Noncompete agreements are pervasive in veterinary medicine, causing tremendous hardships on veterinarians, their families, their patients, and the people who care for them, according to a veterinarian who spoke during a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar.

CJ Caniglia, DVM, DACVS-LA, is a veterinarian and large-animal surgeon from Maryland who spoke on January 27, 2026, as part of a 4-member panel on noncompete agreements hosted by the FTC, titled “Moving Forward: Protecting Workers From Anticompetitive Noncompete Agreements.”

Caniglia explained how his job situation forced him to choose between ethical practice and providing for his family. “Eventually, the struggle became too much, so I was forced to leave,” he said.

During the event, he described distance requirements that hindered emergency care, additional noncompetes needed to work as relief for understaffed veterinary practices, plus clauses that allow noncompetes to transfer between employers. He said he drives 2 hours one way to work at a facility outside the noncompete radius.

Noncompete agreements are contract clauses that restrict where a worker can take a new job or whether they can start a competing business for a set period of time and within a defined geography after leaving an employer. Supporters argue they protect investments in training and confidential business information, whereas critics say they can trap workers in bad jobs, suppress wages, and limit access to services, including veterinary care.

Noncompete rules vary widely by state, creating a patchwork that can dramatically change what employers can require and what workers can realistically do when they want to change jobs. The FTC voted in April 2024 to enact a nationwide rule banning most noncompetes, but the rule quickly became mired in court challenges. The rule was vacated by the FTC in October 2025.

Noncompete agreements remain a common feature of veterinary employment contracts, even as legal and political efforts to restrict them have intensified in recent years. A January 2023 poll of Veterinary Information Network members found that 69% reported their practice had noncompete agreements.

Former FTC Chair Lina Khan, who pushed for the now-vacated ban, stated during the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Business and Economic Forum that veterinarians were some of the most active professionals who submitted comments during the rule-making process.

“I was struck by the extent to which we heard from veterinarians—hundreds of people sharing stories about how noncompetes had buried them in expensive litigation, cost them job opportunities with better wages and conditions, and even forced people to uproot their families or commute hours away,” she said.

"These agreements typically restrict employee veterinarians from working for a competitor or starting their own competing business for a specified period after leaving their current employer,” Karen Whala, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, cofounder of CodaPet, said in an April 2024 interview with 

. “For veterinary professionals, these restrictions often limited their ability to seek new job opportunities or advance their careers without facing legal consequences.”

For his part, Caniglia worked with a Maryland legislator to change Maryland law to prohibit noncompetes for veterinary and medical professionals. He said he still ended up getting sued for alleged noncompete violations before the law was changed.

“I can only hope that my story is a message to all veterinarians out there to never sign a noncompete,” Caniglia said. “The irony in this is that with a tremendous shortage of large-animal veterinarians, there are literally not enough doctors to see all the patients. There is no competition.”

Payerchin R. Health care employers with noncompetes: ‘they have physicians over a barrel.’ 

. January 27, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/health-care-employers-with-noncompetes-they-have-physicians-over-a-barrel-

McCafferty C. Federal Trade Commission vacates noncompete rule. 

. October 1, 2025. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/federal-trade-commission-vacates-noncompete-rule

Wogan L. Noncompetes are contentious in veterinary practice. VIN News Service. February 27, 2023. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=11394052&utm_source=chatgpt.com&f5=1

McCafferty C. FTC bans noncompete agreements in the veterinary profession. 

. April 26, 2024. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/ftc-bans-noncompete-agreements-used-by-some-veterinary-employers

Articles

A veterinarian explained how noncompetes have harmed his career during a live webinar hosted by the Federal Trade Commission. 

Noncompetes in veterinary medicine: Veterinarian describes how restrictions can strain careers

A $120 million donation to the University of California (UC), Davis, was announced today as the largest gift ever made to veterinary medicine worldwide. The gift was made by philanthropists Joan and Sanford I. Weill in support of the UC Davis veterinary school, through the Weill Family Foundation.

The university has renamed the school the University of California, Davis, Joan and Sanford I. Weill School of Veterinary Medicine—or the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine—in recognition of the namesake family’s commitment, according to the university. The historic gift is also one of the largest ever received by UC Davis.

“UC Davis is home to one of the world’s most outstanding veterinary schools and many of the brightest minds in animal and human medicine,” Sanford “Sandy” Weill, former CEO for Citigroup and a member of the UC Davis Chancellor’s Board of Advisors, said in a news release.

