Pets,food and your wallet.

Keeping pet trim is good for pet's health and owners' money. Feeding pets indiscriminately with food high in sugar, fat and certain additives not only puts the pets at risk but also the owner will have to pay more for veterinary services to keep pet healthy and if there is no insurance cover ,more funds will have to go to pet care. Pets usually are over pampered by owners while other pets device means of snacking leading to weight gain and associated health issues. Keezley, a 5-year-old Samoyed dog, is always searching for food in her house - stealing loaves of bread off counters and even getting into her cat sibling's litter box.bKeezley's habits have added 20 pounds to her 50-pound frame, and serious weight to owner Susi Sweeny's wallet. Even just 10 pounds overweight would have put Keezley at risk for joint issues and diabetes, which are costly to treat because they require frequent vet visits, medications, special diets and exercise regimes. Treatment for diabetes averaged $1,000 per claim in 2015, according to Adam Dell, spokesperson for Nationwide pet insurance.continue

Puppy survives after swallowing 8-inch kitchen knife.

Puppy survives after swallowing 8-inch kitchen knife.Veterinarians are calling a 12-week-old Staffordshire bull terrier named Macie “extremely lucky” after she survived swallowing an eight-inch kitchen knife. Owner Irene Paisley said she thought Macie had swallowed part of a toy when she heard the dog squeaking and making strange noises late December. Still on edge after losing her previous dog two months earlier to cancer, Paisley said she was “terrified.” It was only after taking her to the emergency room that the X-rays revealed the true obstruction. The knife had passed through Macie to the point where the handle had entered her intestines.continue

Rabies viruses reveal wiring in transparent brains.

Rabies viruses reveal wiring in transparent brains.Researchers use a new method for assessing neural transplant integration .Scientists have harnessed rabies viruses for assessing the connectivity of nerve cell transplants. The virus coupled with a green fluorescent protein, show where replacement cells engrafted into mouse brains have connected to the host neural network. A clearing procedure which turns the brain into a 'glass-like state' and light sheet fluorescence microscopy are used to visualize host-graft connections in a whole-brain preparation are used to visualize host-graft connections in a whole-brain preparation. The approach opens exciting prospects for predicting and optimizing the ability of neural transplants to functionally integrate into a host nervous system. The results published in the specialist journal Nature Communications.

Researchers use weather radar to track migrating waterfowl, avian influenza.

Researchers use weather radar to track migrating waterfowl, avian influenza.Researchers are part of an effort that will use weather radar to identify wetland hotspots used by waterfowl during the winter, which in turn can alert poultry growers about the potential risk of avian influenza. The lab involved in the study is one of the only labs anywhere using weather radar data to map bird distributions at the ground level.The researchers are able to identify the birds' location based on their well synchronized take-off movements. In the case of waterfowl, they engage in feeding flights in the winter. They'll roost in the wetlands during the day and they fly out to agricultural fields -- primarily flooded rice fields in California -- at night. When they take off and fly into the radar, we get an instant snapshot of where they were on the ground.continue

5 Dogs Die After Ingesting Skin Cancer Cream.

5 Dogs Die After Ingesting Skin Cancer Cream. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning pet owners to keep fluorouracil,a cream used to treat and prevent skin cancer that is sold under the brand names Carac, Efudex, and Fluoroplex—away from pets after five dogs died after accidentally eating the medication. Fluorouracil destroys fast-growing cells, including skin cancer cells and pre-cancerous lesions. Pet owners should keep the cream away from pets and when accidental exposure occurs, visit your vet immediately.The risk of exposure in cats have not be classified,but caution is key. Keep all drugs,lotion and creams away from pets. continue

How to watch inauguration events, with or without TV.

The lack of a TV set shouldn't prevent you from following Friday's presidential inauguration ceremony, the pomp and circumstance surrounding it, and the many protests and marches planned around the country. Television channels carrying the inauguration live include ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS, C-SPAN and Fox News, as well as Telemundo in Spanish. Without a TV, you can check their websites, apps or YouTube channels to watch the events and commentary. Switch among them to compare and contrast coverage. continue

Head pressing in pets.

Head pressing in pets is the compulsive pushing of the top of the head against a stationary object such as a wall, couch, a corner or another hard surface. The pet presses her head very intently against the object for an extended period of time, or repeatedly. A pet who is head pressing will often push continuously, moving along the item against which she’s pressing until she reaches a corner and gets “stuck” there with her head pressed against it. A pet exhibiting this sign shows a problem with the pet’s brain or central nervous system. There are a number of causes of head pressing, they include:1) brain tumor. 2)encephalitis 3)acute head trauma 4)stroke 5)toxicosis. Head pressing is quite different from the playful head butting of dogs and cats where they butt into you playfully or just kidding around with other pets. Head pressing is quite distinct as the pets presses the top of the head against an object this is usually accompanied by vocalization , pacing and running around aimlessly. The underlying cause will set the tone for treatment,whatever the cause its a medical emergency that needs to be accessed immediately.

Domestic Violence Shelters Adding On-Site Kennels for Pets.

In cases of domestic violence, pets are often victims too. Further, up to 65 percent of domestic violence victims have said they were unable to escape because they were concerned about what would happen to their pets. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 71 percent of pet-owning women who entered women’s shelters said their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or in order to exact psychological control over their victims. Thirty-two percent of children living in such households had also hurt or killed animals, which is the tragic outcome of the children witnessing animal abuse and becoming more likely to abuse animals themselves.continue

America’s Newest Dog Breed ,Pumi.

Originally emerging from Hungary (and named, alternately, the Hungarian herding terrier) the Pumi has a long history of that ability. This breed's plural designation is "Pumik." Pumik history is thought to have begun around 300 years ago when the Puli breed (dubbed "Rasta," with a "mop" of long, corded hair) was crossed with herding canines from France and Germany. As a general overview, Pumiks have wedge-shaped heads and corkscrew-type fur, which, according to the Pumi Club,1 looks and performs best when soaked and left to dry, with minimal shedding. Not necessarily a "lap dog," the Pumi loves having the time and space to play and run free. Exercise on a regular basis is a prerequisite for this breed, which gives you a chance to not only bond and interact, but reinforce the training he will need from an early age. One of the ways this dog's work ethic evidences itself is in the focused obedience they have when interacting with their "shepherd" — or more correctly, the humans who adopt them (who may or may not be shepherds). continue

The myth of compassion fatigue in veterinary medicine.

