Pets

Pet Vet: His bearded dragon lizard no longer wants to eat

I think a lot of people realize that veterinary medicine can present challenges different from those in human medicine. Certainly, our companions have some similar physiology and structures to our own, however the main challenge is that veterinary medicine patients are not as communicative as humans are with their physicians. I have seldom had a patient "tell me where it hurts."

Pets

Pet Vet: Diabetes complicates Schnauzer's need for surgery

Macintosh is a 10-year-old Schnauzer that has diabetes. His caretaker Paula has been treating him with an injection of insulin twice daily for the past 16 months and he has been doing quite well. Paula checks Mac's blood sugar level three to four times weekly and he appears to be well regulated. Recently, Mac has developed a mass along the top of his back just behind his shoulders. When Paula first noticed the mass, it was raised and about the size of pea. It now has grown to about one-inch in diameter and has become reddened in color. Paula is understandably concerned about this mass and wants to have it removed but is also very concerned with the increased risk of infection associated with diabetes and surgery.

Pets

How therapy dogs ease the tension for patients, families

During a recent afternoon shift change on the oncology floor at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, the usual suspects crowded the hallway: nurses, aides, visitors, patients in wheelchairs towing IV poles.

Pets

You've heard of cockatoos but what about cocka-tools?

Cockatoos can make simple tools out of a variety of materials, like bamboo and even cardboard.

Nation & World

Oklahoma animal shelter finds plastic tub full of puppies on its doorstep

Someone dumped a plastic tub full of puppies at an Oklahoma animal shelter a few weeks ago. Video of a vet tech opening the tub has been viewed millions of times and angered many.

Local

Dog chained to cinder block and left to die at Longview Lake gets new home

Deputy the dog received loving care at Great Plains SPCA before going home with her new owner Thursday, May 11.

Pets

Ten lives for cats? Mizzou maps feline genomes, identifies source of illnesses

A research project at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine has mapped the entire genome of 50 felines and used the data to identify genetic abnormalities that cause disease.

Pets

As dog numbers surge downtown, Kansas City steps in it — ew!

Some see Kansas City’s growing number of downtown dogs for the messes they make, while others see the influx of pooches as a sign of urban rebirth.

Pets

As dog numbers surge downtown, Kansas City steps in it

The number of downtown Kansas City residents is increasing, but pet amenities like parks, walking trails and green spaces remain limited.

Pets

Canine comfort during your cut and color

In New York City, everyone has a job to do — even dogs.

Pets

Cat fight at the dock ends with one kitty making a splash

Felix, the office cat of London’s Royal Docks Management Authority, had a lucky escape recently when she fell into the Thames after tangling with another feline. The video shows a man named as Scott, an engineering and operations manager, rushing to the cat’s rescue.

Pets

Teen and dog form world-championship winning diving duo

Sydney Gersich and her dock diving whippet, Spitfire, are winning world championships despite just taking up the crowd-pleasing sport.

Living

Westminster dog show features new breeds

This year, three breeds are competing for the first time in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show: The American Hairless Terrier, Pumi and the Sloughi. Meet people who are showing two of the breeds.

Pets

Pot-bellied pig on the loose at Texas gas station

Police in Corpus Christi, Texas released a surveillance video of a pot-bellied pig wandering around a Stripes convenience store and gas station on Wednesday around 3 a.m.

For Pete's Sake

Dog relay race is the best halftime entertainment in history of basketball

There was a dog relay race at halftime of the Southern California-Washington basketball game and it was great fun to watch.

National

Here’s proof that this election has gone to the dogs

Clearly, some people are so tired of this divisive election cycle that they’re willing to vote for anything other than a donkey or elephant - which means this year the election has gone to the dogs.

Nation & World

Freedom for Hoover the tiger after a life spent in a circus cage

A video released by Animal Defenders International tells the remarkable story of Hoover the tiger, saved from a circus in Peru, where he was secretly filmed being trained with whips and sticks and living in a small cage. Hoover is now living in natural woodland with his own pool and next to other tigers at Big Cat Rescue in Florida.

Local

Wanted: Help for rescued chinchillas

The KC Pet Project and the Kansas City Animal Shelter are asking for donations to help feed and care for 25 chinchillas rescued over the weekend from a breeder’s home after care deteriorated.

Pets

Vincent the cat gets very rare prosthetic legs

Vincent the cat was brought into the Story County Animal Shelter with injured hind legs. He later ended up at Iowa State veterinary hospital, where Dr. Mary Sarah Bergh and veterinary orthopedics company BioMedtrix, decided to design implants that could be inserted into the femur bones of Vincent's legs and come out through the skin. Dr. Bergh estimates fewer than 25 animals in the world have ever had a similar surgery. Vincent walks around well now and his back legs will continue to be lengthened until they are as long as his front legs.