 “We are proud to support an institution where groundbreaking research and compassionate care are prioritized together, and where discovery benefits both animal and human health.”

The Weills have also credited the UC Davis veterinary school with caring for one of their pet dogs. When their bichon frisé, Angel, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2018, the care the dog received at UC Davis left an impression on the family. In a 

interview, Joan Weill said the family has become more involved in the school over the years and has witnessed its leadership, dedication to science, initiative in solving complex medical challenges, and commitment to patients and their families.

, the Weills have given approximately $1.5 billion to educational, medical, and cultural institutions, including now more than $500 million to the University of California system. Other contributions have included a $106 million gift for brain disease research to UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and the University of Washington.

“By naming our veterinary school in Joan and Sandy’s honor, we celebrate their transformative generosity and lasting commitment to improve the health of all species,” Gary S. May, PhD, MS, chancellor for UC Davis, said in the release.

 “UC Davis is world-renowned for excellence in veterinary medicine, research, and service. We are deeply grateful for Joan and Sandy’s vision and partnership to help us accelerate the great work taking place here.”

University of California (UC) President James B. Milliken (from left), his wife Nana Smith; Sanford I. Weill, Joan Weill, LeShelle May, UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May, PhD, MS; and UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Dean Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM.

Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM, dean of the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, said the Weills’ support will revolutionize what is possible in veterinary medicine. “Joan and Sandy Weill’s extraordinary generosity will allow UC Davis to move faster, think bigger, and rise to meet the most urgent challenges facing our world,” Stetter said. “This gift empowers us to drive discoveries, expand access to world-class education, and develop new insights at the intersection of veterinary and human health. It launches an exciting new era in veterinary medicine and provides the catalyst needed to advance the construction of our new hospital. With continued support from our philanthropic community, we can bring this vision to completion.”

The $120 million gift from the Weills aims to strengthen UC Davis’ leadership in the field of comparative medicine and advance translational research initiatives for diseases that affect both animals and humans, such as cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions. Eighty million dollars of the donation is earmarked for the construction of a new small-animal teaching hospital, which is part of the university’s $750 million planned expansion of its veterinary medicine complex that will allow UC Davis to increase student capacity.

As part of the expansion, in September 2025, UC Davis announced the opening of the 

, with the goal of this new facility becoming the central hub for advanced diagnostic imaging at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. The veterinary medicine complex is expected to continue evolving with multiple new facilities that will enable the university to provide care to approximately 20,000 more animals each year. Planned facilities for the complex expansion include a veterinary education pavilion, a primary care hospital, an equine hospital, a cancer center, a spay-neuter clinic, and a raptor center.

Meanwhile, the remaining $40 million from the Weills’ gift will be dedicated to fundamental and clinical research. The funds will be used to “accelerate team science, support early-stage discovery projects, and enable faculty to pursue high-impact ideas that often fall outside traditional funding sources,” the university said in the release.

Tompkins C. UC Davis receives $120M gift, largest ever to veterinary medicine. University of California, Davis. January 28,2026. Accessed January 28,2026. 

https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-receives-120m-gift-largest-ever-veterinary-medicine

Maglione F. Weill gives $120 million to vet school that treated his dog. 

. January 28, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-28/weill-gives-120-million-to-vet-school-that-treated-his-dog?srnd=phx-wealth&embedded-checkout=true

Crossley KC. UC Davis unveils a new diagnostic imaging center. 

. September 20, 2025. Accessed January 28, 2026. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/uc-davis-unveils-a-new-diagnostic-imaging-center

The newly renamed Joan and Sanford I. Weill School of Veterinary Medicine was given its largest-ever monetary gift.

UC Davis receives historic donation

A veterinary emergency and specialty hospital in Portland, Oregon, recently reported an outcome few critical care veterinarians might expect to see. A 7-year-old dog survived after ingesting massive doses of multiple human psychotropic drugs, amounts associated with sudden death in dogs. According to DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, the hospital who treated the dog, the patient (Nelly) suffered cardiopulmonary arrest shortly after arrival and underwent 17 minutes of continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Nelly at the DoveLewis intensive care unit. (Image courtesy of DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty)

According to DoveLewis, Nelly reportedly consumed 30 to 40 tablets of Lamictal (lamotrigine), along with 5 to 10 tablets of mirtazapine, and 5 to 10 tablets of Auvelity, a combination drug containing dextromethorphan and bupropion. These amounts translate to approximately 201 mg/kg of lamotrigine, 7.5 mg/kg of mirtazapine, and 75 mg/kg combined for dextromethorphan and bupropion.