Knowing why you’re struggling is important, so it’s not helpful to label every negative experience in the veterinary profession as compassion fatigue. When I took an honest look at how I was feeling, I wasn’t running out of compassion. My fatigue stemmed from making ethical decisions within the boundaries of clients’ (often) illogical values or unreasonable budgets. Dani McVety, DVM explians further ;his thoughts on compassion fatigue to Alice Villalobos, DVM, and how he thinks it’s an overused term in the veterinary industry. He told her that he felt more drained in emergency work than in hospice care, and that’s when Dr. Villalobos said something that will stick with me forever: “I believe what we really struggle with in our profession is not so much compassion fatigue as ethical fatigue.” continue

To solve world hunger, recruit more veterinarians.

Across one-fourth of the globe, people aren’t getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy, according to the newly released Global Hunger Index. In many countries, the cause isn’t a lack of food -- it’s a lack of safe food. The risk of malnutrition caused by unsafe food is increasing, as human populations grow and continue to urbanize. This public health problem can be solved -- not by doctors but by veterinarians. They’re crucial to safeguarding the health of animals that are the foundation of the world’s food supply. Unfortunately, well-trained veterinarians are in short supply worldwide. To improve global food safety, that has to change. The world’s population will increase by 2.6 billion by 2050. Feeding these billions of new mouths will require a 70 percent boost in food production, including 200 million tons of meat. Increasing levels of urbanization will make it harder to meet the demand for animal protein. Seven in 10 people will live in cities by 2050. Vets are essential to the security of the production of foods like eggs, milk and meat. They ensure that animals are healthy and treated humanely, whether on farms, in transit, or in slaughterhouses. Food-safety vets are also critical to warding off illnesses that can kill livestock and lead to food shortages. Consider Rinderpest, or cattle plague. As recently as 20 years ago, epidemics of the disease could wipe out 95 percent of an infected herd, and thus lead to mass human starvation. In 2011, Rinderpest was declared eradicated, thanks largely to the vaccination efforts of public-health veterinarians. Unfortunately, food-animal veterinarians are in decline. Just 17 percent of U.S. vets work with food animals at all -- and only 2 percent do so exclusively. Seventy percent of our nation’s veterinarians specialize in dogs and cats. As the demand for food rises, this shortage could have dangerous consequences for public health. To secure our future food supply, we must recruit and train aspiring food-animal vets now. continue

Vaccines and biosecurity to replace antibiotics in pig industry.

The increase use of vaccines and better sanitation and biosecurity are the 2 most common changes US pig, cattle and poultry producers are making in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics.That was a key finding of a new study just completed by animal health and nutrition consulting company Brakke Consulting, headquartered in Dallas, TX. 

 The survey, New Strategies for Health and Performance in US Livestock and Poultry Production, was conducted among beef, dairy, swine and poultry producers in late 2016. Since January 1, 2017, new antibiotic regulations as well as the Veterinary Feed Directive have been effective in the United States. 

 In a press release, the consulting firm wrote, “Although there was some variation among species groups, vaccination protocols and improved sanitation were the top 2 strategies for 70% or more of all producers. Other strategies included reduced co-mingling of animals/birds, changes in feed additives, changes in facilities, use of immune modulators and changes in genetics.” 

 The study was conducted late in 2016; half of producers said they had already made changes to their operations. About 75% indicated that they were ready for the changes, of which the poultry sector was the most prepared source

Breaking: Case of ‘Atypical BSE’ identified in cow in Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that it has identified a case of ‘Atypical BSE’ in an 18-year-old cow, through its surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals (died on farm) at knackeries. The animal tested positive on a screening test carried out at a Department approved, accredited private laboratory over the weekend and was then subject to follow up confirmatory tests at the Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory. There are no associated public health risks with this event – a comprehensive set of public health controls are in place and the animal in this case was excluded from the food chain and its carcase will be incinerated, the Department said. There are two types of BSE recognised: 1) Classical BSE Classical BSE, the basis of the extensive incidence of BSE which commenced some in the 1980s, which was associated with the feeding of meat-and-bone meal, where scientific evidence indicates that BSE is acquired in the first year of life. 2) Atypical BSE; which has is the case that has been identified, has been identified more recently and which is thought to occur spontaneously.Atypical BSE occurs sporadically in older animals with a low incidence rate. It was first recognized in the early 2000s in Europe following the large scale testing of livestock for BSE that was put in place at that time.Atypical cases of BSE have also been identified in Brazil (two cases) and the USA (three cases). BSE does not transfer horizontally from animal to animal – no risk to other animals arises from this case animal. source

Rare strain of E. coli strikes across Canada: source unknown.

A dozen cases of E. coli O121 have been confirmed in three Canadian provinces, according to matching genetic fingerprint data, but the source of the outbreak has not yet been identified. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports four of the rare O121 cases were confirmed in British Columbia, four in Saskatchewan and four in Newfoundland and Labrador. The illness onset dates were in November and December of 2016. Four of the victims have been hospitalized. Those individuals have recovered or are in the process of recovery. An investigation to determine the source of the relatively rare E. coli O121 contamination is ongoing. The Public Health Agency of Canada says improper handling of ground meat and eating raw ground meat are two of the most common sources of E. coli illnesses. Other common sources are contaminated raw fruits and vegetables, untreated water, unpasteurized raw milk and raw milk products, and unpasteurized apples juices or cider. Young children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of E. coli infections, but everyone is susceptible. Cooking food properly and following other food safety tips can greatly reduce the chance of infection. Public health officials recommend using the a cooking thermometer, washing fruits and vegetables, and cooking meat to suggested temperatures. Severe stomach cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and headache with little or no verer are all symptoms of E. coli infection. Most of the time, symptoms will clear up in five to 10 days. However, sometimes serious conditions develop, including kidney failure. source

Frozen turkey dog food recalled for Listeria; people also at risk.

Blue Ridge Beef is recalling its frozen, raw turkey pet food from retailers in four states because it a poses a danger to people and their animals because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. “This recall was initiated with FDA inspection and sampling of the product,” according to the company’s recall notice posted on the Food and Drug ADministration’s website.“Listeria can affect animals eating the product and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surface exposed to these products.”continue

The best ways to prepare for a new pet.

