Weekly companion animal news: June 28, 2021

Investigation launched after rabid dog imported to U.S.

A rabid dog imported into the United States from Azerbaijan has sparked a public health investigation across several states, the Associated Press reports. Health officials said the dog was one of 34 animals, including 33 dogs and one cat, imported by an animal rescue organization from Azerbaijan to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago on June 10. At least 12 people were exposed to the dog, which was euthanized. The incident occurred shortly before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will impose a year-long ban on dogs from more than 100 countries, including Azerbaijan, due to falsified rabies vaccination certificates.

Health Canada warns of shortage in euthanasia drugs for animals

Health Canada is warning that there will be a global shortage of euthanasia drugs for animals over the next year due to an explosion at a manufacturing plant overseas. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association said pet owners can be assured their pets will still have a dignified end of life. In an alert directed to veterinarians, Health Canada said it became aware earlier this year that an incident at a manufacturing site would cause a global shortage of pentobarbital sodium, the active ingredient in most euthanasia products for animals. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association said it’s working on guidelines for alternative methods of euthanasia that don’t use pentobarbital sodium in case alternatives are needed, CTV reports.

Cat foods recalled in the United Kingdom due to link with rare blood marrow condition

Cat owners in the United Kingdom are being advised to return foods made by the manufacturer Fold Hill that appear to be linked to a bone marrow condition called pancytopenia. The Royal Veterinary College said there’s been a spike in cases of the disease, which causes a cat’s blood cell count to fall rapidly, leading to serious illness and sometimes death. “Typically, we may see one case of this per year, but we have seen now 10 cats with severe pancytopenia in the last four weeks,” said Dr. Barbara Glanemann, a senior lecturer in small animal medicine at the Royal Veterinary College. The college is aware of between 40 and 50 affected cats around the country, with some in the same household becoming ill at the same time. Fold Hill said products under the Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic Recipe range and Pets at Home Ava range are being recalled. Applaws products may also be unsafe, the BBC reports.

Grant will help low-income Appalachian pet owners get free veterinary care

Harrogate, Tennessee-based Lincoln Memorial University’s veterinary programs have received a two-year grant of about $71,000 from Pet Smart Charities to serve members of the Appalachian community who have limited means. LMU’s Veterinary Health Science Program hosted the first clinic June 9, providing services including vaccines, heartworm testing, and a year’s supply of monthly preventives to 13 dogs and cats. Minor illnesses, such as ear and skin conditions, were diagnosed and treated. Boehringer Ingelheim donated vaccines for the project, and all services were provided to pet owners for free.

University of Florida performs total ankle replacement in dog with arthritis

The University of Florida says it has performed the first successful total ankle replacement surgery on a dog in the state. According to the university, the procedure, a treatment for osteoarthritis, involved replacing the damaged surfaces of the joint with a prosthetic implant called the TATE Ankle, developed by BioMedtrix. The procedure is currently in clinical evaluation “at a limited number of centers around the world,” according to the announcement. Treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs typically involves pain relief medications and sometimes joint injections, but these treatments don’t provide the long-term benefits of ankle replacement surgery, said University of Florida veterinary surgeon Stanley Kim.

Covetrus and Cubex launch distribution agreement

Covetrus and Cubex have formed a partnership through which Covetrus will be an authorized seller of Cubex products such as the Cubex MiniPlus automated medication dispensing system. Covetrus will offer exclusive financing and rebate programs on Cubex’s products, according to the announcement.

Dechra gets U.S. and Canada marketing rights for feline kidney health supplement

Dechra Veterinary Products has obtained the U.S. and Canada marketing rights for Porus One, a feline kidney health supplement. This will be Dechra’s first renal health product for cats. The product will be sold through veterinarians in boxes containing 30 packets. Each packet contains one daily dose that can be administered at mealtime. In the United States, it will carry the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal. Dechra obtained the licensing rights for Porus One from Porus GmbH, a Germany-based company that’s been marketing the product in European countries since 2018.

Petland hopes to raise standards for its breeding partners

Petland will use a Purdue University certification program to hold its breeder partners to higher welfare standards. The Canine Care Certified program aims to establish rigorous standards for professional dog breeders and is combined with regular, third-party independent audits of breeder operations, according to the announcement. “Our goal is to eventually have all breeders supplying puppies to Petland stores fully compliant with and certified by the program,” said Petland CEO Joe Watson.