FDA officials have approved a generic drug for the treatment of canine and feline skin infections. Cefovecin Sodium for Injection is sponsored by Qilu Animal Health Products Co in Shandong, China.

Cefovecin Sodium for Injection is an antimicrobial drug used to treat infections, abscesses, and wounds caused by certain bacterial strains. It is only available with a prescription from a licensed veterinarian and is supplied as a multiuse vial equal to 80 mg/mL when reconstituted with 10 mL of sterile water for injection.

The generic drug contains cefovecin sodium, the same active ingredient in Convenia (Zoetis Inc), which was approved by the FDA in 2008. Cefovecin Sodium for Injection does not contain inactive ingredients that may significantly affect the bioavailability of cefovecin sodium, according to the FDA.

Investigational drug aims to treat equine skin cancer

According to Zoetis, Convenia is indicated for skin infections in dogs caused by susceptible strains of 

 (group G). These infections include secondary superficial pyoderma, abscesses, and wounds.

In cats, Convenia is indicated for the treatment of skin infections caused by susceptible strains of 

These feline infections include wounds and abscesses.

FDA approves first generic cefovecin sodium injection treating skin infections in dogs and cats. FDA. June 24, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-approves-first-generic-cefovecin-sodium-injection-treating-skin-infections-dogs-and-cats?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Convenia (cefovecin sodium). Zoetis. 2023. Accessed June 24, 2025. 

https://www.zoetisus.com/products/petcare/convenia/

Articles

Cefovecin Sodium for Injection is sponsored by Qilu Animal Health Products Co.

New generic drug for skin infections is approved by the FDA

During this video with dvm360's chief veterinary officer Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, 

Video interview with dvm360

During this interview with Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer, dvm360, Caroline Monk, DVM, DACVO, shares the importance of general practitioners performing basic eye tests before referring their cases to the specialist. Throughout the interview, the pair discusses all things ophthalmology from Schirmer tear test, fluorescein staining, simple ulcer treatments, and to why you should consult with an ophthalmologist when your brachycephalic canine patients have constantly wet eyes. Monk also explains to Christman that it is important to educate clients on the importance of hard plastic cones instead of the inflatable collars for patients postoperative eye protection.

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity 

What are some things that we should be doing if we are definitely going to be referring our cases over to you? What are some pointers that you can give to those tuning in?

You know, I think it's never wrong to take a hand at trying to prescribe some eye drops, especially in like an emergent case like glaucoma or a corneal ulcer. Sometimes primary vets are nervous for prescribing something that we might say actually isn't needed. But typically, like with the price point of ophthalmics, it's not wrong to go ahead and write a prescription...then in there to get them started on something that might ...decline rapidly without intervention in the few days it takes to get in with us.

:  RIght? And let's talk about, in the [dermatology] world, we always talk about the dermatologic database, yeah. And in the eye world, walk me through about the basic...essentials that we should be doing [when] doing an eye exam.

The 3 basic tests that we love to have performed on every patient are a Schirmer tear test, tonometry and fluorescein staining. So those are kind of like the mainstays for our like, bare minimum database that we want to get on every eye. And we love to have that information ahead of time. We probably will repeat it when the pet comes back in, and that's no offense to whoever did the initial test. Things can change, and we like to just have our own numbers in house, but I do recommend, ideally, even if you're an experienced practitioner, you kind of know what's going on. It's really nice to get those numbers, because you can always uncover, you know, a new surprise with regards to what's going on with the patient. And it really is, each one has a very important role in determining next steps for us.

Want to learn more from the team at Blue Pearl Malvern? Check out dvm360's most recent installment of 

with Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology) and the rest of the oncology team, plus earn 1.0 CE credit!

Videos

Let's talk about ophthalmology

When Aliva Jones from Butler, Missouri, first saw Cardi, a young quarter horse, she did not expect the journey that they would embark on. A few weeks after Jones brought Cardi home, she began to notice that something was off with her horse during routine wound care.

