Weekly Companion Animal News: July 15, 2024

Petland says a new ordinance banning the retail sale of cats and dogs will force them to close two stores in Lexington, Kentucky, arguing there are “solutions available that discourage puppy mills without shutting down legal businesses.”

One year after the local vet clinic closed, Montana veterinarian Dr. Mandy Barnes is filling the void with her veterinary clinic, Peaks to Prairie Animal Care. A friend remodeled a camper into a mobile clinic, allowing Dr. Barnes and her team to spend four days a week treating clients in rural Laurel, Joliet and Bridger.

The FDA approved Felanorm, the first generic methimazole oral solution for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. Felanorm contains the same active ingredient (methimazole) as the approved brand name drug product, Felimazole Coated Tablets, which were first approved on May 27, 2009. Felanorm is only available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

Arterra, a dog supplement brand, announces its products are now available on Amazon. The formulas are intended to promote overall wellness by supporting hip and joint health, cognition and mood, immune and cellular function, gut health, organ function and allergy relief, in a daily, powder-based scoop.

Heart + Paw announced two new client services through partnerships: The first is with Wedgewood and its Blue Rabbit platform to launch a custom-built, single-source, online pharmacy; the second is with Pet Vet Connection to launch after-hours teletriage. The company’s online pharmacy offering includes a veterinarian-facing practice portal, seamless management and easier ordering.

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges has released guidelines promoting the ethical sourcing of cadavers in veterinary student education and the use of animal alternatives when possible. The “Use of Animals in Veterinary Education Handbook” supplements the organization’s “Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Veterinary Education,” published in 2022.

Veterinary Dentistry Specialists, a specialty practice for pets in need of advanced oral care, has opened a new location in Madison, New Jersey. Board-certified dentist, Ellen Scherer, DVM, DAVDC, is co-owner and medical director of the practice. VDS is reported to be the only dentistry practice in the nation where board-certified veterinary specialists in dentistry and anesthesiology work together with each patient.

Cat owners who were surveyed reported that the veterinarian provided instructions on how to make transport less stressful only 30% of the time, while veterinarians said they did so 65% of the time, according to a report from the CATalyst Council  – “State of the Cat: Wellness and Nutrition 2024.” Only 54% of cat owners surveyed are completely satisfied with their veterinarian.