Weekly Companion Animal News: February 16, 2026

AB Science receives FDA clearance for Masivet for canine mast cell tumors

AB Science SA announced that the FDA granted the status of Minor Use in Major Species for Masivet, a targeted therapy that inhibits the juxtamembrane mutations of c-kit, which is the main driver of dog mast cell tumors. When a drug is designated for a particular intended use, the sponsor of the drug obtains seven years of exclusive marketing rights upon approval of the drug for the intended use (in this case, canine mast cell tumors).

Lateral flow assays found to be effective for screening for parvovirus

Researchers in ACS’ Analytical Chemistry report improved lateral flow assays for at-home screening. In tests on veterinary clinic samples, the assays demonstrated 100% sensitivity and reproducibility for both parvoviruses. Because the team’s DNA-based method works at body temperature and uses a small lateral flow test strip, the researchers believe the approach could be developed for convenient, accurate tests to diagnose sick pets at home.

Colorado State accepts applications for M.S. in veterinary clinical care program

The program will train students to seek licensure as veterinary professional associates, a new mid-level role established by the State of Colorado. Working under the supervision of a veterinarian, VPAs will be trained to diagnose medical conditions, perform routine surgeries, and order and perform tests and procedures. With their unique skillset, VPAs will be qualified to relieve veterinarians from routine tasks and manage patient backlogs.

AVMA launches new biosecurity webpage

The webpage offers clear explanations of core biosecurity principles; governmental, intergovernmental and nongovernmental guidance on biosecurity for specific types of animal premises, facilities and species; and links to tools and references to support implementation, communication and client education.

Maryland legislators introduce law to protect Trap-Neuter-Return

Maryland House Bill 912 and Senate Bill 750 – called Ash’s Law – would establish TNR as official state policy for community cats or unowned cats who live outdoors. Through TNR programs, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, eartipped (the universal sign that a cat has been helped through a TNR program), vaccinated, and then returned to their original outdoor homes.

What becomes of the veterinary PIMS in the world of AI?

The role of the PIMS in containing and managing systems of record may not go away, and it may pivot to serve as a governance layer for those systems, writes the team at VetSoftwareHub. But the application layer workflows will either be replaced by AI-native applications or evolve with AI as part of the PIMS offering. Traditional workflow screens stop being “the product” and become, at best, a thin fallback layer behind agent-driven workflows.

Community shelter intakes were down in 2025 while adoptions slightly increased

In 2025, dog and cat community intakes totaled 5.8 million animals, a decrease of 121,000 animals (2%) compared to the prior year, according to the Shelter Animals Count 2025 Annual Data Report. Meanwhile, adoptions reached 4.2 million animals, an increase of 29,000, or 0.7%. Return to owner outcomes declined by 3% compared to 2024, with 638,000 animals reunited with their families in 2025. (To download the entire report, click here.)

Rabbit dentistry can pose challenges for small animal practices

Dental health care in small herbivorous mammals, including guinea pigs and chinchillas, can pose challenges in day-to-day small-animal practice. Historically, veterinarians relied on blind techniques for these animals. But oral endoscopy and postextraction radiographs have pushed the limits of dental care in pocket pets. Everything from diagnostics to anesthesia and dental tools to technique is a departure from what we are accustomed to in canine and feline health.