From developed biologic treatments to intricately designed food, the latest advancements in pet health are tangible evidence of just how much people care about and love the animals in their lives. Orlando Family Magazine talked to experts in the area to discuss these recent progressions, as well as what we can expect in future pet care.

Ample Advancements

Dr. James Ebner, a veterinarian at Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic, says that right now, vets routinely give biological injections to dogs with allergic skin disease. However, there have been recent developments of biologic (monoclonal antibody) treatments for other diseases in dogs and cats, which Ebner deems “the most exciting thing happening” in veterinary medicine. These advancements include the treatment of osteoarthritis in felines, a painful degenerative joint condition more common in older cats.

Ebner is extremely optimistic about the future of biological products and their ability to change veterinary medicine for the better.

“These treatments are highly effective and extremely safe. As more of these products are made, they are going to transform how we treat diseases in cats and dogs,” he says.

Winter Park Veterinary Hospital is also seeing breakthroughs in injectables for allergy and pain control. Practice Manager Billy Hess says that these advancements are huge for pets in the Orlando area, especially dogs grappling with allergies customary to the Sunshine State.

“Allergies are always a problem in Florida and longer-acting injectable medication has provided thousands of dogs and pet parents sustained relief from what can be a debilitating issue to deal with,” he says.

And, as if the inseparable bond between a man and his best friend wasn’t evident enough, Hess says that there is now scientific evidence of the emotional relationship.

“One of the most amazing innovations in veterinary medicine is the continued understanding of the bond that people have with their pets,” Hess says. That brain imaging shows “true representations of joy, happiness and love in both dogs and their owners during interactions and reunions. It really helps explain the continued role that not only dogs, but all pets play in the family.”

Hess credits the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), a nonprofit research and education organization, for furthering these findings and influencing the work being done.

“It has helped guide our approach to pet care and pet handling that we call GPA or the Gentle Pet Approach. We use a lot of concepts from the fear-free movement and work to create a calm, positive experience for pets as they experience our hospital,” Hess says, adding that this positively impacts the vet experience for both the doctor and patient.

Insuring Your Pet’s Health

Like our own personal health care, veterinary bills can be expensive. With all of this new technology and intricate tests with expensive tools and imaging, the cost adds up—quickly. This, along with owners’ overwhelming admiration for their pets, is driving more people to invest in pet insurance than ever before.

According to an annual study by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, it’s estimated that roughly 3.98 million pets were insured in the United States at the end of 2021. This number, consisting of cats and dogs, is 28.4% higher than the previous year’s total of roughly 3.98 million.

Florida ranks third for the state with the most insured pets, making up 6.1% of the total. The state is only behind New York (8.4%) and California (19.3%) and is right in front of Texas (5.5%) and New Jersey (5.4%).

The cost of accident and illness insurance for cats in 2021 was $342.84, up 0.3% from 2020. Meanwhile, the cost of dog accident and illness insurance was $583.91, down -3.3% from 2020.

Food for Family

As an adored member of the family, the thought behind a pet’s meal should be equal to that of their family. Pawsitively Pure Dog Food founder and chief executive officer Carole Brooks wholeheartedly believes in the importance of high-quality ingredients in pet food.

“The ingredients that we always choose to use in our dog food are the highest quality human-grade organic ingredients using the freshest vegetables and meats to ensure the best fresh species-appropriate human-grade dog food,” Brooks says. She adds that the perfect blend of healthy ingredients contributes to “excellent digestive health, fewer visits to the vet and overall health and longevity.”

Of course, like humans, each canine is different and has different dietary needs. But, according to Brooks, there are a few things that are relatively ubiquitous in this regard.

She says that “species-appropriate protein high-quality vegetables, as well as appropriate supplements,” are crucial to enhancing a dog’s health. Bone broth, for instance, is both great for the digestive system and a hearty source of chondroitin, a supplement that promotes cartilage health.

While the food you feed your pets plays a huge factor in their overall health, the bowls you use to feed them are also important. Brooks recommends stainless steel bowls and a clean source of water are essential in raising a happy, healthy dog.

What’s Next?

We’ve undoubtedly come a long way from the beginning of veterinary medicine, and local experts say that this is just the start of advanced animal science and care.

Hess expects the osteoarthritis treatment for cats to soon become available for dogs as well.

The drug “has shown some amazing results in providing our feline patients with long-acting relief of osteoarthritis pain. This will be a game changer for our canine companions when that comes to market—hopefully next year.”

Hess is also looking ahead to advanced ways of administering medication, especially for problems like allergies. “We look forward to new breakthroughs like these that allow ease of administration and sustained effectiveness over time.”

Dr. Alicia Eliscu, of Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic, expects a continuation of “targeted immunotherapy for cancer, immune-mediated disease and degenerative disease.”

From veterinary care to top-grade food, there are countless ways to ensure that your pet has everything they need to thrive, and more resources and advanced medicine are just on the horizon.