Veterinary Vertex

Send us Fan Mail A gel injection that looks “inert” on paper may be doing something surprisingly active inside an arthritic horse joint. We sit down with repeat guest Dr. Lynn Pezzanite to unpack new evidence on how intraarticular 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel (2.5% iPAAG) alters synovial immune pathways in equine osteoarthritis, and why that matters for the cases you see in the field. If you have been hearing about longer-lasting clinical effects with polyacrylamide hydrogel, this conversatio...

Send us Fan Mail A dog that suddenly cannot walk puts everyone in crisis mode, and thoracolumbar IVDD is one of those diagnoses that can turn a normal day into a life-or-death decision. We sit down with manuscript authors Drs. William Tammaro, Nick Jeffery, and Paul Freeman to unpack a less invasive option that could change those conversations: chondroitinase ABC intradiscal injections, often described as a form of chemical fenestration designed to reduce future disc extrusion. We get ...

Send us Fan Mail A single bite or wildlife exposure can turn “vaccinated” into a complicated question fast, especially when the animal is a zoological species, a wildlife rehabilitation patient, or any non-traditional mammal that does not have a licensed rabies vaccine label. We sit down with Dr. Ryan Wallace, who leads the rabies program at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to unpack what clinicians and public health teams can lean on when the rules feel vague and the conseq...

Send us Fan Mail Honey bees are food-producing animals, and once you say that out loud, the entire conversation changes. We sit down with Dr. Melinda Wilkins to unpack how federal rules like the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) brought veterinarians and beekeepers into the same lane, especially around antibiotic stewardship and protecting the food supply. Honey isn’t the only product that matters here either: hives produce beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly, and all of it depends on healthy co...

Send us Fan Mail A rectal exam is one of the oldest tools in the equine colic workup, but we rarely stop to ask a blunt question: how accurate is abdominal palpation per rectum at telling small intestinal disease from large intestinal disease when it truly counts? We sit down with Drs. Mary Hallsten and George Elane to dig into the data behind rectal palpation, using surgical findings as the gold standard so we can compare what we feel with what is actually happening inside the abdomen. ...

Send us Fan Mail Oral fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) capsules sound like the kind of elegant fix we all want for canine parvovirus: simple to give, easy to store, and built for high-volume shelter medicine. But when you put a microbiome therapy into a randomized controlled trial in a real outpatient protocol, the story gets more complicated and far more useful. We sit down with manuscript authors Drs. Meghan Hoel and Amanda Gimenez to unpack their shelter-based study at Austin Pets Alive ...

Send us Fan Mail Hookworm cases that “just won’t clear” are no longer a weird outlier, and that should change how we practice. We sit down with parasitology expert Dr. Ray Kaplan to unpack the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) Hookworm Task Force recommendations on diagnosing and treating multidrug-resistant canine hookworms, including what clinics can do right now to stop guessing and start confirming. We talk through how this problem came to light, why drug-resista...

Send us Fan Mail A dog needs a pacemaker, the estimate is five figures, and the family’s last lifeline is a GoFundMe link. We wanted to know what happens next when veterinary teams suggest crowdfunding as a way to cover the cost of canine pacemaker implantation and whether it truly works often enough to be responsible advice. We sit down with cardiologist and researcher Dr. Mark Rishniw to break down what he found by mining publicly available GoFundMe campaigns for dog pacemakers. We talk ab...

Send us Fan Mail A lot of researchers quietly struggle with the same question: when is a study truly ready to publish, and how do you write it so someone actually uses it? From the AVMA Convention 2026, we sit down live with Dr. Joshua Stern, a veterinary cardiologist and geneticist whose work bridges cardiovascular disease, genomics, and clinical impact. We start with Joshua’s path into cardiology, sparked by working with “super athlete” animals like racehorses and sled dogs, then move into...

Send us Fan Mail Your research might be solid, your conclusions might be exciting, and you still may be setting yourself up for a rough peer review if the methods, statistical analysis, and journal fit aren’t dialed in. Recording live from the AVMA 2026 convention in Anaheim, we sit down with Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, a longtime veterinary surgeon and associate editor, to unpack what actually speeds up (or stalls) publication in veterinary journals like JAVMA and AJVR. We get specific ab...

Send us Fan Mail Chronic laminitis forces every equine clinician into the same hard question: when comfort keeps slipping and radiographs keep worsening, what can truly change the mechanics of the foot and the horse’s day-to-day life? We sit down with Dr. Jim Orsini to talk about deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy, a procedure many people still treat as “last resort,” and why the data argue it may deserve earlier consideration in the right chronic rotational laminitis cases. We dig into what...

Send us Fan Mail A veterinary “clinic” doesn’t always look like stainless steel tables and a wall of equipment. Sometimes it’s a town pavilion, a park, an old hotel lobby, or a host’s living room and that shift changes what students learn, what they notice, and who they become as clinicians. We’re joined by Dr. Paul Maza to talk about international veterinary service learning and why it deserves more recognition in veterinary education, not as a feel-good add-on, but as rigorous training that...

