Weekly companion animal news: April 10, 2023
Living with cats or dogs could lower children’s risk of food allergies, study finds
Newborns who live in a home with cats or dogs appear to be less likely to develop food allergies, according to findings of a large study. The effect in the study was modest but statistically significant: Exposure to dogs or cats during fetal development or the first few months of life lowered the odds of a later food allergy by about 14%. The benefit was strongest when the dogs were kept indoors and when exposure was during both fetal development and infancy. The study couldn’t prove pets themselves lower the risk of a food allergy. It could be that something associated with pet ownership, such as lifestyle or genetics, causes the apparent association, The Washington Post reports.
FDA approves first generic maropitant citrate tablets to prevent vomiting in dogs
The FDA has approved maropitant citrate tablets for the prevention of acute vomiting and prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs. The antiemetic drug contains the same active ingredient (maropitant citrate) in the same concentration and dosage as the approved brand-name product, Zoetis’ Cerenia tablets. It’s available by prescription.
Animal experts aim to build awareness during National Dog Bite Prevention Week
A coalition of veterinarians, animal behavior experts and insurance representatives wants to build awareness of dog bite prevention during National Dog Bite Prevention Week, April 9-15. Of particular concern is the increased risk of dog bites to delivery drivers, especially as people get more packages delivered to their doors. Advice on how owners can prevent dog bites is included in the announcement from the AVMA.
Dog in Canada dies of bird flu after chewing on goose
A pet dog in Ontario has died after testing positive for avian flu, the country’s Food Inspection Agency said. The illness occurred after the dog chewed on a wild goose, according to the announcement. The agency said the number of documented H5N1 cases in cats and dogs is low. The CBC reports.
Scientists try to understand red meat allergy caused by some tick bites
In addition to Lyme disease and babesiosis, doctors’ understanding is evolving on alpha-gal syndrome, another emerging risk linked to tick bites. Scientists first made the connection between red meat allergies and tick bites more than a decade ago. “What’s new is that we have patients who really just have GI symptoms,” rather than typical allergic symptoms, Dr. Sarah McGill, a gastroenterologist at the University of North Carolina, told NPR. She has co-authored new guidance for the American Gastroenterological Association to raise awareness about the GI-only onset.
UC Davis again named No. 1 U.S. veterinary school in new QS report
The University of California, Davis operates the nation’s best veterinary science program, according to Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings. The School of Veterinary Medicine received the top ranking for the fourth year in a row and was judged No. 2 worldwide behind the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, fellow NAVC publication Today’s Veterinary Business reports. Cornell University and Colorado State University took the No. 2 and 3 spots on the U.S. rankings, and Cornell took the No. 3 spot on the global rankings.
Mars to acquire Heska
Mars and Heska announced a definitive agreement under which Mars will acquire Heska for $120 a share. The agreement was unanimously approved by both companies’ boards. The acquisition will enable Mars Petcare’s science and diagnostics division (which already includes Antech) to expand its diagnostic offerings and “broadly promote point-of-care veterinary diagnostics to the global pet health care community,” according to the announcement.
Nationwide pet insurance now available on Walmart.com
Nationwide’s pet health insurance offerings are now available on Walmart’s website. Visitors to Walmart.com’s pet care section “may explore Nationwide’s pet protection products, purchase a policy and learn about healthy pet ownership through curated content,” according to the announcement. The new offering builds on an existing collaboration between the companies that began in 2021 with the launch of Nationwide Pet Rx Express at 4,700 Walmart pharmacies, a program that then expanded to 566 Sam’s Club pharmacies.
