Your Beloved Dog: A Highly Underrated Source for Salmonella
When it comes to illnesses we can catch from our pets, Salmonella infections are more associated with pets like bearded dragons than Bearded Collies. But new research out of Penn State names dogs as culprits, too. And dogs, alas, are a particularly rough (ahem, sorry) vector. We live more closely with dogs than other types of pets. We love to pet them and play with them, and this means we have more opportunities to become infected by them. And further, because we love our dogs so much, we treat them with antibiotics when they are sick. So yes, you guessed it: Fido’s Salmonella may possess antimicrobial resistance!
Now that we’ve planted the rather alarming idea of getting sick from antibiotic-resistant bacteria into your mind, it’s time to hit the calm button. Ease up, because this isn’t something to panic over – this story is about awareness and prevention. There are easy, common-sense ways of minimizing your chances of suffering a Salmonella infection, and literally none of them tell you not to pet your dog anymore. That said, some of you might want to reconsider letting let your dog lick your face.
Source: Dogs are an overlooked risk for antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spread, study finds
Petting Zoo Cited After Numerous Bird Deaths
A Frankfort, IN petting zoo is facing scrutiny from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) following the deaths of nearly 80 birds – a crisis that has highlighted gaps in avian care oversight. The facility lost 78 birds in only five months. The deaths came during a critical transition period for bird care standards, as the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) only recently began implementing mandatory avian inspections. Previously, birds at facilities like this weren't subject to USDA oversight, making this inspection one of the early enforcement actions under these new standards.
The inspection report painted a troubling picture and staff members offered little explanation for the deaths. No necropsies were performed to determine the birds’ cause of death. Most concerning to inspectors was the lack of basic preventive care. Without proper veterinary oversight, the USDA noted, animals may not receive adequate attention to their health needs – a shortcoming that may have contributed to the alarming death toll. The inspection covered over 50 species at the facility, revealing multiple violations. The USDA has mandated several critical improvements. The facility must establish a comprehensive veterinary care program with daily health monitoring, develop emergency contingency plans, and ensure that outdoor enclosures are structurally sound. They're also required to properly store food supplies and create an environment that promotes the psychological well-being of their birds.
Source: City of Frankfort cited by USDA after 78 birds die at petting zoo
Caribou and Collective Memories
Recent research reveals fascinating insights into how caribou, descendants of deer species that emerged during the Pleistocene epoch over 2 million years ago, use collective memory to guide their seasonal journeys. As the most numerous large mammals in their Arctic range, caribou serve as keystone species, supporting both predator populations and indigenous communities that depend on them for sustenance. These remarkable creatures, having evolved specialized hooves and impressive antlers, carry forward a migratory tradition that spans millennia – and here’s where things get wild.
A comprehensive study out of State University of New York, in collaboration with the National Park Service, tracked over 300 female caribou across northwest Alaska's vast wilderness. Using GPS collars, researchers monitored the herd for over a decade as they traversed an impressive 360,000-square-kilometer range. The findings unveiled an intricate decision-making process centered around the Kobuk River. When wintering south of the river, caribou showed higher survival rates during periods of moderate temperatures and increased wind. Conversely, those choosing northern territories thrived in snowier, less windy conditions. This natural ebb and flow demonstrates a herd's remarkable ability to adapt to varying environmental conditions. This collective wisdom, passed down through generations, guides the herd's annual decisions about river crossings and winter grounds. Their ability to read and respond to environmental cues showcases a remarkable capacity for adaptation, a trait that has served these magnificent creatures well throughout their evolutionary history.
Source: Migration memory: How caribou adapt to changing winter conditions
News Bites: Horse Trailers and High Anxiety
Last week, we covered the story of a veterinarian who converted her clinic into a refuge for pets affected by the LA wildfires. This week’s hero is Brady Heiser, an Indiana teamster working out of Hollywood who hooked horse trailers to his truck, braving danger to haul horses, cows, livestock, and even peacocks and other exotic animals to safety. Despite these fantastic deeds, Mr. Heiser is staying humble, and stresses that there are still countless people affected by the fires who need help, too.
The idea that animals can suffer from various forms of mental illness isn’t new, but it isn’t something we have been able to fully define yet, either. It’s been a kind of “you know it when you see it” sort of thing. For example, you might observe certain behaviors from your cat, Juno, and tell a friend “I’m worried Juno has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic anxiety.” But while you’re no doubt correct that something is bothering Juno, there’s no way of knowing for sure what she is experiencing, and there is definitely no way of properly diagnosing her with something from the DSM-5.
Animal behaviorists and veterinarians are bringing us a deeper understanding though. Brain scans are helping us understand where things like fear and anxiety are processed, and more and more, pharmaceutical remedies are helping animals (and animal owners) deal with the symptoms of a pet’s mental illness. There have indeed been numerous breakthroughs in understanding and treatments over the last few decades. Now comes the hardest part: recognizing and addressing the root problems. This is one of those times where you really wish those headlines gushing about AI (correctly) translating animal speech were true.
★ L.A. Animal Organizations Where You Can Donate, Foster, Or Volunteer Right Now (Los Angeles Wildfires; Animal Organizations)
★ FDA to Revoke Authorization for the Use of Red No. 3 in Food and Ingested Drugs (Male Rats & Cancer; Synthetic Colorings; The Delaney Clause)
★ (Video) Nonprofit research lab wants to decode animal communications (AI & Animal Language; Zebra Finches)
★ How animals, people, and rituals created Teotihuacán (Animals & Society: New Old Findings; Anthropology & Zooarchaeology)
★ St. Lawrence County woman faces 111 animal cruelty counts (Cruelty & Neglect; Bond Hearing Pending)
★ Las Vegas limiting number of animals people may purchase (State & Local Animal Regs)
★ This tiny brown bat and 29 other animals were just added to N.J.’s endangered species list (Endangered & Threaten Lists; Wildlife Conservation)
Click here to see what is happening legislatively