Weekly Companion Animal News: April 21, 2025

Zoetis’ Simparica Trio receives new indication from FDA

Zoetis announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new label indication for Simparica Trio to prevent Dipylidium caninum (flea tapeworm) infections by killing Ctenocephalides felis vector fleas in treated dogs. With this approval, Simparica Trio is the only canine combination parasiticide indicated to prevent flea tapeworm infections, at the source, by killing vector fleas before transmission, according to the company.

Rapamycin’s effect on feline HCM under study

Recently published research led by Joshua Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology), associate dean at North Carolina State University, shows that a targeted formulation of the drug rapamycin (also known as sirolimus) can reverse symptoms of cardiac muscle thickening characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. Dr. Stern is now leading a field study involving hundreds of cats called “HALT,” which may prove definitively that rapamycin can stop HCM.

Telehealth effectiveness explored for canine respiratory conditions

Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences are studying the effectiveness of telehealth exams in diagnosing brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, a common diagnosis among French bulldogs, English bulldogs, pugs and other brachycephalic dog breeds. Although remote assessment fared more poorly in an initial study, the researchers believe the study provides insights on ways to improve future virtual diagnoses of BOAS.

Unidentified canine respiratory illness sparks concern in Central Georgia

The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association reports an unknown respiratory disease has been circulating among dogs in Central Georgia. Dr. Mary Frances Wylie at Northside Wesleyan Animal Hospital in Macon reported that her clinic has treated approximately 15 dogs in the past two months, with most common symptoms being a whooping cough-like condition and unusually low energy levels.

Clinical trial for longevity drug meets goal of enrolling 1,000 dogs

A four-year clinical trial investigating the developmental longevity drug LOY-002 from biotechnology company Loyal has reached its goal of enrolling 1,000 canine patients at 70 veterinary clinics across the U.S. LOY-002 is being developed to extend healthy lifespan in senior dogs by improving metabolic health to delay the onset and reduce the impact of age-associated diseases.

Cost is driving US pet owners to skip or decline veterinary care

Over half (52%) of U.S. pet owners have either skipped or declined necessary veterinary care for their pets, according to the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents’ Assessment of American Veterinary Care. The study found that among pet owners who have declined care, seven in 10 cite not being able to afford it, or that the recommended care was not worth the cost. Even among pet owners making $90,000 or more, a third have skipped veterinary care because they could not afford it.

Tick-borne diseases continue to expand south and west

Tick-borne diseases Lyme and anaplasmosis continue to expand south and west in the United States with the Upper Midwest and Northeast continuing to be high risk areas, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council in its 2025 Parasite Forecast. Ehrlichiosis remains high throughout the Southeast, with continued northward expansion in the Upper Midwest and New England. Meanwhile, mosquitoes are increasingly spreading heartworm disease in the southeastern United States.

British Veterinary Association responds to BBC report on practice ownership

In a recent report, BBC Radio spoke to several vets from corporate and independent practices about the rise in vet fees and concerns around transparency of costs and practice ownership. British Veterinary Association President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux responded: “The veterinary landscape has undergone considerable changes in recent years, however, what remains steadfast is the professionalism, dedication and highly skilled care vet teams deliver for their clients and their animals.”