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.

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

Many veterinary professionals have experienced and seen 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 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.

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

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

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

This lecture is a review of the current pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals used to treat degenerative joint disease pain, how and where they work, their interactions, contraindications, and which are the most effective. Current literature will be presented to allow the attendees to make informed choices regarding the selection of drugs and nutraceuticals, including prescription diets.

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.

Mitigating Fear, Anxiety, and Stress for Patients in Isolation and Quarantine Housing

Whether you are managing animals in a shelter environment, veterinary clinic, or laboratory setting, the welfare of animals in isolation housing should be considered alongside the prevention and treatment of infectious disease. How we care for these animals is of particular importance for puppies in their sensitive period for socialization. This webinar reviews signs of animal stress, how to mitigate stress, and specific tips for promoting good welfare for dogs and puppies in quarantine or isolation.

Updates on the Ever-Present and Evolving Risks of Heartworm Disease

Dirofilaria immitis is an extremely common and often life-threatening parasitic infection, with approximately 1 million dogs testing positive annually in the US. Macrocyclic lactone preventives have been available for heartworm disease prevention for more than 30 years; however, the disease persists, and in certain regions of the country, rates are increasing. When considering the increases, numerous factors are involved that will be discussed. Additionally, questions still arise concerning resistance to the heartworm disease preventives. This discussion will provide insights into our changing understanding of heartworm infections in dogs and the opportunities to provide better protection for our pet companions.

: Marie E. Kerl, DVM, MPH, MBA, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine), ACVECC

This course will offer ways to deliver care without judgment, incorporate inclusive language in the practice, and communicate in a way that meets every client where they are, regardless of their background and knowledge.

How to Become a STELFONTA® (tigilanoltiglate injection) SUPERSTAR

Veterinary professionals, are you ready to level up your oncology expertise? Through this flexible, 4-part on-demand series, you’ll gain the confidence and clinical skills to use STELFONTA® (tigilanoltiglate injection) with precision—and earn 4.0 hours of RACE®-approved CE while doing it. Whether you’re new to intratumoral therapies or looking to refine your case selection and pain management strategies, this program delivers expert-led insights that matter.

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Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that confer health benefits on the host when administered in adequate amounts.

Although most probiotics are bacteria, yeast species may also meet these criteria. Increasingly, probiotic quantity, intestinal epithelium adhesion capability, antimicrobial activity, and antioxidant potential have been recognized as important for probiotic efficacy.

Prebiotics, nondigestible substrates that selectively promote growth of beneficial microbes, often are combined with probiotics in synbiotic formulations. Prebiotics selected for use in synbiotics might enhance activity of included probiotics, those of native microorganisms, or both. Pro- and synbiotics exert their effects by shifting the host’s microbiome and its metabolome to influence local gut function and systemic physiology.

They support intestinal colonization, crowd out pathogenic bacteria, and enhance host immune function and digestive health.

 Their use in veterinary medicine has expanded rapidly in recent years. Both are used increasingly to manage gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-GI issues.

 This could be due to increasing client demand for natural or alternative modalities, intolerance of conventional management’s side effects, and/or failure of said management options to optimize patient outcomes. There is an expanding body of evidence supporting their use in the management of acute diarrhea, chronic enteropathy, and antibiotic-associated GI signs.

Research does not show universal support for probiotics in managing stress-related GI signs. In adequately powered studies, pro/synbiotics decreased feline and canine diarrhea in shelter environments.

 In contrast, probiotics have not been shown to reduce diarrhea in weanling kittens,

 or racing Alaskan sled dogs, except during a weeklong contagious outbreak.

The impact on self-limiting gastroenteritis has been more consistently positive. Probiotics have been shown to decrease the duration of self-limiting diarrhea, whether accompanied by vomiting or not, in dogs by 32% to 41% compared with controls in multiple randomized trials.

 Probiotics also have been found to significantly decrease hyporexia and vomiting,

 and withdrawal from research studies for "rescue" therapy such as antiemetics and antibiotics.

 Finally, resolution of acute diarrhea significantly correlated with probiotic administration and dietary modification but not antibiotics in a large observational study.

 Synbiotic administration also can help maintain microbiome stability and normalize the dysbiosis index (DI), whereas metronidazole causes severe disruptions in the microbiome and metabolome.

Probiotics reduce the severity of clinical signs of some types of infectious gastroenteritis, although adequately powered study results are limited. In one study, dogs with naturally occurring parvovirus enteritis were administered conventional therapy alone or in combination with a high-dose, multistrain probiotic cocktail. Clinical illness scores, determined using objective criteria, were significantly lower on days 3 and 5 for dogs administered the probiotic than for dogs receiving standard supportive care alone.

