VolitionRx Limited (Volition), an epigenetics company, announced earlier this week that it has agreed to a supply agreement with Fujifilm Vet Systems Co. Ltd (Fujifilm Vet Systems), a veterinary diagnostic laboratory service, to launch Nu.Q Vet Cancer test to veterinarian in Japan. The supply agreement enables Fuji Vet Systems to sell and perform cancer screenings using the test.

“We are thrilled to be expanding into the Japanese market with Fujifilm Vet Systems. It is the country’s leading veterinary diagnostic laboratory service with a network of ten laboratories, supplying veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide,” said Tom Butera, DVM, chief executive officer at Volition, in an organizational release.

The supply agreement will allow veterinary professionals in Japan to use the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test throughout Fujifilm Vet System network ofcentral reference laboratories. According to the release, Nu.Q Vet Cancer is an affordable and accessible screening tool that veterinarians can use on their canine patients to help detect cancer earlier.

Nu.Q Vet Cancer is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based test that is noninvasive and is intended to be used during wellness checks on older dogs as well as younger dogs from breeds that are at a higher risk for cancer, such as golden retrievers, boxers, beagles, and Bernese mountain dogs.

“We are delighted to add the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test to our diagnostic service portfolio and expand our wellness testing offer to Japanese veterinarians. We will notify our customers as soon as the test is available for purchase,” expressed Kiyotaka Fujiwara, chief operating officer at Fujifilm Vet Systems.

For dogs, 1 in 4 will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and is the leading cause of death for pets as they enter the final stages of their lives, according to the 

 Due to the rate that canines can be diagnosed with cancer, early detection is a crucial part to helping these patients happy and healthy as well as give clients the chance to come to terms with their pets diagnosis and figure out their next steps.

“Japan is a considerable market opportunity for Volition, as we seek to expand our Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test offering in Asia. We look forward to working alongside Fujifilm Vet Systems as they roll out our test countrywide, across their diagnostic laboratory network,” Jasmine Kway, PhD, chief executive officer of Singapore Volition.

This recent expansion to Japan is just another reach internationally for Volition. In the previous years, the company has expanded the global reach of the Nu.Q Vet Cancer test to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

 The product has also announced partnership through other laboratory company’s including IDEXX laboratories, Inc.

Volition and Fujifilm Vet Systems launch Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test in Japan. News release. VolitionRx Limited. March 20, 2024. Accessed March 22, 2024. https://volition.com/volition-fujifilm-vet-systems-launch-nu-q-vet-cancer-test-japan/

New cancer screening test for dogs now available. wwwdvm360.com. 2020;51. Accessed March 22, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-cancer-screening-test-for-dogs-now-available

Pet Owner Resources. Veterinary Cancer Society. Accessed March 22, 2024. https://vetcancersociety.org/resources/pet-owners/pet-owner-resources/#nogo

Cancer test now launches in the United Kingdom and Ireland. dvm360.com. November 10, 2023. Accessed March 22, 2204. https://www.dvm360.com/view/cancer-test-now-launches-in-the-united-kingdom-and-ireland

Volition announces expansion of availability of the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test through IDEXX’s reference laboratory network. January 12, 2023. Accessed March 22, 2024. https://volition.com/volition-announces-expansion-availability-nu-q-vet-cancer-test-idexx-reference-laboratory/

Articles

VolitionRx Limited entered an supply agreement with Fujiflim Vet Systems Co. Ltd, to launch Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test in Japan 

Veterinary cancer test now available in Japan 

The Relative Finder Tool

 I want to talk about something that I think is really exciting too, which is the Relative Finder and that's a popular tool. So share with us a little bit about that.

Jenna Dockweiler, MS DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT:

 Absolutely. All the Embark tested dogs have the ability to participate in relative finders. So clients do have to opt-in in order for their dogs to be found on the relative finder platform, but we can assign as related as human siblings or mother, daughter, or cousins, or whatever, based on the amount of shared DNA that those two patients have. And we've seen people use it, you know, obviously, for fun. People like to get their dogs together, especially if they're from an unknown background for playdates, just to meet up, all that sort of thing. But we've also seen it kind of have some health implications as well. 

