Veterinary Mental Health Revolution: Groundbreaking Study Shows Unprecedented Positive Trends Post-Pandemic!
Increase in Mental Health Resources for ProfessionalsAlmost three-quarters of veterinary professionals express personal satisfaction with their career, but there are still factors they are concerned about, including high exhaustion, work-life balance, and shortage of vets, all of which can contribute to a feeling of burnout. Results indicate that more veterinarians who needed mental health support received outpatient treatment and counseling for mental health challenges in 2023. Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in clinics supporting their team's mental health and emotional wellbeing, with results showing that 38% of clinics now offer an employee assistance program (EAP) as opposed to 31% in 2021 and 27% in 2019.
Exploring the Complexities of Antimicrobial Use in Cats: A Study on Veterinarian and Cat Owner Perspectives
In a comprehensive study focused on the use of antimicrobials in cats, the perspectives of veterinarians and cat owners were closely examined, particularly regarding the prescription of cefovecin and the challenges associated with administering oral medications to felines.
The research involved a group of veterinarians from New York and a diverse set of cat owners spread across the United States. They were engaged through surveys and interviews to gather in-depth information about their experiences and practices.
Major Victory for Canine Welfare: World Veterinary Association Hails South Korea's Historic Ban on Dog Meat Trade!
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) welcomes the decision by South Korea to ban the dog meat trade. Currently up to one million dogs a year are factory farmed and killed for human consumption in the country. The ban, which comes into force in six months’ time with a three-year phase out, will make the breeding, slaughter and sale of dogs and dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027.
Rising Financial Struggles Lead to a Surge in Abandoned Pets: A Look at the Challenges Faced by Animal Shelters
In an alarming trend, people are increasingly abandoning their beloved pets, primarily due to financial hardships that prevent them from providing food and shelter for their four-legged companions. This heartbreaking situation is putting tremendous pressure on animal shelters across the United States, with significant implications for the well-being of these furry friends.
Stephanie Filer, the executive director of Shelter Animals Count, aptly points out that "animal shelters generally reflect what is happening to people in a community and where there is food insecurity." The stark reality is that, as 2023 came to a close, there were a staggering 250,000 more animals in the shelter system compared to the previous year. This data, compiled from nearly 7,000 shelters nationwide, paints a troubling picture of the growing crisis.
Threatened Black-Footed Cats Face Alarming Inbreeding and Disease Risk Due to Habitat Fragmentation
Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes), already a threatened species, are now facing an alarming increase in inbreeding, which poses a significant risk of a rare and deadly disease. These tiny but deadly felines, native to Africa and known for their nocturnal desert lifestyle, are among the deadliest cats on Earth when it comes to kill rates.
Unfortunately, their survival is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and human persecution, often mistaken for jackals. As a result, they are listed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. A recently published study in the journal PNAS, dated January 2, 2024, reveals that black-footed cats may be experiencing genetic isolation and inbreeding.
A pasture of 'professors'
The Campus Agricultural Center is a 160-acre research, teaching and extension facility located several miles north of UArizona's main campus and is part of the agriculture and technology-focused Arizona Experiment Station. The center supports the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, the university's statewide Cooperative Extension system and a variety of interdisciplinary centers, labs and institutes.