Pet Health & Vet Science — 2026-05-05
The AVMA is celebrating National Pet Week 2026 while also updating its raw milk policy to include HPAI risks, and Chewy's acquisition of Modern Animal signals a major shift in veterinary clinic ownership models. On the clinical front, new biologics for dogs address both itching and kennel cough, the FDA has granted emergency authorization for a screwworm treatment spray, and freeze-dried plasma is now available as a canine emergency treatment option.
Pet Health & Vet Science — 2026-05-05
Top Stories Today
AVMA Updates Raw Milk Policy to Include HPAI Risk
- What happened: The AVMA Board of Directors approved several policy revisions during its April 10 meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois — the most notable being an update to the raw milk policy to address HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) risks. AVMA Board Chair Dr. Sandy Willis presided over the meeting, which also approved a future dues increase.
- Why pet owners should care: Raw milk has become a hot-button topic as HPAI continues to spread across the country. Pet owners who feed raw milk or raw diets containing dairy to cats, dogs, or other animals should be aware that AVMA now explicitly flags this as an HPAI exposure risk. Owners of backyard poultry or livestock should also take note of updated guidance.
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Chewy Expands Clinic Ownership With Modern Animal Purchase
- What happened: Online pet product retailer Chewy is expanding its physical presence in the U.S. animal health market by acquiring Modern Animal, a chain of 29 veterinary clinics. The deal marks a significant move by one of the country's biggest pet retailers into direct veterinary service delivery.
- Why pet owners should care: The consolidation of veterinary practices by large retail corporations raises important questions about the independence of clinical decision-making, pricing, and continuity of care. As corporate entities control more clinics, pet owners may want to ask questions about ownership when choosing a vet and understand how these business models could shape care quality and cost.
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Two New Animal Biologics Coming Soon for Dogs — Itch Control and Kennel Cough
- What happened: The AVMA has reported that two new animal biologics are becoming available soon — one targeting itch control and another offering protection against kennel cough. These represent additions to the growing toolkit of biologic (non-traditional pharmaceutical) interventions for companion animals.
- Why pet owners should care: Dogs that suffer from chronic allergic itch or have frequent boarding, doggy daycare, or dog park exposure will be the primary beneficiaries. Biologics often offer longer-lasting or more targeted relief than conventional medications. Ask your vet about availability and whether your pet is a candidate.
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Safety Alerts & Recalls
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Product/Issue: FDA Emergency Use Authorization — Spray to Prevent and Treat Screwworm Affected pets: Livestock, dogs, cats, and any animals potentially exposed to Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World screwworm), particularly in states bordering areas with reported cases Action required: The FDA has granted emergency use authorization for a spray product to prevent and treat screwworm infestation. Owners in affected regions should contact their veterinarian immediately for guidance on accessing the product and implementing surveillance protocols. Monitor animals for signs of wound myiasis (fly larvae in wounds). Source:
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Product/Issue: Raw Milk / HPAI Exposure Risk — Updated Policy Alert Affected pets: Cats, dogs, ferrets, and other carnivores fed raw dairy products; also animals in contact with poultry or livestock operations Action required: The AVMA now explicitly includes HPAI risk in its raw milk policy. Pet owners should discontinue feeding raw milk products to animals until consulting with a veterinarian, and exercise heightened biosecurity around birds and livestock. If animals show respiratory or neurological symptoms after potential exposure, seek immediate veterinary care. Source:
Clinical Research & Breakthroughs
Freeze-Dried Plasma Now Available for Canine Emergency Treatment
- Finding: Freeze-dried plasma has become a viable option for canine emergency treatment, according to new AVMA coverage. Unlike traditional fresh frozen plasma, freeze-dried plasma can be stored at room temperature for extended periods and reconstituted rapidly — making it available in settings where refrigerated blood products are difficult to maintain.
- Species/condition: Dogs; emergency coagulopathies, trauma, sepsis, hypoproteinemia
- Clinical relevance: This development is especially significant for rural or remote veterinary practices, emergency transport situations, and mobile clinics that lack cold chain infrastructure. Vets can now stock plasma products without specialized refrigeration, potentially saving lives in time-critical cases.
