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UVSA Research on Pet Owner Behaviors

The United Veterinary Services Association – UVSA Research on Pet Owner Behaviors recently unveiled commissioned research on the impact of COVID- 19 and attitudes related to veterinarians as a result of the pandemic and quarantine rules and restrictions. The research was conducted by APG | O'HARA Research & Analytics in March 2021.

Overall, this study revealed the incredible resilience of the animal health industry during an unprecedented time of change and growth which lends much confidence in this industry to, not just survive natural disasters, but thrive by focusing on core service needs to support owners and their pets.

The United Veterinary Services Association (UVSA) is a not-for-profit organization which serves as a resource for supply chain innovation and the enhancement of animal care through its support of animal health distributors, manufacturers and other suppliers to the veterinary profession.

UVSA Research on Pet Owner Behaviors

The United Veterinary Services Association – UVSA Research on Pet Owner Behaviors recently sponsored a presentation by ITR Economics whose CEO, Brian Beaulieu shared an outlook on the economy and how it might impact the animal health industry at the United Veterinary Services Association Annual Conference on May 4, 2021.

This week we are sharing another slide from his presentation which shows the percentage change in state populations between 2015 and 2019.

Interesting to watch will be the growth in the large southern states as northeastern states have negative population changes with many migrating to states where more people live in single family homes. These homes have a yard and potentially room for a pet or two. This trend will help add growth to the animal health industry.

Weekly commentary (click to view)

For the week ending June 12, 2021, the Canine and Feline core vaccine indices continue to moderate versus previous weeks as YTD growth declined to a still robust +23.9% across the 32,000+ practices and shelter locations in the Animalytix Marketplace. Growth in Kennel Cough vaccine purchases, which provide a measure of the pet mobility, also continue to soften but remain robust at +19.3% YTD. Growth in Chronic care medication purchases seem to have plateaued and holding relatively steady +8.6% YTD growth range. A similar plateauing effect is also evident in the purchases of Surgical Suite consumables and Parasiticides which finished the week at +18.9% and +15.3% YTD. Overall, all segments remain in excellent positions versus 2020 sales volumes, suggesting continued strong recovery for the veterinary wellness and in-house pharmacy sectors.

Among the “Bellwether” Vetalytix zones selected for routine reporting primarily based on the relative size of annual Core and Lifestyle vaccines purchases, all zones are posting positive results vs PY but softening this week. The Seattle, WA zone replaces Boston, MA zone as the lead with +36.8% growth YTD compared to 2020. Following closely behind were Boston, MA at +34.2% and Philadelphia, PA at +33.2% YTD growth vs PY. Indianapolis, IN rounds out our “Bellwether” zones at the bottom with a very respectable +10.7% YTD growth. Annual Core and Lifestyle vaccine purchases were selected as the principal “Bellwether” metric given 50% or more of annual visits to a veterinary practice are associated with the administration of these products.

1 Select your zone from the map below.

*Map displays YTD Core & Lifestyle Vaccines sales courtesy of Animalytix

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2 Select a category below to see year to date category growth %'s.

Core & Lifestyle Vaccines
Kennel Cough
Chronic
Canine/Feline F/T/HW Parasiticides
Surgical
*The VetWatch sample reflects 32,000+ small animal practices and shelters including mixed and miscellaneous practices as well as emergency, rescue, spay and neuter hospitals in the US.

Weekly commentary (click to view)

This week’s totals for reported parasiticide purchases across all segments year to date through the week ending March 6, are ahead of 2020 results by an extremely robust +12.2% among the 32,000+ practices and shelter locations in the Animalytix Marketplace. The most significant YOY change in the market is the +49.7% growth in the canine combination flea and heartworm products (e.g. specifically Simparica Trio), as substitution continues to occurring at the expense of products from the canine flea and tick preventatives which are experiencing a decline softening decline of (-1.9%) YTD. Canine heartworm preventatives purchases moved ahead of 2020’s record strong sales for the same period, posting growth of +2.6%. Feline flea and heartworm preventatives are now ahead of last year at a robust +8.8% growth.

Among the leading “Bellwether” parasiticide market zones, Greenville, SC now leads with +32.0% growth in total parasiticide purchases followed by Philadelphia, PA at +31.8%. Among the lagging “Bellwether” zones is Los Angeles, CA at +1.9% versus the same YTD period in 2020 bringing all “Bellwether” parasiticide market zones into the positive YTD.

1 Select your zone from the map below.

*Map displays YTD Canine/Feline F/T/HW Parasiticide sales courtesy of Animalytix

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2 Select a category below to see year to date category growth %'s.

Canine Flea/Tick
Canine Heartworm
Canine Flea & Heartworm Combos
Feline Flea / Heartworm
*The VetWatch sample reflects 32,000+ small animal practices and shelters including mixed and miscellaneous practices as well as emergency, rescue, spay and neuter hospitals in the US.

Weekly commentary (click to view)

For the week ending June 12, 2021, aggregate YTD practice revenues continued strong but further softened from +14.0% to +13.5% net growth versus YTD 2020 for the ~4,000 reporting practices. The growth in unique patients was lower at +6.0% as was the number of unique clients at +6.5%. Total invoices continues positive with a +5.6% YTD growth vs 2020 results.

Among the leading “Bellwether” market zones, Brooklyn, NY continues in the lead with a +29.1% YTD revenue growth and +15.1% growth in unique patients YTD. Among the lagging zones, the Miami, FL market is struggling at (-4.9%) revenue growth and +0.9% growth in unique patients YTD compared to 2020.

Following more current trends, the 3-week rolling average for practice revenue growth nationally declined from +0.7% to (-0.1%). Five census divisions posted positive 3-week average revenue growth rates with four divisions negative this week. The New England division is notable for the most recent 3-week period with a positive average revenue growth of +2.7%. The rolling 3-week average revenue growth index is designed to provide a view of relative robustness of growth trends (e.g., market velocity) for each reporting zone. A positive value indicates rolling revenue growth vs the previously reported 3-week period.

1 Select your zone from the map below.

Map displays YTD total hospital revenue courtesy of Animal Care Technologies
*Indicates Merged Zone Group

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Unique patients (pets)
Unique clients (persons)
Total invoices
Total revenue

Veterinary Trend Watch

Weekly insight for US veterinary market trends

Welcome to VetWatch, the veterinary profession’s premier resource center for insight and information on the issues that matter most.

1 Select your zone from the map below.

Key

2 Select a category below to see year to date category growth %'s.

1 Select your zone from the map below.

Key

2 Select a category below to see year to date category growth %'s.

1 Select your zone from the map below.

Key

2 Select a data point below.