Pet Health & Vet Science — May 26, 2026
This week in veterinary medicine, Elanco launched Befrena™ (tirnovetmab), a new anti-IL-31 monoclonal antibody for canine itch relief, while a global survey of 1,000+ veterinarians across 51 countries revealed surprising gaps between what owners see during vet visits and what actually happens. Meanwhile, the FDA expanded a recall of dog food over Listeria contamination risk, and researchers continue exploring novel monoclonal antibody therapies for diseases including canine parvovirus.
Pet Health & Vet Science — May 26, 2026
Top Stories Today
Elanco Launches Befrena™ — New Anti-IL-31 Monoclonal Antibody for Canine Itch
- What happened: Elanco has launched Befrena™ (tirnovetmab), a new anti-IL-31 monoclonal antibody designed for canine dermatology, entering what the company describes as the $1.3 billion U.S. canine dermatology market. The phased launch is now underway, with select Early Experience Program veterinarians using the product in clinics today.
- Why pet owners should care: Dogs with allergic skin disease and chronic itch now have a new biologic treatment option that targets a specific itch-signaling protein (IL-31). Pet owners whose dogs struggle with conventional therapies should ask their vet whether Befrena™ may be a fit, particularly as it joins existing options like Cytopoint (lokivetmab) and Apoquel.
- Source: PR Newswire
Global Vet Survey Reveals Hidden Realities of Veterinary Care
- What happened: A new global survey of more than 1,000 veterinarians across 51 countries has yielded new insights into what actually happens during a veterinary visit — highlighting significant differences between client perceptions and the clinical realities veterinarians face daily. The findings were published May 25, 2026.
- Why pet owners should care: Understanding what vets actually do (and observe) during an appointment can help owners communicate more effectively, provide better histories, and set realistic expectations for diagnosis and treatment. The study underscores that pet owners are often unaware of the full scope of work performed during a visit.
- Source: GlobeNewswire
Monoclonal Antibodies Transforming Veterinary Medicine: Canine Parvo and Itch
- What happened: A new Q&A feature in dvm360 with Dr. Jennifer Miller explores how pharmacology innovation in monoclonal antibodies is reshaping treatment for serious canine conditions, including parvovirus and itch relief. Published May 24, 2026, the discussion covers the mechanisms of action, patient selection, and what's coming next in the pipeline.
- Why pet owners should care: Monoclonal antibodies — long used in human medicine — are becoming a major treatment category in veterinary practice. Canine parvovirus, which is often fatal in unvaccinated puppies, now has biologic treatment options that may improve survival rates. Owners of young or unvaccinated dogs should be aware these therapies exist.
- Source: dvm360
UC Davis CCAH: New Feline Herpesvirus Treatment Eases Owner Burden
- What happened: A new treatment for cats with feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) — developed via international research collaboration — is now available and described as easier for owners to manage than previous options. The UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH) Spring 2026 Newsletter highlighted the finding as a major step forward for feline respiratory disease care.
- Why pet owners should care: FHV-1 causes chronic eye and upper respiratory infections in cats. The new, more owner-friendly treatment could significantly improve quality of life for cats with this condition and reduce the stress of administration compared to existing antivirals.
- Source: UC Davis CCAH
Safety Alerts & Recalls
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Product/Issue: Raaw Energy Dog Food — Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination (Expanded Recall)
- Affected pets: Dogs of all breeds and ages; owners should also be aware of human health risk, as Listeria monocytogenes poses a risk to people who handle contaminated food
- Action required: Do not feed this product to your pet. Discard immediately; contact your vet if your dog has shown signs of illness (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or neurological signs). The company announced it is temporarily stopping all production of dog food effective May 21, 2026.
- Source: FDA
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Product/Issue: Gold Star Distribution Inc. — Rodent and Avian Contamination in FDA-Regulated Products Including Pet Foods
- Affected pets: Multiple species; recall covers a range of FDA-regulated products distributed in three states, including drugs, devices, cosmetics, human foods, and pet foods
- Action required: Check all Gold Star Distribution products in your home. Do not use any recalled items; consult your veterinarian if your pet has consumed affected products. Return or discard immediately.
- Source: FDA
Clinical Research & Breakthroughs
Anti-IL-31 Mechanism: A New Biologic Class for Canine Skin Disease
- Finding: Befrena™ (tirnovetmab) targets the IL-31 cytokine, a key driver of itch sensation in dogs, via a monoclonal antibody mechanism. Unlike small-molecule drugs such as Apoquel (oclacitinib), which work systemically, this antibody precisely blocks the itch signal at the receptor level, potentially with a favorable safety profile.
