M/A/R/C Research completed a third wave for its COVID-19 Animal Health Tracker among 1,003 pet owners between August 17th-19th, 2020. A supplemental survey of 1,008 pet owners was conducted to provide additional context on vet visits, pet adoptions, and telemedicine.
Wave #3 results showed the continued preference of using the online channel for prescription pet foods with 57% planning to continue use. This is followed closely by the veterinary practice at 52%.
In Wave #3, the results indicated stable switching behavior between pet food brands based on price. 59% of respondents said they were not likely or not at all likely to switch to a less expensive brand. The purchasing of prescription pet foods is stable against the last wave of the study at 34% purchasing.
For the week ending April 17, 2021, the Canine and Feline core vaccine indices combined and expanded with the inclusion of the “Lifestyle” vaccines for Lyme, Lepto, and FeLV, shot up to a very robust +29.3% YTD across the 32,000+ practices and shelter locations in the Animalytix Marketplace. Kennel Cough vaccine purchases, which provide a measure of the pet mobility is up at a robust +26.1% growth YTD. Surgical Suite consumables which serve as a proxy for incidence of surgical procedures is up at a strong +15.9% growth YTD. Purchases for medications for Chronic conditions moved up at +5.1% growth. Total Parasiticide purchases across all segments remain well ahead of 2020 results with growth of +17.1%.
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 now posting positive results vs PY. The Boston, MA zone lead all regions with +40.2% growth compared to 2020. Following closely behind were Miami, FL at +34.4% and Philadelphia, PA at +34.2% growth vs PY. Indianapolis, IN rounds out our “Bellwether” zones at the bottom with a very respectable +19.4% 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.
*Map displays YTD Core & Lifestyle Vaccines sales courtesy of Animalytix
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.
*Map displays YTD Canine/Feline F/T/HW Parasiticide sales courtesy of Animalytix
For the week ending April 17, 2021, aggregate YTD practice revenues improved versus the previous week, posting a very robust net growth of +15.0% for the ~4,000 reporting practices. The growth in unique patients was up at +7.7% while the number of unique clients continued its positive growth trend at +8.4%. Total invoices continues its positive trend with a +5.6% YTD growth vs 2020 results.
Among the leading “Bellwether” market zones, Brooklyn, NY continues in the lead with a +30.2% YTD revenue growth and +15.9% growth in unique patients YTD. Among the lagging zones, the Miami, FL market is struggling at (-3.0%) revenue growth and +1.6% growth in unique patients YTD compared to 2020.
Following more current trends, the 3-week rolling average for practice revenue growth nationally moved slightly down from +29.1% to +27.2%. All nine census divisions posted positive 3-week average revenue growth rates. The Middle Atlantic division is notable for the most recent 3-week period with a positive average revenue growth of +42.8%. The addition of 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.
Map displays YTD total hospital revenue courtesy of Animal Care Technologies
*Indicates Merged Zone Group
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