hitchhiking with modern dogs,” said senior author Jan Šlapeta, MVDr, PhD, from The University of Sydney School of Veterinary Science.

The study was published on January 20, 2026, in 

Using more than 100 genomes’ worth of data (and ultimately 127 adult worm specimens), the researchers reconstructed population histories, examined admixture patterns, and assessed genetic diversity across regions.

They found that heartworms from different continents show distinct genetic differences in nuclear DNA, suggesting geographic separation and dispersal patterns that predate the past few centuries of dog trade and travel.

The study also included a smaller set of parasites taken from nondog hosts, including cats, foxes, a ferret, a golden jackal, a leopard, and a wildcat, which allowed the team to test whether host species or geography better explained the observed genetic patterns.

Overall, they found that geography, rather than host species, was the dominant signal in the data set, supporting the view that transmission can occur between domestic animals and wildlife when competent hosts and mosquito vectors overlap.

Credit: University of Sydney. Photo by Nicola Bailey.

Lead author Rosemonde Power, PhD, a researcher at Stockholm University, said the findings overturn many prior assumptions about the origins and spread of heartworms.

“For decades, we assumed heartworms were spread mainly through recent human activity,” she said. “What we’re seeing instead is evidence of deep coevolution between heartworms and their canine hosts, even before humans were part of the picture.”

Genomic differences across regions may have practical implications as resistance and treatment failures are investigated, Šlapeta said.

“Understanding where heartworms come from and how different populations are related helps us respond more effectively to disease and drug resistance,” he said. “Heartworms are not the same everywhere, and local history matters.”

That framing aligns with growing calls to pair clinical vigilance—testing, prevention adherence, and investigation of suspected lack-of-efficacy cases—with better regional surveillance. The American Heartworm Society, for example, continues to emphasize year-round prevention, appropriate diagnostic testing, and careful case management to reduce morbidity and limit opportunities for resistant parasites to spread.

The new study does not change the fundamentals of prevention and case management for practicing clinicians today. However, it may influence how researchers and public health partners prioritize sampling, interpret regional differences in parasite response, and design future surveillance approaches that account for both wildlife reservoirs and geographic population structure.

Ancient ‘spaghetti’ in dogs’ hearts reveals surprising origins of heartworm. EurekAlert! January 20, 2026. Accessed January 29, 2026. 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1112914

Power RI, Abdullah S, Walden HS, et al. Population genomics reveals an ancient origin of heartworms in canids. 

 2026;9(1):68. doi:10.1038/s42003-025-09250-x

American Heartworm Society Canine Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Heartworm (

. American Heartworm Society; 2024. Accessed January 29, 2026. https://d3ft8sckhnqim2.cloudfront.net/images/AHS_Canine_Guidelinesweb03FEB2025.pdf?1738626677 

A new study from Australia reveals the complex evolutionary history of canine heartworms, challenging previous beliefs about their global spread and origins.

Does a new study upend the origin of heartworms in dogs?

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced earlier today that the Horse Protection Amendment (HPA) final rule’s effective date will be postponed. Originally, the HPA was scheduled to go into effect on February 1, 2026, but several provisions of the rule were vacated by the courts. Now, the nonvacated provisions will become effective on December 31, 2026.

“The Horse Protection Act is a federal law that prohibits sored horses from participating in shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions. It also prohibits the transportation of sored horses to or from any of these events,” the APHIS stated on its website.

According to the APHIS, the final rule was published in May 2024 and was designed to strengthen the HPA by replacing the current “industry-led inspection model” with USDA-authorized Horse Protection Inspectors. The HPA will implement stricter prohibitions on soring, which is using chemicals or mechanical devices to induce an exaggerated gate in horses.

Recent events have now required further extension of the implementation timeline, such as the following

 The US District Court for the Northern District of Texas vacated several key provisions of the 2024 rule in a decision shared in January 2025. The vacated provisions include the prohibition of pads and action devices and the proposed replacement of the “scar rule,” which means a horse’s legs should have no evidence of scarring, such as missing hair, scars, or cuts, that can indicate soring.

