On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and guest Mark Massaro, DVM, discuss Massaro's journey to integrating AI dictation software at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, and its sister hospitals. Throughout the episode, Massaro also shares his journey to veterinary medicine, including the deep ties the industry has to his family, how he found the right software for Mount Laurel, and the benefits the AI dictation software had on the veterinary professionals within, particularly the emergency services. 

AI is my big thing that I worked on recently. So [Christopher Torre, VMD], right, when I was hired, I was like, okay, so what like, what do you want me to work on? And he had all kinds of easy vet projects, but he said, I do want you to just start looking into, I went to a conference and I heard about these AI scribes that will write...SOAP notes for you and filter out some of the nonsense discussion. I want you to just look into it for me and kind of figure out all the different players in the space and which one might be the best fit for us. So I did this, like 3 month research project, looking at all the companies and doing demos and going back and forth and negotiating prices and again, because this is a unique account, a lot of them will charge per veterinarian, and that didn't really make sense for us. We have 120 veterinarians, so we ended up choosing VetRec who I know you know them, I introduced you them  recently, and we did a really slow roll out that was really key for us. It's because we have so many moving parts. And, you know, we only transitioned to ezyvet a couple of years ago, and so, you know, a lot of the teams are still getting used to ezyvet and Vet Radar, and so we didn't want to throw too many things at them all at once. So we kind of went one hospital at a time, one department at a time. But we really hit our stride a few months ago, and they, Oh, my God, do they love it,  especially the emergency service because again, when you're on emergency, you're seeing case, case, case, Mount Laurel's emergency [service] is super busy. Actually, I kind of found out how busy they were through the AI, because I'm able to track how many cases they're seeing using the AI.

Podcasts

Our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and special guest Mark Massaro, DVM, discuss how AI dictation softwares are improving veterinary clinics

How AI dictation software can benefit clinics

A developmental drug that aims to extend the healthy lifespan of senior dogs has received acceptance by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine for the Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness (RXE) section of the conditional approval application submitted by Loyal, a clinical-stage animal health company. The drug, LOY-002, targets age-related metabolic dysfunction and is also designed to improved quality of life in canines aged 10 years and older weighing at least 14 lbs.

“Loyal’s progress in bringing their products to market continues to impress, especially since they are breaking new regulatory ground,” Linda Rhodes, VMD, PhD, a member of Loyal’s Board of Directors, said in a news release.

This new RXE is the second to receive acceptance by the FDA for a longevity drug developed by Loyal. The first, LOY-001, received 

. LOY-001 is a prescription injection that targets large- and giant-breed dogs such as rottweilers, Great Danes and Bernese Mountain dogs, according to Celine Halioua, CEO of Loyal.

A third longevity drug, LOY-003, is also in Loyal’s pipeline. LOY-003 is a prescription pill that aims to provide the same benefits to the large- and giant-breed canine population as LOY-001. Both LOY-001 and LOY-003 intend to target dogs aged 7 years and older, weighing at least 40 lbs.

Loyal is currently running the STAY clinical study to further examine LOY-002, and to provide effectiveness and field safety data for its’ FDA application for drug approval. Launched in late 2023, the STAY study is expected to run 4 years with 1000 dogs enrolled at dozens of independent veterinary clinics across the US. Half of the enrolled dogs are receiving a beef-flavored LOY-002 pill while half of the study enrollees receive a placebo.

interview, Ellen Ratcliff, DVM, vice president of clinical and veterinary medicine at Loyal, said the study has been running in approximately 70 US veterinary clinics. Participation is being recorded in rural, urban and large metropolitan areas. “[It is] just a lot of really great engagement with veterinarians,” she said. “One of the neat things about the STAY study is that we are using a lot of clinical trial-naïve study sites—veterinarians who have never participated in clinical research or doing clinical research at their clinics.”

The STAY study dosed its’ first dog, a Whippet named 

, in December 2023. This study is the first and only 

 for longevity and is the largest veterinary trial in history, according to Loyal.

“It doesn’t do anybody any good if their dog lives longer, but they live longer in that period at the end of the life where they don’t feel well, and they’re sick, having all kinds of degenerative and aging diseases. So, the STAY study is also measuring quality of life according to the owner and the owner assessment of the dog’s quality of life,” Ratcliff said.

In announcing the RXE for LOY-002, officials with Loyal also said the company has raised $22 million for its’ B-2 round, from investors that include Valor Equity Partners and Collaborative Fund. Combined with $45 million in Series B funding it raised in 2024, Loyal now has investment of more than $150 million.

