The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) announced the release of its 2025 AAHA One Health Guidelines: Navigating Cross-Disciplinary Partnerships. These guidelines are a historic milestone because it is the first set of guidelines that bring human and veterinary medical professionals together to create a roadmap for collaboration.

According to an organizational release, this is the first time AAHA has assembled a task force of experts from public health, human medicine, and veterinary medicine to address communication barriers as well as create strategies that can benefit patients and families by considering pets and humans as a family unit. These new guidelines also address critical needs for veterinary and human medical teams to work side by side in a holistic, family-based approach to healthcare.

“The highest quality care—for individuals, families, communities, and our shared environments—depends on true interprofessional collaboration. Yet, despite this widely accepted principle, one of the most enduring gaps exists between human and veterinary medicine. The AAHA One Health Guidelines aim to bridge that divide—offering both inspiration and direction to support a more connected, effective, and comprehensive model of care,” Brian Sick, MD, MHA, FACP, FNAP, cochair of the AAHA One Health Guidelines, said in the release.

The guidelines give healthcare professionals practical solutions for scenarios that commonly intersect animal and human health, such as zoonotic diseases, mental health issues, disability accommodations, and family welfare concerns.

Clear criteria for determining when cases require a One Health approach

Standardized terms and definitions to establish a common language between professionals.

Structured protocols for reaching out to other professionals, like social workers, physicians, and medical specialists.

Another key component of the guidelines is case studies that cover critical topics in detail for ADA accommodations, cognitive function issues in older adult clients, infectious diseases transmissible between animals and people, recognition of intimate partner violence and animal abuse, and tick-borne diseases.

“I am excited to have contributed to the AAHA One Health Guidelines, which equip our veterinary healthcare teams with the essential tools and framework to collaborate with our colleagues in human healthcare,” said Cheryl Roth, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline), co-chair of the AAHA One Health Guidelines.

“By fostering connections between these two fields, we can more effectively address zoonotic diseases, share insights on preventive care for the whole family, and create comprehensive wellness plans that consider the health of both pets and their owners. This collaboration will not only enhance the care we provide to our animal patients but will also support the families that love them, promoting healthier communities overall,” Roth continued.

Through leveraging resources and responses that currently exist, the guidelines will help enable healthcare professionals to give more comprehensive care that can address the interconnected health care needs for human and animal family members.

The guidelines are available on the AAHA website and were made possible with support from Merck Animal Health.

Along with these new guidelines, AAHA announced the release of 4 other groundbreaking new Standards of Accreditation for nontherapeutic, devocalization, ear cropping, and feline declawing.

 These new standards also mark another historic milestone for the AAHA, because these are the first standards in AAHA’s history to touch on these topics. AAHA stated in its release regarding these releases that member practices are expected to now forgo these procedures unless there is an existing clear medical indication. 

The other new standard encourages AAHA-accredited practices to initiate conversations about microchipping at a patient’s first visit. These practices will also be expected to verify the functionality and location of the patient’s microchip annually.

“The American Animal Hospital Association was founded on the belief that small animals are deserving of the highest quality care from industry professionals. We continually assess our Standards to ensure they are aligned with current best practices across the profession. We are happy to share that our Board of Directors has approved these latest standards as part of our commitment to continuous improvement on the journey to excellence,” Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, AAHA chief medical officer, concluded.

AAHA Releases Groundbreaking One Health Guidelines to Bridge Human and Veterinary Medicine. News release. American Animal Hospital Association. August 27, 2025. Accessed September 1, 2025. https://www.aaha.org/news/aaha-releases-groundbreaking-one-health-guidelines-to-bridge-human-and-veterinary-medicine/

AAHA Launches New Standards of Accreditation. News release. American Animal Hospital Association. July 22, 2025. Accessed September 2, 2025. 

https://www.aaha.org/news/aaha-launches-new-standards-of-accreditation/

Articles

The latest guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association aim to bridge gaps between human and veterinary medicine.


AAHA announces new One Health guidelines 

A national adoption initiative for reptiles and amphibians has been launched by The Healthy Trade Initiative (HTI) in partnership with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM). The Herp Adoption Program was created to address a critical need for owners of these pets to have reputable and humane surrender options, according to the nonprofit HTI.

