Weekly Companion Animal News: August 5, 2024
2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
The 2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats offer an overview of the body’s fluid dynamics and provide practical recommendations for selecting fluids, calculating administration rates and choosing administration routes in dogs and cats for the purposes of resuscitation, rehydration, and maintenance.
Cost of care biggest barrier to pet adoption
The cost of veterinary care continues to be the top barrier to pet adoption, according to the newly released “2024 Hill’s Pet Nutrition State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report.” Other findings include: Those making less than $75,000 are more likely to surrender a pet due to financial difficulties; and those making less than $50,000 are more likely to have experienced at least one pet-related housing restriction.
FDA guidance seeks to assure effectiveness of canine heartworm products
The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine issued its recommendations for drug sponsors to demonstrate the effectiveness of canine heartworm disease prevention products. Guidance for Industry, Effectiveness of Anthelmintics: Specific Recommendations for Products Proposed for the Prevention of Heartworm Disease in Dogs replaces FDA CVM’s draft guidance issued in November 2022.
Animal shelter opens in Queens
A public animal shelter — the first in Queens, New York — was set to open its doors on July 30, more than 20 years since plans were first put into motion The 50,000-square-foot facility will have capacity for 72 dogs and 110 cats, as well as group housing, space for small pets like guinea pigs, and a grassy place for rabbits. It comes as the city’s existing Animal Care Centers facilities cope with chronic overcrowding.
Pet travel services growing
The pet travel service market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing pet ownership, rising disposable incomes, and a growing trend towards pet-friendly travel accommodations. The sector encompasses a range of services designed to facilitate safe and comfortable travel experiences for pets, including transportation, lodging, grooming and veterinary care.
Veterinary hospital training handlers of K9 officers on essential first aid
DoveLewis says it is partnering with law enforcement agencies across Oregon to help train officers on how to give emergency medical aid to K9 officers while on missions. The training focuses on essential animal first aid, including administering Narcan, applying bandages, and performing emergency procedures. K9 officers are at an ever-increasing risk of exposure to dangerous levels of opioids in the field.
T cell therapy for osteosarcoma in large-breed dogs to be studied
Lenexa, Kansas-based ELIAS Animal Health is preparing to initiate a study evaluating the company’s adoptive T cell therapy—the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) — in combination with a novel adjuvant as a limb-sparing treatment for large-breed dogs suffering from appendicular osteosarcoma. The study will be funded by a grant from Morris Animal Foundation and will be conducted at the University of Missouri.
Clinical trials support reduction in canine plaque and tartar
Ark Naturals, a member of the Antelope brand family, reports that in a 2024 independent study, dogs who consumed Ark Naturals’ Protection+ dental chews were shown to have 15.2% less plaque and 78.4% less tartar build up, significantly outperforming the control group. In addition, the clinical trial demonstrated that consuming Ark Naturals Protection+ positively affected the canine oral microbiome.
