PRN Pharmacal launches ReGum Vet for canine periodontitis

PRN Pharmacal announced the U.S. launch of ReGum Vet, a prescription scaffold for placement into the dog’s periodontal defect to fill and support the defect and provide a framework for tissue repair. By two years of age, 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease, ranging from reversible gingivitis to stages that require more aggressive treatment. ReGum Vet is now available through major U.S. veterinary distributors.

Revised Model Veterinary Practice Act adopted by AVMA House of Delegates

The American Veterinary Medical Association has adopted an updated Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA). Changes aim to elevate veterinary technicians, streamline licensing requirements for veterinarians practicing in multiple states, address telehealth and its various subcategories, and further clarify the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) to affirm that telemedicine must be conducted within the context of a VCPR that has been established in person.

CATalyst Council reports additional insights in feline market report

Veterinary services inflation is running at a rate close to 5%, annualized, in the preceding three months through June, a continued headwind to veterinary visit growth, reports the CATalyst Council. However, overall inflation in pet ownership costs, including food, products and services during the corresponding period, is running at only 1% (annualized) above CPI.

FDA approves generic methimazole-coated tablets for feline hyperthyroidism

The FDA approved the first FDA-approved generic version of methimazole tablets for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. They are supplied in 2.5 mg and 5 mg for oral administration and are available only by prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

Mission Pet Health is post-merger brand name for Missionary, Southern

Southern Veterinary Partners and Mission Veterinary Partners, whose merger was completed in December 2024, announced they will proceed with a new brand – Mission Pet Health. The rollout of the brand will begin at missionpethealth.com on Aug. 4.

Surgical intervention for canine infective endocarditis reported

The NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center in South Korea reports its heart surgery team has achieved the world’s first surgical success in treating canine infective endocarditis (IE) in a dog. In a nine-hour procedure, the team performed anterior mitral valve leaflet patch augmentation, extending the shortened anterior leaflet using a bovine pericardial patch. Over three months post-surgery, the dog is reported to be living a normal life without any syncope episodes.

AVMA policy strongly discourages feline declawing but stops short of calling for ban

Following a discussion over whether onychectomy causes long-term pain in cats, the AVMA House of Delegates approved a revised AVMA policy strongly discouraging feline declawing but stopping short of calling for an outright ban. Delegates discussed whether the word “often” or “may” should be used to characterize the likelihood of long-term pain associated with declawing. Ultimately, “may” prevailed.

Debate over Librela continues

Discussion in the veterinary community about the safety of Librela, a popular new osteoarthritis drug for dogs, is continuing. The drug’s manufacturer, Zoetis, maintains that the vast majority of patients receiving the injectable treatment have positive experiences and that associated adverse events are rare. But a study by an independent orthopedic specialist in the UK linked the drug to a disproportionately high incidence of musculoskeletal side effects in dogs.

Weekly Companion Animal News: July 28, 2025