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Glyphosate weedkiller damages wild bee colonies, study reveals

The critical ability of wild bumblebees to keep their colonies at the right temperature is seriously damaged by the weedkiller glyphosate, research has revealed.

Provided by The Guardian Photograph: Susan Walker/Getty Images

Glyphosate is the most widely used pesticide in history, intended to kill only plants. The harm to bumblebees – vital pollinators – was not identified in regulatory risk assessments, which only test whether a pesticide rapidly kills healthy, individual bees. However, the collective failure to regulate colony temperature could have a massive impact on its ability to produce the next generation, the scientists said.

The damage seen in the study occurred when the colonies were running short of food. This is common in farming regions, where wildflowers can be killed directly by glyphosate. The research is the first on wild bees, of which there are 20,000 species, though glyphosate had already been shown to harm honeybees by damaging larvae and the senses of adults.

Standard risk assessments are performed on well-fed, parasite-free bees, not affected by the many stresses they encounter in the real world. The severe decline of many insects reported in recent years has been described by scientists as “frightening” and “tearing apart the tapestry of life”.

“The tests will miss sublethal effects and, in the case of the bumblebees, this directly impacts on whether a colony will reproduce or not,” said Dr Anja Weidenmüller at the University of Konstanz, Germany, who led the study. “In our agricultural landscapes, [food shortage] is a very common stressor that’s more normal than unusual.”

The study, published in the journal Science, examined colonies of buff-tailed bumblebees, one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe, and often used to represent wild bees in toxicity studies. These bees can raise their body temperature to incubate the colony’s brood, which uses up as much energy as flying.

Fifteen colonies were divided into two halves by a wire mesh, with one half exposed to glyphosate at levels seen in fields. The exposed bees were able to keep the nest temperature above 28C (82.4F) for 25% less time than unexposed bees. “That can have massive effects on colony growth,” said Weidenmüller.

The ideal temperature for the brood to develop is 30-35C. Below 28C development stops and at 25C only 17% of the larvae survive. The short flowering season means delayed development is very damaging. “There’s a race to reach the colony size [needed to produce new queens], so if you think of glyphosate imposing a time cost on them, they pay for it heavily,” she said.

Determining how glyphosate causes the damage requires more research, but it is known to harm the microbiome in the guts of honeybees and is likely to do the same in bumblebees. This could mean the bumblebees need to spend more time feeding and less time heating the nest. The pesticide could also damage the bumblebees’ senses, disrupting the complex social interactions needed for a successful colony.

“Bumblebees are a vitally important group of pollinators [and] the new findings are especially important given the widespread global use of glyphosate,” said Prof James Crall, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, US, who was not part of the study team. “[Current] environmental safety testing is insufficient for identifying often unpredictable effects on behaviour, physiology, or reproduction that occur at sublethal exposures.”

Crall said a possible practical upside of the new study was that it showed providing more food for wild bees could mitigate the damage of glyphosate, highlighting the value of establishing wildflowers and native habitat in agricultural areas.

A chief scientific adviser to the UK government warned in 2017 that the assumption by regulators around the world that it was safe to use pesticides at industrial scales across landscapes was false. The virtual absence of monitoring of their effects in the environment meant it could take years for the impacts to become apparent, said Prof Sir Ian Boyd, now at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

“Glyphosate has been on the market for over 40 years now,” said Weidenmüller. “It was long declared to be harmless for animals. But more and more studies are showing that is not the case.”

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen in 2015, and billions of dollars have been paid to settle lawsuits. However, an assessment published by the EU’s chemicals agency on Monday concluded that classifying glyphosate as a carcinogen was not justified.

Dolores Romano, at the European Environmental Bureau, said: “This shows the urgent need to address the systemic deficiencies of the process to classify hazardous chemicals in the EU, such as the extremely high level of evidence required, the major gaps of data sources, the dismissal of independent scientific evidence and the lack of a precautionary approach.” 

Reference: Damian Carrington Environment editor 

Excessive dog drooling: Vet's guide to causes and treatment

Excessive dog drooling is not only unpleasant, but it can be concerning, especially if your dog isn’t usually a drooler. 