 A lawsuit from June 2025 challenged the existing HPA regulations, including the policy prohibiting noncompliant horses from competing in subsequent classes and the scar rule current standards. In August 2025, a preliminary injunction was granted, creating a piecemeal regulatory environment that makes it impractical to implement the surviving 2024 provisions at this time. 

 A House Committee Report from November 2025 accompanying the fiscal year 2026 appropriations package directed the APHIS to withdraw the 2024 final rule.

"Moving forward with a partial implementation while key provisions are under litigation would result in an unworkable patchwork of rules,” said Bernadette Juarez, APHIS deputy administrator. “This delay ensures that APHIS has the time to identify the most appropriate next steps to effectively end the practice of soring while providing clarity and regulatory certainty to exhibitors, managers, and owners."

The delay will also relieve horse show managers of new recordkeeping and reporting requirements that were scheduled to begin in February. The APHIS shared that it will remain committed to ending soring and encoring the HPA and will use this period to evaluate potential new rulemakings or revisions that align with both court rulings and congressional intent.

Anyone interested in learning more about the HPA and current enforcement standards can visit the APHIS website.

USDA postpones implementation of Horse Protection Amendments. News release. United States Department of Agriculture. January 28, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/program-update/usda-postpones-implementation-horse-protection-amendments

Horse Protection Act. US Department of Agriculture. Updated January 28, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

APHIS bolsters regulations against horse soring. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. May 3, 2024. Updated June 4, 2024. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.avma.org/news/aphis-bolsters-regulations-against-horse-soring

Previously scheduled to go into effect February 1, 2026, the courts have vacated several provisions.

Horse Protection Amendments implementations postponed

Image Credit: © Gorodenkoff | stock.adobe.com

A small feasibility study recently published in the 

tested an intravenous (IV), modified niclosamide stearate prodrug therapeutic (mNSPT) in client-owned dogs with naturally occurring osteosarcoma and found encouraging pharmacokinetics and survival signals that support further trials. The formulation achieved consistent plasma exposure of both the prodrug and released niclosamide, and treated dogs had longer-than-expected times to metastasis and overall survival in this small group. These results are preliminary but suggest the approach is worth additional study.

Niclosamide is an old antiparasitic with documented anticancer activity in laboratory models, but its clinical use for cancer has been limited by poor solubility and bioavailability. The authors developed a stearate prodrug packaged as nanoparticles for IV infusion so that the active drug is released in the bloodstream. That approach raises systemic niclosamide levels to concentrations that exceed those needed to kill osteosarcoma cells in vitro while offering a path to scalable IV dosing.

Ten dogs were enrolled in the feasibility trial; all underwent tumor resection and received 4 cycles of carboplatin as part of standard care. Seven dogs went on to receive up to 4 weekly infusions of mNSPT at 10 mg/kg. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a mean peak plasma concentration of approximately 135 µg/mL for the prodrug and 23 µg/mL for released niclosamide, with terminal half-lives of approximately 4.6 hours and 3.2 hours, respectively. Among the 7 treated dogs, the median time to metastasis was approximately 510 days, and the median overall survival was about 632 days. Three treated dogs survived beyond 4 years. The authors emphasize these are small, nonrandomized observations and that some dogs developed metastases before they could receive mNSPT.

Infusion-related effects included transient liver enzyme elevations, episodes of severe panting, fever, and 1 emergency cooling event. Hepatopathy was usually transient. Based on the study experience, practical steps for clinics considering involvement in future trials or compassionate use programs include the following

Monitor temperature and respiratory rate closely during and for several hours after infusion, and be prepared to slow or stop the infusion if signs develop.

Have cooling measures, oxygen, and emergency protocols in place for rapid intervention.

Obtain baseline and serial hepatic panels and consider more frequent monitoring in the first 1 to 2 weeks after infusion.

