Client education, both in and out of the exam room, is an essential component of providing comprehensive veterinary medicine. Providing pet owners with accurate and accessible information not only elevates the quality of care for patients but also fosters strong partnerships between the veterinary team and the client. By educating your clients, you are empowering them to take an active role in their pet’s care, creating compliance and buy in to treatment plans, along with advocating for their pets’ health and their needs as well.

However, incorporating robust client education into an already demanding clinical workflow can be challenging. Developing educational material and ensuring consistent communication may feel like an added burden for busy teams. The following strategies can help integrate client education seamlessly into daily operations with the goal of keeping pet owners informed and engaged while supporting, rather than overwhelming, your team.

Prioritizing education, while safeguarding the wellbeing and bandwidth of your team, creates meaningful benefits for both clients and patients.

If you don’t provide it, they will find it. Pet owners increasingly seek credible, accessible information that empowers them to keep their pets healthy and thriving. The time you are investing now saves time in the future when difficult or challenging conditions occur. Well-designed educational materials can help clients: 

Understand the value of preventative and proactive care including vaccine protocols, nutrition, and behavioral health. Clients might not fully understand the value of preventative medicine, but they seek to understand daily scenarios they see every day, like whether their pet should be eating kibble, or understanding why their dog is chasing their own tail.

Recognize early signs of illness and facilitate timely veterinary intervention. Better informed clients are more likely to invest in annual examinations and to trust your care first when they see conditions they don’t understand.

Improve the ongoing management of chronic conditions through consistent monitoring and adherence to treatment plans.

Supplementing in-clinic discussions with at-home resources reinforces key messages, improves the retention of information, and encourages proactive engagement in their pet’s healthcare. Client education fosters trust, confidence, and provides peace of mind to pet owners who know they are 

making informed decisions in partnership with their veterinary team.

 “Buddy,” a 7-year-old Golden Retriever



 Dr Martinez has completed team training on effective client communication, including how to explain chronic conditions in plain, relatable terms. During Buddy’s exam, she notices early signs of arthritis and gently walks Ms Smith through what arthritis means for dogs, using a visual joint diagram available in the exam room.


Before Ms Smith leaves, Dr Martinez hands her a printed arthritis care handout (kept stocked in-clinic) that covers symptoms, treatment options, and home comfort tips.


In Buddy’s discharge notes, Dr Martinez includes direct links to reputable online resources like a PetMD article on arthritis and a short video on at-home exercises for senior dogs.


Ms Smith leaves the clinic feeling informed and empowered. She starts Buddy on a recommended joint supplement immediately and schedules a follow-up in 3 months. This proactive approach reduces repeated questions, improves patient care, and strengthens Ms Smith’s trust in Dr Martinez.

While client education directly supports the pet owner’s confidence and the health of their pet, it can also deliver measurable advantages for your veterinary team. Providing effective client education material can help with:

 Educated clients are more likely to trust your recommendations, follow through with treatment plans, and arrive prepared for their pet’s appointment. When clients have access to accurate information in advance, it can encourage collaboration and reduce their skepticism and some repetitive questions. This ultimately supports a healthier work environment for the veterinary team by decreasing the frequency of emotionally taxing visits.

 Establishing a standardized process for delivering accurate pet healthcare information, before, during, and after appointments can streamline communication across channels. By providing vetted resources, you can minimize the back-and-forth phone calls, emails, and free up time for direct patient care and other essential tasks.

Education strengthens the veterinary-client relationship through shared understanding and transparency. Trust built in the exam room drives client loyalty leading to long-term relationships that benefit both the patient, veterinary team, and practice.

Many veterinary professionals enjoy the opportunity to share their knowledge with clients. This allows them to have fulfillment in their roles and encourages positive relationships with their clients.

Streamlined workflows, stronger client relationships, and a happier team are compelling goals, but dedicating time to education can be challenging when resources are already stretched. Although not every practice has the capacity to create accurate, engaging, and accessible materials from scratch, there are effective solutions that exist.

However, before rolling out client-facing educational materials, it’s essential to ensure the team itself is prepared and confident in using them. Simply handing staff a packet or link isn’t enough. Consider that the way these resources are introduced, explained, and reinforced directly impacts client understanding and trust.

Start with baseline behavioral and communication training:

Make sure every team member understands the “why” behind each resource.

