All articles tagged with #veterinary medicine
When Jackie the bald eagle died, fans turned their scrutiny on the Ojai Raptor Center, flooding wildlife professionals with questions about her care. The piece highlights Americans’ long-standing emotional attachment to bald eagles, notes the ongoing grief of caretaker Christian Weaver, and shows how public demand for transparency can clash with institutional updates.
A House of Lords environment committee urges restricting pet flea and tick spot-on treatments to professionals only, citing environmental risks from ingredients such as fipronil and imidacloprid that have been found in UK streams. The report recommends fewer over-the-counter sales, a risk-based approach to use, vet-led provisioning, clearer packaging warnings, and further research into environmental impacts; the government says it is reviewing availability to ensure correct usage, while industry groups defend the role of risk-based use in protecting animal and public health.
Two U.S. biotech firms are testing GLP-1 weight-loss therapies for overweight cats (Akston's Cornell trial and OKAVA's six‑month implant), signaling a potential veterinary market for human obesity drugs even as no feline products are approved; the effort unfolds amid high pet obesity rates and a broader shift toward premium nutrition and medicalization in the $200B pet economy.
Seven New World screwworm cases have been confirmed in the region, including a Texas dog, prompting containment efforts and warnings for pet owners. The parasite can infest any warm-blooded animal through open wounds or natural openings, causing pain and tissue damage; early vet treatment—larvae removal followed by larvicides/insecticides—yields the best outcomes. Daily wound checks, fly control, and quick veterinary contact are key to protecting pets, especially near the border or during travel; while not highly contagious between pets, households with multiple animals should monitor all wounds and report sightings of wildlife or stray animals.
In a Washington Post Ask a Vet column, Dr. Jane Sykes outlines the five core vaccines dogs need, explains why they protect against serious diseases like leptospirosis and parvo, and discusses why annual vaccination is increasingly emphasized over the older three‑year cycle to safeguard both canine and public health.
A Washington Post veterinary column warns that common household items—especially during Easter—can poison pets, including cut flowers, chocolates, and sago palms, with other hazards like raisins, ibuprofen, and pennies. It emphasizes that delays in treatment can be fatal and outlines the importance of recognizing indoor toxins and seeking prompt veterinary care when exposure occurs.
The FDA has approved Bravecto Quantum, a 12-month flea and tick preventative for dogs, administered via a single injection by a veterinarian, offering long-term protection and convenience, with some potential side effects to consider.
Nox, a peregrine falcon with a broken wing, was treated at UC Davis using advanced veterinary techniques, highlighting progress in wildlife rehabilitation. Despite successful surgery and rehabilitation, Nox was recaptured due to emaciation shortly after release and passed away. The case underscores the challenges of post-release care and inspires further research in veterinary medicine, emphasizing the balance between medical intervention and natural survival instincts.
A cat named Squeaks, suffering from a persistent infection after a severe leg injury, was successfully treated using personalized bacteriophage therapy. This groundbreaking approach, which targets specific bacteria with viruses, marks the first reported use of such treatment in academic veterinary medicine. The therapy, combined with antibiotics, healed the infection after other antibiotics had failed, highlighting the potential of phage therapy for treating antibiotic-resistant infections in pets.
A study led by Prof. Ronen Hazan demonstrated the successful use of personalized phage therapy to treat a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a Siamese cat named Squeaks. This marks the first documented application of such therapy in veterinary medicine, highlighting its potential to address antibiotic-resistant infections in animals. The treatment involved a combination of a specific anti-P. aeruginosa phage and ceftazidime, leading to the complete healing of the cat's surgical wound after fourteen weeks.
Veterinarians Dr. Barb Petersen and Dr. Drew Magstadt, both graduates of Iowa State University, collaborated to solve a mysterious illness affecting dairy cattle in multiple herds across several states. After extensive testing, they discovered that the illness was caused by bird flu, a virus previously not known to infect cattle in the U.S. The virus has spread to 28 dairy cattle herds in eight states, posing a significant threat to the livestock industry. The ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory played a crucial role in identifying and confirming the virus, highlighting the importance of veterinary research and diagnostic capabilities in safeguarding animal health.
A vet in Kansas contracted a skin-blistering fungal infection, sporotrichosis, from a cat, leading to oozing ulcers on her arm. The disease, typically found in tropical climates, can be transmitted to humans through scratches or bites from infected animals. The CDC is calling for increased awareness of sporotrichosis in cats to prevent human acquisition in the veterinary setting. Cases of cat-transmitted fungal infections are rare in the US, but experts warn that fungal infections are becoming a significant threat to public health.
A rare fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii was found in two cats and a vet tech in Kansas, leading to concerns about potential spread. The infection, known as sporotrichosis, is generally picked up through contact with sharp plants and causes slow-healing skin lesions. While the infections are treatable, they can take a long time to heal. The CDC is monitoring a similar, more contagious fungal infection in cats in South America caused by a related fungus called Sporothrix brasiliensis. The report aims to raise awareness among veterinarians and pet owners to catch sporotrichosis early and prevent its spread.
Daily treatment with the veterinary drug monepantel was found to reduce the rate of disease progression by up to 58% in people with ALS or MND, with generally safe and well-tolerated oral therapy. The completed MEND trial in Australia showed promising preliminary efficacy, leading to plans for a Phase 2/3 study to start later this year. Monepantel, known for deworming in veterinary medicine, may activate a pathway to clear toxic proteins contributing to disease progression, potentially extending survival by 13.5 to 56.5 months.
Annika Bram, a veterinary student, has been documenting her journey of nursing an obese golden retriever named Frannie back to health. Frannie, who weighed 125 pounds in December 2023, has since lost 31 pounds and shown renewed vigor for life through a custom diet and physical therapy. Bram's Instagram account, @frannies.fight, has gained over 300,000 followers as she shares Frannie's inspiring progress. The heartwarming story has gone viral, inspiring many with Frannie's determination and resilience.