September 30, 2009
New paper (with video) published at the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JOVE): Preparation and Using Phantom Lesions to Practice Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies
Journal of Visualized Experiments - New paper (with video) published at the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JOVE): Preparation and Using Phantom Lesions to Practice Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies. http://www.jove.com/index.sttPosted by sball at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
Common sugar substitute poses serious health risk to dogs
KFOR-TV - A sugar substitute found in a variety of sugar-free and dietetic cookies, mints and chewing gum is proving highly toxic, even fatal, to snack seeking dogs. http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-nbc-dog-sugar-sub-danger-story,0,4991558.storyPosted by sball at 07:13 AM | Comments (0)
Klobuchar calls for expansion of veterinarian services for underserved rural areas
Review Messenger - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar along with Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Jon Thune (R-SD) introduced the Veterinary Services Investment Act, a bipartisan bill to help increase the number of food-animal veterinarians in rural areas. http://www.reviewmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2849:klobuchar-calls-for-expansion-of-veterinarian-services-for-underserved-rural-areas&catid=19:guest-opinionPosted by sball at 07:10 AM | Comments (0)
New Nevada Law Limits Dog Chaining
KOLO-TV - A new Nevada law on dog-chaining begins October 1st. Senate Bill 132 will make it illegal for dog owners to chain or tether their pets for more than 14 hours in a 24 hour period. Additionally, owners cannot use choke or prong collars on their dogs. http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/62387412.htmlPosted by sball at 06:57 AM | Comments (0)
The Buzz: Targeting Cancer With Bee Venom
Wall Street Journal - In Animal Studies, Tiny Composite Spheres Deliver Drug Directly to Tumor Sites; 'It's Like an Injection' http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203803904574433382922095534.html?mod=googlenews_wsjPosted by sball at 06:55 AM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2009
BBC opens world's biggest online zoo
Guardian.co.uk - Wildlife online with footage of 370 exhibits ‑ plus Attenborough too. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/28/bbc-wildlife-finder-online-zooPosted by sball at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)
An improved containment system for experimentally infected macaques
NC3Rs - This article describes the refinement strategies that can be used in research requiring non-human primates to study infections of highly dangerous pathogens (biocontainment level 3 [BCL3] infectious agents). http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/news.asp?id=1073Posted by sball at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)
Divide and Multiply: Cloned and Transgenic Animals
"Animal Productivity and Genetic Diversity: Cloned and Transgenic Animals" Dr. John M. Bonner, Executive Vice President, CAST Dr. Robert Wall, Research Physiologist, Agricultural Research Service’s Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Beltsville, Maryland TIME: 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. DATE: Monday, September 28, 2009 LOCATION: USDA, Room 107-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/news/USDA%20Announcement%20Productivity%209824%20(2).pdfPosted by sball at 01:25 PM | Comments (0)
Animal Welfare Act: A Workshop - October 28-29, 2009
The Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) teaches a one and a half day workshop at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). http://awic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=3&tax_level=1&tax_subject=188Posted by sball at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
Equine and Animal Welfare Symposium Takes Shape
@TheHorse - "Animal welfare is a prominent issue in Ohio and the United States and even the world. It's a topic of interest to producers, consumers, veterinarians, health-care professionals, legislators and anyone who has a stake in sustainable animal agriculture," said Naomi Botheras, animal welfare program specialist for Ohio State University Extension in the Department of Animal Sciences." http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14978Posted by sball at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)
A New Take On Why Social Cues Confuse Babies And Dogs In A Classic Hiding Game
MedicalNewsToday.com - A study by developmental scientists at the University of Iowa and Indiana University challenges the conclusions of two recent studies on how babies and dogs respond to certain social cues. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165288.phpPosted by sball at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
Dog-buying tips
Grand Forks Herald - The American Dog Breeders Association and Humane Society of the United States each offer tips when considering buying a dog or puppy. http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/135203/Posted by sball at 07:50 AM | Comments (0)
September 28, 2009
Drug Eliminates Parasite that Causes Babesiosis in Horses
