Weekly News Roundup 9/18 to 9/24

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Animals’ susceptibility to coronavirus subject of University of Idaho research

Whether coronavirus can use farm animals or North American bats as intermediate hosts to spread the novel pathogen SARS-CoV-2 is being explored by three University of Idaho researchers. At his lab on the Moscow campus, Paul Rowley, PhD, a virologist and assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is using mammalian cell cultures and a viral agent similar to coronavirus to identify animal populations that are likely susceptible to the pandemic. “We already know that humans can infect cats and other animals,” Rowley said. “We’re interested in learning what animals are susceptible and if there’s a risk of SARS-CoV-2 jumping into the bat population in North America, or domestic cattle or livestock.” . . . more

CBD for pets: 2020 study of 1,061 US CBD consumers

Cannabidiol (CBD) is not only sought after for human use; it has also become one of the leading ingredients in pet-care products. Researchers surveyed 1,061 American pet owners of different ages and levels of income to establish the dominant attitudes and observations by those who use CBD on their pets. In this survey, the researchers sought to determine who recommended that the participants use CBD for their pets and what the users’ main concerns about the use of CBD were before they used it on their pets. . . . more

Feeding cats one large meal per day may help control hunger better than feeding them in intervals

Animal nutrition specialists at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College and Ontario Agricultural College have found that feeding cats one large meal per day may help control hunger better than feeding them several times per day. Their research revealed that cats who ate one meal per day were more satisfied, which could result in less food-begging behavior. The results also suggest cutting back on feeding frequency could help reduce the risk of obesity by controlling cats’ appetites and potentially making them eat less—an important discovery given that obesity is the most common nutritional problem affecting cats. “These findings may surprise the veterinary community and many cat owners who have been told their animals need several small meals a day,” said study coauthor Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, DECVCN. “But these results suggest there are benefits to this approach.” . . . more

Study shows that cats’ immune systems can handle SARS-CoV-2

On May 8, 2020, Spain’s Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology reported the case of the first cat infected with SARS-CoV-2 in that country. Negrito, the four-year-old cat, lived with a family affected by COVID-19, with one case of death. Coinciding with these facts, he presented with severe respiratory difficulties and was taken to a veterinary hospital in Barcelona, where he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Due to a terminal condition, the hospital decided to do a humane euthanasia. The necropsy confirmed the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosis but he had no other lesions or symptoms consistent with a coronavirus infection. . . . more

Petco opens 100th in-store veterinary hospital

Petco opened its 100th in-store veterinary hospital, located in Encinitas, California—a milestone in the big-box pet specialty chain’s rapid expansion of its veterinary service offerings. The company has more than doubled the number of full-service veterinary hospitals located in its stores over the past year and expects to increase that momentum through the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The Encinitas in-store hospital was opened in cooperation with Petco’s regional veterinary partner, THRIVE Affordable Vet Care. The chain’s other regional veterinary partners include Global Veterinary Partners, VetnCare, and Vetco Total Care. Through these partnerships, Petco offers its customers preventive care, vaccination clinics, full-service hospitals, telehealth, pharmacy services, pet insurance, and membership programs. . . . more

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