One Health Heroes, Dec 15, 2025: Pet Vaccine Hesitancy, Rabies in an Organ Donor, H5N1 and Elephant Seals
Release Date: 12/15/2025
Your Vet Wants You to Know
In this episode, Dr. Mandy Sorensen reviews major One Health updates, including a sharp rise in avian influenza cases, ongoing concerns about New World Screwworm, and important winter safety risks for pets. The conversation highlights the scale of recent poultry losses and spillover risks to mammals, including pets. New conditional treatment options for screwworm in dogs are approved, but early recognition and reporting are crucial. The episode closes with reflections on global disease surveillance through the WHO, collaboration, and encouraging developments in public health leadership from...
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In Part 5 of Mission RENAL, a series on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in pets, joins to discuss non-regenerative anemia in cats with chronic kidney disease and introduce Varenzin™-CA1 (molidustat oral suspension), the first FDA conditionally approved oral treatment for this condition. They explain why non-regenerative anemia matters, how it affects quality of life, and how this innovative medication works differently from older therapies. Sponsored by Elanco, this guide empowers pet owners with Real Education for Navigating Advanced Longevity in dogs and cats with chronic kidney...
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January is One Health Month and we are highlighting opportunities for education, career exploration, and collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health. This episode provides updates on ongoing One Health threats, including avian influenza, New World Screwworm, and wildlife rabies, with practical guidance for veterinarians and the public. A major focus of the discussion introduces PFAS (“forever chemicals”), explaining what they are, why they matter for One Health, and how environmental contamination can impact both human and animal health. The episode closes on an...
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In Part 4 of Mission RENAL, a series on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in pets, joins to explain treatments for hypertension, proteinuria, high phosphorus, and anemia; how IRIS staging affects prognosis; and how to maintain quality of life as CKD progresses. Sponsored by Royal Canin and Elanco, this guide empowers pet owners with Real Education for Navigating Advanced Longevity in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease. How medications support kidney health in pets with CKD Why treating anemia, hypertension, and proteinuria slows disease progression How phosphate binders and...
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In this One Health Heroes update, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communication specialist with the , discusses: , with over 800,000 poultry cases in the past 30 days and new spillover events from wild birds into dairy cattle, creating opportunities for viral adaptation. , as seen in fatal avian influenza cases involving kittens in Europe and a dog in Canada after ingesting infected birds. , raising critical questions about timing of exposure versus vaccination and reinforcing why rabies surveillance and prevention remains essential. to put toward its experimental avian influenza mRNA vaccine for...
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In Part 3 of Mission RENAL, a series on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in pets, joins to explain ways cat and dog owners can help support their pet with chronic kidney disease at home through nutrition, hydration, and monitoring. Sponsored by Royal Canin and Elanco, this guide empowers pet owners with Real Education for Navigating Advanced Longevity in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease. Prescription renal diets significantly improve survival and quality of life. Encourage hydration through food, fountains, and flavor additives. Subcutaneous fluids should be reserved for...
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In this One Health Heroes update, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communication specialist with the , discusses: ., affecting wild birds, backyard flocks, commercial poultry, and even dairy herds, underscoring the need for continued surveillance and reporting. , with avian influenza linked to , highlighting the broader biodiversity consequences of emerging diseases. , with studies estimating hesitancy in ~21% of dog owners and ~25% of cat owners, . but preventable disease, with recent cases illustrating how small (including can lead to tragic outcomes in both animals and humans. Canine...
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In Part 2 of Mission RENAL, a series on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in pets, joins to explain how veterinarians interpret blood and urine tests to diagnose kidney disease, what IRIS staging means, and the importance of individualized treatment plans. Sponsored by Royal Canin and Elanco, this guide empowers pet owners with Real Education for Navigating Advanced Longevity in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease. Key Takeaways: Blood and urine tests together give the most accurate picture of kidney health. IRIS staging helps veterinarians guide treatment but doesn’t define your...
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In this One Health Heroes update, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communication specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, discusses: The , how this strain affecting poultry, wild birds, and cattle, and why mutations remain a growing public health concern. An update on New World Screwworm, including and ongoing federal surveillance efforts near the southern U.S. border. , focusing on preventing food-borne illness, , , and . Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: Veterinarians are invited to join the . Help support...
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In Part 1 of Mission RENAL, a series on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in pets, joins to explain the difference between Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and CKD, why many CKD cases have no single cause, the early warning signs and why these signs happen, the power of early screening to slow progression, and how staging CKD guides individualized care. CKD is irreversible but manageable—early detection matters. PU/PD (peeing/drinking more) is often the first clue; appetite changes are common. Pets can act normal with substantial kidney function loss—don’t wait on labs. Wellness...
info_outlineIn this One Health Heroes update, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communication specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, discusses:
- Avian influenza is now widespread across the U.S., affecting wild birds, backyard flocks, commercial poultry, and even dairy herds, underscoring the need for continued surveillance and reporting.
- Wildlife impacts are profound, with avian influenza linked to catastrophic population losses in Southern elephant seals, highlighting the broader biodiversity consequences of emerging diseases.
- Vaccine hesitancy is increasing among pet owners, with studies estimating hesitancy in ~21% of dog owners and ~25% of cat owners, mirroring trends seen in human medicine.
- Rabies remains a fatal but preventable disease, with recent cases illustrating how small wildlife exposures (including bats and skunks) can lead to tragic outcomes in both animals and humans.
- Canine parvovirus is resurging in some areas, causing severe, often fatal disease in unvaccinated puppies—reinforcing the importance of routine vaccination and herd protection.
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Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians.
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Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.
By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.
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