https://phys.org/biology-news/veterinary-medicine/ en-us Veterinary medicine news stories about diseases, disorders and injuries in non-human animals An international group of scientists mapped the spread of the current dominant strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus through North American bird populations in 2024. Led by scientists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the collaboration provides a comprehensive view of this novel flu spreading through birds in North America. The investigators collected and sequenced samples from birds across the continent, letting them map the virus's spread. They also compared the virus from birds to those causing human infections, showing that current human vaccine stockpiles will likely work well against both. Closer evaluation of the viruses led the researchers to classify them as low risk for human-to-human spread in their current form. The study was published today in Nature Medicine. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-emerging-alaska-dominant-h5n1-strain.html Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:00:07 EDT news695486799 Among dog breeds, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers (tollers) have an unusually high rate of Addison's disease, a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, notably cortisol and aldosterone. In humans, Addison's disease is thought to occur when the body's immune system attacks the adrenal glands, making it a type of autoimmune disease. Affected tollers typically develop Addison's disease at a young age and the condition appears to be inherited. Now scientists have identified a gene variant in tollers, RESF1, which is strongly associated with the disease in dogs. The research is published in the journal Scientific Reports. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-discovery-addison-disease-gene-dogs.html Plants & Animals Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:40:01 EDT news695398562 The wave-shaped chart Ratul Chowdhury pulls up on a computer monitor in his office captures the evolutionary cat-and-mouse game his research lab is up against. The undulating curves track variants of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, which causes a swine disease that annually costs the global pork industry more than $1 billion—damage attributable in part to how quickly it adapts to escape from immune defenses. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-future-proofing-livestock-vaccines-viruses.html Molecular & Computational biology Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:20:06 EDT news695300942 African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most devastating diseases affecting domestic pigs and wild boars worldwide. Since its introduction into Europe, this deadly virus has spread widely, threatening pig production and causing significant economic losses. Understanding the mechanisms of transmission between domestic pigs and wild boars is essential for developing effective control strategies. However, this has proven to be highly challenging—not only due to the multiple transmission pathways between animals and farms, but also because surveillance data on ASF in wild boar populations remain limited. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-african-swine-fever-transmission-domestic.html Plants & Animals Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:20:10 EDT news694970161 A quick heart trace taken during a warm-up trot could identify racehorses at risk of cardiac arrhythmias during high-intensity exercise, according to a new study led by the University of Surrey. The screening method analyzes short, routine electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings that could be used to help prevent cardiac events in otherwise healthy horses, where no obvious signs of arrhythmia have been detected. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-simple-ecg-flag-racehorses-arrhythmias.html Veterinary medicine Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:00:01 EDT news694177860 In the search to replace antibiotic growth promoters with effective alternatives in modern swine production, plant-based essential oils are showing potential to provide lasting benefits. In a rare long-term public study that compared the effects of phytochemicals from rosemary and oregano with antibiotic growth promoters, animal scientists with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station found that the natural agents given to weaned pigs supported favorable gut health and growth performance later in their lives by preserving microbial diversity to improve nutrient utilization. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-oregano-rosemary-term-swine-natural.html Veterinary medicine Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:00:01 EDT news694278434 A critically endangered monkey has given birth just months after pioneering surgery saved her from undergoing an amputation. Masaya, a 15-year-old roloway monkey at Chester Zoo, had a golf-ball-sized mass removed from her foot last summer in a complex operation carried out jointly by zoo vets and surgeons from the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-critically-endangered-monkey-birth-surgery.html Plants & Animals Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:00:02 EDT news693133332 In a new, survey-based study of three kinds of "designer" crossbreed dogs, cockapoos, cavapoos and labradoodles, all three showed more undesirable behaviors than at least one of their purebred progenitor breeds, with cockapoos displaying the most unwanted habits. Gina Bryson of the Royal Veterinary College, U.K., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-crossbreed-dogs-problem-behaviors-pure.html Plants & Animals Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:10:01 EDT news693043261 Livestock breeders could soon have more tools to improve the health and quality of their animals, thanks to a recent study that sheds new light on regulatory elements in the sheep genome. