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.

The field of robotics has taken a significant leap forward with the development of an amphibious robotic dog, capable of efficiently navigating both land and water. This innovative creation was inspired by the remarkable mobility of mammals in aquatic environments.

Unlike existing amphibious robots that often draw inspiration from reptiles or insects, this robotic canine is based on the swimming style of dogs. This design choice has allowed it to overcome several limitations faced by insect-inspired designs, such as reduced agility and load capacity.

The key to the amphibious robot’s water mobility lies in its unique paddling mechanism, modeled after the natural swimming motion of dogs. By carefully balancing weight and buoyancy, the engineers have ensured stable and effective aquatic performance.

To test its capabilities, the researchers developed and experimented with three distinct paddling gaits:

* A doggy paddle method that prioritizes speed
* A trot-like style that focuses on stability
* A third gait that combines elements of both

Through extensive experimentation, it was found that the doggy paddle method proved superior for speed, achieving a maximum water speed of 0.576 kilometers per hour (kph). On land, the amphibious robotic dog reaches speeds of 1.26 kph, offering versatile mobility in amphibious environments.

“This innovation marks a big step forward in designing nature-inspired robots,” says Yunquan Li, corresponding author of the study. “Our robot dog’s ability to efficiently move through water and on land is due to its bioinspired trajectory planning, which mimics the natural paddling gait of real dogs.”

The implications of this technology are vast and exciting, with potential applications in environmental research, military vehicles, rescue missions, and more. As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with robotics, it’s clear that the future holds much promise for innovation and discovery.

The fascinating world of animal evolution has taken an intriguing turn with the discovery of similarities between two species that were previously thought to be quite different: pug dogs and Persian cats. Scientists from Cornell University and Washington University have uncovered evidence of “convergence,” a phenomenon where unrelated animals or plants develop similar characteristics under similar environmental conditions.

The study reveals that, due to intensive breeding, certain breeds within these two domesticated species have converged to such an extreme that they are more similar to each other than they are to most members of their own species or their ancestors. This remarkable convergence is not only observed within the pug and Persian breeds but also between them.

Researchers measured the skulls of brachycephalic dogs and cats, finding strikingly similar overlap between these breeds from two different species. “Persian cats and pug and Pekingese dogs all have skull shapes that are very similar to each other,” said Abby Drake, senior lecturer at Cornell University. “Their muzzles and palettes are tilted up in the same way.”

This convergence has occurred multiple times within each species. In dogs, it is seen in bulldog breeds, as well as Asian dog breeds such as Pekingese and Shih Tzu. In cats, the same traits can be observed in Persian, Himalayan, and Burmese breeds.

The study also highlights the rapid evolution of domesticated species, which can offer insights into evolutionary processes. “When convergence occurs through natural selection,” said Drake, “it is usually a sign of a successful trait.” However, the extreme breeding practices that led to this convergence have resulted in health issues for brachycephalic breeds.

The researchers collected three-dimensional measurements of skull morphology from CT scans of domestic cats, dogs, wildcats, wolves, and other species within the Canidae and Felidae families. These measurements revealed a remarkable diversity of both cats and dogs, with dog diversity being even more extreme.

The study concludes that artificial selection has led to a large evolutionary variation within these species, which would not be seen in natural evolution over millions of years. Unfortunately, this rapid evolution comes at a cost, as brachycephalic breeds are susceptible to breathing, eating, and birthing issues and would not survive in the wild.

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the evolutionary processes that occur when humans intervene with breeding practices. They also highlight the importance of considering the health implications of such practices for the animals themselves.