Provide role-playing or guided practice for introducing materials to clients in a clear, empathetic way.

Reinforce active listening skills and strategies for addressing common follow-up questions.

This initial training builds a foundation of confidence so staff can focus on the client’s needs rather than worrying about what to say or how to say it. Once those fundamentals are in place, the practice can layer in in-clinic educational materials in the form of handouts, videos, and visual aids to encompass a consistent, proactive education plan.

baseline behaviors, communication confidence

refreshers, team discussions, peer feedback

that support conversations and reinforce the guidance provided during the appointment

When team readiness and educational tools work together, the result is a smoother workflow, better-informed clients, and fewer post-visit calls, thus creating a cycle of trust and efficiency that benefits everyone.

Make a list to identify essential content

Begin by outlining the foundational content your clients need the most. Time estimates set clients’ expectations, make the resources feel approachable and helps you frame them as a small investment now that saves time later.

are the questions that are quick to answer individually, but highly repetitive across appointments. Providing clear, consistent resources can save time and ensure accuracy. Examples include:

Nutrition basics (5-10 minutes to review):

 Recommended diets for life stages (puppy/kitten, adult, senior), feeding guidelines, and portion control.

Behavioral concerns (10-15 minutes to review):

 House training, excessive barking or meowing, scratching, chewing, and socialization strategies for pets of all ages.

Parasite prevention basics (5 minutes to review):

 How and when to administer flea, tick, and heartworm preventives.

Routine visit expectations (5 minutes to review):

 Why annual or biannual exams are important, even for seemingly healthy pets.

are topics that frequently arise during visits and can be supported with supplemental educational materials to reinforce at-home care. Examples include:

 Allergies, hot spots, seasonal skin irritation, and proper bathing routines.

 Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and dietary changes.

 Cleaning techniques, how to recognize signs of infection, and understanding recurrence risks.

 Recognizing early symptoms, pain management strategies, and safe exercise recommendations.

topics help clients understand the value of proactive health management, which can reduce the risk of serious illness. Examples include:

 Core vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, and spay/neuter guidelines.

 Core vs. non-core vaccines, timing, and the importance of boosting vaccinations.

 Monitoring body condition scores, appropriate exercise routines, and feeding plans.

 The role of annual bloodwork, urinalysis, and dental exams in early disease detection.

 Proactive behavioral education around creating feline-friendly spaces, canine socialization, and leashing walking.

are particularly important for first-time clients or those unfamiliar with veterinary protocols. These resources can reduce anxiety and improve compliance. Examples include:

 Check-in procedures, examination steps, and how diagnostic tests are performed.

 How to choose a pet insurance plan, what is typically covered, and how to file claims.

 When to call for help, what constitutes a veterinary emergency, how tele-triage works, and a list of trusted local emergency clinicians.

 What to expect after surgery or sedation, pain management, and follow-up instructions.

are areas that often have significant impact on health but are commonly overlooked or underemphasized during appointments due to time constraints. Examples include:

 The link between oral health and systemic disease, signs of dental pain, and proper home dental care (brushing, dental chews, rinses).

 Why prevention is important even in colder climates, risks of heartworm and tick-borne diseases, and the importance of consistent dosing.

 Mental stimulation, safe toys, training games, and environmental modifications to reduce stress.

 Special dietary needs, mobility support, cognitive health, and routine screening for age-related diseases.

Maximize client engagement with educational materials you provide and offer resources in a variety of formats.

 Use printed articles, care sheets or illustrations during appointments to support explaining complex conditions or treatment plans.

 Ensure information discussed during the visit is available after the appointment by providing printed handouts or digital follow-ups via email, patient portals, or apps.

 Clients will inevitably search online for educational materials. Reduce the spread of misinformation by linking clients to reputable veterinary-reviewed educational content on your website or social media channels.

Client education is most effective when the entire team is equipped to participate.

Ensure every team member understands the educational tools available and knows how to share them with clients.

 Ask clients what topics they want to learn more about. Ask questions when the client arrives, use short post-visit surveys or in-person conversations to guide educational content priorities.

Utilize existing tools to streamline the work

The veterinary team’s priority is patient care, not necessarily content creation. Leveraging professionally developed resources can ensure accuracy without adding to your workload.

Platforms like PetMD offer a wide range of veterinary-written and reviewed educational materials, including:

Medical illustrations and care sheets to use in the exam room.

