Animal Airwaves

Veterinary oncology today makes use of increasingly sophisticated tools and methods for treating cancer in pets. In addition to surgery and medical therapy, or chemotherapy, radiation oncology is a veterinary specialty that entails the use of controlled radiation to treat certain types of cancer. On this show, Dr. Marilia Takada, a clinical assistant professor and veterinary radiation oncology specialist, will discuss what radiation therapy is, how it works and types of cancer it’s used most frequently to treat. She’ll also discuss why radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapies to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.

Join us for a critical conversation about keeping your pets safe and out of the emergency room! Dr. Adesola Odunayo, a clinical associate professor of emergency and critical care at UF, will share important insights into preventable pet emergencies that every animal owner needs to know. From common household hazards to unexpected risks that can quickly turn into life-threatening situations, Dr. Odunayo will provide practical, actionable advice to help pet owners recognize, avoid, and respond to potential medical dangers. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned animal lover, this show promises to arm you with the knowledge to protect your furry family members and potentially save their lives.

Rhabdomyolysis [rhab-doe-my-AL-uh-sis], or rhabdo for short, occurs when muscles damaged during strenuous activity release proteins into the bloodstream. As these toxins travel to other organs, they can be deadly. Apart from working dogs or racing hounds, canine rhabdo is rare — except in sled dogs. Ever since rhabdo was implicated in sled dog deaths in the 1980s and ’90s, it’s sometimes referred to as sled dog myopathy. With growing awareness of other risk factors, rhabdo incidence is down, but it still crops up in sled dog teams. Now, veterinary researchers are collecting blood, urine and saliva samples from affected sled dogs to see if genetics plays a role.  If so, the information gleaned may help root out rhabdo at its source.  

Motion sickness affects up to 50% of pets and can result in cycles of fear, anxiety and behavioral issues. While more common in young pets, any dog or cat can exhibit the drooling, panting and gastrointestinal distress of motion sickness. Many pets grow out of it, but some don’t — especially those that rarely travel. The problem is made worse with stress — like anticipating a veterinary visit at the trip’s end. Fortunately, there is effective treatment. True physiologic motion sickness is best treated with a prescription medication approved for pets. Desensitization uses positive reinforcement to accustom pets first to a parked car, and eventually to short trips to fun places. Your veterinarian can help you make the best choice.

Honeybees are critical to pollination and therefore key to agricultural crops. However, bees are under relentless attack, especially from mites that can collapse entire bee colonies. There are effective topical treatments for mite infestations, but inaccurate timing of applications may do more harm than good. Treatment schedules are designed to break the mites’ reproductive cycle. Premature application can let mite populations rebound before the growing season ends, while late application gives mites more time to attack bees. Poor timing also drives treatment resistance, which can be passed along to neighboring hives. So, when looking for culprits in honeybee colony collapse, it may be all in the timing.  

As the weather warms, horses are shedding their winter coats. But if your buddy is still sporting a warm shaggy look, it could be a sign of something more serious. Pituitary pars [parz] intermedia [in-tur-MEE-dee-uh] dysfunction, or P-P-I-D for short, is caused by a tumor in the brain’s pituitary gland, which is a key player in regulating the body’s hormones. The classic sign of PPID in many horses is delayed or lack of shedding after winter. However, PPID often causes more serious problems, such as laminitis (that’s hoof inflammation), skin infections, Type 2 diabetes or a weakened immune system. Most horses with PPID are over 15 years old, but there are outliers. Regardless of age, contact your veterinarian if your horse has symptoms.  

Horses develop wounds in many ways. One is by infection with a water-loving microbe. Pythium [PITH-ee-uhm] insidiosum [in-sid-ee-OH-sum] is an aquatic mold that thrives in warm climates, like the Gulf coast. But now, in the face of global warming, it’s spreading farther afield. Horses can develop pythium infections from exposure to swamps, standing water — any water body that doesn’t freeze over. Wounds from pythiosis often affect a horse’s lower limbs, but they can crop up anywhere. These wounds grow dramatically over hours, turning into painful, draining lesions that don’t respond to common medications. Without timely surgical intervention, pythiosis can be deadly. If you see suspicious signs, there’s no time to waste.

During migrations over thousands of miles, songbirds rest during daylight hours and fly at night. In contrast to the many larger birds flying in flocks, songbirds tend to fly solo. How do they find their way and stay safe in the process? Researchers may have found some clues. After analyzing over 18,000 hours of audio from microphones placed across the U.S., they noticed chirp patterns from flying songbirds. Coupled with information from a bird call identification program, it appears that different species of songbirds occasionally fly near each other, potentially communicating social, navigational and weather information. Mixed species of songbirds have been known to team up to forage and avoid predators, so perhaps they’re onto something.  

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the deadliest tick-transmitted disease in the United States. It affects dogs and people — especially children — and for decades has ravaged southwestern Native American lands. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is mostly spread by ticks living in woodland, but in desert areas it’s spread by the brown dog tick. Because reservations often have dogs that live around kids, a perfect storm has been raging. That is, until community-led teams grew public awareness, sprayed around homes and provided tick collars for dogs. Ticks have all but vanished in these areas, and fatality rates of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have plummeted. One Health is more than a concept linking animal, human and environmental health. It’s key to saving lives.

Now that it’s spring, flowers will take center stage. While we enjoy them, some can be deadly for pets. When it comes to cats, lilies top that list. Any exposure to lilies — including licks of water from a vase or pollen from fur or toes — can kill a cat. What’s more, lilies of the valley are toxic to both cats and dogs. Daffodils, especially their bulbs, are also poisonous. And that goes for tulip bulbs, too. That’s why it’s crucial to keep dogs from digging in gardens. Hydrangeas are off limits too, because a chemical they contain releases cyanide when eaten. Even exposure to carnations can give your pet an upset stomach. If you think your furry friend has ingested any of these floral beauties, call your veterinary clinic or the Pet Poison Helpline right away.  

