Beginning November 2023, the FDA received an increased amount of adverse event reports about a variety of companion illnesses, primarily dogs, which pet owners were blaming on their pet's food. At first, the reports were primarily about products by Nestle Purina Pet Care, but as publicity and social media discussions gained traction, more brands and products were mentioned in reports the FDA received.

In late 2023, pet parents on TikTok called for a boycott of Purina pet food after complaints about sick pets circulated on social media.

 This led the company to issue a public statement on January 15, 2024, to address the rumors about the company’s products that were circulating online.

“Pet parents continue to be understandably scared by an online rumor that there is an issue with Purina pet foods. This rumor is false, and we are saddened to see the confusion and fear that it has caused for pet owners. There are no health or safety issues with our products, and they can continue to be fed with confidence,” the release stated.

The reports stated that pets were experiencing multiple clinical signs including gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and vomiting, renal, hepatic, as well as neurological systems. According to the FDA,

 veterinarians working for the FDA set out to determine the potential cause of illness through interviews with owners, diagnostic testing at the time of illness, and testing both unopened and opened food from the same lots as the suspect food.

Between November 22, 2023, and April 15, 2024, the FDA received 1,300 adverse reports for a variety of Purina pet foods. After the first review of the reports, the veterinarians in the FDA’s Office of Surveillance and Compliance as well as the FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) identified 107 reports that contained sufficient information for the team to follow up with. The 107 identified reports also met the following criteria

The pet owner’s willingness to be contacted for more information

Types of systems that were reported with a particular focus on GI, hepatic, and neurological cases

Time between illness and report submission

Availability of veterinary medical records

Available product with lot number and best-by date

After this, the FDA veterinarians reviewed the collected medical records, talked to owners about their pet's medical, diet history, and other potential exposures, and/or arranged for the pet food products the owner still had in passion to be tested at the Vet-LIRN laboratory. The FDA explained that although it evaluates every report, the agency does not have enough resources to follow up on every report.

“When the FDA does not follow up on a report, one of the main reasons is that the report does not contain sufficient information. Examples of limitations the FDA faced when following up on these Purina reports include lack of pet owner contact information, missing or incomplete product information (brand, flavor, formulation, best-by date), nonspecific descriptions of pet symptoms, and reports that were about events that occurred months or years earlier,” the FDA explained.

The Vet-LIRN collected and then tested samples of opened pet food from owners as part of the clinical case follow-up and initially performed broad testing because there were no common factors in the reports to help identify potential hazards. From the initial findings from the laboratory, the agency was able to determine the products to target for regulatory testing.

The FDA also collected the unopened products from retail settings to conduct regulatory testing and compared the findings to the open samples as a way to determine when any contamination or other issues might have occurred. The testing determined that the open products were negative for mycotoxins, excess vitamin D, bacteria, pesticides, phosphine, and rancid fat.

Metals, including micronutrients, were found but not of clinical concern, which the FDA explains means the metals were most likely too low to trigger illness in healthy pets. The laboratory also tested for all or combinations of arsenic, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, sulfur, thallium, and zinc.

in 17 of the open products that were provided by pet owners. Most strains of 

 are benign and present in the environment. A strain of this bacteria,

is a strain that could produce a toxin known to make people sick but according to the FDA, little is known about this strain and how ingesting it can affect animals.

was found in 7 out of the 29 pet-parent-provided samples.

Along with the samples, the FDA inspected the Purina manufacturing facility in Clinton, Iowa because the most frequently mentioned products in adverse event reports were manufactured at this site.

 On this visit, the FDA issues one citation for the manufacturing facility not having conducted “a reanalysis of your food safety plan as appropriate,” per the Food Safety Modernization Act's Final Rule for Preventive Controls in Animal Food.

Based on the findings, the FDA has determined that the existing evidence does not identify a public health concern that would explain the symptoms detailed within the submitted adverse event reports about Purina pet foods.

Summary of Purina Pet Food Adverse Event Reports (November 22, 2023 - April 15, 2024), FDA Actions and Findings. Food and Drug Administration. July 31, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024 

https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/cvm-foia-electronic-reading-room/summary-purina-pet-food-adverse-event-reports-november-22-2023-april-15-2024-fda-actions-and

FDA confirms safety of Purina pet foods. American Veterinary Medical Association. August 14, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.avma.org/news/fda-confirms-safety-purina-pet-foods?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news

Fact Check: Purina Response to Online Rumor. Nestle Purina Pet Care. January 5, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. 

https://newscenter.purina.com/Purina-Response-to-Online-Rumors

Articles

The agency investigated the safety of Purina pet foods after allegations were posted on social media.

