Healthy Pets NZ is really pleased to be able to support financially the research being undertaken by Companion Animals NZ into how cats adapt to indoor living.

The study called "Who let the cats in?" is aiming to understand more about how our feline companions (and their human guardians!) adapt to indoor living. 

Cardiomyopathy is a primary myocardial disorder that changes the structure and function of the heart muscle in the absence of other disease sufficient to cause the observed myocardial abnormality. Until Dr Joon Seo’s recently completed research, there were no studies evaluating the prevalence of cardiomyopathy in cats in New Zealand. However, studies of cats in the UK and USA suggest that approximately 15% of clinically healthy cats in the general population have cardiomyopathy that is detectable using echocardiography.

The long-held view that pets make us happier and healthier is being challenged.

Already annual supporters of HPNZ, Buller Vets have taken the additional step of doing some community fundraising on our behalf too, raising $1275 through their quiz night on 4th July. Thanks Buller Vets!

Thanks to PD Insurance, our Principal Partner, for this wonderful blog on Healthy Pets New Zealand and how we're helping kiwi pets through research.

The blog covers: 

Exploring New Horizons in Companion Animal Research

Change is constant and inevitable. New discoveries are being made, and new technologies are being developed, which makes it impossible to maintain the status quo. The more we learn, the more we must adapt and change our ways of thinking and doing things.

Airway diseases are common in dogs, but highly variable.  To correctly diagnose which disease is present, airway secretions need to be collected, which can be done using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). However, the best way to do this has not been determined. This is why HPNZ is funding Dr Rhea Jagdhane's study to do just that!

With more strong applications in the November 2023 granting round, one study in particular stood out to the Healthy Pets NZ grants assessment team. 

Dr Rene Corner-Thomas and her team are seeking to assess the impact and duration of environmental enrichment in dogs by novel methods that reduce the risks of human bias. While this research is specifically aimed at ensuring the welfare of working dogs, it is likely the outcomes will help us understand how to provide a more enriched life for all dogs who may spend some time in enclosed spaces, hence the value of this project.

A huge thanks to Medical Uniforms NZ for their generous donation of $1000 of medical uniforms to be used how we felt would give the greatest benefit!

After a bit of brain-storming, we decided it would be a great idea to run a colouring competition to help spread the word about both organisations to the public, as well as through veterinary clinics. 

Additive manufactured (computer designed and 3D printed) titanium orthopaedic plates are gaining popularity in the veterinary industry, and have some advantages when it comes to patient-specific limb alignment surgeries, however while they have a greater bending strength than conventionally manufactured titanium plates, they are more prone to cyclic failure in a shorter fatigue period. Careful selection of their use on a case/patient-specific basis is recommended.