Veterinary News From Medical News Today

08 December 2019

Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in animals. This category includes news on animal-related studies, pet food recalls, animal diseases, new advances in veterinary medicine and pet care.

• Only 'cat whisperers' can read felines' facial expressions
  New research finds that most people are unable to read cats' facial expressions, apart from a small group of so-called cat whisperers.
• Why scientists are studying hibernation to tackle obesity
  New research in hibernating mammals reveals that noncoding DNA may play a role in mechanisms related to obesity control in humans and other animals.
• Are most dolphins 'right-handed,' too?
  After studying dolphins for 6 years, researchers have found that these mammals have a preference for their right sides, similar to human right-handedness.
• Fixing bird wings with sheep bones
  The current method of fixing broken bird bones is not ideal. A recent study investigates whether pins made of dog or sheep bone might be more effective.
• How fast does a blue whale's heart beat?
  Scientists have recorded a blue whale's heart rate for the first time. The findings may explain why no other animal has ever been larger than a blue whale.
• New research finds better way of calculating dogs' real ages
  A team of researchers says that it has found a more accurate way to calculate dogs' real age and to show how it compares with age in human years.
• Common fire retardant makes prairie voles anxious, less social
  New research examines the gender-specific effects of a common flame retardant mixture on the social and affective behavior of prairie voles.
• Gut bacteria: How bats 'shift the paradigm'
  A recent study investigates the microbiomes of bats. The authors conclude that, in some ways, bats' gut bacteria don't follow the rules.
• Punishment could make your dog more pessimistic
  How does punishing your dog affect its psychological welfare? New research compares various training methods in search of an answer.
• Vulturine guineafowl's complex societies overturn scientific assumptions
  For the first time, researchers have found that some birds form multilevel societies, which zoologists had thought was something that only mammals did.
• What are the real zombies?
  Are there any zombies in nature? And what about humans, are we ever at risk of zombification? Read our special feature to find out what science has to say.
• Pigs have the intelligence to use tools
  Researchers have observed that female Visayan warty pigs are capable of using twigs and bark as tools to help them construct their nests.
• Why do dogs develop infections after surgery?
  A recent study investigates the factors that increase the risk of a dog developing an infection following surgery. They also look at the financial effects.
• Monkeys: Past social stress impacts genes, health
  New research suggests socially stressful experiences that occurred in the past leave a long lasting print on genes and health in monkeys and humans.
• Monkeys demonstrate more cognitive flexibility than humans
  In a recent study, researchers conclude that in certain tasks, capuchin and rhesus monkeys are more cognitively flexible than humans.