Send us Fan Mail A glow under blue light might be the difference between guessing and knowing where cancer has spread. We sit down with Drs. Elizabeth Maxwell and Veronica Perez to unpack a practical, low-cost approach to sentinel lymph node mapping in dogs using fluorescein sodium, a compound many veterinarians already recognize from everyday clinical use. Our focus stays on one big goal: expanding access to accurate cancer staging in veterinary oncology without requiring advanced imaging, s...

Send us Fan Mail Pet food advice is everywhere, but the hardest part is what happens when an owner walks into the exam room already convinced they’ve found the “right” answer. We sit down with repeat guest Drs. Janice O’Brien to dig into what veterinarians say actually blocks effective pet nutrition communication during small animal appointments and what helps break through without shaming clients. Janice shares insights from a large survey of 500+ veterinarians across the US and Canada, inc...

Send us Fan Mail A splenic mass shows up on ultrasound and the question hits like a brick: benign or malignant? We go straight at the uncomfortable truth behind canine splenic cytology. Even when splenic FNA feels like the “do something now” step, the match between cytology and histopathology is only moderate, and that has consequences for how we advise families, schedule rechecks, and decide when splenectomy is the safest path. We talk with Drs. Janet Grimes and Matthew Aluisio about what t...

Send us Fan Mail Routine stifle exploration during canine cranial cruciate ligament surgery sounds like common sense, until you ask the uncomfortable question: what if “doing more” doesn’t reliably improve long-term function for most dogs? We sit down with Dr. Dan Low to unpack long-term outcomes after high tibial osteotomy procedures (TPLO and CCWO) performed without routine arthroscopy or arthrotomy and without proactive meniscal evaluation, a real-world approach many clinicians use but rar...

Send us Fan Mail Rehabilitation isn’t a luxury line item at the end of a case anymore. It’s becoming the difference between “we fixed the lesion” and “this patient truly returns to function.” We’re joined by Drs. Heidi Reesink, Denise Marcellin-Little, and David Levine to unpack a first-of-its-kind JAVMA rehabilitation Technical Tutorial Video supplemental issue and what it signals about where veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy are headed. We talk honestly about what makes rehabi...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Dr. Lynn Pezzanite to explore a promising angle on aging-related equine osteoarthritis (OA): cellular senescence, the pro-inflammatory state where cells release a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that can amplify damage inside tissues over time. We walk through why horses are such a valuable One Health model for osteoarthritis research and why this team compared synovial fluid cells from the joint with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from ...

Send us Fan Mail Botox for the equine hoof sounds like a punchline until you learn the science behind it. We sit down with Dr. Kali Slavik and repeat guest Dr. Andrew van Eps to explore a simple but high-stakes question in equine biomechanics: what happens when you inject botulinum toxin into the deep digital flexor (DDF) muscle, the muscle-tendon unit that helps control the rotational forces acting on the horse’s foot and distal phalanx (P3)? We walk through the anatomy in plain terms...

Send us Fan Mail Zero re-obstructions sounds almost too good to be true, so we wanted to understand exactly how the data got there and what it means for everyday feline practice. We are joined by study author Dr. Kelly Tart to talk about a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluating lorazepam for recurrence prevention after feline urethral obstruction in male cats, one of the most common and life-threatening urinary emergencies we treat. We start with the “why”: feline u...

Send us Fan Mail What if the IV catheter your hospitalized dog already has could spare them multiple needle sticks a day without sacrificing lab accuracy? We sit down with Dr. Bryan Welch to challenge a common assumption in small animal emergency and ICU care: that venipuncture is the only reliable way to get serial bloodwork. We talk through a validated push-pull blood sampling technique that uses a peripheral IV catheter to collect repeat samples while aiming to reduce stress, preserve vein...

Send us Fan Mail A dog with chronic diarrhea or vomiting might also be telling you something else. That’s the core thread we pull on as we explore the gut-brain axis in dogs and why chronic enteropathy (CE) can’t be fully understood through GI signs alone. We’re joined by Drs. Ulrika Ludvigsson and Sarah Heath to unpack how chronic enteropathy is defined (GI signs lasting more than three weeks) and why emotional health has historically been sidelined in veterinary care. Then we get concrete ...

Send us Fan Mail Metronidazole has been the reflex prescription for canine acute diarrhea for years and that habit is hard to break. We sit down with Dr. Erin Frey to unpack what the data actually says about outcomes in mild to moderate acute diarrhea, including cases with bloody stool, and why supportive care often matches antibiotics for speed of recovery. Along the way, we get honest about the real reasons “we know better” doesn’t always translate into “we do it” when a worried client is s...

Send us Fan Mail Guinea pigs don’t read the dog-and-cat neurology textbook and that’s exactly where clinicians get into trouble. We sit down with Dr. Vishal Murthy to unpack what a truly species-specific neurologic examination looks like for guinea pigs, why so many “standard” tests can be misleading, and how prey-species stress can flatten reflexes and hide both normal function and real disease. If you’ve ever felt unsure interpreting postural reactions or reflex testing in small mammals, th...