Articles across a variety of species and conditions that are ready to be printed or shared digitally.

By using trusted, vetted resources, the team can deliver consistent, reliable information while focusing on patient outcomes and building client relationships.

With the right systems in place, client education becomes a seamless part of the practice workflow by enhancing efficiency, strengthening trust, and most importantly, improving patient outcomes.

Ensure accessibility to educational resources in both the clinic and at home, reducing reliance on unverified online sources.

Leverage vetted external tools to provide high-quality, veterinary-reviewed resources without requiring your team to develop materials from scratch.

Empower pet owners with knowledge to be proactive partners in their pet’s healthcare. Ultimately, well-informed clients lead to healthier pets as well as a more sustainable and satisfying practice environment for veterinary teams.

, is the learning & development manager for Chewy Vet Care, leading content creation and professional development. Bledsoe brings years of small-animal practice experience and advanced certifications as a certified hospice and palliative care veterinarian and in veterinary acupuncture. Previously, she supported the development of Connect with a Vet, Chewy’s tele-triage platform, and has a special interest in effective communication and client experience. A 2012 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with a clinical year at Auburn University, Bledsoe earned the Gentle Doctor Award for outstanding patient care and client communication. She lives in Florida with her sweet cats, Ottley and Saba.

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of dvm360®. References to external resources are provided for educational purposes only, and dvm360 does not endorse any specific companies or services.

Veterinary-reviewed articles and pet health resources. PetMD. Accessed August 6, 2025. 

Articles

Effective client education improves veterinary care, empowering pet owners and improving patient outcomes while fostering strong relationships between clients and veterinary teams.

How veterinary teams can effectively implement client education in the practice

Eight veterinary practices received merit awards for their innovative and patient-focused spaces in 

’s 2025 Hospital Design360 Competition. They are being recognized in addition to 3 grand prize winners in categories for facilities greater than 8000 sq ft, between 3500 and 8000 sq ft, and under 3500 sq ft. Read on to learn more about the merit winners.

BluePearl Pet Hospital (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

One of the goals of this relocated hospital was to “cultivate a bright and spacious environment that encourages healing for patients and well-being for staff,” according to the competition application. With the former hospital location considered outdated and undersized, the new facility allowed for an expansion of services and advanced care.

Notably, one of the hospital’s goals was to minimize noise within the facility to encourage patient healing and human well-being. Walls and ceilings were designed with that objective in mind. Designers used a multilayered approach, with full-height walls that extend to the underside of the structural deck, a double-ceiling system over holding spaces, and sound-attenuating batt insulation.

Additionally, BluePearl considered sterile surgery protocols in the hospital’s design by creating a dedicated sterile supply room. “This design element minimizes the risk of cross contamination by providing staff with immediate access to necessary surgical supplies without breaching the sterile environment,” hospital officials noted.

The hospital was also designed to promote staff comfort and rejuvenation. A break room and mothers’ room designed for mental well-being are aesthetically nonclinical, and an outdoor staff area was incorporated into the new facility.

Stitches Veterinary Surgery (Long Beach, California)

This specialty hospital was newly renovated with an objective to “redefine the veterinary surgical experience,” according to the competition application. The hospital’s design blends advanced surgical capabilities with calming elements aimed at mitigating anxiety for patients and clients while also preserving historical charm in the preexisting structure.

A prominent feature of the open-concept facility is a staircase spanning 1.5 floors, which allows for a seamless flow of movement between spaces for staff and patients. Acoustic baffles are installed throughout the facility to help manage sound and create a more tranquil environment.

State-of-the-art technology is installed throughout Stitches, but patient comfort and staff efficiency were also top of mind for designers. One example is open-top recovery bays that allow staff to observe patients from a bird’s-eye view without disturbing them, which helps promote a healing environment.

Veterinary Healthcare Associates (Winter Haven, Florida)

Architect: Paul Gladysz, AIA, CSI; BDA Architecture

Veterinary Healthcare Associates’ project was a 20,000-sq-ft facility dedicated to specialty and emergency care. The goal was to combine advanced medicine with deep connections to patients and clients. “This building isn’t just a space; it’s a statement about what veterinary medicine can be when innovation meets empathy,” the practice noted in the competition application.