A drug commonly used to treat cattle and sometimes dogs for a blood parasite can, at a relatively high dose, completely eliminate the parasite Babesia caballi from horses, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have discovered. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090928.htmPosted by sball at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2009
Dog Flu Shots Now Available
CBS News - New Vaccine Helps Canines Fight Against Highly Contagious and Potentially Deadly Virus Called H3N8. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/23/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main5331719.shtmlPosted by sball at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)
Cats add life to the University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu Advertiser - Cats are part of a research study which is conducted by the Office of Facilities and Grounds for the management of invasive species and the people who feed them. http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090923/GETPUBLISHED/909220373Posted by sball at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
Shark has out-of-water operation
BBC News (U.K.) - Surgery has been performed on a shark at a Dorset sealife center- in what is thought to be the first such procedure out of water. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8271409.stmPosted by sball at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)
Police find dogfighting operation at site of day-care facility
Chicago Tribune - Cook County sheriff's police arrested three people and recovered nine dogs from three homes as part of a raid Tuesday, authorities said. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-dogfighting-daycare-24sep24,0,1499477.storyPosted by sball at 09:40 AM | Comments (0)
Louisiana State Animal Team Acquires Disaster Response Vehicle
@TheHorse - The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART), in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), has acquired a deluxe custom-designed animal emergency response unit. http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14959Posted by sball at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2009
Authorities: Abused animals all too common
ABC7Chicago.com - People who take care of abused dogs are seeing an increase in the number they take in. http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7031550Posted by sball at 08:22 PM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2009
Sample submissions drop despite novel H1N1 concerns
American Veterinary Medical Association - USDA advocates monitoring, surveillance as producers reduce tests. http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/oct09/091001d.aspPosted by sball at 07:29 AM | Comments (0)
USDA Announces Implementation of Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that producers may begin applying for benefits under the provisions of the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). These permanent disaster programs, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, replace previous ad-hoc disaster assistance programs and are funded through the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/09/0436.xmlPosted by sball at 07:03 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2009
Automatic Data Collection Systems for Animal Care Facilities
ALN Magazine - Today’s animal care facilities can increase efficiencies of routine husbandry management tasks by utilizing the numerous automatic data collection technologies available. http://www.alnmag.com/articles.asp?pid=458Posted by sball at 08:56 AM | Comments (0)
DMN Investigates: Garland animal shelter illegally killed cats, dogs, records show
TXCN.com - The Garland animal shelter has been gassing young, sick or elderly cats and dogs in violation of state law, probably causing them a slower, more stressful death, records obtained by The Dallas Morning News show. http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/DN-shelter_19ent.ART.State.Edition2.4c07a0f.htmlPosted by sball at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)
Down economy is making things tough on horses, their owners
GazetteXtra.com - The Walworth County UW Extension office along with the Bi-State Equine Educators Group will host a teleconference in October to give legal information to people who might be dealing with abandoned horses. http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/sep/18/down-economy-making-things-tough-horses-their-owne/Posted by sball at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)
Belatedly, Egypt Spots Flaws in Wiping Out Pigs
New York Times - This litter-strewn metropolis is now wrestling with a garbage problem so severe it has managed to incite its weary residents and command the attention of the president. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/world/africa/20cairo.htmPosted by sball at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2009
Free Speech Battle Arises From Dog Fighting Videos
New York Times - The next great First Amendment battle in the Supreme Court concerns, of all things, dogfight videos. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/us/19scotus.html?hpPosted by sball at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)
Ireland: new guidelines on animal welfare
Vetsweb - A new brochure entitled 'Animal Welfare Guidelines for Managing Acutely Injured Livestock on Farm' was published recently. http://www.vetsweb.com/news/ireland-new-guidelines-on-animal-welfare-460.htmlPosted by sball at 07:57 AM | Comments (0)
