Pets & Veterinary Medicine

We know—and love—the Turtle Rescue Team here at The Abstract. But their work isn't just limited to our shelled friends: snakes are sometimes visitors to the TRT as well. In a recent study published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Greg Lewbart, professor of aquatic, wildlife and zoological... Read more

A new study shows that the effectiveness of current vaccines against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is due to the response of T cells against the disease, rather than the production of antibodies. The work is an important step in identifying specific targets for vaccines on a rapidly... Read more

I live with several cocker spaniels. They are smart and affectionate, but sometimes air-headed, impulsive and extremely sensitive. It's common for friends to describe my dogs as "having ADHD" as one of my canine whirlwinds whizzes past.... Read more

Since late 2021, a panzootic, or "a pandemic in animals," of highly pathogenic bird flu variant H5N1 has devastated wild birds, agriculture, and mammals. Unlike previous outbreaks, aggressive culling of domestic birds has not contained it, and the viruses continue to infect a broad range of species, including wild birds... Read more

Inflammation can help the body when injured or sick by delivering immune cells, promoting healing and more. Chronic or excessive inflammation, however, can cause further damage and lead to additional disease or injury. Clinicians often rely on patient history and current complaints, along with physical examination and blood tests, to... Read more

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies, has long challenged veterinarians and public health experts alike. Found in humans and animals across Israel and many other parts of the world, the disease's intricate transmission cycle involves numerous sand fly species and a wide range of wild and domestic reservoirs.... Read more

From dogs and cats to dairy cows and sea turtles, animals around the world are suffering from various cancers, obesity, diabetes, and degenerative joint disease. Understanding the forces driving an increase in these non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is vital for both animal and human health. However, interdisciplinary research on NCDs in... Read more

A minimally invasive treatment for severe intervertebral disk disease in small dog breeds is now available at the University of Cambridge's Queen's Veterinary School Hospital—the only place in the U.K. currently providing the procedure.... Read more

Spain will confine poultry indoors in several regions starting Monday in response to escalating cases of avian influenza across Europe, the agriculture ministry said Wednesday.... Read more

The UK government on Tuesday ordered all poultry in England to be kept inside due to escalating cases of avian influenza.... Read more

While we are captivated by a vivid sunset and breathtaking views, dogs have their noses to the ground, reading the odor stories left behind by other dogs and animals. The pile of crinkling autumn leaves that gathers the smells of passers-by provides a snapshot of how dogs connect with their... Read more

Most people can get their pets in for veterinary visits relatively quickly, but access to care could be improved in rural areas, suggests a recent study.... Read more

A new test developed at Washington State University will help pharmaceutical companies, veterinarians and regulatory agencies identify drugs that may trigger severe—but preventable—neurological side effects in some cats.... Read more

An increasingly concerned group of veterinarians has issued a stark warning about the rise of what they call "fur baby culture," suggesting the anthropomorphizing of animals is behind alarming animal welfare problems.... Read more

German authorities said Sunday they have ordered the culling of around 130,000 ducks and chickens on farms near Berlin as the country battles a surge in bird flu cases.... Read more