When you and I go to the doctor, the first thing that they ask us about is, of course, it’s going to be our family history, which a lot of these dogs just don't have, or it's not known. So, for example, we did have a couple of Pitty mixes who found each other through our Relative Finder platform and one of those dogs has pretty severe canine hip dysplasia, which is of course a very complex trait. There are a lot of genetic mutations, likely, most unknown, and also the environment that will lead to its development. But now, the brother of that dog is on some joint supplements, kind of as a preventative measure to hopefully prevent him from getting arthritis if he is also afflicted with canine hip dysplasia. We've also seen a cute story of a dog that had progressive retinal atrophy and was starting to show signs of vision loss. That family actually adopted another dog to be that first dog's companion as she lost her sight and they turned out to be full siblings.

 Oh my gosh. That is so sweet. I mean, before all this came out, I remember seeing Facebook groups letting people know that, “my dog has progressive retinal atrophy. If anybody in the area knows, I adopted this dog at this location at this time and because I just want to give you the heads up.” What does that mean to you as a veterinarian when you hear something like that? I know we were just talking beforehand about our own dogs too. It's nice to know that there's some of that lineage that's around.

 It is. It's great to know from a health perspective, but likewise, I was just talking about the story of my own dog who was tested and unfortunately passed away last spring, and just the ability to be able to kind of follow along that lineage to understand more about your pet. We talked about the human-animal bond. There's so much we can learn by knowing how our pets are connected. And especially, I think it's fun with mixed breed dogs where you may have adopted a pet from a shelter in the area. I've known multiple people that have gotten together for playdates with their dog and really been able to learn more about them. It just enriches their pet's lives and gets them out and be social. And it's a really fun part of it.

 It really is. Talking about the human animal bond, there are so many videos on social media, just exactly what you're talking about, Lindsay, where they heard that there was a half brother that someone's around and they had this meetup group and then you hear them sharing stories like “do they like to snuggle on the blankets too? Are they a picky eater?” Like just sharing that story elevates the human animal bond in such a beautiful way and it really warms my heart. I love that. I'm sure you hear that on your end, right?

Videos

Jenna Dockweiler, MS DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT and Lindsey Kock, DVM, walkthrough the Relative Finder tool and why it's so popular among pet owners.

The Relative Finder tool

Genetic Markers

 Sometimes we as veterinarians may not realize like oh my gosh you can test and see some of these markers, so share some more examples. 

 Yeah, absolutely. I always encourage people to think of this in the same way that we do screening blood work in our healthy patients. We're not necessarily expecting something to come up, but when something does we can then create a care plan to treat our patient. So one of the more common mutations that we actually see in our veterinary patients is hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia, or urolithiasis, which is very mercifully abbreviated HUU. This is urate urinary stones, which is the Dalmatian urinary stone disease, but there are a lot of Pitty mixes out there that are at risk as well. That is an example of a disease that is actually not all that uncommon. It's just that we don't look for it in that population of patients. And potentially, it can be prevented from manifesting altogether If you know about that risk ahead of time. You can make some diet changes, we can do some monitoring with your analyses and urinary ultrasounds to ensure that patient never goes on to develop those stones. 

 Wow, that's interesting. I know you were just talking about clotting and we historically just tend to think of Von Willebrand's factor as an example but there's other ones that we should be aware of. 

 Factor VII deficiency is another one too that affects more breeds than you might think about, right? So, beagles, I mean, that's a huge one that you can be on the lookout for. And you may get to the point of that puppy's spay or neuter and have no idea. I think those are things too that I definitely don't want to find out after the spay or neuter, that first surgical procedure, that there's an issue. So, being able to screen for that ahead of time is a huge deal. 

 I know we were just talking before we started filming about IVDD and tell them about what we know about with Frenchies with IVDD. 

 Sure. So there is a mutation on chromosome 12s called the FGF4 retrogene, and that does increase the risk of type 1 Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in a variety of different breeds, but it also causes chondrodystrophy, so a kind of short, long-bodied appearance, which is of course popular in many of our breeds, such as Dachshunds and French Bulldogs. Almost all Frenchies have at least one copy of this mutation, meaning that almost all Frenchies will be at increased risk of IVDD as a result of this mutation. 