“Everything we do is in service of helping dogs live longer, healthier lives,” Halioua said in the release. “These 2 milestones represent our ongoing commitment to that mission through years of diligence and hard work. Proving efficacy is one of the most challenging parts of developing a novel drug. While we still have significant work to do, RXE increases the probability that dogs will soon have access to our longevity drugs.”

The funding raised will support Loyal’s efforts to bring LOY-002 to the market for veterinarians and dog owners. These funds will also help advance LOY-001 and LOY-003, according to the company.

Loyal is pursuing the FDA’s expanded conditional approval and company officials anticipate completion of manufacturing and safety requirements for this application by late 2025. Regardless, Ratcliff noted that RXE acceptance is an achievement that serves as a testament to the importance of the STAY study.

“Completing enrollment and seeing what the data shows over the next several years is critical, but this is an important step in the process. We now have validation from one of the highest quality regulatory agencies in the world that the drug we’re testing has a reasonable expectation of extending a dog’s life,” Ratcliff said in the release.

Loyal receives FDA acceptance of Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness for senior dog lifespan extension. News release. Loyal. February 26, 2025. Accessed February 26, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250226676005/en

Coppock K. FDA determines drug for lifespan extension in large dogs to have a Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness. 

. November 28, 2023. Accessed February 26, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/fda-determines-drug-for-lifespan-extension-in-large-dogs-to-have-a-reasonable-expectation-of-effectiveness

Coppock K. A clinical trial is launched for a novel drug that could extend healthy lifespan in senior dogs. 

. February 1, 2024. Accessed February 26, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/a-clinical-trial-is-launched-for-a-novel-drug-that-could-extend-healthy-lifespan-in-senior-dogs

Articles

Loyal’s developmental therapy aims to increase longevity and quality of life for senior dogs

Second drug for canine healthy lifespan extension receives FDA support

As the need for comprehensive and compassionate animal care increases, veterinary clinics and facilities are expanding their offerings and opening clinics in new locations, introducing additional services and specialties to better serve their patients. This allows veterinary professionals to provide more tailored care and address the unique needs of every patient.

Home with Dignity, a mobile in-home euthanasia service for pets has expanded to serve the Phoenix area in Arizona. An alternative to conventional in-clinic euthanasia, Home with Dignity offers a tranquil space for pets to pass away peacefully at their home. Home with Dignity also offers complete support for pet owners navigating end-of-life choices, including grief resources, telephonic advice, and guidance with aftercare options.

"Providing peace, comfort, and compassion to each pet in their final moments is incredibly important to me. Their comfort is always my top priority during this stage," Amanda Dorn, DVM, lead veterinarian for Home with Dignity, said in a news release.

Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County Surgery Center (Tustin, California)

Veritas Veterinary Partners recently opened a new surgery center ran by Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County (VSSOC). The new 10,000 sq ft center located in Tustin, California features advanced diagnostics with a 128-slice computed tomography (CT) scan machine, 5 surgical suites, 10 pre and postoperative treatment bays, 20 oversized canine recovery suites. The facility also contains other onsite amenities, including inpatient and outpatient radiology suites, an onsite laboratory, and a pharmacy.

“The center offers a modern, 10,000-square-foot facility designed to elevate the standard of veterinary surgical care and enhance VSSOC's ability to collaborate with other specialists within the Advanced Veterinary Specialty Group,” wrote Veritas in a news release.

Pet Emergency and Specialty Center of Marin (San Rafael, California)

In addition to opening a new surgery center in California, Veritas also announced the opening of another facility in the same state. Their Pet Emergency and Specialty Center of Marin (PESCM) location, situated in the San Francisco Bay area of San Rafael, is a 28,160 sq ft facility. The new center offers various services, including emergency, internal medicine, surgery, oncology, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, and more.

PESCM contains 15 exam rooms, a 24/7 emergency room, a state-of-the-art intensive care suite, 4 customized operating rooms, a chemotherapy treatment suite, a dedicated endoscopy suite, a community blood bank, space for group grief support sessions, and various new imaging modalities. The facility also has dedicated feline wards, a canine ward with natural light, and isolation rooms for infectious patients.

"We are thrilled to continue our rapid expansion across California by adding these two innovative facilities to our network," Kenneth Gardner-Smith, CEO of Veritas, said in a company release.

 "Veritas is dedicated to delivering best-in-class specialty and emergency veterinary services, and to achieve this, we're investing in the most advanced technologies and facilities to address the expanding needs of pets, pet parents, and the veterinary community broadly. With these new centers, we look forward to serving a growing cohort of pets and pet parents across Orange and Marin Counties."