The paper is clear that the feasibility study is an early step and that several specific research efforts are needed before broader clinical use should be considered. The authors call for the following next steps:

Dose-finding study to determine the maximum tolerated dose

The authors recommend an expanded dose-finding clinical trial in dogs to determine the true maximum tolerated dose of mNSPT. This is a prerequisite for designing larger efficacy trials and for translating the dosing to human studies.

If a safe dose is established, the authors state that a much larger, randomized, prospective phase 3 clinical trial in dogs is needed to corroborate the survival and metastasis delay signals seen in this small feasibility cohort. This would address biases inherent in historical comparisons and small sample sizes.

More complete pharmacokinetic and exposure sampling

The feasibility study was limited to brief pharmacokinetic sampling (2 hours) because of logistics with client-owned dogs. The authors note that more extensive pharmacokinetic sampling and analysis will be necessary to fully characterize exposure, metabolism, and interpatient variability. Those data will help link exposure to both efficacy and toxicity.

Confirm tumor-level drug delivery and target engagement

Although the nanoparticle design is intended to increase tumor uptake, the authors point out that this remains a theoretical benefit in the current work. Future studies should attempt tumor-level confirmation, such as tumor sampling, imaging approaches, or other measures, to demonstrate drug delivery to cancer tissue and confirm pharmacodynamic effects.

Safety mitigation and infusion optimization

Given the infusion-related events observed (rapid-onset panting, hyperthermia, and transient hepatopathy, including 1 life-threatening hyperthermia event), the authors suggest that safety strategies be explored. Those include evaluating infusion rate, premedication regimens, prophylactic hepatoprotectants, and clearly defined stop or dose-reduction criteria in dose-finding work. The team also began using a prophylactic liver supplement during the trial and notes that further work is needed to define best practices.

The authors explicitly frame the dog model as a translational, large-animal platform. They propose that, after dose-finding and randomized canine efficacy trials, the data could be used to inform human clinical trial planning.

The study shows that an IV niclosamide prodrug can reach potentially therapeutic plasma levels and produce promising survival observations in a very small group of dogs. The signal is encouraging enough to justify dose-finding and randomized trials, but wider clinical adoption will require larger controlled studies and clearer tumor-target engagement data.

Eward WC, Pavic K, Spasojevic I, et al. Novel niclosamide stearate prodrug therapeutic shows potential efficacy against naturally occurring canine osteosarcoma in a clinical feasibility study. 

. 2025;87(1):ajvr.24.06.0176. doi:10.2460/ajvr.24.06.0176


A study reveals promising results for niclosamide stearate in treating canine osteosarcoma, suggesting potential for further clinical trials and improved survival rates. 

Novel niclosamide prodrug shows promise against canine osteosarcoma 

After taking an almost year long hiatus, applications for the federal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) recently opened January 13, 2026. The program will make its return with a with an increase in funding as well as new guidance and evaluation criteria for both renewal and first-time applicants.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) stated anticipates that approximately $18 million in funding will be available in the federal fiscal year 2026 to help mitigate food animal and certain other veterinary services shortages in the US and its territories.

 The funding, which is an $8 million increase from previous funding levels, a result of $8 million remaining from fiscal year 2025 funding and $10 million from fiscal year 2026.

“The purpose of the VMLRP is to ensure an adequate supply of trained food animal veterinarians are placed in identified shortage situations. The VMLRP incentivizes food animal veterinarians to serve in veterinary shortage situations in exchange for veterinary education loan repayment assistance,” the guidelines stated.

“A short-term objective of the program is to match the specific area needs with the knowledge, skills, abilities, experiences, goals, and aspirations of applicants. The long-term objective of the program is to sustain clinical private and public practice in shortage areas by providing educational loan repayment support to veterinarians.”

How the USDA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program works

For this year, the maximum award amount is also increasing, from $25,000 to $40,000 per year for 3 years to repay student loan det, with an additional payment per year of $15,600 to cover tax liability, for a total maximum award of $166,800. This is compared to the previous maximum, which awarded $150,000.

