LARGEST DOG STUDY INFORMS HUMAN DISEASES

Cornell researchers have completed the largest genetic study of dogs to date, comprising the genetic analysis of 4,200 dogs. The study investigated 180,000 genetic markers, DNA sequences with a known physical location on a chromosome. Such markers can help link an inherited disease with the responsible gene. The study, published Jan 22 in the journal […]

DOGS CAN ASSIST PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

Dogs could act as effective early warning system for patients with diabetes Aug 21, 2013 Dogs that are trained to respond to their owners’ hypoglycaemia could offer a very effective way to alert diabetic patients of impending lowered blood sugars. The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, is the first academic study to assess […]

DOG GENETICS CAUSE RESEARCHERS TO DISAGREE OVER CANINE DOMESTICATION

GENETICS SPUR SCIENTIFIC SPAT Researchers disagree over canine domestication The following article taken from ‘Nature'(Vol: 498, 282-283. 20.6.13) describes the controversy between researchers over when and where dogs were domesticated: “Scientists investigating the transformation of wolves into dogs are behaving a bit like the animals they study, as disputes roil among those using genetics to understand […]

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON COMPULSIVE TAIL CHASING IN DOGS

The following article was taken from Tiira K, Hakosalo O, Kareinen L, Thomas A, Hielm-Björkman A, et al. (2012). Environmental Effects on Compulsive Tail Chasing in Dogs. PLoS ONE 7(7): “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder observed both in humans and animals. Examples of Canine Compulsive Disorder (CD) include excessive tail chasing (TC), light/shadow […]

DO ANIMALS DREAM?

According to Kaitlin Miller (Australian Popular Science, 2.2.12) the answer is “Yes”. In her article, Kaitlin states that: “Many pet owners have seen their sleeping dog or cat twitch or paw the air, as if dreaming of bones to bury or mice to chase. Stanley Coren, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia […]

FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS CAN AFFECT GENES IN A POSITIVE WAY

The following research published in the Am J Clin Nutr (2009;90:415–424) shows the beneficial effects of fish oil supplementation in human gene expression but the same mechansims would also occur in animal genes: Epigenetics, Dietary Fat, and Omega-3s The ability of dietary fatty acids to improve the outcomes of many conditions has been well established. In addition […]

OCD AND VITAMINS

CANINE TAIL CHASING RESEMBLES HUMAN OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE The following research was published on Phys.org (20th August, 2012):   A new research led by Professor Hannes Lohi at the University of Helsinki, Finland, revealed several similarities between compulsive behavior in dogs and humans: Early onset, recurrent compulsive behaviors, increased risk for developing different types of compulsions, […]

BABY ON THE WAY? MAKE TIME TO PREPARE YOUR PET

If you have one or more dogs and you are expecting your first child, you may want to read the following article taken from AP News (Los Angeles, 31.1.12):      “Parents have months to get ready for a baby. Experts say the countdown should include prep time for pets too. A baby changes everything […]

This is why dogs need large, raw meaty bones to chew on….it’s in their DNA!

Dogs’ evolution shows why they ‘love’ gnawing on bones   The following article was taken from BBC Nature,Ottawa,Canada (10.7.12, Victoria Gill Science reporter:    Scientists say they have discovered why dogs love to eat meat and bones. Ancient canines adopted pack-living about eight million years ago, to hunt larger prey, according to researchers. The resulting evolution […]

Animal Naturopath – Are Annual Vaccinations Really Necessary?

Do you have your dog vaccinated annually? You may want to ask your vet to test your dog instead, to see if that’s really necessary. It seems from research that was conducted by surveying vets on their vaccination protocols, many of them would consider testing dogs antibody levels rather than giving routine vaccinations. In addition, […]

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