Home with Dignity expands compassionate in-home euthanasia services to greater Phoenix area. News release. February 13, 2025. Accessed February 26, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/home-with-dignity-expands-compassionate-in-home-euthanasia-services-to-greater-phoenix-area-302376080.html

Veritas Veterinary Partners expands California footprint with two new state-of-the-art facilities. News release. Veritas Veterinary Partners. February 18, 2025. Accessed February 26, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/veritas-veterinary-partners-expands-california-footprint-with-two-new-state-of-the-art-facilities-302378541.html

Take a look at these veterinary centers newly opened, coming soon, or expanding

Clinic center: New surgery center, and more

Diabetes is a common disease in companion animals and is frequently encountered in veterinary practices. In canines, the most common form of diabetes is similar to type 1 diabetes in humans, while the most common form of the disease in felines more closely resembles type 2 diabetes in humans.

Canine risk factors for diabetes include genetics, immune-mediated components, and environmental factors, and dogs can also develop a form of gestational diabetes. Obesity is a primary risk factor for feline diabetes.

Veterinary professionals attending the 97th WVC Annual Conference—March 2-4, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada—have the opportunity to learn more about diabetes in small animals including treatment options. Attendees can earn continuing education (CE) credits by attending diabetes-focused CE sessions that include the following

A Revolution in Feline Diabetes Mellitus Care! Novel Drugs and New Recommendations

Instructor: Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline Practice)

Treatment of feline diabetes has been traditionally based on a regiment of therapeutic food and insulin. However, there are different approaches to treating the disease with. A new class of oral drugs (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 [SGLT2] inhibitors) have been licensed that is revolutionizing diabetes therapy. This lecture will present options for using insulin, and addresses SGLT2 inhibitor use.

Cliff Notes for SGLT2 Inhibitors in Treatment of Cats with Diabetes

Instructor: Jocelyn Mott, DVM,DACVIM (SAIM), FACVIM (Feline and Canine Diabetes)

SGLT2 inhibitors increase glucose and sodium excretion into the urine reducing hyperglycemia independent of insulin secretion. Use of these drugs in clinical cases has increased veterinary professionals’ knowledge and experience with SGLT2 inhibitors. This lecture will use clinical cases to discuss ‘cliff notes’ versions of what veterinary practitioners need to know about SGLT2 inhibitors for treating feline diabetes. Appropriate patient selection and screening, indications, monitoring and adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors will be discussed as well as future applications in other species and diseases.

The Technician’s Role in Diabetes Management

Instructor: Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-FE)

Veterinary professionals and pet owners are all components for successful treatment of feline diabetes. After receiving an accurate diabetic work up, a patient’s continued care includes repeat hospital visits and home care. A technician is involved in every step of the patient's journey from performing proper diagnostics to client education and follow up care during rechecks. This lecture provides a refresh of old knowledge as well as new tips and tricks to share with cat owners.

New Ideas for Treating Canine Diabetes Mellitus

Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

Instructor: Cynthia R. Ward, VMD, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)

This lecture will focus on new strategies for more effective treatment of canine diabetes including increasing owner adherence. Case studies used will highlight key points.

Nelson RW, Reusch CE. Animal models of disease: classification and etiology of diabetes in dogs and cats. 

97th WVC annual conference program list. Viticus Group. Accessed February 24, 2025. 

https://myviticus.wvc.org/program-list?categories=Endocrinology%2CInternal+Medicine

Veterinary professionals attending the 97th WVC Annual Conference have the opportunity to learn about the disease and treatment options for small animals. 

Gaining knowledge about diabetes

A targeted formulation of the drug rapamycin, also known as sirolimus, has been shown to reverse hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats, making it the first treatment to successfully treat HCM in felines. The drug’s major success in clinical trials has put it on track to receive expanded conditional approval from the FDA in March 2025, with a final pivotal study still in progress.

“Expanded conditional approval allows drugs that are undergoing their final clinical trial assessment and are supported by strong enough data and pilot studies to receive FDA permission to use the drug while the pivotal clinical trial is finishing,” Joshua Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology), associate dean for research and graduate studies at North Carolina State University (NC State) College of Veterinary Medicine, and lead of the research on the novel therapy, said in a news release.

 “We’re enrolling cats in one of the largest feline clinical trials ever conducted now.”

The final study is being conducted at more than 20 sites throughout the United States, with researchers aiming to enroll 300 client-owned cats.

 For the study, participants will be screened for a period of up to 14 days and will thereafter undergo a 12-month, once-weekly dosing period with 5 post-enrollment study visits.

HCM is a serious and potentially fatal form of heart disease that causes the heart muscle to thicken, impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood. As the disease progresses, it can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs; arterial thromboembolism, where blood clots obstruct flow to muscles and organs; congestive heart failure; and rhythm disturbances that can lead to sudden death.

