More “Mews in the News” stories for you.
Max the Cat Earns Doctorate Degree at Vermont College
The Vermont cat known as “Max” decided it was time to go to college. For several years, he has trotted down the street from his home to befriend the students and entertain visitors at Vermont College. After becoming a beloved classmate to all, the university has bestowed Max with the honorary degree of “doctor of litter-ature”.
Read the story and see a video at https://www.nbc-2.com/article/college-gives-cat-honorary-degree/60836336
Great News for Cats Suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
The first treatment in the United States for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) will soon be available, thanks in part to research by Drs. Petra Cerna and Samantha Evans of Colorado State University.
FIP is a rare and devastating response in cats to infection by a common virus called feline enteric coronavirus, according to the article by Lisa Wogan. Most cats infected with this coronavirus remain healthy and without symptoms. But occasionally, the virus mutates and infects a cat’s immune system, which without treatment is lethal.
The medication had already been available in Australia, Canada, parts of Europe, and some other countries. Beginning this June, the prescription medication will be sold in the United States.
Read the article at https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&catId=614&Id=12090343
Box-Loving Stowaway Cat Accidently Mailed to California
A family in Utah, USA, accidentally mailed their cat hundreds of miles to California.
The cat, named Galeana, disappeared from her home earlier this month and her family was unable to locate her.
She was accidentally mailed in a return package to Amazon, and found by a worker a week after slipping undetected into the box. The cat was taken to a vet and found to be in good health despite having had no food or water for days.
Read the story at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68918102
Want to Hug & Squeeze Cute Cats? There's a Scientific Term for That!
New research has looked into humans’ urge to squeeze cute cats and other animals vs. human babies. Scientists have termed this urge to squeeze, pinch, or nibble adorable little ones “cute aggression.”
A recent Yale University study evaluated 54 people who looked at photographs of 1) adult animals, 2) baby animals, and 3) human babies. Half of the baby photos were digitally enhanced to make their eyes bigger and cheeks fuller.
Participants rated their emotional reactions to the photos and the urges they had while viewing them, such as “I want to squeeze something,” and, “I feel like pinching those cheeks!”
Which images do you think brought on the strongest emotional reactions and urges to squeeze? The baby animals!
Read the story at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-68651792
Grimace Scale Helps Identify Cat's Pain Level
Evangelista and colleagues published their validated, feline pain “grimace” scale at Grimace Scale Training Manual. The scale includes photos and drawings that compare whisker, head, ear, eye, and muzzle position of cats with no, moderate, or high levels of pain. Although the scale is designed to help professionals make diagnoses, it can also help cat guardians gauge if their cat needs veterinary care.
Onuma and colleagues (2024) report that similar scales are now being used with other mammals https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38382945/
Who Needs Humans? Cat Volunteers Self as Animal Therapist.
For the past few years, a cat named Henry has been visiting Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, England. Lately, he’s been comforting and cuddling with one special patient, a teenage girl named Amber who recently had surgery for a brain tumor. Amber said that Henry “seems to suck up all the negativity and replace it with positivity.” Our best to you as you recover, Amber!
Read the story at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-68651792
Henry’s FB page is
New Research Reveals Unique Value of Therapy Cats
Results of a recent, comprehensive study that evaluated therapy cats, their handlers, and “customers” have just been published. Findings showed that cats provide a special form of comfort that dogs cannot.
In the past, most research on human-animal interactions and bonding has focused on dogs rather than cats. This new study, funded by the Cat People company, evaluated cats as therapy animals.
A few major findings from the research included that:
- Many misconceptions and inappropriate stereotypes about cats and what it means to be a “cat person” need to be challenged.
- Visits from therapy cats and their human handlers make a tremendous impact on people.
- Visits from cats helped people in many ways, including lowering depression, anxiety, loneliness, and stress.
- There is a significant need for more therapy cat teams.
Read the full study summary at https://petpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EXPLORING-THE-CAT-HUMAN-BOND.pdf
Permanent Cat Art Exhibit Opens at Mesa Museum
A new exhibit of Karen Kuykendall’s works kicked off with a free catfest celebration this weekend in Mesa, Arizona was a published author and teacher. Her books featured a fantasy world of Cat-People which inspired much of her artwork. Pieces include sculptures, and works of >paper mâché. The exhibit, consisting of over 1000 pieces, will now be a part of the Mesa Historical Museum’s permanent exhibits.
Read more at: https://www.mesahistoricalmuseum.com/current-exhibit