Vital Signs — Thursday, October 15, 2026

15 Oct 2026 — 2 min read

New discoveries & research

Dogs, cats prefer microbial protein kibble in study — A PLOS One palatability trial with 30 dogs and 30 cats found both species ate more of the kibble with microbial protein than standard animal-protein kibble, though the researchers caution it measured short-term preference only.
Naproxen ingestion puts dog at risk of kidney injury and GI bleeding after chewing through bottle — Pet Poison Helpline shared the case of Phaedra, an Italian mastiff who nearly died of kidney injury and GI bleeding after chewing a naproxen bottle, and toxicologists warn a single 220-mg tablet can seriously harm dogs and cats.

FDA clears pathway for conditional approval of cannabinoid drug for canine bone cancer pain — The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine determined that Endovia's investigational CBD-THC oral solution CannEpil for canine bone-cancer pain qualifies as a minor use, making it eligible to pursue the conditional approval pathway.
More Than 2 Million Dogs Reach for Zen: Elanco Helps Veterinarians and Pet Owners Navigate Extended Allergy Season With Zenrelia — Elanco says Zenrelia has now treated more than 2 million dogs in 48 countries and is urging vets to prepare for a lengthening fall allergy season, while the label's boxed warning requires pausing the drug around vaccinations.
Recent Animal Drug Approvals — The FDA's approvals table lists two September additions: Warburton's selenium-free injectable trace mineral for cattle and Cronus Pharma's florfenicol/flunixin combination for bovine respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle.

New California law changes VCPR rules and expands licensing options for veterinarians — Gov. Newsom signed AB 1999, a broad overhaul of California's veterinary practice act: patient-specific VCPR, new licensing pathways for shelter and volunteer work, updated telemedicine rules, and limits on owners performing surgeries on their own animals, effective January 1, 2027.

Dog Rescued After Spending Months Alone in Cemetery Now Looking for Foster Home — After months living alone in a Norfolk, Virginia cemetery, a shepherd mix named Lucky was trapped with community help, brought to the Norfolk Animal Care Center for a vet exam and vaccinations, and is now looking for a calm foster home to rebuild his confidence.
Abandoned Senior Dog Has a Long Road to Recovery, but He Finally Has People in His Corner — Niall Harbison's Happy Doggo team traveled by ferry and an eight-hour drive to reach Frank, an emaciated abandoned senior dog who is now under veterinary care and — the hope goes — on his way to becoming "Frank the Tank."

Hiring and Retention: What Today's Veterinarian Looks for in a Job Offer — An EquiManagement look at equine hiring argues retention beats recruitment: flexible scheduling, real mentorship, adequate technician support, collaborative emergency cooperatives, and a gradual salary-to-production pay transition are what keep today's veterinarians from walking.