Heska reports loss as acquisition looms

LOVELAND — Heska Corp. (Nasdaq: HSKA) posted growing losses and slipping sales in the first quarter of 2023 as the veterinary products supplier gears up for a $1.3 billion acquisition by candy and pet food giant Mars Inc. that’s expected to close this year.

The company posted $9.8 million in sales in the most recent period, down 1.8% year over year, on $62.4 million in sales, down 3.7% from the first quarter of 2022.

Citing the upcoming Mars deal, Heska did not provide commentary in its quarterly report when it was released last week, nor did company executives host an earnings…