 These doses, the veterinary hospital said, “far exceed” levels associated with seizures, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death in canines. Nelly’s family was not home when she ingested the medications, said DoveLewis.

“Thanks to rapid, coordinated critical care, Nelly pulled through a life-threatening situation that few dogs survive. Today, she’s home with her family, and her owners are profoundly grateful to have their beloved dog back safe and sound,” DoveLewis said in a news release.

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, stabilizing mood swings and preventing depressive and manic episodes in humans. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant often used in veterinary medicine to treat weight loss and anorexia primarily in cats.

 Auvelity is also used to treat major depressive disorder in people. In animals, including dogs, ingestion of antidepressants, like the ones Nelly ate, can lead to lethargy, ataxia, agitation, shaking, seizures, tachycardia or bradycardia, vocalization, and serotonin syndrome. The latter is characterized by 3 or more of the following signs in animals: altered mental status, agitation, nervousness, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, tremors, diarrhea, incoordination, cardiovascular changes, and fever.

According to DoveLewis, Nelly was taken to the hospital within hours of ingestion. Shortly after arriving, Nelly went into cardiopulmonary arrest, the veterinary center said. “The team immediately initiated CPR following RECOVER guidelines, including chest compressions and airway management,” said DoveLewis in a news release.

RECOVER Initiative announces updates to CPR guidelines

During the resuscitation, Nelly developed ventricular fibrillation, which required defibrillation. After 17 minutes of continuous resuscitation, the team achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). According to DoveLewis, the length of Nelly’s cardiac arrest left her prognosis uncertain and with a high risk of further cardiac arrest or lasting neurological injury.

With Nelly remaining “critically ill” and facing risk of deterioration, the team administered lipid emulsion therapy after ROSC to isolate lipophilic toxins and decrease ongoing toxicity. The hospital noted that the team withheld further doses of the therapy to prevent it from interfering with other medications.

During her recovery, Nelly experienced recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, so the team started a lidocaine constant rate infusion, which was later stopped once her rhythm stabilized. She also showed a significant rise in liver enzymes, likely related to an ischemic event from prolonged CPR, and was started on Denamarin, a liver health supplement containing S-Adenosylmethionine and Silybin.

Nelly also received supportive care that included antiemetics and gastrointestinal protectants, with the team monitoring her neurologic status, tremors, and seizure activity. According to DoveLewis, neuroprotective measures, like permissive hypothermia, were also used during the period of highest risk following arrest. Within 48 hours, her heart rhythm steadied, her neurologic function remained intact, and she gradually moved out of intensive monitoring.

Nelly at Dove Lewis

Video courtesy of DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital.

“As she regained strength, Nelly’s personality returned quickly. Her appetite came back, her tail wagged again, and she began seeking out the people who had worked so hard to save her—leaning in for pets and showering the team with kisses,” said DoveLewis.

 “Her bright, affectionate behavior was a powerful reminder of how far she had come.”

“Nelly’s case was both medically complex and emotionally intense,” said Julia Supino, VMD, a veterinarian at DoveLewis. “Seventeen minutes of CPR is a long time, and the fact that she came back from that is nothing short of remarkable. Seeing her return to her sweet, loving personality so quickly is the best outcome we could hope for.”

Dog Survives 17 Minutes of CPR After Severe Polypharmacy Ingestion. News release. DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital. January 22, 2026.

Forsythe L, Gollakner R. Mirtazapine. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed January 27, 2026. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mirtazapine

Hayes C. Toxicoses in Animals From Human Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, and Sleep Aids. May 2025. Accessed January 27, 2026. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/toxicoses-from-human-antidepressants-anxiolytics-and-sleep-aids/toxicoses-in-animals-from-human-antidepressants-anxiolytics-and-sleep-aids

Denamarin Liver Health Supplement. Nutramax Laboratories. Accessed January 27, 2026. https://www.denamarin.com/

In Portland, Oregon, a 7-year-old dog survived prolonged cardiac arrest after ingesting at least 40 tablets of human medications for bipolar disorder and depression.

