Veterinary Voices

Recognizing dementia in dogs and cats

Dr. Lisa Wilhelm was at her wits' end with Uncle Terry. Her 19-year-old cat had developed a habit of screaming, night and day, without a clear reason. Wilhelm found carrying on phone calls impossible, and, unless he was sent to the basement at bedtime, Uncle Terry's loud meows kept the household awake.

This story was published on April 14, 2026.

Show notes:

• The canine as an animal model of human aging and dementia
• Amyloid-beta pathology increases synaptic engulfment by glia in feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome: a naturally occurring model of Alzheimer's disease
• The Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Working Group guidelines for diagnosis and monitoring of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome
• Cognitive dysfunction in cats: a syndrome we used to dismiss as 'old age'
• Efficacy of a therapeutic diet on dogs with signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS): a prospective double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical study

Cases of a rare urinary tract stone type are rising in dogs

The largest laboratory in the United States that analyzes urinary tract stones in veterinary patients is seeing a sharp rise in a rare stone type among dogs that might be attributable to their diets.

Researchers at the Minnesota Urolith Center have found that the stone, composed of calcium tartrate tetrahydrate, is associated with consumption of a particular form of choline used in many fresh and homemade dog foods.

This story was published on April 8, 2026.

Show notes:

• Association of diet and calcium tartrate tetrahydrate uroliths in dogs
• Acute kidney injury in dogs following ingestion of cream of tartar and tamarinds and the connection to tartaric acid as the proposed toxic principle in grapes and raisins
• What dog owners need to know about CTT stones
• Evaluating emerging research on choline supplementation in canine diets

 

Chewy to buy Modern Animal, upping veterinary clinic count

Chewy, an online retailer of pet products like medications and food, has deepened its recent foray into providing veterinary care by agreeing to acquire the practice chain Modern Animal.

The purchase will boost Chewy's practice count to 47 locations across the United States; 18 that Chewy has built since 2024 and the 29 owned by Modern Animal. The sale, for an undisclosed price, is expected to be completed later this year pending customary closing conditions, including a regulatory review.

This story was published on April 9, 2026.

Arkansas State will be third new veterinary school this year

Arkansas State University has begun accepting applications for its first veterinary school class less than two weeks before the April 15 deadline by which most prospective veterinary students in the United States must commit to a program.

This story was published on April 6, 2026.

On a faraway isle, an unusual approach to veterinary care

When the sole veterinarian on Tiree retired last year, no practice buyer stepped in, leaving inhabitants of the remote Scottish island without a replacement.

The difficulty of luring a new practitioner to settle somewhere that's four hours by ferry from the mainland has led the people of Tiree to implement a plan B, which is working out so promisingly so far that it has become their preferred option.

This story was published on April 1, 2026.

Here to stay? Veterinarians contemplate new bird flu reality

When a particularly virulent form of bird flu was first detected in the United States in January 2022, it was hoped the ensuing outbreak would burn out fast. After all, the last major national outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza fizzled within months. Four years later, veterinarians are confronting an uncomfortable possibility that the virus is here to stay.

This story was published on March 26, 2026.

Practice equity offers to veterinarians on rise, raise questions

Imagine being an associate veterinarian offered an investment opportunity in the practice by your employer. If the value of the business goes up, so does the value of your shares. Maybe you're offered a portion of profits in the form of periodic cash dividends. You'd essentially be like a business partner, a status that could secure your financial future.

As enticing as the pitch may sound, some lawyers and others with experience in the field urge caution before accepting.

This story was published on March 19, 2026.

Veterinary faculty shortage: Readers respond

A shortage of veterinary educators, building for decades, is exacerbated by current and projected openings of new veterinary schools, a condition explored in a recent story by the VIN News Service.

The article elicited illuminating comments on a message board of the Veterinary Information Network, an online community for the profession and parent of VIN News. A selection of responses are gathered here. 

This story was published on March 17, 2026.

University of Nevada, Reno, wants a veterinary school

Citing persistent shortages in veterinary services in the state, the University of Nevada, Reno, is pursuing plans to open a veterinary school. It's the second Nevada university in the past year to announce such aspirations.

This story was published on March 12, 2026.

Veterinarians raise alarm over anti-itch drug sold without Rx

Dr. Vicky Smith was reviewing the medical history of her patient, a small dog brought in for lethargy, extreme thirst, a ravenous appetite and increased urination, when his owner revealed a surprising bit of information.

As Smith inquired about any medications the dog was taking, the owner said, "Oh, he's on cyclosporine," Smith recounted. Cyclosporine requires a prescription for sale in the United States, and Smith hadn't written one for this dog — nor, apparently, had any other veterinarian.

This story was published on March 9, 2026.