Perhaps you have wanted a dog for years and finally have the time to bring one into your home. Maybe a kitten appeared on your doorstep and you suddenly found yourself a new pet owner. Perhaps the kids were begging for a puppy and you finally decided to adopt. Whatever the reason, the decision to adopt a pet can be both an exciting and stressful time, as you carefully consider which animal is right for you. irst, you have to decide what type of pet is right for you. Cat, dog, or exotic animal? Active or laid back? Young or adult? You also have to consider all of the financial demands that come with pet ownership, including veterinary visits, emergency funds or insurance, training, and supplies.continue

Kenya, Rwanda ban poultry from Uganda over bird flu.

Kenya, Rwanda ban poultry from Uganda over bird flu.Kenyan and Rwandan authorities said Wednesday they had banned poultry products from neighbouring Uganda, where a virulent H5 strain of avian flu has broken out. "The government banned importation of poultry and poultry products from Uganda with immediate effect," said Kenya's agriculture cabinet secretary Willy Bett at a press conference. The move from Nairobi comes two days after Rwanda also blocked poultry imports. "Rwanda has put in place measures to prevent the disease. We have temporarily halted the import of poultry and poultry products," Christine Kanyandekwe from the country's agricultural department said Wednesday.continue

Senegal troops move to Gambia border as Jammeh crisis grows.

Senegal troops move to Gambia border as Jammeh crisis grows. Senegalese troops have been seen moving towards the Gambian border in a show of force to pressure President Yahya Jammeh to stand down. Senegal gave him a midnight GMT deadline to quit and Nigeria has sent an air force contingent to Senegal in support of the possible intervention.Wednesday was meant to be his last day in office but parliament has granted him three more months in the post. It effectively stops successor Adama Barrow being sworn in on Thursday. His shock victory in the 1 December election plunged The Gambia into crisis. Mr Barrow is currently in Senegal.West African countries are seeking UN backing to intervene militarily to eject Mr Jammeh, who has ruled The Gambia since taking power in a bloodless coup in 1994. Meanwhile, thousands of UK and Dutch tourists are being evacuated from the tiny West African state, which is popular with European holidaymakers because of its beaches.source

Hong Kong adds to avian flu blocked list

Hong Kong adds to avian flu blocked list: Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has banned the imports of poultry meat and products from Egypt, the Odessa and Chernivtsi Oblasts in Ukraine and the Klodzki and Krakowski districts of Poland following recorded outbreaks of H5N8 avian influenza.

Shaking piglets and atypical porcine pestivirus.(APPV)

A new study has shown that shaking in new born piglets is not a sign of cold but of a previously unidentified virus. Symptoms of tremors and shaking in newborn piglets are not a sign that the animals are cold, but rather that they are suffering from a specific viral infection. Researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna have now been able to prove this correlation for the first time using a newly developed test have now been able to prove this correlation for the first time using a newly developed test. The scientists detected a previously unknown virus, termed atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV), in “shaking piglets”, making it possible to clearly diagnose the potentially fatal disease. This virus remains in the animals for a long time following an infection and may also be transmitted sexually,these findings were published in the journal Veterinary Research. The researchers used genome sequencing data to identify the virus,the pathogen, which belongs to the atypical porcine pestiviruses (APPV), was detected in diseased animals at Austrian farms using a specially developed test. Congenital tremors may be life-threatening and presents a challenge for the piglets ,the tremor can sometimes be so severe that the piglet is unable to properly suckle milk. Suckling is important for piglets in the first 24 hours after birth as only the sow's milk contains everything the piglet needs to survive and without the first drink of milk, piglets have a very low chance of survival. Piglets that survive the first phase, usually symptoms subside after three or four weeks but in rare cases, a slight tremor remains in the ears. A mortality rate of up to 30 percent is possible among affected piglets,thus identifying the causative agent is a diagnostic breakthrough. Detection is possible using the usual molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction.The detection procedure not only confirmed the presence of the virus in high numbers in the diseased piglets but also in the saliva and semen of mature pigs. The presence of the virus in the semen gives a clue as to mode of transmission ,but the virus is likely transmitted to the piglet at a stage of gestation when the central nervous system is developing, as indicated by changes in nerve fibres.

How playing fetch hurts the forelimbs of dogs.

Did you know retrieval strains the forelimbs of dogs? you can play fetch,but within bounds.A new study published in the journal BMC Veterinary Research has shown that this simple retrieval exercise hurts the dog. Hunting dogs such as the popular breed retriever are ideally suited for retrieving birds or small game. However, the weight the dogs carry strains their locomotor system. A motion study has shown that the dogs tilt forwards like a seesaw when they carry the prey in their mouths. T This can make already existing joint and tendon damage worse. Therefore, adjusted weights should be used for the training of puppies and adult dogs. Furthermore, the joints should be checked regularly by specialists. Originally, retrievers were not bred as family dogs but as dogs for work and hunt. They are so-called gun dogs which can be used to retrieve birds and small game such as rabbits. This ability is meanwhile also used in competitions in which the dogs only retrieve the dummies they are trained with from their puppy age. The same artificial weights are also used for hunting training. An adult animal can carry loads of several kilos in its mouth,but even if gun dogs have the required attributes, the additional weight is physically burdensome for them.The scientists found out that the load in the dog's mouth causes the forces to increase, but particularly affects the forelimbs. In any case and with rising weight, the dogs became lighter on their hindlimbs. Carrying the prey had an effect similar to a seesaw. continue

The “Stop Lyme One Health Campaign” is Fighting Lyme in Dogs and in People.