Mortality was also lower, though this difference was not statistically significant. Positive results were also identified for dogs with distemper virus-related diarrhea in a lower-quality trial.

Although clinical illness scores differed significantly from baseline 1 day earlier in dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) given probiotics vs placebo, scores were not statistically compared between groups; scores were clinically equivalent between groups at each time point, and all dogs responded well to management.

 There also were no significant differences in clinical recovery time, appetite, or stool consistency in dogs with AHDS administered probiotics vs fecal microbiota transplantation in a subsequent study,

 with rapid clinical improvement noted in both groups. Because there was no placebo group in the second study, it is unclear whether these findings indicate that the treatments had equivalent efficacy or no impact on outcomes. Further study with adequate controls is warranted to determine the value of probiotics for management of AHDS.

Non–food-responsive chronic enteropathy

Cats with idiopathic chronic enteropathy (CE) administered a multistrain synbiotic (Proviable®-DC) had significantly improved fecal scores in an open-label trial.

 Similarly, 9 of 10 cats with idiopathic constipation/megacolon administered a high-dose probiotic in an uncontrolled trial had clinical resolution of signs, with clinically and statistically significant histologic improvement.

Clinical activity scores similarly improved in dogs with large-bowel dysmotility administered probiotics and a hydrolyzed, high-fiber diet.

 Clinical activity scores, defecation frequency, and fecal consistency also were significantly improved in dogs with CE administered 

i vs placebo in addition to conventional management,

 as well as in dogs with CE or colonic polyps given a high-dose multistrain bacterial probiotic.

 In another randomized controlled trial, clinical and histologic response rates did not differ for dogs treated with prednisone/metronidazole vs the same probiotic cocktail, with enhanced T regulatory cell function and dysbiosis normalization only in the probiotic group.

A follow-up randomized controlled study found no difference between dogs administered diet and prednisone alone compared with the probiotic,

 suggesting probiotic effects may be blunted by prednisone coadministration. Finally, dogs with CE administered a synbiotic combined with immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study had significantly improved clinical activity scores, inflammatory markers, and beneficial shifts in mucosal microbiota.

Chemotherapy-induced adverse gastrointestinal signs

One small, randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of probiotics on chemotherapy-induced GI signs in dogs receiving CHOP chemotherapy for multicentric lymphoma.

 Dogs administered probiotics had no episodes of diarrhea, whereas 4 of 5 dogs in the control group developed diarrhea. Similarly, vomiting was noted in 1 in 5 dogs administered probiotics vs 4 in 5 dogs in the placebo group. However, differences between groups were not statistically significant. No dog administered probiotics developed secondary sepsis, even though 4 of 5 dogs developed chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (grade 1, 2 dogs; grade 3 and 4, 1 dog each).

Antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal signs (AAGS)

Probiotic administration significantly decreased the duration of lincomycin-induced diarrhea in healthy dogs, and diarrhea did not develop when administered concurrently with antibiotics.

 Oral probiotic administration also prevented antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in dogs administered cefovecin following surgery, whereas bacterial diversity significantly decreased in dogs administered cefovecin alone.

 These results suggest positive effects of probiotics in animals receiving injectable antibiotics, although further study is warranted prior to making widespread recommendations.

Results for preventing of AAGS due to oral antibiotics are more mixed. Administration of a probiotic 2 hours prior to administration of amoxicillin/clavulanate did not significantly decrease AAGS in cats in one study.

 In another study, coadministration of a synbiotic with clindamycin also did not decrease diarrhea in cats

; however, vomiting occurred less frequently in the synbiotic group.

 In a follow-up crossover study, administration of a higher-dose synbiotic (Proviable®-Forte) 1 hour after clindamycin was associated with significantly increased food intake and decreased vomiting in cats, and cats receiving the synbiotic were more likely to complete the initial phase of the study.

 Significant differences also were identified for food intake between the initial treatment period and after a 6-week washout, a phenomenon known as period effects. Period effects indicate the washout time between treatments was inadequate to prevent carryover effects from the initial treatment received. In this case, food intake required to maintain weight was significantly higher at the start of period 2 for cats initially in the placebo group, consistent with the development of antibiotic-induced CE. Several other cats from the placebo group had persistent diarrhea at the end of the washout period, although period effects were not statistically confirmed. Differences in successful completion of the treatment period between the first and second phases of the study suggest that the beneficial effects of synbiotics persisted for at least 6 weeks after administration.

