Weekly companion animal news: May 24, 2021

Mars Petcare becomes lead investor in Vetsource

Mars Petcare will become the lead investor in Vetsource, which provides home medication delivery and other services for veterinary practices. Vetsource will join Mars and continue to operate with the current management team and investors including MWI Animal Health and Patterson Veterinary Supply. According to the announcement, Vetsource will use the additional capital to develop new services and acquire new technology platforms.

Animalytix launches DVMetrics to automate safety data sheets

Animalytix has launched DVMetrics, a service that automates and digitizes all safety data sheets for veterinary practices, according to the company. The Safety Data Sheet Library is the most comprehensive database of veterinary SDS for hazardous products, Animalytix says, and the SDSL Autobinder automatically creates an SDS binder for practices.

Vetstream adds new educational content for practice websites

Vetstream has launched new “Webpartner Owner Factsheets,” to help veterinary practice clients understand more about the health and wellness of their animals. Vetstream has more than 1,100 owner factsheets on its Vetlexicon Canis, Felis, Lapis, Exotis, Equis and Bovis services for practices to use during consultations. The documents cover topics such as behavior, medical conditions like heart disease, and diagnostic and surgical procedures, which Vetstream says can help practices communicate effectively with their clients. The factsheets are available to post on practice websites and can be printed or downloaded as PDFs.

California vets could soon be allowed to recommend cannabis for pets

California veterinarians would be able to recommend cannabis for people’s pets under a bill being considered by state lawmakers, The Sacramento Bee reports. The bill follows up on a 2018 law that allowed veterinarians to discuss cannabis with pet owners without consequences, so they can currently discuss the products but not make recommendations. “Without the guidance of a veterinary medical professional, the animal-owning client is left to make his or her own ‘guesstimate’ regarding dosing; or more troubling, they might seek dosing information from a cannabis dispensary clerk,” said Dan Baxter, executive director of the California Veterinary Medical Association, in a letter of support for the bill.

FDA approves Vetmedin imports by Boehringer Ingelheim to mitigate U.S. shortage

In response to a shortage of Vetmedin (pimobendan), the FDA said it doesn’t intend to object to the temporary importation of Vetmedin capsules and Vetmedin chews by Boehringer Ingelheim from Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland to immediately increase the availability of the drug in the United States. “Vetmedin is a critical medication used to treat dogs with congestive heart failure due to valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy,” the agency said. There is no FDA-approved alternative to Vetmedin. This measure should help fill recent gaps in the U.S. supply of the drug, according to the FDA.

Startup researches potential for gene editing to treat B cell lymphoma in dogs

A startup in Rochester, Minnesota, says it’s making progress toward using gene editing to treat a devastating cancer in dogs, the Post-Bulletin reports. Life Engine Animal Health, or LEAH Labs, wants to use nonviral CAR T cell cancer therapy to treat B cell lymphoma cancer in dogs. The cancer is similar to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in humans, and it kills an estimated 300,000 dogs each year. The company’s CEO says the therapy could substantially extend the life of a dog with B cell lymphoma and possibly even cure the cancer. The company hopes to test the therapy on pet dogs at Iowa State University later this year.

Pet Poison Helpline sees increase in calls due to yeast, coffee and more during pandemic

Yeast, brewed coffee and bread dough each saw a more than 200% increase in related calls to Pet Poison Helpline between March 2020 and February 2021. They’re among several substances that are poisonous for pets that have seen sharp increases in related cases during the pandemic. Art supplies came in at No. 4, with a 113% increase, and marijuana, at No. 5 on the list, saw a 102% increase in cases.

New SoundByte: Selarid

Selarid (selamectin) is a monthly topical parasite prevention treatment for cats and dogs. According to manufacturer Norbrook, Selarid provides affordable and effective treatment against fleas, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls a number of pets’ most common parasites. More information is available in the SoundByte from Veterinary Advantage.