Vet Candy – Veterinary Lifestyle, News & Learning

Shocking Discovery: Climate Change Is Causing Painful Ice Injuries to Polar Bears' Feet!

Polar bears in some parts of the high Arctic are developing ice buildup and related injuries to their feet, apparently due to changing sea ice conditions in a warming Arctic. While surveying the health of two polar bear populations, researchers found lacerations, hair loss, ice buildup and skin ulcerations primarily affecting the feet of adult bears as well as other parts of the body. Two bears had ice blocks up to 1 foot (30 centimeters) in diameter stuck to their foot pads, which caused deep, bleeding cuts and made it difficult for them to walk.
The study led by the University of Washington was published Oct. 22 in the journal Ecology. It’s the first time that such injuries have been documented in polar bears.
The researchers suggest several mechanisms for how the shift from a climate that used to remain well below freezing to one with freeze–thaw cycles could be causing ice buildup and injuries.

Think Fetch is Just for Dogs? New Study Reveals 41% of Cats Love to Play Too!

The next time you hear "go fetch," don't assume it's for a dog. 
Cats like to engage in the playful behavior more than people might think. A new study from researchers at Purdue University and the University of Pennsylvania found that 41% of cats fetch, compared with about 78% of dogs.
Mikel Delgado, a senior research scientist at Purdue who led the study, said prior to their research, it was well established that some cats play fetch. (Previous studies have documented fetching behavior among felines.) What stood out to Delgado was just how many cats retrieve. 
 

Microplastics Found in Dolphin Breaths: Could the Ocean's Top Predators Be in Danger?

U.S. researchers have detected microplastic particles in air exhaled by wild bottlenose dolphins, suggesting that inhalation may be a relevant route of exposure to these potentially harmful contaminants. Miranda Dziobak of the College of Charleston in South Carolina, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on October 16, 2024.
 
 

Breakthrough: 'Cat Parasite' Engineered to Deliver Life-Saving Drugs to the Human Brain!

In a breakthrough study an international team of scientists led by researchers from Tel Aviv and Glasgow Universities, the 'cat parasite' Toxoplasma gondii was engineered to deliver drugs to the human brain.
The study was led by Prof. Oded Rechavi from the Department of Neurobiology and the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, together with his PhD student Dr. Shahar Bracha, and with Prof. Lilach Sheiner, an Israeli scientist and toxoplasma expert from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. The results were published in the leading scientific journal Nature Microbiology.

New Study Highlights Effectiveness of Tigilanol Tiglate for Treating Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

Dive into the latest findings on tigilanol tiglate, a cutting-edge local treatment for mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs. As this treatment gains traction in the veterinary world, questions about its effectiveness and long-term impact linger. We explore a recent multicenter, retrospective study that sheds light on how well tigilanol tiglate works and what to expect from its use.

New Proposal to Fix Vet Shortage in Colorado Sparks Fierce Debate: Will It Help or Harm Your Pets?

Proposition 129 in Colorado is a ballot measure aimed at addressing the state's shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural areas. The measure, endorsed by Governor Jared Polis and supported by the Vet Care Coalition, proposes the creation of a new role called the Veterinary Professional Associate - also know as a Vet P.A.). These Vet P.A.s would hold a two-year master's degree, be credentialed by the state veterinary board, and work under licensed veterinarians. The initiative is designed to improve access to veterinary care and reduce costs, especially in rural "vet care deserts" where residents face long travel times and high costs for veterinary services.
Supporters argue that Proposition 129 will alleviate the strain on veterinary practices and expand care to underserved areas. Proponents like Dr. Apryl Steele, CEO of the Denver Dumb Friends League, emphasize the benefits for low-income and rural residents who currently struggle with access to timely veterinary services. More than 100,000 families in areas like Limon, Montrose, and Aurora are believed to be affected by the veterinary shortage.
However, opponents of the measure argue that introducing Vet P.A.s could put pets at risk by placing less-qualified individuals in critical veterinary roles. As the debate continues, Colorado voters will have to weigh the potential benefits for improving access to care against concerns about the quality of care provided under this new role.
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Cat Survives the Unthinkable—Can Vets Reverse the Damage After a Washing Machine Accident?

This week on Medical Mysteries with Dr. Courtney, Dr. Courtney Campbell joins forces with criticalist Dr. Carey Hemmelgarn to tackle a heart-wrenching case—a cat that was accidentally washed in a washing machine. With the cat’s life hanging in the balance, can Dr. Hemmelgarn pull off a miracle and save this feline from a tragic end?

Pet-Friendly Housing is on the Rise, But Housing Insecurity is Forcing More Owners to Surrender Their Pets, Study Finds

Housing policies may be becoming more pet inclusive, but housing insecurity is getting worse, finds a new study that examined the housing issues that led to owners turning their pets over to an animal shelter.
According to the study, which appears in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine, housing issues represent 14% of intakes to animal shelters.
The study team analyzed 2019-2023 data from Human-Animal Support Services, a nonprofit organization that works to keep pets with their owners through community and animal shelter initiatives. The data included 28,000 housing-related relinquishment records from 21 U.S. shelters Human-Animal Support Services is working with on progressive initiatives. The study data spans before, during, and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a number of factors affected pet adoption and housing, including stay-at-home orders, a federal eviction moratorium, and shelter policy changes to limit in-person contact. Following an increase in pet adoptions early in the pandemic, recent media reports have described shelter trends of lower pet adoption rates and increased pet relinquishments.

Shocking Study: Flea Treatments Are Harming Wildlife – What Dog Owners Need to Know

Most dog owners didn’t know that flea and tick treatments are dangerous to aquatic life, suggesting more awareness could ease the problem.
A study on Hampstead Heath shows that ponds where dogs are allowed to swim contain levels of two pesticides harmful to invertebrate life.
These pesticides, imidacloprid and fipronil, are used as parasite treatments for flea and tick infestations in cats and dogs, using ‘spot-on’ formulas and flea collars. This is despite these chemicals being banned for agricultural use in 2018 due to their toxicity to bees and other important insects.
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Cat’s Mysterious Condition Leaves Vets Stumped—Why Can’t This Kitty Go?

In this episode of Medical Mysteries with Dr. Courtney, Dr. Courtney Campbell teams up with Chicago’s renowned veterinarian, Dr. Jess Trice, to solve a peculiar case—a cat that just can’t poo. As the clock ticks, can Dr. Trice uncover the cause of the blockage and help the cat find relief?