FDA confirms the safety of popular pet food 

Photo: Ольга Симонова/Adobe Stock

The veterinary dermatology drug market is forecasted to experience significant growth, with one estimate suggesting an increase to nearly $18 billion (USD) worldwide by 2032.

 Factors driving this projected growth include an increase in pet ownership, advancements in veterinary treatments, and a greater awareness of dermatological health.

As specialized pharmaceuticals, veterinary dermatology drugs are used to treat skin conditions in a range of species, including companion animals and livestock. These drugs address allergies, infections, inflammatory skin diseases, and parasitic infestations, including a variety of other conditions.

In canines, dermatological issues are the second-most common reason for veterinary visits. Frequent issues veterinarians encounter include skin allergies, bacterial infections, insect bites, hot spots, rashes, impetigo, mange, and dermatitis. In fact, more than 10% of all diseases in pets are skin disorders, according to research. In cats, itching, dry or flaky skin, and over-grooming are the most common symptoms of a skin disorder.

Products in the veterinary dermatology market consist of antibacterial drugs, essential fatty acids, antifungal drugs, vitamins and minerals, antiparasitic drugs, antihistamines, hormonal treatments—like corticosteroids—, immunomodulators, and psychotropic agents.

 These therapies may come in the form of topical treatments, oral medications, and injectables.

 However, topical treatments are the most common route of administration in the dermatology drugs market.

Meanwhile, dermatology drugs that treat allergies “tend to dominate” the dermatology drugs market, according to research.

 Given that allergies are prevalent among both companion and livestock animals, often causing symptoms like itching, redness, and skin inflammation, there is a high demand for medications to address allergic reactions in animals.

In 2022, the veterinary dermatology drugs market size was $7.1 billion (USD), according to Ameco Research. By 2032, analysts forecast the market will reach $17.9 billion (USD), with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% during the 2023 to 2032 period. The market’s regional scope includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

Drivers of this market’s growth are a combination of various factors. First, there has been a surge in pet ownership. The US alone has seen a growth over the last 35 years, with 66% of US households owning a pet compared to 56% in 1988.

 Moreover, 97% of pet owners view their pets as part of their family.

Still, this growth is not exclusive to the US, as an increase in pet ownership has been observed worldwide. Currently, the global pet population is estimated to be 85.8 million cats and 78 million dogs, according to the American Pet Products Association.

Moreover, regional expansion in North America has been observed, with this region taking the largest market share in 2022. Canada and the US having high adoption rates, making these countries the principal reason for regional expansion. From 2021 to 2028, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to reach the fastest growth rate.

 As pet owners increasingly prioritize their pets' health and well-being, the demand for effective dermatological solutions is growing.

Additionally, dermatological disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent in animals. This increase is being driven by things like environmental allergies, poor diet, and parasitic infections, driving the need for veterinary dermatology drugs.

Ongoing innovations in veterinary medicine is another driver. The market continues to grow as more effective and targeted drug formulations and advanced treatment modalities are developed.

Sabyasachi Ghosh, associate vice president at Future Market Insights, a provider of market research reports, spoke on another driving factor in the market’s growth in a news release. “The increasing awareness among pet owners about the importance of skin health in their pets is one significant driver for the veterinary dermatology market,” he said.

 Educational programs and resources are boosting the espousal of veterinary dermatology drugs, increasing the demand for specialized treatments, according to research.

Additionally, the expansion of veterinary clinics and services is greatly contributing to the increase in the market. As more veterinary clinics and specialized dermatology practices open, dermatology drugs are becoming more accessible to pet owners.