“Cardi was stiff and couldn’t really walk, she had a prolapsed eyelid, and her face just didn’t look right,” Jones explained.

 “I was almost 100% sure it was tetanus. I had given her the first dose of the vaccine, but she wasn’t yet due for the second, so she wasn’t fully protected.”

Jones brought Cardi 3 hours away to the University of Missouri’s Veterinary Health Center (VHC), where the team confirmed she had tetanus. Lynn Martin, DVM, MPH, DACVI (LAIM), noticed the severity of her condition and a team of equine experts began treatment to help save Cardi. Martin noted that she presented with classic neurologic signs of the disease, moved with a rigid and uneasy gait, a sardonic grin, and a protruding third eye. If a horse presents like this, they normally do not survive, according to Martin.

Cardi was brought to University of Missouri’s Veterinary Health Center where she was diagnosed with tetanus (Image courtesy of Alivia Jones)

Cardi was treated with standard supportive care to start, including wound management, intramuscular antitoxin injections, antimicrobials, tranquilizers, and supportive measures such as housing Cardi in a dark quiet stall. However, Martin began to realize that this was not enough, plus a nationwide shortage of the antitoxin made things more complicated for Cardi’s team.

The VHC team was able to secure multiple doses of the antitoxin and quickly began treatment, but by this point the toxin had reached Cardi’s central nervous system. However, in severe cases of tetanus, the intramuscular administration of the antitoxin is not very effective, which led Martin to propose a more aggressive approach: intrathecal injection. After the first dose, Cardi collapsed.

“For a second, I thought we lost her,” Martin said. “But we gave her fluids and kept monitoring everything. And then … she got back up.”

In order to keep Cardi moving in the right direction, Marin proposed a novel approach to improve the treatment, placing an indwelling intrathecal catheter to deliver the antitoxin in a safer, slower, and smaller repeated doses. In collaboration with John Dodam, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVAA, the team at VHC performed the delicate procedure. This innovative procedure was the key to Cardi’s lifesaving treatment because administering the antitoxin in smaller more controlled doses can help avoid severe reactions that are noted with the initial large injection, allowing treatment to go on without complications.

Over 6 treatments her stiffness eased, the tension left her face, and she began to walk, eat, and trot again. She was able to eventually return home to continue her recovery journey.

“It was incredible,” Martin explained. “In all my years, I’ve never seen a horse come back from Tetanus like this. Cardi beat the odds because everyone — faculty, interns, students, residents and the anesthesia team — came together for a total team effort.”

“As far as I know, this is the first time this procedure has ever been done,” Martin said. “It’s rare to encounter something entirely new in practice, and moments like this remind me why I became a veterinarian,” Martin concluded.

Childress N. Breakthrough care at Mizzou’s Veterinary Health Center gives horse a second chance at life. Show Me Mizzou. June 23, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://showme.missouri.edu/2025/breakthrough-care-at-mizzous-veterinary-health-center-gives-horse-a-second-chance-at-life/

The first-of-its-kind procedure saved the life of Cardi, a young horse that was diagnosed with tetanus.

Breakthrough treatment saves horse at Mizzou 

Hip luxation occurs when the femoral head moves from its position in the acetabulum to a resting position that is either craniodorsal or caudoventral.

To prevent this from occurring, the ligament of the head of the femur, the dorsal acetabular rim, and the joint capsule act as major stabilizers of the hip.

 Two of these stabilizers must be disrupted in order for the hip to luxate. Hip luxation is common in canines, accounting for up to 90% of all joint luxations, most being craniodorsal (78%).

Upon presentation, typically, dogs will be non–weight bearing in the affected limb with adduction of the femur and external rotation of the stifle, swelling over the coxofemoral joint, and shortening of the affected limb. Gentle palpation may reveal crepitus in the affected hip. The orthopedic exam should specifically include thumb and triangle tests.

