and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.

In this podcast interview, Lisa Ziemer, VMD, DACVR, provides an overview of Antech RapidRead, the AI-assisted radiographic interpretation tool, what the tool does, how veterinarians can utilize AI-powered tools in practice, and looks at a RapidRead case study.

Understand how and when to use RapidRead in clinic, along with what makes the tool different from others

Examine a case study using RapidRead that illustrates the tool’s utility in everyday practice

Evaluate situations where AI tools might help provide enhanced veterinary care


Podcasts

On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Lisa Zimer, VMD, DACVR, and host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA chat about the use of AI tools in veterinary practice

Podcast CE: Understanding how and when to utilize AI in imaging

An immunosuppressant indicated to manage pruritus associated with canine allergic dermatitis and for atopic dermatitis in dogs has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP), which may lead to marketing authorization in Europe by the end of the third quarter of 2025.

 The ilunocitinib tablets (Zenrelia; Elanco Animal Health) were approved by the FDA for use in the United States in September 2024.

Ilunocitinib tablets are administered to patients orally once daily. The drug contains a nonselective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.

 “It can be used for both short-term acute cases of allergies like flea hypersensitivity or contact allergies or even flare ups in a longer term case, and it could also be used for long term treatment, as in chronic cases of atopy,” Mara Tugel, DVM, veterinary technical marketing-companion animal therapeutics for Elanco, said in a 

The CVMP noted the efficacy of ilunocitinib tablets in treating the indicated conditions in its’ opinion, according to Elanco. The CVMP also recommended marking authorization in the European Union based on quality, safety and efficacy demonstrated in the data provided to the committee.

"This milestone marks a significant advancement in the expansion of Zenrelia, Elanco's fastest globalized product with eight major regulatory approvals expected in just 18 months," Ellen de Brabander, PhD, executive vice president, innovation and regulatory affairs at Elanco, said in a news release.

 "As part of the EU approval process, Elanco has done a head-to-head noninferiority study versus the marketplace incumbent, and we are very pleased with the result. With millions of itchy dogs unable to find relief, we're excited to bring this new solution to veterinarians across the EU."

Ilunocitinib tablets are currently available in Brazil, Canada and Japan, in addition to the US. Elanco noted that, once the European Commission has adopted the CVMP’s recommendation, the EU label will be consistent with other markets outside the United States.

The FDA has publicly noted that ilunocitinib tablets are safe and effective when used in accordance to the label. However, the product labeling has a boxed warning stating that dogs should not be vaccinated at least 28 days before and after treatment with the drug. The warning was prompted by fatal vaccine-induced disease and inadequate immune response to vaccines.

Jason B. Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD, assistant professor at Iowa State University, acknowledged the warning, in a 

interview. He provided insights about the concern about vaccines and addressed adverse effects.

“Zenrelia is a newer drug. The biggest concern with it is it does have a black box warning around vaccinations and suppression and whatnot. But they've done some further studies with vaccination, showing that dogs that have previously been vaccinated and are then getting booster vaccines are easily able to achieve tighter levels for the distemper and rabies vaccine. And those were done in much larger studies: 4 times the quantity of dogs [than in] the initial study…. So, from that aspect, I think it's very safe—I'm not worried about the vaccines aspect with them. I think it's relatively safe there,” Pieper said.

“Side effects, since it's also in that JAK inhibitor category and that same first generation of them, I believe that the side effects are relatively low. I have yet to see a side effect with those dogs either,” Pieper added.

In the US, ilunocitinib tablets are available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian and in scored tablets in 4 strengths: 4.8 mg, 6.4 mg, 8.5 mg, and 15 mg. Each tablet strength is available in 10 and 30 count blister packages and 90 count bottles.

“The dose has been optimized to allow for once daily dosing from the start, and this has some really clear advantages for both veterinarians and pet owners,” Tugel said.

 “It's just simpler. So communicating once daily dosing from the beginning to a pet parent is easier than talking about having to do a dosing change partway through treatment.”