Veterinary dermatology drugs market growth opportunities and forecast till 2032. Ameco Research. April 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.amecoresearch.com/market-report/veterinary-dermatology-drugs-market-276462

Veterinary dermatology drugs market poised for significant growth, projected to hit USD 4.5 billion by 2032. News release. Ameco Research. August 8, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024. https://www.openpr.com/news/3615054/veterinary-dermatology-drugs-market-poised-for-significant

Shipstone M. Drugs used to treat skin disorders. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/drugs-and-vaccines/drugs-used-to-treat-skin-disorders

. January 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/

Global veterinary dermatology market is set to expand at a 9.4% CAGR to reach a valuation of US$ 22 billion by 2034. News release. Yahoo Finance. April 10, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-veterinary-dermatology-market-set-143000825.html

An increase in disease diagnoses, greater awareness of pet skin health, and other factors are driving an increase in demand for veterinary therapies

Veterinary dermatology drug market is projected to continue growing

This article was originally published by 

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially declared the ongoing outbreak of mpox (formerly monkeypox) a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS)—the first such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017.

 Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa a global emergency,

 with current pediatric and adult cases confirmed in upward of a dozen countries on the continent, and a new variant of the virus spreading.

“This is something that should concern us all," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, MS, the WHO director-general, said in a press briefing.

 "The potential for further spread beyond Africa and beyond is very worrying.”

Additionally, WHO says mpox occurs through direct contact with infected animals or humans, spreading via bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated objects, causing a rash and flu-like symptoms.

“Today, we declare this PHECS to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act—swiftly and decisively,” Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya, MD, said in a statement. “This empowers us to forge new partnerships, strengthen our health systems, educate our communities, and deliver life-saving interventions where they are needed most. There is no need for travel restrictions at this time.”

The PHECS declaration, under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes, empowers the organization to lead and coordinate responses to significant health emergencies. The statute mandates Africa CDC to “coordinate and support Member States in health emergency responses, particularly those declared PHECS or Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as well as health promotion and disease prevention through health systems strengthening, addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases, environmental health, and Neglected Tropical Diseases.”

According to the African CDC, at least 13 African countries, including previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported mpox outbreaks. So far in 2024, these countries have confirmed 2863 cases and 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17,000, a significant increase from 7146 cases in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023. This is just the tip of the iceberg when we consider the many weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing and contact tracing.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is collaborating with the Africa CDC and WHO to address the outbreak and has provided over $17 million in recent months for surveillance, community engagement, and vaccination. Also, the US is donating 50,000 doses of the FDA-approved JYNNEOS vaccine to the DRC and working with international partners on vaccine distribution. Although there are no current cases in the US, the country is prepared with surveillance systems and advises high-risk individuals to get vaccinated. The CDC has issued travel and health advisories to manage potential risks from clade I mpox.

 warned of the virus spreading throughout the continent. Specifically, the federal agency issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update regarding the ongoing outbreak that has been happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since last year.

To address the mpox outbreak in Africa, Africa CDC has set up a 25-member Incident Management Team based at the epicenter of the mpox epidemic with mandate to support affected and at-risk countries. Africa CDC has also signed a partnership agreement with the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and Bavarian Nordic to provide over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine—the only FDA and EMA-approved mpox vaccine. Africa CDC will oversee the equitable distribution of these vaccines, prioritizing local needs across the affected Member States.

Mpox has 2 distinct genetic clades (subtypes of MPXV), I and II, which are endemic to central and west Africa, respectively. Clade I mpox has previously been observed to be more transmissible and to cause a higher proportion of severe infections than clade II MPXV. The ongoing global mpox outbreak that began in 2022 is caused by clade II MPXV, which is not as deadly as its clade I counterpart, as WHO noted in its May 2024 strategic framework.

"The current mpox clade 1 outbreak in the DRC has already infected over 14,000 persons (mostly women and children under 15) and has caused over 500 deaths," Carlos del Rio, MD, FIDSA, executive associate dean, Emory School of Medicine & Grady Health System, distinguished professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, said in an interview with 

. "The outbreak has now spread to other countries in Africa and there is the possibility of spread beyond the continent. Clade 1 is more virulent and has a higher mortality than clade II (which caused the 2022 outbreak mostly among MSM [men who have sex with men]). The available 

 is effective in the prevention of mpox clade 1 but the challenge is not having enough vaccine available in countries that need it most."

A major emergence of mpox linked to clade II began in 2017, and since 2022, has spread to all regions of the world. Between July 2022 and May 2023, the outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Although that outbreak has largely subsided, cases and deaths continue to be reported, illustrating that low-level transmission continues around the world.

