Companion News for April 9
UVSA Industry Insights survey highlights consumer expectations related to veterinary services
The United Veterinary Services Association (UVSA) has released results of the first of three surveys from Packaged Facts on consumer expectations related to the purchase of veterinary services and products. The results of the first survey conducted in December were shared at VMX and with UVSA members via webinar earlier this month. These surveys are being supported by sponsorship from UVSA members MWI Animal Health, Covetrus, Boehringer Ingelheim, Vet‐Advantage Magazine, NAVC and Animalytix. Among the highlights: In terms of the human‐animal bond a hallmark of the new “pet parent” era is that two‐thirds (66%) of dog owners keep them inside only (other than walks or letting dogs out), with another 17% keeping their dogs mostly but not always inside. Only 5% of dog owners overall keep them mostly or always outside, a percentage that doubles among rural dog owners but remains in the minority. With the “pets as family” mindset now dominant, dogs are almost as unlikely as children to be relegated to the outdoors. For more information, go to www.uvsa.net.
FDA posts adverse event report data for animal drugs and devices
The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine announced the availability of data from more than 30 years of adverse event reports related to animal drugs and devices used in animals. The posting will include reports associated with approved animal drugs, unapproved/compounded drugs used in animals and devices used in animals, and will be accessible via open.FDA.gov.
Mars Petcare launches pet care innovation coalition
Mars Petcare, the pet health and nutrition division of Mars Inc., has announced the launch of Kinship, the first-ever coalition dedicated to driving pet care innovation for the future. Kinship will build new businesses in partnership with a diverse array of pet start-ups and industry collaborators and will provide unique access to data, science and industry expertise to realize the transformational promise in the areas of healthcare, nutrition and science. “We’re excited about our new global division, Kinship, becoming a unique collaboration platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to create new products and services that deliver on our Purpose: A Better World for Pets,” said Poul Weihrauch, President, Mars Petcare.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, hypothyroidism linked to decreased risk of T-zone lymphoma in dogs
Dogs that receive omega-3 fatty acid supplements or have hypothyroidism may be less likely to develop T-zone lymphoma (TZL). Those are two findings from Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at Colorado State University, who studied associations of environment and health history of the disease among golden retrievers. They published their results in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. “Although controlled prospective studies would be necessary to firmly establish protection by omega-3 fatty acids, our observations raise the possibility of a simple intervention that may help reduce the frequency of this disease,” said Dr. Anne Avery, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology at Colorado State University.
AVMA releases its first-ever guidelines for depopulation of animals
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has published its first ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals to help veterinarians support animal welfare in situations where the difficult decision to depopulate has been made. “These new AVMA guidelines are an important tool to help veterinarians make humane decisions in the most dire situations,” the association said in a release. “Because emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, this is vital guidance for veterinarians in every field of practice – from shelter medicine to agriculture, companion animal practice, zoos, public health and beyond.” The AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals represent the third prong of the AVMA’s three-part Humane Endings guidance. The others are the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals and the AVMA Guidelines for the Humane Slaughter of Animals.
CDC warns: Don’t kiss the hedgehog
According to WTOP.com, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention once again issued a warning to pet owners that recent cases of Salmonella have been linked to pet hedgehogs – and the agency is warning pet owners to take precautions to avoid infection. According to the CDC, a total of 17 people ranging in age from 2 to 95 across 11 states have fallen ill with Salmonella Typhimurium. Analysis of 15 infected people found 13 to have reported contact with a hedgehog. A common supplier of the pets has not be identified. Two people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
California dog dies from leptospirosis
According to California-based KCRA-TV, a potentially fatal disease has popped up again in the Sacramento Valley, according to an area veterinarian. Leptospirosis is a disease that often infects dogs after they come in contact with standing water that is contaminated with the bacteria. According to Dr. Kelsey Giardina, with the Douglas Boulevard Veterinary Clinic, a dog recently died in the Roseville area after contracting the disease.
Cornell launches Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship
Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine has launched the Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship (CVBE), a new interdisciplinary program intended to spur research, training and outreach in veterinary business to improve animal health care. Businesses are the vehicle for delivering veterinary medical services and developing new life-saving products, but veterinary academia has largely ignored the business of veterinary medicine as a focus of research and scholarship. The college is taking a new approach with this unique program, which unites expertise from CVM and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
