Zoonotic diseases can spread from animals, including the ones we consume or keep as pets, including cats. Why are we talking about cats today? It is because of the increasing numbers of bird flu in the United States, cats of all shapes and sizes have come down with bird flu.

Bird flu was seen in poultry, where chickens have been affected, and even cows too. Why is it a concern for cats? This is because barn cats drink raw milk. In recent days, 20 wild cats at a Washington State animal sanctuary that ate infected birds and other reports of indoor cats dying from eating contaminated food have come out.

Why do cats get bird flu?

One of the leading causes is that unlike dogs, cats hunt for smaller prey, which includes birds and mice, carriers of bird flu. Dr Michael Bailey, the president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in a guidance released for cat owners noted that by their very nature, cats have more "opportunity" to ger infected with bird flu.

“We don't know if the cats are more susceptible than anybody else,” he said. “It's just the fact they're exposed to higher viral burdens because of where they go.”

Reports say that domestic cats have been bird flu virus carrier since 2004. Kristen Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health told a media outlet that before, about half of cats died, and now with the spreading of the bird flu even in cows, about 90% of them seem to be dying. Coleman has also been tracking the deaths. She has also shared 4 main tips to protect pets from bird flu which includes:

• Do not touch or allow pets to touch sick or dead animals or animal dropping
• Do not consume, or feed your pet, raw meat or milk
• Keep a close watch on free-roaming outdoor pets
• Immediately report rabies-like symptoms to a veterinarian

Are there symptoms of bird flu in cats one should look out for?

As per AVMA, pet owners must look out for signs like:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever

Bird flu infection can also progress with neurologic signs, which includes:

• Tremors
• Seizures
• Not being coordinated
• Blindness

Cats may also suffer from:

• Severe depression
• Discharge from their eyes or nose
• Respiratory symptoms which includes rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and sneezing or coughing

Are humans at threat?

Sick animals may also be able to transmit influenza virus to humans through their saliva, excretion and other bodily fluids. People can also get infected by breathing in the virus or by touching something that has virus on it and then touching their eyes, mouth, or nose.

If you think your cat might have bird flu—or any other infectious disease—try to limit their contact with other pets and people in your household, especially those with weakened immune systems, until you get advice from a veterinarian, as recommended by the AVMA. While the chances of cats transmitting H5N1 to humans are extremely low, they aren’t zero.

According to CDC guidance, keep an eye on yourself and your family for flu-like symptoms and reach out to a healthcare provider if needed. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat or cleaning their litter box and bedding.

Obesity is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. Extra body fat is a key risk factor. Still, it is a mistake to think OSA only happens when someone is heavy. Many people who have a normal weight may not connect their symptoms to a sleep issue.

They can go for years without a proper diagnosis. Research also makes it clear that OSA can show up in people who are not obese. Risk may be more than weight-dependent and include factors such as upper airway anatomy, age, sex, family history, and others.

How Airway Anatomy Can Increase The Risk

Weight is only part of the story. The jaw, the palate, the tongue, and the passages in the upper throat can affect what happens during sleep. The airway can narrow or collapse more easily for some people. A person may not be big in body size but can have a tight or smaller upper airway.

They might have a jaw that drops back. Other facial and skull features can also increase the likelihood of OSA. Your nose problems, smoking, drinking and other unwholesome activities on Sunday could also be factors.

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Why Age And Menopause Matter

Age matters too. With time, muscle tone can change. The way the airway works can also shift. As a result, the upper airway may be more likely to collapse during sleep. For women, the risk may also shift around menopause and after it. This is why OSA should not be treated as a problem that only affects overweight men.

The symptoms should be taken seriously, not the scale. Signs such as loud snoring or snoring often, pauses seen in breathing, waking up suddenly and feeling short of breath, or choking during sleep can all call for assessment. Morning headaches can occur as well. Day-to-day problems like poor focus, irritability, and being very sleepy in the daytime are common clues. Some people do not report classic sleepiness. They may mainly notice restless sleep or ongoing tiredness during the day without a clear reason

How Doctors Assess Sleep Apnoea

A clinician should look at more than BMI. They can start with symptoms, a sleep history, neck size, what the upper airways look like, and any related health issues. If obstructive sleep apnoea is a real concern, a sleep test can show whether breathing problems happen during sleep.

The main point is this: a person can be slim and still have sleep apnoea. Deciding on testing should follow the full clinical picture, not body weight by itself. When this is remembered, some people may get help sooner, instead of having their tiredness written off as stress, bad sleep, or just normal fatigue.

A patient suffering from a rare tumour involving the sciatic nerve has made a good recovery following a successful robotic-assisted sciatic nerve schwannoma resection, marking an important milestone in advanced, minimally invasive surgical care.

