Old dogs with dementia sleep less deeply, just like people with Alzheimer’s
Now, scientists have shown that the same reduction in sleep time and delta brain waves occurs in dogs with the canine equivalent of dementia, canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS). These dogs thus sleep less and less deeply. The results are published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Links between pet ownership, stress, and loneliness during COVID-19 explored
A new analysis suggests that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, US dog and cat owners became closer to their pets, and a complex relationship unfolded between pet ownership, stress, and loneliness. Niwako Ogata and Hsin-Yi Weng of Purdue University, US, and their colleague present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on April 26, 2023.
Lack of canine COVID-19 data fuels persisting concerns over dog-human interactions
Early COVID-19 pandemic suspicions about dogs’ resistance to the disease have given way to a long-haul clinical data gap as new variants of the virus have emerged.
Scientists develop new test to diagnose Brucella canis
Researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) have developed a new test to diagnose Brucella canis, a zoonotic disease that can spread to people through contact with infected dogs. The Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) is the only lab in the country offering a new test that measures antibodies in dogs directed against Brucella canis antigens — the Canine Brucella Multiplex (CBM) assay.
Cats’ non-fearful and sociable personality as well as a clean litterbox appear to decrease litterbox issues
Researchers at the University of Helsinki identified several links between various risk factors and feline litterbox issues. Identifying a range of risk factors makes it possible to modify conditions in the cat’s environment, thus preventing and reducing litterbox issues. Cats are common and beloved pets. Litterbox issues are among the most common challenges associated with cats, and can even result in giving up the pet. Cats can, for example, urinate or defecate outside the litterbox, in places undesirable for the owner.