Send us Fan Mail Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can feel like an abstract, far-away crisis until you realize how easily it travels through connected systems and how quietly it can persist when we only watch the “end product.” We talk with Dr. Pankaj Gaonkar about antimicrobial resistance in the U.S. poultry industry, starting with a clear definition of AMR and why it is a pressing global health and economic threat. From there, we dig into the uncomfortable reality that resistance can still be...

Send us Fan Mail A citation can be polished, specific, and completely fake and that’s the scary part. We sit down with Morna Conway, PhD, Scholarly Journal Consultant and JAVMA and AJVR Copy Editor Vic Schultz to unpack how generative AI tools like ChatGPT can hallucinate references, remixing real author names, familiar journal titles, and plausible article wording into sources that simply do not exist. If you write, review, edit, or read scientific articles in veterinary medicine, this conve...

Send us Fan Mail A splenic mass is one of those findings that can flip a normal day into a crisis. You may have an older Labrador or Golden Retriever, an ultrasound that shows a splenic tumor, and an owner asking the question you cannot fully answer yet: “Is it cancer?” We sit down with Dr. Janet Grimes to unpack why that gap between suspicion and certainty is so hard in canine medicine and why better preoperative diagnostics for splenic masses could change everything from emergency decisions...

Send us Fan Mail Cloudy eyes in a kitten can be a warning sign for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). What happens when the eyes look like FIP and then… the kitten gets better? That clinical tension sits at the heart of our conversation with Hikaru Shiraishi and Drs. Karen Vernau and David Maggs. Their JAVMA article describes “undifferentiated resolving uveitis” in young cats, a syndrome that can mimic FIP associated uveitis at first glance yet improves with symptomatic treatment and c...

Send us Fan Mail Worried pet parent meets phone tree is a stress spiral no one needs—so we put it to the test. We sat down with health services researcher Dr. Simon Haeder to unpack a large secret shopper study that mimicked real owners calling nearby clinics to book first-visit puppy care. Across six diverse states, the results upend common assumptions: two-thirds of callers landed an appointment, average waits hovered around six days, and typical drives were about 13 minutes. Even better, d...

Send us Fan Mail What if the case notes from your clinic could forecast tomorrow’s outbreak? We sit down with epidemiologist Dr. Lauren Grant to unpack a One Health vision that connects veterinary, human, and environmental data so we can spot risks sooner, act faster, and guide smarter decisions in practice. We start by clarifying what “integrated companion animal health surveillance” really means and why Canada needs it. Today’s networks rely on selective reporting and expert panels, which ...

Send us Fan Mail A hoof can look fine while its tissue quietly runs out of blood. We sat down with Drs. Georgia Skelton and Andrew van Eps to unpack new 18F-FDG PET research showing how static weight bearing creates sharp, regional perfusion deficits in the equine foot—the very conditions that can spark support limb laminitis in otherwise healthy horses. The findings challenge old assumptions and make a powerful case for movement, dynamic load cycling, and smarter monitoring before the cascad...

Send us Fan Mail Half of the dogs in a massive nationwide study are getting supplements—yet few products face drug-level scrutiny before they hit pet store shelves. We sit down with researchers Drs. Janice O'Brien and Audrey Ruple from the Dog Aging Project to unpack what owners actually give, why they reach for these products, and how the evidence stacks up against bold marketing claims. We dig into the big three—omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin, and probiotics—and map how u...

Send us Fan Mail A shaggy coat and a creaky stride don’t have to signal the end of the road. We unpack new primary-care evidence on pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) showing that diagnosed horses can live as long as matched controls, even as they experience more medical events along the way. That insight changes how we talk with owners: from doom to diligence, and from a single prescription to a complete, daily management plan. We sit down with researchers Drs. Emma Stapley and Fr...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the people closest to the patient lead the science that shapes their care? We sit down with guest editors Erik Fausak and Dr. Adesola Odunayo to unpack the first-ever JAVMA supplemental issue authored by credentialed veterinary technicians—and why it matters for outcomes, team culture, and the future of evidence-based practice. Across anesthesia, radiology, ECC, and surgery, credentialed veterinary technicians make thousands of critical decisions every day....

Send us Fan Mail Your heart sinks when a dog’s CT shows a primary liver tumor plus extra lesions. Ours used to as well—until we dug into data showing how often those additional masses are actually benign. In this conversation with surgical oncologists Drs. Samuel Burkhardt and Hunter Piegols, we rethink what “multiple hepatic lesions” really means, and how that shift can change everything from pre-op counseling to what you sample in the OR. We walk through their study design—primary liver tu...

Send us Fan Mail What if one of the most common vaccine rituals in small animal practice doesn’t help patients at all? We sit down with researchers Jane Sagaser and Dr. Rachael Kreisler to unpack a randomized clinical trial that tested whether replacing the needle after drawing up a canine subcutaneous vaccine improves comfort or outcomes. The result is a clear, practice-changing insight: no clinical benefit for dogs, and no reliable advantage detected by blinded injectors. Together we explo...

Send us Fan Mail A working dog powers through a hot training session, then stops. The clock is ticking, because core temperature can keep climbing even after the effort ends. We sit down with JAVMA student award winner Sarah Parnes to unpack a simple, field-ready strategy that changes outcomes: cool first, transport second. Using the gear most of us carry—a water bottle, a towel, a small cooler—Sara's team tested multiple methods outdoors to mirror real-world conditions. One approach stood ou...

