Align-ju SCIENCE SHORTS
Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in cats visiting a university veterinary teaching hospital
USER-ALT Chih-Fan Chiang and others , University of California , Davis
Overweight and obese cats are known to be at increased risk of developing a range of conditions that may adversely affect their longevity and quality of life .
The authors investigated the prevalence of obesity and excess weight in cats seen at a university clinic and sought to identify associated factors . Among a total of 9,062 records examined , the incidence of overweight or obese cats was 41 %. There was a positive association between obesity / overweight and neutered , male or crossbreed cats , and in those presenting with orthopaedic , dental or urinary conditions .
Heart-rate responses of dogs during a standard physical examination
USER-ALT Petra Edwards and others , University of Adelaide
Around 40 % of dogs have been shown to display signs of fear during veterinary examinations , which may inhibit the provision of high-quality care and can also be a potential injury risk to clinical staff . The authors used a continuous heart-rate monitor to assess the fearfulness of canine patients during a standardised physical examination . Their findings show that heart rate will vary according to the individual dog and the stage of the examination . Veterinary staff should be aware that heart rate will change during the examination and a single-point measurement can therefore be misleading .
Practices and perceptions of dog owners in relation to zoonotic risks
USER-ALT Sean Sum and Ana Mateus , Royal Veterinary College , Hawkshead
Close physical contact between dog owners and their pets is commonplace in UK households and this provides a potential pathway for the transmission of zoonotic disease agents . The authors questioned 335 dog owners about their contact with their pets and their understanding of zoonotic disease risks . They found that misconceptions about zoonoses were more common in older dog owners , and this group was also less likely to follow veterinary recommendations on routine parasite treatments . The study highlights areas for targeted client education to reduce zoonotic risks .
Comparison of different chews in controlling plaque and tartar formation in dogs
USER-ALT Jerzy Gawor and others , Arka Veterinary Clinic , Krakow
Giving dental chews to dogs is a passive home-care strategy that has been shown to be effective in reducing the build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth . The authors compared the results from using a vegetablebased dental chew ( Veggiedent ; Virbac ) against those when using two commercial products made from animal by-products . After daily treatment for 30 days , there were no significant differences in the plaque and tartar scores between the three groups . The vegetable-based product was not only equally effective in maintaining oral health but also appeared to reduce the risk of gingival bleeding more than the other products .
Volume 37 ( 4 ) • September 2022
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