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Cat study provides insight into dementia progress
The latest findings also reinforce the benefit of cat owners recognising signs of disease.
The study found parallels in the development of cognitive disease in both cats and humans. 

The University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, alongside the University of California, has found that key proteins linked to cognitive disease are found in similar ways in both cats and humans.
 
This new research demonstrates that the development of feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) functions similarly to dementia in several ways. 

It is hoped that these findings will support fast diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disease in cats and humans, as they assist in understanding the indicators of the disease. 

In the study, researchers aimed to understand how beta-amyloid and tau, two key proteins, develop in cats of all ages, and how they relate to the development of CDS. 

The research ultimately found that the accumulation of tau proteins, and the region in the brain in which this occurs, are key indicators of the progress of dementia in cats, and that the clinical signs developed in feline CDS are similar to that of human Alzheimers disease. 

Published in Frontiers in Aging, the study is available to read here

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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.