Weekly Companion Animal News: March 17, 2025
Antech launches trūRapid FOUR
Diagnostics firm Antech announced the launch of trūRapid™ FOUR, a lateral flow test used to detect canine antibodies to Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Lyme C6 (Borrelia burgdorferi), as well as heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen, using whole blood, serum, or plasma. According to the company, the product offers excellent sensitivity and specificity when compared to reference laboratory testing. For Lyme C6 it ensures high specificity, preventing false positives caused by vaccination.
Warmer climate may increase heartworm risk to pets in the Northwest
Higher annual temperatures may be responsible for the rising number of heartworm cases in Eastern Washington and North Idaho, according to Dr. Matt Mason of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Several owners of animals that contracted the disease said they had never left the area with their pets, suggesting that Washington’s and Idaho’s warmer months may be suitable for the deadly worms and the mosquitos that spread them and help them prosper,” he says.
AAHA accreditation almost universal among 500 Best Animal Hospitals
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation was a factor in all but one of the facilities listed in Newsweek’s ranking of America’s 500 Best Animal Hospitals. Newsweek partnered with data analytics firm Plant-A Insights Group for the 2025 ranking, based on more than 5 million customer ratings and reviews.
Vetlen launches 5 mL local antibiotic delivery device
Vetlen introduced a 5 mL Vetlen Pouch antibiotic delivery device designed to treat infected surgical or traumatic wounds in a variety of animal species. “We learned that small animal general practitioners and equine veterinarians, especially for distal limbs, were seeking a smaller pouch that could be used for a broader range of cases,” said company president Stephanie Morley, DVM. The company offers a 10 mL pouch.
Volition signs Nu.Q Vet Cancer test agreement with Fujifilm Vet Systems
Epigenetics company VolitionRx Limited announced the expansion of its Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test supply agreement with Fujifilm Vet Systems Co. Ltd in Japan, to include Volition’s chemiluminescent immunoassay (ChLIA) version of the test via the Immunodiagnostic Systems (IDS) i10 automated analyzer platform. A previous agreement had enabled Fujifilm Vet Systems to provide the test to Japanese veterinarians in the manual ELISA format.
Bond Vet expanding in Philadelphia
Bond Vet has expanded to Narbeth, Pennsylvania, and is preparing to open a second location in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square by summer, backed by a $170 million investment from private equity firm Warburg Pincus. The company already operates in New York, Chicago and Boston.
Veterinary visits decline as clients face rising costs
Veterinary patient visits are decreasing and the gap between appointments is increasing, according to a newly released white paper by Vetsource. Data from 6,574 practices in the U.S. showed that veterinary visits had decreased 2.3% in 2024 compared to 2023. The total number of active patients were also down by 1.9% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the time between visits increased to 85.8 days from July 2023 to 2024, marking a 48% increase between visits compared to the same period three years ago.
