Consumers grow fond of mass-market pet food
According to Petfood Industry, mass-market sales of pet food in the United States reversed a decades-long trend and likely grew faster than pet food specialty retail sales in 2017. Meanwhile, the distinction between pet food specialty and mass-market retailers has begun to disintegrate. “We’re expecting mass to actually outgrow specialty once the 2017 numbers are done coming in,” Petfood Industry reported, quoting Jared Koerten, a senior food analyst at Euromonitor International. In 2017, mass-market retail sales of pet food through retailers such as Walmart, Target and Kroger accounted for 54 percent of the total in terms of dollar value.
Kim Allen to receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Kimberly Allen, president of commercial operations at Henry Schein Animal Health, has been named the 2018 recipient of the American Veterinary Distributors Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She will be recognized May 7 in Coronado, California, during the AVDA’s annual conference. An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Allen was president of Burns Veterinary Supply before she joined Henry Schein in 2005.
Innovetive Petcare adds to hospital portfolio
Innovetive Petcare, a Texas-based company that owns and operates veterinary practices throughout the United States, acquired Animal Hospital of Wilkes in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The six-doctor Wilkes practice has provided small animal medical and surgical services since 1958. The hospital is the 13th veterinary practice and the second in North Carolina to join the Innovetive network of general and specialty practices.
Henry Schein promotes canine influenza website
Henry Schein Animal Health is reminding veterinarians to visit its Canine Influenza Resource Center at http://bit.ly/2FhN2KU for the latest information and educational resources about the disease. To help facilitate client conversations about canine influenza, the resource center contains a downloadable infographic that veterinary practices can post on their websites and share on social media.
H3N2 flu strain arrives in Northern Nevada
The Las Vegas Review Journal reported that a new-to-the-U.S. strain of canine influenza, H3N2, was detected in Northern Nevada for the first time. It joins H3N8, a strain present in the state since 2015 and also mainly confined to Northern Nevada. Veterinarians said they hadn’t seen either strain in Las Vegas but warned it was a matter of time. “I was shocked it took so long to get [to Nevada],” Travis McDermott, DVM, of Durango Animal Hospital in Las Vegas, said of the new strain. “It’s going to be a big deal, I think.”
Therapy dog eases dental patients’ stress
According to a CBS News report, a Texas dentist office found an adorable solution to help ease patient anxiety: Macie the dental dog. Dr. Henry Chu, Macie’s host, recalled having negative experiences as a patient himself. “We rescued her and took her through the K-9 Good Citizens training program at Petco and trained her here at the office,” said Shari Chu, Macie’s handler. “Now she’s working with patients and helping them to overcome their anxiety and enjoy their dental visit.”
Genome development is a boost for dairy industry
Zoetis Inc. has developed the first complete Holstein de novo reference genome, giving geneticists the ability to map regions of the genome influencing a range of health and disease outcomes, according to Feedstuffs. The development will help the dairy industry through healthier, more productive animals, Zoetis said.