The thumb test requires the thumb to be placed in the ischiatic notch while externally rotating the femur. If the thumb is not displaced, the joint is likely luxated.

 The triangle test begins with pointing at the craniodorsal aspect of the iliac wing, the tuber ischii, and the greater trochanter. This should resemble a triangle with the tip pointing distally. If the greater trochanter of the femur is above the line connecting the iliac wing and the tuber ischii, the hip is luxated.  Positive tests indicate that further examination of the joint is necessary. Following physical exam, sedation should be administered and pelvic radiographs obtained.

Orthogonal radiographs of the pelvis are useful to confirm luxation and assess direction of luxation, conformation of the joint (hip dysplasia), or presence of fracture of the acetabulum, fracture of the capital femoral physis, fracture of the head or neck of the femur, or avascular necrosis of the femoral head (Legg-Calv.-Perthes disease).

Treatment options may vary depending on the patient’s history and radiographic findings. It is important to determine whether luxation is acute or chronic.

When treating craniodorsal hip luxation, open and closed reduction are considered. Closed reduction and Ehmer sling placement should be attempted in acute cases that do not have complicating factors, while surgical therapies may be indicated if hip dysplasia, fractures, or chronic luxation is present.

Closed reduction should be attempted in patients that present without fractures and good hip conformation. Closed reduction and Ehmer sling placement should take place as soon as possible, ideally within the first 4 to 5 days of luxation, to decrease the likelihood of reluxation and complications.

This requires an epidural block and heavy sedation but preferably general anesthesia, as the procedure can be painful and muscle contraction may result in an inability to reduce the luxation.

To reduce a luxated hip, the dog should be placed in lateral recumbency with the affected limb facing up. A towel is placed around the dog’s inguinal region, while an assistant stands on the dorsal side of the dog and pulls the towel toward them while the clinician provides distal traction and external rotation of the femur. Then, internal rotation will place the femoral head back in the acetabulum when combined with abduction.

 After closed reduction, the joint should be carefully moved through range of motion while maintaining medially directed pressure on the greater trochanter to remove clots, ligament, and joint capsule from the joint space. The joint should be assessed for crepitus during the range of motion test, which should not be present after successful reduction. Once the joint is reduced, stability must be assessed, and an Ehmer sling should be placed to help keep the joint reduced by increasing coverage of the femoral head by abduction, internal rotation, and hip flexion Radiographs following sling placement should be obtained to ensure appropriate seating of the femoral head. The Ehmer sling should be in place for 10 to 14 days with strict cage rest to allow healing of periarticular soft tissues and joint capsule.

 However, Ehmer slings have a high risk of bandage sores and are generally not well tolerated. Up to 50% of cases will require surgical intervention because of reluxation.

Open reduction is indicated in cases of reluxation, in cases where the joint remains unstable after reduction, or if closed reduction cannot be achieved.

 Additionally, open reduction is indicated with avulsion fracture of the femoral head or if the patient presented with concurrent injuries requiring immediate return to mobility. The specific procedure performed is chosen based on the patient’s age, surgeon’s preference, severity of joint capsule damage, and assessment of the joint conformation. Open stabilization techniques include capsulorrhaphy, prosthetic capsule, transposition of the greater trochanter, transarticular pinning, fascia lata loop stabilization, extra-articular iliofemoral suture, pelvic osteotomy (only in dogs typically less than 1 year of age, with recurrent luxation and a mild degree of hip dysplasia), or toggle pin stabilization.

When capsulorrhaphy is performed, it is reported to have a success rate of 83% to 90%.

 However, in many cases, the capsule is severely torn and crushed, preventing a strong capsulorrhaphy. Other techniques are thus preferred or added to achieve stabilization, particularly in larger patients. The prosthetic capsule technique consists of screws inserted in the dorsal acetabular rim at 2 different points, with suture connecting the screws to a tunnel in the femoral neck. This technique has a success rate of 65% to 100%.