Lyme disease, and tick diseases in general, are an epidemic for dogs according to many veterinary parasitologists. What’s more? Dogs are sentinels – so in places where dogs are sickened with tick disease, it’s a safe bet that people will be too. In many ways, when it comes to tick disease, pet medicine is actually well ahead of human medicine. In fact, while the human medical community, at times, struggles to diagnose tick disease, it’s simple to detect the presence of antibodies (for Lyme and various other tick diseases) in dogs. Arguably, tick disease is also more on “top of mind” in veterinary medicine than it is in human health. Stop Lyme One Health is a public awareness campaign that includes support from the American Veterinary Medical Association and the non-profit Global Lyme Alliance. Dr. Ron DeHaven, AVMA CEO agreed that, “More today than ever, we live in the same environment as our pets, and this can be especially true for our children. If Lyme disease is diagnosed in a person, it’s very possible that the family dog has also been exposed, and visa versa.” DeHaven says, “By focusing on disease in animals, we can impact human health as well. This is the basic concept of One Health – that the health of people, animals and the environment are inextricably linked. This is also consistent with the mission statement at AVMA: The mission of the Association is to lead the profession by advocating for its members and advancing the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve human and animal health. It’s important to work alongside physicians to enhance the understanding of diseases affecting human and animal patients. continue

Yellow fever outbreak reported in Brazil.

WHO warned that a large epidemic of yellow fever is possible in Brazil after dozens of suspected deaths from the disease were reported in an area with low vaccination coverage.As of Jan. 13, the Brazil Ministry of Health (MOH) said 133 suspected cases and 38 suspected deaths from yellow fever had been reported since Dec. 18 in Minas Gerais — the first yellow fever outbreak in the inland state since 2002-2003, according to WHO. In response, the MOH sent 735,000 doses of vaccine to Mina Gerais last week, increasing the total number in the state to more than 1 million doses. The ministry recommended that people living in rural areas of the 24 affected municipalities in Minas Gerais get vaccinated. According to WHO, one dose of yellow fever vaccine offers lifetime protection. However, the MOH recommends two doses for people in Brazil: one at age 9 months and another at age 4 years. Travelers wishing to protect themselves from yellow fever should be vaccinated at least 10 days before their trip. The rapid spread of yellow fever could be due to low vaccine coverage in Minas Gerais, and there is concern that the outbreak will cross the border to neighboring states that also have low vaccine coverage but favorable ecosystems for the transmission of the virus, such as Espirito Santo and Bahia, WHO said. These areas were previously considered to be at low risk of transmission and, consequently, yellow fever vaccination was not recommended,” WHO said in a report about the outbreak. “The introduction of the virus in these areas could potentially trigger large epidemics of yellow fever.” The outbreak response includes a house-to-house immunization campaign in rural areas of the affected municipalities of Minas Gerais and preparedness activities in bordering states, according to WHO.source

Diabetes and connected devices.

The world marks January 11 as the 95th anniversary of the date that insulin was first used in humans to treat diabetes. Since then it would seem that barely a week passes without another device or treatment in the works. According to the Centre for Disease Control, more than 29 million Americans are living with diabetes, and 86 million are living with prediabetes, a serious health condition that increases a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Health monitoring is a critical part of daily diabetes management. A range of apps, connected devices, more recently wearables can assist people to monitor, treat and manage their health. As tech companies compete, let’s take a look at what on the market and what’s in the future: One of the most notable diabetes devices of recent years is the MyDario all in one glucose meter. It enables people living with diabetes to test their blood glucose levels in seconds, directly onto their smartphone. A corresponding app can share this information with medical professionals and family members and also helps track carbohydrate intake and exercise. continue

Rare Light Pillars In Canada Captured In Photos.

Photographer and Youtuber Timothy Joseph Elzinga from Ontario Canada was woken by his 2 year old son last Friday at 1.30AM. When he went to comfort him, he saw from the window an extremely rare meteorological phenomenon: something resembling the Northen Lights, finding out later that they were in fact light pillars. This phenomenon occurs when there are very low temperatures. The artificial light that we emit from earth, such as street lights reflect in a vertical formation against the ice particles suspended in the cold air. The movement of these lights is always towards the sky, like solid pillars. The white pillars are in fact photometeors like rainbows and can be caused either naturally by the sun, or artificially like here. Although baring some similarities, this phenomenon is not like the Northern Lights. source

Dog bites Gambia’s President-elect, Barrow’s son to death.

Dog bites Gambia’s President-elect, Barrow’s son to death.The eight-year-old son of Gambian President-elect, Adama Barrow is dead. Adama died after being bitten by a dog. According to reports, the boy died on the way to the hospital on Sunday in Manjai near the Gambian capital, Banjul. Meanwhile, Barrow has fled to neighbouring Senegal ahead of his inauguration. He is expected to remain there at the request of West African leaders until his planned inauguration, Gambia national newspaper said Sunday. Barrow is currently in Dakar following consultations with the leaders of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) at a Bamako summit.source

The role of cattle in malaria elimination in India.

The goal of eliminating malaria in countries like India could be more achievable if mosquito-control efforts take into account the relationship between mosquitoes and cattle, according to an international team of researchers. In many parts of the world, the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting malaria are specialist feeders on humans and often rest within human houses," said Matthew Thomas, professor of entomology, Penn State. "We found that in an area of India that has a high burden of malaria, most of the mosquitoes that are known to transmit malaria rest in cattle sheds and feed on both cows and humans." According to Jessica Waite, postdoctoral scholar in entomology, Penn State, cattle sheds are often next to, and sometimes even connected by, a shared wall to human houses, yet current control efforts are restricted to domestic dwellings only. "Given this cattle-shed 'refuge' for mosquitoes, focusing only on humans with regard to malaria control is a bit like treating the tip of an iceberg," said Waite. The researchers determined the importance of cows in the malaria-control problem by capturing adult mosquitoes in different habitats within six villages in Odisha state—which has the highest number of malaria cases in the country—and noting where the mosquitoes had been resting. The team then used molecular techniques to determine which species they were and which hosts they had been feeding on. The scientists collected a total of 1,774 Anopheles culicifacies and 169 Anopheles fluviatilis mosquitoes across all study sites. They found that both species were denser in cattle sheds than in human dwellings, and both were feeding on humans and cattle. Next, the researchers used their field-collected data to help build a computer model that simulated the life of an adult mosquito. They used the model to explore how best to control the mosquitoes to have maximum impact on malaria transmission in these villages. The model analysis suggests that conventional control tools—such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor insecticide sprays—are less effective when mosquitoes exhibit 'zoophilic' behaviors (having an attraction to nonhuman animals)," said Thomas. "However, extending controls to better target the zoophilic mosquitoes—for example, by broadening coverage of non-repellant insecticide sprays to include cattle sheds—could help reduce transmission dramatically." Understanding the relationship between humans, cattle and mosquitoes could have major implications for malaria control policy and practice, not only in India, but in other areas where transmission is sustained by zoophilic vectors .source

Wearable sensors and disease diagnosis.

