Pet insurance company Trupanion has announced that there have been no unusual increases or changes in the frequency of illnesses in its pet health database over the past 45 days. This reassuring news comes after reports that a pet dog in Hong Kong tested ‘weak positive’ for the human COVID-19 coronavirus, 

"We want to provide [our members] and other loving pet owners with some peace of mind,” says Steve Weinrauch, BVMS, MRCVS, Trupanion’s chief veterinary officer in a 

The Seattle-based company—which announced last week that it has paid out over $1 billion in veterinary invoices since it was founded more than 20 years ago—regularly reviews the pet health data it collects to monitor for changes in illness patterns.

“We monitor our data on a very granular level; daily, weekly and monthly and by breed, country, city and even at neighborhood level to make sure we understand and are on top of any health-related trends that might be out of the norm,” says Trupanion’s vice president of analytics, Mary Rothlisberger.

Trupanion will continue to monitor its data for any early indicators of COVID-19 and promises to keep the public informed with the latest news. “If things do change, we’ll be letting members, pet owners and veterinarians know immediately,” Dr. Weinrauch says.

There are no confirmed companion animal cases of the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus strain in the U.S., nor is there evidence to suggest that pets can contract or spread the disease.

Articles

Increasing concerns among about whether pets can contract the SARS-Cov-2 virus prompted Trupanion to mine its data and share good news.

Pet insurer: Records show no sign of human coronavirus in pets 

Following reports over the weekend that a dog in Hong Kong tested "weakly positive" for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) updated it guidance document, “

The New Coronavirus and Companion Animals—Advice for WSAVA Members

According to a statement on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) 

, the dog is showing no clinical signs of COVID-19 but will remain quarantined until further testing produces negative results. It’s possible that the initial result was due to “environmental contamination of the dog’s mouth and nose.”

Like WSAVA, the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the AFCD says there is no evidence that “pet animals can be infected with COVID-19 virus or can be a source of infection to people,” according to the statement.

For pet owners in areas where human cases have been identified, WSAVA’s advice is to continue take normal precautions: Wash your hands before and after interacting with your pet and, if you are sick, wear a face mask when around them. 

The CDC provides this advice for pet owners: “You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.”

The pet dog of an infected patient tested ‘weakly positive’ for COVID-19 in Hong Kong, but WSAVA and other governmental health organizations say typical precautions are sufficient. 


 WSAVA updates guidance document after dog possibly infected with coronavirus

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) has announced the recipients of the 2019 Advancement in Equine Research Awards, honoring veterinarians dedicated to researching equine infectious respiratory disease and equine asthma syndrome.

The awards, which were presented in December at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention in Denver, are a part of BI’s mission to help improve equine patient’s health and quality of life, according to a 

“As a global leader in equine health, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to supporting equine research and its role in helping understand, diagnose and prevent disease,” says Steve Grubbs, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, equine technical manager for BI. “With these research awards, we hope to help make great strides in the industry’s ability to address equine respiratory disease and equine asthma syndrome.”

The following five recipients will split $75,000 in grant money to continue their studies:

, clinical professor and section head of equine medicine and surgery at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is researching the efficacy of disinfection of endoscopes contaminated with 

, veterinary clinical sciences resident at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is researching nebulized glycosylated-caffeic acid phenylether ester attenuation of particulate-induced airway inflammation in horses.

, assistant professor and associate department head of academics at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, is researching the association between equine asthma and obesity in horses.

, associate professor of equine internal medicine at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, is researching comparative immune responses to modified-live and killed equine herpesvirus type 1 vaccines in weanling foals.

, professor of internal medicine, equine respiratory system and lung function at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, is researching the development of a portable pulmonary function test for equine asthma.

Five researchers will each receive $15,000 to continue their investigations on respiratory conditions in horses.

Boehringer Ingelheim awards five veterinarians with equine research funds

Zoetis has announced the FDA approval of Simparica Trio, the first isoxazoline combination product to provide comprehensive protection against the most common internal and external parasites, 

Through the combination of sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel, Simparica Trio protects dogs against heartworm disease, fleas, ticks (

).The product is approved for use in dogs 8 weeks and older weighing at least 2.8 lb, and is expected to be available by late April.

“Comprehensive parasite protection is a critical component of every annual wellness exam, and veterinarians should strongly recommend year-round, broad-spectrum protection for all patients,” said Chris Adolph, DVM, MS, DACVM (Parasitology), senior veterinary specialist at Zoetis, in the release. “Simparica Trio makes it easier for dog owners to follow their veterinarians’ recommendations for parasite protection because it covers the most common parasites in just one convenient chewable.”

Simparica Trio should be used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. Sarolaner, one of the active ingredients in Simparica Trio, has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia and seizures in dogs with or without a history of neurologic disorders.

The safe use of Simparica Trio has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant or lactating bitches. The most commonly reported adverse effects in clinical trials were vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment with Simparica Trio can begin at any time of the year and should be administered year‑round at monthly intervals. For more information about this product, visit 

The sarolaner-moxidectin-pyrantel chewable is 100% effective both in preventing heartworm and in killing adult fleas 8 hours after treatment.

FDA approves new combination parasite preventive 

Hey, veterinary professionals. We know you’re busy. That’s why we’ve made it even easier for you to get the latest veterinary news.

Click the video below to view the top three stories of the week in 60 seconds:

A new report from Mars and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute has revealed that more interaction with animals may help combat the 

The American Association of Feline Practitioners is hosting its 

dvm360 extends a warm welcome to our new Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Adam Christman.

Videos

Want to be in the know? Check out the veterinary news highlights from this week.

