Weekly Companion Animal News: Monday, September 1, 2025

Pooch & Mutt launches at-home gut health testing

UK pet health company Pooch & Mutt has launched at-home gut health testing and tailored supplement plans for dogs. The gut health test was developed by BIOME9, a canine microbiome analysis firm which Pooch & Mutt acquired in January 2025. With 70% of a dog’s immune system linked to the gut, microbiome testing can identify hidden health issues and drive improvements through targeted nutrition, according to the company.

Akston expands veterinary leadership team

Pet biotech company Akston announced the appointment of Antonella Borgatti, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), DECVIM-CA and Kristina Kalevas Camp, DVM, PhD, to its leadership team. They are expected to play a key role in advancing Akston’s pipeline, including its PD-L1–targeting protein therapy for canine bladder cancer, developed in collaboration with Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and its cancer immunotherapy for dogs with solid tumors.

Otto launches standalone version of scribe tool

Veterinary technology company Otto announced the launch of a standalone version of its scribe tool, Otto AI, which was formerly only available as part of the Otto Flow client communications package. Otto AI Recap listens during appointments and creates accurate, structured notes using either web-enabled devices or the Otto mobile app, available for both Apple and Android devices, according to the company.

Regenerative plasma therapy now available

A platelet-rich plasma system known as Endoret PRGF (Plasma Rich in Growth Factors) is now available to veterinary centers in the U.S. to treat cats, dogs and horses. The therapy, developed by BTI Technology Institute in Spain, uses a patient’s own blood plasma, which contains an elevated level of platelets and growth factors, to stimulate tissue regeneration. The system is distributed in the U.S. by Endurance Technologies, Brentwood, Tennessee.

Jaguar Health seeking collaboration to expand Canalevia’s indication

Jaguar Health Inc. announced it is in discussions with potential animal health companies to secure a collaboration to expand the indication of Canalevia (crofelemer delayed-release tablets) from treatment of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) in dogs to treatment of general diarrhea in dogs.

Esaote North America, Epica unite CT and MRI technologies in sales, marketing agreement

Esaote North America, provider of MRI, ultrasound, and healthcare IT products, announced a partnership with Epica International, a provider of CT and imaging technologies, announced they will coordinate sales, marketing and support for veterinary practices and human hospitals and specialty practices.

Radiation therapy shrinks dog’s brain tumor

Veterinarians at UC Davis successfully shrunk a brain tumor in a Jack Russel terrier with three doses of stereotactic radiotherapy, a type of radiation therapy that uses CT scanning and MRI guidance for precise delivery of radiation into a targeted tissue area. The hospital’s linear accelerator allows the treatment to be as precise as less than 1 millimeter from the edge of the tumor.

New street drug ‘flysky’ causes alarm in Western Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh-area doctors are sounding the alarm on medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer that’s increasingly permeating street drugs like “flysky” in Western Pennsylvania. Unlike heroin or fentanyl, medetomidine doesn’t respond to naloxone products such as the nasal spray Narcan to reverse opioid overdose, said Dr. Michael Lynch, senior medical director of UPMC Health Plan’s Quality and Substance Use Disorder Services.