Weekly Companion Animal News: August 17, 2026

CVPA responds to Mission Pet Health’s position statement on VPAs

The Coalition for the Veterinary Professional Associates (CVPA) issued a position statement Aug. 12 in response to Mission Pet Health’s published concerns about the impact of the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role on the veterinary profession and quality of care. In a 2,400-word statement, CVPA President Robert Murtaugh and Executive Director Steven L. May wrote: “We respectfully submit … that Mission’s position statement argues against a version of the VPA that does not exist: an unexamined, unsupervised, unregulated substitute for the veterinarian. The actual role is a graduate-educated, nationally examined, board-registered professional who practices under defined veterinary supervision, within statutory limits, and with the option, which we endorse, of carrying independent professional liability coverage. Colorado has built the framework. The founding universities have built the curricula. The credentialing body the profession already trusts is building the examination.” (Read Mission Pet Health’s position statement here.)

IDEXX introduces dual-species, in-clinic test for NT-proBNP

The company said the Catalyst proBNP Test measures a well-established biomarker used to evaluate heart disease in companion animals, a condition that affects approximately one in six cats and one in 10 dogs, yet remains underassessed in general practice. Available on the Catalyst platform with a global installed base of nearly 80,000 analyzers, the test expands the IDEXX’ cardiac capabilities in its point-of-care and reference laboratory portfolios.

Trupanion enhances education course on cost-of-care conversations

Trupanion announced enhancements to its free, on-demand educational course, Trupanion Certification, designed to equip veterinary teams with skills to confidently discuss the cost of care before a pet health emergency occurs. The updated course features role-based learning tailored to veterinarians, technicians, client service representatives and hospital leaders. The course also explores the broader impact financial conversations have on veterinary medicine, according to the company.

NC State warns families with cats and dogs that Apoquel can lead to kidney injury in cats

The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine reported treating two cats that developed acute kidney injury after eating chewable Apoquel — used to treat itching and inflammation associated with allergic dermatitis — prescribed to dogs also living in their households. Dr. Tyler Johnson, a fellow in advanced emergency and critical care and extracorporeal therapies, said both cats required hemodialysis for support but fully recovered after in-clinic care. “The incidence of Apoquel ingestion-related toxicity has increased at our hospital since the release of a chewable formulation that, for some reason, cats seem to be inclined to eat.”

U of Tennessee preparing for major expansion of Small Animal Hospital

The $72 million project will add nearly 20,000 square feet to the hospital and renovate another 25,000 square feet of existing space. The expansion will include larger emergency and critical care facilities, a dedicated feline health center, additional teaching and office space and updated client areas designed to improve the experience for animals and families. The college opened in 1976 with a class of 40 veterinary students. Today, it enrolls about 100 students each year and has the opportunity to increase enrollment by another 25%.

NVA names Dr. Stacy Burdick its first chief medical officer

National Veterinary Associates named Stacy Burdick, DVM, MBA, DACVIM (SAIM) its first chief medical officer for its 1300+ hospitals and pet resorts. Most recently, she served as chief medical officer of Ethos Veterinary Health, where she led the medical integration of four legacy organizations into a network of more than 140 specialty and emergency hospitals. She previously held medical leadership roles within NVA-Compassion First and served as chief of staff and medical director of NVA’s Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.

Ohio releases public safety bulletin about veterinary sedatives

Medetomidine and xylazine are synthetic veterinary sedatives prevalent in Ohio’s drug supply with no approved use in humans, reports the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center in the bulletin. They cause sedation and can induce life-threatening effects, which can complicate overdose response and emergency care. Combining respiratory depressive drugs (e.g., fentanyl) with central nervous system depressants (e.g., veterinary sedatives) can increase the risk of an overdose.

Future Pak to market Canalevia-CA1

Future Pak will be the exclusive marketer for Canalevia-CA1, Jaguar Health’s crofelemer prescription drug for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea in dogs, pending closure of the two companies’ U.S. commercial licensing agreement. Jaguar says the agreement is aligned with its strategy to concentrate crofelemer development efforts on human rare-disease intestinal failure (IF) indications.