Science

Jul- 2018 -

24 July

Misbehaving dogs more likely to die young, research shows

New research has revealed that dogs with ‘undesirable behaviours’, such as aggression, running away, fighting, over-excitability or barking, are more likely to die at a younger age. Such behaviours may reflect poor training by owners or even undiagnosed medical conditions – for example dogs that urinate indoors may be suffering…

11 July

Scientists discover first transmission of NDM between dog and human

The first reported transference of the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) Escherichia coli bacteria between a dog and a human has been discovered by scientists in Finland. The research conducted by University of Helsinki, the National Institute for Health and Welfare, and the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira found that in the…

3 July

Global animal feed phytogenics market to reach £59m by 2021

New research has found that the global market for animal feed phytogenics will be valued at £59m by 2021, with a CAGR of 17.2 percent between 2016 and 2021. The research by business consultants, Frost & Sullivan found that the rise was due to the soar in the popularity of…

Jun- 2018 -

26 June

Pet rabbit brains have shrunk due to domestication, says new research

New research has found that the brains of pet rabbits have shrunk due to domestication, and that they no longer fear humans as a result. The University of Porto research saw scientists examine the brains of rabbits as they grew in two separate groups, wild and domestic. The scientists then…

12 June

University of Liverpool’s Feline Healthy Ageing Clinic reaches milestone

The recently launched Feline Healthy Ageing Clinic has just welcomed its 100th ‘senior’ patient through the door, as part of an ambitious long-term study to improve understanding of the ageing process in cats. The team, directed by professor Alex German and led by Nathalie Dowgray, has been undertaking extensive examinations…

7 June

New micro-algae pet food startup receives £500k investment

A ‘micro-algae’ pet food startup has a received £500,000 investment from the Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) to enable the company to expand its team and build a pilot plant for its technology at a whiskey distillery. MiAlgae, founded by Douglas Martin, grows algae rich in omega-3 and other nutrients using…

6 June

Overweight dogs have ‘similar personality traits’ to overweight humans

Overweight dogs may have similar personality traits to overweight humans when it comes to behaviour, a new study published in Royal Society Open Science has found. A European research team made up of Ákos Pogány, Orsolya Torda, Lieta Marinelli, Rita Lenkei, Vanda Junó, Péter Pongrácz looked at ‘obesity prone’ breeds…

May- 2018 -

9 May

Handling rabbits could affect their welfare according to new research

New research from the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science shows the way rabbits are handled is likely to have a “direct impact” on the welfare of the animal. The research found that ‘scruffing’ (holding the rabbit by the scruff of the neck) is associated by the rabbit to predators,…

4 May

BVA urges government to modernise disease surveillance

Leading vets have urged the government to work “collaboratively” with them to bring current disease surveillance networks up to date. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has set out a vision for animal health and disease monitoring in the UK, exploring how UK governments, the veterinary profession and key stakeholders can…

3 May

Male French Bulldogs unhealthier than females, RVC study shows

The top health issues in French Bulldogs have been revealed as a result of Britain’s largest ever study into the breed, conducted by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust. The study found that French Bulldogs are vulnerable to a range of health conditions,…