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-insight-tissue-specific-gene-sheep.html Molecular & Computational biology Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:10:06 EDT news692897701 When cats fall, they usually land on their feet. This uncanny ability to right themselves before hitting the ground has long puzzled scientists. Now, a team from Yamaguchi University in Japan has the answer, and it's all down to the thoracic spine being more flexible than the lumbar spine, as they detail in a study published in the journal The Anatomical Record. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-japanese-scientists-falling-cats.html Plants & Animals Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:24:53 EDT news692371449 Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have found that viruses circulating in live poultry markets can be detected more effectively by sampling the surrounding environment than by testing individual birds. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that environmental sampling can uncover a broader range of poultry viruses—including highly pathogenic avian influenza strains that traditional surveillance may miss. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-environmental-sampling-poultry-viruses-bird.html Veterinary medicine Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:40:01 EST news691936741 Researchers from the University of Nottingham have uncovered a surprising biological quirk in domestic cats that may help explain why they are so prone to chronic kidney disease. Unlike dogs and most other mammals, cats appear to accumulate unusual fats inside the cells of their kidneys, sometimes from a very young age. This new study, published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science, and led by Professor David Gardner and Dr. Rebecca Brociek from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University, shows they are anything but ordinary. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-cats-prone-kidney-disease-unusual.html Veterinary medicine Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:00:04 EST news691851241 More than four out of every five dead black vultures examined by University of Georgia researchers tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports. The actual toll of the virus on the integral species is likely exponentially higher, though, the researchers warned. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-bird-flu-rampant-black-vultures.html Ecology Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:20:04 EST news691674121 Ehime University investigators measured 34 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in 100 commercial dog and cat foods sold in Japan and detected PFAS across many products, with higher concentrations in fish-based foods and dry products, and higher estimated intake from wet products. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-pfas-exposure-greater-pet-food.html Veterinary medicine Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:00:01 EST news691335789 Why does your dog rush to "help" when you are searching for something, while your cat seems… eh, less concerned? New research suggests that this difference may stem from deep evolutionary roots—and that, in certain situations, dogs behave more similarly to young children than to cats. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-dogs-toddlers-cats-humans.html Evolution Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:40:05 EST news691329481 Scores of sea lions continue to beach themselves along the Southern California coastline, stricken with sickness. Toxic algae blooms are to blame, though a mechanical engineering innovation could shift the tide in favor of the marine mammals. Now, UNLV-led research published in Scientific Reports has successfully developed a synthetic California sea lion pelvic region, mimicking its bone and soft tissue. This allows medical professionals to conduct blood collection training on anatomically authentic models, improving efforts to treat the live animals. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-3d-synthetic-sea-lion-pelvis.html Biotechnology Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:10:01 EST news691258501 A horse's whinny is an unusually distinctive mix of sounds including both high and low frequencies. Reporting in Current Biology, researchers demonstrate how horses produce high-frequency sounds that defy their large size while simultaneously producing lower tones: they whistle through their larynx while vibrating their vocal folds as a human does while singing. Horses likely evolved these vocalizations to be able to convey multiple messages to one another at the same time, says the team. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-horses-whinny-helium-reveal-mechanism.html Plants & Animals Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:00:01 EST news690798966 A protein called neurofilament light chain (NfL)—studied in humans in the context of neurodegenerative diseases and aging—is also detectable in the blood of numerous animals, and NfL levels increase with age in mice, cats, dogs and horses. Experts from the DZNE and the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH) at the University of Tübingen report these findings in PLOS Biology. In their view, this biomarker could help to assess the biological age of animals and estimate their life expectancy. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-blood-marker-dementia-track-aging.html Plants & Animals Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:40:01 EST news690808575 Scientists have identified a further 12 dog breeds as being at risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome—a condition that can cause serious breathing problems—including the Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Boston terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, chihuahua and boxer. