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Dieting cats 'more affectionate', owners say
cat with owner
Researchers said cat owners tend to anthropomorphise their pets and, as a result, are sometimes afraid to reduce their cat's food intake in case they become 'vindictive'.
Study dispels fears about being 'snubbed' for cutting food intake

Cat owners who took part in a recent diet study felt their obese felines became more affectionate during an eight-week diet. This is contrary to the fears of some owners that reducing food intake could prompt their cat to 'snub' them.

Scientists from Cornell University put 58 obese cats on one of three equicaloric diets - a high fibre (HiFi) diet, a control diet to maintain weight, or a low carbohydrate, high protein diet.

Owners recorded information about their cats' behavioural changes and their weights were compared to baseline at four and eight weeks.

Most owners reported an increase in begging behaviours, following, vocalising and pacing before feeding, while increased purring, sitting in owner's lap, resting and using the litter box were observed post-meal.

Writing in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, researchers said cat owners tend to anthropomorphise their pets and, as a result, are sometimes afraid to reduce their cat's food intake in case they become 'vindictive'.

But only two out of 41 cats in the study showed increased aggression towards their owners, and none of the cats began to urine mark.

Read the full study here: http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878%2815%2900194-X/pdf

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.