Africa CDC Declares Mpox A Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, Mobilizing Resources Across the Continent. Africa CDC. August 13, 2024. August 14, 2024.


https://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-declares-mpox-a-public-health-emergency-of-continental-security-mobilizing-resources-across-the-continent

Cheng M. WHO declares mpox outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency as a new form of the virus spreads. AP News. August 14, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/who-mpox-africa-health-emergency-cc9bdf31b49d06bec5efd44fb55d5e42

United States Government’s Response to the Clade I Mpox Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Other Countries in the Region. US Department of Health and Human Services. August 14, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024. 

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/08/14/united-states-governments-response-clade-i-mpox-outbreak-democratic-republic-congo-other-countries-region.html

Mpox Caused by Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Spread to Neighboring Countries CDC. August 7, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024.
https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00513.asp

WHO releases a strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox. WHO news statement. May 24, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024.
https://www.who.int/news/item/24-05-2024-who-releases-a-strategic-framework-for-enhancing-prevention-and-control-of-mpox

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also declared the virus prevalence a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, the first for the agency. 

Mpox outbreaks in Africa declared an international emergency

Designing a veterinary hospital, whether a remodel or rebuild, can be stressful for any veterinary professional. During this episode of dvm360's Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, is joined by special guest Heather E. Lewis, AIA, AAA, NCARB, from Animal Arts to discuss more on the importance of comfort and wellbeing, for patients, clients, and staff when it comes to designing your hospital, how small changes can create powerful solutions, and more!

Want to learn more about hospital design? You are in luck because Fetch Kansas City, which is happening almost a week away, has a full track dedicated to hospital design as well as an off site tour of a local hospital! You can 

 to secure your spot among the rest of our amazing faculty. 

That's one of the most wonderful things about hospital design is great ideas can apply on any scale, and really any budget. So, you know, just thinking of in my brain, of one, one client I had who really understood how to create a joyful exam experience with a cat. She redesigned her exam tables so they were kidney bean shaped, and with the kidney bean shape, she could stand kind of and sort of embrace the cat in a really natural way, as opposed to having a square shaped exam table, it was so brilliant.

I love working with veterinarians, because they're the expert in what they do and in examining pets or treating pets, and then they can have ideas about how we improve things. And that kidney bean shaped exam table. You could put that in a remodel. You could put it in a tenant finish space. You could put it in a huge, you know, specialty hospital. So those ideas are so powerful and they're so easy to apply to pretty much any project and any budget. So I love the brainstorming process. You know, when veterinarians and and designers get together and think about, what can we do to improve this one problem.

Podcasts

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and guest Heather E. Lewis, AIA, AAA, NCARB, discuss balancing comfort, budget, and care in veterinary hospital design

Hospital design insights from a veterinary architect 

A recent study has discovered that phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) common in equine medicine for pain relief, can affect the ability of mare’s oocytes (egg cells) to become viable embryos.

 The study, out of the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) in College Station, found administration of phenylbutazone for 10 consecutive days at 4.4 mg/kg (orally, 1-2 times daily) to be associated with decreased ability for immature equine oocytes to undergo in vitro maturation and develop to the blastocyst stage following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).2 The ability of a mare’s egg cells to become viable embryos is a crucial part of assisted reproduction in horses.

“In horses, the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is more complex than it is in humans,” Luisa Ramírez-Agámez, DVM, a PhD candidate in the VMBS Department of Large Animal Clinical Studies, said in a news release.

 “First, a mare’s oocytes need approximately 30 hours to mature in the laboratory once they have been collected before they can be fertilized. Then, we have to inject the eggs with sperm to induce fertilization, a process known as ICSI.

“We discovered that [phenylbutazone] can affect both the ability of a mare’s eggs to mature correctly when cultured and whether the fertilized eggs will develop into a viable embryo. In either of those cases, the eggs affected by [phenylbutazone] cannot be used in assisted reproduction,” Ramírez-Agámez added.

These findings are significant because of the time and money that horse owners often invest in assisted reproduction. For horse owners who make their livings from their herds, and to those who wish to produce offspring from their favorite horses to extend the bloodline, assisted reproduction is invaluable. Additionally, it’s common for chronically lame mares who are unable to support pregnancies to be used as egg doners. According to Ramírez-Agámez, the latter animals may be among the most impacted.

“Mares who are chronically lame are likely going to be on [phenylbutazone ] because it helps with pain management–especially in the musculoskeletal system–which, according to our results, will hinder their ability to participate in assisted reproduction programs,” Ramírez-Agámez said.

