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Source: Science News A new study published February 18 in PLOS One finds that some flat-faced, or brachycephalic, dog breeds face significantly higher risks of breathing problems due to their shortened skull shapes. Researchers examined nearly 900 dogs across 14 breeds in the United Kingdom, using exercise tests and a 0–3 grading scale to assess symptoms of brachycephalic […]

Source: News 4 Jax In Flagler County, Florida, a rehabilitation initiative called the SMART program is pairing jail inmates with cats and kittens from the local Humane Society, helping both heal and grow. Launched in July, the program allows select inmates to live with and care for cats inside the housing unit, fostering responsibility, empathy and emotional development. A University […]

Source: WLKY In January, a missing 3-year-old boy in Louisville, Kentucky, was found safely thanks in part to a neighborhood dog now dubbed “Louisville’s Lassie.” During the search in the Okolona area, Louisville Metro Police used extensive resources, including officers on foot, a drone and an air unit. As one officer canvassed the neighborhood, an untrained dog unexpectedly began walking alongside him […]

Source: WTKR A cat in Suffolk, Virginia, has tested positive for rabies, according to the Suffolk Health Department. The animal was found in the 100 block of Robertson Street in Whaleyville and taken to a Veterinary clinic for evaluation. Due to the severity of its symptoms and overall health condition, the cat was humanely euthanized and tested, with results […]

Source: UF Health At the University of Florida, the Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory is working to combat crimes against cats through its program, “A Cat Has No Name.” Led by forensic pathologist and veterinarian Adam Stern, the lab investigates deaths of free-roaming cats, conducting autopsies to determine causes such as disease, trauma, toxins, or potential human-inflicted cruelty. The team collects nationwide […]

Source: NPR An Oregon dog competition is encouraging more people to train their pets for truffle hunting, a niche but growing activity in the Pacific Northwest. Held as part of the annual Oregon Truffle Festival in Eugene, the Joriad North American Truffle Dog Championship brings together amateur handlers and their dogs to compete in timed searches for hidden truffles. Unlike […]

Source: KATV A veterinarian is warning Arkansas dog owners about the danger of canine distemper after Russellville Animal Control detected the virus in raccoons. Dr. Sarah Gilkerson of Merritt Animal Clinic says distemper, caused by a paramyxovirus related to measles, is highly contagious and often fatal in dogs. The virus spreads through nasal or oral discharge and can be transmitted indirectly—such […]

Source: Fox 12 Oregon A Portland emergency animal hospital, DoveLewis, is warning dog owners about salmon poisoning disease after a 6-year-old border collie mix named Forrest nearly died from the illness. The disease, most common in the Pacific Northwest, occurs when dogs consume raw or undercooked fish infected with the parasite Nanophyetus salmincola, which can carry the harmful bacterium Neorickettsia helminthoeca. […]

Source: RTL Today Thousands of “bodega cats” live in New York City’s corner stores, despite laws prohibiting animals in food-selling businesses. Valued for controlling pests and attracting customers, cats like Simba, a popular Manhattan shop cat, have become cultural icons. An estimated one-third of the city’s 10,000 bodegas keep cats, risking fines of $200 to $350. Advocate Dan Rimada launched a […]

Source: Health Day A new pilot study finds that therapy dogs can significantly reduce loneliness among people hospitalized for acute mental illness. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University assigned 60 psychiatric inpatients to one of three groups: visits from a therapy dog and handler, visits from a handler alone, or standard care. Participants received 20-minute visits daily for […]