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-pekingese-shih-tzu-staffordshire-bull.html Plants & Animals Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:00:05 EST news690564661 Just as for humans, sufficient sleep supports learning and coping for horses. A recent study at the University of Helsinki indicates that short periods of REM sleep impair horses' perseverance and performance in demanding learning tasks. In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, an entirely new learning test suited to field conditions was developed to measure the learning capacity and motivation of horses in their own enclosures and other familiar environments. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-horses-minutes-rem-persistence-tasks.html Plants & Animals Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:30:01 EST news690566952 Canine cancer patients receiving a new form of immunotherapy lived longer or shorter depending on the composition of their microbiome, the community of organisms living in their gut. Results of the clinical trial led by Oregon State University scientists were published in Veterinary Oncology. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-early-dogs-cancer-survival-gut.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:40:03 EST news690545910 What if cattle were selected not only for their productivity, but also for their resistance to disease? A study conducted by a team of scientists combining systemic immunology, genomics and machine learning provides a better understanding of what shapes animals' immunity, even before they fall ill. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-animal-immune-response-based-genetic.html Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:35:29 EST news690050101 New research on avian malaria, which has decimated Hawaii's beloved birds, explains how non-native birds play a key role in transmission and contribute to the widespread distribution of the disease. This disease threatens many native species that are integral to Hawaii's identity and its unique and fragile ecosystems. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-hawaii-birds-contribute-avian-malaria.html Ecology Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:12:30 EST news689958722 Pet owners want quick answers when their beloved cat or dog is sick. And if these furry friends are experiencing digestive distress, lethargy and fever, it's important to rapidly rule out serious illnesses like feline panleukopenia (also called feline parvovirus) and canine parvovirus. Now, researchers report improved lateral flow assays for at-home screening. In tests on veterinary clinic samples, the assays demonstrated 100% sensitivity and reproducibility for both parvoviruses. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-simple-home-cat-dog-viruses.html Biotechnology Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:01:30 EST news689853661 More than 50 skuas in Antarctica died from the high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the summers of 2023 and 2024, marking the first documented die-off of wildlife from the virus on the continent. That is confirmed for the first time in a study led by Erasmus MC in The Netherlands and the University of California, Davis. It was published this week in the journal Scientific Reports. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-skua-deaths-wildlife-die-due.html Ecology Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:50:41 EST news689514601 Dogs who scored well on the Wesen test, which is used to analyze a dog's temperament, tended to have lower levels of cortisol, often called the "stress hormone," and higher levels of serotonin, often called the "happiness hormone," according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS One by Minjung Yoon from Kyungpook National University, Republic of Korea, and colleagues. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-dogs-generally-cortisol-higher-serotonin.html Plants & Animals Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:00:04 EST news689414882 Some dogs are seemingly more talented than others. So-called gifted word learners (GWL) are rare canines that can rapidly learn the names of toys, a skill that most dogs don't possess. To understand why this is so, researchers studied how these dogs played and discovered that the key to their talent may be a desire to initiate interactions with their owners. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-play-social-dogs-words.html Plants & Animals Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:00:03 EST news689341960 Cats—unlike humans—are true carnivores: they must eat meat to survive because their bodies can't draw some essential nutrients from plants. By looking at tissues, researchers can get a good understanding of what foods animals ate. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-cats-vegan-meat-eaters-isotopic.html Molecular & Computational biology Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:01 EST news689244061 In a small study, dogs experienced both stabilization and destabilization of their balance upon hearing angry or happy human voices, but angry voices were linked to the biggest destabilizing effects. Nadja Affenzeller and colleagues at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-angry-happy-human-voices-linked.html Plants & Animals Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:00:01 EST news688294681 Researchers at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute in the UK recently revealed a complete taxonomic and functional catalog of the canine gut microbiome after analyzing samples from 107 healthy dogs across the U.S. and Europe. The study, published in the journal Microbiome, unveiled an array of new bacterial strains and their role in gut health. The resulting catalog is now the most comprehensive resource for the gut microbiome in companion animal research. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-largest-canine-gut-microbiome-reveals.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:32:00 EST news688217485