Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College have been working with dogs suffering from thyroid cancer in a clinical trial for a new high-tech cancer treatment. This treatment, called “search and destroy,” is a targeted, non-surgical therapy that uses nanotechnology and lasers to locate...
Regular veterinary care is important for all pets, but cat owners will tell you that a visit to the vet’s office is stressful for many cats…and their people. Researchers at the University of California-Davis compared the reactions of cats during in-clinic vet visits vs. cats experiencing...
Bird flu is a serious viral infection that has been much in the news lately. Experts say this disease primarily affects wild aquatic birds like ducks and geese, but it also impacts poultry, including backyard flocks of chickens. Birds in zoos can also be impacted...
The University of Colorado’s Natural Hazards Center has produced a report analyzing the impact of wildfire on pets and their owners. The Marshall Fire occurred in Boulder County, Colorado in late December 2021. It destroyed over 1,000 homes and more than 1,000 pets were estimated to...
With frigid cold weather across much of the US this week, now is a good time for some reminders on how to keep your companion animals safe when the temperatures drop. The American Veterinary Medical Association has compiled a list of pet winter safety tips....
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new pet medication called Bexacat, which is an oral treatment for improved glycemic control in cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. According to an article in Veterinary Practice News, the drug works by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing...
FREE PUPPIES! is the title of a new documentary film that follows a dedicated group of people who work to rescue and rehome the many stray dogs in the American South. The reasons for the large numbers of homeless pets in the South are complex, as...
In a recent 60 Minutes segment, Anderson Cooper talked to several experts on the behavior and genetics of dogs and wolves to discover why dogs are so friendly, and why the evolution of dogs can be called the "survival of the friendliest!" The experts say that...
The University of Glasgow has been conducting an ongoing investigation of Covid-19 infections in companion animals. Their latest data shows a surprising number of Covid infections in cats. A report in the Telegraph says that over 350,000 cats in the UK have caught Covid over the...
The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in the UK has created a video guide to help you interact with cats in a mindful way that makes it a positive experience for both cats and humans. They call it the “CAT” approach. Here’s what that means. C =...
The Animal Emergency Care veterinary hospital in Bellingham, WA has created an informative guide to help pet owners understand the different categories of pain their animals can experience. You can read the full article on their blog, here’s a quick overview. Acute Pain: A noticeable response to...
You may have heard the term “food deserts” to describe low-income urban areas that lack access to supermarkets and other sources of fresh, healthy food. These areas are often “veterinary deserts” too. Veterinary deserts are lower-income city neighborhoods that have fewer veterinary clinics than affluent neighborhoods....
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have created a virtual reality Labrador Retriever in a pilot program called DAVE (Dog Assisted Virtual Environment). They hope this new program can teach people how to spot and interpret canine behaviors such as aggression, so it can be used...
This month is a good time to show appreciation for senior pets and those who adopt and care for them. Sharing your life with a senior pet can be rewarding, but there are some challenges. Here’s some excellent advice from the veterinary experts at the Indiana...
Thinking about dressing your dog up in a costume for Halloween this year? Before you do, make sure to check out these helpful tips on the dos and don'ts of Halloween costumes for dogs from the Dogtopia YouTube channel. The most important things to keep in...
Kids love animals, and many express a desire to become a veterinarian or choose a career that involves working with animals. How do you encourage kids to make that dream a reality? A recent article in Popular Science offers some practical advice on supporting kids with...
Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 6 animal welfare bills into law. The legislation covers a wide range of companion animal welfare issues. Here’s a summary of the new legislation. SB 879, the PET (Prohibiting Extraneous Testing) Act: Prohibits product toxicity testing on dogs and cats...
A study published in the journal Current Biology found that a dog’s tear production increases with emotion. The study measured tear volume in dogs that were reunited with their owners vs with unfamiliar people. Tear volume increased during the dog-owner reunions. The researchers theorized that the tears...
Many pet owners are reluctant to have their animals receive anesthesia for veterinary care, including routine spay/neuter and dental procedures. Do you have reason to worry about the effects of anesthesia on your pet? Are some pets at higher risk for negative consequences than others? Researchers from...
Now that the weather is turning cooler, many dog owners are planning fall hikes with their best friends. The Edmonton Humane Society has created a helpful video on hiking and camping safety tips for pet owners, including a demonstration of an after-hike safety check you can...
The Comparative Genetics and Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine had developed a genetic test to determine if a dog is at risk for cruciate ligament ruptures. Cruciate ligament rupture is one of the more common causes of lameness, pain,...