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The US has the world's largest population of companion animals. In 2006, the AVMA reported there were more than 72 million pet dogs and more than 82 million pet cats in the U.S. for a total population of over 154 million. In other words, there is a companion dog or cat for every 2 persons in the US. Both of these groups are increasing at a rate of 4% each year. Dogs and cats comprise the majority of pet ownership and almost the entire amount of dollars spent each year for animal care. Approximately half of all pet owners consider their pets to be family members. As veterinary healthcare improves in the US, the average age of dogs and cats continues to increase. Today 47% of cats and dogs are over the age of 6 years old compared to 42% in 1996. It is estimated that U.S. households spend in excess of $24 billion on their companion animals each year. VDxI believes that among the expanding number of pet owners is a growing awareness of pet health and wellness, including the benefits of preventive care and specialized services. As technology continues to migrate from the human healthcare sector into the practice of veterinary medicine, more sophisticated treatments, diagnostic tests and equipment are becoming available to treat companion animals. As pet owners gain exposure through their own personal medical needs and via marketing programs sponsored by large pharmaceutical and pet nutrition companies, these new and increasingly complex procedures, diagnostic tests (includes laboratory testing and advanced imaging) and pharmaceuticals are gaining wider acceptance. Veterinarians are challenged greater than ever in keeping abreast with the advances in diagnostics and standards of care. In the U.S. there are approximately 40,000 general veterinarians that routinely care for dogs & cats. General veterinarians are most eager to obtain new biomarker tools as they are stretched to provide healthcare spanning a variety of sub-specialties for a variety of animals. Frequently, by the time an animal is referred to a veterinary specialist, disease has progressed to the point where intervention does little to alter the course of the disease. Innovative biomarkers such as those successfully launched and under development at VDxI, are designed to aid in the early diagnosis of disease, often before clinical signs appear. Early diagnosis and early treatment can dramatically improve clinical outcome.
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