Send us Fan Mail A single ion is changing how we read the story of canine heart failure. We sit down with cardiologist Dr. Darcy Adin and internist–nephrology researcher Dr. Autumn Harris to unpack why hypochloremia—once dismissed as collateral damage from diuretics—now stands out as a powerful predictor of survival in dogs with stable congestive heart failure. The conversation moves from physiology to practice, showing how chloride levels map to renin–angiotensin activation, diuretic resista...

Send us Fan Mail A spike in feline H5N1 cases has many of us asking the same question: how did bird flu end up in our living rooms? We sit down with author and clinician Dr. Jane Sykes to map the path from migratory birds to household pets, spotlighting the two biggest drivers of risk for cats—predation on infected wildlife and contaminated raw diets. The conversation is candid, practical, and rooted in current data, with clear guidance for veterinarians and pet owners who want to reduce dang...

Send us Fan Mail A small structural “bump” on a molecule might be the big breakthrough EPM care has been waiting for. We sit down with researcher and clinician Izabela de Assis Rocha to unpack how bumped kinase inhibitors exploit a tiny difference between parasite and mammalian kinases to hit Sarcocystis neurona where it hurts—motility, invasion, and replication—while sparing the horse. It’s a molecular strategy with practical promise, and the conversation bridges the stall, the lab, and the ...

Send us Fan Mail A calmer patient isn’t just a kinder visit—it’s a safer workplace. We sit down with researchers Drs. Gene Pavlovsky and Ellen Everett to unpack new data showing that veterinary teams see decreases in bites and scratches when every staff member completes low-stress handling certification. Partial participation helped culture in pockets, but it didn’t move the needle on injuries. The lesson is clear: safety is a system, not a solo skill. We trace where stress truly starts, fro...

Send us Fan Mail What if the “gold standard” isn’t the only standard that delivers real results? We sit down with guest editor Dr. Emma Read to explore Spectrum of Care, the evidence-based approach that empowers veterinarians to present a range of medically sound options tailored to each client’s budget, lifestyle, and ability to follow through. Instead of treating alternatives as compromises, we show how tiered choices reduce moral distress, expand access to care, and still protect outcomes ...

Send us Fan Mail Think draft horses “do worse” with colic? We put that belief on trial and let the data speak. With equine practitioner and researcher Dr. Jennifer Burns as our guest, we unpack why survival isn’t about breed status—it’s about when the horse arrives and how quickly we act. Drafts are famously stoic, which can mask early pain and delay referral. By the time they reach the hospital, heart rate, lactate, and abdominal protein often paint a sicker picture. The takeaway is both pra...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with award-winning equine researcher Dr. Charlie Barton to unpack a controlled randomized trial from Colorado State University that challenges the tradition of fasting horses before general anesthesia—and the results are hard to ignore. Horses allowed hay before anesthesia passed manure much sooner post-op, often within three hours, while fasted horses took up to eight. Even better, careful intraoperative monitoring showed no difference in oxygenation or other key...

Send us Fan Mail Horses and anesthesia make for a high stakes mix, and the numbers prove it. We open the barn door on a new study of oral trazodone in healthy adult horses that boosted sedation but, at a low dose, unexpectedly increased xylazine requirements at induction. Our award-winning guest, Dr. Emmett Swanton, walks us through the why behind the work, what the data actually say, and how to turn mixed results into smarter, safer protocols. We dig into the global context first: equine pe...

Send us Fan Mail Ever have a client drop a “by the way” just as their hand hits the doorknob? We tackle the fix: agenda setting that captures every concern upfront, keeps appointments on track, and strengthens trust without adding time. With guests Drs. Jane Shaw, Kat Sutherland, and Natasha Janke, we map the science and the steps behind a small change that delivers big wins for veterinary teams and clients alike. We walk through the practical anatomy of a better visit: start with a solid in...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what’s actually inside a “homemade” dog diet—and whether it truly keeps dogs healthy? We sat down with researchers Drs. Janice O'Brien and Audrey Ruple from the Dog Aging Project to pull back the curtain on what owners are really feeding, what the data reveals, and how to make home-prepared meals complete and balanced without guesswork. The conversation starts with a major survey upgrade: moving from simple checkboxes to detailed free-text responses that capture...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Drs. Paul Freeman and Nick Jeffery to discuss a treatment for down dogs that’s changing outcomes and conversations: percutaneous intradiscal chondroitinase injections that act like chemical fenestration, reduce extruded disc material, and help non-ambulatory dogs recover without opening the spine. We walk through the origin of the idea, the ethical hurdles, and the growing dataset behind safety and effectiveness. You’ll hear why deep pain–positive dogs with ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever notice how the smallest habits in surgery are the hardest to justify with data? We dig into one of those everyday choices—taper vs. reverse cutting needles for intradermal closure after TPLO—and unpack what the evidence actually says about early incisional healing, complication rates, and the subtle differences that might matter at the 18–24 hour mark. With surgeon-researcher Josh Becker, we trace the path from hunches and mentor preferences to a pragmatic study design t...

