This Week in Animal Health: Merck AH 1Q growth 6%

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Brakke Consulting’s 
Animal Health News & Notes for May 1, 2026
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Christine Merle DVM, MBA, CVPM 
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IN THE NEWS:

Brakke Consulting
2026 Sentiment Index White Paper – Available Now
2026 Pet Medications Home Delivery Study – Preorder Now

Earning News
Balchem Corporation
Merck
Trupanion

Company News
Bimeda
Boehringer Ingelheim
Ceva
Dechra
Elanco
Eko Health
First Priority
Golden Child
National Veterinary Associates
Pawsible Ventures
Phibro (BR)
Rangen Group
Trupanion
Veterinary Management Groups
VIN Foundation
Virbac (UK)

Animal Health News
United States

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Brakke Consulting
Now Available: The 2026 Brakke Animal Health Industry Sentiment Index White Paper 

Brakke Consulting is excited to announce the release of its inaugural Animal Health Industry Sentiment Index—a comprehensive new resource designed to help organizations better understand current market conditions and what lies ahead.

Developed from a recent survey of animal health industry professionals, this white paper captures forward-looking perspectives on business conditions, innovation trends, and the challenges shaping today’s environment. Prepared by Marnette Falley, PCC, and Robert W. Jones, PhD, the report delivers a thoughtful analysis of industry sentiment and what it signals for the future.

Sentiment assessments are a powerful business tool because they reveal confidence levels among industry leaders—often before those views are reflected in financial performance. These insights can play a critical role in guiding strategic decisions, from resource allocation and innovation investments to hiring and long-term planning in an increasingly complex and dynamic market.

The findings highlight a landscape marked by measured optimism, driven by continued innovation and strong development pipelines, while also acknowledging the growing complexity companies face in the near term. This balance of opportunity and challenge makes understanding industry sentiment more important than ever.

As the first edition of what will become an annual study, this report establishes a valuable benchmark for tracking how perspectives evolve over time and how organizations can position themselves for success.

To download your copy, please click here, complete a short form, and you will receive a PDF version of the full report.

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Company Earnings Releases

• Balchemshared its first quarter of 2026 results of $270.7M an increase of 8.1%. Its Animal Nutrition and Health segment grew6% to $62.2M. (company press release) 
• Merckannounced its first quarter of 2026 results of $16,286M an increase of 5% over prior year.  Animal Health sales were $1,791M, 6% growth (ex-exchange) over prior year with both livestock (+8%) and companion (+4%) reflecting growth. (company press release) 
• Trupanionannounced its first quarter of 2026 results with total revenue of $384M an increase of 12% over prior Net income was $4.9M. (company press release) 

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Company News Releases  

• Elanco has receivedemergency authorization for use against new world screwworm in livestock for its Negasunt Powder from the FDA and Tanidil from the EPA. The products will only be available through APHIS and its National Veterinary Stockpile. (company press release) 
• Boehringer Ingelheimand Eko Health have launched Canine Beat, an AI algorithm integrated into the EkoVet+TM app which allows for earlier murmur detection in dogs. (company press release) 
• The FDA announced the approval of Amodip(amlodipine besylate) a chewable tablet for the control of systemic hypertension in cats. It was sponsored by Ceva. (gov) 
• Bimedaannounced the acquisition of select non-sterile manufacturing assets at Dechra’s Pomona, California manufacturing (company press release) 
• First Priority’s sponsoredgeneric, Moxidectin Oral Drench for Sheep, which treats and controls internal parasites was approved by the FDA. (gov) 
• Hill’s Pet Nutritionlaunched its Feline Metabolic+j/d diet providing support for mobility and weight management in one formula. (company press release) 
• National Veterinary Associates appointed Todd S. Young as CFO. (yahoo.com)
• PawsibleVentures announced its first cohort of 8 companies for its venture fund and incubator. (ca) 
• RangenGroup launched its new website spanning its three core markets: aquaculture, livestock and pet. (com) 
• Golden Child, a new fresh dog food brand, launched with the goal to ensure human food standards for pets. (com)
• Trupanionreleases its 2025 annual report included in the report is its new Strategic Plan including the launch of a new Trupanion branded product. (company press release) 
• Veterinary Management Groups(VMG) and AAHA have released the updated Veterinary Chart of Accounts to provide a financial framework for veterinary practices. (company press release) 
• VIN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has received a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigatorand for the tenth year the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. (company press release) 
• BR-Phibro announced the actions it is taking to implement the regulatory framework changes for antimicrobials in Brazil. (company press release) 
• UK- Virbac announced the availability in the UK of SyvazulBTV 8 Vaccine for active immunization of sheep and cattle against blue tongue serotype 8 (BTV-8). (co.uk) 

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Brakke Consulting/Trone Research and Consulting
Pet Medications Home Delivery Study

Coming Early Fall 2026: Now Accepting Preorders

Online sales of pet medications are growing rapidly and today’s pet owners have more choices than ever when it comes to where they purchase. But in this evolving and highly competitive market, key questions remain: who is capturing this revenue, how veterinary clinics are adapting, and what drives pet owner decisions?