A dog survives 17 minutes of CPR after taking lethal doses of human medications

A mental health training program for new volunteers with Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord (VWB/VSF) has been developed by the nonprofit organization in partnership with veterinary staffing company IndeVets. The program is the first of its kind for VWB, which provides disaster relief and humanitarian work through volunteers, and will be required for veterinarians to serve in needed areas around the world.

The new training program is part of VWB/VSF’s commitment to improving well-being in the veterinary community. According to recent research, approximately half of veterinarians report moderate to high burnout, indicating a need for proactive mental health support in the profession, the partners noted in a news release.

Among the research, caseloads that are too high are associated with decreased participation in educational activities and increased fatigue-associated medical errors. Meanwhile, 40% of veterinary residents in a survey cited by investigators expressed concerns about making major medical errors.

“The well-being of our volunteers is essential to the success of our mission,” Janine Mitchell, executive director of VWB/VSF, said in a news release.

 “This partnership with IndeVets helps ensure our teams are prepared for the realities of the field—not only technically but [also] mentally and emotionally. We’re grateful for IndeVets’ leadership and commitment to supporting those who serve in some of the world’s most challenging environments.”

The mental health training program was created by Dave Shuey, LMSW, DMA, RVT (ret.), a veterinary social worker with IndeVets. The goal of the online program is to prepare VWB/VSF’s staff and volunteers for emotional and psychological challenges that they may face while working in crisis and disaster environments. The Pre-Departure Mental Health Survival Guide session is now available to all volunteers new to VWB/VSF.

The training, which is also led by Shuey, addresses key topics such as moral injury, resilience, and social support, with an emphasis on cultural humility and decolonization. It aims to support volunteers navigating stress while maintaining emotional health and fostering genuine connection and understanding in diverse and challenging locales.

“[VWB/VSF] volunteers do incredibly difficult and compassionate work under conditions that most of us can hardly imagine,” Shuey said in a news release.

 “It’s an honor to support them with tools to stay grounded, connected, and human in the face of extraordinary stress. We hope this training makes a meaningful difference for those who give so much of themselves in service to others.”

For IndeVets, the partnership with VWB/VSF is part of the company’s broader mission to make veterinary medicine better for doctors, practices, and pets. This mission includes prioritizing mental health and well-being within the profession. By offering the expertise of an in-house veterinary social worker like Shuey, IndeVets is working to create a culture of care that extends far beyond the clinic, according to the company.

Veterinary relief organization earns NOMV certification for mental wellness

IndeVets launches first mental health training for Veterinarians Without Borders volunteers to strengthen global veterinary resilience. News release. IndeVets and Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord. January 27, 2006.

Steffey MA, Griffon DJ, Risselada M, et al. Veterinarian burnout demographics and organizational impacts: a narrative review. 

. 2003;10:1184526. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1184526

Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord and IndeVets partnered to launch the initiative.

New training program addresses mental wellness for disaster relief volunteers

On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Mark Besançon, DVM, shares with our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, more about his current career in veterinary medicine, including the beginning where he started out in a completely different field and industry, and how his previous experience and love of animals fuels the work he does today. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

: I love that you have such a passion for surgery? Did you always have that passion? Did you kind of grow into learning and loving surgery?

: Yeah, so I like to work with my hands. So, you know, I was very engineering mindset growing up. And so I always wanted to work with my hands. And so this was a way that working with animals, you're able to fix them with your hands doing surgery. And so that's always been something that I've enjoyed. There's some people they love internal medicine, you know, I enjoy actually manipulating the bones and tissues with my hands and fixing them. They say a chance to cut is a chance to cure so I enjoy surgery.

That’s great. And I know you had an interest in engineering right?

ngineering was actually the degree path that I was going for through college. And so when I graduated with that associate's degree, I'd done all of the calculus [classes] and was working towards engineering, and went off to the 5-year college, and that first semester my next class was differential equations. And I walked into the class, and the professor started talking. I literally stood up and walked out, went to my advisor, said, ‘Cancel all my courses’, and then I started taking all the prerequisites for veterinary school, and then got in so switched that literally on a specific day, made that decision change. And [I am] glad I did, because I'm still able to do some of it through some of my innovations, but also help animals with the veterinary degree. 

: I think that it's such an interesting and unique combination that you have, because to your point, you're an innovator, and having that background of engineering as well as veterinary medicine, allows you to come up with these ideas.

