A parasite commonly associated with cats has been linked to severe eye disease in dogs, ranging from mild inflammation to retinal detachment and irreversible blindness. Researchers highlight the importance of recognizing and treating potentially sight-threatening infections in dogs.
A pioneering study will examine the role of human-dog interactions in spreading hydatid disease, a parasite that poses risks to livestock welfare and human health. The research aims to identify practical strategies to reduce zoonotic transmission by analyzing canine movement patterns and diet.
Researchers are testing two treatments to help ranchers protect their herds from bovine theileriosis, a deadly disease spread by the invasive Asian longhorned tick. The treatments include a prescription anti-tick vaccine and a slow-release parasiticide, with initial results showing promise in reducing symptoms and mortality rates.
A disease-causing tapeworm has been detected in Washington coyotes, which can spread to domestic dogs and humans if ingested through contaminated food or feces. The parasite's life cycle involves multiple hosts, including rodents and other canid species, making it a public health threat.
A global DNA study suggests that Australian heartworms may share ancestry with parasites from Asia, potentially linking their origin to dingoes that migrated from the continent thousands of years ago. The research has implications for developing treatments given the rise in drug resistance to heartworm disease.
Researchers are tracking the New World screwworm's potential return to California, deploying traps baited with a lure that attracts the fly. Early detection is critical to preventing an outbreak, particularly among farm animals vulnerable to wounds. The project aims to raise awareness and prevent infestations if the fly were to reappear.
A new Virginia Tech study establishes a baseline for understanding dog behavior on a large scale, tracking trends in fear, attention, aggression, and trainability over four years. The research found that dogs are adaptable and not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with some notable exceptions related to trainability.
Researchers discovered that serine inhibits the cell wall remodeling necessary for Clostridium perfringens to form spores, preventing food poisoning. The study provides insights into the underlying mechanism of spore formation and may lead to new strategies for preventing foodborne illnesses.
Histomonosis, a deadly parasite that decimates turkey flocks, is being studied for its transmission routes and potential treatments. Researchers aim to understand how the parasite survives and spreads, with a focus on fecal-oral transmission via contaminated feces or cecal droppings.
Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have successfully treated a newly discovered parasitic copepod species that was killing squid eggs. The eco-friendly treatment uses peracetic acid to kill the parasites in under two minutes, with zero effect on squids or their generations.
A study led by Washington University in St. Louis found that nonlethal parasitic infections reduce herbivory rates and trigger trophic cascades impacting plant communities. The research used a mathematical model and global meta-analysis to highlight the ecological consequences of common parasitic infections in wild animals.
Scientists at UCR have discovered a new species of nematode parasite that infects and kills tarantulas, exhibiting strange behaviors like walking on tiptoe and loss of fang control. The parasite, Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi, is named after actor Jeff Daniels, who saved fictional spiders in the 1990 film Arachnophobia.