From parasites to pelvic fractures

The September issue of Companion Animal is jam-packed with articles which are sure to make fantastic reading as we come to the end of summer and the start of the new academic year. If you are anything like me, you have been avoiding the recent heatwaves as best you can – for those of you who thrive in the heat, don't forget the suncream!

Anthelmintic resistance remains ever more topical, especially as climate change means that species which were previously not found in the UK are becoming more commonplace (Morales-Castilla et al, 2021). Pablo Jiminez Castro highlights canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, and what can be done to limit drug resistance in this species (p94). Additionally, A. caninum is zoonotic (Nath et al, 2024), so if resistance continues to develop there may be further-reaching consequences for owners as well as pets.

Many cat owners allow their pets free rein to explore, with free access into and out of their homes. Although this may be preferable in terms of the ease of care, there are risks involved. One of the most concerning of these is the cat attempting to cross roads and getting injured – approximately 4% of veterinary appointments are for cats who have injuries from suspected road traffic accidents (Selstrom, 2023). Pelvic fractures are, unfortunately, common in cats, and Duncan Barnes discusses the various forms these can take, as well as the decision-making process for their treatment (p102).