 Iliofemoral suture stabilization requires a tunnel to be drilled in the ilium, just cranial to the acetabulum, and 1 tunnel in the femur at the base of the greater trochanter. The suture is then passed lateral to medial through the ilium, and cranial to caudal through the femur, then caudally to cranial beneath the insertion of the gluteal muscles on the greater trochanter. One study reported a variation to the technique with an anchor screw placed in the ilium.

 In young animals, a technique such as the iliofemoral suture may be advantageous because it is an extra-articular, absorbable suture and therefore can decrease the risk of degenerative joint disease and infection caused by intra-articular implants.

 An absorbable suture is used that decreases in tensile strength over time, allowing the surrounding soft tissues to compensate.

Lastly, toggle pin stabilization involves a hole drilled from lateral to medial in the acetabulum and another tunnel drilled through the center of the femoral neck to exit just below the third trochanter. Anchors are then seated on the medial aspect of the acetabulum and the caudal aspect of the femur and connected with suture to hold the joint in place. This technique has a reluxation rate of 10% to 14.8%.

 The results of a cadaveric study showed recently that arthroscopic-assisted toggle pin placement is possible.

 Toggle pin stabilization is the only known technique that enables early weight bearing of the affected limb postoperatively and, therefore, is a good option when the patient has concurrent injuries.

In instances of poor hip conformation or nonreconstructable fractures, salvage procedures are typically indicated. Depending on the owner and the patient, total hip arthroplasty or a femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) may be performed. Total hip arthroplasty results in reconstruction of the joint with a relatively low complication rate of 6%, but reluxation is still possible.

 FHO results in the absence of a true joint, and stability relies on compensation of the surrounding tissues. Although this means there is no risk of reluxation, FHO should not be performed in cases where the coxofemoral joint may be restored.

 Small breed dogs tend to do well with FHO, but recovery and outcome may be less favorable in large breeds or heavy dogs.

Techniques such as DeVita pin placement, external fixator, and transarticular pinning are less commonly used because of high complication rates.

 Other techniques have been described (fascia lata loop stabilization, greater trochanter transposition, transposition of sacro-tuberous ligament, etc) but for which there is generally less hindsight and tend tobe outdated.

The prognosis after hip luxation is variable, depending on the type of reduction, the delay between the trauma and reduction, the procedure performed, and the severity of the trauma. A varying degree of degenerative joint disease can be expected. The most common complication across studies after treatment was reluxation. That is why it is important to carry out a thorough assessment, taking into account all the relevant information (history, age, obesity, concurrent injuries, hip dysplasia, etc) in order to choose the most appropriate technique for each patient. The decision chart (

) is a useful tool for the management of coxofemoral luxation.

Harper T. Coxofemoral luxation: tips for closed reductions. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. April 13, 2021. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/2021/04/13/coxofemoral-luxation-tips-for-closed-reductions/

Wardlaw JL, McLaughlin R. Hip luxation. In: Johnston SA, Tobias KM, eds. 

Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal. 2nd ed.

DeCamp CE, Johnston SA, Déjardin LM, Schaefer SL. The hip joint. In DeCamp CE, Johnston SA, Déjardin LM, Schaefer SL, eds. 

Brinker, Piermattei and Flo’s Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair. 5th ed

Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal Expert Consult. 2nd ed.

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Bone DL, Walker M, Cantwell HD. Traumatic coxofemoral luxations in dogs: results of repair. 

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Braden TD, Johnson ME. Technique and indications of a prosthetic capsule for repair of recurrent and chronic coxofemoral luxations. 

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Johnson ME, Braden TD. A retrospective study of prosthetic capsule technique for the treatment of problem cases of dislocated hips. 

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Redolfi G, Grand JG. Complications and long-term outcomes after prosthetic capsule replacement in 15 dogs with traumatic hip luxation. 

