When you applied to veterinary school, do you remember explaining why you wanted to become a veterinarian? During that time in my life, I viewed veterinarians as people who directly cared for their animal patients— and those who indirectly helped the people who rely on animals for milk, food, and/or companionship. 

Long before I heard of the One Health concept (the interconnection between animal and human health and that of plants and our shared environment), I was already demonstrating a One Health mindset. I answered that application question many years ago, and today, as a predominantly small animal clinician, I’m always considering One Health approaches to veterinary care.

When collecting a patient’s history for the subjective, objective, assessment/analysis, plan (SOAP), were you trained to learn about the patient’s environment? 

Is the cat indoor only? Is she the only pet in the house? What flea and/or tick preventive is given to her? When was her last dose? 

And when you find out that a client is pregnant or there is a young child in the home, do you think twice about prescribing a topical medication versus an oral one?

As veterinarians, we are very influential. People tend to trust us. We become part of families, receive thank you cards after euthanizing a geriatric pet, and can protect people from various zoonotic diseases through our one-on-one talks after we make a diagnosis.

Not convinced yet? Do these One Health-related questions look familiar?:

How many times have you discussed the risk of Toxoplasma in cats with expecting mothers?

Have you helped to ensure that a giardia-positive puppy does not inadvertently share this parasite with other animals and people?

Do you think about how can keep families safe when their dog has Leptospirosis? 

What do you say to elderly owners of a dog that you suspect has Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection?

If you answered yes, you've been applying a One Health approach without even realizing it.

Start educating your clients about One Health by simply discussing the pet’s condition, consequences of the illness, plus the possible impact the disease can have on the client and their family’s health. The answer to 

 we should educate our clients about One Health is also simple—we chose to join this great and influential profession to improve the health and well-being of others

By maintaining a One Health mindset—we can accomplish that mission and much more.

is the founder and president of One Health Lessons. She’s also a 2019-2020 AVMA Congressional Fellow and a practicing clinician in Virginia.

Articles

How to implement this global initiative at your veterinary practice, plus some strategies to get you started.

Why and how to educate your clients about One Health

The newest addition to Brevard Zoo, the klipspringer calf. (Photo courtesy of Brevard zoo).

Brevard Zoo—a Florida-based zoo— home to more than 900 animals representing 195 species worldwide—welcomed the birth of a 27.5-ounce male baby klipspringer calf to its animal kingdom—making him the ninth klipspringer to be born at the zoo.

The currently unnamed infant calf was born on April 15, 2021, around 6:30 pm to mom Deborah, 4, and dad Ajabu, 6. A neonatal exam was performed and the antelope appears to be a male, in relatively good health, and nursing well. He will continue spending several weeks bonding with his mother in a private location before making his public debut.

, this species is a type of dwarf antelope that is native to the rocky areas of sub-Saharan, Africa. As adults, they typically weigh between 18-40 lbs and usually give birth to 1 calf at a time.

The species is also known for its surefootedness—they are light and nimble and can jump with accuracy. Although these animals do not face any immediate threats in the wild, they are sometimes targeted by hunters.

To learn more about the klipspringer species and Brevard Zoo, go 

Though the young calf remains unnamed, zoo staff says he's nursing well and spending several weeks bonding with his mother. 

Meet the newest member of the Brevard Zoo family: A pint-sized klipspringer calf

The Morris Animal Foundation—one of the largest nonprofits funding animal health studies internationally—recently established its first canine scientific advisory board (CSAB) to help award grants for dog health-related research each year. This announcement follows the Foundations recent establishment of the 

“For so many people including my family, life just wouldn’t be the same without our dogs. They deserve to have their own focus in our annual call for proposals,” says Janet Patterson-Kane BVSc, PhD, FRCVS, Morris Animal Foundation chief scientific officer, in an organizational 

. “We are proud to bring together this group of canine health experts who will ensure we choose the best studies to help give dogs the longest, healthiest lives possible.”

According to the release, CSAB is 1 of 6 scientific advisory boards at the foundation and is comprised of 10 veterinary professionals who share diverse backgrounds in scientific specialties and species expertise. The boards evaluate hundreds of grant proposals in total yearly and provide recommendations for which ones to fund based on scientific merit and the potential to save lives, preserve health and raise the standard of veterinary care.

Joshua Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology)

Josh Daniels, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Bacteriology)

Talisha Moore, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology)

For more information about the Morris Animal Foundation and the CSAB, visit their 

Before 2020, when the foundation tested this concept, grants for both canine and feline studies were approved by a Small Animal Advisory Board.

Morris Animal Foundation establishes its first canine advisory board

Lindsey Kock, DVM, says she’s always been captivated by larger animals. She spent a few years in general practice but always had a passion for cattle reproduction. Kock also longed to understand how to use data to become a more successful practitioner. Now she’s using genomic sequencing to help enhance veterinary care.

“I always knew there was something more out there for me that was a little different,” she says. “I think what pulled me in was looking at where genomics was at in the beef space and even in dairy and what we were able to learn about animals and thinking about how we can take that herd mentality and apply it to an individual animal.”