A new study has shown that wearable sensors could tell if a disease condition exists before the signs are obvious.Wearable sensors that monitor heart rate, activity, skin temperature and other variables can reveal a lot about what is going on inside a person, including the onset of infection, inflammation and even insulin resistance, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. An important component of the ongoing study is to establish a range of normal, or baseline, values for each person in the study and when they are ill. "We want to study people at an individual level," said Michael Snyder, PhD, professor and chair of genetics. Snyder is the senior author of the study, published online in PLOS Biology. Postdoctoral scholars Xiao Li, PhD, and Jessilyn Dunn, PhD, and software engineer Denis Salins share lead authorship. Altogether, the team collected nearly 2 billion measurements from 60 people, including continuous data from each participant's wearable biosensor devices and periodic data from laboratory tests of their blood chemistry, gene expression and other measures. Participants wore between one and eight commercially available activity monitors and other monitors that collected more than 250,000 measurements a day. The team collected data on weight; heart rate; oxygen in the blood; skin temperature; activity, including sleep, steps, walking, biking and running; calories expended; acceleration; and even exposure to gamma rays and X-rays. The study demonstrated that, given a baseline range of values for each person, it is possible to monitor deviations from normal and associate those deviations with environmental conditions, illness or other factors that affect health. Distinctive patterns of deviation from normal seem to correlate with particular health problems. Algorithms designed to pick up on these patterns of change could potentially contribute to clinical diagnostics and research. This is practical illustration of the study;On a long flight to Norway for a family vacation last year, Snyder noticed changes in his heart rate and blood oxygen levels. As one of the 60 participants in the digital health study, he was wearing seven biosensors. From previous trips, Snyder knew that his oxygen levels normally dropped during airplane flights and that his heart rate increased at the beginning of a flight—as occurred in other participants. But the values typically returned to normal over the course of a long flight and after landing. This time, his numbers didn't return to baseline. Something was up, and Snyder wasn't completely surprised when he went on to develop a fever and other signs of illness. Two weeks earlier, he'd been helping his brother build a fence in rural Massachusetts, so his biggest concern was that he might have been bitten by a tick and infected with Lyme disease. In Norway, Snyder persuaded a doctor to give him a prescription for doxycycline, an antibiotic known to combat Lyme disease. Subsequent tests confirmed that Snyder had indeed been infected with the Lyme microorganism. Snyder was impressed that the wearable biosensors picked up the infection before he even knew he was sick. "Wearables helped make the initial diagnosis," he said. Subsequent data analysis confirmed his suspicion that the deviations from normal heart rate and oxygen levels on the flight to Norway had indeed been quite abnormal.Source

Spaying and neutering your pets triggers cancer and dysplasia.

Spaying and neutering your pets triggers cancer and dysplasia according to a new study:over the last several years, a number of small, breed-focused and primarily retrospective studies have been conducted on the effects of spay/neuter in large and giant breed dogs, including the Rottweiler and Golden Retriever. The following information to illustrate what the research has uncovered about the potential benefits and adverse effects of gonadectomy: spaying or neutering large and giant breed dogs decreases or prevents most reproductive organ disease, as you would expect, since conventional desexing surgery removes some or all of those organs and the hormones they produce. The diseases for which spayed or neutered dogs are at increased risk are, as you also might expect, some of the most common disorders seen in dogs today. They include obesity, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures, hip dysplasia, several types of cancer, urine dribbling (incontinence) and cystitis (bladder inflammation). Musculoskeletal Disorders in Desexed Large and Giant Breed Dogs,removing a dog’s ability to produce important hormones while his skeleton is still developing can result in delayed closure of the growth plates at the end of each long bone. This can cause a dog’s legs to grow longer than normal, as you can see in this example of two adult male Golden Retrievers. The big guy on the left is intact, with normal conformation for the breed. The leggier guy on the right was neutered at 5 months and has a quite noticeable longer-limbed conformation. Sadly, even though the taller Golden on the right is certainly as handsome and fit-looking as the dog on the left, his longer limbs may put him a higher risk for orthopedic disease.Labrador and Golden Retrievers neutered before 6 months of age develop one or more joint disorders at two to five times the rate of intact dogs. When it comes to problems with cranial cruciate ligaments, large breed dogs spayed or neutered at under 6 months of age have three times the risk for early life CCL injuries. Dogs desexed at any age have a two to three times higher incidence of CCL disease compared with intact dogs. A study involving several hundred Golden Retrievers, none of the intact dogs had CCL disease; however, 5 percent of neutered males and 7.7 percent of spayed females who were desexed before they were a year old developed CCL injuries. The body condition score was the same for all the dogs, which indicates that changes in the build of the desexed dogs was to blame. Male Golden Retrievers neutered at under 1 year developed hip dysplasia at double the rate of intact males, and the disease also appeared earlier in the desexed dogs. Another study of 40 years of data collected on a range of different dogs desexed at a variety of ages showed a 17 percent increased risk of hip dysplasia.continue

Study finds association between eating hot peppers and decreased mortality.

A new study has associated eating hot peppers and decreased mortality,according to researchers at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, who found that consumption of hot red chili peppers is associated with a 13 percent reduction in total mortality, primarily in deaths due to heart disease or stroke—in a large prospective study. Going back for centuries, peppers and spices have been thought to be beneficial in the treatment of diseases, but only one other study—conducted in China and published in 2015 - has previously examined chili pepper consumption and its association with mortality. This new study corroborates the earlier study's findings. Using National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) III data collected from more than 16,000 Americans who were followed for up to 23 years, medical student Mustafa Chopan '17 and Professor of Medicine Benjamin Littenberg, M.D., examined the baseline characteristics of the participants according to hot red chili pepper consumption. They found that consumers of hot red chili peppers tended to be "younger, male, white, Mexican-American, married, and to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and consume more vegetables and meats . . . had lower HDL-cholesterol, lower income, and less education," in comparison to participants who did not consume red chili peppers. They examined data from a median follow-up of 18.9 years and observed the number of deaths and then analyzed specific causes of death. There are some possible explanations for red chili peppers' health benefits, state Chopan and Littenberg in the study. Among them are the fact that capsaicin - the principal component in chili peppers - is believed to play a role in cellular and molecular mechanisms that prevent obesity and modulate coronary blood flow, and also possesses antimicrobial properties that "may indirectly affect the host by altering the gut microbiota." more

US woman dies of infection resistant to all 26 available antibiotics.

