Each year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) compiles its data to identify trends and raise awareness about the top toxins that pets are exposed to. In 2024, the APCC handled over 451,000 calls about toxic substances, plants, and poisons affecting animals—an increase of nearly 4% from the previous year. Think you know what mischief pets got into last year? Take our quick quiz to discover the top 10 toxins that posed a risk to pets in 2024, based on the Animal Poison Control...

Antimicrobial resistance is an ongoing problem in both human and veterinary medicine. Minimizing the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance in both pets and humans has to be a major mandate for both small and large animal veterinarians. Resistance in Escherichia coli is a significant issue in both veterinary and human medicine. Research has validated that E. coli resistance is commonly related to human and farm animal interactions. Resistant E. coli transmission between pets and humans is...

This quiz is Part 1 of our Navigating parasite control in a changing world series, designed to help veterinary professionals rethink parasite control. Geographic and temporal tick risks are evolving in Canada.1 Veterinary professionals play a key role in educating their clients on tick risk and prevention strategies; this helps pet owners know how to best protect themselves and their pets. However, recent survey results have highlighted significant gaps between veterinary recommendations and...

Pimobendan has been proven to increase the lifespan of dogs with chronic degenerative valvular disease (CDVD) leading to congestive heart failure (Stage C). Such use is the current labelled indication for pimobendan in dogs in Canada. Use of pimobendan in patients without congestive heart failure, but with significant cardiomegaly (Stage B2) has been shown to extend the asymptomatic phase of the disease by an average of 15 months (EPIC study). Use of pimobendan in this setting is considered to...

Watch this video as Dr. Kathryn Reif, associate professor in the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Pathobiology, discusses the growing threat of ticks and tick-borne diseases to pets and humans. She reviews a recent study comparing three isoxazoline drugs for their speed of kill, particularly for eliminating the Lone Star tick. Given the increasing prevalence of ticks and their pathogens, she underscores the importance of using effective tick control products to...

Watch this video as Dr. Samantha Taylor reviews the 2024 ISFM and AAFP guidelines on long-term NSAID use in cats. She highlights the importance of careful patient selection, comprehensive pretreatment evaluations, and ongoing monitoring to manage chronic pain effectively. She also discusses scenarios where NSAIDs may not be suitable and explores multimodal strategies—including environmental modifications and alternative therapies—to support feline well-being. By adopting these evidence-based...

Periodontal disease is a common diagnosis in canine (and feline) patients. The true incidence of periodontal disease is likely much higher than is typically cited given that a full oral examination and dental radiographs can only be performed under general anesthesia. Previous studies of canine patients examined while awake detected periodontal disease in 10%–20% of patients. Other studies evaluating patients that were anesthetized, allowing for thorough evaluation of the oral cavity, found...

Raw and freeze-dried pet foods have been shown in multiple studies to commonly carry and spread pathogenic bacteria in pets, as well as to potentially spread these bacteria to pet parents and other family members. Pets often consume dried meat treats, most often purchased from pet stores. Items used as treats or chews in pets may include body parts, such as ears, snouts, tendons, skin, trachea, tails, penis, hooves and feet from a large range of domestic and nondomestic animals. Multiple...