Animal Health News & Notes for May 2, 2025

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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for May 2, 2025
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:

Earnings News
Hill’s
IDEXX
Smithfield
Swedencare
Vetoquinol

Other News
Astaria Global
Blue Buffalo
Butterfly Network
CareCredit
Creative Science
Cronus Pharma
Dante Omics AI
Genus PIC
Pumpkin Pet Insurance

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Brakke Consulting
Brakke Consulting mourns the passing of Dr. Atsuo Hata

After Ron Brakke started Brakke Consulting in 1986, the first consultant to join the practice was Dr. Atsuo Hata, DVM.  Dr. Hata died April 17 at age 98.

Born in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Dr. Hata attended veterinary college in Osaka.  Upon graduation he was employed by Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.  After retirement he joined Brakke Consulting.  Widely known and respected in Japan, he was also the Japan correspondent for Animal Pharm, an industry publication, for many years.

“Dr. Hata was a valued colleague and contributed to many client engagements over the years, working well into his 90s.  We will miss him,” said Ron Brakke, President Emeritus.  Dr. Hata is survived by a daughter, son and two grandchildren.

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EARNINGS NEWS RELEASES

• IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. announced first quarter 2025 results. Revenues were $998 million, an increase of 4% as reported and 5% organic. Net income was $243 million, an increase of 3%. Companion Animal Group revenues for the quarter were $920 million, an increase of 3%. (company press release)
• Vetoquinol SA reported results for the first quarter of 2025. Sales were EUR 131 million ($149 million), a year-over year decline of 2%. Sales in the United States were EUR 25 million ($27 million), down 14%. (businesswire)
• Colgate-Palmolive Company reported results for the first quarter of 2025. Net sales for Hill’s Pet Nutrition were $1,118 million, a 1.5% year-over-year increase. Segment operating profit was $258 million, a 30% year-over-year increase. (company press release)
• Swedencare reported results for the first quarter of 2025. Net revenue amounted to 641 MSEK ($66 million), corresponding to an increase of 7% (Organic, currency-adjusted growth of 5%). Profit after tax amounted to 23.9 MSEK ($2.5 million), a decline of 21%. (company press release)
• Smithfield Foods reported results for the first quarter of 2025. Net sales were $3.8 billion; operating profit was $321 million, up 97% from the first quarter of 2024. (Feedstuffs)

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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES

• Cronus Pharma LLC announced a voluntary recall involving one batch comprising two distinct lots: Dexased (Aspen) and Dexmedvet (Cronus Pharma LLC) dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection 0.5 mg/mL. The recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure due to the presence of visible particulate matter (described as crystal-like particles, white floating matter, or precipitates) observed in the solution. (FDA)
• Genus PIC announced it has received clearance from the FDA for the gene edited PRRS-resistant pig (PRP) to be used in the U.S. food supply chain. Using gene editing technology, Genus PIC deleted a very small portion of the pig’s DNA that encodes a protein that the virus uses to enter and infect the pig’s cells. The Genus PRRS-resistant pig is the first gene-edited food animal application publicly announced to be going through the full FDA investigational new animal drug regulatory review. Genus executives noted this is a significant step toward commercialization in the US; however, approvals are still needed in key US export markets. (Feedstuffs)
• Creative Science, a CIMA Animal Health company, announced the acquisition of Astaria Global, an equine health company known for its orthobiologic therapies in pain management and equine asthma. Financial terms were not disclosed. (yahoo.com)
• Blue Buffalo has partnered with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) to help launch Inspire by FVMA, a new well-being mental health initiative designed to support the mental health of veterinary professionals. With Inspire, veterinarians, technicians, and support staff now have greater access to tools, training, and resources designed to help them manage stress, reduce burnout, and build healthier, more sustainable careers. The Inspire program is available to all veterinary professionals in Florida and is not limited to members of FVMA. To learn more about the program or to begin the intake form, visit FVMA.org/Inspire. (company press release)
• Synchrony, a consumer financial services company, announced its CareCredit health and wellness credit card was named the preferred financing partner for the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Through this collaboration, CareCredit is now available in all of the public veterinary university hospitals in the United States. (DVM360)
• Pumpkin Pet Insurance recently introduced a new urgent pay service that provides real-time payment for situations where timely processing is important and cost of treatment is high. The new service, PumpkinNow, allows eligible clients to receive direct payment for up to 90% of veterinary expenses in 15 minutes. (DVM360)
• Butterfly Network, Inc. and the Beef Cattle Institute as Kansas State University announced an agreement to co-develop a Cattle Disease Management App for exclusive use with Butterfly’s handheld, whole-body ultrasound system. The collaboration represents K-State’s entry into Butterfly Garden, Butterfly’s artificial intelligence marketplace as the first app in Butterfly Garden for animal health. (company press release)
• Dante Omics AI announced the launch of Dante Natura, an AI-powered platform delivering whole genome sequencing (WGS) solutions for animals and plants, designed for use by farmers, pet owners, breeders, and researchers. (com)