- Species/condition: Dogs; atopic dermatitis and allergic skin disease
- Clinical relevance: Veterinary dermatology now has a third distinct biological option alongside Cytopoint and conventional therapies. This expands the toolkit for dogs that fail to respond adequately to existing treatments.
- Source: PR Newswire / Elanco
Pet Insurance Uptake Linked to Dog and Owner Demographics — Dog Aging Project Data
- Finding: New research from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University using Dog Aging Project survey data found that pet insurance uptake among dog owners is significantly associated with dog demographics (age, breed, size) and owner demographics and health status. The study was published May 25, 2026.
- Species/condition: Dogs; insurance access and preventive care utilization
- Clinical relevance: The findings have implications for barriers to care: dogs whose owners are less likely to carry insurance may be receiving less preventive and acute care. Veterinary practices and public health advocates may need to address affordability differently across demographic groups.
- Source: InsuranceNewsNet / Daily Veterinary News
Trending Topics in Veterinary Practice
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Mars Veterinary Health and American Red Cross Expand Blood Donation Partnership: Joint blood drives are now being hosted at BluePearl Pet Hospital locations across the United States. The initiative aims to combat a critical need for both human and pet blood donations simultaneously. Pet blood banks have faced supply challenges, and this co-location strategy is an innovative model for addressing dual shortages.(https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/20/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/mars-veterinary-health-and-the-american-red-cross-expand-partnership-to-combat-need-for-human-and-pet-blood-donations/2348293)
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Hill's Pet Nutrition 2026 Global Symposium on Gut-Skin Axis: Hill's has announced its 2026 Global Symposium themed "Healthy Skin Starts From Within," focused on the gut-skin axis. Virtual registration is free and open for veterinary professionals across Asia. The symposium reflects a growing body of evidence connecting gut microbiome health with dermatological and gastrointestinal outcomes in companion animals.(https://manilatimes.net/2026/05/20/tmt-newswire/pr-newswire/hills-pet-nutrition-announces-2026-hills-global-symposium-healthy-skin-starts-from-within-exploring-the-gut-skin-axis/2347560)
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Proposed Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialty Under Review: The AVMA is inviting public comments on a proposed new specialty in veterinary hospice and palliative medicine. This would formalize end-of-life care as a recognized discipline, reflecting growing demand for structured, compassionate end-of-life options for companion animals.()
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Pet Wellness Tip of the Day
- The tip: Ask your veterinarian about year-round heartworm prevention, even if you live in a cooler or drier climate. The 2026 American Heartworm Society Incidence Map shows canine heartworm has expanded far beyond historically warm, humid Gulf Coast and Southeast regions, with at least 1.1 million U.S. dogs currently testing positive. Cooler and drier areas are no longer low-risk.
- Why it works: Climate shifts and mosquito range expansion have pushed heartworm into unexpected regions. Year-round prevention is the only reliable method to protect dogs who may be exposed to infected mosquitoes in any season.
- Source:
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What to Watch Next
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Befrena™ Phased Launch Expansion: Elanco is rolling out Befrena™ through a select Early Experience Program, with broader availability expected. Watch for post-marketing safety and efficacy data from real-world clinical use and whether it achieves label expansion for additional dermatological indications.
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Proposed Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialty: The AVMA comment period on the proposed new specialty will shape whether end-of-life care becomes a board-certified discipline. A formal vote is expected at the AVMA House of Delegates meeting in Anaheim this July.
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New World Screwworm FDA Emergency Authorization: The FDA has granted emergency use authorization for a spray to prevent and treat New World screwworm following detection within 60 miles of the U.S. border. Livestock and potentially companion animal owners in border regions should stay alert for any updated guidance as containment efforts continue.
Reader Action Items
- Check for recalled dog food now: If you use Raaw Energy dog food or any products distributed by Gold Star Distribution Inc., check the FDA recall page immediately and discard affected items. Monitor your pet for signs of illness (lethargy, GI upset, neurological symptoms) and contact your vet.
- Talk to your vet about heartworm prevention: Regardless of where you live, ask your veterinarian whether year-round prevention is warranted. The 2026 incidence data shows heartworm expanding into previously low-risk regions — don't assume your geography protects your pet.
- Ask about biologic options for itchy dogs: If your dog has chronic skin disease or allergic itch and hasn't responded well to current therapies, ask your vet about new monoclonal antibody options including Befrena™ (tirnovetmab) and whether an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist might help.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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