A US woman has died from an infection that was resistant to all 26 available antibiotics, health officials said this week, raising new concerns about the rise of dangerous superbugs. The woman, who was in her 70s, died in Nevada in September, and had recently been hospitalized in India with fractured leg bones, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.The cause of death was sepsis, following infection from a rare bacteria known as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which is resistant to all antibiotics available in the United States. The specific strain of CRE, known as Klebsiella pneumoniae, was isolated from one of her wounds in August.Tests were negative for the mcr-1 gene—a great concern to health experts because it makes bacteria resistant to the antibiotic of last resort, colistin. It was unclear how the woman's infection acquired resistance.Experts said she had been treated repeatedly in India during the last two years for a femur fracture and hip problems, most recently in June 2016. Once the bacteria was identified in Nevada, the patient was isolated to prevent the infection from spreading in the hospital.Postmortem tests showed her infection might have responded to a treatment called fosfomycin, which is not approved in the United States. Paul Hoskisson, a researcher at the University of Strathclyde, in Scotland, said that several European countries, including Britain, license fosfomycin for intravenous use in such cases."This is important because we are seeing increasing numbers of drug-resistant infections, and this is one of the first cases for Klebsiella where no drug options were open to the medical staff." Multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae has been described by the World Health Organization as "an urgent threat to human health." According to Nick Thomson, leader of the bacterial genomics and evolution group at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in England, this bacteria is likely to become more and more resistant. "The report highlights international travel and treatment overseas as a feature in the introduction of this pan-resistant isolate into the USA," he said."Since we live in such an interconnected society, this is important because this isolate represents a truly untreatable infection" which leaves health-care professionals with few options but to seek to prevent further transmission.more

Climate change could kill off parasites, destabilizing ecosystems.

Climate change could kill off parasites, destabilizing ecosystems according to a new study.Photogenic animals, from polar bears to people, aren't the only creatures under threat from global climate change. A new review led by UC Berkeley suggests the phenomenon threatens parasites with extinction, which could have big consequences for ecosystems. The vast majority of research into parasites and environment change focuses on how hosts, particularly humans, will be harmed. Few studies have addressed how the loss of parasite biodiversity may affect other aspects of host health, ecosystem connectedness and health and biodiversity as a whole. Previous research suggests that parasites are up to 10 times more vulnerable to extinction than are their hosts. continue

Uganda detects bird flu.

Uganda announced Sunday it had detected bird flu among migratory birds, without specifying whether it was the particularly virulent H5 strain detected this season in countries worldwide. The agriculture ministry said bird flu had been detected in two spots, one near Entebbe, on the banks of Lake Victoria, and another in the Masaka distict about 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of Kampala. Five domestic ducks and a hen in Masaka were also infected, leading authorities to call for all poultry to be kept inside to avoid further contagion from migratory birds,continue

How to choose the perfect breeding stock.

Running a cattle ranch is rewarding and very demanding,you need to get the right breeding stock and follow required protocols to ensure health of the animals. Starting off on a good note will mean starting with the best breeding stock,having considered all the desirable traits before selection and introduction in the farm. This is how to select your stock continue

Trichomoniasis in a cattle herd.

A cowherd infected with trichomonas also called "trich" can be costly to your pocket book. Here's what you need to know about trich and the simple steps you need to take to protect your herd. Prevention of trichomoniasis may be the most important economic factor in a cattle ranch’s preventive health program. A sound program will help prevent abortions and ongoing losses at a time when every calf is vital to the bottom line. More commonly known as “trich,” this highly contagious venereal disease can wreck a herd’s reproductive efficiency. “For a cow-calf producer, there’s not another disease that comes close to the economic impact of trich,” said Dr. John M. Davidson, senior professional services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI). “The economic impact of trich extends well beyond the lost pregnancies,” Davidson said. “Trich shifts the calving pattern, which reduces weaning weights and potentially shortens female longevity in the herd. It also takes a heavy toll on bull power as confirmed infected bulls should be slaughtered.” Trich is caused by a tiny protozoan parasite, Tritrichomonas foetus. In the cow, the parasite colonizes in the vagina and uterus. In bulls, it colonizes or lives in epithelial folds on the skin of the penis and prepuce. Reports from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories in 2014-2015 indicated that 3 percent of all sampled bulls tested positive for trich. “Trich poses a substantial threat in many areas of the United States: Gulf Coast, Mountain West, and the Central Plains,” Davidson said. “For cow-calf producers who ranch in at-risk areas, this venereal disease is a significant economic risk when introduced into their herd.” Dr. Jeff Ondrak, researcher with the University of Nebraska Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, said even though some don’t see trich as a major problem for cow-calf producers, “it has never gone away” in Nebraska and other states. Testing remains an important part of a cow-calf operation’s breeding program,” Ondrak said. “A lot deals with how much you know about the disease. Those who have had to deal with trich are usually more cautious about testing than those who haven’t dealt with it.” Prevention starts by having close communication with a veterinarian to discuss your breeding program and how it can be improved to prevent the disease. Davidson said one step is to limit the breeding season to 2 to 3 months to help the veterinarian recognize the typical pattern of non-pregnant cows and/or fewer cows conceiving early in the breeding season. These management practices are also important; management practices to prevent trich: 1)Purchase only virgin replacements including bulls and heifers. This ensures that bulls have not been exposed to cows carrying the disease. “Purchasing non-virgin bulls increases your risk of introducing the disease into your herd,” he explained. 2)Test all bulls before and after the breeding season. Follow your state regulations for those bulls identified as infected. 3)Post breeding surveillance and excellent pasture breeding records are additional steps to limit the transmission of trich if introduced into your herd. (Test samples are taken from along the penis surface, then sent to a veterinary diagnostic lab for testing.) 4) When open range grazing cannot be avoided, vaccination and surveillance are critical to minimize the long-term effects to the herd’s efficiency. A neighbor may have a trich-infested herd and the old saying, “no fence is cattle-proof” may apply. Have a good surveillance plan to monitor pastures. 5)Vaccinate cows and heifers to aid in the reduction of shedding of the T. foetus organism. source

How To Use A Calf Puller.

