Weekly Companion Animal News: March 16, 2026

IDEXX study: Dietary intervention can improve outcomes for cats with CKD

Treatment with a veterinary renal diet delayed progression to a later stage of chronic kidney disease by about a year, according to a study from IDEXX of 1,430 cats with CKD. Cats treated with a renal diet had a 30% lower risk of all-cause mortality during the first three years after diagnosis, and among cats that died within the first three years after diagnosis, renal diet treatment was associated with a 20% increase in survival time.

Vets raise alarm over anti-itch drug sold online without Rx

An online platform called WagLabs has been selling “clinically proven allergy relief for dogs” in the form of chewable tablets purported to contain cyclosporine, the same active ingredient as in Atopica, a veterinary drug made for dogs and cats, reports VIN News Service. While both Atopica and generic cyclosporine require a prescription for sale, the product description on the WagLabs website states, “No prescription required.” VIN News emailed WagLabs and called the company’s two phone numbers multiple times but did not receive a response.

Cronus Pharma’s generic injectable robenacoxib receives FDA approval

The FDA approved Robenacoxib Injection (robenacoxib), the first generic injectable robenacoxib for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with soft tissue surgery in dogs at least four months of age, and for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy and castration in cats at least four months of age. Robenacoxib Injection is sponsored by Cronus Pharma Specialities India Private Ltd.

Canine OA incidence studied by U Tennessee researchers

In a study by researchers at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 18 of 30 dogs admitted for dental prophylaxis without a preexisting diagnosis of osteoarthritis had radiographic evidence of OA. Of those 18 dogs, 16 had two or more affected joints. Most dogs with OA had some abnormality on orthopedic examination and clinical examination of stance, walk, and trot. (Lameness was visually detectable in 83% of dogs with OA.)

MiDOG launches enhanced Whole Genome Sequencing diagnostic service

MiDOG Animal Diagnostics announced the launch of an expanded Whole Genome Sequencing pipeline, designed to deliver species-level identification of bacteria, fungi and parasites while simultaneously detecting antimicrobial resistance genes and clinically relevant virulence factors, including toxin-associated and biofilm-associated markers. Results are delivered within two to three business days of sample receipt.

Parnell launches euthanasia Rx for dogs

Veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer Parnell announced the launch of Pentobarbital Sodium and Phenytoin Sodium Euthanasia Solution, a Class III controlled veterinary product formulated for humane, painless and rapid euthanasia of dogs, available in 100 mL multi‑dose vials. The company’s formulation contains 390 mg/mL pentobarbital sodium and 50 mg/mL phenytoin sodium, with Rhodamine B (bluish‑red dye) to clearly distinguish it from parenteral drugs intended for therapeutic use.

Lipid buildup in kidney cells could explain cats’ vulnerability to CKD

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have uncovered a biological quirk in domestic cats that may help explain why they are so prone to chronic kidney disease. Unlike dogs and most other mammals, cats appear to accumulate a rare group of modified triglycerides (the most common type of fat in the body, essential for storing excess energy from food), some with unusual chemical bonds or branched structures.This distinctive lipid buildup inside kidney cells could be an early sign of long-term stress within the kidney, potentially contributing to tissue damage over time.

Veterinary drug is candidate to treat drug-resistant infections in humans

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership is looking into the potential of an older antibiotic used exclusively in veterinary medicine to treat highly drug-resistant infections in people. Preliminary clinical studies indicate that the chemical structure of apramycin – an aminoglycoside antibiotic introduced in the early 1980s to treat gram-negative bacterial infections in animals – makes it more resilient to the common resistance mechanisms that undermine the efficacy of other drugs in its class. GARDP acquired the data on apramycin following the closure of the Swiss biotech Juvabis AG in 2025, alongside the exclusive license through the University of Zurich.