Weekly Companion Animal News: July 20, 2026

Cat parasite infects billions of people

Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that spreads through cat feces and contaminated food and water, should be taken more seriously than it currently is, an international team of researchers is arguing. Toxoplasmosis is found in about one in every 10 Americans and can lead to blindness and personality alterations, they say, The World Health Organization should designate the parasite a neglected tropical disease, making it easier to study and develop prevention efforts.

Zoetis to acquire VitalRADS

The company’s acquisition of VitalRADS, provider of veterinary teleradiology services, is intended to enhance Zoetis’ reference laboratory services. VitalRADS provides around-the-clock access to board-certified veterinary specialists who review digital radiographs, ECGs, CT scans, and MRI scans from all modalities across more than 25 species, delivering same-day results and two-hour STAT reads. The business supports more than 1,800 active customers, including corporate and independent practices and universities.

PetMeds, Rural King introduce online pharmacy offering

Rural King customers can now click web banners that open co-branded online shopping powered by PetMeds. Customers can also access the program through Rural King email and social media promotions and a dedicated program link. The offering includes AutoShip capabilities for recurring pet health needs, including medications, preventatives and prescription food.

Wonderdog secures $5M in pre-seed funding

Wonderdog, a Hermosa Beach, California-based developer of a canine preventive health and at-home diagnostic platform, launched out of stealth mode after securing $5 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by WndrCo and Maveron. The subscription-based platform coordinates at-home blood collection draws to monitor over 40 distinct biomarkers in six canine body systems.

AniVatio partners with Vetio UK on easy-to-administer supplements

UK animal health company AniVatio has joined forces with Vetio UK, part of Swedencare, which would combine AniVatio’s oral gel delivery technology with Vetio UK’s manufacturing expertise. AniVatio believes the next stage of category growth will come from products that are not only formulated using clinically supported ingredients, but also delivered in formats that pets willingly accept.

VARON launches portable pet oxygen bundle, mask

The company, a provider of portable and home oxygen concentrators, says its new portable offering combines its continuous-flow portable oxygen concentrator with a pet oxygen mask. The concentrator offers adjustable oxygen flow settings, rechargeable battery power and a compact design, and the mask features a silicone cushion and adjustable strap.

Minnesota warns first responders about illegal mixes of xylazine, medetomidine and fentanyl

Medetomidine – a veterinary sedative nicknamed “rhino tranq” – is reported to be creeping into Minnesota’s illicit fentanyl supply, raising the stakes for overdoses and making emergency care more complicated. Over the past 15 months, federal drug enforcers there seized nearly 250 grams of medetomidine mixed with fentanyl, with most seizures in Minneapolis and one pure medetomidine seizure in St. Louis County. Clinicians in other U.S. cities have reported clusters of patients needing extended ICU care or specialized management when medetomidine is involved.

Bobcat fever kills cat in Kansas City

Veterinarians from the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City (Missouri) reported a recent case in Cytauxzoonosis, commonly known as Bobcat fever. It is the first case treated by PRCKC this year, however, emergency veterinary hospitals in the Kansas City metro have reported an increasing number of cases. Bobcat fever is caused by the parasite Cytauxzoon felis, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.