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Health News Results - 222

Clues to Mysterious New Sickness Affecting Dogs

A new type of bacterial infection could be the culprit behind a mysterious canine respiratory illness that has been infecting dogs from coast to coast, New Hampshire researchers say.

Genetic sequencing of samples from 70 infected dogs from New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts has revealed a previously unknown bacterium, researchers from the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab...

Hate Driving Your Cat to the Vet? FDA Just Approved a Drug for That

If you belong to one of the 46 million American households with a cat, you already know how stressful a trip to the vet can be for your feline -- and you.

Rescue might be on the way: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new medicine to help calm cat anxiety.

The pill is called Bonqat, and it's designed "for the alleviation of acute anxiety and fear associated...

Babies Are Contracting Salmonella After Handling Pet Food, FDA Warns

FRIDAY, Nov. 10, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Two federal health agencies are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to dog food that has sickened seven people in seven states, nearly all of them infants.

On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 10, 2023
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  • A Tropical Skin Infection Spread by Sand Flies Is Spreading in the U.S.

    Climate change is bringing diseases once considered tropical afflictions to the United States, and new research warns that a parasite spread by sand flies may be the latest to join this growing list.

    The Leishmania parasite causes several forms of the disease leishmaniasis, including cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores. Cutaneous leishmaniasis infects up to 1 million...

    Aging, Mental Health in Dogs: Size Matters

    For dogs, body size matters.

    That's true in terms of how quickly they age, but also in their mental health, according to a new study comparing big and little canines.

    Age-related decline starts at 7 to 8 years of age in big dogs, compared to 10 to 11 years in smaller ...

    Scientists Discover Secrets of the Cat's Purr

    Anyone with a cat knows the calm, low rumble of purring, but how does such a small animal make such a low sound?

    New research suggests it boils down to a pad embedded in feline vocal cord folds.

    That's different than previously thought, which was that purring happened through a special mechanism, with cyclical contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the vocal folds within the ...

    A Wolf's Gut Bug Might Boost Health of Domestic Dogs

    A type of gut bacteria found in wild wolves could help treat domestic dogs who have a common, debilitating gastrointestinal condition.

    New research in an Oregon wolf discovered a novel strain of Paenibacillus bacteria that displays the characteristics of a probiotic.

    The benefit from this bacteria would be to stop canine inflammatory bowel disease.

    A chronic illness,...

    Going Vegan Healthy for Dogs, Cats — and the Planet

    Should Fluffy and Fido go vegan?

    A new study says yes — for the environment.

    The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that livestock are responsible for 14.5% of the greenhouse gas emissions. In response, some experts say eating v...

    Anti-Vax Trend May Harm Pet Dogs, With Half of Owners Against Immunization

    Some people mistrust the safety and effectiveness of human vaccines for COVID-19 and other diseases, a fact that became abundantly clear during the pandemic.

    Now, a new survey of 2,200 dog owners shows this mistrust may often extend to canine vaccinations.

    The finding suggests there is spillover between the issues, with those who have negative feelings about human vaccines more lik...

    For Dogs, Gastro & Respiratory Ills Often Connected, Study Suggests

    Does your dog struggle to breathe, especially at mealtime?

    New research suggests the two might often be connected.

    The University of Missouri researchers discovered that about 75% of dogs who had respiratory disease and were participating in a swallowing study were also found to have one or more digestive tract abnormalities. The scientists have been investigating the interplay betw...

    Shelter Dogs Vulnerable to Diseases Spread by Ticks, Mosquitoes

    Warming temperatures may be bringing a new risk for shelter dogs: the spread of tick- and mosquito-borne disease in a broader geographic area, according to a new study.

    Bites from these pests can cause serious illness in dogs, including heartworm and Lyme disease.

    The study, on shelter dogs in the eastern United States, shows that they may experience the brunt of warmer weather, but...

    Dogs Can Tell When You're Talking to Them, and Might Prefer Female Voices

    Mothers use sing-song language to talk to their infants. Their dogs respond to it, too, according to a new study.

    Researchers in Hungary also found that dogs have greater brain sensitivity to the speech directed at them than to adult-directed speech, especially if the words are spoken by a woman.

    In imaging scans, dogs and infants showed brain similarities during the processing of ...

    Even If Issues Emerge, Folks 'Highly Satisfied' With Shelter Rescue Dogs

    When Daniel Cooney and his husband Patrick Key adopted Rothko, a coonhound mix, from a shelter eight years ago, it took time to get used to his quirks.

