Can Pet Birds Get Avian Influenza?

Bird flu is a serious viral infection that has been much in the news lately. Experts say this disease primarily affects wild aquatic birds like ducks and geese, but it also impacts poultry, including backyard flocks of chickens. Birds in zoos can also be impacted by avian influenza. But what about pet birds? Can indoor …

Pets and Wildfires: Analysis of the Impact of Colorado’s Marshall Fire on Pets

The University of Colorado’s Natural Hazards Center has produced a report analyzing the impact of wildfire on pets and their owners. The Marshall Fire occurred in Boulder County, Colorado in late December 2021. It destroyed over 1,000 homes and more than 1,000 pets were estimated to have died in the fire. The researchers interviewed pet …

Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips from the AVMA

With frigid cold weather across much of the US this week, now is a good time for some reminders on how to keep your companion animals safe when the temperatures drop. The American Veterinary Medical Association has compiled a list of pet winter safety tips. Here are a few highlights: Be aware of your pet’s …

New Diabetes Pill for Cats Offers Alternative to Insulin Shots

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new pet medication called Bexacat, which is an oral treatment for improved glycemic control in cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. According to an article in Veterinary Practice News, the drug works by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose into the blood. The excess glucose is passed …

New Documentary Looks at the Homeless Pet Issue in the American South

FREE PUPPIES! is the title of a new documentary film that follows a dedicated group of people who work to rescue and rehome the many stray dogs in the American South. The reasons for the large numbers of homeless pets in the South are complex, as a piece on the film in the New York …