New Feline Osteoarthritis Checklist Dramatically Improves Detection in Practice
Osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly recognized as a common but underdiagnosed condition in cats. With an estimated 60 million cats in the U.S., many are silently suffering from OA-related pain without proper recognition or treatment. A new study highlights the power of the Feline Osteoarthritis Checklist, a practical tool designed to help veterinary teams screen cats more effectively.
Coronoid Process Sclerosis: A Heritable Marker to Reduce Elbow Disease in Labradors
Canine elbow dysplasia (CED) is a major concern for Labrador Retrievers, especially in assistance dog programs, where elbow health can determine whether a dog completes training. Despite decades of selective breeding, progress in reducing CED prevalence has been slow. One challenge is that many programs rely on standard radiographs, which are less precise than computed tomography (CT) for detecting subtle joint changes.
Ancient “Spaghetti” in Dogs’ Hearts Reveals a Surprising Evolutionary History for Heartworm
New research is reshaping how veterinarians understand one of the most common and dangerous canine parasites: heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). A global genome-wide study suggests that heartworm has a far deeper and more complex evolutionary history than previously believed—and that ancient canid hosts may have played a pivotal role in shaping its distribution.
The Gut-Brain Connection: A New Frontier in Canine Epilepsy Management
For years, canine epilepsy has been one of the most challenging neurological disorders to manage, often leaving veterinarians and pet owners searching for better solutions. But what if the key to controlling seizures lies not just in the brain—but in the gut? Emerging research is uncovering a fascinating link between gut health and neurological function, suggesting that an imbalance in gut microbiota (dysbiosis) could play a significant role in exacerbating epilepsy.
Study Finds No Clinical Benefit to Replacing Needles Before Subcutaneous Vaccination in Dogs
A new randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association examined whether replacing a needle after puncturing a vaccine vial improves comfort for dogs receiving subcutaneous vaccinations. The findings suggest it does not.
This Silent Killer Has a Smell and Dogs Can Find It Before Vets Can
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in both people and pets. In dogs alone, studies suggest that up to half will develop cancer during their lifetime. Among the most devastating diagnoses is hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of blood vessel cells that often goes undetected until it is too late.