May 2 (Reuters) - Animal healthcare company Zoetis ( ZTS )

surpassed analysts' expectations for first-quarter

profit on Thursday, helped by strong demand for its medicines

and vaccines for pets.

Zoetis ( ZTS ) deals with vaccines, medicines and diagnostic

solutions for animals and manufactures products for livestock

and fish, which it markets in more than 40 countries.

The company posted adjusted profit of $1.38 per share for

the first quarter, beating analysts' average estimate of $1.34

per share, according to LSEG data.

Shares of the company rose 4% to $163.52 in premarket

trading.

Zoetis ( ZTS ) had said in February it expects companion animal to

be the primary growth driver in 2024, helped in part by strong

demand for its osteoarthritis pain medication - Librela for dogs

and Solensia for cats.

The New Jersey-based company posted first-quarter revenue of

$2.19 billion, compared with analysts' estimate of $2.13

billion.

Revenue in its companion animal segment, which sells

vaccines and medicines for dogs, cats and horses, rose 18% to

$1.45 billion, also beating estimates of $1.37 billion.

Zoetis ( ZTS ) attributed the rise in revenue to growth in its flea,

tick and heartworm combination product and its pet pain

products.

The company, however, expects its 2024 adjusted profit to be

between $5.71 and $5.81 per share, compared with its previous

forecast range of $5.74 to $5.84 per share.