News in a minute: The “loneliness epidemic”, first AAFP e-conference, dvm360’s new Chief Veterinary Officer

Most people would say building a brand-new practice, taking on business ownership just five and seven years out of school, and starting families all at the same time is crazy. But the owners of Tustin Legacy Animal Hospital in Tustin, California, say it made total sense to them. 

 Drs. Celine Hayek and
Kristen Negvesky

Saunders + Wiant Architects, Inc.; Newport Beach, CA

After meeting as associates at another practice, Drs. Celine Hayek and Kristin Negvesky became fast friends. They always talked of building a practice together sometime in the future. Fast forward a few years. They had both left the practice for various reasons. Dr. Negvesky attended the first WVC Women’s Veterinary Summit and heard a talk about starting your own practice. 

“It was perfect timing,” says Dr. Negvesky. “They gave us the tools to start a practice, and it just hit me: Now was the right time for us to build. I took back a lot of great ideas, and told Dr. Hayek we don’t have to wait, let’s do it now!” The two friends started planning, quickly hired a realtor, found a practice space, signed a lease, and started making designs for their dream practice. It all fell into place, but the build was not without its challenges.

“We had a steep learning curve, but we have complementary styles and ways of thinking about things,” she says. “I think it came together nicely.”

The 2020 dvm360 Hospital Design Competition judges agree that the practice came together more than just nicely. In fact, these first-time practice owners and builders earned Hospital of the Year honors for practices smaller than 8,000 square feet. The Hospital Design Competition judges praised the hospital for a nicely detailed interior, great finishes, and a solid, efficient plan. 

Drs. Negvesky and Hayek first found a realtor to help them choose a site. Having never owned a business previously, the two say they had a steep learning curve. Thankfully, their real estate agent helped lead them to the right people.

“Our agent had a lot of experience with veterinary hospitals and was a huge help, directing us where to go next,” says Dr. Negvesky. “We then met someone at Bank of America for our loans, and that person recommended a CPA to us. Each step of the way someone pointed us to someone else who could help.”

The two say dealing with contracts was the most difficult part. Understanding all the details and keeping up with reading all the contracts posed challenges. Securing loans and handling financing also proved challenging for these newbies, but they say Bank of America was a big help. 

“Our main goal was to design a place that gave people a really good vibe when they walked in the door,” says Dr. Negvesky. “At our place, client service is No. 1, and we wanted our hospital to feel approachable, with a clean, fresh style.”

There was also one more must-have: “A chandelier, a big one!” says Dr. Negvesky. 

The doctors got what they wanted with a fresh, clean vibe throughout their 2,685-square-foot practice with four exam rooms, separate dog and cat waiting areas, plenty of sunshine, and a view of two military hangars that are a big part of the area’s culture. 

The Hospital Design Competition judges praised Tustin Legacy Animal Hospital for its solid, efficient layout. The owners said their main goal when designing the practice was to have an easy-flowing plan. “We wanted enough exam rooms to be able to put clients in rooms quickly, and not have them waiting up front for long, and for the flow to allow for technicians to easily go back and forth,” says Dr. Hayek. “We also wanted to be able to see the back of the hospital from the front, without a ton of nooks and crannies and small hallways. This place was designed to be open and bright.”

Speaking of, Dr. Negvesky says she wanted a ton of sunlight, so she didn’t go into treatment and come out not knowing what time it was because she hadn’t seen the sky all day.

The doctors did want two-door exam rooms, but they had to scrap that idea. It took too much space from their tight floor plan.

Another strategic choice the doctors made was to not include boarding and grooming in their business. “We had heard a lot of stories of things not going well for others, and it seems that a lot of negative reviews online stem from boarding and grooming, which should not be a reflection of your medicine,” says Dr. Negvesky. “We wanted to just focus on medicine and not bring that into it.” 

As for the look of the practice, the doctors hired an interior designer to get the right vibe. Drs. Hayek and Negvesky told the designer the colors they wanted (blues and greens), the style they were looking for (upscale yet inviting), and the requirement of a chandelier in the reception area, then the designer ran with it. “She gave us a lot of cool options and came up with a design that was fantastic for us,” says Dr. Negvesky. The designer created accent walls in each of the exam rooms, suggested a textured wallpaper behind the reception desk that looks like wood, and other whimsical art ideas throughout the hospital. 

A week before the practice officially opened, the doctors held a grand opening event for the community to stop in and tour the practice, ask questions, and get to know them as a brand-new start up. They put up fliers, hung a banner and spread the word. Food trucks, activities, raffles and hospital tours brought in about 100 people.

On their first day of business, a dog appointment was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. with someone they knew to help start off the day in their new space. “We were super surprised, though, when someone we didn’t know walked in at 8 a.m. with a cat,” says Dr. Negvesky. “We were ready for a dog, so that first appointment threw us off, but we made it work. We were flying by the seat of our pants that day.”

Since then, business has been growing steadily, with many new clinets gained through word-of-mouth referrals and all five-star reviews on Yelp. With the shopping center building up around them, as well as 44 new homes being built nearby on an old military base, the opportunity for growth keeps coming. 

One last detail to mention: Tustin Legacy Animal Hospital opened in June 2018, and Dr. Hayek had her first child in early July. Dr. Negvesky also had her first child in late 2019. Talk about a labor of love. Who better to travel this journey with than a good friend and business partner who really understands your needs? 

Sarah A. Moser is a freelance writer in Lenexa, Kansas.

Two young doctors dove right into practice ownership and building a facility all at once and got the practice of their dreams, earning them top honors in the under-8,000-square-feet category of the dvm360 Hospital Design Competition.  