Wrap up: The medetomidine threat, and other news

Happy Friday dvm360 readers! We hope you all had an excellent week and are ready for the weekend to reset and recharge, if you are able to. We are slowly getting closer and closer to closing the nominations for the 2026 Veterinary Heroes Recognition Program, have you nominated your hero yet?

If not, there is still time, because the deadline is April 30^th! Is there a veterinary professional in your life that works tirelessly to improve not only the lives of the animals they come across, but the industry as a whole? Show them how much you appreciate them and their hard work by nominating them for a Veterinary Hero Award. You can learn more, including seeing which categories we will be presenting awards to, and nominate your hero here today!

After you finish nominating your hero, here is what you can catch up on from this week’s headlines:

• After the CDC and White House Office of National Drug Policy, released a joint Health Alert Network Health Advisory on medetomidine, also known as “Rhino Tranq”, Kelley Detweiler broke down the seriousness of this threat and ways veterinary professionals can help mitigate the risk to stop a problem from starting in their clinics.
• Earlier this week, Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pennsylvania, announced the name and revealed the name of its newest resident, a two-toed baby sloth, after being nicknamed Beanie Baby in August 2025.
• On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, to the show to chat more about ways veterinary clinics can build durable teams to help reduce burnout and create sustainable workplaces for professionals.
• In recognition of canine fitness month, Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CHPV, CTPEP, CVPP, explored in her recent article how veterinary professionals can help the senior dogs in the clinic stay mobile longer through types of targeted strength and balance exercises, early pain control, and more.
• Last month, Cardinal Health issued a voluntary nationwide recall of select lots of its product, Webcol Large Alcohol Prep Pads (70% isopropyl alcohol), after microbial contamination was identified in the product, which is commonly used in veterinary clinics.
• And more!