 Wow. I mean, it's really good to know that, I think. Especially as veterinarians, we need to know these things, right?

Jenna Dockweiler, MS DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT, and Lindsey Kock, DVM, provide some concrete examples of genetic markers that can be found from DNA testing. 

Finding genetic markers

Retrievers are known for eating anything and everything and are always excited to eat. This trait even gets them in trouble of ingesting harmful objects that cannot be digested and need veterinary intervention. However, a new study published in the 

 journal found that a genetic mutation may actually be the cause of this excessive hunger.

 Overall, the study found that 1 in 4 Labrador retrievers and 2 in 3 flat-coated retrievers (FCRs) have the genetic mutation. This excessive hunger could also contribute to the breeds’ rising obesity levels.

In Labrador retrievers, researchers identified a 14 bp deletion in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). The POMC mutation disrupts the production of β-MSH and β-Endorphin neuropeptides that are usually involved in switching off the feeling of hunger after eating a substantial meal.

 So, dogs with the POMC mutation feel hungry even after eating enough. This research is not suggesting that these dogs are not eating enough, it’s more so that these dogs just feel hungry when they no longer should.

A similar study conducted in 2016 evaluated this same phenomenon, further confirming this genetic mutation’s prevalence.

 Labrador retrievers tend to be more motivated by food and have a higher prevalence of obesity than other dog breeds. Eleanor Raffan, PhD, veterinary surgeon and geneticist at the University of Cambridge was an author on both studies. She said, “Whenever there’s something more common in one breed than another, we think genetics are involved.”

The most recent study did further experiments and found that dogs with this mutation feel hungrier between meals and burn less energy than those without.

 From there, researchers aimed to dive deeper into how this mutation can impact a dog’s overall health and quality of life.

The initial experiment observed Labradors and FCRs in the laboratory 3 hours after eating breakfast at home. Each dog was presented with a sausage, encased within a plastic container with holes to allow the dogs to smell the sausage, but without access to consume it. Subsequently, the researchers observed and recorded the behavioral responses of the dogs towards the container, noting the duration and manner of interaction. The results revealed a notable disparity among subjects possessing the POMC mutation, evidencing a significantly heightened focus on the enclosed sausage container, with their engagement exceeding that of their non-mutated counterparts by approximately twice the duration.

“[Dogs with the mutation] get a kind of double whammy of both eating more and burning off fewer calories, meaning that they’re predisposed to obesity from both directions,” Raffan told 

Dittmann MT, et al. Low resting metabolic rate and increased hunger due to β-MSH and β-endorphin deletion in a canine model. 

Raffan E, Dennis RJ, O'Donovan CJ, et al. A Deletion in the Canine POMC Gene Is Associated with Weight and Appetite in Obesity-Prone Labrador Retriever Dogs. 

. 2016;23(5):893-900. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2016.04.012

Bartels M. Tubby Labradors may be at the mercy of their genes, not just too many treats. Scientific American. March 6, 2024. Accessed March 22, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/many-labrador-retriever-dogs-really-are-hungry-all-the-time-its-in-genes/

Labradors and flat-coated retrievers could have a gene that causes hyperphagia

Retrievers have a mutation that makes them hungrier, study discovers

 readers! We hope everyone who attended Fetch Charlotte last weekend had a great time and was able to learn and have fun with our amazing faculty. If you had to miss the action in Charlotte, do not worry, our brand-new Fetch conference is heading to Nashville, Tennessee, May 17-18, 2024. Learn more and secure your spot at the first Fetch conference in Nashville 

 is now available on dvm360.com! This month, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior toxicologist for Pet Poison Helpline, shares Pet Poison Helpline’s top 10 toxin of 2023, a list complied yearly based on calls received regarding potential animal exposures during the year.

During her lecture at Fetch Charlotte, Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, 

 how veterinary tams can utilize veterinary technicians to improve consultations and client satisfaction.

, Jessica Molina, CVPM, PHR, CCFP, and host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, discuss training programs in veterinary clinics and how to balance training new employees properly without overwhelming them, and the current staff. 

 that it launched VETIGEL Gives, a philanthropic program working to help animals that are in critical need of surgery, but the owners are experience financial hardship.

