Weekly Livestock-Equine News: January 26, 2026

Zoetis seeks to measure impact of health on a horse’s quality of life

Zoetis is asking veterinarians in New Zealand, Australia, the U.S., the UK and parts of Canada to complete a short prototype survey with their equine clients to give researchers early insight into a yet-to-be-developed quality-of-life tool to assess a horse’s well-being and health status. The company intends to use the surveys to develop a scoring algorithm that measures the impact of health on a horse’s quality of life.

Easy Bio acquires BioMatrix feed additive company

South Korean nutrition company Easy Bio announced its acquisition of U.S. feed additive company BioMatrix. Founded in 1997, BioMatrix has worked on developing feed additives using polysaccharide-based coating technology, which is designed to protect nutrients that are easily degraded by microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of animals.

Study shows promise for potential treatment for equine gastric ulcer syndrome

A study published Jan. 14 in the Equine Veterinary Journal shows promise for a potential new treatment – acid-suppression drug vonoprazan – for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). However, the drug has yet to be FDA-approved for veterinary use in equine species. Omeprazole, the current primarily-used medication for treating equine ulcers, requires a fasting period prior to dosing. But vonoprazan has not proven to be affected by food in the stomach.

Further investigation needed for rise in severe lung disease in pigs

A study funded by the Swine Health Information Center to investigate a growing number of pig cases with a severe lung lesion pattern called diffuse alveolar damage – a syndrome historically rare in swine – has left researchers with more questions. The study confirmed the involvement of PRRSV, IAV and PCV2, but failed to identify the cause of the sharp increase in swine cases of DAD.

European consortium reports strong progress toward developing ASF vaccine prototypes

The European-funded project VAX4ASF – New Technologies for African Swine Fever Vaccines – reports entering its third year having made “significant scientific progress” in developing vaccines, diagnostic tools and science-based strategies capable of transforming management of African Swine Fever. Preparations are now under way for evaluating next-generation vaccine prototypes in monitored animal trials.

Scottish cell study provides bovine TB vaccine insights

Insights into key immune cells in cattle could inform the development of vaccines against bovine tuberculosis. Tests on cows by scientists from the Roslin Institute have shown that numbers of natural killer (NK) cells – which are associated with a response to infection – are increased as a reaction to a TB vaccine. The results confirm that vaccination with Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) stimulates production of this type of immune cell.