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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Source: Training Mag As pets become integral to modern family life, companies are increasingly incorporating pet-related benefits into employee packages to support workforce well-being and retention. With over 70% of U.S. workers owning pets, traditional benefits—focused on human dependents—often overlook the emotional and financial responsibilities of pet ownership. This gap can contribute to employee stress, reduced productivity, […]
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Source: Citizen Houdini, a four-year-old white rhino, is breathing freely again after undergoing a groundbreaking six-hour surgery at Onderstepoort to remove a nasal obstruction caused by a previous poaching injury. Years after surviving a gunshot wound to the nose, Houdini began struggling to breathe through one nostril. Veterinarian Dr. Pierre Bester discovered tissue completely blocking the nasal passage, a […]
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Source: Virginia Tech University When Arya, a cocker spaniel-hound mix, developed a life-threatening condition with dangerously low platelet levels, her owners rushed her to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Facing a potential fatal hemorrhage, Arya urgently needed fresh whole blood, which contains active platelets not viable in stored blood. Indie, a 3-year-old Labrador retriever owned by Veterinary […]
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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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