Provided by Pets Radar excessive dog drooling - a dog with foaming mouth

The technical term for excessive drooling is ptyalism, and there are many reasons why your dog might be doing this, including dental disease so it's important to keep up good oral hygiene in your dog such as brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis. 

Some causes are more serious than others, however, so we’ll take a look at when you should be worried enough to contact your vet.

• Best toothbrush for dogs: Give your pet pooch a fresh, clean and healthy mouth
• Why is my dog grinding their teeth? Vet's guide to causes and treatment

Is it normal for a dog to drool?

A certain amount of drool is perfectly normal for dogs. Saliva (drool) helps to moisten and lubricate food, which aids swallowing. 

You may notice your dog starts to hyper-salivate (excessively drool) around mealtimes or when he is begging you for table scraps. The anticipation of a tasty meal ‘gets his juices going’ and he starts to produce more saliva ready for eating.

However, if your dog is drooling away from mealtimes, read on to find out why this might be.

Why is my dog drooling excessively?

Many dogs drool around mealtimes or when they smell something tasty. However, there can be other causes of excessive dog drooling, including the following:

• Breed Certain breeds are more drooly than others, usually due to saggy lips and jowls. This includes Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, and mastiffs.
• Dental disease Look after your dog's teeth and stop bad or painful teeth from occurring with our vet’s guide to teeth brushing.
• A foreign body A piece of stick or bone stuck in your dog’s mouth could cause him to drool.
• Neurological issues Nerves that control salivation or facial tone could become damaged, causing drooling.
• Nausea If your dog feels sick, he may drool. This could be because of a digestive upset or something like travel sickness.
• Eating an irritant Licking or eating something irritating, such as certain plants, toads, or chemicals could cause dribbling.
• An injury A cut or an infection in your dog’s mouth could cause pain, leading to drooling.
• Anxiety Some dogs will drool when they are anxious, as well as pant excessively, pace up and down, and vocalize.
• Heatstroke Dogs can overheat in warm conditions, causing serious and sometimes fatal heatstroke. Dogs may drool, collapse and experience organ failure with this condition.
• Bloat Large breed dogs, in particular, are susceptible to bloating and a potentially fatal condition known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (twisting of the stomach). This is an emergency. Your dog may be drooling as they are trying to vomit unsuccessfully with a bloated sore abdomen, and in extremes, they could collapse.
• Organ disease Kidney or liver disease may lead to nausea and drooling. Sometimes, ulcers can form in the mouth too, which can be painful.

Additional symptoms to look out for 

If your dog is just drooling around mealtimes or if it is normal for their breed, then there is probably not too much cause for concern. However, there are some other symptoms to look out for that could indicate a problem:

• Smelly breath
• Vomiting
• Excessive lip licking
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in thirst
• Acting quieter than normal or lethargic
• Rubbing or pawing at his face excessively
• Bloated stomach or abdominal pain
• Bloody drool

When to visit your vet

If your dog seems out of sorts and is showing any symptoms as well as excessive drooling, such as vomiting, smelly breath, or changes in appetite, you must take him to the vet. If you are worried about your pet, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Diagnosing excessive dog drooling

Your vet will start by examining your dog, looking in his mouth for any signs of dental disease, or perhaps even a foreign body lodged in there (like a stick). Be aware though, that some dogs may not allow your vet to look that closely. 

The tongue can also loll around and get in the way of a good examination, so your vet may suggest anesthetizing your dog so they can take a better look. This may allow them to treat the problem at the same time too.

As part of their examination, they will also check your pet’s lymph nodes (glands), heart rate, abdomen, and temperature. If mild nausea or tummy troubles are suspected to be the cause of your dog’s problems, the vet may recommend some medication or a change in diet to help with this.

Sometimes, additional tests are needed, such as blood samples or diagnostic imaging including X-rays. If they are worried about your pet, they may keep them in for treatment and monitoring.

Your vet will talk you through their findings and recommend the next steps for your dog.

What to do if your dog is excessively drooling

If your dog suddenly starts drooling excessively, then it is best to call your vet. Some dogs are naturally dribbly, but if it is unusual behavior for your dog, it could indicate an underlying problem.

Why is my dog drooling and acting strangely?