Send us Fan Mail A fractured canine tooth tests more than a dog’s bite—it tests our choices as clinicians. We sat down with researchers Ethan Elazegui and Dr. Elias Wolfs to reexamine vital pulp therapy with new data, honest surprises, and practical guidance you can use on your next dentistry day. The conversation starts with what holds true: an ~80% success rate keeps vital pulp therapy squarely in the toolkit as a tooth-sparing option when pulp exposure is recent and the tissue is viable. T...

Send us Fan Mail Hyperkalemia in a blocked cat can feel like a five-alarm fire—until you remember what actually fixes the problem. We sit down with Drs. Stephanie Maciorowski and Elizabeth Rozanski to unpack fresh evidence showing that the simplest path is also the strongest: start IV fluids, give calcium gluconate to stabilize the myocardium, and prioritize rapid unobstruction. The headline finding is liberating for busy ERs and general practices alike—insulin with dextrose, terbutaline, or ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what we might be missing with traditional imaging techniques? Dr. Francesca Solari's groundbreaking research reveals a game-changing approach to diagnosing liver disease in dogs. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is transforming how veterinarians evaluate canine liver disease, detecting lesions that traditional methods miss. Dr. Solari takes us through a fascinating AJVR study showing how this minimally invasive technique identifies more liver nodules than conventio...

Send us Fan Mail Surgical options for our feline patients often lack the robust documentation available for canine procedures. Dr. Kristen Gabriel tackles this gap with her groundbreaking research on parasternal thoracotomy via sternocostal disarticulation in cats—a technique that offers promising results for thoracic exploration when traditional approaches fall short. The conversation delves into the origins of this technique, which began with documentation in canine patients before Dr. Gab...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to master complex veterinary procedures without someone physically guiding you? Technical Tutorial Videos (TTVs) are revolutionizing veterinary education by providing visual demonstrations that text alone simply cannot convey. In this illuminating conversation, three-time TTV author Dr. Rebecca Bishop shares her journey creating peer-reviewed video manuscripts for the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. She reveals how these innovative p...

Send us Fan Mail Thermal glass bead disinfection could revolutionize how veterinary clinics manage instrument hygiene between patients. On this episode of Veterinary Vertex, we dive deep with researchers Steven Frederick and Dr. KP Spivey into their groundbreaking study showing how this technology effectively eliminates bacteria from suture scissors in just 60 seconds. The conversation reveals surprising findings about bacterial contamination in veterinary settings. Roughly a third of pre-di...

Send us Fan Mail What if your pet's habit of eating socks, furniture stuffing, or other non-food items isn't simply bad behavior, but actually a cry for help? Dr. Julianna Perez's groundbreaking research reveals that pica – the consumption of non-food items – may be a clinical sign of chronic enteropathy in dogs and cats. The discovery began in emergency rooms, where veterinarians noticed dogs returning repeatedly for foreign body obstructions. When they removed these objects surgically, the...

Send us Fan Mail Salmonellosis is far more than just a risk from undercooked burgers. In this eye-opening conversation, wildlife health experts Dr. Sonia Hernandez and Dr. Kim Perez reveal how everyday environmental exposures may pose significant yet underrecognized transmission hazards for this dangerous bacteria. The researchers unpack their fascinating studies of white ibises adapting to urban environments in Florida and the persistence of Salmonella on shared surfaces like picnic tables ...

Send us Fan Mail Challenging conventional wisdom in equine reproduction, this episode explores revolutionary research about phenylbutazone's impact on embryo production in mares. When previous studies claimed mares on "bute" had zero successful embryos via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), Dr. Kristen Loncar and her team questioned these findings based on their own clinical success. Their subsequent investigation reveals surprising results with significant implications for veterinary p...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered exactly how much lavage solution is needed to effectively decontaminate a surgical wound? This question, so common in veterinary operating rooms, finally has an evidence-based answer. Dr. Vanna Dickerson and veterinary student Cody Westmoreland from Texas A&M University join us to discuss their groundbreaking research on subcutaneous tissue lavage. Their study, published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, reveals that using just 2.5 mi...

Send us Fan Mail Hypothermia during anesthesia represents one of veterinary medicine's most common yet preventable complications. While warming methods abound, which ones actually work? Dr. Rachel Kreisler and veterinary students Mahtab Khanezarrian and John Boules join us to challenge conventional wisdom and share evidence-based solutions. Their groundbreaking research reveals something surprising: those cotton toddler socks commonly used in clinics provide absolutely no benefit for maintai...

Send us Fan Mail How long should it take to publish your veterinary research? What happens when a journal promises publication in just 40 days? And how have publication times changed across veterinary medicine in recent years? Dr. Mark Rishniw joins Veterinary Vertex to discuss his eye-opening research on publication speeds across veterinary journals. Drawing from his analysis of submission-to-publication timelines spanning six years, he reveals how most clinical veterinary publications have...