  She added that they hope to identify a phenylbutazone alternative one day with similar levels of pain management, but no interference with reproduction.

Some positive news from the study is that the negative effect from the drug on reproduction appeared transient, wearing off within a matter of weeks. Investigators noted there to be no differences regarding in vitro maturation, cleavage, or blastocyst rates 30- and 77-days post-treatment.

Ramírez-Agámez expressed concern regarding the possible implications of her discovery regarding humans. She has also expressed her interest in one day collaborating with researchers in human medicine to explore any possible impact that this discovery could have on IVF in women.

Common equine painkiller disrupts assisted reproduction technique efficiency in mares, Texas A&M research finds. News release. Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. August 13, 2024. Accessed August 13, 2024. https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/equine-painkiller-disrupts-assisted-reproduction/

Ramírez-Agámez L, Hernández-Avilés C, Whitfield-Cargile CM, Coleman MC, Love CC. Treatment of mares with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) phenylbutazone transiently affects in vitro maturation of equine oocytes and blastocyst development after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). 

. 2024;223:53-58. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.04.017

Texas A&M research uncovered a connection between phenylbutazone and the ability of mare egg cells to become viable embryos.

Study shows a common pain medication can disrupt assisted reproduction in horses

A study conducted by Waltham Petcare Science Institute, ‘Real-World Diagnostic Potential of Bacterial Biomarkers of Canine Periodontitis’ demonstrated the oral microbiome can offer veterinary professionals crucial information that could be key for early detection of canine periodontal disease, which can possibly enhance a patient’s quality of life.

 and demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy of a molecular technique to the test with real world validation. The study found that using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) screening, a way to identify diseases-associated bacteria in dogs, can detect microbial biomarkers specifically associated with canine periodontitis from a single dental plaque sample accurately.

 This research is the second investigation that Waltham conducted in support of molecular screening tests for periodontal disease.

Waltham’s first study ‘Developing diagnostic tools for canine periodontitis: combining molecular techniques and machine learning models’ was originally published in September 2023 by the BMC Veterinary Research.

 The study demonstrated the potential use of microbial data to create canine-specific molecular biomarkers when screening of periodontal disease.

Each study underscores the possibility of molecular diagnostic protocols as a way to facilitate detection of periodontal diseases earlier as well as support an accurate diagnosis of this common yet often under-diagnosed condition through a single oral sample. Waltham Petcare Sciences Institute believes the combined data and findings from both studies could significantly improve the health and wellbeing of canine patients.

“Waltham Petcare Science Institute is committed to advancing research into the oral microbiome of pets, building knowledge on the role of the bacterial associations between periodontal health and disease. Through this, we hope to uncover ways to better detect and manage periodontal disease early,” said Kay O’Donnell, vice president of science at Waltham Petcare Science Institute.

“Working with our network of animal hospitals, researchers at Waltham Petcare Science Institute have highlighted the potential of molecular screening tests in advancing current veterinary practice through early detection, which could support improved oral health of dogs, and consequently, better long-term health outcomes.”

Researchers in the study collected plaque samples from 127 client-owned dogs that attended VCA Animal Hospitals for a prescribed, pre-planned dental procedure that required the patient go under general anesthesia. The researchers also did visual examinations and collected supragingival plaque samples from conscious canine patients.

 Detailed clinical assessments under general anesthesia, radiographs, and collection of additional plaque samples were also collected and were analyzed at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. qPCR assays was then used to detect bacterial biomarkers associated specifically with canine periodontitis.

Researchers discovered that with the supragingival plaque samples they received from conscious dogs indicated the test had 80.9% accuracy when compared to the clinical evaluation from canines under general anesthesia by a professional. The proportion of true positive results, also known as the sensitivity, was 81.0% and the proportion of true negative results, the specificity, was 80.0%.

Key research adds to growing evidence in support of molecular screening tests for canine periodontal disease. News release. Mars Science & Diagnostics. July 30, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024.

Avika Ruparell, Gibbs M, Colyer A, Wallis C, Harris S, Holcombe LJ. Developing diagnostic tools for canine periodontitis: combining molecular techniques and machine learning models. 

. 2023;19(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03668-3

Wallis CV, M Soltero-Rivera, Harvey C, et al. Real-world diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers of canine periodontitis. 

. 2024;11. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1377119

Researchers found the oral microbiome of canine patients can provide vital information for early detection of canine periodontal disease 