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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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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.