Pet rats may harbour deadly fever By Helen Carter for ABC Science Online Keeping rats as pets can be hazardous to your health (Laszlo Balogh/Reuters)
A disease associated with squalor could be on the increase in suburban homes because more people are keeping rodents as pets, warns an Australian microbiologist.
Known as rat bite fever, the disease can result after a bite, scratch or exposure to excreta or saliva from rodents such as rats, guinea pigs, gerbils and ferrets.
Indigo thinks poodles are better pets, than rats anyhow. As the news article states, laboratory assistants have known about this virus and when they use rats to do the early tests on drugs phentermine long before the human trials are undertaken. Reserchers take precautions when handling rats, that the rat pet owner is not likely to take.
Revolutionary Cancer Treatment Saves Cat's Leg
Fort Collins, Colorado A cat suffering from cancer has undergone a revolutionary radiation treatment to prevent the need for amputation. A 10 year-old cat named Cyrano, often called "Ratty" by his family, was diagnosed with cancer in his leg in March. After some investigation, Cyrano's owner, Sandra Lerner, discovered the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center, which has been using a revolutionary radiation treatment called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) - a treatment that precisely destroys tumor cells and is designed to prevent the need to amputate. While the treatment has been used on 37 dogs, all of which displayed complete eradication of the tumor site, the treatment had not previously been used on cats. Lerner, who is co-founder of Cisco Systems, flew her cat from his home in Virginia to Fort Collins. On arrival at the center, a full-body CT scan revealed that the bone cancer was restricted to the cat's femur. Under normal circumstances, amputation might have been considered, but at 28 lbs, there was concern that he would not be able to support his weight without all 4 legs. Treatment followed, including 3 radiation treatments and some chemotherapy. The private treatment is thought to have cost Lerner about $15,000. Cyrano is now recovering at home with the other pets of the Lerner household, including 3 cats and 1 dog, and continues to be treated with chemotherapy. And Lerner is keen to use her significant wealth and contacts to help raise the profile of the center's treatment. Her public relations specialist, Kathy Savesky, will be visiting Colorado State University in May to discuss how Lerner can help to fund clinical trails for new treatments for animals with cancer. Colorado State University advises that warning signs of cancer in pets include abnormal lumps or swelling anywhere on the body, sores that do not heal, unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite, offensive odor, loss of stamina, or difficult urinating, defecating or breathing. View the latest World Pet News every week at PetPeoplesPlace.com. Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/cats/revolutionary-cancer-treatment-saves-cat-s-leg.htm
Erie County SPCA Pleas For Assistance After Largest Rescue
Erie County, New York The SPCA Serving Erie County is in desperate need of assistance following the rescue of 73 horses, 53 cats and 4 dogs from a property in East Aurora. Almost 2 weeks after the animals were first rescued from an Emery Road property, the SPCA Serving Erie County is struggling to cope with caring for so many animals, with the local community and national organizations providing much needed assistance. "Every single donor...every single volunteer...is a partner in helping us save these animals, and this case is the largest and most costly in four decades, maybe longer. Our staff, our volunteers, and these animals need our partners now more than ever," said SPCA Deputy Director and Animal Cruelty Investigations Coordinator Beth Shapiro. "People are driving up and dropping off supplies, donations...they're even bringing our folks lunches and dinners. There is no way this would be possible without so many caring people coming together to help these animals," said Barbara Carr, SPCA Executive Director. The first month of care alone is expected to cost over $30,000, and the SPCA Serving Erie County specifically requests donations of rubber stall mats, lead lines, timothy hay, rakes and water buckets. Members of the public wishing to donate these items or provide financial support should call the SPCA on 716-629-3532. The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has dispatched its Field Investigations and Response Team to assist in the sheltering management and care of the 73 horses. The ASPCA, under the request and authority of the SPCA Serving Erie County, is establishing sheltering teams comprised of skilled horse handlers and staff for feeding, watering and cleaning for the next two to three weeks. And for the extended care of the horses, the ASPCA has granted $10,000 to the SPCA Serving Erie County and recruited members of the American Humane Association to assist in their sheltering and care over the next three weeks. The ASPCA also contacted local veterinarians to provide pro-bono veterinary exams for the horses and provided a livestock trailer for transport. "Our goal is to help the SPCA Serving Erie County rehabilitate these horses, both physically and behaviorally. We are glad to be able to provide support to the SPCA and the Erie County community," said Jeff Eyre, the ASPCA's Northeast Director of Field Investigations and Response. View the latest World Pet News every week at PetPeoplesPlace.com. Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/general/erie-county-spca-pleas-for-assistance-after-largest.htm
I could not imagine a census for dogs happening in Australia. I think Aussies are too, 'laid back', to want to see tax payers money used for this purpose. JMO, what do you think? New Census for Mixed-Breed Dogs
Mount Olive, New Jersey To coincide with the 2010 U.S. Census for humans, Mars Veterinary has launched the 2010 National Mutt Census in an effort to gather data regarding the nation's mixed-breed dogs. There are approximately 38 million mixed-breed dogs in the United States alone, and most mixed-breed dog owners have only a vague idea of what breeds their dogs' parents or grand-parents might be. This means that they have little idea about what diseases and conditions their dogs might be genetically pre-disposed to. Mars hopes the census will drive more dog owners to use the canine DNA tests they have developed to better understand their dogs' breed makeup and genetic predispositions to diseases. The DNA tests offered by Mars Veterinary include the Wisdom Panel™ Insights, the "most effective cheek swab canine test available", and Wisdom Panel™ Professional - the only blood based canine DNA test. Both of these product are available from your local veterinarian. The questionnaire, which has been developed with vets and geneticists, will also ask questions about gender, age, size, weight, feeding habits and the role of the dog within the family structure. A "compendium" of the census data and DNA tests will be published sometime in the fall after the census ends on Auguse 31st. "Uncovering these insights will speak volumes about the health and behaviors that apply to the most common breeds. It will help dog-owners become better pet parents, creating a closer bond. And dog-lovers will understand the four legged population around them that much better. At Mars Veterinary, we believe the part-Terriers and part-Poodles of the world deserve to have their numbers known. They deserve to be counted, so please register your mutt today." said a spokesperson for Mars Veterinary. View the latest World Pet News every week at PetPeoplesPlace.com. Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/dogs/new-census-for-mixed-breed-dogs.htm
Just sharing some pictures of other dogs we have enjoyed watching having fun with their owners at the beach. :-).
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