Similarly, in a crossover study with an 8-week washout, derangements in food intake were significantly lower for dogs administered a bacterial/yeast synbiotic combination (Proviable®-Forte with Mycequin®) 1 hour after receiving enrofloxacin/metronidazole compared with placebo.

 Although vomiting and diarrhea did not statistically differ between groups, both were less severe during the second phase of the study. Because AAGS worsen with repeated exposure, the presence of less severe signs during or after synbiotic administration suggests a protective effect of the synbiotic combination against future AAGS. Significant differences in the microbiome and metabolome between groups also were found in several studies.

 Based on these results, administration of a synbiotic 1 to 2 hours after oral antibiotic administration has the highest likelihood of minimizing AAGS in cats and dogs.

Choosing a probiotic: Selection considerations

Neither prebiotics nor probiotics are regulated as drugs in the United States. In one study, less than one-third of evaluated probiotics labeled for animal use met or exceeded the type and quantity of viable organisms listed on their labels.

For this reason, only probiotics that undergo regular evaluations for content and viability by their manufacturers should be used.

The most important criterion in product selection is demonstrated efficacy in relevant peer-reviewed literature. Standardized evaluation criteria relating to microbiota composition, SCFA production capability, and clinical indices also are being developed to improve assessment consistency across studies in dogs and cats.

Product species, microbial strains, and total microorganisms (colony-forming units) should be considered when scientific data are lacking. Commercial probiotics contain between 1 and 20 or more microorganism species or strains. More potent products (those containing more colony-forming units and microbial strains) are recommended for the management of metabolic and GI disorders based on correlations between dose and efficacy in humans.

 Yeast probiotics might be preferable for immunocompetent patients receiving antibiotics, because they will not be inactivated if administered concurrently. Products containing prebiotics and probiotics (i.e., synbiotics) often are preferred for GI disorders because they act synergistically to support colonocyte health, prevent binding of pathogenic bacteria, and enhance probiotic growth.

 Other considerations when selecting a product include administration details (such as ability to mix in food), storage requirements, and the inclusion of animal proteins as flavorants, which could adversely impact patients with food sensitivity.

Probiotics rarely have adverse effects when appropriately administered, but an evidence-based approach to product selection and dosing is essential for maximal efficacy. Only products that undergo regular testing for content and viability should be used. Limited but moderate- to high-quality evidence supports probiotic or synbiotic administration for management of shelter-induced diarrhea, self-limiting gastroenteritis, parvovirus, intestinal dysmotility, chemotherapy-associated GI signs, and CE in cats and dogs. Randomized, blinded placebo-controlled studies support the use of Proviable®-Forte administered alone or in combination with Mycequin® to mitigate AAGS in patients receiving antibiotics. Evidence also supports the use of probiotics for some extra-gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic kidney disease.

 Benefits of probiotics in the management of canine anxiety have been reported in abstract form,

 but the abstract lacked the detail required to determine the clinical effect. Until study results are published in a peer-reviewed format, an evidence-based recommendation cannot be made regarding the use of probiotics for anxiety. Results for other disorders such as canine atopy are mixed,

 with positive results found primarily in studies using probiotics with higher colony-forming units.

 This emphasizes the importance of careful product selection, dosing, and attention to details of published research.

Stokes JE, Price JM, Whittemore JC. Randomized, Controlled, Crossover trial of Prevention of Clindamycin-Induced Gastrointestinal Signs Using a Synbiotic in Healthy Research Cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2017;31(5):1406-1413. doi:10.1111/jvim.14795

Xia J, Cui Y, Guo Y, Liu Y, Deng B, Han S. The Function of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Canine Intestinal Health and Their Evaluation Criteria. Microorganisms. 2024;12(6):1248. Published 2024 Jun 20. doi:10.3390/microorganisms12061248

Whittemore JC, Stokes JE, Price JM, Suchodolski JS. Effects of a synbiotic on the fecal microbiome and metabolomic profiles of healthy research cats administered clindamycin: a randomized, controlled trial. Gut Microbes. 2019;10(4):521-539. doi:10.1080/194 90976.2018.1560754

Kim H, Rather IA, Kim H, et al. A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled-Trial of a Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus sakei Probio-65 for the Prevention of Canine Atopic Dermatitis. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2015;25(11):1966-1969. doi:10.4014/jmb.1506.06065

Lippi I, Perondi F, Ceccherini G, Marchetti V, Guidi G. Effects of probiotic VSL#3 on glomerular filtration rate in dogs affected by chronic kidney disease: A pilot study. Can Vet J. 2017;58(12):1301-1305.