The University of Arizona, PAWS Veterinary Center, and Make-A-Wish Arizona, partnered together to grant 17-year-old Dayson Judd his 

 and made him a veterinarian for the day. Judd, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, will attend the university in the fall with hopes of attending the University of Arizona with hopes to be accepted into its veterinary school after graduating.

Lacey Rosenberg, DVM, DACT, an associate veterinarian for Veterinary Specialties at the Lake in Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, 

 more about what can cause the birthing complication dystocia, and how to manage this condition during this interview with 

Wrap up: Pet Poison Helpline shares its top 10 pet poisons of 2023, and other veterinary news

Banfield Foundation (the Foundation) shared its 2023 annual Impact Report that shows that $3.3 million in grants worked to organize veterinary care, arrange veterinary teams, and enable disaster relief. The report outlines how the Banfield Foundation supported its mission of making preventative care possible for pets that need it most.

 the Foundation focused its 2023 efforts on deploying dollars, resources, and teams to give free preventive care, including spay and neuter surgeries, to communities across the United States ranging from inner cities to Native Nations. The Foundation was able to provide his care due to the donation of 6 mobile veterinary units to its nonprofit partners, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelters, Lifeline Animal Project, Maui Humane Society, Michigan Humane Society, The Parker Project, and PAWS Chicago,

which totaled to over $750,000 in support. These mobile units were part of Banfield Pet Hospital’s test and learn innovation strategy.

"In partnership with skilled veterinary teams and nonprofit partners, we increased the number of helping hands providing care in remote locations, working in tents, out of vans, in community centers or school gymnasiums—all with a focus on bringing more care to more pets in more places," said Kim Van Syoc, executive director, Banfield Foundation, in the release.

 "Our work is only possible because of the incredible teams of veterinary professionals that help deliver that care. We are so grateful for every volunteer, every partner, every dollar, and every donor that fuels this life-changing and life-saving work."

Along with the donation of the mobile clinics, the Foundation also created and co-hosted Mars Ambassador Program assignments that were focused on bringing veterinary care to vulnerable populations. The Foundation worked alongside the Maui Humane Society, Molokai Humane Society, and Arizona Humane Society where 14 ambassadors from Mars Veterinary Health and Mars Petcare helped care for over 1000 animals. Over 12 days, the ambassadors were spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for illness and injury of these animals.

In partnership with other nonprofit organizations, over 121,000 pets received preventative care such as wellness checks, flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives, vaccinations, and more at free or low-cost clinics. The Foundation also provided over $1.8 million in cash or in-kind donations to provide preventative care across 23 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

"Preventive care is at the heart of our mission. Finding innovative ways to break financial and geographical barriers to care allows us to serve as many vulnerable pets as possible," said Jam Stewart, president and chairman of the board for the Banfield Foundation and head of corporate affairs for Banfield Pet Hospital.

 "Banfield Foundation grants fund free and low-cost clinics that provide the necessary tools to help families care for their pets and keep them healthy— and when we can keep pets and families together, we all win."

The Foundation funded a winter readiness unchaining project with The Parker Project on the Navajo Nation in LeChee, Arizona, and provided grant funding for dog igloos, insulated cat enclosures, extended tie-outs, food, hay for insulation, and more to give more opportunities to access shelter and enrichment, strengthening the human-animal bond between these pets and their community.

Overall, for 2024, the Foundation provided 544 grants to partner organizations, institutions, or HOPE Funds to help over 1.4 million pets in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Banfield Foundation releases 2023 Impact Report celebrating $3.3 million to help remove barriers to care and mobilize veterinary teams. News release. Banfield Foundation. March 20, 2204. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/banfield-foundation-releases-2023-impact-report-celebrating-3-3-million-to-help-remove-barriers-to-care-and-mobilize-veterinary-teams-302094608.html

Banfield Foundation donates mobile veterinary units, bringing preventive care to rural communities, inner cities, and native nations. News release. June 15, 2023. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.banfieldfoundation.org/banfield-foundation-news/Donating-mobile-veterinary-units#:~:text=The%20mobile%20vans%20were%20originally,and%20people%20in%20underserved%20communities.

Banfield Foundation provided millions to initiatives helping to remove barriers to care and mobilize teams 