Check out Besançon’s most recent article on dvm360.com here: 

Podcasts

Discover how Mark Besançon, DVM, blends engineering and veterinary medicine, fueling his passion for surgery and innovation in the veterinary industry.

Engineering better veterinary care 

Image Credit: © teamjackson | stock.adobe.com

Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common conditions seen in small-animal practice. With expanding treatment options, increased owner awareness, and ongoing debate around emerging therapies, it has never been more important to stay on top of the latest in OA diagnosis and treatment. Below, we break down the top questions veterinarians and veterinary technicians ask about canine OA, with links to 

 articles and videos that explore each topic in greater depth.

1. What is canine OA, and how common is it?

Canine OA is a chronic, progressive joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration, inflammation, and pain. Estimates suggest that up to 20% of adult dogs are affected, with prevalence increasing significantly with age and body weight.

Watch now: Three things to know about canine osteoarthritis

Maintaining a lean body condition is the only proven method of delaying and reducing the severity of osteoarthritis, says Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, in this interview.

Three things to know about canine osteoarthritis

2. What are the main risk factors for developing OA?

Age, obesity, genetics, joint conformation, prior orthopedic injury, and developmental conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia all increase OA risk. Excess body weight remains one of the most modifiable contributors to disease progression.

Canine osteoarthritis: Understanding the etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis

3. How is OA diagnosed in clinical practice?

Diagnosis is typically based on history, orthopedic examination, and radiographic findings, although imaging findings may not always correlate with clinical signs. Subtle gait changes and owner-reported mobility issues are often early clues.

Current options for managing canine osteoarthritis

Current thinking supports earlier intervention, even in mild or suspected OA, to slow progression and preserve mobility. Waiting for severe radiographic change or overt lameness may limit long-term outcomes.

Managing osteoarthritis in dogs (Proceedings)

5. What role do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play in OA management?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs remain a cornerstone of OA pain control and are often first-line pharmacologic therapy. Appropriate patient selection, monitoring, and client education are essential to balancing efficacy and safety.

Librela and meloxicam comparison study results now available

6. What are monoclonal antibodies, and are they safe?

Monoclonal antibodies such as bedinvetmab target nerve growth factor to reduce pain signaling. Although many dogs experience meaningful improvement, clinicians should stay informed about labeling updates, adverse event reporting, and appropriate case selection.

Drug label is updated for pain management therapy

FDA notifies veterinarians of adverse events linked to osteoarthritis treatment

Animal health company assures veterinarians that OA drugs are safe

7. What nonpharmacologic strategies are supported by evidence?

Weight management, controlled exercise, physical rehabilitation, and environmental modification are essential components of multimodal OA care. These strategies can significantly improve comfort and mobility when combined with medication.

Nonpharmacologic management of canine osteoarthritis—Part 1

8. Which rehabilitation modalities are most effective?

Rehabilitation plans may include therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and other modalities based on individual patient needs.

Rehabilitation and canine osteoarthritis: A multimodal approach

Physical rehabilitation: Improving the outcome in dogs with orthopedic problems

9. Are there disease-modifying treatments for OA?

Research into disease-modifying OA therapies continues, including intra-articular treatments and novel interventions aimed at slowing joint degeneration rather than simply controlling pain.

New research finds canine osteoarthritis treatment may have disease-modifying effect

Surgical intervention may be appropriate for select patients with advanced disease or poor response to medical management. Options include femoral head ostectomy and total joint replacement, depending on joint involvement and patient factors.

Joint replacement: Hips, knees, and elbows (Proceedings)

Watch now: FHO vs total hip replacement: Separating fact from fiction

Thinking beyond the femoral head ostectomy and considering the case for a total hip replacement

FHO vs total hip replacement: Separating fact from fiction

11. How can clinicians objectively monitor pain and mobility?

Validated pain scoring tools, mobility questionnaires, and consistent recheck protocols help clinicians assess treatment response and guide adjustments over time. Technicians play a key role in ongoing monitoring.

12. How do you set expectations with pet owners?

OA is a lifelong condition that requires ongoing management. Clear communication around goals, costs, realistic outcomes, and the need for multimodal care helps improve adherence and long-term success.

Budsberg SC. Canine osteoarthritis: understanding the etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis

. October 1, 2004. Accessed January 27, 2026. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/canine-osteoarthritis-understanding-etiology-clinical-presentation-and-diagnosis

Check out evidence-based answers to the most common clinical questions veterinarians ask about managing canine osteoarthritis.