Pulse - January 2025 - 16

UPDATES
healthier breeds.
These findings highlight the complexity
of genetics in canine health and challenge
assumptions about the advantages
of breeding practices.
Trupanion Hits $3 billion
Claims Payout Milestone
Pet health insurer Trupanion reached a
milestone when owners of a 9-yearold
Maltipoo in Coral Springs, Florida,
were reimbursed for allergy medication.
With this claim, the company
surpassed $3 billion in total paid claims
since its founding in 2000, the company
announced.
" Crossing $3 billion in paid claims is a
huge acknowledgment of the problem
we are solving and underscores the growing
importance of pet medical insurance, " said
Trupanion CEO and President Margi Tooth.
Over the past two decades, Trupanion has
processed more than 11.1 million veterinary
invoices, covering more than 2.4 million
insured pets. This extensive database has
offered valuable insights into the most common
health issues affecting dogs and cats.
For dogs, the top claims include allergies
and allergy-related issues ($128.47 million),
vomiting ($80.46 million), limping ($78.59
million), diarrhea ($66.74 million), and mass
lesions ($103.60 million).
The milestone highlights a growing trend
in pet healthcare, where insurance is
becoming an essential resource for managing
unexpected medical expenses. With
veterinary costs rising, many pet owners
are turning to insurance to ensure their
pets receive the care they need without
financial strain.
Meanwhile, Nationwide, another pet
health insurance provider, is educating
veterinary teams about the benefits of pet
insurance. These efforts aim to increase
awareness among pet owners and ensure
their pets are covered for various medical
conditions. For more details, visit
bit.ly/3CQc8zG.
Owners Value Telehealth for
Responsiveness, Expertise
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association
has published an analysis highlighting what
pet owners value most in their telehealth
experiences. The findings were based on
consumer feedback from an unnamed
16
● Covetrus has opened an expanded
50,000-square-foot compounding pharmacy
in Phoenix. " Through this expansion,
Covetrus has doubled its pharmacy
compounding space and now offers
even more products and customization,
using modern automated equipment and
enhanced facilities that meet the industry's
regulatory compliance standards, "
the company reported. ...
veterinary telehealth provider.
The top priorities identified by pet owners
included:
Responsiveness: Quick and helpful customer
service stood out, with 22% of
respondents emphasizing the importance
of timely responses.
Professionalism and expertise: Positive
interactions with skilled and compassionate
veterinarians were highlighted by 13%
of participants, who appreciated clear and
knowledgeable advice.
Reduced stress: For 10% of respondents,
telehealth provided a way to minimize
stress for pets, particularly those with
anxiety or health challenges.
Affordability: About 6% viewed telehealth
as a cost-effective alternative to traditional
veterinary visits.
The report underscores the growing role
of telehealth in meeting the needs of both
pets and their owners, offering convenience,
expertise, and value in a virtual format.
Hed:
Also ...
● Patterson Companies Inc., parent company
of supplier Patterson Veterinary,
has agreed to be acquired by investment
firm Patient Square Capital in a $4.1
billion deal. " Patterson will become a
privately held company, and its common
stock will no longer be traded on
the NASDAQ Global Select Market, "
the Minnesota-based parent company
reported. Patterson Veterinary is headquartered
in Loveland, Colorado. ...
JANUARY 2025
PULSE
● Veterinary Emergency Group has
earned certification from the workplace
culture company Great Place to Work.
According to VEG, " This year, 84% of
employees said it's a great place to work
- 27 points higher than the average
U.S. company. " VEG operates more than
85 hospitals nationwide. ...
● Clemson University held a groundbreaking
ceremony in November for its proposed
College of Veterinary Medicine. The South
Carolina institution expects to welcome
its inaugural class of 80 students in fall
2026 if accreditation is approved. ...
● Experts believe three more cats in Los
Angeles County have been infected with
H5N1 bird flu. Two others succumbed
to the disease earlier this month after
drinking recalled raw milk from Fresnobased
Raw Farm LLC dairies, the Los
Angeles Times reported. Of the three
new sick cats, two died and one tested
positive for influenza A, an unusual finding
in domestic cats that haven't been
exposed to infected birds or contaminated
dairy products. P
- Compiled by Marilyn Iturri
http://bit.ly/3CQc8zG
Pulse - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - January 2025