In most cases of dystocia, the calf can be pulled by hand. There are some instances, however, when a mechanical calf puller is needed during calving. Producers should have three goals when providing calving assistance, says Matt Miesner, Kansas State University DVM: 1) A live, viable beef calf. 2) The welfare of the cow. 3) Preservation of the dam’s reproductive soundness and her ability to breed back. In most cases of dystocia during calving, the calf can be pulled by hand after correcting any abnormality of position. There are some instances, however, when a mechanical calf puller, or calf jack, is needed to pull a calf. Once it’s determined that a calf can be safely pulled, Mark Alley, DVM, a clinical assistant instructor in the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, says a calf jack is an excellent tool when used appropriately. Most experts say you should not apply more force than that of two strong men pulling by hand. But, if you’re alone in assisting a difficult birth, a calf jack can help generate the necessary force. The criteria Alley uses for predicting ease of birth during calving is if he can get the calf’s head and front legs into the pelvis without traction and can get his hand between the calf’s forehead and the cow. “This usually means it can be a vaginal delivery,” Alley says. If the calf’s head is hitting the cow’s pelvis, it may not come through and delivery by C-section may be necessary.more

China confirms one more human death from H7N9 bird flu.

A man in China's central Henan province has become the latest person reported to have died this winter from H7N9 bird flu, the state news agency Xinhua said on Saturday citing local health authorities. The 36-year-old roast duck salesman developed a fever and a cough around Dec. 25 in coastal Zhejiang province, near Shanghai, and returned to Henan in early January, Xinhua said. He was diagnosed with H7N9 on Jan. 10 and died the next day.continue

How soon should you help a calving cow?.

The question on when to intervene or call a veterinarian after a cow or heifer goes into labor is never easy to answer, but it’s an important especially when a live calf is the end goal. Calving times and how to manage cow or heifer so as to prevent loss of calf is important.The good news is that in most cases, everything goes just fine. The bad news? Sometimes things go wrong. That’s when it’s time to step in and help. “The basic rule of thumb for cows is that once the water sac has ruptured, if the calf is normal, it should be born within 30 minutes,” says Robert Callan, head of the Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service and chief of staff for the Large Animal Hospital at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “In heifers, this time should be less than 60 minutes. It can take longer, for various reasons. In cows, it may be up to four hours and heifers up to eight hours, but you shouldn’t be waiting that long,” continue

Depression and social media.

Social media is a great way to learn,connect ,make money and most especially get the gist of whats happening around you,and somewhere else in the world.The social media trend has brought more people into your business than you could ever imagine and not many people can handle it. The issue of cyber bullying is another dark side of social media that runs deeper than you can imagine. Social media is fun,games plus other stuff but when cyber bullying steps in, unless you are strong on the inside,confident and comfortable with who you are,what you have and what you are doing its going to take you out. Social media cult or click is another level of bullying,these set of people are naysayers,shutting you up,stealing your voice and defining who you are or rather who they want you to be or who they feel you should be and if you are low on self esteem,confidence and vision you bow to them and follow the Jones'. These set of people use the same method of operation which basically is about your posts, their reaction to your posts is what sets the ball rolling. The funny thing is that they are your friends and they deliberately ignore your posts or post nasty comments or simply be outright rude and if you are feeding off comments,likes and share you just logged in to the depression avenue. A study has shown that people are fighting depression linked to social media,and there has been cases of people committing suicide because of bullying,and segregation or non-inclusion on social media clicks. There are other people that tend to water down these feeling by buying likes or tagging a popular person so as to boost the number of likes,this is outright crazy. Your life is yours,make it count dont subscribe to a sect or click that wants to rubbish you,you are better than that and much more precious than 1,000 likes or 50+ or 40 shares. This is the story of a young lady pushed to depression by social media continue

Investment opportunities in Zambia's agriculture and energy sector.

Nigerian multi-billionaire Aliko Dangote who was in Zambia for a one-day visit, Saturday afternoon paid a courtesy call on President Edgar Lungu to express his gratitude for the enabling environment that the country continues to offer investors at every level. During the courtesy call, Mr. Dangote expressed interest to consolidate his existing investments in Zambia and explore opportunities in the energy and agriculture sectors.continue more

USDA: Avian flu discovery reinforces need for vigilance.

USDA veterinarian urges poultry producers to not neglect biosecurity, keep close eye on birds With the recent detection of H5N2 avian influenza in a hunter-harvested duck in Montana, USDA Chief Veterinarian Jack Shere is urging poultry producers to be highly vigilant. The strain of avian influenza detected in Montana is genomically similar to the strain that was prevalent during the 2015 outbreak that was the responsible for the loss of millions of egg laying hens and turkeys in the United States, Shere said in a recent interview with USDA Radio News. continue

Kansas State researchers investigate the threat of influenza from amphibians.

Equine flu. Canine flu. Now do we have to worry about the frog flu, too?If you needed another reason to wash your hands after handling a frog other than warding off salmonellosis, researchers at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine have a new set of zoonoses to concern you that could be acquired from our amphibian friends—viral disease. Yongming Sang, PhD, is leading a project investigating the role of inferons in amphibians and how it might translate to viral transmission to people. The first publication of their work, featured in Nature’s Scientific Reports, discusses intronless interferons in amphibians, all signaling the need to more closely observe these vertebrates. "Amphibians have a previously unknown complexity within their antimicrobial interferon system, which is highly and differentially responsive to influenza infections,” says Sang in a release from Kansas State. “This suggests the need to study the possible role of wild amphibians as overlooked reservoirs/end hosts for influenza and other zoonotic pathogenic infections." continue

Fipronil toxicosis in rabbits.

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide used to control a variety of insects such as ants, beetles, cockroaches, fleas, ticks and termites. It comes in a variety of formulations: topical, spray, dust and bait. This article focuses on the topical spot-on product labeled for use in dogs and cats. When this product initially debuted, published, extralabel dosing recommendations for fipronil were used successfully in rabbits but subsequently, extralabel administration in rabbits has become contraindicated due to toxicity concerns continue

Cage-free eggs are three times more expensive in Mexico.

