Dogs Don’t Care What It Looks Like—They Learn Words by What It Does!
A new study publishing in Current Biology on September 18 by the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University reveals that dogs with a vocabulary of toy names—known as Gifted Word Learners—can extend learned labels to entirely new objects, not because the objects look similar, but because they are used in the same way.
Bird flu outbreak in house cats: high-risk but survival possible
Bird flu hits cats particularly hard. Just last week an infected cat was euthanized in California after eating raw pet food. But a University of Maryland-led study out today in One Health shows promising results when an infected cat gets early care and treatment.
Study recommends integrated risk assessment for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases
A study published in the journal One Earth points out that risk assessments for diseases transmitted by infected animals (zoonotic) and by vectors (such as mosquitoes) need to be unified and integrated. Such actions could help prevent these diseases, which tend to increase due to climate change.
Getting a puppy poses mental health challenges alongside benefits for U.K. families
A survey study of families with puppies in the U.K. has identified multiple mental health challenges alongside benefits of ownership for adults and kids alike, suggesting that a mental health boost should not be the main motivator behind getting a puppy. Rowena Packer of the Royal Veterinary College, U.K., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One on September 17, 2025.
UC Davis Veterinary School Launches $110 Million Expansion
The University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has announced a major expansion designed to address the nation’s veterinary workforce shortage and enhance patient care. The $110 million project includes the development of a new Veterinary Education Pavilion and Primary Care Hospital, which will modernize facilities and provide increased opportunities for hands-on learning.
New Veterinary Degree Course Launches in Ireland
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has announced the launch of a new veterinary degree program, expanding opportunities for students to pursue veterinary medicine within Ireland. The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) program is scheduled to begin next autumn, with applications opening later this year.