Send us Fan Mail The battle against Rhodococcus equi, a devastating bacterial pneumonia in foals, continues to challenge equine veterinarians more than a century after its discovery. This fascinating conversation with Drs. Noah Cohen and Devynn Volding illuminates a previously unexplored aspect of a common preventive measure: the safety of hyperimmune plasma transfusions from an electrolyte perspective. When veterinarians transfuse 1-2 liters of hyperimmune plasma into newborn foals, they're...

Send us Fan Mail When traditional dewormers fail against resistant hookworms, veterinarians may turn to emodepside as a last resort. But are all formulations created equal? Not according to recently published research. Join us as Theresa Quintana and Drs. Jeba Jesudoss Chelladurai and Stephanie Martinez reveal critical findings about bioequivalence between different emodepside formulations. Their research demonstrates that the feline topical formulation, when given orally to dogs at 3 mg/kg,...

Send us Fan Mail The simple ice pack - a staple in both human and veterinary medicine for reducing pain and swelling. But what if this common therapy has unexpected consequences for healing? Soft tissue surgeon Dr. Vanna Dickerson and veterinary student Gabriella Hansen join us to discuss their fascinating research on how ice packs affect blood flow in canine skin. For years, surgeons have cautioned against using ice after delicate skin procedures like flaps and grafts, believing it might co...

Send us Fan Mail Veterinary teams are complex systems where communication, shared goals, and mutual respect directly impact workplace satisfaction and staff retention. In this enlightening conversation, researchers Natasha Janke and Jason Coe reveal groundbreaking findings on the power of relational coordination in veterinary practice. Originally developed in the airline industry to understand Southwest Airlines' exceptional performance, relational coordination has transformed healthcare del...

Send us Fan Mail Genetic prediction technology is revolutionizing how we understand disease risk in our pets, yet companion animal medicine lags behind similar advances in humans and production animals. Why? And what does this mean for veterinary medicine? In this fascinating conversation with Dr. Peter Muir and Dr. Mehdi Momen, we explore the emerging science of polygenic risk scores – statistical tools that can predict an animal's likelihood of developing complex conditions based on their ...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Roy Madigan joins us to uncover the hidden danger of Chagas disease, a parasitic infection transmitted by "kissing bugs" that's far more prevalent than most veterinarians realize. Contrary to outdated beliefs that Chagas is a "third world disease," this silent killer affects up to 18% of dogs across the southern United States, with millions of cases going undiagnosed. Dr. Madigan shares how his journey began with one fateful case named Max, whose unexplained death led to...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about what happens to your samples after they leave your clinic? Wonder why some tests come back with "no growth" despite clear clinical signs? This eye-opening conversation with microbiologist Kelli Maddock reveals the world of veterinary diagnostic laboratories and how you can leverage them for better patient outcomes. Kelli, Guest Editor of JAVMA's supplemental issue "Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine: From Sampling to Test Interpretation," debunks common misconcepti...

Send us Fan Mail Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming veterinary diagnostic imaging, but are we ready? In this illuminating conversation with veterinary radiologist Dr. Ryan Appleby, we explore the joint position statement from the American College of Veterinary Radiology and European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging on AI technologies. The eye-opening discussion reveals that none of the currently available AI products for veterinary diagnostic imaging meet established sta...

Send us Fan Mail "A wolf at the door" – that's how researchers describe the growing threat of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), a potentially deadly tick-borne disease that's increasingly prevalent across the Americas. In this eye-opening conversation, Drs. Janet Foley and Andres Lopez-Perez challenge common misconceptions about this dangerous pathogen. Did you know the brown dog tick – a primary vector for RMSF – thrives in urban environments rather than wilderness areas? This tick commo...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if you really need to change that needle after drawing up a vaccine? In this eye-opening conversation, Julia Tawil and Dr. Rachael Kreisler challenge a decades-old practice that most of us have never questioned. Their meticulously designed study measured exactly how much a needle dulls after puncturing a vaccine vial—and the results might surprise you. Using precise force measurements, they discovered that needle sharpness decreases by less than 20% after vial ...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about the scientific evidence behind treating joint infections in foals? This eye-opening conversation with Dr. David Wallace explores groundbreaking research validating common clinical practices while revealing surprising limitations. Septic joints in foals present a clinical challenge requiring both local and systemic antimicrobial therapy. Until now, veterinarians have largely extrapolated treatment protocols from adult horses without solid evidence supporting the...

Send us Fan Mail A groundbreaking approach to equine intestinal motility takes center stage as Drs. Barbara Delvescovo and Marta Cercone join us to discuss their pioneering research on ultrasound-guided celiac plexus blocks in horses. Their remarkable findings reveal that this technique not only restores but actually enhances intestinal motility beyond baseline levels in normal horses—without causing discomfort. Post-operative ileus remains one of the most challenging conditions in equine me...

Send us Fan Mail When your pet needs ear surgery, their eyes might be the last thing on your mind. Yet Dr. Bianca Hartrum's pioneering research reveals a critical connection between ear procedures and vision health that veterinary professionals and pet owners can no longer afford to ignore. Dr. Hartrum's study examines ocular examinations before and after total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy (TECALBO) procedures in cats and dogs. The findings are striking: a staggering 90.9% of cats ...