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FDA Approves First Oral Treatment for Canine Lymphoma
- Finding: The FDA has approved the first oral treatment for canine lymphoma, marking a landmark development in veterinary oncology. The approval offers dog owners and veterinarians a non-injectable systemic option for one of the most common cancers in dogs.
- Species/condition: Dogs; lymphoma (one of the most prevalent cancers in dogs, particularly in Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Labrador Retrievers)
- Clinical relevance: Oral chemotherapy significantly reduces the need for frequent clinic visits and IV administration, lowering the stress burden on patients and owners alike. This aligns with a broader trend of outpatient oncology management in veterinary medicine. Dogs with lymphoma diagnoses should be discussed with a veterinary oncologist immediately to determine eligibility.
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Trending Topics in Veterinary Practice
- National Pet Week 2026 (May 3–9): The AVMA is celebrating National Pet Week with daily themes running through the week. This year's campaign emphasizes responsible pet ownership, preventive care, and the human-animal bond. Owners are encouraged to schedule wellness exams, update vaccines, and review parasite prevention protocols with their veterinarians.
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Large Dogs Face Longer Shelter Stays — New Report: A new report highlighted by AVMA confirms that large dogs spend significantly more time in animal shelters before adoption than smaller breeds. The finding underscores longstanding challenges in placement for large-breed dogs and calls attention to the need for targeted adoption campaigns and foster programs for larger animals.
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UC Davis Vet School 2025 Year in Review Highlights AI, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Feline Longevity: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's annual year-in-review highlighted multiple significant findings from 2025, including research into AI tools for animal health diagnosis, rising antimicrobial resistance in pets, genes associated with longevity in Golden Retrievers, and bacteria that help domestic cats communicate. These findings are beginning to shape clinical practice standards heading into 2026.
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Veterinary Technician Radiation Safety Study Published in JAVMA: A new study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), led by a veterinary technician, highlights a critical lack of veterinary-specific data on PET/CT radiation exposure. The research calls attention to occupational health gaps for vet tech staff performing advanced imaging.
Pet Wellness Tip of the Day
- The tip: During National Pet Week (May 3–9, 2026), schedule a wellness exam for your pet even if they appear healthy — and bring a list of behavioral changes, diet updates, and any unusual symptoms you've observed since their last visit.
- Why it works: The AVMA emphasizes that annual wellness exams catch subclinical conditions before they become costly emergencies. Owners are the best observers of gradual changes in their pets; a structured visit allows vets to correlate owner observations with physical exam findings, lab results, and body condition scoring for a complete picture of health.
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What to Watch Next
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Screwworm Outbreak Trajectory: The FDA's emergency use authorization of a screwworm spray suggests active concern about geographic spread of Cochliomyia hominivorax. Watch for USDA and AVMA updates on which states are under active monitoring and whether new travel restrictions or livestock movement rules come into effect over the next few weeks.
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Chewy/Modern Animal Integration: As Chewy completes its acquisition of Modern Animal's 29 clinics, industry observers will be watching for changes in staffing models, pricing transparency, and how the corporate structure interacts with state veterinary licensing boards. This could become a flashpoint for debates about corporate practice of veterinary medicine.
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First Oral Canine Lymphoma Drug — Rollout and Access: With FDA approval in hand for the first oral canine lymphoma treatment, the next question is insurance coverage, cost to owners, and how quickly veterinary oncology practices can offer the therapy. Watch for further manufacturer and AVMA guidance in the coming weeks.
Reader Action Items
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Check raw milk and raw diet protocols with your vet: Given the AVMA's updated policy explicitly linking raw milk to HPAI risk, this week is an ideal time to review your pet's diet with your veterinarian — especially if you feed any raw dairy, poultry, or products sourced from farms with bird exposure.
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Ask your vet about new biologics for dogs: If your dog struggles with chronic itching or is frequently in contact with other dogs (boarding, dog parks, daycare), ask your vet about the two newly available biologics for itch control and kennel cough protection that the AVMA flagged as coming to market now.
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Book a National Pet Week wellness exam (May 3–9): Many veterinary practices participate in National Pet Week promotions. Use this window to schedule or confirm annual exams for all your pets, update parasite prevention plans for summer, and discuss any behavioral or physical changes you've noticed since last year.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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