Marsella R. Evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG for the prevention of atopic dermatitis in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2009;70(6):735-740. doi:10.2460/ajvr.70.6.735

Marsella R, Santoro D, Ahrens K. Early exposure to probiotics in a canine model of atopic dermatitis has long-term clinical and immunological effects. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2012;146(2):185-189. doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.02.013

Singleton DA, Noble PJM, Sánchez-Vizcaíno F, et al. Pharmaceutical Prescription in Canine Acute Diarrhoea: A Longitudinal Electronic Health Record Analysis of First Opinion Veterinary Practices. Front Vet Sci. 2019;6:218. Published 2019 Jul 2. doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00218

Bybee SN, Scorza AV, Lappin MR. Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on presence of diarrhea in cats and dogs housed in an animal shelter. J Vet Intern Med. 2011;25(4):856-860. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0738.x

Rose L, Rose J, Gosling S, Holmes M. Efficacy of a Probiotic-Prebiotic Supplement on Incidence of Diarrhea in a Dog Shelter: A Randomized, DoubleBlind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Vet Intern Med. 2017;31(2):377-382. doi:10.1111/jvim.14666

Marks S, McDonnel S, Smith C, et al. Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF 68 on presence of diarrhea in weanling kittens (abstr.). J Vet Intern Med 2015;29:1186.

Cooper S, Parnell N, Isaiah A, et al. Effect of Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 and tylosin on the microbiome during the quarantine period of military working dogs (abstr.). J Vet Intern Med 2015;29:1188 (GI-1129).

Gagné JW, Wakshlag JJ, Simpson KW, et al. Effects of a synbiotic on fecal quality, short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and the microbiome of healthy sled dogs. BMC Vet Res. 2013;9:246. Published 2013 Dec 5. doi:10.1186/1746-6148-9-246

Herstad HK, Nesheim BB, L’Abée-Lund T, Larsen S, Skancke E. Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis–a controlled clinical trial. J Small Anim Pract. 2010;51(1):34-38. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00853.x

Kelley RL, Minikhiem D, Kiely B, et al. Clinical benefits of probiotic canine-derived Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 in dogs with acute idiopathic diarrhea. Vet Ther. 2009;10:121-130.

Nixon SL, Rose L, Muller AT. Efficacy of an orally administered anti-diarrheal probiotic paste (Pro-Kolin Advanced) in dogs with acute diarrhea: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical study. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33:1286-1294

Shmalberg J, Montalbano C, Morelli G, Buckley GJ. A Randomized Double Blinded Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of a Probiotic or Metronidazole for Acute Canine Diarrhea. Front Vet Sci. 2019;6:163. Published 2019 Jun 4. doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00163

Gómez-Gallego C, Junnila J, Männikkö S, et al. A canine-specific probiotic product in treating acute or intermittent diarrhea in dogs: A double-blind placebocontrolled efficacy study. Vet Microbiol. 2016;197:122- 128. doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.11.015

Stübing H, Suchodolski JS, Reisinger A, et al. The Effect of Metronidazole versus a Synbiotic on Clinical Course and Core Intestinal Microbiota in Dogs with Acute Diarrhea. Vet Sci. 2024;11(5):197. Published 2024 Apr 29. doi:10.3390/vetsci11050197

Chaitman J, Ziese A-L, Pilla R, et al. Fecal microbial and metabolic profiles in dogs with acute diarrhea receiving either fecal microbiota transplantation or oral metronidazole. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2020;7:192.

Arslan HH, Aksu DS, Terzi G, et al. Therapeutic effects of probiotic bacteria in parvoviral enteritis in dogs. Revue Méd Vét. 2012;163:55-59.

Delucchi L, Fraga M, Zunino P. Effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus murinus LbP2 on clinical parameters of dogs with distemper-associated diarrhea. Can J Vet Res. 2017;81(2):118-121.

