Animal Diabetes and Cancer: Rising Concerns
- A recent study reported that chronic diseases are no longer limited to humans, but rather extend to animals around the world, from dogs and cats to sea cows...
- The researchers considered that understanding the reasons for the rise in non-communicable diseases among animals is essential for the health of animals and humans alike, especially considering the...
- Researchers have developed an innovative model to improve monitoring and management of chronic diseases in animals, which is based on scientific risk assessment supported by evidence, and can...
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Chronic diseases in Animals: A Growing Global Crisis
Table of Contents
What is Happening? The Rise of Animal Chronic Diseases
A recent study reported that chronic diseases are no longer limited to humans, but rather extend to animals around the world, from dogs and cats to sea cows and turtles, which have recorded an alarming increase in disease rates. Cancer, obesity, diabetes, and degenerative joints are becoming increasingly prevalent.
The researchers considered that understanding the reasons for the rise in non-communicable diseases among animals is essential for the health of animals and humans alike, especially considering the lack of multidisciplinary research addressing this growing phenomenon.
Researchers have developed an innovative model to improve monitoring and management of chronic diseases in animals, which is based on scientific risk assessment supported by evidence, and can also provide a deeper understanding of human health, given that humans and animals suffer from the same increase in rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, cancer, Diabetes.
Causes: Why Are Animals Getting Sick?
Selective Breeding and Genetic Modification
A comprehensive analysis of published research on chronic diseases in animals has shown that genetic factors make some animal populations more susceptible to these diseases.
The study revealed that dogs and cats that underwent selective breeding to improve their appearance, as well as livestock that were genetically modified to enhance their productivity, show higher rates of diabetes and heart valve disease, pointing out that this genetic selectivity, despite its economic and aesthetic benefits, left long-term negative effects on the health of these animals.
Environmental Factors
The study confirmed that environmental factors, malnutrition, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress all affect the emergence and development of chronic diseases in multiple types of animals. Several examples were cited,including widespread obesity among domestic cats,gastrointestinal cancers in beluga whales,degenerative arthritis among cows and pigs,and cardiomyopathy syndrome in farmed Atlantic salmon.
Recent surveys have shown that between 50 and 60% of domestic cats and dogs are overweight, leading to an annual rise in the incidence of diabetes in cats.It has also been shown that about 20% of pigs raised in intensive systems suffer from arthritis