Weekly companion animal news: March 15, 2021

Pathway announces veterinarian bonus program

Pathway Vet Alliance is launching a new bonus program for its doctors. Specialty and emergency veterinarians are eligible for $450,000, and general practitioners can collect up to $225,000. The full sums are contingent on tenure—five consecutive years of employment with Pathway or Thrive Affordable Vet Care—and the company’s financial performance. Current and newly hired veterinarians are eligible for the program, called the Veterinary Incentive Plan, which begins March 31. Residents can join starting in their third year. The possibility of six-figure bonuses could help the hospital network recruit and retain veterinarians as the industry faces a shortage of practitioners, fellow NAVC publication Today’s Veterinary Business reports.

Dechra Veterinary Products and I-MED Pharma announce distribution agreement

Dechra Veterinary Products announced an exclusive marketing, sales and distribution agreement with I-MED Pharma, a Canada-based maker of dry eye diagnostic tools and care products. Dechra has licensed the long-term North American veterinary rights for three veterinary hyaluronic acid ophthalmic products: 0.20% viscoadaptive HA suspension with osmoprotectants and bioprotectants; 0.40% viscoadaptive HA ointment; and 0.18% viscoadaptive HA solution. Dechra will launch the new products under the brand name OphtHAvet, with an expected launch later this year. It will be the latest addition to Dechra’s veterinary ophthalmic portfolio, which currently includes Puralube Vet Ointment. Additionally, Dechra will reintroduce Vetropolycin (bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin) veterinary ophthalmic ointment and Vetropolycin HC (bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin-hydrocortisone acetate 1%) veterinary ophthalmic ointment.

UVSA Digital Annual Conference to take place May 4-5

United Veterinary Services Association’s annual conference will take place online May 4-5. “UVSA Digital Annual Conference – A Whole New World” will focus on preparing to return to normal, with opportunities for networking as well. “We know this event will not be the same as our many memorable in-person UVSA conference experiences, but we hope that by joining together virtually in 2021 we can start to regain our sense of community and engage with one another once again,” the organization said. Featured speakers include companion animal industry expert Kerry O’Hara, economic expert Brian Beaulieu and tech expert Shama Hyder. More on the conference is available from UVSA.

Invasive zebra mussels found in aquarium moss balls

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council is warning aquarium owners to check their tanks after invasive zebra mussels were found in products sold in several states. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are “regarded as one of the most troublesome invasive species in North America,” according to PIJAC. They were found in a variety of moss balls sold and used in aquariums in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. PIJAC urges people to immediately inspect their fish tanks and take action as necessary. Retailers are advised to share this information with their aquatic product customers immediately.

Pet care industry to see accelerating growth after pandemic boom

The pet care industry is set for high single-digit growth in the coming years following a pandemic-fueled spike in pet ownership, according to Morgan Stanley. The industry has seen a decade of modest top-line compound annual growth rate of about 3%, which should now bump up to about 8%, hitting $275 billion in 2030, the firm says. Chewy, Tractor Supply, Colgate-Palmolive, Nestle and Blue Buffalo are among the companies to watch. The most important segment may be animal health, which is the biggest subsegment after food and treats. Elanco, which is launching three new pet health products this year, is a company to watch in this realm. Seeking Alpha has more.

Workshop will help veterinarians prepare for career changes

An upcoming workshop will help veterinarians looking to make a career change. The virtual April workshop will be hosted by the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. “Most veterinarians are surprised by the wide variety of opportunities available in the profession,” said Valerie Ragan, director of the college’s Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine. Ragan began her veterinary career in small animal practice before serving as the national brucellosis epidemiologist at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. She said she’s frequently contacted by veterinarians wanting to make a career change, “with most of them wanting to transition from private practice to a public practice career for any variety of reasons.” More on the workshop is available from the Virginia Tech Daily.

Nevada bill would prohibit property insurers from discriminating based on dog breed

Nevada lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit property insurers from discriminating based on a dog’s breed, 8 News Now reports. The bill “prohibits an insurer from refusing to issue, canceling, refusing to renew or increasing the premium or rate for a policy of property insurance on the sole basis of the specific breed or mixture of breeds of a dog that is harbored or owned on the property, unless the particular dog is known or declared to be dangerous or vicious pursuant to the public health laws of this state,” according to the Legislative Council. The bill has support from the American Kennel Club, but the American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposes it.

New device uses AI to train dogs at home

A new living room AI-powered dog trainer is going to market, CNET reports. The device, made by a company called Companion, uses sensors to observe the pet, then uses artificial intelligence to respond with light, sound or a treat to reinforce desirable habits. The device only uses positive reinforcement. According to the company, the device will change the way pets are trained. With constant focus and patience, precise repetition and consistency, it naturally brings skills humans can’t, officials say. Even so, the company will bring “Companion Coaches” onboard: human trainers available for video consultation.