Latest news with #MarsVeterinaryHealth
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Joint Blood Drive Highlights Need For Pets And People To Donate Blood
One blood donation from a cat or dog can save the lives of up to three other pets. Courtesy of BluePearl Pet Blood Bank An innovative blood drive aims to increase the flow of blood donations by both people and pets. On July 10, employees of Mars Veterinary Health can visit the Mars Petcare headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, to donate blood with the American Red Cross of Tennessee and also have their dogs screened as potential blood donors through the BluePearl Pet Blood Bank. (BluePearl Pet Hospital is a specialty and emergency arm of Mars Veterinary Health). While many Americans are aware of the need for human blood donors, fewer are aware that animal hospitals need dogs and cats to donate blood to help save the lives of other pets, according to Lenore Bacek, DVM, MS, DACVECC, vice president of clinical affairs at BluePearl Pet Hospital. 'There's definitely a lack of awareness that our pets have the same needs,' she said. 'They need blood transfusions for all sorts of medical conditions and emergencies, just like people do.' Around 950 dogs and cats currently participate in the pet blood bank program. While most domestic cats have type A blood, exotic breeds often have type B, which is extremely sought after because it's so rare, according to Dr. Bacek. 'When we find a type B donor, we are very excited to have them in the program,' she said. One blood donation from a cat or dog can save the lives up to three other pets, and BluePearl Pet Blood Bank sends a notification to pet parents of donors whenever their blood is used to help another pet. Cats and dogs who donate blood receive perks like free exams and annual bloodwork. getty In addition to the reward of saving the life of another animal, feline and canine blood donors receive a free checkup before every donation and free annual bloodwork. 'I think that is a tremendous financial savings for them,' Dr. Bacek said. 'And we are working with VCA and Banfield, our two sister business units in North America, and they've offered up some discount visits.' Requirements For Dogs And Cats To Donate Blood To Pet Blood Bank The BluePearl Pet Blood Bank is completely voluntary, though the hope is enrolled dogs and cats will donate blood about every 12 weeks, or around four times a year, according to Dr. Bacek. To qualify for the program, dogs must weigh at least 50 pounds and be 1-8 years old. Cats must also fall into that age range and weigh at least 10 pounds. Both species must be considered healthy, be up to date on certain vaccines like rabies and distemper, and take year-round flea, tick and heartworm preventive medication. Dogs and cats cannot be fed a raw diet out of concerns of salmonella transmission; raw poultry diets can also put cats at risk of contracting bird flu). They also can't be taking certain medications or have received a blood transfusion to quality as donors. While most cats are sedated to donate blood, many dogs simply lie still while donating, Dr. Bacek noted. 'It's nice when they're friendly, calm and have a good disposition,' she said. 'We can certainly sedate them, but some of the dogs don't need sedation.' Some dogs don't require sedation while donating blood, which takes about 10 minutes. Courtesy of BluePearl Pet Blood Bank The Blood Donation Process For Dogs and Cats The blood donation process for dogs and cats is 'very, very safe' and only lasts about 10 minutes, according to Dr. Bacek. Afterward, they are typically spoiled with treats and love from the veterinary team, as well as toys and bandanas that read 'I'm a Hero.' Some repeat canine donors are excited when they arrive because they've enjoyed past donation experiences so much. 'It's very quick and we try to make it a very calming, peaceful process,' she said. It can also be a rewarding process. For instance, at a pet blood donor appreciation event in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Bacek and other attendees were touched when a golden retriever who received a blood donation met the blood donor – a Labrador retriever – who saved his life. A Labrador retriever relaxes alongside the golden retriever saved by his blood donation at a ... More BluePearl Pet Blood Bank donor appreciation event in Tampa, Florida. Courtesy of BluePearl Pet Blood Bank So knowing a beloved dog or cat saved another beloved pet through blood donation is often the greatest benefit of participation. 'There is a component that's just very emotional,' she said. 'It's really special to know that your pet actually helped save another pet.' In fact, Dr. Bacek and her husband are enrolling their two cats, Bert and Ernie, in the BluePearl Pet Blood Bank program in hopes of saving the lives of other cats. She hopes tomorrow's joint blood drive inspires other pet parents to do the same. Dr. Lenore Bacek is enrolling her cats, Bert and Ernie, as donors in the BluePearl Pet Blood Bank ... More program. Courtesy of Dr. Lenore Bacek 'We just want people to understand that it's not scary,' she said. 'It's very, very vital for our hospitals to have these products.'