Photo courtesy of The Healthy Trade Institute

Reptile pet ownership is occurring in approximately 6 million US households. Results of the 2025 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey also show the number of reptile pet households is about the as households with pet birds and for those owning small animals.

The program offers a solution for surrendered reptiles and amphibians that is backed by science and verifies the health of these pets. It is currently accepting bearded dragons, ball pythons, and amphibians. Future plans include expanding the list of accepted animals with most snake species, excluding Burmese and reticulated pythons, in October 2025, and additional reptile species in 2026.

Pet owners seeking to surrender their reptile or amphibian to the Herp Adoption Program may do so at no charge, other than the cost to ship their animal, if needed, to HTI in Tennessee. Through a partnership with Redline Shipping, HTI offers a 65% discount on overnight shipping for pet owners.

Matt Gray, PhD, president of the HTI, said the organization is proud to launch the “much-needed program” and the partnership with UTCVM. “This is a win-win for the pet trade. We are not only giving surrendered herps the care and attention they deserve, but we are also providing crucial training opportunities that will help shape the next generation of exotic pet veterinarians,” Gray said in a news release.

Each animal entering the unique program receives a veterinary health assessment and is tested for common pathogens that include chytrid, ranavirus, adenovirus, and Cryptosporidium to ensure that every animal rehomed through HTI is healthy. Pathogen testing not only promotes a healthier pet trade but additionally provides peace of mind to new owners.

"This program also protects wild amphibians and reptiles by reducing the likelihood that unwanted pets are released into the wild,” Emi Knafo, DVM, DACZM, a clinical assistant professor at the UTCVM, said in a news release.

 “When owners have responsible alternatives, ecosystems stay healthier and responsible pet ownership is strengthened."

The HTI is seeking donations from the public to help support the Herp Adoption Program. Contributions directly fund veterinary care and pathogen testing as well as housing and food for the pets surrendered to the program.

The Healthy Trade Institute and University of Tennessee partner to launch nationwide Herp Adoption Program, training next generation of veterinarians. News release. Health Trade Initiative. September 2, 2025.

2025 APPA National Pet Owners Survey stats. American Pet Products Association. Accessed September 2, 2025. 

https://americanpetproducts.org/industry-trends-and-stats

HTI nationwide Herp Adoption Program. Health Trade Institute. Accessed September 2, 2025. 

https://healthytrade.org/hti-herp-adoption-program/

The initiative was created through a partnership between the Healthy Trade Institute and the University of Tennessee.

National adoption program for reptiles and amphibians is launched

Physical therapy and rehabilitation tailored specifically for cats can make a significant difference in the wellbeing of these felines. Cats recovering from surgery, as well as those who have osteoarthritis, are overweight, or are healing from non-surgical injuries may see improved mobility, faster recovery, and an overall improved quality of life, according to Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, an associate professor of small animal surgery at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, who led a Fetch dvm360 Conference lecture on the topic this past weekend in Kansas City, Missouri.

Other benefits of rehabilitation therapy include

Promoting early weight-bearing and return to function

Reducing pain, inflammation, and swelling

“I always say that with surgery, we put the pieces together, but physical therapy and rehab gets the parts moving again. And I think there's a lot of truth to that,” said Jaffe during his presentation.

Pet owners and practice owners who may not have specialized rehabilitation equipment can perform massage therapy on cats, explained Jaffe. This type of therapy promotes blood flow to the muscles, improves connective tissue strength and tendon elasticity, reduces some muscle spasms, and lowers stress and anxiety. According to Jaffe, massage therapy is also beneficial for breaking down adhesions.

“As far as lymphatic flow, that's important, because any edema that may form in the tissue, or certainly distal to the tissue, can be mobilized pretty quickly in terms of promoting that blood flow and improving the lymphatics to help drain some of that edema that's forming in the interstitial space,” he added.

In patients that have undergone surgery, Jaffe explained this therapy should be started within the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Some patients may even receive massage therapy prior to undergoing more intensive rehabilitation protocols, noted Jaffe. Additionally, clients can be taught to perform massage therapy on their pets at home.