Congress passed the VMLRP in 2010, which allows qualifying veterinarians to offset a massive portion of their debt from school in return for providing their services in areas with a specialty shorter, or just a geographic one, that are critical to food safety as well as animal and public health. The VMLRP receives about 150 applications on average, and issues out 90 awards each year.

The program did not issue a request for applications in the 2025 fiscal year because this past February, the White House announced it was temporarily freezing federal grants pending their review. For this new cycle, the USDA will use the fiscal year 2025 shortages that were identified in the fall of 2025, covering a record 243 veterinary shortage areas across 46 states.

 The areas were nominated by state animal health officials and federal veterinary medical officers.

The administers of the program, NIFA, anticipate that 90% of the funding will be awarded to private veterinarians for mitigating Type 1 shortages, which are considered at least 80% full-time equivalent employees in food animal practice. Type 2 shortages, which are in rural areas and require at least 30% full-time equivalent employees dedicated to food animal medicine. The 10% left of the funds will then be awarded to veterinarians serving in Type 3 shortages, which are in public practice, specialty practice, or other areas of discipline like epidemiology, food safety, and public health.

Professionals that receive funding from the VMLRP commit to providing at least 3 years of veterinary services in designated shortage situations in return for up to $40,000 for student loan debt per year and has a maximum of 120,000. Tax payments equal to 39% of the total, in addition to the awarded amount, will be paid directly to the participant to offset the additional income claim when they receive the award. This comes out to a maximum of $46,800 for a contract lasting 3 years. The USDA is required to pay federal taxes on behalf of the award recipient since the program began in 2010. 

For the 2026 fiscal year VMLRP, new applications are for individuals who have not received a VMLRP award that are in their last year of the VMLRP agreement or the first year after their agreement ended. Previous awardees with a state date of January 1, 2022, 2023, or 2024 may apply for renewal for their original shortage situation. Applicants that are submitting a renewal will apply using their assigned veterinary shortage situation identification code that received from their original award.

Applicants must also have a minimum of $15,000 in eligible student loan debt from a veterinary college that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education. The guidelines also state that there could be greater flexibility in meeting designated veterinary shortage hourly requirement. 

“Flexibility in meeting Designated Veterinary Shortage hourly requirements on a strict weekly basis may be considered if a participant experiences significant challenges, including, but not limited to, seasonality in demand for food animal services. VMLRP program staff are available to consult with existing awardees regarding such situations, and concerns over their potential should not deter applicants,” as stated in the guidelines.

Applicants for the VMLRP are required to submit a letter of intent stating their intent to apply. Specific instructions can be found on the VMLRP website, and letters should be emailed to VMLRP.applications@USDA.gov by February 19. Following that, the application deadline will be March 5, 2026.

There will be a technical assistance webinar scheduled and VMLRP staff will send out an announcement to share when it is scheduled. All applicants will be informed by September 30, 2026, and the awards will be effective on January 1, 2027

Larkin M. Applications open for federal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published January 22, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.avma.org/news/applications-open-federal-veterinary-medicine-loan-repayment-program

National Institute of Food and Agriculture US Dept of Agriculture. 

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP)

. Published January 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/FINAL_FY26_VMLRP_NOFO.pdf

The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program reopens with increased funding, offering up to $166,800 for veterinarians serving in shortage areas.

Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment applications now open 

Practical tips for canine lymphoma diagnostics, screening, and treatment

, Pamela Jones, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), explained that modern management of canine lymphoma requires disease-specific diagnostics, individualized treatment planning, and clear communication with pet owners and referring veterinarians. The above slides distill her practical guidance into single-line clinical takeaways with brief elaboration that clinicians can apply immediately in primary care or in coordination with specialty services.

: Tailor lymphoma treatment to each patient

Pamela D. Jones, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), explains why lymphoma isn’t just one disease and how phenotyping, client goals, and teamwork guide individualized treatment.