Business Insider
18-06-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
How your pet's next vet visit could help protect your health, too
We tend to think of veterinarians as the people who treat our pets' aches and illnesses. Behind those exam room doors; however, there's a bigger story unfolding that connects your pet's health to your own. In celebration of Veterinary Appreciation Day, we're spotlighting the extraordinary impact of veterinary professionals beyond the exam room. We spoke with Dr. Molly McAllister, global chief medical officer at Mars Veterinary Health, to talk about how everyday veterinary visits are helping spot public health risks early, protect communities, and shape the future of medicine. Q: Most people think of veterinarians as animal doctors. When did you realize veterinary medicine had far broader implications beyond just pet health? Like most veterinarians, my journey started with a lifelong love of animals. Veterinary school is where I began to see the scale of health information flowing through clinics. As I went on to obtain a Master's degree in public health, the overlap of human health and animal health became central to my studies. At Mars Veterinary Health, nearly 70,000 pet-loving veterinary professionals touch the lives of millions of pets and their owners around the world each year. This gives us access to deep knowledge and insights that can drive meaningful global impact. Veterinary care isn't solely about animals; it comes with a responsibility to public health, too. That's why we prioritize the concept of One Health: The inextricable link between people, animals, and the environment. Q: Why are pets such powerful early indicators of public health trends? Companion animals share more than a loving relationship with us, they also breathe the same air, walk on the same sidewalks, and are exposed to many of the same health risks. In fact, they're often the first to show signs of emerging public health issues. For example, a collaborative study by VCA Animal Hospitals and Antech that examined over 1,000 pets living with people who had COVID-19 showed the interconnection between human and animal health. Our researchers found that 33% of dogs and 27% of cats tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. While this is not the same as developing disease, this result demonstrates how pet health monitoring can reveal important risks to human health. Real-world links like these demonstrate the veterinary profession's critical role in maintaining and promoting One Health. Our recent Mars Veterinary Health Science Impact Report shows the value of veterinary data in identifying public health risks. It brings together research from our global veterinary care network and offers insights from millions of pets. From this, we can spot trends sooner to keep improving global health at scale. Q: What kinds of research is Mars Veterinary Health contributing to right now? As a family-owned, purpose-led company, we've long encouraged and invested in veterinary science and clinical research across our global network. This allows us to enhance the quality of care we deliver and help advance veterinary medicine industry-wide. With millions of pets coming through our doors, we feel a responsibility and opportunity to use our knowledge and insights for greater good. Clinician scientists across Mars Veterinary Health are continually conducting and publishing leading clinical research — many the first and largest studies of their kind. Last year alone, this amounted to more than 450 peer-reviewed publications from our Associates worldwide. Across 140+ of our clinics in the US and Europe, we're also running clinical studies that will help shape the future of veterinary care. Our Mars Veterinary Health teams also enable the Mars Petcare Biobank, one of the largest, most comprehensive real-world pet health studies that aims to follow 20,000 dogs and cats over a decade to detect potential early signs of disease and identify new ways to prevent and predict illness. This study has the potential to transform pet health for generations to come, and pet owners across the US are invited to sign up here. Q: Where do pet owners fit into all of this? How can they make a difference? Every pet healthcare decision starts with trust between a pet owner and their veterinarian, a partnership that should grow through every stage of a pet's life. This recently played out at some of our Linnaeus clinics promoting responsible antibiotic usage. We shared a video in 20+ languages to help pet owners better understand antimicrobial resistance and responsible antibiotic use. Our veterinary teams noticed more thoughtful conversations and fewer requests for unnecessary prescriptions as a result. This is just one example of the important partnership between veterinary teams and pet owners to protect the health of pets, people, and the planet. Q: What's preventing deeper understanding of veterinary medicine's role in public health? Awareness is growing, but we still have work to do. Veterinarians deeply understand the human-animal bond and their role in safeguarding it and therefore have always played a role in public health, from food safety to spotting disease trends and supporting community wellbeing. The opportunity now is to strengthen the public's understanding of how pet healthcare contributes to public health. Greater awareness has the potential to strengthen our ability to drive lasting, positive change. Q: What's your vision for the future of the veterinary profession? My 8-year-old daughter wants to be a veterinarian. Thinking of her future and others like her keeps me focused on building a profession that inspires and cares for the next generation. For me, the goal is better care for pets everywhere, powered by a connected, global veterinary community. That means supporting the people behind the care through training, education, and research. As a leading post-graduate education provider, I'm proud that Mars Veterinary Health helps grow the next generation of clinician-scientists — giving them the tools to shape what's next. Q: If there's one takeaway you want readers to leave with, what is it? I want people to see their veterinarians as more than someone who treats a cough or a limp. They're partners in your pet's care at every stage and a key health professional in their network. Veterinary teams are knowledgeable, pet-obsessed allies who aim to do what's best for your pet and you. In doing so, they're helping protect public health in your community. The next major medical breakthrough might not come from a research lab but from your local veterinary clinic.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Crown Vet Expands in Hyderabad with New Clinic in Gachibowli
Crown Vet, Gachibowli clinic, Veterinary services India, Pet healthcare, Hyderabad pet care, Modern vet clinic Located at Maple Celestia, Jayabheri Enclave, the 1,400 sq. ft. clinic is equipped with best-in-class medical infrastructure, including digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house pathology using IDEXX analysers, and advanced surgical and diagnostic capabilities. The clinic will cater exclusively to canines and felines, providing a full suite of services such as: ● General Consultations ● Surgery ● Preventive Health Plans ● In-House Pathology ● Dermatology ● Advanced Diagnostic Imaging ● Pet Dental Care ● Pet Nutritional ● On-site Pharmacy ● Hospitalisation and in patient care With this brand new clinic opening, Crown Vet now operates three clinics across Hyderabad (2 other locations being Hitech City and Banjara Hills) building on the city's deep love for pets and growing demand for trustworthy veterinary services. Crown Vet, Gachibowli, will operate from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. They will extend to 24/7 service in the near future. 'With the launch of our Gachibowli clinic, we continue our mission of making world-class, compassionate veterinary care accessible to more pet families. Every Crown Vet clinic is built on the belief that pets deserve not just medical expertise, but empathy, respect, and unwavering commitment to their well-being,' — Pratapsinh Gaekwad, Founder, Crown Vet'As we mark the opening of our tenth clinic, we're proud of how far Crown Vet has come in our mission to provide high-quality medical care for pets across India. Our collaboration with Mars Veterinary Health, the world's leading petcare provider, has been instrumental in helping us train our doctors and support staff to global standards. This milestone reflects our commitment to excellence and our growing presence across six cities.' - Sheroy Wadia, CEO Crown Vet As India's pet population grows and expectations around veterinary services evolve, Crown Vet remains committed to setting new benchmarks in pet healthcare—driven by technology, empathy, and excellence.
