Companion animal news: June 17, 2024

The popularity of weight loss drugs among humans means they could soon be in the pet care market

Jumping off the popularity of weight loss drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy, some companies want to replicate the success in household pets, Cam Baker writes in Bloomberg’s “Prognosis” newsletter. Okava Pharmaceuticals and Vivani Medical are jointly developing an implant to deliver GLP-1 drugs in cats. Pet food maker Better Choice bought Aimia Pet Healthco in February, a move to create weight loss medications supplemented by its protein-based products. “People will spend pretty close to anything on their animal,” said Better Choice chairman Michael Young. The idea of someone giving their pet a drug they themselves are already taking would “not be a far leap,” Young said.

Is pet insurance worth the high premiums?

While some pet owners are paying for insurance to avoid steep veterinary bills, the programs aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. After writing about the business of pet insurance, Business Insider correspondent Emily Stewart spoke to Marketplace about her findings. When she tried to gauge the cost of pet insurance, she found monthly premiums between around $25 a month and $300. “I think the rub for me with pet insurance is that it does not cover preexisting conditions,” Stewart said. “What it comes down to a lot of the time is that you really do need to read the fine print.”

Bill could eliminate pet fees for Ohio apartment renters

A bill in the Ohio House of Representatives would provide a tax credit to landlords who allow cats or dogs in their rental units. Landlords who receive the credit wouldn’t be able to restrict pets by breed or size, nor charge a nonrefundable fee or additional pet rent fees, WCPO reports. Under current rules, owning a pet can make it more difficult for renters to find affordable housing.

Florida expected to relax telemedicine restrictions after lawmakers pass bill

Florida is expected to join a handful of states that allow veterinary care to be provided online without the need for an initial in-person examination, the VIN News Service reports. The proposed law, approved by lawmakers in March, was received by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 7. He has until June 22 to veto the bill; otherwise, it will become law without his signature. A veto was not anticipated given the bill’s unanimous support in the state legislature. In response to concerns raised by the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, the law mandates in-person exams for prescriptions for heartworm medications, off-label drugs and compounded medications.

Boehringer Ingelheim CARES Foundation pledges $500,000 in scholarship funds to Tuskegee

The Boehringer Ingelheim CARES Foundation has pledged $500,000 in scholarship funds to the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. The commitment will provide a $25,000 annual scholarship to one incoming student each year.

Heart + Paw eliminates noncompete agreements for non-owner doctors

Heart + Paw, a veterinary care and grooming service provider, announced the company’s decision to eliminate noncompete clauses from non-owner doctor employment agreements. “Acknowledging a growing sentiment that these clauses can adversely affect a doctor’s well-being, the company has decided to join a select few corporate practices in removing this restriction from their hiring process, and lifting clauses from current team members,” according to the announcement. This comes after the Federal Trade Commission voted to ban many noncompete agreements.

Cresilon announces preferred partnership agreement for VETIGEL with VerticalVet

Cresilon, maker of VETIGEL, announced a “preferred partnership agreement” with VerticalVet LLC to provide VerticalVet’s group purchasing organization members with the wound gel product. According to the announcement, “the partnership will expand Cresilon’s ability to deliver an innovative hemostatic agent to more veterinary clinics and hospitals across the U.S.”

FDA approves oral generic treatment for urinary incontinence in dogs

The FDA approved the first generic phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride chewable tablets for the control of urinary incontinence in dogs due to a weakening of the muscles that control urination (urethral sphincter hypotonus). The tablets contain the same active ingredient in the same concentration and dosage form as the approved brand name drug product, Proin chewable tablets, which were first approved in August 2011. The application was sponsored by ZyVet Animal Health.