    Rothko doesn't always jell with other pups, which means the dog park is often out of the question.

    "There are several dogs in the neighborhood that we have to stay away from, but we have gotten good at noticing the signs of aggressio...

    Who's Got COVID? Dogs Can Quickly Tell

    Do you have COVID-19? With a little training, your dog might be more effective at figuring that out than even at-home antigen or sophisticated hospital tests.

    Dogs are so good at it, according to a new research review, that they may be ready for mainstream medical use ...

    Pets Don't Help Those With Severe Mental Illness Fare Better

    It's commonly thought that having a companion animal — be it a dog, cat or bird — is good for the owner's mental health.

    A new study suggests that's not so, at least for people with severe mental illness and for pets that aren't trained therapy animals. Pets may, however, be an important part of the social network for folks with severe mental illness.

    Having pets was not signifi...

    U.S. Livestock, Pet Industries Pose Disease Threat to People

    American industry engages in some of the same high-risk practices as other countries in keeping and selling commercial animals that have the potential for triggering outbreaks of disease among humans, a new report shows.

    Researchers from Harvard Law...

    Slowed Walking Could Be Sign of Dementia in Dogs

    Like people, dogs slow down as they age.

    Researchers wondered whether slowed walking could also signal mental decline. To learn more, they did a series of experiments that included measuring the dogs' speed both on and off leash as well as cognitive testing.

    “Walking speed in people is strongly associated with cognitive decline,” said study author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 5, 2023
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  • The Vet Says Your Dog Has Cushing's Disease: What Is It?

    Like humans, older dogs can be prone to a variety of health issues.

    Among the maladies that middle-aged and older dogs experience is Cushing's disease, when the body produces too much of a hormone called cortisol.

    Fortunately, it is possible to test for and treat the condition, giving your pet a healthier late life.

    "Cortisol is one of the body's natural steroids," said Dr. An...

    Air Polluted With Wildfire Smoke Can Harm Animals, Too

    The Canadian wildfires that are burning out of control have brought hazy skies and polluted air to parts of the United States unprepared for it -- and that's affecting not just the people, but their pets and livestock, too.

    An animal welfare expert from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers some advice for animal caregivers to help them get their animals through these smoky...

    Combo Therapy Could Treat Oral Melanomas in Dogs

    Could a treatment combo that improves the odds against melanoma for humans work in dogs?

    Yes, claims a new study that found radiotherapy followed by immunotherapy extended survival in canine melanoma patients.

    Melanomas in dogs are similar to human melanomas. An effective treatment for human melanomas is a combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The researchers from Japan wa...

    Stray Cats Shed Toxoplasmosis Parasites in Cities, Especially in Warm Weather

    Wild and feral cats appear to release more toxoplasmosis parasites in places densely populated with people, new research suggests.

    These cats also "shed" more when the temperature is warmer, a significant finding given climate change, according to the report published online June 21 in PLOS ONE.

    Policymakers could help protect humans from this illness by better managing th...

    PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Blood of Pet Dogs, Horses

    New research on horses and dogs found elevated levels of PFAS “forever chemicals,” establishing horses as sentinel species.

    Sentinel species provide advance warning of a danger to people.

    The work also advanced knowledge about PFAS exposure and liver and kidney function in these animals. PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of chemicals used in plastics an...

    Dog Bites More Common on Hot, Hazy Days

    Just like their humans, dogs get cranky when temperatures and air pollution levels surge.

    Heat and air pollution have previously been linked to human aggression. Now, researchers say it also appears that there are more dog bites on hot, polluted days.

    More research is needed to confirm these findings, according to study author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 16, 2023
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  • What Factors Keep Your Dog Healthier Longer? Major Study Has Answers

    Fido really needs a friend.

    That's the main takeaway from a new survey that included more than 21,400 dogs and their owners, and showed that pups who have companions (whether furry or human) live healthier, longer lives than those who don't.

    The strength of a dog's social support network had an even greater effect on their health than their owners' financial status, and these r...

    Injected Birth Control Could Be Game-Changer to Curb Stray Cat Populations

    Millions of stray cats roam the world over, and surgical sterilization has long been the primary method of population control.

    But a small new study shows promising results for a one-and-done contraceptive injection.

    Researchers say this first-of-its-kind approach appears safe and effective.

