Animal Health Management

Pandemics don't start in hospitals. They often start in forests. Neil Vora, MD of Conservation International has spent decades on the frontlines of public health—fighting Ebola, rabies, and leading New York City’s COVID response. But what he wants you to know is this: We can prevent outbreaks before they happen. And it starts with protecting nature. Here are three key insights from Vora’s work: 1/ Deforestation fuels disease. ↳ When we cut down forests, we create new pathways for viruses to jump from wildlife to humans. ↳ Loss of biodiversity leaves behind species that thrive near humans—often the ones carrying harmful pathogens. ↳ Stressed animals, displaced from their habitats, are more likely to get sick and transmit disease. 2/ Prevention beats reaction. ↳ Investing in nature conservation—like protecting and reforesting key ecosystems—reduces spillover risk. ↳ Prevention is more equitable. Outbreak responses often fail to reach the most vulnerable, but stopping them at the source protects everyone. ↳ Brazil’s efforts in the 2000s to curb Amazon deforestation cut rates by 70%, showing that solutions are possible. 3/ One Health is the way forward. ↳ The health of people, animals, and the environment are interconnected. ↳ Indigenous communities have understood this for centuries—science is finally catching up. ↳ Tackling climate change, improving livestock practices, and ending illegal wildlife trade are critical steps. "The tragedy is not a lack of solutions—it's the lack of will to implement them," says Vora. Protecting forests and wildlife isn’t just about biodiversity—it’s about preventing the next pandemic. And the good news? We already know what works. Vora made these points during a conversation with Mike DiGirolamo. You can listen to it here: https://lnkd.in/g3CMhGVq 📷 Rainforest on Madagascar's Masoala Peninsula. By me.

This is a fish ladder: Yes, this is a fish ladder. It's a structure designed to help fish navigate around artificial barriers as prey. These barriers can disrupt natural migration patterns, so fish ladders offer a crucial pathway, helping species like salmon to move upstream to hatch. The ladder allows fish to swim through a series of pools, each at a slightly higher elevation than the previous, effectively "climbing" the ladder to avoid the obstacle. The fish ladder featured here is located in Jura, Switzerland. This particular model is a prefabricated fish pass with 24 pools and a drop height of 12 feet (3.8 meters). This is a great example of how engineering can support ecological conservation efforts by maintaining the natural behavior of migratory fish populations, even in highly modified environments. Structures like this fish ladder are vital to the health of aquatic ecosystems. They assure that fish can continue their life cycles despite human intervention in rivers and streams. The Jura installation is a model of sustainable design, helping to balance infrastructure development with wildlife needs. Credit: Adrian Michael / Wikimedia Commons

The FDA has approved CRISPR-edited pigs for human consumption. These pigs are resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a disease that costs the U.S. pork industry over $560 million annually. Let me tell you what this means: PRRS is a devastating virus in pig farming, causing: → Reproductive failures → Respiratory issues → High piglet mortality → Increased antibiotic use It's been labeled the "most economically important disease" in pig production. Enter CRISPR. British company Genus used CRISPR to disable a receptor that PRRS uses to infect pigs. The result? Pigs that are immune to 99% of known PRRS strains. The FDA's approval confirms that meat from these gene-edited pigs is safe to eat. The gene edit is introduced at the embryonic stage, ensuring the resistance trait is passed to future generations. Benefits of PRRS-resistant pigs include: → Improved animal welfare → Reduced antibiotic usage → Lower greenhouse gas emissions by up to 5% in U.S. pork production. While FDA approval is a significant milestone, Genus is seeking regulatory approvals in key export markets: → Mexico → Canada → Japan → China Commercial availability in the U.S. is anticipated by 2026. This development marks a turning point in agricultural biotechnology. Gene editing offers a proactive approach to disease prevention, enhancing sustainability and food security. As we embrace this innovation, questions arise: → Will consumers accept gene-edited meat? → How will labeling be handled? → What are the long-term impacts on farming practices? The conversation is just beginning. What are your thoughts?

