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.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE%20SWIMMERS
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The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
beabadoobee
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
HOW TO WATCH
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So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
Company%20profile
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
No%20Windmills%20in%20Basra
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THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
THE%C2%A0SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%20four-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starting%20from%20Dh89%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Start times
5.55am: Wheelchair Marathon Elites
6am: Marathon Elites
7am: Marathon Masses
9am: 10Km Road Race
11am: 4Km Fun Run
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