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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER

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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS

• US – VETERINARY EDUCATION A new early-acceptance program at the University of Illinois College of Vet Medicine will hold up to five spots for students who show real commitment to large-animal veterinary work in their first two years of college at U of I. The program is not intended to be a one-off, as the veterinary medicine program will hold up to five of 160 class spots annually for such students. (Vet Advantage)
• US – VETERINARY BUSINESS According to the 2025 Veterinary Industry Benchmark Report from iVET360, 2024 data collected from more than 1,500 practices revealed slowed growth across the industry, a trend that continued from 2023. The data showed that revenue growth slowed to 1.3%; client visits declined by 4%; and new client acquisition fell by 9.5%. (Todays Veterinary Business)

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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Cost of Animal Health represents 0.4% of cwt price in the Brazilian cattle farming

Animal health in Brazilian livestock farming accounts for only 0.4% of producers’ revenues, despite the importance of vaccines and preventive treatments for productivity and sustainability. The low investment contrasts with the high financial risks associated with diseases and parasites.

Vaccines against rabies, clostridial infections, and brucellosis, along with parasiticides, are cost-effective and play a crucial role in disease prevention. The average annual investment in animal health per head is just 20 BRL (USD3.00), ensuring herd protection and financial stability for producers.

Emílio Salani, Executive Vice President of Sindan, emphasizes that the low costs of medicines and vaccines are evident, especially when compared to the risks that diseases and parasites pose to livestock. “In a scenario where a producer has a herd of 100 cattle, the expenditure on vaccines and parasiticides would represent a tiny fraction of the annual operating costs. It is essential that the veterinary industry is valued among large producers.”

In my opinion, based on my long experience working for the Animal Health industry for more than 30 years, this represents a huge opportunity for our industry to help develop the full potential of cattle farming. It has evolved significantly in the last decades, but it has a long way to go towards to what other beef producing countries has already achieved.

Your thoughts on the Brazilian cattle opportunity are welcomed.  And if you would like assistance entering the Brazilian livestock market – or improving your existing business – we are ready to help.

Mauri Ronan Moreira – LATAM Brakke Consultant.
*Source – SINDAN

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YOUR VIEW
Last week we asked about your outlook on the year. The results showed a bit of concern in the industry. 62.5% of respondents are worried due to general economic uncertainty and reduced discretionary spending by pet owners, while 20% cited concerns about pet owners cutting back on care due to high veterinary costs. Only 9.2% felt confident the companion animal business would pick up as the year progresses. Here’s hoping the second half of the year brings fewer worries, more wagging tails, and a little less bite to the budget!

This week
This week we learned that FDA has cleared Genus’ gene edited PRRS-resistant pig (PRP) to be used in the US food supply chain. Do you see gene-edited food animals as an overall positive or a negative?