CAPC study quantifies relationship between incidences of human Lyme disease and tick exposure in dogs

New research from the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) confirms dogs are sentinels to assess human risk for tick-borne Lyme disease, according to a release. Results from the study — “Quantifying the relationship between human Lyme disease and Borrelia burgdorferi exposure in domestic dogs” — were published last week in peer-reviewed Geospatial Health. “This research shows how man’s best friend continues to safeguard humans as a sentinel to alert humans where they are at greatest risk for Lyme disease,” said Christopher Carpenter, DVM and executive director of CAPC. “The model established in this research breaks new ground to give residents, travelers and health care providers a county-level map to help them identify areas of risk across the country.” The study quantifies the association between canine seroprevalence for the disease-causing bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, and human incidence of Lyme disease, the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the U.S. Seroprevalence is calculated as the proportion of dogs that test positive among all tested dogs within a county. The overall association shows that human incidence increases as dog seroprevalence increases.

Covetrus announces real-time integration of its prescription management platform for eVetPractice® users

Covetrus announced that it has completed the real-time integration of its cloud-based veterinary practice information management system, eVetPractice®, with its prescription management technology. eVetPractice® joins Covetrus’ other practice information management systems AVImark® and ImproMed® in offering real-time, bi-directional integration with its cloud-based prescription management technology. More than 16,000 practices within the United States run on Covetrus’ practice information management systems, according to a release.

MULTIMIN USA appoints Glen Templin as director of sales, USA

MULTIMIN USA, Inc. announced that Glen Templin has joined the firm as director of sales, and will be based at the U.S. Headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado. Templin has over 30 years of animal health experience, most currently as National Distribution Manager for Aratana Therapeutics.

Merck Animal Health introduces BRAVECTO® Cares campaign

Merck Animal Health and NEADS World Class Service Dogs announced the launch of BRAVECTO® Cares, an educational campaign showcasing the critical role that service dogs play and the importance of keeping them healthy, including protecting them from fleas and ticks. As part of the campaign initiative, Merck Animal Health, the makers of BRAVECTO will help NEADS support its mission with funding for dogs in training, according to a release.

Patterson Veterinary partners with Texas Sealife Center to support sea turtle rescue

Patterson Veterinary Supply has teamed up with the Texas Sealife Center for a unique partnership designed to help raise funds to rescue and release endangered sea turtles back into the wild. From May 23 through December 31, the company will donate $35 to the Texas Sealife Center for every sale of NaVetor® cloud practice management software. The donation will be made in the name of the purchasing veterinary clinic, with a goal of raising $10,000.

Pet King Brands implements Authorized Seller Program

Pet King Brands. Inc. announced it has implemented an Authorized Seller (“Brand Partner”) Program. The Authorized Seller (“Brand Partner”) Program will protect Pet King Brands’ distribution channels, the integrity of its brands and the quality of its products through the removal of unauthorized sellers, as well as unauthorized distributors of its enzyme-based topical dermatological products for problematic ears and skin; and gentle, non-drying brushless oral care products for pets in need of everyday dental care, according to a release. “At Pet King Brands, Inc., we are committed to providing the best experience for both our customers and consumers of our products,” said Pamela K. Bosco, Founder and President. “However, due to unauthorized sellers and the potential for counterfeit products on the marketplace, we have implemented our Authorized Seller/Brand Partner Program to ensure the highest-quality customer experience going forward.” In addition, Pet King Brands has revised its MAP Policy, which contains more robust violation affects and subsequent enforcement actions. It has enlisted a MAP monitoring and unauthorized seller enforcement software tool to further its investment in regulating all channels to authorized Resellers.

Pet hotel adding video chat services to more locations

According to Pet Product News, Best Friends Pet Care’s Pet Hotel is adding video chat services to more of its centers through an expanded partnership with PetChatz. Best Friends started offering PetChatz Greet & Treat videophones within select hotel suites in 2016. Based on positive feedback, Best Friends will be adding PetChatz to new locations over the coming months. “PetChatz is an excellent complement to our state-of-the-art facilities and luxury pet suites,” said Jared Pinsker, CEO of Best Friends Pet Hotel. “The integration of PetChatz into select locations give our customers more value, convenience, and yet another way to enrich their pet’s stay at our hotels.” PetChatz allows pet owners to check in with their pets from anywhere, anytime via their smartphones, tablets or PCs. Pet owners can have two-way video chats with, dispense treats and provide aromatherapy to their pets.

Gene therapy for dogs finding success

According to Denver, Colorado-based CBS4, veterinarians are conducting a gene study only on Colorado dogs, and so far they are finding a 100% success rate. Dogs are getting a new lease on life after just one injection, the report said. The shot is made up of the Interleukin 10 gene, which the body naturally produces. Dr. Rob Landry is the only veterinarian in the United States administering this therapy. He owns Colorado Animal Pain Center in Northglenn and tells CBS4’s Britt Moreno “the FDA and animal drug companies like to see higher population of patients.” That’s why he is searching for even more dogs with severe pain to participate in the study. For more on the study, visit here

Program launched to support pet care startups

Leap Venture Studio (Leap) announced the launch of Leap Venture Academy, a program that will foster the growth of early stage pet care startups. The program is an extension of a successful collaboration between Kinship, a division of Mars Petcare; Michelson Found Animals Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to keeping pets safe at home with the pet parents who love them; and R/GA Ventures, the investment arm of the global agency R/GA. Leap Venture Academy events, which will be held throughout the year, beginning next month, will be conducted both in-person and online. Activities will include pitch competitions, bootcamps, classes, webinars, meetups and hackathons. Additionally, Leap Venture Studio announced that applications open in the fall for the third cohort of startups for the accelerator program running February through May 2020 in Los Angeles.

Bridge Club announces John Payne as ICON Honoree

The Bridge Club announced its next ICON Honoree is John Payne, CEO and President of Compassion-First Pet Hospitals, and Chairman of the Board, American Humane. Bridge Club will be hosting a “fireside chat” during the AVMA at The Capitol Hill Club on August 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 and all proceeds from the tickets will go to benefit American Humane. To register, visit here.

Companion News for May 28