In the animal world, only mammals have the anatomy to facilitate snoring, but plenty of species make noise while sleeping. Ducks, bears, rabbits and even hedgehogs are featured in this series of noisy — and cute, of course — sleeping animals. Mother Nature Network (8/28)
Veterinarian Lauren Howard and specialists from Texas Children’s Hospital and Ben Taub Intensive Care Unit pooled their expertise to help save the Houston Zoo’s oldest female orangutan, Cheyenne, who had stopped eating and become lethargic. Exploratory surgery found no abnormalities, so the team improvised and kept their patient lightly sedated for over a week while she received intensive care including constant fluid infusion. She improved and is back on exhibit. Houston Chronicle (tiered subscription model) (8/28)
Pheromones from male swine appear to help curb excessive barking in dogs, according to research by scientists at Texas Tech University. In the study, spraying a pig pheromone at barking dogs stopped the behavior immediately and had no observable adverse effects. More studies are needed to determine the length of effect and whether repeated sprays are needed to maintain the calm behavior, but the product is already available for purchase under the name Stop That. PhysOrg.com (8/25)
Pheromones from male swine appear to help curb excessive barking in dogs, according to research by scientists at Texas Tech University. In the study, spraying a pig pheromone at barking dogs stopped the behavior immediately and had no observable adverse effects. More studies are needed to determine the length of effect and whether repeated sprays are needed to maintain the calm behavior, but the product is already available for purchase under the name Stop That. PhysOrg.com (8/25)
A team of scientists spent three weeks questioning villagers and testing bats in an effort to identify the source of the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa. A toddler and his mother died shortly after the boy came into contact with a fruit bat, a common food source in the region, and the disease subsequently spread to mourners at a funeral. The Zaire strain, causing the current outbreak, passed between fruit bat colonies until it reached the boy’s village in Guinea. Other species also can be exposed to fruit bats and may be vulnerable to infection. The New Zealand Herald/Agence France-Presse (8/25)
Fairgoers who don’t follow certain precautions around animals are at risk of zoonotic disease transmission, but state fair officials in Minnesota say washing hands, keeping food and drink out of animal buildings and watching young children to be sure they’re not putting their mouths on railings can help people stay safe. Fair staff also work to mitigate risks with frequent sanitizing, rapid manure cleanup, ventilation improvements and signs alerting visitors to the potential for disease transmission. Minnesota Public Radio (8/22)
Injecting modified bacteria to shrink cancerous tumors may become a new treatment for dogs and people with inoperable disease, according to a report published in Science Translational Medicine. Sixteen dogs from seven veterinary practices participated in a trial in which the bacteria Clostridium novyi was injected into cancerous tumors. In three cases, the tumors decreased in size, and they disappeared completely in three other dogs. One human patient who received the injection also experienced a reduction in tumor size. FoxNews.com/Reuters (8/13)
University of Sydney veterinarian Lydia Tong is collaborating with an anti-domestic violence group on a study to examine whether children and partners are facing abuse in homes where pets are being abused. There is some evidence that abuse of animals and humans is linked, and mistreated animals can be a warning sign that people are in danger. “Vets are often the first to see evidence of abuse in a family, when they treat injured pets,” Dr. Tong said. In the study, callers to domestic violence hotlines will be asked about abuse of pets in the home, access to veterinary care and their desire to speak with a veterinarian. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) (8/17)
Positioning anesthetized black rhinos on their bellies could help the endangered animals breathe, lowering the risk for death, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine researchers found. Rhinos are usually positioned on their sides while anesthetized to prevent leg damage, and one or two die each year from anesthesia complications when they are captured and moved. Though more air enters the lungs when the animals are on their sides, gas exchange with the blood is more efficient when they are on their bellies, resulting in higher blood oxygen levels, researchers found. PhysOrg.com (8/15)
Pennsylvania veterinarian Jennifer Magilton turned to a drug used to treat humans who have overdosed when treating a cat that was reportedly subjected to physical abuse and injected with heroin. The injured and unresponsive kitten improved quickly after treatment, and its recovery continues at the HOPE Veterinary Clinic. The animal will be adopted when it is ready, and a suspect has been arrested.
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