The National Medal of Science The National Medal of Science is a Presidential Award that was established back in 1959, and is given to those who are considered to be “deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences.” Nominees for the award are…
It’s no longer just a cat’s eyes that glow in the dark! Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have created luminescent, genetically modified cats in an effort to learn more about AIDS. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes feline AIDS, a condition in cats that produces almost identical symptoms to those of AIDS in people infected with human…
Here on the East Coast, we’re awaiting the wrath of Hurricane Irene. Now a category 2 storm, Irene is predicted to travel north along the East Coast throughout the weekend, possibly threatening areas from South Carolina to as far north as here in New England. If you live in one of these impact zones, now…
The recent salmonellosis outbreak linked to ground turkey has spanned at least 31 states so far, reminding us all of the importance of maintaining excellent standards of food hygiene. But it’s not just our food that’s at risk of infection. In recent years, increasing numbers of pet products have been recalled due to contamination or…
Fleas are no longer a summertime problem – they can bother your pet all year round, thanks to our cosy, centrally-heated homes that allow flea eggs to incubate and hatch, even in the winter. I’ve written some articles for the HappyTails Canine Spa, so if you want to control fleas, make it a two-sided attack on the…
A third of us are infected with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can be transmitted to us by animals. Cats represent a major source of this organism, and are therefore a common route of infection for us since they continually shed the parasite. Consequently we can become infected with Toxoplasma gondii if we come into…
Although most kittens learn to use a litter box courtesy of their mother, some may need a helping hand from a new owner – especially those who may have been abandoned or orphaned. Here are some tips in an article that I wrote for The Pet Store Online. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
With heat warnings and advisories in effect in most states at the moment, and especially spreading east right now, it’s time to take action and ensure that your pets are protected from heat stress. SOME TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE: Indoors Provide extra drinking water, especially if your home is not air conditioned…
“Chocolate poisoning” represented one of the “Top 10” pet poisonings reported by the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This occurs as a result of an adverse reaction to the alkaloid theobromine in chocolate. The toxicity affects dogs more than cats, probably because they are…
Exposure To Pets In The First Year Of Life May Reduce Risk Of Allergies The relationship between exposure to pets and allergic disease risk has long been unresolved. Various studies in recent years have examined the effect of early exposure to cats and dogs on allergies in children. The results, however, have been conflicting, with…
