Cat monkeys around

A kind-hearted monkey in northern India has adopted an orphaned kitten.

The female monkey from Jhansi has been raising the cat as her own showing there is no obstacle to animals from different species bonding.

Professor Jyoti Verma told ITN news: "This is an outstanding instance of maternal bonding in the animal world.

"Animals sometimes shed their animus and ensure that the offspring of other species are also well cared for."

The pairing has generated considerable interest form curious onlookers with crowds gathering to witness the monkey feeding her new 'baby'.

Hindus in India revere monkeys as the incarnation of the god Hanuman.

Other recent examples of bizarre cross-species mother and infant pairings include a tiger who acted as a surrogate mother to some piglets.

Doggie choccie threat

Some dog owners are unwittingly sentencing their animals to a painful death by feeding them chocolate, vets have warned.

This year has seen a record number of emergency calls about chocolate poisoning to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, already up to 844 from 790 in 2006.

Christmas is danger period as some dogs are tempted by treats hanging from the tree or boxes of goodies lying around the house.

Canines, unlike humans and cats, do not have the metabolism to cope with theobromine, a substance that is highly toxic to them.

Symptoms can include agitation, hyperactivity, breathlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting and increased urination.

Katy Horton, a vet, said that owners often forget the "hazardous aspects of the festive season".

She added: "If you know your dog has eaten chocolates don't wait for the symptoms to develop.

"Take them to the vet immediately."

Lethal doses, usually found in more darker and expensive chocolate, are usually between 250 and 500 milligrams per kilogramme of body weight.

Ms Horton also warned owners not to overfeed their dogs, a temptation with leftovers from Christmas dinners, as this could play havoc with their digestive systems.