At 43 days, the longest US government shutdown in history ended this week as President Donald Trump signed government funding bill H.R. 5371.

 Under the narrowly passed compromise, most federal agencies will receive temporary funding at the same levels as fiscal year 2025 through January 30, 2026. Some departments, including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), will receive full-year funding through September 30, 2026. Funding includes money for federal veterinary and food safety programs.

H.R. 5371 guarantees back pay for federal employees and bars agencies from cutting full-time staff while the continuing resolution is in effect. Additionally, federal workers that were fired by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on October 1 will be rehired.

On November 10, the Senate approved the bill. Then, on November 12, Trump signed the bill, hours after the House approved the measure in a mostly partisan vote of 222-209.

What this means for the veterinary industry

The bill allocates $203.4 billion in total funding for the USDA and FDA through the full-year appropriations bill, covering discretionary and mandatory spending. With the more-than-monthlong gridlock over, the veterinary industry can expect fundings at fiscal year 2025 levels for programs including the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program ($10 million), Veterinary Services Grant Program ($4 million), and Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank ($2 million).

H.R. 5371 also sets aside $750,000 to support the Alaska Native Rural Veterinary Care—which increases access to veterinary care to underserved tribal or rural communities in Alaska—while providing $1.9 million for a pathological waste incinerator at the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. It also includes $1 million to develop a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and $560,535 for a mobile veterinary research and training laboratory at Utah State University.

The legislation also calls for the USDA to report on its domestic readiness and response plans for New World screwworm (

). With detections less than 70 miles from the US-Mexico border reported 

, the parasite may be approaching the US.

Through the the bill, most provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, officially the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which had been scheduled to expire on September 30, will be extended through January 30, 2026.

Additionally, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility will receive funding, and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service budget for State Meat and Poultry Inspection and Cooperative Interstate Shipment programs will be increased by $15 million.

Senate passes bill to end government shutdown, veterinary programs funded. American Veterinary Medical Association. November 12, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/senate-passes-bill-end-government-shutdown-veterinary-programs-funded

House. H.R. 5371 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026. 119th Cong. (2025–2026). Actions. Congress.gov. Published November 12, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5371/all-actions

The Latest: Longest government shutdown in US history ends after 43 days as Trump signs funding bill. 

. November 12, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/trump-shutdown-snap-travel-8cae829d4472a165846d1aae3e82f310

Bautista-Alejandre A. New World screwworm detected less than 70 miles from the US-Mexico border. 

. September 22, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-world-screwworm-detected-less-than-70-miles-from-the-us-mexico-border

Articles

The longest government shutdown in US history came to an end on November 12.

With the government shutdown over, federal funding resumes. What does this mean for the veterinary industry?

A vaccine conditionally approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for protecting honeybees against American foulbrood (AFB) caused by 

has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials. Based on the results of 2025 studies, the AFB vaccine from Dalan Animal Health is now closer to receiving full licensure from the federal agency’s Center for Veterinary Biologics, according to the biotech company.

"These successful efficacy trials represent a major regulatory milestone for Dalan and the beekeeping industry," Annette Kleiser, PhD, the company’s CEO and founder, said in a news release.

 "This past summer, we performed efficacy trials similar to those we conducted for our conditional license. The results were excellent. We still have work to do before we can apply for full licensure…but this is a significant step forward in our regulatory journey."

The AFB vaccine contains killed, whole-cell 

 bacteria. It is administered by mixing the vaccine into queen feed that is consumed by worker bees. The vaccine is incorporated into the royal jelly by the worker bees, who then feed it to the queen. After the queen ingests this royal jelly, fragments of the vaccine are deposited in her ovaries. Having been exposed to the vaccine, the developing larvae have immunity as they hatch.

The first-in-class AFB vaccine is non-GMO and can be used in organic agriculture. The 

for the vaccine in 2023, which has allowed it to be distributed on a limited basis to commercial beekeepers.

The 2025 clinical trials were designed to meet USDA requirements for advancing from conditional to full licensure. The study data supporting the vaccine’s efficacy in protecting honeybee colonies from AFB are being submitted to the USDA this month for review and approval. They could receive full licensure as early as 2027. Full USDA licensure would allow the vaccine to be distributed more broadly to commercial beekeepers and enhance the opportunity for it to become a standard tool in integrated pest management programs.

Honeybees are a critical component of agriculture. One-third of the global food supply relies on pollination, and healthy commercial hives are essential to secure high crop yields.

 However, in early 2025, the Honey Bee Health Coalition revealed that beekeepers across the US had experienced catastrophic honeybee colony losses of a 62% average between June 2024 and February 2025.

“The scale of these losses is completely unsustainable,” Zac Browning, a fourth-generation commercial beekeeper and board chairman of Project 

 “Honeybees are the backbone of our food system, pollinating the crops that feed our nation.”

 later determined that one main cause of these colony losses was deformed wing virus A and B, as well as acute bee paralysis, which are viruses typically spread by Varroa mites.

Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, professor of zoological medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, said the Varroa mite is commonly found where honeybees are. “One of the big issues is that [although] the bee is affected by the parasitic function of the Varroa mite—while it's feasting on the body—it also introduces a lot of viruses and other pathogens to the honeybee. Most [notable] is…deformed wing virus, which doesn't allow the bee to fly anymore. Therefore, it can't provide any pollination services,” he said in a 

 at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.

According to Dalan Animal Health, the AFB vaccine provides broad-spectrum protection. Some commercial beekeepers who have used the AFB vaccine to protect their honeybees have reported a reduction in deformed wing virus and an overall improvement in the health and strength of their colonies.

According to Kleiser, Dalan Animal Health began developing the AFB vaccine at a time when honeybees were not on the veterinary industry’s radar. However, the company has grown accustomed to “pushing the boundaries of what animal health means.” Their work includes ongoing development of a vaccine to protect shrimp from common diseases. “Again, going against conventional wisdom that you can’t vaccinate shrimp because they don’t have an adaptive immune system,” she said during a panel discussion at the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dalan Animal Health announces successful efficacy trials for its honeybee vaccine, advancing toward full USDA licensure. News release. Dalan Animal Health. November 4, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dalan-animal-health-announces-successful-efficacy-trials-for-its-honeybee-vaccine-advancing-toward-full-usda-licensure-302603886.html 

USDA advances American foulbrood vaccination for honeybees. 

. January 9, 2023. Accessed November 13, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/usda-advances-american-foulbrood-vaccination-for-honeybees

Survey reveals over 1.1 million honey bee colonies lost, raising alarm for pollination and agriculture. News release. Honey Bee Health Coalition. February 20, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. 

https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/survey-reveals-over-1-1-million-honey-bee-colonies-lost-raising-alarm-for-pollination-and-agriculture/

USDA researchers find viruses from miticide resistant parasitic mites are cause of recent honey bee colony collapses. News release. USDA. June 2, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. 

https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2025/usda-researchers-find-viruses-from-miticide-resistant-parasitic-mites-are-cause-of-recent-honey-bee-colony-collapses

Mayer J, Crossley KC. Varroa mites and their effect on honeybees. 

. January 28, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/varroa-mites-and-their-effect-on-honey-bees

Kleiser A. Past emerging companies—where are they now. Presented at: KC Animal Health Corridor Summit; August 31-September 1, 2025; Kansas City, MO.

The study results place the American foulbrood prevention therapy closer to full USDA licensure.

Vaccine for honeybees successfully completes efficacy trials

Image Credit: © Anna Averianova | stock.adobe.com

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

 evaluated whether accelerometer‑based inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors could identify racehorses at increased risk for fatal musculoskeletal injury (FMI). Investigators analyzed stride data from 28,481 starts by 11,834 Thoroughbreds at 10 US tracks from July 2021 to May 2024.

 Sensors (StrideSAFE) recorded 3‑axis acceleration at 800 Hz from a pocket in the saddle cloth; a machine‑learned algorithm then assigned each run a risk score (RS) from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest).

Seventy‑four horses sustained an FMI within 120 days of scoring. Horses assigned a highest RS of 6 made up only 122 starts (0.4%) but were 44.6 times more likely to sustain an FMI than horses scored as 1. Approximately 4% (1 in 25) of horses with an RS of 6 incurred an FMI within 120 days. Fetlock fractures accounted for 65% of FMIs in the cohort, and every horse in the highest risk category that later suffered an FMI sustained a fetlock fracture.

 Although RS‑6 horses had a 44.6× higher 

 risk remained modest (~4% within 120 days). Many flagged horses will not have an FMI (false positives).

 Retrospective observational methods preclude causal inference; confounding and unmeasured management differences may influence outcomes.

 Tracks that adopt StrideSAFE may differ in surface, training, or management; external validity to other jurisdictions or populations is unproven.

 Thresholds for imaging, specific follow‑up protocols, cost, and access to advanced imaging are unresolved.

Multivariable analysis identified several associated factors. Intact males were more likely to receive higher risk scores than females. Shorter race distances were associated with higher RS assignments (the highest‑risk group had a mean race distance of approximately 1372 ± 237 m). The probability of FMI was lower on synthetic all‑weather surfaces compared with dirt and turf; dirt races comprised approximately 55% of starts in the data set.

Clinical relevance and practical workflow

Authors and the American Veterinary Medical Association frame the IMU‑plus‑algorithm system as a screening or triage tool rather than a diagnostic test.

