Source: AVMA Dr. Bret Marsh, dean of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, highlights an ongoing national shortage of veterinarians, particularly affecting rural communities. He attributes the issue to rising numbers of pets and changes in livestock production, which have created growing demands for Veterinary care amid limited resources. Marsh emphasizes that these demographic shifts […]
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Source: The Asahi Shimbun A veterinarian in Mie Prefecture, Japan, has died after treating a cat infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a potentially deadly virus transmitted by ticks and infected animals. The veterinarian developed symptoms in May, including respiratory distress, and died shortly after hospitalization, with no signs of a tick bite. If […]
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Source: The Denver Post The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) celebrated the successful hatching of its first-ever African pancake tortoise last month, marking a major milestone in its conservation efforts. The hatchling joins four other pancake tortoises in the zoo’s habitat, including her mother, Waffles, and three males named Short-Stack, Denny, and Flapjack. African pancake tortoises are listed as critically endangered by […]
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Source: Great Bend Tribune Cattle experience heat stress when they cannot effectively regulate body temperature, unlike humans who sweat. Kansas State University veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff explains that cattle cope through behaviors like panting, standing more, and crowding shaded or water-adjacent areas. However, these behaviors can backfire, as bunching together for shade may worsen overheating. Heat stress is […]
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Source: The Daily Pennsylvanian Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine have developed advanced gene therapy mechanisms to treat inherited retinal degenerations, which cause progressive vision loss and have no current cure. Led by Raghavi Sudharsan and William Beltran, the team created four GNGT2-based gene therapy promoters designed to target the retina during late-stage degeneration. These promoters, […]
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Source: Ag Tech Navigator A European study by the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA) assessed 78 regenerative farms across 14 countries, covering over 7,000 hectares from 2020 to 2023, and compared them with nearby conventional farms. Using a new Regenerating Full Productivity (RFP) index, regenerative systems scored 32% higher on average, with gains ranging from 14% to […]
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Source: AVMA Fourth of July festivities—while fun for humans—can pose serious risks to pets and other animals. Fireworks, unfamiliar environments, and party noise can cause panic, leading to escape or injury. Food scraps, heat, travel stress, and leftover debris also present health hazards. To keep pets safe, preparation is key: ensure all pets have up-to-date […]
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Source: BBC Household pets, especially dogs, influence human immunity in several important ways. Pets bring a variety of outdoor microbes into homes, which supports the idea that early exposure to diverse bacteria can help train the immune system and potentially reduce the risk of allergies and asthma. Some studies show that bacteria from pets can […]
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Source: KXLY.com Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is experiencing a sharp rise in wildlife admissions, including baby raccoons, owls, and squirrels, largely due to the recent closure of another rehabilitation center in central Washington. As one of the few generalist facilities in eastern Washington, WSU accepts a wide range of species, unlike many others that […]
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Source: University of Bristol A recent study published in Vet Record found that neutering cats at four months old does not increase their risk of developing weight problems compared to neutering at six months. Analyzing over 2,000 clinical records from the University of Bristol’s Bristol Cats study, researchers found no significant difference in body condition score (BCS) or […]
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Source: EquiManagement The 2024 AVMA/AAEP Economic Report highlights a significant satisfaction gap between equine Veterinary practice owners and associates. Owners reported higher satisfaction with job (81%), lifestyle (72%), and compensation (74%) compared to associates (50%, 48%, and 54%, respectively). Notably, 21–29% of associates expressed dissatisfaction across various categories, while only 7–14% of owners did. Practice ownership is […]
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Source: Gulf Coast News As hurricane season begins, Florida has enacted two new laws to protect animals during natural disasters. Prompted by the viral rescue of a dog named Trooper—found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached—Gov. Ron DeSantis signed “Trooper’s Law,” making it a felony to abandon or improperly restrain pets during declared emergencies. Violators face up to five […]
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Source: Parker Pioneer Pet owners are being urged to keep dogs out of the Colorado River after the discovery of a dangerous parasite called Heterobilharzia americana, or liver fluke, which causes canine schistosomiasis. While harmless to humans, the parasite can be fatal to dogs if left untreated. First found near Blythe, California, in early 2024, the parasite […]
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Source: The Guardian A growing movement to decode animal communication, especially among cetaceans, is gaining momentum, driven by advances in AI and a $10 million prize from the Jeremy Coller Foundation. Projects like Project Ceti are using large language models to analyze sperm whale codas—brief sequences of clicks that show signs of structured language, social interaction, and possibly punctuation. Google’s […]
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Source: New Atlas A new Cornell University study highlights striking similarities between dogs and humans in how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries develop and heal, offering a promising path for advancing treatment in both species. Researchers analyzed synovial fluid from injured and healthy knee joints, finding that over 60% of the proteins were shared between dogs and […]
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Source: VIN News The federal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), designed to encourage veterinarians to work in underserved rural areas, is currently on hold as the Trump administration reviews all USDA grant programs. Since its launch in 2010, VMLRP has helped over 795 veterinarians repay student loans in exchange for service in shortage areas. With […]
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Source: AVMA Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed legislation establishing a grant program to address the state’s shortage of large animal veterinarians in underserved areas. Beginning by July 1, 2026, the initiative will award $110,000 grants to up to four veterinarians annually who commit to working in designated shortage regions. Virginia joins over two dozen states offering […]
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Source: My Vet Candy The U.S. House narrowly passed a reconciliation bill (215-214) that would significantly alter the federal student loan system, including over $300 billion in education funding cuts. The legislation proposes eliminating key forgiveness programs—like Borrower Defense, Closed School Discharge, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for certain medical professionals—raising concerns for Veterinary graduates often burdened with […]
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Source: Gallup A recent PetSmart Charities-Gallup study reveals that over half (52%) of U.S. pet owners skipped or declined Veterinary care in the past year, primarily due to financial barriers. Among these, 71% cited cost as the main reason—regardless of income level. Even households earning over $90,000 reported affordability issues. Beyond cost, 29% of owners declined care […]
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Source: Pet Food Industry Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Dr. Curtis Huttenhower of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have launched a new web portal for the One Health Microbiome Resource (OHMR), offering open access to over 2,000 pet gut microbiome samples. This initiative supports academic and industry researchers with standardized protocols and computational tools to accelerate discoveries in […]
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