Ziese A-L, Suchodolski JS, Hartmann K, et al. Effect of probiotic treatment on the clinical course, intestinal microbiome, and toxigenic Clostridium perfringens in dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea. PLoS One. 2018;13:e0204691

Jugan MC, KuKanich K, Freilich L. Clinical response in dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome following randomized probiotic treatment or fecal microbiota transplant. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1050538. Published 2023 Feb 2. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1050538

Hart ML, Suchodolski JS, Steiner JM, Webb CB. Open-label trial of a multi-strain synbiotic in cats with chronic diarrhea. J Feline Med Surg. 2012;14(4):240- 245. doi:10.1177/1098612X11434386

Rossi G, Jergens A, Cerquetella M, et al. Effects of a probiotic (SLAB51™) on clinical and histologic variables and microbiota of cats with chronic constipation/ megacolon: a pilot study. Benef Microbes. 2018;9(1):101- 110. doi:10.3920/BM2017.0023

Rossi G, Cerquetella M, Gavazza A, et al. Rapid Resolution of Large Bowel Diarrhea after the Administration of a Combination of a High-Fiber Diet and a Probiotic Mixture in 30 Dogs. Vet Sci. 2020;7(1):21. Published 2020 Feb 10. doi:10.3390/vetsci7010021

Rossi G, Gioacchini G, Pengo G, et al. Enterocolic increase of cannabinoid receptor type 1 and type 2 and clinical improvement after probiotic administration in dogs with chronic signs of colonic dysmotility without mucosal inflammatory changes. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020;32(1):e13717. doi:10.1111/nmo.13717

D’Angelo S, Fracassi F, Bresciani F, et al. Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in dogs with chronic enteropathies: double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Vet Rec. 2018;182:258.

Rossi G, Cerquetella M, Scarpona S, et al. Effects of probiotic bacteria on mucosal polyamines levels in dogs with IBD and colonic polyps: a preliminary study. Benef Microbes. 2018;9(2):247-255. doi:10.3920/BM2017.0024

Rossi G, Pengo G, Caldin M, et al. Comparison of microbiological, histological, and immunomodulatory parameters in response to treatment with either combination therapy with prednisone and metronidazole or probiotic VSL#3 strains in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e94699. Published 2014 Apr 10. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0094699

White R, Atherly T, Guard B, et al. Randomized, controlled trial evaluating the effect of multi-strain probiotic on the mucosal microbiota in canine idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. Gut Microbes. 2017;8:451-466.

Sahoo DK, Allenspach K, Mochel JP, et al. Synbiotic-IgY Therapy Modulates the Mucosal Microbiome and Inflammatory Indices in Dogs with Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Vet Sci. 2022;10(1):25. Published 2022 Dec 30. doi:10.3390/ vetsci10010025

Jugan MC, Wouda RM, Higginbotham ML. Preliminary evaluation of probiotic effects on gastrointestinal signs in dogs with multicentric lymphoma undergoing multi-agent chemotherapy: A randomised, placebo-controlled study. Vet Rec Open. 2021;8(1):e2. Published 2021 Mar 29. doi:10.1002/vro2.2

Aktas MS, Borku MK, Ozkanlar Y. Efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii as a probiotic in dogs. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy. 2007;51:365-369.

Han DW, Kang JH, Mun SH, Kim SJ, Kim YH, Hwang CY. Preliminary report: Protective effects of probiotics on cefovecin-induced gut dysbiosis in dogs. Can J Vet Res. 2025;89(1):32-35.

Torres-Henderson C, Summers S, Suchodolski J, et al. Effect of Enterococcus faecium strain SF68 on gastrointestinal signs and fecal microbiome in cats administered amoxicillin-clavulanate. Top Companion Anim Med. 2017;32:104-108.

Whittemore JC, Stokes JE, Laia NL, et al. Short and long-term effects of a synbiotic on clinical signs, the fecal microbiome, and metabolomic profiles in healthy research cats receiving clindamycin: a randomized, controlled trial. PeerJ. 2018;6:e5130.

Whittemore JC, Moyers TD, Price JM. Randomized, controlled, crossover trial of prevention of antibioticinduced gastrointestinal signs using a synbiotic mixture in healthy research dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(4):1619-1626. doi:10.1111/jvim.15553

Whittemore JC, Price JM, Moyers T, Suchodolski JS. Effects of Synbiotics on the Fecal Microbiome and Metabolomic Profiles of Healthy Research Dogs Administered Antibiotics: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:665713. Published 2021 May 26. doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.665713

Weese JS, Martin H. Assessment of commercial probiotic bacterial contents and label accuracy. Can Vet J. 2011;52(1):43-46.

