Source: Veterinary 33 A six-year study led by Tufts University and collaborators has revealed that urban rats in Boston are significant carriers of Leptospira bacteria, the cause of leptospirosis—a potentially fatal disease affecting humans and animals. The research, spanning from 2016 to 2022, involved analyzing kidney samples from 328 rats across 17 city sites, with 59 rats testing […]
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Source: Veterinary 33 The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has commenced construction on the Gail P. Riepe Center for Advanced Veterinary Education at its New Bolton Center campus. This 11,800-square-foot facility, funded by a $6 million donation from alumni Gail and Jim Riepe, will be the first dedicated classroom building at the large-animal hospital. Designed to enhance Veterinary […]
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Source: Today’s Veterinary Business The CATalyst Feline Market Insights Report reveals a steady rise in feline Veterinary visits and cat ownership since 2023, countering the broader decline in companion animal vet appointments, which is largely due to reduced canine visits. The CATalyst Council attributes this growth to increased cat adoptions—many by first-time owners—especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Cats have […]
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Source: CBS News In Longmont, Colorado, neighbors in the Harvest Junction Village community have rallied to protect a prairie dog colony from extermination. After months of advocacy, volunteer work, and public pressure, the homeowner association (HOA) board agreed to consider alternatives—either relocation or a long-term conservation plan. Initially, the HOA had planned to exterminate the colony by […]
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Source: IFLSCIENCE Ostriches, the world’s fastest and largest birds, have a unique anatomical feature: four kneecaps—two on each leg. Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College in London explored this unusual setup using biplanar fluoroscopy to study the bones and joint movement of a deceased ostrich. They discovered that the upper kneecap likely helps generate quick, powerful leg […]
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Source: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette A $50,000 donation from animal welfare advocate Donna K. Easley will establish the Donna K. Easley Small Animal Practice Support Endowed Scholarship at Arkansas State University. This scholarship will support Arkansas residents pursuing Veterinary medicine degrees, particularly those passionate about small animal care and committed to animal welfare. Preference will be given to students with […]
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Source: AP News A 302-pound loggerhead sea turtle named Pennywise, injured by a boat off Florida’s Atlantic coast, was taken to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach for treatment. However, her massive size prevented the use of standard CT scan equipment. After a failed attempt at a human medical center, veterinarians transported her to the Palm Beach Equine […]
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Source: KUNC As summer begins, pet-related emergencies surge, with veterinarians seeing more cases of heatstroke, vehicle injuries, and other seasonal risks. Heatstroke is especially common in short-nosed dog breeds like bulldogs and pugs, who struggle to cool down. In 2024, PETA reported 111 heat-related pet deaths and 388 rescues. Dr. Danielle DeBrincat, medical director at VEG ER […]
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Source: Spectrum Local News An EF-3 tornado struck St. Louis’ Forest Park on Friday, causing significant damage across its 1,300 acres. The Saint Louis Zoo, which had 10,000 guests on-site at the time, closed for two days due to debris but reported no injuries thanks to an effective disaster preparedness plan. Staff safely recalled 95% of animals, including all carnivores, […]
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Source: AVMA In early 2025, U.S. commercial beekeepers experienced an unprecedented honey bee die-off, with over half of managed colonies suffering near-total collapse. Many beekeepers lost 70% to 100% of their hives within a year, resulting in financial damages exceeding $139 million. Project Apis m. reports that colonies were found dead despite having adequate honey stores and brood, with […]
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Source: PR Newswire Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), alleging it unfairly restricts competition in Veterinary education. LMU claims the AVMA, through its Council on Education, imposes arbitrary and burdensome accreditation standards that limit the number of accredited Veterinary schools and, consequently, the number of new veterinarians. This, […]
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Source: CBC In Equus: Story of the Horse, anthropologist-turned-filmmaker Niobe Thompson embarks on a global journey to explore the 6,000-year-old bond between humans and horses. Filmed across 11 countries on three continents, the three-part documentary delves into how humans tamed wild horses and transformed them into over 400 specialized breeds. In Episode 1, Origins, Thompson travels back 45 […]
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Source: LA Times A recent SPCA survey highlights a critical Veterinary care shortage in California, with over 344,000 shelter animals lacking access to adequate staff. Around 60% of shelters have vacant veterinarian positions, and 54% lack registered Veterinary technicians, leading to overcrowded shelters, increased illnesses, and higher euthanasia rates. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated an already looming crisis, as pet ownership […]
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Source: NPR A Delaware animal shelter is working to rehome over 8,000 chicks that survived after being abandoned in a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) truck for three days. The chicks, part of a shipment of 12,000 from Pennsylvania-based Freedom Ranger Hatchery to farms nationwide, were discovered at a USPS distribution center without food, water, or temperature control. Approximately 4,000 […]
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Source: Daily Galaxy A three-year study at the Wellington Solar Farm in New South Wales, Australia, has shown that integrating sheep grazing with solar panel installations—an approach known as agrivoltaics—can benefit both renewable energy production and animal welfare. Conducted by Lightsourcebp, EMM Consulting, and Elders Rural Services, the experiment involved 1,700 merino sheep, comparing those grazing in traditional […]
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Source: AP News The invasive spotted lanternfly, a pest damaging to grapes, fruit trees, and hardwoods, has rapidly spread from the East Coast into the Midwest over the past decade. In response, researchers have turned to a novel and effective method to control its spread—specially trained dogs that can sniff out the insect’s egg masses before […]
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Source: The Guardian Bees face a growing array of threats that could severely impact pollination and global food systems, according to a new report from the University of Reading. The study identifies 12 emerging dangers to pollinators over the next decade, including war, microplastics, artificial light, and pollution. Conflicts like the war in Ukraine reduce crop […]
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Source: U.S. News Antibiotic resistance, a growing public health concern, is being worsened by the overuse of antibiotics in pets, researchers report. Many of the same antibiotics used in human medicine—like Clavamox for pets and Augmentin for people—are prescribed to dogs and cats in similar doses and for similar conditions. However, Veterinary medicine lacks the […]
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Source: AVMA The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has released its 2025 Annual Pet Parasite Forecasts, revealing continued geographic spread of four major vector-borne diseases: anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, heartworm, and Lyme disease. This expansion is largely driven by shifting tick and mosquito populations. Lyme disease remains prevalent in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, with increasing risk in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, […]
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Source: AAHA As more workers transition from remote work back to office settings, many pet owners are noticing behavioral changes in their pets due to disrupted routines. Veterinary teams play a vital role in helping pet owners manage this shift. Amanda Modes, DVM, a veterinary behavior specialist, emphasizes the importance of initiating conversations with clients about […]
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