Send us Fan Mail Breathing new life into brachycephalic airway surgery practices, this eye-opening conversation with Drs. Vanna Dickerson and Mason Hill reveals how implementing standardized protocols can dramatically reduce post-operative complications in our flat-faced canine companions. The surge in popularity of brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs has brought increased attention to the challenges these dogs face during surgical procedures. Through collaborative efforts between sur...

Send us Fan Mail Could your horse be vitamin E deficient without you knowing it? New research suggests this vital nutrient deficiency might be far more common than we realize, even in horses with access to fresh pasture. Drs. Amy Johnson and Megan Palmisano join Veterinary Vertex to discuss their groundbreaking study examining vitamin E concentrations in hospitalized horses. They share a stunning revelation: approximately 17% of adult horses and 5% of foals arrived at their hospital already ...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Jennifer Granick takes us deep into her groundbreaking research on antibiotic prescribing patterns in companion animal practice, revealing both challenges and opportunities for improvement. This conversation unveils the complex reality of veterinary prescribing. Perhaps most surprising is the finding that preventive antibiotic treatments typically last the same duration (10 days) as those targeting confirmed infections—a practice without scientific justification. What m...

Send us Fan Mail Artificial intelligence is no longer the future of veterinary medicine—it's very much the present. In this captivating discussion with guest editors Casey Cazer, Parminder Basran, and Renata Ivanek, we explore the groundbreaking AJVR supplemental issue "From Bark to Bytes: Artificial Intelligence Transforming Veterinary Medicine." The conversation reveals how AI applications already extend far beyond the clinical notes scribes that many practitioners might be familiar ...

Send us Fan Mail We take a fascinating dive into aquatic medicine as Drs. Anthony Cerreta and Karisa Tang share groundbreaking findings on fish wound healing. Their study reveals that topical naltrexone in iLEX ointment significantly accelerates cutaneous wound healing in black belt cichlids—a discovery with profound implications for aquatic veterinary care. Anthony and Karisa explain how fish wounds present unique challenges due to the constant exposure to water-borne pathogens, making effe...

Send us Fan Mail Cooling treatments for equine laminitis have long been standard practice, but groundbreaking research now reveals that not all cooling methods deliver equal results. Drs. Andrew Van Eps and Sarah Ciamillo join us to discuss their study which found that distal limb immersion in ice and water dramatically outperforms other cooling techniques for equine hoof lamellae under real-world conditions. Their research addresses a critical clinical challenge: while ice water immersion h...

Send us Fan Mail The gastrointestinal microbiome represents the new frontier in veterinary medicine, with implications reaching far beyond digestive health. Dr. Rachel Pfeifle joins us to discuss her 2024 AJVR Resident Award-winning research examining how misoprostol affects the equine fecal microbiome—a study that elegantly bridges pharmacology with microbial ecology. Rachel's research journey reflects the perfect blend of personal interest and mentor guidance, as she explains how her desir...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how exposed digits increase weight bearing and alter sub-bandage pressures in dogs with forelimb splints with Sarah Stark, a fourth-year veterinary student from the University of Minnesota. Guided by her mentor, Dr. Wanda Gordon-Evans, Sarah shares her groundbreaking research on forelimb splints and their influence on weight bearing and pressure distribution in dogs. Her study unveils how the design of splints, particularly whether the digits are exposed or enclosed,...

Send us Fan Mail Are you overlooking azotemia in hyperthyroid cats? Explore the intriguing world of feline hyperthyroidism with veterinary endocrinologist Mark Peterson, who sheds light on why some hyperthyroid cats developing azotemia post-radioiodine treatment face shorter survival times. We'll challenge previous assumptions and dive into new research involving over 1,000 cats, revealing insights that are crucial for making informed treatment decisions for these beloved pets. Uncover the co...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as Drs. Vanna Dickerson and Danielle Hollenbeck discuss the impact of peri-incisional liposomal bupivacaine on postoperative pain scores, opioid use after soft tissue surgeries, and incidence of incision site complications in dogs. Despite its widespread use, liposomal bupivacaine may not be providing the pain relief many expect. With 83 dogs enrolled in their study, these findings challenge the status quo in veterinary medicine, emphasizing the importance of evidence...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the hidden complexities behind perineal hernia recurrence in dogs as we chat with Dr. Mandy Wallace and Abigail Hatch. Mandy and Abigail provide fascinating insights into the risks associated with hernia development and the challenges of fecal incontinence. Mandy and Abigail emphasize the crucial need for pet owner education. Their discussion offers a deep dive into the nuances of soft tissue surgery, contrasting it with the generally healthier cases found in orthope...

Send us Fan Mail Discover innovative strategies for revolutionizing veterinary care as we tackle the complex issue of urinary tract infections with Drs. Kayla Sample, Jennifer Grady, Gregory Wolfus, and Claire Fellman. Learn how affordable, in-house bacteriuria screening tests, such as the SediVue, RapidBac, and in-houes cultures, can redefine practices in veterinary clinics, especially those catering to financially constrained clients. Kayla, Jennifer, Gregory, and Claire share their cutting...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we explore fluid therapy in anesthetized cats with our guests, Drs. Stefania Gelendi and Ben Liao. Discover how mild hypothermia reshapes the way fluids are processed in feline bodies, challenging traditional treatment methods and offering a fresh perspective on veterinary medicine. With insights into feline shock management and the complex interplay of temperature and anesthesia, this episode promises to elevate your understanding of fluid dynamics and the unique ...