Ouwehand AC, Forssten S, Hibberd AA, Lyra A, Stahl B. Probiotic approach to prevent antibiotic resistance. Ann Med. 2016;48(4):246-255. doi:10.3109/07853890. 2016.1161232

Pagnini C, Saeed R, Bamias G, Arseneau KO, Pizarro TT, Cominelli F. Probiotics promote gut health through stimulation of epithelial innate immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107(1):454-459. doi:10.1073/ pnas.0910307107

Szajewska H, Konarska Z, Kołodziej M. Probiotic Bacterial and Fungal Strains: Claims with Evidence. Dig Dis. 2016;34(3):251-259. doi:10.1159/000443359

McGowan R, Barnett H, Czarnecki-Maulden G, et al. Tapping into those ‘gut feelings’: Impact of BL999 (Bifidobacterium longum) on anxiety in dogs. In: Veterinary Behavior Symposium Proceedings, Denver, CO 2018;8-9.

Yamazaki C, Rosenkrantz W, Griffin C. Pilot evaluation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 as adjunctive therapy for oclacitinib-responsive adult atopic dermatitis in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2019;60(8):499- 506. doi:10.1111/jsap.13042

Gut check

Kyle Bartholomew, DVM, DACVAA, provides a piece of advice for all practitioners when prescribing analgesics

Considering how each patient feels pain

Kyle Bartholomew, DVM, DACVAA, clinical assistant professor of veterinary anesthesia, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, was an instructor for the “Small Animal Anesthesia for the Practice Team” continuing education course at the first NAVC SkillShop hosted by the North American Veterinary Community in Orlando, Florida. He presented lectures and provided lab instruction with colleagues over 4 days, including a session on balanced anesthesia and analgesia. In a 

interview, Bartholomew offers one piece of advice for all practitioners when prescribing analgesics to patients.

Take an NSAID at the first sign of pain? Dairy cattle should, too

The following is a transcript of the video:

: One thing I'd like practitioners to remember is that while it's easy to create standardized protocols for every patient that you have, make sure to treat your patients individually. Make individual protocols for each patient and assess their pain individually and uniquely.

Different patients will experience different levels of pain from the same procedure, so they may require different amounts of analgesics for treating that pain postoperatively. Make sure to use pain scores for evaluating how much pain that patient is in. Using appropriate analgesia for each individual patient post operatively, can help treat that pain—acute pain—and help prevent it from becoming any sort of chronic painful state.

Providing reptile care in primary practice

: La'Toya Latney, DVM, DECZM (ZHM), DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian), CertAqV, discusses several ways that general practitioners can incorporate reptile care into their clinics.

: Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC) (SAIM), discusses how RECOVER is helping to standardize how CPR is performed around the world.

: Megan Brashear, RVT, VTS (ECC), explains how veterinary team members benefit from self-advocacy in the workplace.

Videos

Kyle Bartholomew, DVM, DACVAA, provides a piece of advice for all practitioners when prescribing analgesics.

Considering how each patient uniquely feels pain

With epilepsy being the most prevalent neurological disorder in dogs, the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation regularly funds research to support the development of new treatments for canine epilepsy.

Many dogs continue to experience effects from seizures even with existing treatments.

Moreover, with epilepsy affecting both dogs and humans, advancing understanding of the canine condition can also provide insight into human epilepsy, according to the Canine Health Foundation.

Among the research grants the foundation is funding is a study on electroencephalography (EEG) to assess seizures and treatments.

 The study, titled “Assessment of Frequency of Seizures and Antiseizure Drug (ASD) Efficacy by Electroencephalography (EEG) for Dogs with Epilepsy,” is being led by Fiona James, DVM, MS, with a research team at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.

For the study, investigators will use EEG to monitor brain activity in dogs with epilepsy and compare the frequency and type of seizures detected with those reported by the patients’ caregivers. EEG findings will also be used to explore what antiseizure drugs the participants are receiving and their effects on the dogs’ seizures.

The study's grant amount is $83,318, and its grant period ends on August 31, 2026.

At  North Carolina State University, Karen R. Muñana, DVM, MS, and a team of researchers are using functional MRI (fMRI) to explore the underlying causes of epilepsy in dogs. A noninvasive method for assessing brain activity, fMRI measures subtle changes in blood flow associated with increased energy demand.

The study, titled “Investigating Neuronal Network Connectivity in Dogs With Idiopathic Epilepsy Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging,” will involve 10 dogs with epilepsy who are not being treated with any antiseizure medication and 10 “neurologically normal” dogs. Each group will undergo fMRI and image analysis to detect and compare resting state networks—groups of brain regions that show synchronized activity during rest. According to the AKC, changes in resting state networks have been observed in humans with epilepsy as well as epilepsy progression, severity, and response to treatment. This study’s grant award is $75,840.

To learn more about this research or make a donation, visit https://www.akcchf.org/donate/.

