November 22, 2016
Cat tongue structures could inspire new medical technology
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology studied the morphology of cat tongues and found that the flexible hook structures on their surface lay flat like shingles when not needed but protrude and rotate to remove knots in the animal’s fur. The findings could be applied to new technologies for medicine and other industries.
United Press International (11/21)
November 22, 2016
Power company rescues cat after 9 days atop utility pole The Fresno Bee (Calif.) (free registration) (11/22)
November 16, 2016
Study examines disease prevalence in cats
Finnish researchers who looked at data from over 8,000 cats examined the prevalence of 227 illnesses and identified nearly 60 diseases believed to be hereditary within certain breeds, although only six have been linked to a specific mutation. The most common health issues overall involve the mouth, skin or kidneys, according to the Frontiers in Veterinary Science report.
Nature World News (9/3)
November 14, 2016
Woman facing child endangerment charge after police find exotic animals in home San Antonio Express-News (tiered subscription model) (11/13)
November 10, 2016
Cat with hypertrichosis wins hearts online
Atchoum, a Persian cat and possibly the only known cat with hypertrichosis, has taken the internet by storm. The congenital hormonal condition causes excessive hair and claw growth, giving the cat a unique canine-like appearance that has intrigued his online fans, and the animal is under the care of a veterinarian.
November 7, 2016
Physicists still can’t explain kitty gymnastics
In the 19th century, physicists George Gabriel Stokes and James Clerk Maxwell were fascinated with how cats fall on their feet, and they were far from the last scientists to question the secrets behind the feline gymnastics. Modern-day expert Greg Gbur says physicists still struggle with the question today, noting the discipline’s tendency to look for a simple, clear explanation may not apply: “Living creatures are doing whatever works best, which may not be the simplest option.”
November 5, 2016
Meowfully mindful meditations for the cat lover The New York Times (free-article access for SmartBrief readers) (11/2)
November 2, 2016
What owners need to know about diabetes in dogs and cats
It’s National Pet Diabetes Month, which shines a spotlight on a disease that affects both cats and dogs, with symptoms such as increased thirst and urination and weight loss or no change in weight despite increased appetite, veterinarian Adam Foret says. Diabetes often occurs in middle-aged or older animals, and dogs tend to have type 1 diabetes while cats tend to have type 2 diabetes, and one-third of cats may go into remission if the illness is caught early and properly treated.
October 31, 2016
New Mexico, veterinarian nurses a bird sighted for the first time in NM
Veterinarian Sammie Uhrig of the Desert Willow Veterinary Services in Carlsbad, N.M., helped care for a black rail, the first bird of its kind ever seen in the state. Weak and underweight, the bird was likely migrating from Colorado, and plans are in the works to release the animal in a more appropriate area after it recovers.
Carlsbad Current-Argus (N.M.) (10/29)
