Editorial: Advances in drug development, residues management and emerging contaminants

Born as an offshoot of human pharmacology, veterinary pharmacology has now risen to the status of an independent discipline (1), and research has shifted from merely adapting human protocols to different species (2), mostly in order to achieve consumer safety in food-producing animals, to discovering new substances, new formulations, and even new approaches, tailored to the peculiarities of veterinary medicine (3). This Research Topic is heading in that direction, either presenting novel approaches to the preparation of veterinary formulations of well-known pharmaceutical compounds. It is the case of Taylor et al. ( 2026) who created 3D-printed gabapentin chewable tablets for small animals. Using a gelatin-based veterinary excipient (CuraVet®), they tested whether printing formulations could be reused after 14 days of refrigerated storage. They observed that the formulation containing the lower concentration maintained printability and dosing precision, while that with the higher concentration developed crystals and became unstable. This study demonstrates the potential of reusable 3D-printing formulations for rapid, on-demand veterinary medicines.Similarly, great attention has been dedicated to antitumoral chemotherapy, which has become one of the most dynamic areas of veterinary pharmacology. Recent studies aim to develop and validate specific strategies for cancer treatment in companion animals (4,5), paving the way for innovative approaches in veterinary oncology. On this basis, the safety of antineoplastic agents is becoming even more important. Yeh et al. (2026) reported vincristine overdose management in a Siamese cat with lymphoma that accidentally received four times the intended vincristine chemotherapy dose. Treatment included intravenous lipid emulsion, therapeutic plasma exchange, followed by attempted hemoperfusion and combined supportive care, suggesting a role of extracorporeal therapies in managing chemotherapeutic overdoses in veterinary patients.Similarly, veterinary toxicology is advancing towards new frontiers. The increasing reports of animal intoxications, accidental or criminal, require attention from clinical veterinarians together with the availability of new treatment strategies. Chaganti and Brainard (2026) evaluated the adsorption capacity of three activated charcoal formulations, charcoal powder, proprietary granular or suspension formulations, and a novel resin-bound activated charcoal product against several common veterinary toxicants, including naproxen, ivermectin, ethylene glycol (EG), and baker chocolate. All charcoal formulations reduced concentrations of the assayed toxicants under both acidic and neutral conditions, although their efficacy varied depending on the compound involved. Activated charcoal was less effective against compounds such as ethylene glycol and xylitol, while granular formulations and powdered activated charcoal often acted faster than the new resin-bound product.Diagnostic preparedness is another key point. Kim et al. (2026) reported a forensic veterinary case in South Korea involving a free-roaming cat that died from poisoning caused by EG. Necropsy and histopathological analysis revealed severe renal injury with calcium oxalate crystal deposition, which is characteristic of EG toxicity. Toxicological GC-MS analysis detected both EG and glycolic acid in gastric tissue, definitively confirming exposure. This case underscores the importance of forensic veterinary pathology and toxicology in suspected animal cruelty cases.Additionally, residue and food-contaminant toxicology is not only centered on the safety of animalderived food for consumers, but also on the toxicological quality of feeds for both companion and farmed animals (6,7). Ozturk et al. ( 2026) analyzed 29 chicken-based cat kibbles using different methodologies for contaminants including antibiotics, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic metals, bisphenol A (BPA), and microplastics. BPA and microplastics were detected in all samples, toxic metals were found in nearly all products, while antibiotic residues and PFAS were detected in some samples. Although contaminant concentrations were generally low, chronic exposure to contaminant mixtures may pose long-term health risks to cats. Consequently, the researchers emphasize the need for stricter monitoring and comprehensive safety assessments of pet food ingredients.All of these reflect the increasing attention paid to animal welfare, which has become a central point in the everyday practice of veterinarians, and a key topic in Veterinary Medicine schools, thus inspiring the new veterinary challenge for the near future: to achieve a sustainable, One Healthoriented, and evidence-based approach capable of embracing such societal expectations and providing trustworthy options to increasingly informed and demanding stakeholders.1. Lees P, Fink-Gremmels J, Toutain PL. Veterinary pharmacology: history, current status and future prospects. J Vet Pharmacol Ther ( 2013