V3 Ventures Deal Announcement: Dr. Doodley in Vetcare 🐕❤️. This one is special because I first met Utsav and Yash when they had just graduated. They knew they wanted to do something in pet. And, they wanted me on the cap table. The founders tried a few models that didn’t work. But, they kept at it and they kept in touch. Every meeting I’d tell them, “I want to back you, just find a model I can back!”  The macro in india is finally that pets are no longer just animals in our homes. For many urban Indians, they’re family. Pets are now even being added to wedding invites and Diwali greetings. That shift is opening up the next decade of growth in pet healthcare, but it’s also exposing how broken the system still is. Something these founders and pet parents themselves ran into first-hand. When a pet falls sick at 11 pm, owners don’t think calmly. They panic like parents. India’s veterinary ecosystem, however, isn’t built for that moment. A lot of vet clinics are just for consultation and focus on grooming and product sales. They shut early and emergency care is scattered. The gap was serious healthcare! This gap pushed these 2 boys to leave stable CA careers and build Dr. Doodley. Today, it’s a vet-at-home model with a 30-minute response + > 24/7 hospitals for critical care and surgeries > Offering any surgery at flat ₹10,000 Here’s why we decided to bet on this market: Reason 1: India’s pet population jumped from ~2 Cr to ~3.8 Cr in just five years (13% CAGR). But veterinary infra did not. India has ~87,000 registered vets. That’s 1 vet for every ~430 pets. In practice, it’s worse, because those vets are also responsible for livestock care. That mismatch is a very big opportunity. Reason 2: We’ve seen this movie play out in our neighborhood. China’s pet care market grew from 20x from 2010 to 2020. Because of urbanisation, apartment living, delayed families, and rising middle-class spending. India is now at a similar early inflection point. Same social drivers, consumption patterns and demographic shifts. Reason 3: Fragmented care is a very big problem Today, diagnostics, pharmacy, grooming, and surgery usually sit in different places. Every serious case becomes a coordination nightmare. Drive here. Come back tomorrow. Go elsewhere for tests. It’s exhausting, and many owners drop off mid-care. When OPD, IPD, diagnostics, and pharmacy come together, especially at home, compliance improves and outcomes follow. Combine that with rising disposable incomes and a willingness to spend on care, you get a demand curve that compounds over decades. An average pet lives ~10–12 years. That means one good experience compounds over a decade, but also one bad experience ends the relationship forever. Whoever gets this right doesn’t just build a business. They become part of a family’s life = Insane LTV. BLR folks if you haven’t already, give us a try! Your furry friends will be happy :)

ANEMIA FLOWCHART A. Based on MCV 🔴Microcytic Anemia (MCV < 80 fL): Small-sized red blood cells. 🔴Normocytic Anemia (MCV 80–100 fL): Normal-sized red blood cells. 🔴Macrocytic Anemia (MCV > 100 fL): Large-sized red blood cells. B. Based on Bone Marrow Activity 🔴Hypoproliferative Anemia is caused by reduced bone marrow production of RBCs, such as in iron deficiency and aplastic anemia. 🔴Hyperproliferative Anemia is due to increased RBC destruction or loss, as in hemolytic anemia or blood loss. DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH A. History and Physical Examination 🔵Evaluate dietary habits, blood loss (e.g., gastrointestinal), medication use, family history, and chronic conditions. 🔵Look for pallor, jaundice, glossitis, or splenomegaly. B. Laboratory Evaluation 🔵Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, and red cell distribution width (RDW). 🔵Reticulocyte Count assesses bone marrow activity. High reticulocytes indicate hemolysis or recent blood loss, while low reticulocytes suggest impaired RBC production. 🔵Peripheral Blood Smear identifies abnormal RBC shapes, such as spherocytes, schistocytes, or macro-ovalocytes. 🔵Iron Studies measure serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) to diagnose iron deficiency or anemia of chronic disease. 🔵Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels help diagnose macrocytic anemia. 🔵Coombs' Test identifies immune-mediated hemolysis. 🔵Bone Marrow Biopsy is used for unexplained anemia or suspected marrow disorders. CAUSES AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY A. Decreased RBC Production 🟠Nutritional deficiencies, such as iron, B12, and folate deficiencies. 🟠Chronic diseases, including kidney disease and inflammatory disorders. 🟠Bone marrow disorders, such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. B. Increased RBC Destruction (Hemolysis) 🟠Inherited conditions, including sickle cell anemia, thalassemias, and G6PD deficiency. 🟠Acquired conditions, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, infections, and drug-induced hemolysis. C. Blood Loss 🟠Acute blood loss from trauma or surgery. 🟠Chronic blood loss from gastrointestinal bleeding MANAGEMENT 🟢Iron deficiency anemia is managed with iron supplementation (oral or intravenous), dietary modifications, and addressing the cause of blood loss. 🟢Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency requires vitamin supplementation and dietary changes. 🟢Anemia of chronic disease is managed by treating the underlying condition and using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents if needed. 🟢Hemolytic anemia is treated by identifying and addressing the cause, such as using corticosteroids for autoimmune causes or managing infections. 🟢Severe anemia is treated with blood transfusions for symptomatic cases or very low hemoglobin levels.

South Korea has launched a transformative era for domestic animals with the implementation of its Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan (2025–2029), a bold legislative move designed to end the cycle of pet abandonment. Central to this initiative is a mandatory pre-adoption educational program, ensuring that no dog or cat enters a home without the owner first demonstrating a deep understanding of long-term care and behavioral needs. As Park Beom-su, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated during the policy rollout, "We are shifting the paradigm from simply 'owning' an animal to 'living together' in a responsible companionship." This rigorous certification process evaluates a potential owner's readiness, aiming to slash the numbers of the nearly 110,000 animals abandoned annually in the country. Beyond the classroom, the plan introduces a high-tech layer of accountability through a strengthened mandatory registration system and the integration of animal welfare curricula into higher education. By treating pet ownership as a social contract rather than a casual purchase, South Korea is addressing the "impulse buy" culture that often leads to overcrowded shelters. The government has also pledged to enhance the standards for pet shops and breeding facilities, creating a transparent ecosystem that prioritizes life over profit. This decisive step reflects a maturing society that increasingly views pets as family members, setting a global standard for how a nation can legislatively foster empathy and commitment. #AnimalWelfare #SouthKorea #ResponsiblePetOwnership #AdoptDontShop #PetRights

