Little Big Cat Newsletter, August 12, 2023
Here’s the latest news!
Gene therapy could replace spay surgery to sterilize female cats. Researchers found that one injection of a growth factor (AMH or anti-Müllerian hormone, which is naturally produced by the ovaries) suppresses reproduction in cats for at least two years, and likely much longer. No adverse effects were seen in the study cats. While practical use is years away, it’s a promising development for both our pet cats as well as for controlling overpopulation among stray and feral cats. [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38721-0]
Is your cat a cyber risk? A study out of the UK found that pet-related smartphone apps can be a big cybersecurity risk. Wearable health monitors, cameras, and GPS tracker apps and are almost certainly following YOU as well! Of 40 Android apps examined, 21 of them included tracking of the phone as well as the animal. Password security was also very poor; and of course, how many times have we been told not to use our cat’s name to unlock the entire phone? To protect your data, be sure to use a password unique to that app only, and revoke any unnecessary permissions. [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/02/230227193312.htm]
My talk on cat nutrition from the Holistic Cat Summit! I just got the link to my full interview with Dr. Jeff Grognet, and I’m sharing it with you! We discuss the types of cat food, all about raw and homemade, and why dry food is no good!
Rare photo of a mountain lion about to pounce on a deer… oh, wait… No, that’s Perry on his cat tree, carefully assessing whether I’m about to give him a treat!
Gene therapy may be a life-saving method avoiding surgical and anesthesia risks. Once the practice use of this method of birth control is available, will this reduce the cost of spay surgery which is very expensive today.