Interesting & unusual
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November 27, 2019
Weekly News Roundup 11/ 22 to 11/27
This week: A dog’s lick turns deadly, cruelty to animals is now a federal crime, and mixed news from the AVMA Economic Summit. -
September 5, 2019
Kibbles ’n Bits (of insects)
At least 2 billion people worldwide eat insects regularly as part of their diet. There’s no telling how many cats and dogs do. But one thing is certain: More and more pet owners are feeding their pets insects. -
August 14, 2019
Weekly News Roundup 8/9 to 8/15
This week: Scientists figure out what puts the stink in skunk, Hawaii Five-0 meets Hawaii K-9, and silicone pet tags link flame retardant to feline hyperthyroidism. -
July 3, 2019
Weekly News Roundup 6/28 to 7/3
This week: A service dog summits Mount Rainier, a cat door that prevents cats from bringing home dead things, and a cure for HIV—in mice. -
June 26, 2019
Osteoarthritis and obesity in pets go hand in hand (slowly)
Cases of osteoarthritis (OA) in pets have increased at an alarming rate in the past decade, and that increase corresponds with rising rates of obesity in companion animals.That’s the conclusion reached in Banfield Pet Hospital’s 2019 State of Pet Health Report. -
June 19, 2019
New study suggests that skull shape may not be the only reason some breeds have trouble breathing
It turns out the shape of the skull may not be the only reason some short-snouted dog breeds have trouble breathing. The culprit could be a genetic mutation. Certain breeds of dogs and cats are prone to difficult, obstructive breathing—a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) because of the shape of their head, muzzle, and throat. -
June 17, 2019
Study shows a change in feline diet could curb cat allergies in people
“You’re allergic? Whoops.” Cat dander, which holds the allergens that set off the sneezing, the itching, and the runny eyes and nose, is also the smallest dander. About one-tenth the size of a dust allergen, it’s smaller than pollen, smaller than mold, smaller than dust mites, or any other animal dander. But new research says we can curb those allergies -
June 13, 2019
Endotracheal tubes for elephants: A Project V.E.T.S. story
Every couple of months, the staff at AAHA-accredited Veterinary Center of Parker (VCP) in Parker, Colorado, sterilizes a couple of dozen used single-use, disposable endotracheal (ET) tubes and hands them over to Project V.E.T.S. To be used again.Yes, It’s an AAHA best practice that single-use, disposable endotracheal tubes be thrown away, not recycled, but that standard doesn’t apply to Project V.E.T.S. -
June 12, 2019
Calm down. You’re stressing out the dog
When momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy—including the dog.That’s what new research out of Scandinavia suggests. Scientists from Linkoping University in Sweden published a study last week in the journal Scientific Reports that indicates dogs who have stressed-out owners are more likely to be stressed out, too. -
June 6, 2019
New study identifies most damaging dog bites by breed
Nearly five million people in the US are bitten by dogs each year. The most common victims are children, most of whom are bitten by family pets. But which breed bites the most? That’s hard to say, because according to a new study, “unknown” tops the list.