Unique features include a covered portico for all-weather access, a saltwater aquarium, and an on-site café for a calming experience. The facility incorporated separate spaces for intensive care, intermediate care, and feline-focused wards, as well as centers dedicated to internal medicine and oncology, featuring 2 quiet infusion rooms and a hyperbaric oxygen suite with a window for client viewing, along with a rehabilitation and regeneration space equipped with an underwater treadmill. Throughout the practice, many advanced technologies and tools are incorporated.

The staff was also considered in the facility’s design. Team members have access to a fitness center, a meditation pod, and a “party patio” with an outdoor firepit and waterfall.

Owner: Benjamin Bergstrom, DVM, MS, DACVO

Comfort and happiness for clients and staff, as well as efficiency, were priorities for The Eye Vets specialty hospital’s design. Notably, a board with funny and inspiring messages serves as a focal point and generates positivity and staff engagement, according to the practice.

Two of the exam rooms feature electric lift tables to aid staff and allow patients to be brought to eye level. Pass-through cabinets in all exam rooms contain supplies that can be used by team members on both sides. “This not only reduced the footprint for storage but also allowed us to purchase less equipment to outfit 8 exam rooms,” hospital officials wrote.

The waiting room is intentionally large to allow for space between patients and features a treat bar for dogs and cats, as well as in-floor scales to minimize exam stress. To reduce sound, insulation was placed between exam rooms, and doors between the front and back treatment areas further limit noise from carrying. Outside, The Eye Vets offers a large, fenced-in dog park with turf and a fire hydrant.

Doors between the front and back treatment areas are keyed to provide security for staff. Team members also have access to a comfortable break room with a coffee and cappuccino maker, a television, and food preparation tools.

The Animal Neurology Center (St Louis, Missouri)

Owner: Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)

Photo courtesy of The Animal Neurology Center

The state-of-the-art Animal Neurology Center is grounded in 3 core pillars: advanced neurology care that is accessible to all, a global training ground (in collaboration with the University of Missouri), and innovation through industry partnership. The facility’s design expertly reflects those pillars.

Exam rooms, built at twice the standard size and without built-in cabinetry and tables, are designed to feel more like a playground to patients rather than a clinical space. Partnerships have brought in orthopedic beds and toys for patients, and rubber flooring in patient areas provides traction. A gait evaluation hallway is also incorporated.

“Our sterile, positive-pressure surgical wing houses oversized neurosurgical suites [purposely] built to accommodate visiting clinicians and educational observers alike. Each suite is plumbed for oxygen, nitrogen, and suction, with modular infrastructure for various procedural needs,” ANC wrote in its competition application.

The facility also houses a conference room with high-top tables for hosting seminars and immersive training sessions. Staff and students can observe surgical procedures with a horoscope, and the entire facility is monitored with a comprehensive camera system. A staff kitchen, outdoor lounge, and quiet workspaces enhance team members’ well-being.

The reception area is designed for clients with a lounge aesthetic that includes a calming saltwater aquarium, pleasant aromas, and soothing music. It also provides accessible workspaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a full coffee and tea bar with snacks.

Windsong Veterinary Hospital (Prosper, Texas)

At the center of Windsong Veterinary Hospital is “the fishbowl,” the office for veterinarians that provides 360° visibility of treatment areas and core hallways. This feature allows doctors to oversee practice activity while remaining accessible to team members and connected to patients.

In the competition application, owner Lindsay Kline, DVM, wrote that Windsong was purposely built to be different. “Clients aren’t numbers in a database. Patient care isn’t done on an assembly line. We designed this hospital with heart, with soul, and with deep intentionality—blending warmth and comfort with medical excellence,” Kline said.

Additionally, design elements cater to the hospital’s priorities: noise management, sterile surgery, and infectious disease and isolation controls. Acoustic control was achieved with sound-dampening ceiling materials and wall tiles strategically placed in high-traffic areas, and by creating separate areas for cats and dogs to minimize patient stress. In the surgical suite, a filtration system reduces airborne contaminants, and supplies are housed in closed cabinets. A preparation space outside the suite is used to maintain sterility inside it. An independent exhaust system sends air outside to minimize disease transmission in the dedicated isolation ward.

Natural light was another priority of the hospital’s design. Large windows throughout the facility and a trio of oversized skylights allow daylight to flood in. Other wellness features include a comfort room with a separate entrance for grieving clients with end-of-life care cases.

