Weekly Companion Animal News: October 6, 2025

Jaguar Health gets FDA grant for further study of Canalevia-CA1

Jaguar Health received notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) of a $250,000 grant to support a study required for full FDA approval of Canalevia (crofelemer delayed-release tablets) for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) in dogs. Canalevia-CA1, is currently conditionally approved and requires a confirmatory trial for full approval.

Dechra sustainable surgery guide unveiled in Australia

Dechra sponsored the launch of the Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris following an 18-month development program. Patterned after a similar protocol in human medicine, the checklist contains 20 recommendations to reduce the environmental impact of veterinary operating theaters when preparing for surgery, using pharmaceuticals, during surgery.

Elanco reports removal of vaccine-induced-disease language from Zenrelia label

The FDA has removed a label warning for Zenrelia, a once-daily oral JAK inhibitor for control of itching and inflammation associated with skin allergies in dogs at least 12 months of age. “The totality of evidence supports removal of the risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease from modified live virus vaccines from the labeling,” said the agency. Zenrelia was approved (with the warning label) for marketing in September 2024.

Midwest Veterinary Supply names Mark Van Buskirk president

Lakeville, Minnesota-based Midwest Veterinary Supply announced the appointment of Mark Van Buskirk as president. Van Buskirk spent the last 20+ years at Ceva Animal Health, most recently as head of the North America Center of Excellence. His career also includes leadership roles with the American Red Cross and Sherwin-Williams, and service as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.

Akadeum cell-separation technology successfully tested for canine cancer

Akadeum Life Sciences announced the completion of the first treatment of canine cancer with cells isolated using its Human T Cell Leukopak Isolation Kit. The work was led by LEAH Labs and Dr. Jeffrey Bryan, a veterinary oncologist at the University of Missouri. The successful treatment has implications for translational oncology approaches, given the ability of LEAH Labs to engineer and track human CAR-T cells in vivo, according to Akadeum.

Pictor closes funding round for proteomics technology

Pictor Holdings, a developer of targeted, multiplex proteomics, announced the close of a convertible note funding round by existing investors. Pictor said it will deploy the capital to fuel its market expansion following the establishment of its Carlsbad, California, headquarters. Analyzing multiple analytes per well supports deeper biological insights from a single sample, while targeted panels reduce complexity and operating expenses, according to the company.

India bans 34 antimicrobials

In a move to combat antimicrobial resistance, India’s Union Health Ministry has banned the import, manufacture and sale of 34 antimicrobials for use in animals. The list includes 15 antibiotics, such as carbapenems, ceftaroline, glycopeptides, oxazolidinones, and plazomicin; and 18 antivirals, including oseltamivir, molnupiravir, favipiravir, ribavirin, and baloxavir marboxil have also been prohibited. The recommendations bring India in line with the European Union.

Oncology resident wins national research award

Dr. Jaeyoung Kim, a third-year medical oncology resident, won the Robert S. Brodey Memorial Award at the 2025 Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) Annual Conference in Utah. The award recognizes an outstanding oral research presentation. At the conference, Dr. Kim presented “High-Grade, Stage 1 Mast Cell Tumors: Outcome and Prognostic Factors in 63 Dogs Treated With Local Therapy and Adjuvant Chemotherapy.”