Sciatic nerve schwannomas are uncommon, benign tumours that develop from the cells surrounding a nerve. Because the sciatic nerve is responsible for important motor and sensory functions of the lower limb, surgery in this region can be technically challenging. The key objective is to remove the tumour while preserving the functioning nerve fibres and minimizing the risk of neurological complications.

How Robotic Technology Can Aid Complex Surgery

The patient underwent robotic-assisted surgery under the care of a multidisciplinary surgical team. The use of robotic technology provided enhanced visualization and precise control of surgical instruments, allowing meticulous dissection around the affected nerve.

For the patient, the successful procedure meant not only removal of the tumour but also the prospect of returning to normal daily activities with preservation of neurological function.

Whenever the doctor operates on a tumour involving an important nerve, their priority is to achieve complete and safe tumour removal while protecting the nerve and its function. Robotic assistance can offer greater precision and visualization in carefully selected cases.

Following the procedure, the patient was closely monitored for neurological recovery and postoperative complications. The patient is doing well and recovering satisfactorily, providing an encouraging outcome following this complex surgical intervention.

How Minimally Invasive Techniques May Benefit Patients

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The case demonstrates how advances in surgical technology can translate into meaningful benefits for patients. Robotic-assisted surgery, when used in appropriately selected cases, can support surgeons in performing delicate procedures with enhanced precision while potentially reducing tissue trauma and facilitating recovery.

For patients diagnosed with nerve tumours, early evaluation and appropriate treatment planning are important. Symptoms can vary depending on the location and size of the tumour and may include pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected limb. Detailed imaging and neurological assessment help specialists determine the most appropriate treatment strategy.

The successful outcome reflects the importance of combining experienced surgical expertise, advanced technology, and patient-centred care. For this patient, the journey from diagnosis to successful tumour removal and recovery offers an encouraging example of what modern surgical care can achieve.

By Dr. S.K. Bala, Consultant Department of Surgical Oncology & Advanced Robotic Surgery, CMRI, CK Birla Hospitals, Kolkata

Doctors in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu surgically removed a fully developed canine tooth from the upper eyelid region of a 16-year-old boy. They described the case as the first reported instance of an ectopic tooth in the upper part of the eye socket.

The case was reported by specialists at Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai in the journal Ophthalmology.

What Did The Doctors Find?

The teenager visited the hospital with painless swelling of his left upper eyelid that had lasted a month. He had no history of injury to the area.

During the examination, doctors noticed two firm, whitish projections beneath the swollen area near the inner side of the upper eyelid, the experts shared in the paper.

A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a dense structure resembling a tooth, with a crown and root, originating from the roof of the left eye socket. It extended towards the tissues in front of the orbital septum, a thin barrier separating the eyelid from the deeper eye socket, and protruded outwards with two tooth-like points on its surface.

The projections' appearance and texture raised the possibility that they were teeth. Dr. Meghana Tanwar, a medical consultant at Aravind Eye Hospital, told Live Science that they had a “fairly smooth surface and were hard on palpation.”

The doctors surgically removed the structure. Examination confirmed that it was a mature canine tooth without teratomatous elements, consistent with an ectopic tooth in the upper part of the eye socket.

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What Is An Ectopic Tooth?

An ectopic tooth develops or emerges in an abnormal location. Some remain within the mouth but appear outside their usual positions in the dental arch, while others develop outside the normal arrangement of teeth.

The latter is particularly unusual. In this teenager's case, the tooth was located in the upper orbital region rather than within the normal dental arch.

Before confirming the diagnosis, doctors considered whether the projections could be associated with a teratoma, a type of tumor that can contain different tissues, including bone and tooth tissue. They also considered whether a foreign object might be lodged in the eyelid.

Imaging and examination of the removed structure helped establish that it was a mature tooth rather than tissue associated with a teratoma.

Why Is This Case Unusual?

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Ectopic teeth have been documented in several locations, including the nasal cavity, chin and maxillary sinus, an air-filled cavity within the cheekbone. Previous reports have also described teeth in the lower part of the eye socket.

However, the doctors said they could not find an earlier report of an ectopic tooth in the superior orbit, the upper region of the eye socket.

“To the best of our knowledge this is the first and only ectopic tooth reported in the superior orbit,” Tanwar told Live Science.

“This was a first not just for us but the world over,” she said of the case. “We were very surprised by it.”

What Causes Ectopic Teeth?

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The doctors could not determine why the tooth developed in this unusual location.

Possible explanations for ectopic tooth development include abnormalities during development, genetic factors, infections and physical trauma. However, the cause in this case remains unknown.

Imaging did not reveal any additional ectopic teeth. Tanwar said the likelihood of the teenager developing another such tooth was low.