The hottest Animal health Substack posts right now

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Notes on Nini's paralyzation

Tao Lin • 359 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Animal health
  1. Nini, the cat, experienced sudden paralysis, making it hard for him to walk or stand. It was a very worrying time for his owner as he was not doing well.
  2. Despite his struggles, Nini was still able to wag his tail and move his head, which showed he had some strength left in his back legs.
  3. The owner was attentive to Nini's needs, trying different foods and providing physical support. They stayed close to Nini to monitor his condition and help him feel comfortable.

The FDA Policy that Kills Animals

Who is Robert Malone • 20 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Animal health
  1. New FDA rules now require veterinarians' prescriptions for many livestock antibiotics, making basic treatments more expensive and harder to obtain.
  2. There is a widespread shortage of large-animal and avian veterinarians in rural areas, so the prescription requirement often leaves farmers unable to get timely care for sick animals.
  3. Farmers are being forced into greater self-reliance and community support—using human medicines, alternative remedies, or stockpiling—because regulations have outpaced rural veterinary infrastructure and increase preventable animal suffering.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 14

Force of Infection • 72 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Animal health
  1. Flu season has begun — outpatient ILI is above baseline and test positivity rose to 8.1%, with H3N2 making up about 86% of samples and hotspots in New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and Louisiana. A small Thanksgiving-related dip in pediatric cases looks temporary and activity usually rebounds in the following weeks.
  2. COVID-19 is starting to climb from recent lows, with wastewater and regional indicators rising (especially in the Northeast), though severe illness remains very low and increases in ED visits and hospitalizations are small. Expect a typical winter uptick even if current burden is still low.
  3. RSV is still low nationally but is increasing in most states, with higher wastewater activity in places like DC, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, and Louisiana, while ED visits and test positivity remain well below last year. Other respiratory viruses (adenovirus, parainfluenza) are still active, rhinoviruses are falling, and human coronaviruses and metapneumovirus are beginning to rise.

Answering reader questions on H5N1

Force of Infection • 35 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Animal health
  1. There are strong surveillance systems in place for detecting H5N1 and other influenza viruses, which helps identify outbreaks among humans quickly.
  2. While experts are confident about detecting severe H5N1 cases in hospitals, some mild cases may go unnoticed in outpatient settings.
  3. Global surveillance for H5N1 is uneven; some countries have great systems while others are less prepared, making it important to stay alert to potential cases everywhere.

Should We Freak Out About Bird Flu?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Animal health
  1. Bird flu, particularly the H5N1 strain, causes concern for its potential to become a pandemic. It's been around since the late 1990s and has infected humans, raising alarms.
  2. There's worry that a future outbreak might be handled poorly due to political factors. If leaders refuse effective vaccination and health measures, it could worsen the situation.
  3. Misinformation about vaccines can affect public health decisions. Effective vaccines have a long history of saving lives, and misbelief in their efficacy can lead to dangerous outcomes.
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