Kijk, zo kan AI óók gebruikt worden: het aflezen van emoties bij dieren. Onderzoekers werken aan het identificeren van complexere emoties, bij allerlei dieren: van honden tot varkens en paarden. "Facial AI already offers “pragmatic and realistic” opportunities, Zamansky says. Her team is about to release an AI-based app that will allow cat owners to scan their pets’ faces for 30 seconds and immediately get easy-to-read messages such as “Considerable tension around the mouth detected; pain level moderate.” Researchers in the Netherlands have developed a similar app that scans resting horses’ faces and bodies to estimate their pain levels. AI could eventually be used during equestrian competitions, Lencioni suggests, to reward riders of happy and comfortable horses and improve welfare and fairness in the sport. More generally, labs and pet shelters could harness AI to monitor pain and emotional states in animals, Floriekwicz says. And “smart farms”—like those being trialed in the English countryside—promise to provide individualized care to animals through daily monitoring. Ultimately, Smith says, AI helpers could guide farmers in giving pigs not only a stress-free life, but a happy one. For Zamansky, that prospect makes all her work worthwhile. “My job is to be an agent for better lives for animals,” she says. “When we know our animal companions are happy, that makes us happy, too.” Bron: Science https://lnkd.in/e_yFDSbT

A cow can’t say it’s sick, so India built an AI that can. Sarlaben is an AI assistant for dairy farmers connected to Amul. It tracks milk data, cattle records, and farm inputs to detect early health issues, send alerts, and give personalised advice. Expected to serve 36 lakh farmers across 18,500+ villages, it supports voice access and works in Gujarati. But this isn’t just about cows. Healthier cattle mean lower losses, more efficient feed use, and reduced waste, improving the sustainability of dairy farming. Early detection can also prevent disease spread, protecting wider livestock systems and rural ecosystems. It’s about protecting farmer income, strengthening climate resilience, and bringing AI into rural India where it matters most. Amul (GCMMF) Amul India

🌱Can dogs thrive on a plant-based diet? Meet Lily, a 16-year-old plant-based pup proving the skeptics wrong. Lily isn’t just surviving on a plant-based diet - she’s thriving. At 16 years young, she’s active, playful, and has the softest, shiniest coat I’ve ever seen. Anyone who’s ever met her can attest that she has the energy of a puppy, defying all stereotypes about age and diet. Here’s the truth: dogs are omnivores, and with proper nutrition, they can live healthy, vibrant lives on plant-based diets. In fact, numerous studies are beginning to back this up. Dogs on vegan diets had fewer health disorders and required fewer visits to the vet compared to their meat-eating counterparts. But let’s go beyond the science for a moment. Feeding dogs plant-based diets isn’t just about health; it’s about aligning our values with our actions. The environmental impact of traditional pet food is staggering! According to a UCLA study, pet food accounts for 25-30% of the environmental impacts of meat production. Transitioning even a portion of our pets’ diets to plant-based alternatives could save significant amounts of CO2 and reduce deforestation and water use. And here’s something to think about: if we rescue animals to save lives, doesn’t it seem counterproductive to feed them other animals? A plant-based approach allows us to extend compassion to all beings without compromising the health of our furry friends. The pet food space is evolving rapidly. Brands like Wild Earth, V-planet, Paws For Greens, Petaluma are leading the way with nutritionally complete, science-backed options for plant-based pets. This isn’t about pushing an agenda but about showing what’s possible when we step outside of the norm. If Lily can live a long, healthy, and happy life on plants, what’s stopping us from exploring this option for our pets? If you’ve been curious about transitioning your dog to a plant-based diet, here are some tips: 1️⃣ Consult a professional: Reach out to a vegan vet or pet nutritionist to create a balanced meal plan. 2️⃣ Start gradually: Introduce plant-based food alongside their current diet and observe their energy levels, digestion, and coat health. 3️⃣ Educate yourself: Learn and study the available resources and research to ensure you’re meeting their nutritional needs (protein, vitamins, and minerals like taurine and L-carnitine). 4️⃣ Experiment with brands: Not every food works for every dog so try different options and find what suits your pup. Research out to other Plantbased pet parents. Lily is proof that when we combine science, love, and a commitment to sustainability, we can create a better future for our animals and the planet. Have you tried plant-based pet food for your dog? Share your experience or questions below! Let’s spark a conversation about what’s possible for our furry family members. #PlantBased #Pets #Sustainability #Vegandogs #Petnutrition #Climate #Diet #Dogs #Canine