The 2026 Pet Medications Home Delivery Study, developed by Brakke Consulting and Trone Research & Consulting, delivers the answers. Building on more than a decade of research, this comprehensive study provides a data-driven view of the home delivery landscape from both veterinarian and pet owner perspectives.

Based on surveys of 400 U.S. veterinarians and 1,200 pet owners, the study offers statistically reliable insights into purchasing behavior, channel performance, and competitive pressures. It explores key trends such as subscription and auto-ship models, customer retention, compliance, and the growing influence of online retailers and new market entrants.

Key insights include: 

• Pet owner preferences and purchasing drivers
• How clinics are protecting revenue and adapting to online competition
• Where prescription sales are being retained, or lost
• The impact of telemedicine and evolving service models
• Benchmark comparisons to track market evolution

The final deliverable is a comprehensive 100+ page PowerPoint report with expert analysis and actionable recommendations to support marketing, product development, and growth strategies.

Priced at $19,000, the study includes a one-hour consultation with a senior TRC consultant. Orders placed by May 15 (with payment by June 15) receive a $1,000 discount, with an additional $500 discount for previous purchasers.

For more information about the Pet Medications Home Delivery Study, please contact, Doug Barton at dbarton@troneresearch.com. To order, click here.

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Animal Health Stock Price Tracker

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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS

• US-LARGE ANIMAL RURAL VETERINARY MENTORING PROGRAM- A partnership between University of Findlay and The Ohio State University announced a mentoring program that is meant to strengthen the recruitment of students to pursue a large animal veterinary medical career. (com)
• US- DIABETES MANAGEMENT – AAHA released the 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats. (organization press release)
• US- OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-Dr. Richard Prather has been named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine effective June 30, 2026. (okstate.edu)
• US- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-DAVIS- The Weill School of Veterinary Medicine received $75M from Bay Area residents Kathy Chiao and Ken Hao- the gift will name the school’s new small animal hospital. (edu)
• US- UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION- A New World Screwworm white paperthat provides strategies and tools to address risk is now available from the USAHA. (com)

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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Why You Should NOT Invest in Animal Health 

Let’s be honest, animal health is not an easy place to make money as an investor. For decades, insiders have repeated the same narrative: great fundamentals, resilient demand, strategic interest. And yet, for many investors, returns have been inconsistent, timelines long, and exits unpredictable. At Brakke Consulting, we’ve heard this frustration for years, and it’s not wrong, and it is not going away.

Compared to sectors like energy or real estate, animal health often looks inefficient. Deals are smaller, markets are fragmented, and scaling can be painfully slow. Regulatory pathways, while faster than human pharma, are still complex enough to delay value creation. Meanwhile, capital is tied up for years with limited liquidity options.

There’s also a structural issue: too many companies chasing too little specialized capital. Unlike tech or clean energy, animal health lacks a deep, broad and educated investor base. As a result, many good companies struggle to get funded, and investors struggle to find high-quality, de-risked opportunities. That’s not a great combination.

And let’s not ignore another uncomfortable truth: we’ve been talking about these problems for decades. Conferences, panels, white papers … same issues, same conclusions, very little structural change. At some point, repeating the narrative becomes part of the problem.

So why invest at all? Because inefficiency creates opportunity and open the door for meaningful changes. Better curation, smarter capital structures, and a more engaged investor base could unlock incredible value. Until then, the question stands: is your money better deployed elsewhere … or are you waiting for an opportunity to participate?

Alexis Nahama

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YOUR VIEW 

Last week, we asked you how fuel prices have impacted your personal or business travels. 61% have not had an impact on either their own or their company’s travel and 17% are at the other end of the spectrum with limiting or consolidation of travel plans for both. 13% have only limited their personal travel plans, with 9% only seeing limits from their company.

In Alexis Nahama’s viewpoint he discussed the continuing challenges of finding investors to support animal health innovation, we want to know how you have personally participated in investing in animal health innovation. Choose all that apply to you