On this episode of The Vet blast Podcast, Kock, market development manager at 

—talks with Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, about the significance of genomic sequencing, including how it can elevate veterinary practices and improve care.

“[Genomic sequencing] follows the trends in what we see in the human space,” she tells Christman. “In dogs, genomic testing is fairly non-invasive. The process involves collecting a cheek-swab sample—the DNA used lives inside the nucleus of that cells." From there, scientists break down the cell and extract the DNA and begin looking for individual changes called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which have historically been accomplished through arrays or BeadChip technology.

“[BeadChip technology] are targeted tests to say that within this whole genome of 2.9 billion base pairs, we want to look at these 20 markers or these 100 markers,” she says.

 provides markers for those complex traits or cases that are common in daily practice. She also tells Christman that there has been a growing interest in using DNA-based data to understand canine nutritional and behavioral needs. “It’s not news to us,” she says. “It’s important to be able to tell them [clients] their pet needs a healthier bodyweight because they have an increased risk for Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) or cancer.” Data like this not only provides insight on your patients, but can also be used to reinforce client recommendations—a win-win for veterinarians and pet owners.

Listen below to learn more about genomic sequencing and breed identification.

Podcasts

On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Dr Christman is joined by Dr Kock, a market development manager at NEOGEN who discusses the nuts and bolts of genomic sequencing, including its unique role in preventive medicine. (Sponsored by NEOGEN).

Episode 49: How genomic sequencing is enhancing veterinary medicine

A Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spider (Photo courtesy of Zoo Miami)

There’s a new large spider species in town—and it was recently found lurking around the endangered pine Rockland forest surrounding 

. With a name reflecting its habitat, the Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spider (

) was first discovered by a zookeeper inspecting reptile research traps in 2012. At the time, the zoo’s conservation and research department couldn't identify this mystery spider as it didn’t match any existing records of species in the area.

Fast forward 2 years later and another one of these spiders was found and evaluated by experts including, Rebecca Godwin, PhD, assistant professor of biology at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, who confirmed this arachnid is a previously undescribed species. After years of research, Godwin identified the 8-legged creature, kin to the tarantula, as a new species, according to a 

This exciting finding offers hope for more discoveries like these in large regions such as the Greater Miami Area, says Zoo Miami staff. However, since roughly 1.5% of the pine Rocklands outside the Everglades National Park remains, this newly-identified spider is likely already endangered.

"The fact that a new species like this could be found in a fragment of endangered forest in the middle of the city underscores the importance of preserving these ecosystems before we lose not only what we know but also what is still to be discovered," says Frank Ridgley, DVM, head of the conservation and research department at Zoo Miami. Venoms of related species have been found to contain compounds with potential use as pain medications and cancer treatments.”

Trapdoor spiders are some of the longest-lived and can spend their entire lives in the same burrow. Currently, zoo staff has only found a handful of male Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spiders but no females to date. Over the past 35 years, this species has not been identified anywhere aside from the area surrounding Zoo Miami.

To learn more about this new spider species, go 

The Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spider, kin to the tarantula, was recently identified thanks to Zoo Miami staff. 

Say hello to a brand-new spider species 

Veterinary students using SynDaver's new synthetic feline surgical training model. (Photo courtesy of SynDaver)

SynDaver—an advanced biotechnology company known for its synthetic educational human and animal simulators—recently launched a new synthetic feline surgical training model. This innovative tool is designed to teach veterinary students how to perform feline spay surgeries without the fear of harming a live patient.

“I wish we had access to this kind of technology when I was in veterinary school,” says David Danielson, DVM, president of veterinary technology at SynDaver, in a company 

. “Our simulation surgical model provides repeatability, allowing the surgeon to make mistakes and perfect their craft.”

The surgical trainer simulates the anatomy of live patients and includes the company’s patented synthetic tissues comprised of water, fibers, and salts, mimicking living tissue. Unlike silicone or plastic, it maintains the fidelity and life-like properties of live tissue.

According to the release, the first synthetic feline model was used to teach anatomy at large schools and universities worldwide including at Cornell University. The associate professor of small animal surgery at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Galina Hayes, DVM, BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, DACVS, DACVECC, anticipates that this new model will have a significant impact on both her students and the surgical community.

“I am beyond thrilled with SynDaver,” says Hayes. “Our students have had the privilege to train on the canine surgical models previously, and we couldn’t be happier. However, the newest feline surgical model gives them the opportunity to perform the feline spay, which is a benchmark in their surgical skills acquisition. The simulator allows them to practice in a highly realistic model where they can repeat as often as necessary, get comfortable with the tools required, and have no fear of failure or harm to a patient.”

“What SynDaver has provided is an opportunity to remove the enormous stress and anxiety our students feel when practicing an unfamiliar procedure on a live patient. This is a huge leap forward for us in achieving high-quality learning and retention of surgical skills," she said.

To learn more about SynDaver's line of products, go 

This revolutionary training tool simulates the anatomy of a live cat, allowing veterinary students to perfect their craft without the fear of harming a live patient.