Animals are benefitting from decades of extensive research into human health, with techniques for analysing DNA and attaching prosthetic limbs being extended to our pets.
The dilemma vets now face is when to apply the latest crossover techniques, with several aspects, including ethical and financial issues, to consider.
Animal welfare has improved significantly in recent years, but that also comes at a cost, with more complex animal procedures often prohibitively expensive or not covered by pet insurance.
“With advances in technology, we have been able to transfer some of the technology from the human sector to the veterinary sector, but we're always five or 10 years behind,” said Dr Katrin Jahn, an animal behaviour specialist and head veterinary surgeon at the German Veterinary Clinic in Abu Dhabi.
“An appetite to do things as well as we can, to get animals home more quickly to improve healing, speed up recovery with better clinical outcomes and fewer complications, is always the aim. But sometimes we have to just wait for the technology to catch up with us.”
Complex surgery
Complex neurological surgery is becoming more common in pets, as are dentistry procedures once reserved for humans. Some pet clinics even have in-house cardiologists to treat heart problems with the latest interventions, many inspired by human medicine.
Animal DNA testing has also become an option for some pet owners. Using similar sampling to that used in human ancestry DNA tests, the results can give vets crucial information about an animal’s lineage, what disease they may be more likely to contract, or what medications they should avoid.
Dr Jahn said even though there are more animal treatments available, there are ethical considerations. “Just because we can, doesn't mean we always should,” she said. “Age is a big factor, like how much more can we prolong an animal’s life. Even more important is what does that quality of life look like? A prolonged recovery time and pain are things we must consider.”
“DNA testing panels for pets is interesting – a lot of the time you would come back with 45 per cent unknown or you'd have a couple of obvious breeds, the rest would be a little bit unknown. From a health point of view, detecting inherited diseases, which we have quite a few of, is more interesting.”
DNA pet test
A DNA test to find a dog’s relatives, or check for medication sensitivities can cost from about $85. A more extensive analysis of an animal’s overall health, behaviour traits and lineage can cost about $120.
An example of a complex spinal procedure performed at the German Veterinary Clinic involved a five-month-old kitten, Nico, found under a car bonnet. The young cat was unsteady and unco-ordinated, but X-rays and an MRI scan revealed a misalignment in the joint between the first two vertebrae in his neck. The cat’s young age would have prevented surgery in the past. However, now techniques used to manipulate muscle around vertebrae could be used to ensure the kitten's full recovery.
Due to better care, pets are generally living longer in some nations. In Japan, for example, dogs live 50 per cent longer today than in the 1980s, while the life expectancy of dogs in the US has increased from 10.5 years in 2002 to 11.8 in 2016.
The data from a pet health report conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital, a US chain of veterinary practices, showed a 12.4 per cent increase in the lifespan of dogs. Like humans, disease prevention and healthy living is linked to longer life in pets. Regular check-ups, exercise and good diet offer a solid platform for animal longevity.
Dr Sarah Ramsey, senior veterinary surgeon and co-owner of the Dr Well Veterinary Clinic in Al Wasl, has seen a change in owner behaviour across 20 years.
“People are more likely to bring animals in for a check-up, but it is also shocking how few cats go regularly to see a vet,” she said. “There are a lot of things we can pick up on with routine visits. We can look at nutrition and body condition scores, to put preventive measures into place.
“Just like with humans, if your body condition score is good, you've got a much better life expectancy. If an animal DNA test was really reliable, it could be really good. But we can already run blood tests to understand the likelihood of some cancers. Genetically, we know a lot of animals are predisposed to certain problems, regardless of looking at the DNA.”
Cat pain scale
While humans can speak to doctors about their pain and health issues, the onus on pet owners to spot problems makes diagnoses a challenge, particularly with cats.
However, certain protocols such as the Feline Grimace Scale are helping to change that. Developed by the University of Montreal, the scale can be accessed via a mobile app and gives advice on a cat’s facial expressions to determine its level of pain or discomfort.
The scale is based on ear positions, orbital tightening – when an animal's eyes narrow or close, muzzle tension – the shape of its mouth area (for example, the cat may be grimacing), whiskers position, and head position. Observing these can help vets understand the level of pain management required during treatments.
Keeping animals healthy also has benefits for humans. For example, World Bank figures show 2.4 billion people in developing nations are impacted by zoonotic diseases – those originating from animals – with 2.2 million dying as a result.
Improved animal welfare and advances in care could help prevent and control the spread of zoonotic diseases. The most common are leptospirosis – a blood infection also known as Weil's disease, tick-borne diseases, MRSA, parasitic pathogens and bird flu. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 30 new human pathogens have been detected since 1993, 75 per cent of which originated in animals.
“Unfortunately, the push for more intensive farming has decreased welfare [in cattle and livestock] and increased disease risk,” said Dr Ramsey. “Smaller production set-ups are easier in which to control welfare and disease. From a veterinary point of view, specific herd health schemes aim to prevent problems rather than just go in and try to solve the problems once they're already there.”
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Kibsons%20Cares
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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SPECS
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THREE
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Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
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The 12
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Company%20Profile
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