Seizures can present in various ways and may be focal or generalized. Still, generalized seizures are more common. Patients experiencing a generalized seizure may exhibit

Seizures can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes, with the average being approximately 30 to 90 seconds. During a seizure, patients will be generally unaware of their surroundings.

Following the seizure, ie, the postictal period, patients may exhibit signs of confusion, disorientation, and lethargy and may appear dazed. In the aura state, or the period before the seizure, patients may appear anxious, frightened, or dazed. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, an estimated 2% of dogs will experience a seizure in their lifetime.

Epilepsy research. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.akcchf.org/research/research-portfolio/program-area/epilepsy-research/

New discoveries are changing the future for dogs with seizures. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.akcchf.org/educational-resources/library/articles/new-discoveries-are-changing-the-future-for-dogs-with-seizures/

02931: Assessment of frequency of seizures and antiseizure Drug (ASD) efficacy by electroencephalography (EEG) for dogs with epilepsy. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.akcchf.org/grant-directory/02931-2/

02940: Investigating neuronal network connectivity in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy using functional magnetic resonance imaging. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.akcchf.org/grant-directory/02940-2/

Llera R, Ward E, Gollakner R. Epilepsy in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/epilepsy-in-dogs

Approximately 2% of dogs will experience a seizure in their lifetime.

New studies will investigate use of EEG and fMRI in dogs with epilepsy

For more than 13 years, a unique collaboration between parasitologists and statisticians has been quietly revolutionizing how parasite activity is tracked and reported. The result? A forecasting system with pinpoint accuracy that can change the focus of client conversations from problem to solution.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), widely recognized as the authority on forecasting multiple parasites affecting pets, has been refining its 30-Day Pet Parasite Forecasts to provide veterinary teams with a powerful tool—an “easy button” for the parasite prevention conversation—at a time when appointment efficiency has never been more important.

Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, used the forecasts in a client communications campaign. “We’ve always been huge fans of CAPC,” said Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic. “It’s an incredibly useful tool for helping educate clients about parasite risks.”

CAPC’s forecasting expertise represents years of scientific collaboration and data collection. The organization has assembled a cross-functional team, bridging veterinary parasitology and statistics to develop sophisticated prediction models.

“These pet parasite forecasts are put out monthly for the same 4 diseases that we do the annual forecast for—Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and heartworm disease,” said Stella Self, PhD, a statistician at Clemson University in South Carolina who helped develop the automated analysis behind the forecasts. “They’ve been produced since 2018 and are essentially forecasts of each county’s monthly seroprevalence.”

The accuracy of CAPC’s forecasts has been validated through rigorous statistical analysis. Using a weighted correlation metric (where closer to 1 indicates better performance), the forecasts consistently achieve correlations of 0.9 or higher when compared with actual laboratory results.

The foundation of these forecasts is data—and lots of it. Every month, CAPC’s algorithms analyze more than 300 million laboratory test results from across the country, identifying patterns that would be impossible to detect through traditional methods.

“[These data go] all the way back to 2012,” Self said. “We use a Bayesian binomial regression model that has a conditional autoregressive spatial random effect structure. That’s a mouthful, but it basically means this model has the ability to borrow information across space and time, which is very powerful.”

This sophisticated approach allows CAPC to predict heartworm and tick-borne disease with remarkable accuracy at the county level, giving practices hyperlocal insights about parasite risks in their specific communities.

“CAPC’s forecasts are a prime example of big data at work in veterinary medicine,” said Chris Carpenter, DVM, MBA, CEO of CAPC.

From data to action: Case studies in success

For Innovetive Petcare (IPC), a network of 83 practices throughout the eastern United States, CAPC’s forecasts proved instrumental in driving preventive care during a recent test-and-learn project. The IPC team identified pet owners who hadn’t scheduled heartworm tests or other preventive care appointments in more than 1 year. Using CAPC’s county-specific data, they launched a targeted campaign with personalized emails and social media posts highlighting local parasite threats.

“CAPC helped us deploy emails based on high threat levels in local zip codes,” said Malia Rivera, vice president of marketing at IPC. “That level of detail made a difference. Clients came in saying, ‘I just got this email about heartworm cases here, and I want to make sure my pet is protected.’”

According to IPC, the results showed testing adherence was 20% better with localized data than with generic messaging. Additionally, preventive product purchases increased by 12.5%, and the average purchase amount per email recipient was 7% higher for clients who received the localized parasite information.

Riverview Animal Clinic had a similar experience when implementing CAPC’s forecasts in its client communications. “We lead every wellness visit with parasite prevention,” Tate said. “We’re 1 of the top 3 states for overrepresentation of heartworm disease, especially with the resistant variants that have come out in recent years.”