. 2023;59(2):59-68. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7244

Rocha AG, Costa RC, Morato GO, et al. Iliofemoral technique modification using an anchor screw as treatment of canine traumatic hip luxation—case report. 

. 2020;72(6): 2252-2258. doi:10.1590/1678-4162-12037

Martini FM, Simonazzi, B, Del Bue M. Extra-articular absorbable suture stabilization of coxofemoral luxation in dogs. 

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Mathews ME, Barnhart MD. Risk factors for reluxation after toggle rod stabilization for treatment of coxofemoral luxation in 128 dogs. 

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Trostel CT, Fox DB. Coxofemoral joint luxation in dogs treated with toggle rod stabilization: a multi-institutional retrospective review with client survey. 

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Rivenburg RE, Murphy SM, Jones CT, Martin KW. Arthroscopicassisted toggle rod stabilization in canine coxofemoral luxation: a cadaveric study. 

. 2022;35(5):298-304. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1748880

Allaith S, Tucker LJ, Innes JF, et al. Outcomes and complications reported from a multiuser canine hip replacement registry over a 10-year period. 

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Harper TAM. Femoral head and neck excision. V

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. October 1, 2011. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/hip-luxation-proceedings

The authors guide clinicians through the care of dogs with the condition.

Canine craniodorsal hip luxation: Management and treatment

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides (

), which live in the soil in dry and hot environments. In the United States, Coccidioides is most common in the southwest, specifically in Arizona and southern California, where it is considered endemic, but also as far north as Washington and as far east as Texas.

 Internationally, it is also seen in Mexico and parts of Central and South America.

Arthroconidia are inhaled from the environment and phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages, where they first develop into a spherule. The spherule then develops hundreds of endospores inside it, which eventually rupture, releasing the endospores. Those endospores cause local pyogranulomatous inflammation and can disseminate via lymphatics to the tracheobronchial lymph nodes and/or hematogenous throughout the rest of the body.

 can range from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Most commonly, dogs experience mild signs such as coughing, lethargy, hyporexia, fever, and weight loss, all of which can present acutely or chronically.

 If there is dissemination, clinical signs will vary based on the site which commonly include the central nervous system, bone, eyes, skin and pericardium. Neurologic signs may include seizures, which is the most common, central vestibular signs, head pressing and back pain or paresis.

 Coccidioides osteomyelitis in the appendicular bones often presents with lameness, pain, or a visible swelling.

 Cardiac/pericardial involvement often leads to right-sided heart failure with ascites and/or pleural effusion.

The diagnosis of Coccidioidomycosis can be made using serology, cytology, histopathology, or fungal cultures. Most commonly, diagnosis is based on antibody serology, consisting of IgM and IgG titers via an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) assay.

 IgM antibodies are generally able to be detected within 2-5 weeks, and IgG in 8-12 weeks after initial infection.

 There is no documented correlation of initial titers and disease severity; therefore, dogs with low titers can have significant disease, and on the other hand, dogs in endemic areas can have positive titers from exposure alone.

 The author generally treats all positive dogs with consistent clinical signs, even with low titers, and will treat asymptomatic dogs with positive results if the titer is 1:8 or higher. False negative results may occur in up to 13% of cases.

Over the past few years, a point-of-care lateral flow assay (LFA), sōna Coccidioides LFA (IMMY, Norman, Oklahoma), has also become commercially available and subsequently tested in comparison to AGID in canine patients.

 In comparison to AGID, a study showed that the point of care LFA had a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 75%.

 This point-of-care test can be helpful in situations where teams may be looking to provide more information quickly, either prior to same-day additional procedures/testing or to euthanasia. As this is a qualitative test, and there can be false negatives, it is still recommended to submit titers for confirmation and monitoring.

Cytology from aspirates, fluid or skin impressions may also show Coccidioides spherules and/or endospores, but this has a generally low sensitivity and can be easy to miss due to low numbers of organisms.