 The system functions as a “check engine light,” enriching for horses that warrant expedited clinical evaluation, targeted lameness examination, and selective advanced imaging (eg, standing PET or targeted CT/MRI of the fetlock). Because RS‑6 assignments were rare (122 over approximately 145 weeks across 10 tracks, averaging < 1 RS‑6 case per week), concentrating advanced diagnostics on this small group is operationally feasible and could optimize use of limited veterinary resources.

IMU‑based monitoring with machine‑learned risk scoring can identify a tiny subset of Thoroughbreds at elevated relative risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury. Clinicians should interpret algorithmic risk scores alongside clinical exam and imaging, recognize the modest absolute risk among RS‑6 horses, and confirm funding and conflict‑of‑interest disclosures in the published manuscript prior to large‑scale adoption.

Mc Sweeney D, Wang Y, Palmer SE, et al. Thoroughbreds deemed to be most at risk by inertial measurement unit sensors suffered a fatal musculoskeletal injury at a higher rate than other racehorses. 

 Published online September 17, 2025. doi:10.2460/javma.25.04.0268

New technology could help reduce fatal injuries in horse races. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. November 11, 2025. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/new-technology-could-help-reduce-fatal-injuries-horse-races

Inertial measurement unit sensors with machine‑learned risk scoring can flag a tiny group of Thoroughbreds at much higher risk of fatal musculoskeletal injury, enabling targeted clinical evaluation.

Biometric sensors may help identify the few Thoroughbreds at highest risk for fatal musculoskeletal injury

In this live podcast recording of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DACVD, share more insights onto the use of hyaluronic acid in periodontal therapy

The power of hyaluronic acid in periodontal therapy

, presented by dvm360, which was recorded live at Fetch National Harbor in Maryland, take a deep dive into the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) in veterinary dentistry with Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC. Learn why HA is an essential tool for enhancing tissue healing and regeneration in periodontal pockets and extraction sites, and even has emerging uses for stomatitis. Lobprise also explains to host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and listeners the mechanism of action, proper preparation, and why HA is a cost-effective, powerful addition to dental procedures.

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity. 

: I want to know a little bit more about this, and so I can't think of anyone better than a boarded veterinary dentist to talk to us about this. So before we begin, let's actually talk about what [it is].

Hyaluronic acid. Now, since that's a little hard for me to say, I have trouble with my [letter R's], we're going to say 'HA' from now on. Is that OK? 

Okay, good. So the thing of it is, HA is a component of the extracellular matrix. So as you look at all cells, it knows this. It's natural to the cells. In addition, it's been used in many different forms, for injectable, topical, eye ulcers, you name it. It's really a good compound, because it lays a good groundwork to help with healing with endogenous cells. 

Fantastic. So what are some indications for it then?

In a dental disease, periodontal disease, anything that needs healing. So if I've done an extraction, it might help with those areas that I want to heal when I have periodontal pockets, and I've done some root planing, especially in those moderate pockets where I want to get the best tissue healing and regeneration. I'll use it in those pockets. I can also use it in extraction sites, and even with some regenerative types.

Nice. I do think of those extraction sites, because whenever…[we] generalists, when we do those dentals on the canines, and…we're like, "Oh, we have some of those deep holes that are in there." So I'm sure it would be great to have HA in there.

Podcasts

Discover innovative uses of hyaluronic acid in veterinary dentistry, enhancing healing and treatment.

Hyaluronic acid in periodontal treatment 

A specialty hospital, part of a North Carolina–based network of veterinary hospitals, is now offering internal medicine services. Additionally, Chewy Vet Care has opened a new facility in Aventura, Florida. Meanwhile, Dechra recently obtained a new certification status that will expand its education and training initiatives for its clients and workforce.

Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital (Sims, North Carolina)

Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital, which is part of Vets Pets' veterinary hospitals network, has expanded its specialty services to include an internal medicine service. The service will be led by Claire Wiley, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM). In addition to the new internal medicine offering, the hospital offers emergency, surgical, and critical care services. Providing those services are 2 boarded surgeons, 2 boarded criticalists, and 13 full-time emergency veterinarians.

Wiley obtained her veterinary degree and completed a rotating internship at the University of Pennsylvania. Later, she completed an internal medicine residency program at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she did research on molecular diagnostics for early cancer detection and canine genetic diseases.

“Since its founding, Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital has evolved to meet the growing needs of pets and referring veterinarians across Eastern North Carolina. The addition of internal medicine complements existing emergency, surgical, and critical care services, furthering the hospital's commitment to collaboration and patient-centered care,” Vets Pets wrote in a news release.

Chewy Vet Care Aventura (Aventura, Florida)

Chewy Vet Care Aventura. (Image courtesy of Chewy Vet Care)

Earlier this fall, Chewy Vet Care opened a new location in Aventura, Florida. The clinic features personalized room monitors that showcase patient photos, the care team, and appointment details during every appointment. Like other Chewy Vet Care centers, the Aventura facility was designed with the signature warm lighting and soft colors. The building also contains nonslip floors and pet-friendly materials for a calming environment. Other touches include Polaroid photos, selfie mirrors, and exam rooms named after patients.