Elanco receives positive opinion on Zenrelia (ilunocitinib) grom EU’s Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP). News release. June 12, 2025. Accessed June 13, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elanco-receives-positive-opinion-on-zenrelia-ilunocitinib-from-eus-committee-for-veterinary-medicinal-products-cvmp-302480544.html

FDA Approves New Treatment for Allergic Skin Conditions in Dogs. News release. US Food and Drug Administration. September 19, 2024. Accessed September 19, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-approves-new-treatment-allergic-skin-conditions-dogs?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

McCafferty C, Tugel M. An overview of Zenrelia. 

. October 9, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/an-overview-of-zenrelia

McCafferty C. Treatment for allergic skin conditions receives FDA approval. 

. September 19, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/zenrelia-receives-fda-approval

Bautista-Alejandre A, Pieper JB. Treatment options for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, and when to use what. 

. February 17, 2025. Accessed June 13, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/treatment-options-for-moderate-and-severe-atopic-dermatitis-and-when-to-use-what

Articles

Elanco Animal Health’s ilunocitinib tablet (Zenrelia) was approved by the FDA in 2024.

Access to canine dermatitis therapy may soon expand to Europe

Benjamin Bergstrom, DVM, MS, DACVO, discusses the challenges of managing glaucoma in feline patients 

Latanoprost limitations in cats with glaucoma

Treatment options for cats often lag behind those available for dogs, and ophthalmology is no exception. In this interview clip on his lectures at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, this past month, Benjamin Bergstrom, DVM, MS, DACVO, owner of The Eye Vets, a veterinary ophthalmology practice in Nashville, discusses the challenges of managing glaucoma in feline patients. He highlights that glaucoma is often more manageable with medical therapy in dogs than in cats, depending on the cause. Bergstrom also discusses the limited utility of latanoprost—a key medication in treating canine glaucoma—in feline patients, reminding practitioners that the medication is not as long-lasting in cats as it is in dogs.

Below is the transcript of the video, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity:

: Glaucoma in animals is a very, very frustrating disease. The treatment of glaucoma in dogs is different than it is in kitties. And in a lot of instances, we can manage it a little bit longer in dogs with medical therapy than we can in cats depending on the cause. And so, I think the important fact about glaucoma and its differences between cats and dogs is latanoprost, for instance, which is our most potent best medication we have as a defense to glaucoma in dogs, does not work or does not work for as long in kitties. And so, we don't have that in our arsenal to be able to manage the disease as well as we do in dogs.

For more on ophthalmology and to listen to the rest of the interview with Bergstrom, check out the following:

Understanding and managing cataracts and lens luxation in cats and dogs

Differentiating nuclear sclerosis from early cataracts during an ophthalmic exam

Enucleation conversations: A lecture preview

Videos

Summer in veterinary medicine isn’t a season—it’s a pressure cooker. Appointments double, emergencies happen, clients get crankier, the team’s shortstaffed, and the air conditioning is barely hanging on. People are melting. Morale is slipping. And stress isn’t creeping in—it’s kicking down the door.

So here’s the question: What if instead of letting the summer grind break your team down, you used it to build your team up?

This isn’t another Kumbaya moment. It’s a tactical move. One small, deliberate action a day—over 30 days—to reconnect, reset, and recalibrate your clinic’s culture. Not with fancy consultants or culture committees. With your actual people, in your actual hospital, during actual chaos.

Burnout thrives in isolation. And summer, with its heat and high caseloads, everyone’s in survival mode. What this challenge does is interrupt that pattern. It builds micromoments of intention, reflection, and collaboration. It pulls teams out of the grind—just long enough to remember they’re not alone in it. And while you may have your ups and downs throughout the workweek, through it all you are a team that does what’s right for your clients and their pets.

We’re not fixing culture in 30 days. We’re rewiring how we show up for each other while keeping it real.

One challenge per day. Each takes 2 to 20 minutes, tops.

Complete it as a team. Even if it’s just whoever’s on that day.

Miss a day? No guilt. Just pick up where you left off.

Post your progress (if you want). Use #Vet30Reset to let the world know your team is in it, and tag @dvm360 on Instagram or Facebook.