 Fungal cultures can also be used, but due to potentially long incubation time and human health hazards to laboratory workers, this is not commonly performed.

Azole antifungal therapy is the mainstay of treatment for Valley fever, with fluconazole being most common due to its lower cost. In clinical practice, fluconazole is generally dosed close to 10 mg/kg twice daily.

 Fluconazole comes in generic 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg tablets, which can be easily halved to facilitate dosing as close to the 10 mg/kg, even in small patients. There is also a generic 40 mg/mL solution available.

Itraconazole is preferred over fluconazole in cases with bone or joint involvement due to increased bone penetration

 and is commonly used in cases with refractory disease on fluconazole. The recommended dosing for itraconazole is 5 mg/kg once daily. Itraconazole comes in 100 mg generic capsules as well as human-labeled and veterinary-labeled liquid solutions in a 10 mg/mL concentration. Newer-generation azoles such as posaconazole and voriconazole can also be considered in refractory cases.

 Hepatotoxicity can occur in up to 26% of patients on azole antifungal therapy.

It is recommended to avoid compounding these medications. In a 2018 study comparing compounded, generic and brand-name itraconazole, 95% of animals in the compounded group had subtherapeutic itraconazole blood levels,

 and a 2017 study on compounded fluconazole showed poor accuracy and precision in compounded fluconazole suspension.

For dogs with ocular Valley fever, enucleation may be required, and in dogs with Valley fever pericarditis, subtotal pericardectomy and epicardial excision may be required.

 In patients with severe infection or refractory cases, amphotericin B can be considered.

Treatment duration can range from 6 months to many years, but in the author’s experience, the average treatment duration is 9-12 months. Antibody titers should decrease with successful treatment.

 Treatment is commonly continued until the titer is 1:2 or lower and the initial lesions have resolved.

 Titers are commonly checked every 3-6 months. Many clinicians will treat for an additional 3-6 months after the first negative or low (1:1 or 1:2) titer, rechecking the titer again prior to discontinuing treatment. Osteomyelitis and CNS cases often require long-term to potentially lifelong treatment.

A coccidioidomycosis vaccine, an attenuated live vaccine using an avirulent strain of Coccidioides, is currently in development by Anivive Lifesciences.

 A 2021 study where research dogs were vaccinated (initial + booster at day 28) and then subsequently infected with Coccidioides, showed that vaccinated dogs had a significantly reduced fungal burden and disease scores, with about 90% of those dogs having minimal measures of disease.

Keep an eye out for more information in the future for more studies on vaccine, FDA approval and commercial availability.

Although less common than in dogs, likely due to their indoor lifestyle, Valley fever can also be seen in cats. Similar to dogs, clinical signs are often related to disease localization, which can include respiratory signs, skin lesions, lameness, neurologic signs and ocular lesions.

 Dissemination is common in cats, with one study reporting dissemination in 60% of cats, with the skin being the most common site of dissemination.

 Diagnosis is generally made from antibody serology and/or cytology, similar to dogs.

 Treatment is with azole antifungal therapy, with fluconazole being the first-choice medication at 50 mg/cat twice daily, with alternative azole therapy (itraconazole and posaconazole) or amphotericin B in refractory cases.

Sykes JE. Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases. Elsevier/Saunders; 2014.

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Shaver SL, Foy DS, Carter TD. Clinical features, treatment, and outcome of dogs with coccidioides osteomyelitis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2022;260(1):63-70. doi:10.2460/javma.20.12.0696

Heinritz CK, Gilson SD, Soderstrom MJ, Robertson TA, Gorman SC, Boston RC. Subtotal pericardectomy and epicardial excision for treatment of coccidioidomycosis-induced effusive-constrictive pericarditis in dogs: 17 cases (1999–2003). 

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

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Johnson LR, Herrgesell EJ, Davidson AP, Pappagianis D. Clinical, clinicopathologic, and radiographic findings in dogs with coccidioidomycosis: 24 cases (1995–2000). 