If you presume that your pet’s supplements, treats, toys and other accessories have met safety and regulatory benchmarks, don’t be so sure. These items are not regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for one simple reason. Our pets aren’t considered consumers. That means the onus is on you to assure the quality of your pet’s products. You can start by avoiding products bought from unknown sources. Instead, opt for those with transparent sourcing. That’s because some countries have relatively lax rules about potentially toxic ingredients. If your pet ever shows abnormal symptoms after exposure to a new item, set it aside and contact your veterinarian. Testing is key to diagnosing the problem.

Chances are you’ve heard a lot about ways to protect your pets from wildfires. But what about keeping them safe from the dangers that lurk afterward? Smoke, ash and heat can put pets in a world of hurt, so try to keep your buddies indoors as much as possible. That includes using pooch pads instead of having dogs do their business outside. If you must take them out, use booties or clean their paws with a baby wipe before you come back in. Doggie goggles and masks are available to protect them from polluted air. It’s even more crucial to keep windows closed if you have birds, since they’re more sensitive than our furry friends to airborne irritants. If your pet has respiratory distress, fatigue or a reduced appetite during or after a fire, call your veterinary clinic.

When your pet isn’t acting quite right, sometimes it’s tough to tell if you should let it ride or take it more seriously. For example, when should your sneezing cat be examined? Cats sneeze once in a while if their nasal cavity is irritated. But if the sneezing persists, that needs looking into. Taking a video of your buddy in the act could help your veterinarian, because coughing, wheezing and gagging can mimic sneezing. True sneezing can be caused by many things, including inhaled foreign objects, dental disease, infections or tumors — just to name a few. Frequent sneezing, especially along with other symptoms, like nasal discharge or loss of appetite, is reason enough to schedule a veterinary visit.

Of all the endearing behaviors our cats demonstrate, the wiggle-and-pounce ranks high on the list. We’re talking about the low crouch and butt wiggle that precedes a cat springing on its prey. Nobody knows exactly why domestic cats — as well as some large wild cats — act this way, but there are a number of theories. One of the main theories suggests that cats wiggle their back end to fine tune their vision, balance and muscles before they pounce. They could be testing surface traction and support before a powerful leap. It may even be that the dopamine released when a cat plays and hunts just makes them feel good. Whether we humans find the explanation or not, the pre-pounce butt wiggle is one more reason to love our feline friends.

When Florida’s marine mammals and sea turtles become sick, injured or die, a quick response is essential to understand the issues at play and, if needed, provide a means for care and treatment. At the University of Florida, the Marine Animal Rescue Program plays that role, working closely with other stranding networks within the state of Florida and nationally when needed. On this show, Dr. Mike Walsh, a clinical associate professor at UF and the program’s director, will discuss some of the program’s accomplishments since its inception, including the recovery of a deceased dolphin and the collaborations that led to a diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Join us for a riveting episode of Animal Airwaves – Live! featuring Dr. Cory Woliver, an emergency and critical care expert at the UF Small Animal Hospital. Dr. Woliver delves into the lives of coral snakes, discussing what happens from an envenomation and what makes these snakes unique among venomous serpents. Dr. Woliver will also discuss his groundbreaking clinical trial, which is being used to treat dogs envenomated by coral snakes. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain potentially life-saving knowledge about this elusive fossorial species and the latest advancement in treatment.

When most people think of farm animals, they conjure traditional farm species, such as ruminants, poultry, swine and horses. But veterinarians also play an important role in the farming of fish and other aquatic species for food, ornamental trade and research. On this show, Dr. Ruth Francis-Floyd, a professor and extension veterinarian, will discuss why practicing veterinarians as well as student trainees are becoming more interested in the specialty of aquaculture, and its benefits to the veterinary profession as well as to the public.

When most people think of farm animals, they conjure traditional farm species, such as ruminants, poultry, swine and horses. But veterinarians also play an important role in the farming of fish and other aquatic species for food, ornamental trade and research. On this show, Dr. Ruth Francis-Floyd, a professor and extension veterinarian, will discuss why practicing veterinarians as well as student trainees are becoming more interested in the specialty of aquaculture, and its benefits to the veterinary profession as well as to the public.

During Colorado’s Marshall Fire in 2021, about 1,000 pets died, including many that were home alone. That prompted the development of an app to help other pets avoid similar fates. Now that free app, Pet Help & Rescue, is available in iPhone and Android app stores. It’s a messaging app that allows trusted neighbors to enter your home and evacuate your pets when you’re away. Once you download the app, you enter contact information for yourself and info about your pets — for example, their names and descriptions, photos, favorite hiding spots, and the location of any meds and Go bags. Next, you invite chosen neighbors to enter their contact data. Then if you’re away during an emergency, the app can send an urgent message out to all your contacts. They’ll know what to do next.

If you have backyard chickens and are confused about the bird flu, you’re not alone. The bird flu in the news these days refers to highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. It’s spread by the H5N1 virus that you’ve been hearing about. Waterfowl can spread H5N1 in their saliva and droppings even if they don’t look sick. But the bird flu is rapidly fatal in chickens, so limiting the spread of disease is crucial. That includes preventing flock contact with wild birds, keeping their living area clean and not sharing materials or birds with other folks. New chickens should be quarantined at least 30 days before introducing them to your flock. Also, make sure to contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of your birds looking “off.”