As 2019 comes to a close, here are some of the top Off Label Pet and Veterinary Trends and Topics we’ll be talking about in 2020. So grab a pint of kale, snuggle up with your 10 kilogram canine and a bowl of oats, have your banker on speed dial and conference in your virtual vet. It’s time for takeoff! Plant-based pet foods, grain-free dog food blowback and the DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) controversy, veterinary practice consolidation and corporatization, super-combo parasiticides, veterinary teletriage and telemedicine, and more!

At this year's American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) annual conference, the Board of Directors and Future Leaders Group unanimously approved our Global Pet Obesity Position Statement declaring: 1) uniform definition of canine and feline obesity, 2) universal Body Condition Score (BCS) system, and 3) obesity as a disease.

Amazon acquired the innovative pharmacy company PillPack today for an estimated $1 billion. How will this impact veterinarians, veterinary drug distributors, online pharmacies, and pets?

On June 25, 2018, the US FDA announced approval for the first CBD drug to treat epilepsy in humans. What does this mean for veterinarians and pets? Read the FDA announcement here: https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm611046.htm

Is the traditional pet boarding facility or kennel doomed? I think so, and I believe technology created by Rover.com and Wag.com (and others) will not only lead to the extinction of many boarding kennels, but potentially provide better care for more pets. But that's not all; I believe it's only a matter of time before these companies take on the veterinary profession. Check out my thoughts...

The Australian Senate announced a Parliamentary Investigation into the Pet Food Industry after journalistic investigations and persistent public outcry over contaminated pet food and lack of proper protections and oversight.

Mars Petcare Buys 200 European Veterinary Clinics in Massive Deal, Pathway Vet Alliance Partners with Heska Diagnostics, FreshPet Petfood Tricks Diners and Kids into Eating Dog Food, Antibiotic Overuse by Human Doctors & the American Medical Association Takes a Strong Stand for Gun Control!

Mars Petcare Buys 87 UK Vet Clinics, a Universal K9 Cancer Vaccine is Starting Clinical Trials at three US veterinary schools, Maternity Pay for Pet Parents at a Nordic Company, and a CRAZY CAT LITTER MACHINE from Taiwan (where else?).

Recent reports revealed the 2016-2017 FDA investigation of the Columbus, Ohio Mars Petcare pet food facility uncovered numerous pet food safety violations, including reports of "one instance described as 'millions of roaches.'”

Here are 5 Facebook default privacy settings that potentially expose your personal data and weaken your online privacy. Dr. Ernie Ward takes you through five important settings you need to change today to ensure maximum online privacy when using Facebook.