By incorporating CAPC’s forecast data into its client education, Riverview found that pet owners arrived at appointments already understanding local risks and ready to discuss solutions rather than requiring extensive education during limited appointment time.

These success stories come at a critical time for veterinary practices. Industry data show veterinary visits declining, with wellness visits specifically lagging. For practices facing these challenges, CAPC’s forecasts offer a compelling way to drive necessary preventive care visits.

The forecasts create urgency around time-sensitive parasite risks, motivating clients to schedule appointments they might otherwise postpone. This approach is particularly effective because it’s based on scientific data rather than general seasonal recommendations.

“I want more veterinary partners to learn about the benefits of CAPC and the information they provide,” Rivera said. “It is extraordinarily valuable in helping us educate our clients.”

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of CAPC’s forecasts is their relevance to human health. Many parasites that affect pets also pose significant health risks to human family members, including children who may have closer contact with pets and outdoor environments. Beyond identifying immediate threats to pets, these forecasts serve a sentinel function—an early warning system for rising parasite risks in the broader community, helping veterinarians and public health officials track trends before they become widespread.

By framing parasite prevention as protection for the entire household, veterinarians can elevate their discussions with clients beyond routine pet care. This One Health perspective resonates strongly with health-conscious pet owners who increasingly view their veterinarian as an important partner in protecting their family's well-being.

“When clients understand that the same parasites threatening their pets could also affect their children, they’re significantly more motivated to follow through with recommended testing and prevention,” Carpenter said.

As vector-borne diseases continue expanding into new territories, CAPC’s forecasting capabilities have become increasingly relevant to veterinary medicine. The organization continues to refine its models and expand its offerings. For example, a new program from CAPC allows practices to receive customized monthly forecast reports designed specifically for integration into client communications. According to Carpenter, this program represents the next evolution in parasite prevention.

“While our nationwide annual forecasts help us track progression of diseases, our monthly forecasts help pet owners understand immediate threats in their neighborhoods,” Carpenter said. “This new program will make it even easier for practices to leverage our data in a way that drives client action.”

The key is consistency and localization. Generic parasite email messages don’t drive the same results as county-specific alerts that create immediate relevance for pet owners. “That level of detail made a difference,” Rivera said. “Clients came in specifically because of those targeted communications.”

For both IPC and Riverview Animal Clinic, the benefits extended beyond metrics to more efficient appointments. When clients arrived already educated about local parasite risks, veterinary teams could focus on treatment and prevention options rather than lengthy explanations about parasites and their associated diseases.

Currently, CAPC is partnering with larger hospital groups to share local forecast data with their clients. The goal is to expand this program through technology partnerships to every veterinary hospital that is interested.

“Our county-level forecasts for parasite infections drive clinic visits, testing, and preventive prescriptions better than any other type of client communication,” Carpenter said. “We look forward to making this big data tool available to every veterinary hospital in the coming year. We know that this is the best way the profession can fulfill CAPC’s vision of ‘Every pet tested and protected.’”

With CAPC’s county-level forecasting, veterinary teams can tailor their conversations, helping pet owners see the risks in their own backyards—and take action.

When parasite prevention gets personal

La'Toya Latney, DVM, DECZM (ZHM), DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian), CertAqV, describes what it takes for veterinary professionals to include services for turtles, terrapins and tortoises into a practice.

Caring for chelonians

 in Orlando, Florida, featured the multisession course “Growing Your Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Toolboxes for Reptiles,” presented by a team of veterinarians with specialists in reptile, amphibian, and fish care as well as zoo medicine. In a 

interview, instructor La'Toya Latney, DVM, DECZM (ZHM), DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian), CertAqV, senior veterinarian at The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, New York, provided insights for general practitioners caring for chelonians and how practices can use tools they already have in the clinic to examine turtles, terrapins, and tortoises.

La'Toya Latney, DVM, DECZM (ZHM), DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian), CertAqV

: If you want to get into the regular practice of seeing common [chelonian] species, learning where they come from in the wild and how they thrive, what their sexual maturity age is, how big they're going to get, what they eat, all of these things become really important.

We could literally hear an owner report what's going on, and before we even see the animal, we already have a differential diagnosis list for you. We don't even need to see the animal. That's how powerful knowing any gaps or issues with their husbandry becomes.

La'Toya Latney, DVM, DECZM (ZHM), DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian), CertAqV, describes what it takes for veterinary professionals to incorporate services for turtles, terrapins, and tortoises into a general practice.