Latest news with #VCAAnimalHospitals
Newsweek
a day ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Senior Great Dane's Bedtime Routine Delights Internet
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a heartwarming TikTok video a dog owner from Dallas, Texas, can be seen helping her senior Great Dane upstairs for bedtime, and internet users can't cope with the pup's new nightly routine. The clip, shared in June under the username @docmclaugh, shows Hanky hopping onto his brand-new stair-lift that his owner got for him, to make bedtime a little easier on the senior pup. "Our new nightly routine," the caption reads. Dogs over the age of 12 are usually considered seniors, but some breeds reach this status much earlier in their life than others. The experts at VCA Animal Hospitals say on their website that dogs develop more quickly during the first two years of life, after which their aging starts to slow down. In the first two years, one canine year equals about 10.5 human years. When a dog hits the three-year mark, he ages four years to every a human year, which means that a 10-year old canine is the equivalent of a 53-year old person. But what is actually considered old for a dog? While humans start being considered senior citizens between 55 and 65 years of age, for canines it varies among breeds. Small dogs are usually considered seniors when they reach 11 to 12 years of age. Medium-sized breeds become seniors at 10 years of age, and the larger-sized ones are seniors at 8 years of age. Finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old. Signs of aging in dogs include loss of vision, loss of hearing, weight gain, loss of energy, arthritis and other joint problems, loss of muscle tone, loss of teeth, loss of organ integrity (heart, liver, kidneys), loss of skin elasticity, loss of hair, loss of immunity, and loss of mental acuity. Stock image: A senior Great Dane faces the camera. Stock image: A senior Great Dane faces the camera. getty images The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 344,000 views and more than 29,000 likes on the platform. One user, Adventures of Daenerys & Nala, commented: "You can always judge someone by the way they treat others and their companions." GenXers_dontCare posted: "How incredibly sweet. We carried our 70lb rescue up 17 stairs to bed every night. We miss him so much." Cami Bustamante added: "Did you really put that elevator for your dog to climb?! Ok I'm crying!!! You are my new angel!!! You are the best!!" Newsweek reached out to @docmclaugh for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Man Wasn't Sure How Disabled Cat Was Getting on Bed, So He Films in Secret
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A pet parent discovered his disabled cat on the bed—leaving him wondering how he managed to get up there—until the parent finally set up a camera to film the feline's impressive method. Gabriel, known on TikTok as @chilisbarandgril, owns a tuxedo cat named Grendel. Ever since adopting him nearly two years ago, Gabriel knew his feline wasn't a normal cat. He came with a unique strut. This is because Grendel has cerebellar hypoplasia. This developmental condition occurs when the cerebellum—part of the brain that controls fine-motor skills, balance and coordination—fails to develop properly, an article from VCA Animal Hospitals said. Also known as wobbly cat syndrome, cerebellar hypoplasia is not painful or contagious, but it is untreatable. Cats with this condition quickly adapt. They learn how to walk around their homes, mastering the art of the wobble. And in Grendel's case, he's managed to find a way onto his owner's bed without a ramp or stairs. Gabriel would find Grendel lounging on his bed, time and time again. Confused, he finally decided to leave a hidden camera in the room to find out how his cat continued to get on the bed, which he shared on TikTok earlier this week with the caption: "Grendel may be wobbly, but he is also determined." In the clip, Grendel pulled himself as close to the edge of the bed as possible. He reached his front paws up to the side to get a grip, but it took a few tries as he lost his balance. Then, he used his arm strength to pull his body up, clawing onto the blankets and hanging for dear life in case he slipped. Newsweek reached out to @chilisbarandgril via TikTok for additional information and comment. Screenshots from a July 23 TikTok video of a disabled cat managing to get onto his owner's bed without any assistance. Screenshots from a July 23 TikTok video of a disabled cat managing to get onto his owner's bed without any assistance. @chilisbarandgril/TikTok In a follow-up video, the owner addressed commenters who wondered why he didn't step in to help and those demanding he purchase a ramp. Gabriel said he's tried everything to help give Grendel the tools he needs to climb the bed: stairs, ramps, different materials, some with railings. But he will not try it, and if he does, he falls. Viewer Reactions Within two days of posting, the TikTok video amassed over 5.6 million views and 934,000 likes. "Wobbly cats have no idea they're disabled, they're just built on determination," wrote a viewer. Another added: "Get that boy in the Paralympics right now." A third person said: "Why's everyone freaking out??? It's actually good exercise and strength building for the little guy. Let him be mischievous and as independent as possible purrr." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Dog Develops Sudden Paralysis, What Owner Does Next Melts Hearts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman feared the worst when her senior dog collapsed, but nothing could have prepared her for the three-month whirlwind that was about to ensue. After spending a month in Florida, Amanda Mcsharry, 30, noticed her dog, named Ruby, acting a little differently. Within a week of her return, the 10-year-old Jack Russell and Patterdale mix seemed stiff and didn't even want to jump on the couch. Initially, Mcsharry, a registered veterinary nurse, wondered if Ruby had injured herself, telling Newsweek that she "wasn't her normal self." She gave Ruby an anti-inflammatory painkiller and planned to observe her. "When I came home on my lunch break the next day, she fell over and became stumbly," Mcsharry said. "I've seen lots of neurological cases and began to think she may have a spinal issue, although she didn't seem to be in pain." Amanda Mcsharry, 30, carrying Ruby outside using a harness and in a backpack. Amanda Mcsharry, 30, carrying Ruby outside using a harness and in a backpack. @amandam76 / TikTok Mcsharry, from Scotland, took Ruby to her local vet as she was deteriorating and had become incontinent. This was clearly more than a minor injury, so Ruby was referred to a larger veterinary hospital where she stayed overnight for tests. This left Mcsharry going home alone, facing the terrifying prospect that she might have to say goodbye to her soul dog. "They carried out blood tests, an ultrasound and X-rays to rule out various cancers and toxoplasmosis. She deteriorated further to the point she could no longer lift her head and wouldn't eat," Mcsharry said. Ruby was diagnosed with polyradiculoneuritis, also known as coonhound paralysis. Dr. Chad West, chief clinical officer and service head of neurology and neurosurgery at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, explained that it's a disease where the body's immune system attacks the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord. The progressive paralysis in dogs can be caused by vaccinations, a gastrointestinal or respiratory infection, exposure to bacteria from raw poultry, or raccoon saliva. Dogs usually start with a stiff-legged gait which rapidly progresses into paralysis in all four legs, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. The symptoms then progress in the following four or five days, leading to decreased reflexes, reduced muscle tone, and labored breathing. West told Newsweek: "Mildly affected dogs may require only supportive care, including mild physical therapy, while severely affected dogs may benefit from plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin administration that can block the immune cells from binding to the nerve rootlets. "In humans, this disease is called Guillain-Barre syndrome. It has a known association with certain bacterial and viral infections. Bacterial infection has also been implicated in dogs." Pain medication can be given, but most dogs need intensive physical therapy. Mcsharry had never come across any cases of polyradiculoneuritis, but she was seeing it for the first time in her own pup. Ruby was hospitalized for four nights to monitor her deterioration, which is usually worse in the initial days. Eventually, Mcsharry was able to take her bestie home and begin the recovery. "I was delighted but terrified I was going to miss something," Mcsharry said. "I knew we had a long road ahead, but I was just happy to have her back. At this point, she could lift her head when lying down, but her head would fall whenever I tried to stand her up. This made her quite stressed, and I had to come up with ways of supporting her." Most dogs recover from coonhound paralysis, but they can maintain nervous system deficits for several weeks or months. This was the case for Ruby, who was unable to walk for three months. Throughout that time, she had to be carried everywhere by Mcsharry, who used a harness, a dog wheelchair, and a backpack to assist Ruby. Gradually, Ruby started gaining some autonomy again. She was able to go to the toilet while Mcsharry held her hips upright. She also took Ruby's crate to work and would turn the dog over in bed hourly to prevent sores. Amanda Mcsharry, 30, using a harness to hold Ruby up, and Ruby managing to walk unassisted. Amanda Mcsharry, 30, using a harness to hold Ruby up, and Ruby managing to walk unassisted. @amandam76 / TikTok In addition to regular physio appointments, Ruby also began weekly hydrotherapy sessions. The vet was concerned that Ruby's recovery was too slow, but Mcsharry was adamant that she was making progress and they just needed to persevere. Mcsharry told Newsweek: "I could see tiny improvements in her as I know her so well. Every day I would do a session of physio before work, during my lunch break, and after work. Between those, I used a harness to carry her everywhere and simulate walking." Over time, Mcsharry noticed that Ruby was managing to place her paws on the ground, rather than swinging them aimlessly. Subsequently, Ruby sat up unassisted for a few seconds, proving that she was regaining her strength after all. Progress was slow, but Mcsharry built on each tiny milestone. She encouraged Ruby to sit up for longer each time, and even got her to stand unassisted. "About five days later, she took her first steps unassisted, and everything progressed from there. She got tired quickly, but I couldn't believe that she was walking. It was surreal that we had actually done it," Mcsharry said. It was a remarkable experience which Mcsharry documented in a viral TikTok video (@amandam76). At the time of writing, the video has generated over 164,800 views and 32,300 likes on TikTok. It was so rewarding for Mcsharry to know that her instincts were right. Seeing Ruby return to her usual self was "the best feeling" for Mcsharry, who says she's back to normal. She continued: "There were lots of tears throughout, especially when she she sat up, stood on her own, and walked. Now, you would never know anything had happened—she's back to normal and she's the same wee dog." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Owner Tries To Teach German Shepherd Puppy the Word 'No'—Doesn't Go To Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A German shepherd puppy named Milo has captured hearts on social media, after a video of him categorically refusing to learn the word "no" went viral. The hilarious clip, shared on TikTok on Wednesday, under the username @ shows Milo's owner attempting to teach him the meaning of the word "no," unsuccessfully. "The game continues, I definitely think I'm winning," reads the caption, as the owner keeps saying "no" to the puppy, even pointing his finger at him. However, the young canine refuses to learn the new command, and instead responds by pawing his owner and playfully nibbling on his hand. While the stubborn puppy just flat out refuses to learn the new word, most dogs can actually understand between 15 and 200 words, with a well-trained dog recognizing about 165 words, just like a 2-year old toddler. Moreover, the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals say that dogs don't just react to sounds; they actually associate words with objects, actions and outcomes. With the right training, canines can learn even more words. Military and police dogs often learn over 250 words, crucial for their job. Some incredibly intelligent breeds, such as Border collies, German shepherds and poodles, are known for regularly hitting 1,000-word milestones. A Border collie named Chaser holds the record for knowing the most words a dog has ever been able to learn. After three years of intense training, Chaser learned about 1,022 words. The most-popular words that dogs can learn include cues such as "off," "fetch," "shake," and "go get your …"; items such as "collar," "ball," "crate," and "vacuum"; and people, including the vet, neighbors, friends, and family members. Canines can also learn "peanut butter," "carrot," "dinner," "treat," and other foods; as well as a variety of other phrases classified as games, such as "I love you," "thank you," and "what a sweetie." Stock image: A German shepherd puppy sits against a rock wall background. Stock image: A German shepherd puppy sits against a rock wall background. getty images The video quickly gained traction on social media, receiving over 14,000 views and more than 1,200 likes on the platform so far. One user, Cardocrap, commented: "Tbh [to be honest] if someone waved their finger in my face I wouldn't like it either." Another user, Shay, added: "The chomps! maybe you should try yes." Newsweek reached out to @ for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Parrot Leaves Viewers Speechless As He Chats to Local Cat: 'Best Friend'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The internet has gone wild for a pet parrot determined to make a visiting neighborhood cat his best pal. Coco is a Congo African grey parrot who lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with his owner, Claire, and whose frequent chatting and singing has made him a bit of a celebrity online. On Claire's TikTok account, @clairerosa90, Coco can be found singing songs, interacting with his owners or talking to himself—sometimes using rude words—which has proved a hit with followers. Now a recent video of Coco trying to befriend a neighbor's cat has gone viral racking up more than 1.8 million views since being posted on July 5. In the clip, Coco sits on a perch attached to a window, and as a small black-and-white cat jumps on to the windowsill on the other side, Coco instantly tries to start up a conversation. "Where'd you go, cat?" he repeats in a strong Northern Irish accent. The cat, meanwhile, is staring back at him, looking nonplussed, as Coco taps his beak against the window and cries: "Look, a cat." Coco continues tapping against the window and saying hello, before changing tactics, and saying: "Look, a bird. Look, a cat." The video ends with the cat—who until now has been watching Coco without moving—jumping up and slapping its paw against the window, its hunting instincts having kicked in. But Coco, who jumps back, is safely behind the glass. As the cat turns and leaves, Coco then lets out a meow, and tells it: "Come on, off you go cat." Claire posted the video with the words: "I will never not be amused by Coco thinking this neighbourhood cat is his best friend," and added in the caption: "Another episode of unlikely animal friendships." Coco the parrot interacts with a cat outside the window. Coco the parrot interacts with a cat outside the window. TikTok @clairerosa90 TikTok users loved the video, awarding it more than 200,000 likes, as one wrote: "It's mad that the bird knows what a cat is and can identify it." "You're telling me they know what words mean?!?! I always thought they were just repeating sounds they frequently heard," another shocked commenter said, as another admitted: "I never knew parrots could speak so clearly, it's kind of creepy." And as one user put it: "It's crazy how as a society we've completely accepted the fact that a bird can talk like that." African greys are highly intelligent and are recognized as one of the best talkers of all parrot species, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Along with imitating human speech, from words to songs, they can also imitate electronic sounds, such as the ringing of the telephone or doorbell. There have been studies that suggest some parrots do understand what they say: Irene Pepperberg, a research professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, has long studied parrots and human language, and one subject, named Alex, had a prolific vocabulary. Alex was trained using a methodology that ensured he understood that his words applied to certain objects or concepts—he had more than 100 words, could count up to six, and could describe items as bigger or smaller than others, according to LiveScience. Newsweek has contacted @clairerosa90 via TikTok for comment on this story. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
