Weekly companion animal news: June 21, 2021

Study shows more evidence of human-to-pet transmission of COVID-19

A small study has shown a higher-than-expected incidence of the new coronavirus among cats and dogs of people with COVID-19, Medical News Today reports. Researchers emphasized there’s still no evidence the virus can transmit from pets to people. In a sample of 21 patients in 10 households with confirmed COVID-19, nine out of 29 dogs and four out of 10 cats tested positive for the virus. The animals tested positive between 11 and 51 days after the onset of symptoms in their caregiver. Out of the 13 animals that tested positive, six showed mild, temporary symptoms, while the remainder showed no symptoms. “There is now an increasing number of studies of pets around the world being published that suggest that asymptomatic infection of pets, some rather larger than this small case series, is quite common,” said a University of Cambridge veterinarian who wasn’t involved in the study.

Delayed care and veterinarian shortage strain Indiana clinics

Veterinary practices in Indiana are struggling to keep up with high demand for care. The shortage of available care is attributed to the rise in pet adoptions during the pandemic, but even more so to an increase in sick pets and a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, the South Bend Tribune reports. Many pet owners delayed regular checkups for their pets during the pandemic, so preliminary indicators of more serious conditions went untreated for months. Now, many of those medical issues have become serious. “I would say emergencies have increased by 50%,” said Dr. Kathleen Neuhoff, a veterinarian at Magrane and Ireland Animal Clinic. And while clinics are trying to hire veterinarians and technicians, there aren’t enough new graduates to fill the market, Neuhoff said.

United States bans dogs from 113 countries after rise in false rabies records

The United States is banning the importation of dogs from 113 countries for at least a year because of a sharp increase in the number of puppies imported into the country with fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates, NPR reports. “We’re doing this to make sure that we protect the health and safety of dogs that are imported into the United States, as well as protect the public’s health,” said Dr. Emily Pieracci of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pieracci said that during 2020, the CDC discovered more than 450 dogs arriving in the United States with false or fraudulent rabies certificates, a 52% increase compared with the previous two years. The rush to meet increased demand may have enticed unscrupulous breeders to cut corners, especially in places so overwhelmed by the pandemic that they were having a hard time keeping up with their rabies vaccination programs, she said.

How to get pet owners thinking about nutrition

Pet diets can be a sensitive subject to discuss with pet owners, but owners want to have these conversations and veterinary teams have to take the initiative, veterinary professionals say. “We (societally) lose sight of what healthy looks like. We are not used to what a healthy pet looks like or feels like,” said Dr. Julie Churchill, a board member of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. “We (as veterinary teams) have to be the antidote to that.” Churchill and others discussed with the AVMA how to begin those conversations, and they offered tools that practices can use with clients to help facilitate productive discussions.

Elanco will acquire Kindred Biosciences for $440 million

Elanco has agreed to acquire all outstanding stock of Kindred Biosciences for $9.25 a share, or about $440 million. This accelerates Elanco’s expansion into the pet health market, particularly in the fast-growing dermatology category, according to the announcement. KindredBio brings three promising dermatology products expected to launch through 2025, as well as research and development programs for other chronic disorders, including canine parvovirus. Elanco anticipates this move will add about $100 million to its previously stated innovation revenue expectation of $500 million to $600 million by 2025, with significant opportunity beyond then.

PetSmart offers on-demand delivery through DoorDash

PetSmart customers can now order products for on-demand delivery through the DoorDash app or website, as well as through the PetSmart website. DoorDash will offer more than 11,000 items from PetSmart, including pet food, toys, treats, habitats and supplements, according to the announcement.

Virox Technologies and Shelters United partner to provide access to Rescue Disinfectants for animal welfare groups

Virox Technologies and Shelters United are partnering to provide priority access to Virox’s Rescue Disinfectants for animal welfare organizations across the country. Shelters United members will get preferred access to Rescue Disinfectants and related educational resources. “We are excited to be a new partner of Shelters United,” said Lee Nesbitt, executive vice president of commercial markets at Virox. “Shelters, rescues and [spay and neuter] clinics do such vital work for the communities they serve. We want to help them keep animals healthy and safe.”

New SoundByte: KBroVet-CA1®

KBroVet-CA1® is the first and only drug conditionally approved by the FDA for seizure control in dogs, according to manufacturer PRN Pharmacal. The liver-flavored, chewable tablet is administered once daily. It’s available in 60-count bottles, with 180-count bottles planned to be launched this summer. More information is available in the SoundByte from Veterinary Advantage.