Weekly Companion Animal News: January 6, 2025

January 2025

Virbac introduces URSOLYX Soft Chews

Virbac has collaborated with Emmyon Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in skeletal muscle biology, to introduce URSOLYX Soft Chews. This first-in-its- class muscle support product features ursolic acid, which targets mRNA expression in skeletal muscle. The product will launch at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting and Expo, Jan. 25-29, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, and later at the Viticus Group WVC annual conference, March 2-5 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

An industry in flux

Animal health is shifting quickly. The humanization of pets continues, the shortage of veterinarians and staff is top of mind for many, and cost and accessibility of care remain a major concern. Technology improves and can bring efficiencies but comes at a cost. How about private equity, consolidation, and demographics of the veterinary profession? A panel of veterinary professionals and experts reflect on the year behind us and predict what lies ahead.

 

PettureX to launch AI pet health scanner app

Pet health technology firm PettureX will launch the PettureX App, an AI-powered health scanning application, on major app stores Jan. 20. The app offers breed identification, mood analysis and physical symptom detection. By analyzing photos taken by pet owners, it can identify potential clinical abnormalities before they develop into serious conditions, according to the company.

 

Tractor Supply closes acquisition of Allivet

Tractor Supply Company completed its acquisition of Allivet, a privately held online pet and animal pharmacy which is licensed in 50 states with three distribution centers. The plans to acquire Allivet were announced on Oct, 24, 2024.

Researchers work to destroy canine brain tumors 
A team at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is developing a device to destroy brain cancer tumors in dogs using soundwaves, or focused ultrasound. “Similar to when you boil bubbles in water,” said one engineer. “You’re just doing the same thing with pressure. You take a tumor and mechanically destroy all the cells.” They hope to adapt the technology for use on humans.

 

CodaPet launches in-home pet euthanasia services in Youngstown, Ohio

Canfield, Ohio, veterinarian Brianna Fowler, DVM, has begun offering CodaPet’s at-home euthanasia services in Youngstown and surrounding areas. CodaPet supports a network of veterinarians that offer at-home pet euthanasia services in over 80 cities.

 

M&As could rise in 2025 under a Trump White House

Deals are expected to rise in 2025. Funding is expected to get cheaper, with the Federal Reserve extending its interest-rate-cutting cycle, lowering borrowing costs, even as the central bank struggles with its inflation fight. And, crucially, incoming President Trump is a fan of looser regulation than the Biden administration, which blocked more mergers because of competitive concerns than did previous administrations.

 

In some regions of Spain, pet care is now tax-deductible

New animal welfare laws in certain autonomous regions of Spain mean that pet owners can have certain expenses involved in their upkeep deducted as part of their tax declaration. The changes mean dogs and other pets are no longer legally considered as ‘objects’ or possessions, but rather as members of the family with the capacity to experience feelings and emotions.

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