Weekly companion animal news: June 27, 2022

Wisdom Panel publishes genetic screening studies analyzing more than 1 million cats and dogs

Wisdom Panel, a pet DNA test maker, announced the publication of what it says are the largest genetic screening studies of cats and dogs ever conducted. Examining 11,000 cats and more than 1 million dogs across the two studies, the research team genotyped thousands of genetic variants. In addition to reinforcing the importance of comprehensive genetic panel testing in personalized veterinary care, health research and breeding programs, the studies “help provide a foundation for uncovering the genetic basis of more complex disorders, ranging from cancer to heart disease, ultimately improving veterinary care and health outcomes for pets,” said Heidi Anderson, senior scientist of feline genetics at Wisdom Panel. More information on the findings from the studies—including one in PLOS Genetics and the other yet to be peer-reviewed in bioRxiv—is available in the announcement from Wisdom Panel.

Idexx expands diagnostic tests and services

Idexx has announced the launch of new diagnostic tests and services. Beginning in September, the company’s North America customers will have access to the following new resources: Fecal Dx antigen testing has been expanded to include detection of flea tapeworm in addition to current tests for hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. The company is broadening its suite of kidney health diagnostics with the addition of FGF-23, a feline kidney disease management biomarker to help veterinarians determine treatment recommendations more confidently for cats with early chronic kidney disease. Idexx is also launching PCR Direct testing, giving continental U.S. customers access to next-day PCR results Monday through Friday. “By providing earlier access to diagnostic information, the next-day testing service enables veterinary professionals to start treatment for the most critical cases sooner, which can significantly improve patient outcomes,” according to Idexx.

FDA conditionally approves first drug to delay onset of congestive heart failure in dogs

The FDA has conditionally approved Boehringer Ingelheim’s Vetmedin-CA1 (pimobendan) chewable tablets, the first drug indicated for delaying the onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease. MMVD is a condition in dogs where an abnormal heart valve allows blood to leak backward (regurgitation), affecting the ability of the heart to pump blood and resulting in an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly). If left untreated, the condition could lead to heart failure and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Vetmedin is already fully approved for the management of the signs of mild, moderate or severe congestive heart failure in dogs due to MMVD or dilated cardiomyopathy. The new conditional approval for Vetmedin-CA1 is the first for dogs in the preclinical stage of MMVD who have a heart murmur and an abnormal enlargement of the heart but are not yet in congestive heart failure, according to the FDA.

People need to stop buying bulldogs until they’re bred healthier, U.K. veterinarians say

U.K. veterinarians are urging people in the country to refrain from buying bulldogs, warning characteristics like their flat faces cause lifetime suffering, the BBC reports. According to the Royal Veterinary College, urgent action is needed to reshape the breed and stop the United Kingdom from joining the list of countries where the dog is banned. RVC experts say people should stop buying English bulldogs as well as French bulldogs and pugs until breeding issues are addressed. They also say the public should stop “promoting” the dog on social media by posting and liking photos. The bulldog has soared in popularity over the past decade, while features such as its flat face, wrinkled skin and squat bodies have led to health complaints that raise welfare issues. “For breeds such as English bulldogs where many dogs still have extreme conformations (a dog’s structure and appearance) with poor innate health, the public have a huge role to play by demanding dogs with moderate and healthier conformations,” said Dr. Dan O’Neill, an RVC expert.

More than just a high, catnip may provide a bug repellent effect for cats

Most domestic cats seem to love catnip, licking it, chewing it and rolling around in it as they get high off the stuff. A new study shows that when they damage it this way, the plant increases its release of iridoids—chemicals that not only cause the high but also have bug repellent effects—by more than 2,000%. The same goes for silver vine, which is not closely related to catnip but elicits the same response from cats. The new study builds on strong previous work, said Kristyn Vitale, a cat behavior expert at Unity College who wasn’t involved in the research. Last year, the same scientists found that cats would try their best to coat themselves in iridoids, whether by rolling on the chemicals or rising up to nuzzle them with their cheeks. “This indicates there may be a benefit to the cat physically placing the compounds on their body,” Vitale said. The new findings and the previous ones support nascent claims that at least part of the benefit of cats’ love of catnip is to stave off mosquitoes and flies, a behavior called “self-anointing” that’s been observed elsewhere in the animal kingdom, The New York Times reports.

Animal welfare nonprofits team up to provide free care on Minnesota’s Red Lake Reservation

Several nonprofit animal care organizations recently teamed up to provide free vaccinations and wellness checks for pets on Minnesota’s Red Lake Reservation, Minnesota Public Radio reports. While each organization had previously cared for animals on the reservation, this was the first time a weeklong pet clinic was held with six groups at once. The clinic was important for Red Lake because the infrastructure to give all animals basic care is still being established there, said Marilou Chanrasmi, who leads Companion Animals for Reform and Equity, which participated in the clinic distributing pet supplies. The University of Minnesota’s student-run organization Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services also attended, allowing veterinary students to get experience providing pet wellness checks in the community.

This year’s bird flu is hitting wild mammals too

The H5N1 avian flu virus’ toll on wild birds appears to be much greater than that of previous strains, meaning the virus poses an elevated threat to mammals that prey on those birds, The New York Times reports. At least seven U.S. states have detected the virus in red fox kits (young foxes), to which it appears to be especially lethal. Two bobcats in Wisconsin, a coyote pup in Michigan and skunks in Canada have also tested positive for the virus, as well as foxes, otters, a lynx, a polecat and a badger in Europe. There’s no evidence mammals play a significant role in spreading the virus, and the risk to humans remains low. But the more it spreads among mammals, the more opportunities it has to mutate. “What it’s going to take for this virus to transition from being a duck or a chicken virus to being a mammalian virus is more chances to replicate in those mammalian hosts,” said Richard Webby, an influenza virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “So that’s why when we see these mammals being infected by this virus, we do take notice.”

Veterinarians Without Borders asks public for more help to assist animals in Ukraine

Canada-based Veterinarians Without Borders is reminding members of the public that animals and their families in Ukraine are still in need of assistance. Since the start of the war, the organization “has been able to support over 117,000 animals in Ukraine delivering over 610 [metric] tons of food, 30 [metric] tons of medicine and conducted 700 spay/neuter surgeries,” said the organization’s executive director, Charmaine Brett. “VWB is focused on the needs of animals right now, but also on preventing even further devastation in the area by treating animals to prevent disease outbreaks or booming feral animal populations.” The organization last week held a virtual event with its partners on the front lines, and it released an impact report sharing more about the work it’s done in the region.