Animal activists celebrate judgment that will force New York City
New York Daily News - Animal welfare groups are hailing a decision that puts pressure on the city to follow its own law and construct full-service animal shelters in all five boroughs. http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/pets/2009/09/21/2009-09-21_animal_activists_celebrate_judgment_that_will_force_new_york_city_to_build_anima.htmlPosted by sball at 07:54 AM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2009
USDA Animal Care/Animal Welfare Information Center Workshop -- Considering Alternatives; Making a Difference
The workshop will be held on September 23-24, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information go to the AWIC Workshop page.Posted by sball at 07:19 AM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2009
U.S. scientists levitate mice to study low gravity
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE58A02G20090911Posted by sball at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
9th Annual Intercollegiate Animal Welfare Judging & Assessment Contest
The 9th annual Intercollegiate Animal Welfare Judging & Assessment competition will be hosted by Michigan State University on November 21st and 22nd, 2009. We have divisions for undergraduate students, veterinary students and graduate students. The contest has continued to expand & we hope to see participants from your school join us this fall! Once again, we will have guest speakers discussing areas of interest to animal welfare science on the morning of the 21st. http://www.canr.msu.edu/animalwelfare/AWJC/AWJC.htmPosted by sball at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
WDGS May Be High-Quality, Low-Cost Livestock Feed
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) studies have shown that "wet distiller's grain with solubles," or WDGS, may offer an inexpensive alternative to traditional feed ingredients when fed to livestock. WDGS is a common ethanol byproduct that could replace more costly traditional feed ingredients such as corn, soybean meal, urea, and mineral supplements. WDGS typically costs about 10 percent less than corn when used as livestock feed. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090915.htmPosted by sball at 12:57 PM | Comments (0)
Asymptomatic deer excrete infectious prions in faeces
Nature.com - Prions are transmissible, proteinaceous agents that cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nature08289.html Nature advance online publication 9 September 2009 | doi:10.1038/nature08289; Received 11 May 2009; Accepted 16 July 2009; Published online 9 September 2009Posted by sball at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2009
Study Spells Out Spread of Brain Illness in Animals
NYTimes.com - Researchers are reporting that they have solved a longstanding mystery about the rapid spread of a fatal brain infection in deer, elk and moose in the Midwest and West. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/science/10brain.htmlPosted by sball at 07:39 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2009
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Regarding Animal Health and 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza
"Swine influenza has been present in the United States for over 80 years, but the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus now circulating among humans is not the same as "swine flu." The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza currently circulating among humans is a "novel" flu strain, with a genetic makeup that is unique and has not been seen before in humans, birds or pigs. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/09/0433.xmlPosted by sball at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
Brain Scientists Misled By Squid
NPR.org - For more than 50 years, scientists who study the brain have been misled by squid. They did experiments on squid nerve cells thinking that those cells were good models for the human nervous system. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112731816Posted by sball at 07:50 AM | Comments (0)
September 10, 2009
In Tennessee, troubled elephants find an unlikely home
CNN.com - The Elephant Sanctuary takes in old, injured, abused animals. http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/10/elephant.sanctuary/index.html?iref=mpstoryviewPosted by sball at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)
Primate center to open at UW
BadgerHerald.com - University wins land over activist group after 4-year court battle settles dispute. http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/09/09/primate_center_to_op.phpPosted by sball at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)
Horse Slaughter Mystery Continues in South Florida
ABC News - Officials Believe Prized Horses May Have Been Killed for Meat. http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/horse-slaughter-mystery-deepens-south-florida/story?id=8527880Posted by sball at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Honey Bees Selected by ARS Toss Out Varroa Mites
Honey bees are now fighting back aggressively against Varroa mites, thanks to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) efforts to develop bees with a genetic trait that allows them to more easily find the mites and toss them out of the broodnest. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090910.htmPosted by sball at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)