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Cat-egorizing play and genuine fighting in catsThe behavior of cat interactions has been categorized into playful, aggressive and intermediate groups that may help owners distinguish between play and genuine fighting. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that cats may engage in a mixture of playful and aggressive behaviors, which could escalate into a fight if... Read more
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No spread of H5N1 bird flu between mammals foundMammals can become infected with the highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza H5N1 virus when they feed on infected sick or dead wild birds. Studies by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) show that there is no spread of the virus between the mammals. However, a zoönotic mutation was found. "That's a sign... Read more
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Can dogs tell the difference between when we are unable to do something for them, versus being simply unwilling?A team of researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, working with a colleague from AS University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, has found evidence that suggests dogs, under some circumstances, are able to understand the intentions of people that they do not know. In their paper published... Read more
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Veterinary researchers uncover novel amyloidosisA collaboration led by scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Japan, has discovered a novel amyloid protein from canine mammary tumors. This amyloid protein, α-S1 casein, normally plays a vital role in the transport of calcium phosphate as a milk protein that provides infant nutrition, but its... Read more
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New research shows milk restriction affects calves' ability to learnNew research has shown calves' ability to focus and learn are seriously affected when their milk allowance is suddenly reduced, and they may experience negative feelings of hunger. The study is published in Biology Letters.... Read more
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Parasite common in cats causes abortion in bighorn sheepA parasite believed to be present in more than 40 million people in the United States and often spread by domestic and wild cats could hamper ongoing conservation efforts in bighorn sheep.... Read more
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Avian flu could decimate Australian black swansThe unique genetics of the Australian black swan leaves the species vulnerable to viral illnesses such as avian flu, University of Queensland research has revealed.... Read more
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Study sheds new light on demographics of ear-cropped dogs in the UKA study by the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) provides new insights into the breeds, ages and geographical origins of ear-cropped dogs in the U.K.... Read more
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Are the fish in your aquarium happy? Five things to look out forIf 1,500 captive mammals suffocated to death in a zoo, their suffering would spark an outcry. So when a Berlin hotel aquarium exploded at the end of 2022, why did so few people comment on the welfare of the fish? Aquatic species don't seem to induce the same emotional response.... Read more
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Are vegan pet diets as unhealthy as they're claimed to be? Here's what the evidence saysThe impact of vegan diets on our pets' health produces heated debate from people on both sides.... Read more
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Aggressiveness of pet dogs is influenced by life history and owner's characteristics, study suggestsDogs walked every day by their owners are less aggressive. Dogs owned by women bark less at strangers. Heavier dogs tend to be less disobedient than lighter pets. Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus and other short-snouted breeds may be more badly behaved than medium- and long-snouted dogs, such as Golden Retrievers... Read more
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Discovery of cross-species signaling pathway unlocks mysteries around parasite immunity, developmentResearch led by a University of Maryland team has identified the first inter-species signaling pathway between an arthropod parasite and host, where molecules in the blood of a host animal triggers the immunity and development of a parasite. The study showed that when ticks feed on the blood of mice... Read more
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South Korea to ban bear farming, but what to do about hundreds of captive animals that remain?South Korea's successful restoration of a wild Asiatic black bear population to Jirisan National Park is a huge conservation success story. But the fortune of this wild population stands in contrast to the plight of more than 300 captive bears that remain on bear farms across the country, often in... Read more
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Cloned horse raises hopes for equestrian sports in ChinaA Chinese company presented a cloned horse to the public on Thursday that is the first of its kind born in the country and approved for equestrian sport.... Read more
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Why do our dogs and cats bring us dead animals?What do a little penguin, a baby rabbit, a black rat and a Krefft's glider have in common? They've all been presented to me (when dead) by my animal companions. Chances are, if you live with a cat or dog, you've also been brought something similar.... Read more