“We are thrilled to bring Chewy Vet Care to Miami. It is an exciting moment for pet health care as more pet parents are embracing a lifestyle where their pets’ well-being is at the center of everything they do. Especially in Miami, where pets are part of the city’s vibrant culture, from morning beach walks to outdoor dining and community events,” said Mita Malhotra, MS, president of Chewy Health. “We look forward to delivering the personalized care and convenience that our customers have come to love and expect from Chewy, now a best-in-class veterinary practice."

Dechra becomes Human-Animal Bond Certified

Dechra recently announced it has become a Human-Animal Bond-Certified company. As part of its new status, the company has committed to supporting education on the human-animal bond for veterinary professionals and to supporting research efforts by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). Dechra said it will also train its workforce on the science of the human-animal bond.

Collectively, the North American Veterinary Community and HABRI offer the Human-Animal Bond Certification. The certification looks at the documented science behind the benefits of the human-animal bond and offers veterinarians tools to apply it in their practice through a series of virtual modules.

According to Dechra, the organization is helping make the certification an accessible and affordable continuing education online course for veterinarians and clinics. The company said it plans to offer training for the Human-Animal Bond Certification to its clients in early 2026.

Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital adds internal medicine service led by Dr Claire Wiley. News release. Vets Pets. October 28, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/points-east-veterinary-specialty-hospital-adds-internal-medicine-service-led-by-dr-claire-wiley-302597236.html 

Dechra advances public health as newest Human-Animal Bond Certified company. News release. Dechra. November 7, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.dechra.com/news/2025/november/habri-launch

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments and platforms.

Clinic center: Dechra becomes Human-Animal Bond–Certified company

Gallant, an animal health biotechnology company, announced earlier this week that it has made a massive advancement in the FDA conditional approval process for its lead therapy targeting refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS). According to the release, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) issued a “Technical Section Complete letter for Target Animal Safety. By receiving this, the FDA determined that Gallant’s data support the 365-day safety requirement for stem cell therapy.

"Achieving TAS technical section completion means the successful demonstration of 365-day safety. Unlike most TAS studies conducted for pharmaceutical drugs in healthy animals, this study was conducted in client-owned cats with refractory FCGS, establishing both short- and long-term safety in this critical population. This represents another foundational milestone for Gallant's uterine-derived platform of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell therapies—and the potential first off-the-shelf cell therapy in veterinary medicine," said Valentine Williams, DVM, MS, DACVS, senior vice president of Clinical Development and Strategy at Gallant.

"With both reasonable expectation of effectiveness and target animal safety complete, the clinical relevance for conditional approval is established. We are moving rapidly into the next phase of launch planning to bring practitioners and pet parents a regenerative medicine solution for their loved ones, where before there was no hope. It's inspiring to see cats regain their quality of life after treatment with a product backed by proven safety. There is no greater career satisfaction."

The product currently under FDA review is Gallant’s sonruvetcel injectable suspension, a possible first-in-class uterine-derived allogenic mesenchymal stromal cell therapy (UMSC) for feline patients with refractory FCGS. The drug is sourced from healthy and specific-pathogen free feline donors that are FDA-qualified. The therapies are manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) conditions. Currently, the product is on track to receive FDA condition approval in early 2026.

The UMSC therapy for refractory FCGS received the “Technical Section Complete” for Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness in September 2025.

"Safety is always our first and highest priority in developing new products for pets. The FDA's alignment on the 365-day safety data for sonruvetcel is not only validation for potentially the first off-the-shelf cell therapy in pets, but also validation for our entire platform of products in development," said Linda Black, DVM, PhD, CEO of Gallant. "We are one step closer to bringing a first-in-class therapy to veterinary medicine and a pipeline of products that target a pet's underlying disease, not just symptoms."

A study conducted by Gallant that recently was published in the

found that within the 46 cats in the study, 75% of the subjects that were treated demonstrated a clinically relevant improvement in their quality of life by day 0, almost half experienced measurable improvements in oral lesions, and all subjects had no serious treatment-related adverse events.

FDA Completes Safety for Gallant's First Ready-to-Use Stem Cell Therapy for Refractory FCGS. News release. Gallant. November 10, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-completes-safety-for-gallants-first-ready-to-use-stem-cell-therapy-for-refractory-fcgs-302610213.html

Williams V, Schneider JL, Parrish RS, et al. EXPRESS: Clinical field study evaluating the safety and efficacy of allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stem cells for refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS). 

. 2025;0(ja). doi:10.1177/1098612X251385852

This completion is a crucial requirement in the approval process for a drug.