Like some of the larger hospitals, Ivy Veterinary Care prioritized noise control and sterile areas. Treatment spaces and kennel wards are separated from the quieter exam rooms and lobby, whereas acoustic tiling and insulation further reduce sound in support of Fear Free principles. Dental and surgery suites maintain sterile protocols and are separate from nonsterile areas to limit the risk of contamination.

Throughout the clinic, intentional storage spaces help with inventory control. An efficient heating and cooling system allows for comfortable temperature control as well as infection control.

In the front of the practice, an accent wall of felt and wood was incorporated for natural warmth, and the space uses built-in benches with planters and green paint to align with signature “ivy” branding. In the back, green and teal shades are used for a less clinical aesthetic.

“By using design as a storytelling tool, Ivy Vet stands out in an industry where new practices often default to cold, minimal spaces. Our project is unique in that it was led by veterinarians, designed with community revitalization in mind, and built with an eye toward beauty, functionality, and emotional wellness—on a start-up budget,” the competition application said.

Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care (Boulder, Colorado)

Owners: Karen Oberthaler, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology); and Kubs Lalchandani, Esq

Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care was created with the purpose of reducing anxiety for clients. “We wanted to offer pets and their families a veterinary oncology experience that felt more like a spa than a hospital—one that honored the emotional journey as much as the medical one,” the owners said in their competition application.

The practice prioritized clean lines, natural materials, soft lighting, and music to create a calming atmosphere. It also reimagined communication and flow by forgoing traditional front desk systems and landlines in favor of cellular devices.

Within the 1100-sq-ft footprint, the suspended ceiling was opened to create a more vertical space, and strategic acoustic elements, including soft-close cabinetry, noise-dampening floor coverings, and separation between exam and treatment areas, were added to help maintain a peaceful atmosphere. The modified open-concept layout features a glass window that allows clients to view pets undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

One patient is seen at a time, and Treeline does not schedule overlapping appointments, which has eliminated bottlenecks for clients and increased customer satisfaction, according to the practice. “This level of focus has allowed us to provide deeper continuity of care, reduce both caregiver and patient anxiety, and improve decision-making conversations with families,” the owners said.

Merit winners have been recognized by dvm360.

Practices around the country are honored for hospital design

Increasing numbers of dogs and their owners are impacted by extreme heat and adverse weather events. We conducted a national survey of 421 US dog owners to better understand how dog owners perceive and respond to these challenges.

 Our findings revealed several gaps in owners’ knowledge and preparedness around heat-related illness (HRI) and disaster planning; highlighting ways in which veterinary professionals can help.

What owners do (and don’t) know about heat risks

We know from prior research that HRI is one of the leading causes of preventable death in dogs, particularly among brachycephalic, obese, and older animals.

 In our study, nearly all participants lived in regions where summer temperatures exceeded 80°F. Despite this, many owners reported minimal changes to their dogs’ routines during the summer months. For example, a third of owners reported no change in the length of their dog walks during the summer. Furthermore, owners of brachycephalic dogs, who face triple the odds of fatal outcomes from HRI,

 were no more likely to alter their outdoor activities with their dog when compared to other owners.

When asked about warning signs of HRI, most participants could identify obvious indicators such as stiffness (86%) or ataxia (83%). However, fewer recognized more subtle early markers of severe HRI like depression or slow responsiveness (64%). Furthermore, while most owners knew they should move an overheated dog to a cool area, fewer understood that active cooling (e.g., cold-water immersion, sprays, or fans) is more effective than passive methods like cold towels.

What this means for veterinary teams: during wellness visits, veterinary teams have an opportunity to share with clients how to spot subtle signs of HRI, stress the vulnerabilities of high-risk breeds, and explain the benefits of active cooling techniques.

Another finding in our study was how heat changes the way owners interact with their dogs. Over 80% of participants reported spending less time than they would like training or playing outside during hot weather, nearly two-thirds worried about their dogs becoming bored or stressed when kept indoors, and 40% feared that indoor confinement could lead to behavior problems.

 This is a reminder that extreme heat isn’t just a physical health issue; it also affects mental well-being for both dogs and owners.

Veterinary professionals can support clients by recommending indoor alternatives, shaded outdoor play areas, or early morning and evening walks. Normalizing these seasonal adjustments can help reduce owners’ guilt and worry about these necessary changes.

