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US scientists find PFAS chemicals in cats and dogs
Estimated PFAS exposure levels in dogs and cats were found to be above the minimum risk level set by the U.S Agency for Toxic Substances.

Study suggests pets could be used to monitor human exposure

Cats and dogs excrete PFAS chemicals in their faeces above minimum risk level for humans, according to a study by the New York State Department of Health.

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances are used in carpets, non-stick pans and pizza boxes and, according to health and safety experts, have become omnipresent in the environment.


Writing in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, researchers describe how they measured 15 different PFAS in 78 samples of cat and dog faeces from the Albany area of New York.

Using a chemistry technique called liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, they found a total of 13 different PFAS in the samples. In both dogs and cats, the most abundant compounds were perfluorocarboxylic acids.

With this knowledge, the team were able to work out the estimated PFAS exposure levels for the pets.

They found that for three compounds (perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA; perfluorononanoic acid, PFNA; and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, PFOS), and total PFAS, estimated exposure levels were above the minimum risk level set by the U.S Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The researchers say that because pets share homes with people, they could be used to monitor human exposure to PFAS.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.