Weekly Vet Report: FDA approves feline hypertension drug, injectable BOAS therapy shows early promise, and more

This week, the FDA approved the first amlodipine formulation specifically indicated for cats with systemic hypertension, addressing a long-standing reliance on off-label use. We also discuss recent research updates on an injectable therapy for brachycephalic airway syndrome and a large-scale study mapping the feline cancer genome, both of which point to ongoing advances in treatment and disease understanding.

FDA approves first feline amlodipine treatment for hypertension

Veterinarians now have the first FDA-approved amlodipine formulation specifically indicated for cats with systemic hypertension.

On April 29, the FDA approved Amodip (amlodipine besylate chewable tablets), sponsored by Ceva Santé Animale.¹ The approval closes a longstanding gap for veterinarians who have historically relied on off-label human amlodipine to manage feline hypertension.

Systemic hypertension is commonly seen in cats, particularly those with chronic kidney disease, and can lead to damage affecting the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, and central nervous system if left untreated.

The approval was supported by a placebo-controlled field study of 77 client-owned cats. By day 28, 64.1% of treated cats met the study’s primary effectiveness endpoint, compared with 17.6% in controls. Treated cats also showed a mean systolic blood pressure reduction of 28.2 mm Hg.

The FDA said veterinarians should continue routine blood pressure and bloodwork monitoring, particularly for kidney and liver values.

Injectable BOAS therapy shows early success in pilot study

A developmental injectable designed to help flat-faced, brachycephalic dogs breathe more easily showed promising early results in a pilot study.

Developed by Australian biotech company Snoretox in collaboration with Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Snoretox-1 is modeled after Botox therapy and uses a modified tetanus toxin to increase muscle tone in the floor of the mouth, helping stabilize the airway.²

In a study published in The Veterinary Journal, six British bulldogs with severe brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) all showed visible improvement after treatment, including reduced breathing noise and effort and improved exercise tolerance.

The findings are preliminary, as the study included only six dogs. Still, the therapy is drawing attention because surgery remains a common BOAS intervention, yet many dogs continue to experience respiratory compromise after surgery.

Snoretox previously received the Innovation Award at the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.²

Landmark feline cancer study reveals similarities to human tumors

A large-scale study published in Science produced what researchers describe as the first comprehensive map of the feline oncogenome.³

Investigators sequenced 493 feline tumors across 13 cancer types and identified 31 driver genes, including TP53, which was mutated in 33% of tumors—closely mirroring rates reported in human cancers.

Researchers also identified similarities in mammary, lung, pancreatic, and mast cell tumors, with several mutations overlapping with known human cancer pathways.

The dataset could help expand understanding of feline cancers and inform future targeted therapy research in both veterinary and human oncology.

References

1. Bautista-Alejandre A. FDA approves first veterinary amlodipine drug for feline hypertension. dvm360. April 29, 2026. Accessed May 1, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/fda-approves-first-veterinary-amlodipine-drug-for-feline-hypertension
2. Coppock Crossley K. Developmental drug for BOAS shows promise in new study. dvm360. April 29, 2026. Accessed May 1, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/developmental-drug-for-boas-shows-promise-in-new-study
3. Bautista-Alejandre A. Study maps cancer genes in cats, finding remarkable similarities to human cancers. April 21, 2026. Accessed May 1, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/study-maps-cancer-genes-in-cats-finding-remarkable-similarities-to-human-cancers