Animal Health News & Notes for August 29, 2025

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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for August 29, 2025
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Christine Merle DVM, MBA, CVPM
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting News
Brakke Search

Earnings News
J.M. Smucker Co.
Petco
Phibro
Company News
Animalcare Group
Butterfly Network
Clipper Distributing
Ease
Elanco
Epica International
Esaote North America
Lakefield Veterinary Group
Merck Animal Health
VetPD
Zoetis (UK)

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Brakke Search
Career Opportunity

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EARNINGS NEWS RELEASES

• M. Smucker announced their first quarter fiscal 2026 of $2.1 billion, an increase of 2% over prior year results when divestitures and foreign currency exchange was excluded. Results of their U.S. Retail Pet Food Pet saw an 8% decrease to $31.7 million primarily driven by a decrease for dog snacks and lower contract manufacturing sales. (investors.jmsmucker.com)
• Petco Health and Wellness reported their second quarter for fiscal year 2025 results with Net Sales of $1.5 billion reflecting a 2.3% decrease year over year but in line with company’s reported expectations. Gross profit margin expanded to ~39.3% of net sales. (company press release)
• Phibro Animal Health reported their fourth quarter and Fiscal Year results highlighting a year end result of Net Sales of $1,296.2 million or 27% vs. prior fiscal year.  Net Income was $48.3 million for the year.  Growth was achieved through continued growth of the legacy Animal Health business and a 54% year-over year increase in MFA  and other products sales including the Zoetis MFA portfolio acquired in October 31, 2024. (pahc.com)

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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES

• With the goal of strengthening swine disease traceability, the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ( APHIS) awarded a 5-year contract with Merck Animal Health to supply up to $20 million of free RFID ear tags directly to producers and state animal health officials. ( com)
• Zoetis’ Cytopoint received an additional claim to cover treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis from regulators in the UK. (com)
• Effective September 2, 2025, Elanco Animal Health will replace Sarepta Therapeutics in the S& P MidCap 400.(com)
• Expanding their online veterinary behavior specialty care, Ease will be partnering directly with veterinary clinics by providing practices access to behavior care from their team of board-certified veterinary behaviorists on their specialty consult platform. (yahoo.com)
• Lakefield Veterinary Group was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America and joined the Inc. 5000 List. (com)
• VetPD in partnership with Valkyrie Sales has created three new equine simulators which can be used to provide hands-on training in ultrasound-guided injection techniques.  These simulators join their other products, Cyst Trainer and Foreign Body Trainer, in providing real-world scenarios for educational purposes. (company press release)
• The VHH NGF research program and all related assets on the effectiveness of antibodies in the treatment of pain caused by osteoarthritis in horses and dogs has been sold to Animalcare Group for cash consideration of 700,000 euro ($813,225). (com)
• Clipper Distributing announced an agreement with Butterfly Network to commercialize their point-of-care ultrasound devices. (company press release)
• A strategic partnership between Esaote North America and Epica International will lead to coordinated sales, joint marketing and support for the combined company’s portfolio’s of human and veterinary imaging offerings. (com)

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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER

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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS

• US- CHATBOT- Big Red Bark Chat was launched in May by Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center to answer questions about canine health and safety. The free public site was developed with Amazon and uses a retrieval-augmented generation AI model. (com)
• US- CONFIRMED HUMAN CASE- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a case of New World Screwworm on August 4 in a Maryland patient who had returned from travel to El Salvador. (com)
• US- POSITION STATEMENT- The Feline Veterinary Medical Association released its newest position statement entitled “Meeting the Physical and Emotional Needs of Indoor Cats” (press release)
• US- ONE HEALTH GUIDELINES- AAHA released their One Health Guidelines created by a task force consisting of both human and veterinary professionals. (com)
• US- RECLASSIFICATION OF XYLAZINE- The State of Florida has reclassified xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance with an exemption for veterinary use. Under the new rule only licensed veterinarians may prescribe and dispense xylazine. ( orlando.com)
• US- RURAL VETERINARY ACTION PLAN- The US Department of Agriculture announced an action plan to strengthen the rural food animal veterinary workforce. The plan includes streamlining and increasing funding of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and the Veterinary Services Grant Program. (gov)
• US-WORKFORCE CAMPAIGN- In celebration of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor’s 20^th anniversary, a new campaign focused on careers and opportunities in animal health. The Animal Health Corridor Workforce campaign includes a website with materials and other resources including how different professions provide unique strengths to the animal care industry. (com)
• HONG KONG- RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM- A recent symposium between The Jockey Club College and Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences focused on collaborative exchange around a variety of critical topics including viral infection in poultry and regulatory mechanisms in microbial infections. (edu.hk)
• IRELAND/US- UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS- A partnership agreement between Kansas State, Iowa State and the University College Dublin has been signed to focus on academic exchange and collaboration among their veterinary medicine colleges. (com)
• UK- PERSONALIZED VETERINARY CARE- in a recent study from Waltham Research Institute and published in Immunohorizons, patterns in markers of the immune system that were specific both to individual dogs and breeds of dog may lead to development of simple blood tests to map and track a dog’s immune health over time.(org)

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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Emotional Intelligence: The Element AI Can Fake but Can’t Replace!

At the KC Animal Health Corridor’s AH Summit this week, we heard a lot about AI and there seems to be some AI fatigue setting in.  Yes, AI is transforming business, offering powerful tools to analyze data, automate processes, and it will drive significant change across our industry. But when it comes to emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and human connection, it still seems to fall short, especially in moments that demand deep empathy and nuanced judgment.

Take the example of a pet owner facing the painful decision to euthanize a beloved dog. AI might recognize this as a moment of grief, even generate comforting messages. But it can’t feel the complexity of guilt, shame, loyalty, relief and heartbreak that defines such a decision.

Similarly, in a global product launch, AI can suggest region-specific keywords or tailor messaging using sentiment analysis. But it won’t truly understand how a sales force in Japan may need more consensus-based tools, while teams in Brazil may thrive with spontaneous, relationship-driven pitches. A great person can navigate these differences, build trust across cultures, and adapt strategies in real time. That insight comes not from data, but from lived experience, empathy, and interpersonal skill.

The best business outcomes still rely on people who can connect with others in ways machines simply cannot. We have lots of data on the attributes veterinarian’s value in sales reps and we can’t help but say that it’s still all about people.

Empathy isn’t programmable … and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Alexis Nahama

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YOUR VIEW
Last week, we asked what would most accelerate your organization’s adoption of veterinary telehealth over the next 12 months. A clear 41% pointed to state rules—especially those allowing virtual VCPR and setting consistent prescribing limits. 23% are waiting on a proven revenue model, and another 23% need clinical and liability confidence. Just 13% prioritized seamless tech integration. Legal clarity leads the race, but profits, protocols, and platforms aren’t far behind.

This week
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape business and communication, one question keeps coming up: Can AI ever truly replicate human empathy? With that in mind, we’d love to hear your thoughts. 

In your opinion, which statement best reflects your view on AI?