Weekly Companion Animal News: October 26, 2026

FDA approves Convenia RTU for Dogs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Convenia RTU for Dogs (cefovecin injectable suspension) a ready-to-use (RTU) treatment from Zoetis for canine skin infections caused by susceptible strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Streptococcus canis (Group G). Convenia RTU for Dogs contains the same active ingredient (cefovecin sodium) as Convenia (FDA-approved in 2008), but is approved for use only in dogs because it contains benzyl benzoate and propylene glycol, inactive ingredients that may be toxic to cats.

CatsOnly facility receives Cat Friendly Practice Gold designation

CatsOnly, a feline-only veterinary organization, announced that its flagship hospital at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, Colorado, has earned Cat Friendly Practice Gold designation from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA). The facility offers direct-to-exam-room arrivals, spaces designed to support feline comfort and security, species-specific handling practices and a care team trained to recognize and respond to feline behavioral and emotional signals.

VMD Sciences unveils global access portal for veterinary drugs and biologics

VMD Sciences unveiled VMD Access International, a global access portal designed to support veterinarians seeking potential access to animal health products through globally established and regulated import-export pathways. The resource is said to include more than 3,000 products that may be available from export pharmacies in the United States and globally. The catalog spans drugs and biologics approved elsewhere in the world, for companion animals, livestock, equine, and exotic species, reflecting the diverse treatment needs of veterinary professionals worldwide.

U of Maryland Eastern Shore a step closer to opening veterinary school

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland, has gained permission to begin recruiting and admitting students for the planned opening of a veterinary school in summer 2027. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education granted the university a Letter of Reasonable Assurance. Although this is an important step, it does not mean the school is fully accredited. UMES says it will seek provisional accreditation after its first students enroll and will continue through the Council’s formal review process.

Petpoint Health, IDEXX collaborate on test-first parasite control for UK practices

Veterinary software provider Petpoint Health announced that its Parachex platform now offers UK practices test-first parasite control in collaboration with IDEXX and its Faecal Dx panel. Pet owners complete a digital risk assessment and collect a fecal sample at home prior to their annual vaccination appointment. Laboratory results and tailored treatment recommendations are delivered to the practice in advance, so the vet team has the full picture before the pet enters the consulting room.

September prices for veterinary services up 4.6% compared to prior year

Prices for veterinary services in September were +0.3% from August and +4.6% from September 2025, down from 5.7%, writes John Gibbons in the “Pet Business Professor.” Among the entire veterinary market (i.e., pet and veterinary services, food, supplies, etc.), veterinary services are now No. 1 in 2025-2026 inflation, passing pet services. They’re still No. 1 in inflation since 2019. For veterinary, high annual inflation is the norm. However, the rate has increased during the current surge, especially since 2023. They had the highest September average rate in 2026 (+6.5%), and 80.9% of the cumulative inflation since 2019 occurred from 2021-26.

Over a thousand migratory birds dead or injured in Chicago lakeside building collisions

The fall bird migration hits its peak in October, and Chicago sits along one of North America’s biggest migratory paths. An estimated 5 million+ migratory birds passed through Cook County during the night of Oct 16 alone. Over the weekend, at least 1,000 birds were killed or injured in building collisions, particularly by the lake. Chicago can do much more to protect migratory birds, said Annette Prince, director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, a volunteer group. For example, developers can outfit new buildings with textured glass, which birds see as a solid structure. After over 1,000 birds hit McCormick Place Lakeside Center in a single night three years ago, bird-safe film was installed on the building’s windows. Collisions dramatically dropped as a result.

Emergency air transport program for canine officers launched in Michigan

Michigan State University’s Veterinary Medical Center, Corewell Health Aero Med and Munson Healthcare have launched Michigan’s first emergency air transport program for critically ill on-duty canine officers and injured public safety working dogs. Flight teams are trained and equipped to support canine patients experiencing trauma, severe bleeding, heat illness, airway emergencies, cardiac arrest, burns, poisoning and other critical injuries or illnesses.