Disasters and preparedness: A wake-up call

Beyond heat, most dog owners in our study expressed concern about storms, floods, wildfires, or earthquakes affecting their pets. Furthermore, we found that the majority (83%) of participants said they would not evacuate during a disaster if they could not take their dog. Younger and middle-income owners were especially likely to say they would stay behind.

 Despite this, about a fourth of participants indicated they did not have a transportation plan for their dogs or knew how to access pet-friendly shelters. Only 59% had a full emergency plan and just 46% had a disaster kit prepared. This lack of preparation carries serious implications and endangers the lives of both humans and animals.

Veterinary teams can help by initiating conversations about disaster preparedness and normalizing this as an important aspect of responsible ownership. Hospitals can create disaster kit handouts or checklists, and/or post on their website, to give clients concrete tools to utilize.

Our results suggest owners want pet safety guidance from their veterinary team, yet only 28% had talked about an evacuation plan with their veterinarian. This suggests a missed opportunity for veterinary teams to help ensure pet safety.

Specifically, owners told us they want more information from their veterinary team on the following:

 (e.g., signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, immediate first aid and emergency steps, when to seek veterinary care)

 (e.g., best methods to cool down an overheated dog,proper hydration techniques, safe water consumption)

 (e.g., maximum safe time outdoors in hot temperatures, appropriate exercise intensity, surface temperature considerations)

 (e.g., evacuation plans for extreme weather, emergency kits for pets, identifying safe locations)

 (e.g., breed-specific heat tolerance, special precautions for puppies, elderly, or overweight dogs, individual dog's health conditions and heat interaction)

 (e.g., preventative measures against heat-related issues, protective gear, grooming considerations).

Practical steps for veterinary professionals

Based on our findings, we suggest the following ways for veterinary teams to help ensure dog safety:

Incorporate heat safety reminders into summer wellness visits and newsletters.

Give tailored advice for brachycephalic, obese, or senior patients.

Stress the benefits of active versus passive cooling methods.

Offer disaster planning checklists and contact information for pet-friendly shelters.

Partner with shelters or emergency services to host community workshops.

In summary, our research found that while dog owners are concerned about heat and extreme weather, many lack the knowledge and tools they need to protect their pets. Veterinary teams are in a unique position to close this gap. By proactively engaging clients on these topics, we can reduce preventable illness and death. These short conversations in the exam room can make all the difference.

, is a professor of clinical sciences for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. She is the chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association and editor-in-chief of the Human-Animal Interaction journal, an open-access, online publication published by the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI). She has published numerous journal articles and books, including Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions: Practitioners Navigating the Human-Animal Bond and Clinician's Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues: Addressing Human-Animal Interaction. Kogan presents regularly on topics related to human-animal interactions in both psychology and veterinary medicine venues. She is currently engaged in several research projects pertaining to the intersection of the human-animal bond and veterinary medicine.

, is a staff veterinarian with the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC, and the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is a resident with the American College of Animal Welfare. Her interests include community medicine, access to care, geriatric medicine and end-of-life care, and companion animal welfare.

Etue A, Kogan L, Brown E. Dog owners’ perceptions and behaviors regarding extreme heat and weather events. Accessed August 22, 2025. 

 2025;13. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/epdf/10.1079/hai.2025.0035. 

Hall E, Carter AJ, O’Neill DG. Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016. 

Hall E, Carter A, O’Neill D. Dogs Don’t Die Just in Hot Cars—Exertional Heat-Related Illness (Heatstroke) Is a Greater Threat to UK Dogs. 

Quintana J, Viola L, Sanchez V, et al. Preparing pets and their people: opportunity for veterinary teams to promote disaster preparedness in their communities. Accessed March 28, 2025. 

 2025;12. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1442482/full. 

Dog owners face challenges with heat and disasters, lacking knowledge on heat-related illness and emergency preparedness, making veterinary guidance essential.

Helping dogs beat the heat and survive extreme weather events

Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCV, discusses why dog's chase their tails, in a dvm360 interview.

Debunking a canine myth

Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCV, senior director of behavior, research, and education at Gigi’s, a shelter organization in Ohio, presented a continuing education session on the top 10 behavior myths at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 conference in Kansas City, Missouri. In an interview with 

 at the conference, Herron debunked a common myth about why dogs chase their tails.