Send us Fan Mail What are the hidden potentials and challenges in veterinary ophthalmology? Join us as we sit down with Michala Henriksen to discuss inflammatory ocular diseases. Michala's research, featured in the December JAVMA ophthalmology supplemental issue, brings to light the promising safety profile of CBD, while also raising important questions about its efficacy and unexpected ties to elevated liver enzymes. We also navigate through the harrowing 2020 Colorado wildfires with Michala...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how veterinary medicine extends beyond land animals to the fascinating world of aquatic species? Join us as we spotlight David Minich, an AJVR Intern Award winner, who shares his groundbreaking research on Robenicoxib pharmacokinetics in smooth dogfish. Transitioning from studying terrestrial creatures to diving into the aquatic realm, David encounters unique challenges and abundant opportunities in treating infectious and inflammatory conditions in elasmobranch...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about the magic behind the pages of the AVMA Journals? Get ready to learn how to prepare your manuscript for submission to JAVMA or AJVR with Michelle Krieger and Vic Schultz, two of our dynamic editors who are shaping the journal's prestigious content. Michelle brings her expertise from Elsevier, channeling her passion for grammar into crafting impeccable journal quality, while Vic shares his journey through various editing roles to finding his niche in supporting au...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the intriguing world of pet owner vaccine hesitancy with Dr. Simon Haeder, who brings his expertise and personal experiences to our conversation on Veterinary Vertex. Drawing from his recent AJVR article, Simon offers a detailed exploration of how the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey tool was adapted to understand the hesitancy among pet owners. With over 20% of dog and cat owners showing reluctance to vaccinate, Simon underscores the vital rol...

Send us Fan Mail How can a stray kitten spark an investigation that spans hundreds of miles and delves into the heart of zoonotic disease control? Join us as Dr. Ann Carpenter and Dr. Ryan Wallace unravel the surprising discovery of a raccoon rabies virus variant found far from its expected territory. Their expertise sheds light on the critical yet often unseen role veterinarians play in identifying and reporting zoonotic diseases, underscoring the need for vigilance and the diverse career op...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered why your clients might not be engaging with your veterinary clinic's preventative services? Join us as we uncover insights with our guests, Drs. Kat Sutherland and Jason Coe, who explore the transformative power of benefit-focused communication in veterinary practices. Drawing from their enlightening research in a recent JAVMA article, Kat and Jason reveal how emphasizing the benefits, rather than just the features, of preventative care can significantl...

Send us Fan Mail Can dogs benefit from the same revolutionary cancer treatments as humans? Join us as we explore the promising world of canine cancer immunotherapy with our distinguished guest, Dr. Tim Fan. Tim sheds light on breakthrough strategies like monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cellular therapies, transforming how we manage cancer in our beloved pets. Drawing from his recent JAVMA article, he explains how these innovations leverage the immune system's power to fig...

Send us Fan Mail Learn about the veterinary economic landscape with insights from industry experts Matthew MacLachlan and John Volk. Learn how historical data and economic models shape the future of veterinary services, as our guests dissect the supply and demand dynamics impacting veterinarians today. With John highlighting the influence of pet ownership and disposable income, and Matt delving into the effectiveness of the ARIMA framework, this episode promises a comprehensive guide to navig...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the revolutionary advancements in veterinary wound care with our special guest, Dr. Sarah Marvel, as she unveils the potential of a groundbreaking nitric oxide wound dressing for dogs. This episode promises to change your perspective on treating acute traumatic wounds, shining a light on the impressive median surgical closure time of just six days without any significant complications. Join us as we explore the remarkable antimicrobial effects observed in thi...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on Veterinary Vertex as we celebrate the achievements of Dr. Lilli Heinen, an AJVR Student Award winner, whose groundbreaking work is transforming the bovine industry. Hosted by Lisa Fortier and Sarah Wright, this episode takes you into Lilli's world, exploring her award-winning AJVR article on predictive models for Bovine Respiratory Disease outcomes in feedlot cattle. Lilli shares her journey during her clinical year at Kansas State and how her unexpected award win ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how the financial landscape of equine veterinary services could impact your horse's healthcare? Join us as we explore the world of equine veterinary economics with our guests, Dr. Jill Stowe and Olivia Gibson. From the surprising results of a national survey to the revealing concept of price elasticity of demand, we unpack why horse owners' sensitivity to price might just reshape the future of veterinary care. Olivia sheds light on economic principles that highl...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the future of horse racing safety with our distinguished guests, Drs. Denise McSweeney and Warwick Bayly, as they unpack the cutting-edge world of equine technology. Remember the tragic events at Santa Anita racetrack in 2019? Discover how they acted as a catalyst for the innovative StrideSafe technology, a tool born from StrideMaster in Australia, now essential for assessing stride characteristics in thoroughbreds. Our conversation takes you behind the scenes at renow...