You can customize it, print it, even write it on a whiteboard. These are just some ideas for you to react to and see how this can be implemented into your practice. But once you commit, lean in and go for it!

The 30-day veterinary culture reset challenge

(You can mix up the order, repeat favorites, or assign a team member each day to pick.)

: Shout out someone’s invisible win from yesterday. Do it with a dance break.

: Clean 1 zone together for 10 minutes—with music blasting.

: Each person teaches a weird clinical tip/hack they swear by. No gatekeeping.

: Handwrite a thank-you card to at least 1 team member and mail it to their home.

: Share a photo of your pet and one sentence on why they keep you going.

: Watch a dvm360 webinar together online at dvm360.com/flex.

: Put a quote or words of wisdom in a team member’s locker. Do it for multiple ones.

: “Two-minute grounding.” Everyone stops and breathes/meditates together.

: Try a different phrase for a difficult client conversation. Rework your reframing.

: Write down 1 thing you want to get better at. Post it up.

: Bring a favorite snack. Everyone creates a snack attack bag.

: Choose 1 technology tool or software feature no one’s using—and test it.

: Hydration station. Encourage each team member to finish their water intake.

: What’s 1 way someone helped you this week? Tell them.

: Team stretch break. Two minutes. Make it count.

: Post-it gratitude wall. Fill it. Show your attitude of gratitude.

: What’s 1 step in your day that feels pointless? Talk about it. How can it improve?

: Choose a code word to use when you need a reset or backup or a bad day from home.

: Take a team selfie. Caption it honestly and post it.

: Pick 1 patient who made your day this week. Share the story and why.

: “Before I go home today, I will…”—each person sets a microgoal.

: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen in veterinary medicine? Laugh it out.

: Choose 1 way to surprise a client with kindness today.

: Ten-minute lunch table topic: What would make this job 10% easier?

: Ask each team member to write down everyone’s birthday. The one who knows the most wins a gift card.

: Water balloon toss/run for your life in the backyard. You’re welcome.

: What’s 1 boundary you’re working on setting? Support each other.

: Handwrite thank-you notes to your top 2 or 3 clients and mail them out.

: Bring in a joke or meme and post it at the front desk.

: Celebrate! Ice cream social! Goat yoga! All of it. You made it!

One intentional action a day to keep your team sane and cool this summer

The 30-day summer veterinary culture reset

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has released the Principles of Wellness toolkit—a comprehensive resource that veterinary professionals can share with clients to help them best care for and meet the needs of their pet. The 20-page guide outlines key practices across 6 areas of pet care, detailing best practices caregivers should adopt at home and what should be addressed during veterinary visits to help pet caregivers practice preventive care throughout each stage of a pet’s life.

“The truth is, pets may not show signs of illness until it’s too late,” Jim Berry, president of WSAVA, said in a news release . 

 “That’s why prevention and proactive care are important. These principles give caregivers the tools to act early and work with their veterinarian to help provide a healthy life for their pet.”

The guide contains a section on each of the following: primary care, nutrition, dermatology, parasite control, vaccination, and welfare. In each section, a definition of each term and the goal of the essential area are provided.

In the Primary Care section, the toolkit addresses examinations, risk assessments, and appropriate testing for various scenarios, including aging pets, high-risk patients, those starting new medications or showing behavioral changes, and more. For dermatology, the guide covers skin and coat health, signs to watch out for, and additional guidance tailored for animals with unique skin or coats, allergies, long hair, and those that shed.

Guidance on transitioning pets to a new food and helping them accept it are also provided, as well as the risks of nontraditional diets. Additionally, the guide covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, 

, core/noncore vaccines, adverse vaccine reactions, disease monitoring, microchips, and more.

Additional resources from the global Parasite Councils on testing for worms, internal parasites, and vector-borne diseases are also provided. Moreover, advice from the American Association of Feline Practitioners and International Cat Care of retroviral testing is included. A chart on a cat’s and dog’s stages of life, as well as information on urinalysis, can also be found in the guide.

