Weekly companion animal news: November 2, 2020

NIH funds development of novel Lyme disease vaccine

The University of Maryland is leading an initiative supported by a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a novel Lyme disease vaccine. The grant is funding the efforts of tick immunobiologist Utpal Pal to adapt the rabies vaccination platform to stimulate production of antibodies against the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, the AVMA reports. “For rabies, we can produce an inactivated virus that helps the body produce the antibodies needed to fight it,” Pal said. “Since we can produce the rabies vaccine and antibody proteins safely, why not have this virus produce other types of proteins that can do something else, like fight Borrelia?”

Experimental canine cancer treatment shows early promise

A 7-year-old English Labrador named Jake went into remission shortly after his lymphoma was treated with an experimental immunotherapy. The therapy was developed by Tufts University veterinary professor Cheryl London. It uses immunotherapy combined with a low dose of doxorubicin, a chemotherapy agent that, when used alone, extends median survival time for dogs with B cell lymphoma by about six months. While the number of patients treated with the new therapy is small, London is encouraged by the results of dogs like Jake. “Our goal was to be as good as CHOP”—the full chemotherapy treatment—“to minimize the chemo and get to the same outcome, if not better,” London said. “We’re definitely there, using minimal chemotherapy regimens, essentially eliminating the toxicity of treatment.”

FidoCure precision cancer treatment platform raises $10 million

One Health Co., whose flagship product FidoCure uses genomic testing to identify possible cancer-causing mutations in dogs and recommend a personalized therapeutic treatment, has raised $10 million from investors, fellow NAVC publication Today’s Veterinary Business reports. The money will be used to “accelerate the expansion” of FidoCure, the company said. Participating investors were Polaris Partners, Borealis Ventures and previous investors Andreessen Horowitz, Lerer Hippeau, Y-Combinator and Tau Ventures. Veterinarians who use FidoCure receive guidance in selecting from 14 human-grade therapies for their oncology patients. “Using the same advanced cancer diagnostics and precision medicine that are currently on the market and approved by the FDA for people, we are bringing cancer care for dogs,” said Christina Lopes, co-founder and CEO of One Health.

Royal Canin launches Hematuria Detection for feline urinary disease

Royal Canin USA has introduced Hematuria Detection, a litterbox product designed to identify early signs of urinary disease in cats. The product, launched in partnership with Canada-based Blücare Lab, consists of white granules sprinkled over clean cat litter. The granules turn blue if blood is detected in the cat’s urine, a possible sign of feline lower urinary tract disease. “By placing the granules directly onto the litter, cat habits are not disrupted and owners are able to observe the first warning signs that could compromise the health of their pets,” Royal Canin said. Today’s Veterinary Business reports.

Veterinary Growth Partners selects Vet2Pet as preferred client engagement platform provider

Vet2Pet, a client communication software platform, has been chosen by Veterinary Growth Partners as its preferred client engagement platform and practice app. VGP, a group purchasing and management services organization, has more than 5,500 member hospitals, which will receive special pricing on the Vet2Pet platform. Those who are also Vetsource and VetSuccess clients will receive additional discounts.

Trupanion and Aflac announce distribution alliance and investment

Supplemental insurance provider Aflac is partnering with Trupanion to sell pet insurance in U.S. worksites. Aflac will purchase a roughly 9% stake in Trupanion. The transaction will result in Aflac Incorporated investing approximately $200 million in newly issued Trupanion stock subject to regulatory approvals. The companies have also agreed to explore potential opportunities in Japan’s growing pet insurance market. Under the alliance agreement, Aflac will provide access to agent, broker and direct-to-consumer platform distribution, and assistance in worksite product design, marketing and enrollment support. Trupanion will provide marketing, underwriting and policy administration, including all aspects of policyholder support.

AHS issues heartworm prevention guidelines update for treatment during COVID-19

The American Heartworm Society has updated its guidelines for heartworm prevention and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization now recommends veterinarians resume following official AHS guidelines for canine heartworm prevention, diagnosis and treatment. AHS in April issued revised recommendations as many practices had to significantly cut hours and services. Since then, AHS said, most veterinary hospitals have resumed full appointment schedules and are seeing patients for routine wellness visits, with added safety measures. This has made it possible for practices to once again provide routine examinations and disease screening procedures, according to AHS.

Critics say it’s time to change the way veterinarians are paid

Some veterinarians say it’s time for new pay structures that better attract, develop and retain associates in the high turnover veterinary profession. One common pay structure is production-based pay, in which doctors are paid for the services they provide on top of their base salary. Joy Fuhrman, a practice owner in Arizona, surveyed associate veterinarians on their opinions of production-based pay. “Essentially, a majority of veterinarians didn’t know there were other options,” Fuhrman said. “They all had been negatively impacted in some way by production-based pay through taking time off,” she added. She also said that “a toxic culture would arise in the practice, with competition between associates fighting over more lucrative clients or who was scheduled first. There was even a reluctance to welcome a new veterinarian because they wanted the revenue to themselves.” The AVMA reports.