Elizabeth Capitano, DVM, CCFP, earned her veterinary degree from North Carolina State University and her BA in Psychology from Davidson College. After seven years in small animal practice, she transitioned to industry roles at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Virbac, and Elanco, where she specialized in veterinary education, sales training, and strategic marketing support. At Elanco, she led technical training initiatives, developed unique training strategies, and created game-changing educational programs. Capitano currently serves on the dermatology medical education team at Zoetis, where she partners with cross-functional teams to develop engaging educational content for veterinary healthcare professionals. She is also an active advocate for mental health in the veterinary profession through her work with Not One More Vet.  Capitano lives in Charlotte, NC with her family, and 2 English Bulldogs (Booger and Lola). She enjoys jewelry collecting, roller-skating, grooving to her husband’s band, and discovering new podcasts.

Ticks pose a significant health risk to companion animals, both as blood-feeding parasites and as vectors for numerous pathogens. Over the past few decades, tick populations have expanded and intensified due to factors such as increased globalization, greater movement of humans and animals, and climate change. In the United States, common tick species—including the blacklegged tick, lone star tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick—have the potential to transmit a range of bacterial, protozoal, and viral pathogens.

Serological data indicate that tick-borne pathogens are a persistent challenge for dogs, with US canines frequently testing positive for agents of anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. Many of these same ticks and pathogens also pose a public health risk, as the tick species that commonly bite dogs can also transmit these same pathogens to humans. As a result, dogs can serve as valuable sentinels for tick-borne disease risks of their human families.

Despite awareness of the risks ticks pose to pets, ticks are often and easily overlooked. Given that ticks are a year-round threat in most regions, annual testing and the routine use of fast-acting tick control products play a critical role in protecting pet health by killing ticks and reducing pathogen transmission risk.

Indications: Credelio Quattro (lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets) is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and for the treatment and control of roundworm (immature adult and adult Toxocara canis and adult Toxascaris leonina), hookworm (fourth stage larvae, immature adult, and adult Ancylostoma caninum and adult Uncinaria stenocephala), and tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, and Echinococcus granulosus) infections. Credelio Quattro kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) and the treatment and control of tick infestations [Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)] for one month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 3.3 pounds or greater.

Important Safety Information: Lotilaner, an ingredient in Credelio Quattro, belongs to the isoxazoline class and has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions like tremors, ataxia, and seizures even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infections before Credelio Quattro administration as it is not effective against adult D. immitis. The safe use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were vomiting and diarrhea. For full prescribing information see the Credelio Quattro package insert.

Credelio Quattro Label

James Bascharon, DVM, is the founder and CEO of Vetnique, a pet health company dedicated to creating vet-formulated solutions that help pets thrive for life. Since launching in 2012 with the groundbreaking supplement Glandex for anal gland health, Bascharon has led Vetnique to become a leader across multiple categories including digestive support, dermatology, ear care, and joint health. His passion for innovation has guided the company’s rapid growth—most recently marked by Vetnique’s acquisition and US launch of YuMOVE, a globally trusted, science-backed joint health supplement. Bascharon was also recently named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, a true testament to his impact on veterinary innovation and the pet health industry.

Benjamin Bergstrom, DVM, MS, DACVO, is originally from the rural, small town of Rockton, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2009 followed by his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2013 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He then completed a one-year Small Animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia in Athens. Immediately following his rotating internship, he traveled back to the Midwest where he completed a three-year residency in Comparative Ophthalmology at Purdue University in 2017. As a board-certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Bergstrom began practicing in Nashville in 2017. In 2023, Bergstrom pursued a dream of becoming an independent practice owner and opened The Eye Vets in Nashville. Through a combination of in-person consultations and telecollaboration, Bergstrom aims to provide compassionate, innovative veterinary eye care to the greater Nashville area and beyond.

Krista Halling, DVM, CCRP, DACVS, HAB-Certified, is a board-certified small animal surgeon and certified in both canine rehabilitation and the human-animal bond. With over 25 years of clinical and academic experience, she’s the founder of Dogpacking.com, a science-backed resource that helps dog owners deepen their bond through outdoor activities like hiking, biking, paddling, and camping. Drawing on veterinary research and real-world adventures with her mini goldendoodle, River, Halling focuses on the physical and emotional benefits of shared movement in nature. Her mission is to inspire people to get outside and connect with their dogs through activities in nature, enriching both lives in the process.

Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, is a mindset and leadership coach who helps professional women and organizations transform their relationship with leadership and life. Drawing from 13 years as CEO and owner of her veterinary practice, she now helps others break through limitations and achieve extraordinary results. 

As an ICF credentialed coach specializing in leadership and transitions, Edwards develops conscious leaders and cohesive teams that transform challenges into opportunities and build thriving cultures. 

Through private coaching, workshops, business culture audits, retreats and speaking engagements, Edwards combines proven leadership strategies with energy management techniques to help individuals and teams move from feeling stuck to leading with purpose and creating lives of deep fulfillment. 

Edwards' expertise in conscious leadership and personal development has made her a sought-after speaker, coach, and business culture consultant who empowers people to master the mindset and energy needed for sustainable success and satisfaction. 

In this episode of Vet Watch, we dive into the essentials of veterinary ophthalmology with Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO and Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. The pair discusses tonometry—what it is and why it’s important—along with practical tips and tricks for accurately measuring eye pressure. You’ll also learn expert techniques for using fluorescein stain, and get clear guidance on when and how to perform direct versus indirect retinal exams as a GP or ER vet.

The discussion also goes in depth on the management of both primary and secondary glaucoma, with the goal of providing the knowledge and confidence necessary to handle these cases in practice.

A link to the educational materials mentioned in the episode can be found here: Ophthalmology Resources

Melissa Shapiro, DVM, is a small-animal veterinarian, author, and speaker. She is the creator and driving force behind the social media phenomenon Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy. Shapiro is an outspoken advocate for disabled pets through media appearances, presentations at veterinary and pet care conferences, on her social media platforms, and through her monthly webinar series. Recently she created The Disabled Pets Project, a comprehensive resource for vets, pet parents, and rescuers who care for disabled pets. The website is disabledpets.org.

Her nonprofit, Piglet International Inc., implements the Piglet Mindset® Educational Program, an authentic teaching asset emphasizing resilience, inclusion, and kindness, in schools globally. Her memoir, Piglet, the unexpected story of a deaf blind pink puppy and his family, and children’s book, Piglet Comes Home, are available wherever books are sold.

Shapiro is the owner of Visiting Vet Service. She lives in CT with her husband, Warren Shapiro, Piglet, and his pack of 7 rescued dogs.

Michael Tokiwa, DVM, is a practicing small animal veterinarian and the owner of Progressive Veterinary Care. With over 2 decades of clinical experience, he is passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate medicine while mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals.

He is also the creator and host of two long-running radio shows and podcasts—Your Pet Matters and The Collaborative Vet—where he bridges the gap between pet parents and professionals by educating, inspiring, and advocating for better pet care and stronger veterinary communities.

Tokiwa is actively involved in national veterinary initiatives, including advisory roles with Boehringer Ingelheim and participation in specialty collaboration networks. Known for his energetic, honest approach, he combines clinical expertise with media outreach to elevate both the profession and public understanding of veterinary medicine.

Jennifer Scanlon, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a master’s degree in social work from Simmons University in Boston. With a strong background in working with the elderly and providing end-of-life and hospice care, she brings compassion and expertise to her practice. Currently, she serves as a veterinary social worker at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital, where she supports both clients and staff in navigating the emotional challenges associated with pet care and loss. Jennifer is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of those she serves, combining her passion for social work with her love for animals.