The Tumat Puppies, two remarkably well-preserved puppy remains found in northern Siberia, have shed new light on the evolution of wolves. The genetic analysis of their remains has revealed that they are most likely wolves, and not related to domestic dogs as previously suggested.

The puppies were discovered in layers of soil, preserved in ice, alongside the bones of woolly mammoths, some of which showed signs of having been burned and processed by humans. This led scientists to wonder if the site was once used by humans to butcher mammoths, and whether the puppies might have had a connection to people, possibly as early dogs or tamed wolves that hung around humans for food.

However, a new study has shown that based on genetic data from the animals’ gut contents and other chemical ‘fingerprints’ found in their bones, teeth, and tissue, that the way they were living, what they were eating, and the environment they existed in, points to the puppies being wolf cubs and not early domesticated dogs.

The research findings suggest that these Pleistocene wolves may have been somewhat bigger than the wolves of today. The “Tumat Puppies” challenge the original hypothesis that they belonged to a dog population that eventually died out and didn’t lead to today’s domestic dogs.

Anne Kathrine Runge, from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, said: “It was incredible to find two sisters from this era so well preserved, but even more incredible that we can now tell so much of their story, down to the last meal that they ate.”

The research has also provided insights into the environment and ecosystems of the time. The cubs’ stomachs contained tiny fossilized plant remains, indicating a diverse landscape with varied habitats, including prairie grasses, leaves from the shrub genus Dryas, and willow twigs.

Dr Nathan Wales, from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, said: “We know grey wolves have been around as a species for hundreds of thousands of years based on skeletal remains from palaeontological sites. The soft tissues preserved in the Tumat Puppies gives us access to other ways of investigating wolves and their evolutionary line.”

The research findings, however, means that the hunt for the oldest dog — and their place of origin — is still on.

The world of cat care is about to undergo a significant transformation. For the first time, researchers have shown that video telehealth visits can be an effective way to improve the quality of life for cats suffering from chronic health conditions. The study, conducted by a team at the University of California, Davis, involved 106 pet owners whose cats had mobility issues and found that these virtual consultations significantly benefited both cat and owner.

According to lead author Grace Boone, an assistant specialist in the UC Davis Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab, “Teleadvice is meant to provide advice and support for caregivers caring for their cats.” The results of the study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, demonstrate that video calls where pet owners can ask questions and get non-medical advice can be beneficial. In fact, more than 95% of those who took part in the research said they would pay for telehealth visits, though most were willing to pay a little less than for in-clinic appointments.

A common ailment affecting cats is feline arthritis, which affects roughly 6% to 30% of cats under age 10 and from 64% to 92% of those older than 10. As Carly Moody, senior author on the paper and an assistant animal science professor, points out, “Cats are great at hiding signs of pain.” This means that chronic health issues can go undetected for a long time if owners don’t seek veterinary care.

The researchers found that video telehealth visits allowed pet owners to receive guidance on how to modify their home environment to improve their cat’s mobility and comfort. Suggestions included elevated food and water dishes, larger litter boxes with shorter walls, and additional steps to access favorite places. Pet owners reported that the visits helped them understand their cats’ needs, making them more confident in how they cared for their cats.

Telehealth visits don’t require a veterinarian; a registered veterinary technician or other knowledgeable staff member can conduct the calls, answer questions, and give advice. These consultations are meant to supplement, not replace, in-person veterinary care. In fact, the visits have the potential to foster better veterinarian-client-patient relationships by improving communication and understanding between cat owners and veterinarians.

Future research will examine whether recommended changes based on expert advice can improve a cat’s wellbeing in the home. Additionally, Moody’s lab may explore whether telehealth could be beneficial for other health issues like obesity and disease prevention.

This article highlights the potential benefits of video telehealth visits for cats with chronic health conditions and emphasizes the importance of exploring new ways to provide care that prioritizes animal welfare.

Coastal wolves in Alaska have been found to contain high concentrations of mercury, according to recent research. The study, published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, shows that wolves that eat sea otters have significantly higher levels of mercury than those that feed on other prey such as deer and moose.

The research was conducted by a team of scientists led by Dr. Ben Barst, an expert in ecotoxicology from the University of Calgary. They found that the high concentrations of mercury were due to the wolves’ diet consisting mainly of sea otters, which are known to accumulate methyl mercury from aquatic environments.

“We spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out the cause of her death by doing a necropsy and different analyses of tissues,” said Gretchen Roffler, a wildlife research biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “What finally came up was really unprecedented concentrations of mercury in this wolf’s liver and kidneys and other tissues.”

The study compared wolves from Pleasant Island, located in the Alaska Panhandle region, west of Juneau, with those from the mainland adjacent to the island, as well as wolves from interior Alaska. The results showed that the highest concentrations of mercury were found in the wolves from Pleasant Island.

“It’s an organic form of mercury that really moves quite efficiently through the food web, and so it can reach high concentrations in predators that are tapped into aquatic food webs,” said Dr. Barst. “So, we see higher concentrations in wolves that are tapped into a marine system.”

The researchers also found that there could be a number of factors driving the higher concentrations of mercury, but they are still researching several possibilities.

Mercury has been shown to have negative impacts on wolf health, and the study’s findings raise concerns about the potential link between climate change and mercury levels in coastal Alaska wolves. With glaciers retreating at rapid rates, there is a potential for increased release of mercury from bedrock, which could lead to higher concentrations in predators.

The research highlights the need for further investigation into the impact of mercury on wolf health and the potential link to climate change.