Companion News for week of August 26

Are we doing enough to support colleagues at risk for suicide?

A new study shows that veterinarians and veterinary technicians have significantly higher rates of death by suicide than members of the general U.S. population — similar findings to a study previously released by the Centers for Disease Control, which was also involved in the new study. According to standardized mortality ratios, from 2003 to 2014, 1.6 times as many male veterinarians and 2.4 times as many female veterinarians died by suicide compared to the general population. During that same period, five times as many male veterinary technicians and 2.3 times as many female veterinary technicians as expected died by suicide, data shows. Today’s Veterinary Practice (also published by NAVC) recently asked its Facebook followers this question: “Does your practice have strategies and programs to support employees who may be considering suicide?” Eighty-seven percent of the 71 respondents said no, while only 13% said yes, Patricia Wuest writes, adding that the results are “disheartening” given findings like those of the CDC.

Elanco to pay $7.6B for Bayer Animal Health

Elanco Animal Health has agreed to acquire Bayer Animal Health in a $7.6 billion cash and stock deal that would create the world’s second-largest animal health company. The transaction was announced August 20 after weeks of negotiations and is expected to close mid-2020 pending regulatory reviews, Today’s Veterinary Business reports. The acquisition would greatly expand Elanco’s companion and food animal offerings and open the door to more overseas markets. The combined company would have annual revenue of about $5 billion, second to industry leader Zoetis. This announcement comes after Bayer’s announcement that it plans to leave the animal health space to refocus on consumer health and science. “Under the agreement with Elanco, all Bayer Animal Health employees will have at least one year of employment protection against unilateral termination,” said Bayer AG chair Werner Baumann. Bayer’s pet products include over-the-counter Seresto flea and tick collars, Advantage flea control and the prescription ear infection drug Claro. Its food animal brands include the antimicrobial Baytril for cattle and swine.

Zoetis completes acquisition of Platinum Performance

Zoetis announced the completion of the acquisition of Platinum Performance, a privately held nutrition-focused animal health company, after fulfilling all closing requirements. The acquisition plans were first announced in July. Platinum Performance will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Zoetis and will continue doing business from its Buellton, California, headquarters. Mark Herthel, the son of Platinum’s founder, will continue leading the new Zoetis business as president of Platinum Performance. “We look forward to coupling the expertise of Platinum’s colleagues and strength of the brand in the equine community with Zoetis’ global scale, resources and capabilities to drive increased focus on health and wellness as part of the continuum of animal care,” said Kristin Peck, a Zoetis executive.

Dog Goods USA recalls pig ear treats due to salmonella contamination

Dog Goods USA is recalling pig ear dog treats sold under the Chef Toby Pig Ear Treats brand due to possible salmonella contamination, the third recent recall on pig ear treats, which have been linked to illnesses in at least 127 people across 33 states. Dog Goods reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration contacted the company after a sample from its Brazil-based supplier tested positive for salmonella. Dog Goods bought the recalled products from the supplier from September 2018 to August 2019 and distributed them in retail stores nationwide, CBS reports. Customers who purchased the Dog Goods treats are advised to return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Hill’s announces $20M expansion of pet nutrition center

Hill’s Pet Nutrition held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $20 million, 25,000 square foot nutrition facility focused on small dog needs, as well as a new center for veterinarian and other caregiver engagement, the company announced. The nutrition center will house 80 small dogs who will receive formulated diets as part of the company’s research. The engagement center will have space dedicated to educational seminars and continuing education programs. “All around the world, there’s a steady increase in the popularity of small dogs,” said David Baloga, vice president of science and technology at Hill’s. “Our investment in this specialized facility will help us develop food with the taste and aesthetics that small dogs prefer and that works best with their distinctive behaviors and unique physiology.” According to the announcement, more than half of U.S. dogs are small and miniature, and that percentage is increasing. Small dogs have unique needs compared to larger dogs — their small stomachs mean they graze throughout the day, rather than eating one or two big meals. They also have a higher mass-specific metabolism, pound for pound, so they eat more than big dogs.

Older owners buy new dog food as much as legacy brands

Older dog owners tend to try newer dog food brands just as much as long-established products, new research shows. This means pet food marketing may be more effective if it doesn’t aim for specific age groups, Petfood Industry reports. “The key message is to not target narrowly and that brands should sell to all buyers of the category,” one researcher said. The team analyzed 1,552 purchases of 10 pet food brands available in the United Kingdom, and didn’t find a strong connection between consumers’ ages and the brands they chose. “It is better to be inclusive rather than exclusive with your marketing approach — selective targeting and ignoring certain age segment[s] only limits a brand’s potential market share,” the researcher said. “The smaller the segmented audience, the lesser the opportunity to recruit new buyers.”

Students learn canine anatomy by sculpting muscles with clay

Veterinary students at Lincoln Memorial University studied anatomy by constructing the canine musculoskeletal system with reusable skeletal models and clay. A veterinary professor led the training after purchasing 12 canine models to support educational activities in the veterinary program, according to a university news release. He got the idea at a human anatomy workshop led by North Carolina-based Anatomy in Clay Learning Systems. The technique allows students to study anatomy without having to use cadavers. According to the professor, “When I’d look around the lab, I’d see so many students smiling, laughing and engaged in the activity. But even more importantly, when I’d later ask questions about the anatomical structures we had built, I was impressed with how much the students seemed to have learned and retained.” The models could also be used to teach anatomy through community outreach and youth education.

How the benefits of pet ownership extend beyond pets and their owners

Pet ownership may have benefits beyond those for pet owners and their pets, reaching the environment and other animals, according to a new article in the Harvard Political Review. One study, for example, showed that pet owners demonstrated higher levels of “nature relatedness” than non-pet owners. This article provides an overview of several studies and perspectives from around the world about how humans view animals and animal companionship. The United States has seen a rise in pet ownership in recent years, with recent data showing that nearly 70% of all American households own a pet. This correlates with an analysis by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that shows a decline in the number of dogs and cats entering animal shelters nationwide, and more animals being adopted from shelters. “I think that anytime…people have compassion for the existence of another being, then it gets them closer to being empathetic with the world around them,” one researcher said.