Deadly Spider Outbreak Threatens Residents Near Reptile Park and Other Animals News for November 20, 2024

Petco’s New “Welcome to the Family” Program Announced

Petco announced the start of its “Welcome to the Family” adoption program today. Developed by training, grooming, and veterinary experts, the program aims to make the adoption process easy for new pet owners. Accessible online or through free booklets in Petco stores nationwide, the information provided includes pet parent shopping lists, guidance for transitioning a new pet into the home, and discounts on Petco-owned brands.

Additionally, the new program addresses all types of pets, including fish, reptiles, bird, cats and dogs. It also guides pet parents from gotcha day to creating a daily routine. Owners will also find useful information about their new pet’s health, diet, nutrition, and veterinary care recommendations. Find out more about “Welcome to the Family” here.

Antibiotic Resistance Among Animals in the United Kingdom Records Lowest Level

A recent study by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate reported that antibiotic resistance in animals in the UK has hit a record low. Over the last decade, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data has been collected from pigs and poultry, as these groups report the highest levels of antibiotic use compared to other animals. However, experts have only recently begun to collect data from sheep, cows, and livestock. Read more about the report here.

While sales and usage of antibiotics in food-producing animals have decreased, the United Kingdom still worries about the effects of AMR on the human population. AMR causes animals and humans to become resistant to antibiotics, making it difficult to treat illness and disease. Unfortunately, these resistant organisms can spread through food, animals, and people, which could result in a significant public health issue. The UK government has released a new policy to confront AMR and its associated risks over the next five years, and long-term goals for AMR include total control and containment by 2040.

Deadly Spider Outbreak Predicted in Australia

The Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, Australia, has warned nearby residents of a potentially fatal spider outbreak as temperatures warm and rainfall increases in the Southern Hemisphere. At the center of this outbreak is the funnel-web spider – a highly deadly species that can kill a human within 15 minutes.

Fortunately, antivenom mitigates the effects of a funnel-web spider bite. This treatment has proven effective since its invention in 1981, as no human fatalities have been recorded since. However, officials are asking residents nearby to collect any funnel-web spiders and egg sacs they encounter. Experts require funnel-web spider’s milk as an ingredient to make the antivenom. Park officials have notified residents of the funnel-web spider’s lethal bite, encouraging them to take caution when capturing the arachnid.