When it comes to the massage technique, Jaffe said he likes to isolate one joint at a time rather than doing a bicycle movement or the “accordion movement where you grab the foot and you pull the leg forward and back and forward and back.

“I really don't like to work on more than one joint at a time because with activities like the bicycle motion or the accordion motion, you are working all of the joints at one time, and not every joint is going to be capable of the same mobility as others,” Jaffe emphasized. “To try to prevent injuries, I really think it's best to work each individual joint by itself: hold the stretch for just a second or 2 and then...release it so that we don't injure the patient.”

As Jaffe explained, hot compresses cause vasodilation, promoting blood flow to tissues and increasing their metabolic rate. Heat therapy also increases the release of histamines, bradykinins, and prostaglandins, which may help lower inflammation in the tissue that is being warmed.

“This does also have the benefit of improving flexibility of fibrous tissue and so [for] joint capsule that may be a little bit contracted, it's going to loosen things up a little bit,” said Jaffe.

Patients with chronic diseases, such as osteoarthritis or back pain will benefit from this form of therapy. According to Jaffe, heat therapy also improves lymphatic flow and can help decrease swelling and edema in tissue. Jaffe suggests doing a warm compress beginning at approximately 24 or 48 to 72 hours after a surgical procedure.

“Initially, we're going to use our cold compresses to try to reduce some of the pain and inflammation at the surgery site following surgery. We'll certainly do cold compresses on our incision, but [for] the muscles that we've manipulated and have moved around and that have developed injuries, we're going to want to do warm compresses on those to try to improve that blood flow and promote healing,” explained Jaffe.

“I often use [heat therapy] as part of our warm up prior to any massage or passive range of motion or other exercises,” said Jaffe. “I like to use it to help decrease some of the muscle tightness prior to when we do our stretches and help decrease any muscle spasms as we work our muscles and take them through range of motion.”

Jaffe warns against using heat therapy for tumors because the blood flow to the tissue could promote metastasis. Other contraindications include open wounds, patients with severe cardiac insufficiency, and acute inflammation—for which cold compresses should be used in the first 48 to 72 hours post surgery. Additionally, veterinary professionals and pet parents at home should be careful when using hot compresses in areas with decreased or absent sensation, as well as with making sure the temperature is not too hot that it can burn the pet.

Unlike heat therapy, cold therapy causes vasoconstriction, decreasing edema formation and helping to lower inflammation and hematomas that may form from an acute injury, said Jaffe.

“A lot of times when we're putting a pet through a fairly vigorous workout with our rehab protocols, we're going to ice them down afterwards,” explained Jaffe. “We're going to use our cold compresses to decrease any pain or muscle spasms or muscle injury that may have occurred during our rehab session.”

Ice packs can be used for cold therapy, but caution should be taken not to put the packs directly on the cat’s skin. Instead, the ice packs should be wrapped in a towel to prevent cold shock or injury to the patient’s skin. Each session, Jaffe explained, should last no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. However, sessions can be repeated approximately every 4 hours as needed.

Jaffe MH. Feline physical therapy and rehabilitation. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 Conference; August 25-26, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri.

Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, talked about the benefits of feline physical therapy and guidelines to keep in mind during his lecture at Fetch Kansas City.

Massage, heat, and cold therapy in feline rehabilitation

To help readers stay up to date with the latest innovations in the veterinary and pet care spectrum, 

 has curated a list of recent product and technology launches.

The following were highlighted in dvm360’s July/August magazine issue:

The Benebone Bounce line is designed for interactive play and built to withstand fetching, tugging, and bouncing. The collection features the gentle-chewing Bone, Ball, Tug, slow-feeding Cone, and treat-dispensing Pawbler. The Benebone Bounce line is available for purchase at Tractor Supply, specialty pet stores nationwide, and benebone.com.
Image courtesy of Benebone LLC

Dry dog food for skin and digestive health

Wellness Pet Company is offering new dry dog food recipes for dogs with skin and gastrointestinal issues. The Wellness CORE+ Sensitive Skin & Stomach and Wellness Complete Health Sensitive Skin & Stomach foods are formulated with highly digestible ingredients, including salmon and dietary fiber. They also contain pre-, pro-, and postbiotics as well as ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids from salmon oil. Both foods avoid beef, chicken, and wheat, which are common allergens to dogs.
Logo courtesy of Wellness Pet Company