The following is a transcript of the video:

 One of the myths that drives me crazy is that dogs spin, chase their tail, or lick their paws because they're bored. Anytime a dog is paying extra attention to a body part, I need to know why. As a veterinarian, we need to put that medical cap on and say, ‘You're paying attention to your body, either because it itches, it hurts, or it feels funny, and I need to rule out all of those reasons for that focus before I'm ever blaming some sort of boredom or behavior problem.'

I've had dogs with hip dysplasia, cauda equina syndrome, anal gland disease, or impaction, and that's why they're chasing their tail. That's why they're running in circles, because it's uncomfortable for them. I've had it in irritable bowel disease. They're putting focus on their belly. They're putting focus on that hind end. It has actually nothing to do with boredom, and it may not even be a compulsive disorder. A lot of people want to say, ‘Oh, spinning [obsessive-compulsive disorder]—put them on the Prozac [fluoxetine].’ Well, [that] may be beneficial to some dogs who do have compulsive disorders, [but] we really have to do our job in ruling out the medical reason for it first.

Caring for the emotional well-being of animals

Videos

In a dvm360 interview, Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCV, discusses the real reason why dogs chase their tails.

A recent systematic review by Kansas State University in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vector and host competence found that at least 9 additional mosquito species may be potential vectors for JEV.

 The pathogen, which is transmitted via infected mosquitoes, affects people and many animals, including wild birds, horses, and swine.

“This review provides updated data not only on newly reported species showing competence for JEV but also on the level of competence observed in previously identified species,” the authors wrote in the study.

 “These findings offer valuable insights that go beyond what individual studies can provide, helping to synthesize the evidence base in a way that is accessible and actionable for policymakers, public health authorities, and disease modelers. Ultimately, the goal is to support evidence-based decision-making with the most current and comprehensive data available.”

According to the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), although the JEV primarily circulates between mosquitoes and waterbirds, it poses a significant threat to human and animal health.

 In swine, all ages are susceptible to the disease.

 Infected pigs can also pass the virus to mosquitoes.

 According to Iowa State University, JEV outbreaks in humans are often linked to areas where infected pigs and mosquitoes coexist.

 Other animals that may serve as reservoirs include snakes, lizards, many wild birds, and chickens.

In swine, JEV can cause reproductive issues, including stillbirths and abortions. Although the virus has not been detected in the US, its global spread (including a recent expansion into mainland Australia

), along with suitable vectors and hosts in the US, increases the risk of entry.

The recent systematic review, which received funding from the SHIC, built on a 2018 analysis and included only experimental studies from 2016 to 2023. The review found that nearly half (45.4%) of 51 mosquito species tested experimentally became infected after being exposed to JEV. “This highlights the significant potential for virus amplification in mosquito populations around livestock, including pig farms,” the SHIC wrote in a report.

Additionally, the transmission rate for the disease across 30 experimentally tested mosquito species was 22.7%, meaning approximately 1 in 4 infected mosquito species could pass the virus to animals and humans. Among all mosquito species that were experimentally tested, the 

species showed the highest rates of infection and transmission at 51.9% and 27.8%, respectively. According to the SHIC, this mosquito species is commonly found in human and livestock environments, representing “high-priority targets for surveillance and control.”

Moreover, the study identified 9 to 12 additional mosquito species beyond the initial potential mosquito vectors found in the previous review, which were shown to be competent vectors for JEV.

The authors of the study noted that understanding mosquito abundance, host preference, longevity, geographical ranges, and co-occurrences with human settings or animal reservoirs are also important for determining JEV transmission and risk. “Moreover, data on JEV dissemination and transmission rates in vectors are crucial for assessing the risk of JEV introduction and transmission within new geographical areas previously free of the virus,” they added.

Edache S, Dixon AL, Oliveira ARS, et al. Mosquito vector competence for Japanese encephalitis virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis update. 

. 2025;18(1):191. doi:10.1186/s13071-025-06843-7

SHIC-funded research reveals JEV threat remains high with mosquito control essential. Swine Health Information Center. News release. July 25, 2025. Accessed August 26, 2025. https://www.swinehealth.org/shic-funded-research-reveals-jev-threat-remains-high-with-mosquito-control-essential/

New research uncovers additional mosquito species as potential vectors for Japanese encephalitis virus, highlighting risks to swine and public health.