Raising chicken the old traditional method is making waves as many more farms are opting for free-range /cage free systems. A food franchise late last year added their vote to cage free birds and antibiotic free farming. The escalation of alternative eggs in Mexico, whether they are organic, free-range or cage-free, seems unstoppable. Just a year ago, there were a few brands. Today, there is a great variety. From the marketing point of view, it has opened the range of supply, consumers can use their judgment and they have a variety to choose from, and companies are given the opportunity to differentiate themselves and have other brands. Not to mention that there are more profit margins as well. continue

Edible insects for man.

Animal protein is sourced from different creatures nowadays, a select group have been craving for a shift to insects for protein needs.The argument is that they produce no emission thus preventing changes in the environment.Insect farming require less space for rearing than other animals and are cheap to raise. Insects can be raised anywhere,thus its suitable for urban agriculture and its not labor intensive. Thinking of a lean startup idea, with rapid turn over then INSECT FARMING is a good option. The plus for this type of farming is that man and animals can feed on the products to satisfy their protein needs. The inclusion of insects in animal feed is on the rise and many more are looking at the option see and in man many more are moving to this type of farming because of climate changes see

Water relief for 8,000 thirsty elephants neglected by Zimbabwe.

Drought-inducing El Niño settled over southern Africa in 2016, leaving the animals of Hwange national park in Zimbabwe faced desperate water shortages. During a heatwave in October, conservation worker Prince Sansole spotted an elephant partially submerged in a muddy pool. His movements initially looked no different from the water games routinely played by the giant creatures. Only a closer look revealed that the young bull was in trouble, struggling to get up. His limp trunk kept dropping back into the water, unable to catch a fresh breath. A postmortem later revealed that the elephant had succumbed to heat stroke on arrival at Chamabonda waterhole, after days of searching in vain for water amid the heat and sand.But thanks to an emergency effort by a local conservation group, water is now reaching at least 8,000 elephants and up to 10,000 other animals. Alerted by the predictions of drought, the Victoria Falls-based Bhejane Trust started drilling and setting up solar-powered boreholes in the park in May last year.continue

Water a super booster for dogs.

Water,the essential but forgotten nutrient is a super booster for health and wellness of dogs. Water should be clean,fresh and readily available to dogs.dogs should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. Factors that can affect the quantity of water a dog will drink, are as follows ;1) environmental temperature 2) Level of exercise 3) nature of food as dogs on dry food require more water Water flushes the system and moves important nutrients into and out of the cells of the body. It promotes digestion of food and helps the body to absorb the nutrients. Water also serves to cool the body down and works to maintain a normal body temperature. It prevents constipation. Water lubricates and cushions joints and makes movement easier. The spinal cord and other internal tissues are also cushioned by moisture and wastes are removed from the body through urination and bowel movements. All body functions requires water and without adequate supply, dogs will become ill quickly and become dehydrated. Organs will eventually become damaged with sustained water deficiency. If the deficiency lasts long enough, kidneys and liver will begin to shut down and death will follow. Water deficiency will lead to organ failure,arthritis , shrinking of cartilage , rough dry skin and dehydration often becoming fatal if not addressed. Wet dog food contains some amount of moisture but this is not sufficient to meet required levels,so supply cool and fresh water to dogs daily.

Kissing your dog is a dangerous affection protocol..

Dogs are man's best friend and as such live in close quarters to man,often sharing rooms, work space and gardens with owners. Dogs nowadays are regarded as part of the family strengthening the bond and extending the display of affection. The dogs saliva contains a lot of pathogens which when passed to man in cases of kissing results in periodontal disease. Dogs spend most of their time sniffing and going through various stuff such as waste,poop,dead animals and even poisonous substance. The dog also grooms self with tongue especially the anal region thus transferring fecal matter and pathogens therein into the mouth which can easily be passed to man such as salmonella,E coli and campylobacter that causes severe gastroenteritis .This can be fatal in immune suppressed patients,young children ,old people and pregnant women. The Campylobacter organisms can be isolated from both healthy and sick dogs thus these tips will be useful to prevent spread. Prevention is by 1)good hygienic practices like removing feces from your house on a regular basis.2) cleaning any soiled areas in your house .3) Thorough hand washing after handling an infected dog and prevent dogs from licking people's faces, particularly those of young children. The effect of contact of the dog's saliva on intact skin is not as dangerous as when the saliva is in contact with moist,wet mucous membrane and a wound or cut on the body. The kissing of your dogs or face licking by dog is a potential way of infection.

Orangutan brings pregnant woman to tears by 'kissing' her stomach at zoo.

A simple "kiss" from an orangutan left a pregnant woman smiling through tears after a tender encounter at her local zoo. Morgain Cole Abbott, 27, was at the Colchester Zoo in Essex, England, last month when an orangutan named Rajang noticed her baby bump and gave it a tender smooch from the other side of the glass in his enclosure. Rajang, a 48-year-old orangutan who is half Bornean and half Sumatran, also "kissed" the pregnant belly of a woman in July 2015 and then again on a different expectant mother in September of last year. Morgain said it really shows how intelligent and knowing these incredible creatures are and made her so emotional as I honestly feel humans and animals can have a connection, and I felt I could have stayed there with him all day. continue

A New App Brings Veterinary House Calls to Portland.

Health care for Portland pets is about to be even more convenient than it is for humans,as a new app will bring veterinary house calls.Portland already has a cat rapper, dog hotels and even a short-lived dog cafe. It's also the home of the Licki Brush, a silicone tongue that humans can put on their tongues to lick their cat to increase bonding. VetPronto, a San Francisco startup that allows pet owners to connect with mobile on-call vets, will soon launch in Portland. It's kind of like PostMates, but instead of a guy delivering a crispy chicken sandwich, a veterinarian will deliver pet care. VetPronto wanted to increase the transparency using on simple pricing. They work with local vets and charge a flat rate of $150 for any issue, plus ten other conditions with flat rates. For example, if your dog has diarrhea, you pay $150 for the house call, $50 for the fecal test and $25 for the medication. continue