The Pawfit Lite by Pawfit is a location and real-time activity tracker for cats and small dogs and is the smaller, streamlined sibling of the Pawfit 3 series trackers. The product, which is 100% waterproof, is designed for pets with a weight of 6 lb or more. It features sound, temperature, and removal alerts; virtual fences; and LED light. Additionally, it is supported by a 4G network.
Image courtesy of Pawfit

Gentamicin, posaconazole, and mometasone furoate otic suspension (Mometamax Single) by MSD Animal Health is an FDA-approved, single-dose, in-clinic product for canine patients with otitis externa. The product is indicated for the treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It features 3 active ingredients: gentamicin, posaconazole, and mometasone furoate. Mometamax Single is not intended for patients with known tympanic membrane perforation or with known or suspected hypersensitivity to the product’s active ingredients. The product is for use in dogs only and should be administered by a veterinary professional.
Logo courtesy of MSD Animal Health

Logo courtesy of PetIQ, LLC, and VIP Petcare

VIP Petcare’s new My Pet Portal allows pet owners to access all their pet’s health documents and records in one place. The platform also sends automated reminders for rabies and other vaccinations. Additionally, clients can RSVP for upcoming clinics and access pet care resources through the portal. The My Pet Portal will also allow clients to refill heartworm medication and flea and tick treatments, manage autoships, and more.
Logo courtesy of PetIQ, LLC, and VIP Petcare

Image courtesy of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc

The Catalyst Cortisol Test by IDEXX Laboratories measures real-time quantitative cortisol concentrations in dogs to support the diagnosis of Addison disease and Cushing syndrome. It also supports the management of Cushing syndrome in canine patients. The test is the third new assay on the Catalyst platform within a year and expands options for in-clinic cortisol measurement. The test can be integrated with IDEXX Vetlab Station and VetConnect PLUS and can run alone or with additional chemistry tests using a single sample.

A roundup of the latest products and innovative technology in veterinary medicine.

Products+Services360: In-clinic cortisol test & more 

Did you know that September is Pet Pain Awareness Month? 

 will be highlighting it this month through interviews, articles, social media posts, and podcasts such as this one, advancements in pain management, leaders within the field, and new treatments available, such as Galliprant (grapiprant tablets). 

To kick off the month, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed special guest Elise Kelly, DVM, to chat all things pain management in veterinary medicine. Throughout the episode, the duo discusses canine osteoarthritis (OA) and highlights multimodal approaches to manage OA, the importance of consistent and long-term pain management, plus more on Galliprant (grapiprant tablets) and its safety profile. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

Let's kind of start first by talking about some of the important signs of OA pain in dogs, and are they consistent in all dogs with OA?

 That's a great question. No, they're not consistent in all dogs with OA. And we know from an owner perspective, oftentimes they're going to tell us that their dogs may be kind of lagging behind on walks or hesitant to go up and down stairs, jump in bed, jump up in their vehicles, maybe not enjoy their favorite activities like they used to. One thing that I think a lot of times pet owners and vets alike don't think about is sleep. Sometimes dogs when they're very restless at night or they can't lay down and get comfortable, that can be a sign of pain and osteoarthritis as well, but it can present differently in all different types of dogs and as veterinarians, when we're doing our physical exam, of course, we're looking for things like changes in range of motion, crepitus in the joint, swelling, inflammation, any pain when we manipulate that joint. 

But again, every dog is a little bit different, and I think it's important to understand also here that we tend to think about osteoarthritis as an old age dog disease, and it's really not. It's really a young dog disease. And I don't know about you, Adam, but [the] youngest dog I ever diagnosed with osteoarthritis was a 9-month-old Boston Terrier who had awful hip dysplasia, and so it's really a developmental disease for these dogs, and sadly, most of them aren't diagnosed until they're between 8 and 13. 