There are a number of reasons why your dog might be drooling and acting strangely. Anything from a sore tooth or foreign body lodged in their mouth to anxiety and noise phobia issues, or even a potentially fatal bloat episode (gastric dilatation-volvulus). If your dog is acting out of sorts, contact your vet immediately.

Why is my dog drooling excessively from one side of the mouth?

If your dog is drooling from only one side of his mouth, it could indicate a sore tooth on that side, a tumor, ulcer or growth, an injury, or a foreign body causing pain. It’s best to get your pet checked out by a vet to identify the cause of his symptoms.

Summary

All dogs are known to drool sometimes, but if your dog is drooling to excess or showing any other signs of ill health, make sure you get them checked out. Don’t ignore things, as prompt treatment usually leads to the best outcome for your pet.

Reference:Pets Radar: Rebecca MacMillan BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS 

Why your dog should wear sunglasses at the beach

Dogs which run on the beach and paddleboard should wear sunglasses to stop them developing eye problems, vets have said.

Provided by The Telegraph Goldendoodle Derby wears shades while riding a wave during a surf dog competition

Active canines that spend a lot of time in the sun are at risk of suffering pain caused by UV light.

Vets have now advised owners to use goggles or visors on their dogs to protect their vision and ensure they can stay outside as long as they like.

Eastcott Veterinary Hospital in Swindon, Wiltshire, told the BBC that eye protection was particularly helpful for older animals suffering from age-related eye conditions.

Alison Thomas, head vet at Blue Cross, added: “Sunglasses are not essential summer wear and shouldn’t be used as fashion. However, sunglasses and particularly those which exclude UV can be helpful for some dogs with certain eye conditions and may be appreciated by other dogs.

“If you wish to use sunglasses for your pet’s health then all dogs need time to get used to wearing them by using positive reward-based training.”

Provided by The Telegraph Duke wears sunshades made by Eastcott Vets to protect his sensitive eyes from the glare of the sun - Wessex News Agency

Miluse Vojtiskova said sunglasses had helped her 14-year-old poodle, Celine, cope with iris atrophy caused by age. Celine’s eyes struggle to filter brightness.

She said wearing a pair of goggles allows Celine to enjoy a normal quality of life for a dog of such an age, rather than being “jumpy” in the sunshine and accidentally walking in front of moving objects.

“She can walk outside now and she can do anything she did before,” Ms Vojtiskova told the BBC. “Now she can do what any dog can do. We are happy.”

Ida Gilbert, head of ophthalmology at Eastcott Referrals, said sunglasses have saved Celine from having to undergo any eye surgery.

© Provided by The Telegraph Dogs which surf or paddleboard with their owners are particularly good candidates for sunglasses - MediaNews Group RM

Wearing them is “absolutely appropriate” for animals in various settings, and could even lead to the medication a dog needs being reduced, she said.

Dogs which join their owners on paddleboards, run beside them while cycling or run on the beach are particularly good candidates for sunglasses, she added.

The charity PDSA said signs that a dog has problems with their eyes or vision include redness or swelling, weeping or discharge, and a lump in or around the eye.

Common conditions affecting dogs’ eyes include conjunctivitis, an infection caused by bacteria or viruses, and dry eye, when the eyes fail to produce enough tears. 

Reference: The Telegraph: 

Woman gored and thrown 3 metres in the air after approaching bison

A 25-year-old woman was thrown 10 feet in the air by a rampaging bison in the USA.

She was gored by the animal in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park on Monday, local officials say.

The woman, from Grove City, Ohio, was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, but her condition was not clear.

She sustained a puncture wound and ‘other injuries’, after getting within 10 feet (3 metres) of the bison, park officials explained.

The bison was walking near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin, just north of Old Faithful, when the woman approached it.

Park emergency medical providers responded to the incident and transported her via ambulance to a hospital in Idaho.

Yellowstone officials say the incident is the first reported bison goring this year.

In a statement, the park explained that bison are unpredictable, have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal and can run three times faster than humans.

Park regulations require visitors to remain more than 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison.

But the statement added that two other people were also within 25 yards of the same animal at the time of the incident.

‘Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached’ it explained.

‘When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space.

‘Stay more than 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.’

The incident is under investigation and no additional information was immediately available.

The woman’s name was not revealed.

Reference: Metro: Harrison Jone