By Tim Sandle It’s established that dogs can count numbers up to a given level. New research shows that dogs undertake this function in the same brain region as humans, which suggests a common neural mechanism as part of mammalian evolution. The novel study into canine ‘numerosity’ comes from Emory Health Sciences in the U.S. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to process...

Courtesy of The Ohio State University COLUMBUS, Ohio — Less than 25% of those who start a diet and exercise plan stick with their resolutions for more than a month, but it’s a little tougher to skip your jog if your dog is waiting for you by the door. Experts at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center say partnering with your pet when...

With the start of 2020 well underway, dog owners may consider setting New Year’s resolutions around caring for their furry friends.   Jennifer Granick, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, provides information and tips for dog owners to help keep their dogs healthy all year long. Q: What is the best way to...

They’re good for your heart. Sure, snuggling up with your pup can warm your heart. But researchers at the American Heart Association found that having a dog could actually reduce your risk of getting cardiovascular disease. Pooch cuddling that has heart-healthy benefits? That’s worth a lifetime of lint rollers! They can act as furry therapists. Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy (AAT) as it’s also called,...

The vast majority of dog owners feed dry dog food to their dogs – and quite a few of them select and store the bags of food in a way that turns a wholesome food into a health hazard for their beloved companions. Are you handling your dog’s food in a safe manner? Or do you regularly make the following mistakes? Grabbing and buying...

I love immunology (the study of the immune system) and hematology (the study of blood). I once contemplated completing a PhD in these fields, but two residencies was enough. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia or ITP is an immune-mediated disease that is personal. My own dog was diagnosed with this disease during my residency training. This week I’m sharing information about this potentially life-threatening condition in hopes...

By William P.D. Hendricks Researchers at Translational Genomics Research Institute and The Ohio State University have identified a novel HER2 mutation in dogs with canine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, suggesting that neratinib may benefit dogs with HER2-associated lung cancer. Results from this study have laid the groundwork for a clinical trial of neratinib (Nerlynx, Puma Biotechnology), an irreversible pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy...

By Michael S. Kent Comparative oncology — the study of naturally developing cancers in animals as models for human disease — has been practiced for decades. However, conducting clinical trials on the spontaneous cancers of people’s pet dogs is a relatively new concept. The effort has gained traction with a concerted effort on the part of academic centers and NCI to further develop the...

By Mitchel Bobo, The Sacramento Bee A new joint study by UC Davis, the University of Wisconsin and Colorado State University is looking for healthy canines to participate in a study that may benefit man and man’s best friend alike. According to Dr. Jenna Burton, associate professor of clinical oncology at UC Davis, the Vaccination Against Canine Cancer Study began in May and currently...