Weekly companion animal news: July 10, 2023
Colorado shows highest demand for veterinarians in analysis of Google search terms
Colorado shows the greatest demand for veterinarians out of all 50 states, according to a new analysis of Google search terms. The analysis was done by canine supplement maker PetLab. Data was gathered using Google Keyword Planner to identify how often terms such as “veterinarian near me,” “vet emergency near me,” “dog vet” and other items were searched monthly in every U.S. state. The data was then standardized for each state’s population size to determine the number of searches per 100,000 residents. Colorado had more than 75,000 annual searches, or about 1,300 per 100,000 residents, coming in first. The state has 2,340 veterinarians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—40 for every 100,000 residents and the third-highest number of veterinarians in the country. NewsBreak reports.
Veterinarians object to insurer policies forbidding them from treating their own pets
While it’s relatively common for insurers to prohibit professionals from being reimbursed for providing service for their own property or to patients they’re related to, the practice is getting a mixed reception from veterinarians, the VIN News Service reports. Insurers often implement these rules to prevent fraud and overtreatment. At the same time, the practice risks alienating veterinarians, a key partner for insurers’ success. Figo, acquired by JAB in 2021, doesn’t allow veterinarians to treat their own pets, but Trupanion does. Embrace, on the other hand, allows veterinarians to treat their own pets, but they can’t be reimbursed for their time. U.K. regulators discourage veterinarians from treating their own pets, but the AVMA hasn’t taken a stance.
Shelters brace for rush of animals after Fourth of July fireworks
Following an evening of fireworks, July 5 is traditionally the busiest day of the year for animal shelters. Dogs frightened by firework displays often escape their yard. And indoor-outdoor cats that usually come inside when called are nowhere to be found. Leading up to the holiday, the Enid Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals expected calls to increase 40% this year. In future years, experts recommend pet owners take precautionary steps such as leaving their pets at home with a radio or television on to drown out loud noises outside, Dogtime reports.
FDA approves Apoquel Chewable to treat pruritus in dogs
Zoetis has received FDA approval for its pork-flavored chewable medication Apoquel Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablet), designed to control pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and atopy in dogs. In a recent study, 56% of pet owners chose a chewable over an injection or tablet, according to Zoetis’ director of dermatology medical strategy. Another study found 79.9% of dog owners considered ease of administration an important factor when choosing medication for their dog. Apoquel was originally released in 2013 in tablet form. Fellow NAVC publication Today’s Veterinary Business has more.
Raw meat may be linked to H5N1 bird flu outbreak in cats in Poland
Raw meat consumed by an infected cat in Poland has tested positive for H5N1 bird flu, adding to signs a food product may be behind the unusual outbreak, as cats are typically not affected. At least 16 cats across the country have died and tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza. Researchers said owners of sick cats were asked to submit samples of the meat they ate. The analysis showed one of the five samples contained the virus. The researchers were not able to rule out the possibility that the meat sample was contaminated but they added that other signs also pointed to food as the likely route of transmission. The outbreak in cats emerged on June 18 when a veterinarian in western Poland reported the death of a cat that had suffered from neurological and respiratory symptoms. BNO News reports.
Pain sensitivity varies by dog breed, but not in the ways many veterinarians think: study
A recent study from North Carolina State University suggests dog breeds differ in pain sensitivity, but these differences don’t always match up with the beliefs people—including veterinarians—hold about breed-specific pain sensitivity. The researchers noted veterinarians have a fairly strong consensus in their ratings of pain sensitivity in dogs of different breeds, which are often at odds with ratings from the public. The researchers looked at both male and female adult healthy dogs from 10 breeds subjectively rated by veterinarians as having high, average or low pain sensitivity. The sensitivity test results were compared to questionnaires that veterinarians and the general public had filled out on breed pain sensitivity. The researchers found there are real breed differences in pain sensitivity thresholds, but those differences don’t always match up with rankings from veterinarians.
Purebred cats more likely to develop reproductive issues than mixed-breed cats, study finds
Purebred cats are more likely to experience reproductive issues, heart disease, surgical complications, lower respiratory infections and immunological diseases compared to mixed-breed felines, according to a Morris Animal Foundation-funded study published by researchers from the University of Guelph in Canada. Surprisingly, the study found domestic crossbred cats were more likely to develop endocrine, skin and mobility issues than purebred cats. “One of the potential explanations…is that domestic cats might have greater access to the outdoors, leading to more injuries, skin and locomotive issues,” said Dr. Barr Hadar, one of the paper’s authors.
SoundByte: OphtHAvet® from Dechra
OphtHAvet ophthalmic gel helps relieve eye dryness in dogs and cats. The preservative-free gel’s high molecular weight, medical-grade hyaluronan means it improves lubrication and has fewer contaminants than cosmetic-grade products. Find out more in the SoundByte from Veterinary Advantage.