Top Stories
Giant lizards could Keep Flesh-Eating Maggots off Australia’s sheep
Source: Popular Science Sheep farmers in Australia could save millions annually thanks to the heath goanna, a giant lizard that scavenges maggot-ridden carcasses, reducing blowfly populations that harm sheep. Blowflies lay eggs on sheep, resulting in flesh-eating...
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria: Occurrence in Skin Test Cattle Reactors from Official Tuberculosis-Free Herds
Source: Frontiers Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause non-specific reactions to bovine tuberculosis (bTB) tests, complicating eradication efforts. In Spain, 373 NTM isolates from skin test-positive cattle in tuberculosis-free (OTF) herds were identified...
Preparing for an Emergency
Source: dvm 360 Natural and manmade disasters can severely impact veterinary hospitals, patients, and clients. To ensure preparedness, Veterinary hospitals and shelters should develop and annually update a written emergency plan and standard operating procedures...
First Radioactive Rhino Horns To Curb Poaching In South Africa
Source: Barron's South African scientists have injected radioactive material into live rhino horns to deter poaching in a groundbreaking initiative. The project, led by James Larkin from the University of the Witwatersrand, aims to make the horns detectable at border...
Rescued Bald Eagle is Huge, but Why isn’t its Head White?
Source: USA Today A Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer, Justin Pinkston, rescued a juvenile bald eagle with a fractured femur near Douglas Lake. The eagle, mistakenly identified as a golden eagle on social media due to its lack of a white head, is receiving...
Lab Testing Discovers cause of Unusual Cattle Diarrhea
Source: The Western Producer This year, two veterinarians reported unusual cases of diarrhea and death in cattle, both initially presenting with bloody diarrhea, weakness, fever, and rapid mortality. Diagnostic lab analysis revealed Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as the...
Beat the Heat: How to Keep Your Pets Cool
Source: WTVM With rising summer temperatures, it's crucial to ensure the safety of pets. In 2023, over 150 dogs nationwide died from heat-related causes. Northridge Veterinarian Heather Rodriguez advises that if humans find the heat uncomfortable, pets likely do too....
Headed to the Fair? Test your Cows for Bird Flu First, says Iowa Ag Secretary
Source: Des Moines Registar Due to increasing bird flu outbreaks among Iowa dairy cattle, the Iowa Department of Agriculture will require cows to be tested for the virus at least a week before being transported to fairs or shows, effective July 1. Agriculture...
Google Street View Helps Scientists Track Stray Dogs in Peru
Source: Science.Org An estimated 59,000 people die from rabies annually, primarily from dog bites in rural low- and middle-income countries. Researchers have used Google Street View and citizen scientists to track stray dogs in Arequipa, Peru, where most of the...
Billings veterinarian: There’s help for dogs with fireworks phobia
Source: KTVQ As fireworks light up Billings, pet owners, like Mandi Smith, brace for their pets' reactions. Smith's 13-year-old dog, Scooter, suffers from a heart condition and becomes extremely stressed by fireworks, often hiding in dark, low places. Billings...
Hiking, Biking causes Elk, Bears to Flee
Source: Wyoming News Mark Ditmer, a U.S. Forest Service research ecologist, conducted an experiment in the Bridger-Teton National Forest using a custom-made boombox to study wildlife responses to human recreation sounds. Published in "Current Biology," the study...
Pet Product Manufacturers Receive FDA Warning for Selling Illegal Drugs
Source: Powder & Bulk Solids The US FDA issued Warning Letters to Toltrazuril Shop and Linessa Farms LLC on May 16, 2024, for selling Toltrazuril, an unapproved antiprotozoal drug used to treat coccidiosis and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in various...
Bringing Any Dog into US gets More Complex on Aug. 1
Source: Vin News Starting August 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will enforce strict new rules to reduce the risk of rabies entering the country with dogs from any international location. This regulation applies to all dogs, whether...
ISFM, AAFP Update Guidelines on Long-Term NSAID use in Cats
Source: AVMA News Managing chronic pain in cats should involve both pharmacological and environmental approaches. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play a crucial role in this multimodal strategy, but their use requires careful consideration. To guide...
Why You’re Paying Your Veterinarian So Much?
Source: NY Times The rising cost of Veterinary care reflects significant changes in the industry, driven by pet owners' growing attachment to their animals and willingness to spend more on their health. Traditional Veterinary practices, once focused on basic care,...
How Do You Put Pigeons on the Pill? Scientists Test Contraceptives to Curb Pest Numbers
Source: The Guardian Scientists are exploring the use of contraceptives to control wildlife populations humanely and effectively. Trials in the UK and Europe aim to deliver contraceptives to pigeons, wild boar, grey squirrels, and potentially other species like...
Dolphins Off Florida, Georgia Have High Levels of Mercury
Source: Health Day A study has found elevated mercury levels in dolphins off the coasts of Georgia and Florida, posing potential risks for human residents. Led by Colleen Bryan, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology analyzed 175 skin...
Bearded Dragons Linked to Outbreak of Salmonella Infections, CDC says
Source: The Oregonian An outbreak of salmonella infections linked to pet bearded dragons has been reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fifteen cases across nine states, mostly affecting children under 5, have been documented. The CDC...
Diphtheria-Like Germ Can Be Passed Between People and Pets
Source: Health Day Two cases of a diphtheria-like illness caused by Corynebacterium ulceran were reported in the U.S., involving transmission between humans and pets. In 2022, a Utah resident with a non-healing leg wound, diabetes, and multiple pets was found to have...
Cat Kidney Transplants: For some, the Pricey Procedure is Well Worth it
Source: Washington Post Max Segal's cat, Desperado, received a kidney transplant that significantly impacted Segal's life due to the emotional support Desperado provided during Segal's illness. The procedure, costing up to $25,000, is viewed by many pet owners as...
Using Positive Reinforcement to Train Dairy Cows
Source: Veterinary 33 A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science explores the use of positive reinforcement training (PRT) for dairy cows to reduce stress and improve handling experiences. Conducted at the University of British Columbia Dairy Education and...
How Pet Owners are Handling Higher Pet Product Prices
Source: Pet Food Industry In a recent analysis, Suzy Badaracco from Culinary Tides described the current economic situation, particularly in pet food markets, as in a "stall pattern." Although inflation rates for pet food in the U.S. and some other countries have...
RedRover Grants Pilot Program Enables Homeless Shelters to Welcome Pets for First Time
Source: Pet Age RedRover has allocated $438,900 in Safe Housing grants across various shelters to enhance or establish pet-friendly accommodations. This cycle marks a significant first with $200,000 dedicated to homeless shelters for creating pet-friendly spaces,...
Dogs Now Love Their Mail Carrier Thanks to Poochie-Post Edible Greeting Cards
Source: Pet Age Only An Ocean has launched Poochie-Post, a novel pet gifting concept: edible, bacon-scented greeting cards tailored for dogs. These unique cards allow pet parents to send heartfelt messages to their furry companions through mail. Dogs can also engage...
Dogtopia Foundation Celebrates Milestone, Unveils PTSD Study, Sponsors 500th Service Dog
Source: Pet Age Dogtopia, a leading dog wellness franchise, celebrated a major achievement as its U.S. Dogtopia Foundation surpassed sponsoring 500 service dogs for veterans. This milestone highlights Dogtopia's commitment to supporting veterans, having raised over...