 Affecting approximately 15% of cats, the condition is the most common type of cardiac disease in felines.

Certain breeds, such as Maine Coons and Ragdolls, are genetically predisposed to developing the disease due to findings of mutations in the cardiac protein myosin binding protein C in affected cats.

 The disease has been diagnosed in feline patients as young as 4 months and as old as 16 years old. Still, a definitive cause of feline HCM has not been found.

Until now, there has been no therapeutic treatment for the disease—this may be changing as the novel therapy awaits conditional approval from the FDA and reaches the veterinary market thereafter. Stern predicts that the drug may become available to veterinarians for prescribing in June.

The research has been a collaboration between Stern and his team, and TriviumVet, an animal health company based in Ireland who funded the research and has patented the delayed-release formulation of rapamycin.

 Both parties have worked to further the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of HCM to develop the rapamycin drug specifically for cats.

According to NC State, Stern's lab discovered that rapamycin could slow or reverse the thickening of the heart muscle in felines with HCM before patients showed any symptoms of the disease.

 The drug functions by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, a central regulator of metabolism and physiology.

“This is a game-changer for us in terms of the reality of having something on the market that actually treats the underlying pathology of HCM, rather than just treating symptoms when they eventually develop,” Stern, the 2024 recipient of the Career Achievement in Feline Research Award from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, said in the release.

For the final pivotal study, due to an overwhelming amount of owner queries, participation is restricted to those with direct referrals from veterinarians. Veterinarians interested in referring a feline patient with HCM for participation in the study can register their patient by visiting 

“Having a useful therapeutic will completely result in a paradigm shift for veterinarians,” concluded Stern.

 “We’ve been playing defense against this disease for many, many years. We’re gonna go on the offensive now.”

Eplin Wheeler B. Studies led by NC State’s top researcher propelling first drug to treat feline heart condition to market. News release. North Caroline State University College of Veterinary Medicine. February 7, 2025. Accessed February 25, 2025. 

https://news.cvm.ncsu.edu/studies-led-by-nc-states-top-researcher-propelling-first-drug-to-treat-feline-heart-condition-to-market/

The HALT Study. TriviumVet. Accessed February 25, 2025. 

https://www.hcmincats.com/halt?__hstc=121558551.7990a16a3b08904537c796380c96c49e.1738598632651.1738616017841.1738617997523.4&__hssc=121558551.2.1738617997523&__hsfp=489374745

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed February 25, 2025. 

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/services/cardiology/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-hcm#:~:text=Hypertrophic%20cardiomyopathy%20(HCM)%20is%20the,old%20as%2016%20years%20old

The novel therapy is the first drug for treating cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

First drug shown to reverse feline HCM expected to receive FDA conditional approval

Casey Locklear, DVM, discusses Elanco Animal Health's new drug product that provides protection from 6 parasites. 

Novel parasite protection is on display at WVC 2025

A novel parasite protection therapy from Elanco Animal Health received FDA approval in October 2024, and was recently made available on the market with a launch at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.  Credelio Quattro is a oral drug product that provides protection against 6 parasites, including 3 intestinal worms that can be transmitted to humans.

Casey Locklear, DVM, US medical strategic lead for Elanco Animal Health and a practicing veterinarian in Texas, discussed the capability of this drug product in an interview with 

. Locklear also shared that Credelio Quattro is being featured by Elanco again at the 

 running March 2-5, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The following is a transcript of the video:

I am thrilled to be introducing Credelio Quattro, as that name ‘quattro’ implies, [there are] 4 active ingredients—lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel and pyrantel—and a tasty meat-flavored, meat allergen free, chewable tablet for dogs. Cordelia Quattro is the broadest isoxaline insecticide, offering coverage against six types of parasites, including tapeworms. It is the first and only isoxaline insecticide to include tapeworm coverage, and all of that is wrapped up in a package that brings 100% heartworm disease prevention into laboratory studies, 100% tapeworm prevention in our efficacy studies, and that same great speed of kill and duration throughout the month of load a laner against fleas and ticks that you know so well from Credelio.

Credelio Quattro is indicated for use in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older, 3.3 pounds or greater.

WVC will be a great place, if you haven't yet had the opportunity to introduce yourself to Credelio Quattro, to come do so. If you visit the Elanco booth, there will be information available on Credelio Quattro, as well as some educational sessions with doctors Susan Little and Brian Herrin and, also at WVC, come visit the booth every day at 4 PM to celebrate ‘quattro hour.’ And if you're not lucky enough to be joining us in person at WVC, you can always visit credelioquattrovet.com to get more information about the product.

Videos

Casey Locklear, DVM, discusses Elanco's new product Credelio Quattro, which will be featured at WVC 2025