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Shubitz LF, Butkiewicz CD, Dial SM, Lindan CP. Incidence of coccidioides infection among dogs residing in a region in which the organism is endemic

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Gunstra A, Steurer JA, Seibert RL, Dixon BC, Russell DS. Sensitivity of serologic testing for dogs diagnosed with coccidioidomycosis on histology: 52 cases (2012–2013). 

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Schlacks S, Vishkautsan P, Butkiewicz C, Shubitz L. Evaluation of a commercially available, point-of-care Coccidioides antibody lateral flow assay to aid in rapid diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis in dogs. 

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Reagan KL, McHardy I, Thompson GR, Sykes JE. Clinical performance of a point‐of‐care coccidioides antibody test in dogs. 

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Felton T, Troke PF, Hope WW. Tissue penetration of antifungal agents. 

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Shubitz LF, Schlacks S, Vishkautsan P, Butkiewicz CD, Worthing KA. Posaconazole treatment of refractory coccidioidomycosis in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2021;35(6):2772-2777. doi:10.1111/jvim.16282

Raghu C, Reagh C. Novel Treatment of Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis in a Dog with Voriconazole. 

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Shubitz LF, Robb EJ, Powell DA, et al. Δcps1 vaccine protects dogs against experimentally induced coccidioidomycosis. 

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Learn about the impact of Valley fever on pets, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and emerging vaccine developments in veterinary care.

From soil to systemic disease: Understanding and managing Valley fever in veterinary patients

Photo: Mapodile M./peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock

A survey conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital of 5000 pet owners across the United States looked at state-by-state pet ownership trends. The survey, which was conducted in celebration of the hospital’s 70th anniversary, found that South Carolina pet owners were most likely to prioritize preventive care for their companion animals.

According to Banfield, survey participants from South Carolina claimed the top spot in never missing their pet’s flea and tick treatments (48%) and having a wellness plan. Additionally, 39% of South Carolina pet owners said they never miss their pet’s vaccine due dates, and 21% never miss their pet’s biannual checkups.

Arizona, Oklahoma, and Missouri lag behind in preventive care for their pets, specifically in flea and tick treatment, with 87% of Arizona pet owners being likely to miss this preventive measure.

 In Oklahoma, 75% of pet owners were likely to miss flea/tick preventive treatment, and 68% of pet owners in Missouri were likely to miss this preventive care. 

Despite these findings, Oklahoma and Arizona both ranked No. 5 in spending the most amount of time per day with their pet, with pet owners in both states spending an average of 12.2 hours (not including sleeping) with their pets.

 In Arizona, almost a quarter of survey participants said they spend 24 hours a day with their pet.

 Twenty-three percent of survey participants in Oklahoma said they bring their pet everywhere that is pet-friendly, and 16% have only taken vacations that could include their pet.

Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Minnesota are also skipping preventive care for their pets; these states, according to survey findings, are not brushing their pet’s teeth. In Minnesota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, nearly 9 in 10 (89%) of survey participants reported skipping brushing their pet’s teeth.

 Virginia trailed close behind, with 86% of pet owners forgoing brushing their pet’s teeth.

Many pet owners cannot afford veterinary care, survey finds

Additional findings from pet owners in Tennessee include the following

Most likely in the nation to have more wellness apps on their phone for their pet than for themselves (13%).

Twenty-six percent prioritize their pet’s physical wellness, with the same percentage saying their pet is at an ideal weight recommended by a veterinarian.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, findings include the following

Survey participants ranked No. 3 among states where pet owners reported feeling happiest staying in with their dog or cat.

Fifty-nine percent reported having traveled out of state with their pet.

Sixty-two percent said their pet wants to be in the same room as them at all times.

A survey by Banfield Pet Hospital revealed statistics about state-by-state pet owner trends across the US.