The world of cats is fascinating, especially when it comes to their sleeping habits. Researchers from Italy, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, and Turkey have made an intriguing discovery – cats prefer to sleep on their left side. This bias towards one side might seem trivial at first, but the team behind this study believes it holds a significant evolutionary advantage.

Cats are notorious for spending around 12 to 16 hours a day snoozing. They often find elevated places to rest, making it difficult for predators to access them from below. The research team, led by Dr. Sevim Isparta and Professor Onur Güntürkün, aimed to understand the behavior behind this preference. They analyzed over 400 YouTube videos featuring cats sleeping on one side or the other.

The results showed that two-thirds of these videos had cats sleeping on their left side. So, what’s the explanation? According to the researchers, when a cat sleeps on its left side and wakes up, it perceives its surroundings with its left visual field. This visual information is processed in the right hemisphere of the brain, which specializes in spatial awareness and threat processing.

This might seem like an insignificant detail, but for cats, it’s a crucial aspect of survival. By sleeping on their left side, they can quickly respond to potential threats or prey upon waking up. The researchers conclude that this preference could be a key survival strategy for cats.

The study published in the journal Current Biology provides valuable insights into the fascinating world of cat behavior and evolution. As we continue to learn more about our feline friends, we might just uncover even more surprising advantages behind their seemingly ordinary habits.

Scientists in China have made a groundbreaking discovery that could potentially alter our understanding of pandemics. Researchers from the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention have found two new viruses in bats that are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses, which can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans.

The study, published in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens, analyzed 142 bat kidneys from ten species collected over four years across five areas of Yunnan province. Using advanced genetic sequencing, the team identified 22 viruses – 20 of them never seen before. Two of these newly discovered viruses belong to the henipavirus genus, which includes Nipah and Hendra viruses known for their high fatality rates in humans.

The researchers’ findings are concerning because these henipaviruses can spread through urine, raising the risk of contaminated fruit and the possibility of the viruses jumping to humans or livestock. This highlights the importance of comprehensive microbial analyses of previously understudied organs like bat kidneys to better assess spillover risks from bat populations.

As bats are natural reservoirs for a wide range of microorganisms, including many notable pathogens that have been transmitted to humans, it is essential to conduct thorough research on these animals’ infectomes. This study not only broadens our understanding of the bat kidney infectome but also underscores critical zoonotic threats and highlights the need for comprehensive microbial analyses.

The authors emphasize that their findings raise urgent concerns about the potential for these viruses to spill over into humans or livestock, making it crucial for scientists, policymakers, and public health officials to work together to mitigate this risk. By analyzing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, the researchers have uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry but also the first full-length genomes of novel bat-borne henipaviruses closely related to Hendra and Nipah viruses identified in China.

Funding for this study came from various grants and programs, including the National Key R&D Program of China, Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Top Physician Project, National Natural Science Foundation of China, and others. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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.