Weekly Companion Animal News: May 4, 2026

AAHA publishes new diabetes management guidelines for cats

The American Animal Hospital Association reports that its 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats reflect a rapidly evolving treatment landscape, most notably the emergence of SGLT2-inhibitor drugs, which have transformed how veterinarians approach feline diabetes management. The guidelines also address expanded access to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and the move away from in-hospital blood glucose curves, which are no longer recommended for cats.

Oklahoma bill would demand an in-person VCPR prior to telemedicine

House Bill 3239 would amend the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act and require veterinarians using telemedicine to have an established relationship with the client and patient through an in-person examination within the last year. State Representative Casey Murdock said having an in-person veterinarian-client-patient relationship protects the clinician and producer. “The veterinarian knows what kind of facilities you have. He knows that you can take care of the situation. This relieves the stress, the pressure of the shortage of veterinarians.”

Pawsible Ventures announces first cohort

Pawsible Ventures, a pet-health-focused venture fund and studio, announced its inaugural cohort of eight companies: Lab4Paws (preclinical veterinary CRO and biobank), VetHubRx (electronic prescribing), NerveX (bioelectronics for AI-native veterinary care), Charlie Pet Health (preventative health platform), Rooted Owl (science-backed pet supplements), Rooted Owl (science-backed pet supplements), Tato (AI-native platform for pet care providers), Vetr Health (membership-based mobile care) and PupPilot (AI front office platform for clinics).

New technology helps flat-faced dogs breathe easy

Biotechnology company Snoretox and RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) report early success using the first therapy from a new technology, known as Snoretox-1, an injectable treatment that uses a modified tetanus toxin to improve the muscle tone in the floor of the dog’s mouth, helping keep the airway open.  Professor Russell Conduit, who is part of the team from RMIT’s School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, said the findings also point to future applications beyond veterinary care, such as obstructive sleep apnea, incontinence and pelvic floor disorders for humans.

Zoetis expands Vetscan OptiCell capabilities

Zoetis announced it is expanding the capabilities of Vetscan OptiCell, its cartridge-based, artificial intelligence-powered hematology analyzer, making it the first point-of-care hematology analyzer to offer cellular hemoglobin concentration mean (CHCM) – a parameter previously available only in reference labs. Unlike mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), which is a calculated value, CHCM is measured optically, providing a more reliable indicator needed when a patient is anemic and when endogenous interferents, such as hemolysis, are present, according to the company.

HABRI announces grant to study psychosocial impact of pets on older adults

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced a new grant to identify and quantify possible psychosocial mechanisms by which pet ownership influences mortality among older adults in Canada. The grant for this project was awarded to the University of Guelph. Researchers will analyze data collected from the Canadian Community Health Survey – Healthy Aging (CCHS) as well as the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database.

Ohio State, ETCR to research treatments for multidrug-resistant canine hookworms

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and East Tennessee Clinical Research (ETCR) announced an exclusive license agreement focused on addressing the growing concern of multidrug-resistant canine hookworms. The license establishes a framework for investigational research, commercial research services and distribution rights for licensed larvae to support development of new parasite therapies. ETCR is a contract research organization specializing in veterinary parasitology and pharmaceutical evaluations.

Animal, environmental groups in Canada strongly oppose emergency use of strychnine

Health Canada on March 30 reversed its previous ban on strychnine, granting Alberta and Saskatchewan emergency use permits to kill ground squirrels until November 2027. In response, a coalition of environmental and animal welfare groups denounced the decision and called on Health Canada to uphold the strychnine ban. “Strychnine inflicts extreme suffering on animals and poses serious risks to wildlife, non-target species and ecosystems,” said Michael Bernard, deputy director, Humane World for Animals Canada, formerly known as Humane Society International Canada. Animal Alliance of Canada.