“Caring for a pet shouldn’t be confusing or overwhelming,” Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, executive director of HealthforAnimals, said in a WSAVA release.

“We’re proud to support the Principles of Wellness as they can help pet owners work with a veterinary professional to make informed decisions.”

According to the guide, “the Principles of Wellness are most valuable when used by a caregiver and veterinary professional working as a team.”

Still, many pets continue to be at risk for preventable conditions. In the United Kingdom, vaccination rates have fallen in recent years for both cats and dogs.

 In the US, meanwhile, vaccine hesitancy poses a growing concern, mirroring negative attitudes toward human vaccination.

Furthermore, weight continues to be a concern for cats and dogs: One in 4 dogs and 2 in 5 cats show being overweight or obese, according to a recent US survey.

“The foundation of good pet health is a strong relationship between a caregiver and their veterinarian. Together, they can understand a pet’s health needs and work to prevent problems before they occur. Everyone can be on the same page to uphold pet wellness,” the Principles of Wellness document reads.

New global wellness toolkit aims to help pet owners keep their dogs and cats healthier, longer. News release. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. June 2, 2025. Accessed June 12, 2025. 

https://wsava.org/updates/principles-of-wellness/#:~:text='Principles%20of%20Wellness'%20provide%20best,charge%20of%20their%20pets'%20health

Principles of Wellness. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Accessed June 12, 2025. 

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Principles-of-Wellness-FINAL.pdf

Motta M, Motta G, Stecula D. Sick as a dog? the prevalence, politicization, and health policy consequences of canine vaccine hesitancy (CVH). 

. 2023;41(41):5946-5950. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.08.059

The Principles of Wellness framework is a valuable resource veterinary professionals can share with clients.

WSAVA creates practical guide for preventive pet care

Just because Pet Mobility Awareness Month is behind us, that does not mean that joint health is something that should not be talked about year round with clients. To get the conversation going outside of May, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, to The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, to talk about joint health, MOVOFLEX® Advanced Soft chews, and what veterinary professionals can do to help support joint health for their patients. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity

What's one thing every veterinarian should do to support joint health proactively in all their canine patients?

Number 1 thing and I would just say this ad nauseum, [is] weight management. If your dog is overweight, the most effective strategy is going to be weight management. The number one risk factor for development [in] dogs is obesity. And even just being 10% overweight, though, these dogs will still have a waistline. Most vets actually call them ideal body weight. But if they're a body condition score 6 out of 9, that will absolutely impact their clinical symptoms of OA, so that's for me absolutely number 1 is always weight management. But beyond that it's really about education. It's really about the entire team in a clinical setting participating and owner education. You know the vet's going to be busy and appointments going in and out of appointments treating their patients. The support staff can play a really important role in educating owners about the symptoms of, okay, we know OA is a degenerative disease, which means that the initial symptoms are not evident to most owners until the dog is much older. So recognizing that when that dog tears their ACL, once they recover from their TPLO, they may not be limping.

But guess what? They have OA because any time there is an injury to the joint, that's the start of a way and that's the time that you want to intervene. Start your supplementation, make sure you do activity modification to avoid that high impact activity, but make sure they stay active and still moving and walking on a daily basis.

Make sure that they're an ideal body weight. And so that educational aspect, I think is really, really important for prevention of, and nothing's going to stop the progression of, OA, but there's a lot of things that we can do to delay progression of OA. So weight management I would say number 1. And number 2 is really education. So that owners recognize that, oh I didn't know my dog had arthritis. Like it's a Rottweiler [who is] one year old. They tore their ACL. Guess what they have...?

Yes and I think the education should certainly go beyond the exam room, especially for National Mobility Month. I mean, talk about great, social media content pieces that all of you out there can do for your team. You know, look at some gait analysis that you see of dogs walking into your clinic or, you know, just sharing best practices of what works, what doesn't work. And to start that conversation ahead of time before they come in and maybe keep that top of mind when they're looking. You want to chat about mobility, for even their wellness, you know. So I think it's good.

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, talk about all things joint health in this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, and sponsored by Virbac. 