So, one of my pleas for veterinarians today is to be really vigilant about asking these questions to pet owners to look for these specific changes we talked about at home earlier on, even maybe starting at 2 or 3 years of age. So if we can catch osteoarthritis earlier and start treating earlier, it's just going to be better long-term quality of life for that pet and the pet parent.

Galliprant controls pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.

For use in dogs only. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or overdose. Galliprant is a non-COX inhibiting NSAID. As a class, NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, kidney and liver side effects. Evaluation for pre-existing conditions and regular monitoring are recommended. Do not use in dogs that have a hypersensitivity to grapiprant. Concomitant use of Galliprant with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids should be avoided. Concurrent use with other anti-inflammatory drugs or protein-bound drugs has not been studied. The safe use of Galliprant has not been evaluated in dogs younger than 9 months of age and less than 8 lbs (3.6 kg), dogs used for breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs, or dogs with cardiac disease. Owners should be advised to observe for signs of potential drug toxicity. Adverse reactions may include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, watery or bloody stools, and decreases in serum albumin and total protein.

Podcasts

Explore advancements in pain management for dogs during Animal Pain Awareness Month

Advances in diagnosing and managing osteoarthritis in dogs

Gilvetmab: A Novel Immunotherapy in the Fight Against Cancer

: Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology) 

Veterinary oncology has seen significant advancements in immunotherapy, offering novel treatment approaches for companion animals diagnosed with cancer. Immunotherapy aims to harness the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancerous cells, reducing reliance on traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This lecture discusses the novel class of agents called “checkpoint inhibitors,” focusing on the first in veterinary medicine, gilvetmab.

Canine Osteoarthritis: What’s New, What Works and What Is the Science

: Janice L. Huntingford, DVM, MS-TCVM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CVA 

This course covers the essential points of diagnosis and treatment of otitis. Both acute and chronic cases of otitis will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the PSPP classification system (primary causes, secondary causes, predisposing causes, and perpetuating factors).

Don’t Get Bitten! Veterinary Job Buzzwords, Benefits, and Watchouts!

Many of us have experienced the physical and mental toll that unrelenting stress, long hours, limiting contracts, crushing production models, and meager benefits can take on veterinarians and staff. Veterinary students or new vets may wonder, “How can I enjoy my chosen profession and avoid burning out?” Or you’ve been told these negatives just come with the territory of being a vet and are learning to live with them. Veterinarian stress, depression, compassion fatigue, and career burnout are things we take very seriously. We believe that doctors deserve greater choice, autonomy, and flexibility that enable them to lead happier and healthier lives.

Implementation and Interpretation of Canine Genetic Screening in General Practice

: Jenna Dockweiler, dvm, ms, dact, ccrt, cvat 

During this course, participants can expect to learn basic genetics terminology and concepts (such as penetrance, expression, and mode of inheritance). A brief overview of the various technologies utilized to determine genotype will be provided. Participants will then learn to apply these concepts through clinical case walkthroughs and how to communicate the benefits and results of canine genetic screening to their clients. Lastly, participants will learn how canine genetic screening can fit into various practices.

Getting to the Heart of the Problem: Current Trends and Recommendations on Canine Heartworm Disease

: Guilherme G. Verocai, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVM (Parasitology) 

Heartworm is the most important canine parasite in the United States. This presentation will review the parasite’s life cycle and infection-associated pathology. Trends in heartworm distribution will be examined. Recommendations for accurate diagnostics will be discussed. The role of owner adherence in heartworm prevention will be examined, considering the emergence of resistance to macrocyclic lactones. In addition, advice on best practices for treating infection will be provided.

Practical Corneal Ulcer Management for General Practitioners

Experts will review corneal anatomy and how that pertains to our understanding of ulcer management. This program will delve into the specifics of recognizing and treating corneal ulcers from superficial to deep in your practice in a digestible manner

NEW Canine Lymphoma Treatment—Never a One-Size-Fits-All

: Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology) 

This 1-hour virtual webinar will discuss how Laverdia CA-1 (verdinexor tabs) fits into treating dogs with lymphoma. We will discuss the mechanism of action, dosing, adverse events, and efficacy of this novel agent. Finally, we will discuss why Laverdia CA-1 should be utilized in the primary care setting.

Check out these continuing education opportunities now available