    “A non-surgical contraceptive that could result in lifetime sterility following...

    When Does 'Saving' Animals Become Unhealthy Hoarding?

    It's a wonderful thing to try to save stray animals, but for some people it can turn into a form of hoarding thats dangerous for pets and humans alike.

    People who “hoard” animals may feel like they're saving them, but caring for many pets may take a toll on their well-being and that of the animals they take in, according to a new study.

    “Although most folks with hoarding disor...

    COVID in Cats Mirrored What Was Happening in People

    Cats who became infected with COVID-19 had the same variants as their owners throughout the different phases of the pandemic, new research finds.

    Scientists looked at retrospective samples to assess COVID-19 infections in U.K. cats from April 2020 to February 2022. The cats had been infected with the Alpha and Delta variants following their emergence in the human population.

    �...

    FDA Approves First Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for Arthritis in Dogs

    Man's aging best friend has a new treatment to dull osteoarthritis pain as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced approval Friday of the first monoclonal antibody for dogs.

    Called Librela, the bedinvetmab shot controls pain from the most common form of arthritis in dogs. Osteoarthritis (OA) affects about 25% of dogs during their lifetime.

    In this condition, the cartil...

    Spring, Summer Is Peak Time for Dogs Biting Kids

    In the spring and summer, everyone races outside with their dogs to enjoy the warmer weather, but a new study suggests there is a downside to that.

    More children are bitten by dogs in those months, according to researchers at Nemours Children's Health.

    But a dog bite isn't inevitable: It's possible to keep both dogs and children safer, and to provide proper care if the unfortunate d...

    Similar to Humans, Sleep Is Altered for Dogs With Dementia

    Like people, man's best friend can get dementia with aging.

    And these older dogs sleep less deeply when they develop the condition, just as people with Alzheimer's disease do, according to research that included problem-solving tasks and brain wave measurements.

    “Our study is the first to evaluate the association between cognitive impairment and sleep using polysomnography -- the ...

    Dog-Walking Downside: Fractures, Head Injuries

    Walking your dog gets you moving and out in the fresh air, but head injuries and fractures are very real possibilities, especially for older dog owners, researchers say.

    The most common injury from walking a leashed dog that sends folks to the ER is fractured fingers, a new study from Johns Hopkins University found.

    But traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the second-most common inj...

    Secret Weapon for Quit-Smoking Campaigns: Pets

    Put out that cigarette for the health of your four-legged friend.

    When smokers search social media for anti-tobacco information, they tend to engage most with posts about the risk of secondhand smoke on their pets, a new study reveals.

    Posts with new information about harmful chemicals also receive high engagement, researchers found.

    “Our results show that people respond to ...

    FDA Approves Drug for Cats With Allergic Skin Disease

    Cats constantly licking and chewing because of a skin condition called feline allergic dermatitis may benefit from a new generic treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The FDA approved Modulis for Ca...

    Pets Could Help Prevent Food Allergies in Kids

    While research has shown that having pets can lower the chances of respiratory allergies in children, a new study finds it might also reduce the risk of food allergies.

    Japanese investigators found that young children exposed to dogs in the home were less likely to experience egg, milk and nut allergies, while those exposed to cats were less likely to be diagnosed with egg, wheat and soyb...

    In Rare Cases, Drug-Resistant 'Superbugs' Can Pass Between People & Their Pets

    In more bad news about antibiotic resistance, new research suggests that people and their pets may be able to transmit multidrug-resistant germs to each other.

    Still, cases of cross-transmission are rare and it's not clear if pets are giving germs to people or people are giving germs to their pets, the study authors noted.

    "In urban areas in high-income countries, pets do not seem ...

    Pets in the Bedroom? Your Sleep Might Suffer, Study Finds

    If your bedtime routine includes snuggling up with your Boston terrier or lulling yourself to sleep to the gentle purrs of your calico cat, you might want to rethink it.

    Pets can offer a sense of security and comfort, but sharing a bed with them may lead to wakeful nights, according to a new study.<...

    Have an Anxious Dog? Study Seeks Clues in Canine Brains

    Like humans, some dogs suffer from anxiety. They might show fear or excitability toward strangers. Loud noises might result in "accidents." They may get destructive when you leave home.

    The cause of their distress could lie in their brain makeup, researchers from Ghent University in Belgium say.

    For the study, published March 15 in PLOS ONE, res...

    Cats, Dogs 'Part of the Family' for Most American Pet Owners: Poll

    It won't come as a surprise to those who love their furry friends, but a new poll finds many Americans saying their pets offer them mental health benefits and are a part of the family.

    Roughly 86% of cat and dog owners said their pets had a positive impact on their well-being, the American Psychiatric Association's (APA)

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 3, 2023
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  • Lessons From a Wildfire on How to Save Pets' Lives

    In the wake of natural disasters like wildfires that have destroyed whole communities with alarming speed, some folks are focused on the beloved pets left behind — and how to save others in the future.

    More than 1,000 pets died in the Marshall fire on Dec. 30, 2021, in Boulder County, Colo., according to

    Cancer in Dogs: Breed & Size Matter, Study Shows

    If your dog is bigger, male and a purebred, it may get a diagnosis of cancer earlier in its life compared to other dogs, a new study finds.

    A dog's size, gender and breed appear to affect its average age at cancer diagnosis, researchers found. This should inform canine cancer screening guidelines, they wrote in the Feb. 1 issue of PLOS ONE.

    Cancer kills more adult dogs than...

    What Is Heartworm and How Can You Protect Your Pet From It?

    It's possible to prevent heartworms in many of your furry friends — dogs, cats and ferrets, specifically.

    Heading off a severe and sometimes deadly illness simply requires regular, year-round preventive treatment through a pill, injection or topical medication, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Heartworms are parasitic worms that can grow to 12 inches in length. ...

    Cats Now Have an FDA-Approved Pill to Treat Their Diabetes

    Owners whose cats have diabetes now have a new option to care for the condition in their otherwise healthy pets.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first pill to improve control of diabetes in some cats.

    The drug, call...

    Your Dog's Behavior Is in Its DNA

    Is your pooch a herder or a hunter? You can try taking them to a trainer, but new research shows much of their behavior is hardwired in their DNA.

    For the new study, researchers analyzed DNA samples from more than 200 dog breeds and surveyed 46,000 pet-owners to try to suss out why certain breeds act the way they do.

    “The largest, most successful genetic experiment that humans hav...

    Special Human-Cat Bond May Have Started 10,000 Years Ago

    That special link you may have with a purring, four-legged friend has been going on between the species for millennia, new research shows.

    The human-cat relationship was probably forged over a shared interest in rats more than 10,000 years ago, investigators say. As farming became a way of life, cats served as ancient pest control, killing rodents and making a bond with people that contin...

    A Beloved Pet's Death Can Trigger Deep Grief. Finding Support Can Be Tough

    Anyone who's ever loved a pet like a member of the family knows that the grief when that dog, cat or other furry friend dies can be devastating.

    But too often, finding others who truly understand and support that sense of loss can be challenging.

    Michelle Crossley, a mental health counselor, ...

    A Gel Could Help Treat Cancers in Dogs, and Maybe Kids, Too

    A new immunotherapy gel being tested in pet dogs could pave the way for gentler and more effective treatment of one of the most common childhood cancers, researchers say.

    Sarcoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs, affecting the bones and soft tissues.

    It's also the third most common cancer in children, with 1 in 3 dying from the disease, researchers said.

    Sarcoma in ca...

    Your Cat Wants a Talk With You, and Only You

    For cat owners who are convinced that their furry feline understands and even responds to the sound of their voice, here's the reward they've been waiting for: A new French study finds that, yes, cats can identify their owner's cooing and calling.

    After extensive work with 16 cats, the investigators...

    Stress-Relief Programs Often Rely on Dogs. What About Cats?

    Universities sometimes offer "Pet Your Stress Away" events offering a chance to relax while gently patting the head and stroking the back of a calm dog.

    But some people are more interested in interacting with cats than dogs, according to a new study that linked preference to personality type.

    Petting a Dog Does Your Brain Some Good

    If you have dogs, you probably already know that petting them can give you a lift.

    Researchers set out to prove that using technology to show what happens in the brain when stroking or sitting next to a dog. They also compared that to petting a stuffed animal.

    They found that when study participants viewed, felt and touched real dogs it led to increasingly high levels of activity ...

    Not All Kids With Autism Will Benefit From Therapy Dogs

    For many kids with autism, Rhett, a black Labrador retriever, has been a calming and comforting influence in his seven years as a therapy dog.

    But parents shouldn't assume that a service pooch is the solution for every child on the autism spectrum, a new study...

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