Animal Airwaves
Episodes
Cycads in the Sunshine State: Pretty but Poisonous – Paws Off, Pups
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s nothing like the Sunshine State: warm weather, sunshine, beautiful beaches, endless outdoor adventure, palm trees and tropical vegetation. B...
What’s causing bizarre-looking squirrels?
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the past couple of years, folks in the U.S. and Canada have sporadically reported squirrels covered in bleeding sores, giving rise to the name “...
Keeping small poultry flocks safe and healthy
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Poultry veterinarians have some practical tips for the care of small backyard flocks. Housing needs to protect flocks from the elements and predators,...
What’s behind sea star wasting disease
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since 2013, a mysterious disease has killed over five billion sea stars — also known as starfish — along the Pacific coast of North America. Harde...
Using robotic decoys to flush out wildlife poachers
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Law enforcement is in a race to outwit wildlife poachers. A new technique in the battle uses robotic decoys. These aren’t your father’s decoys —...
Why Icelanders throw puffins off cliffs to save their lives
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Something amazing happens in Iceland’s Westman Islands each summer. Baby puffins — or pufflings — are thrown from cliffs to save their lives. Th...
Keep pets safe as you roll along
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our pets are family, so they often travel with us — and that means lots of car rides. Minding the travel environment can keep us all safe. Temperatu...
Staring down New World screwworm
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A culprit moving our way from the south could devastate livestock and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars. The New World screwworm — or NWS —...
Have a disaster plan in place for livestock
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Each year, increasing areas of the country get hit with natural disasters. That’s why it’s important to have a disaster plan. But how do you keep ...
Let cats be cats—safely
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most veterinarians recommend keeping cats indoors to reduce the risk of injury and disease and minimize their predation. But that can come at a cost i...
Keeping holidays safe for pets
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As holidays near, it’s time once again to plan how to keep our pets safe. Since food is such a big part of the fun, let’s focus on that first....
Anaplasmosis: one more reason to tackle ticks
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ticks are truly annoying pests, but the real danger lies in the diseases they spread. One is anaplasmosis [anna-plaz-MOH-sis], a potentially fatal bac...
How Katrina changed the dynamic about pets in disasters
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The country recently marked 20 years since the heartbreak of Hurricane Katrina. Back then, people were told to evacuate and leave their pets behind. I...
The Science of the Spooky: Bats, Boo’s and the Evolution of Infectious Diseases
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
October 31 is Halloween and Dr. Jim Wellehan is embracing spooky season for Animal Airwaves Live. An expert on the evolution and ecology of nondomesti...
Furensic Files: The Role of Veterinary Forensics in Criminal Justice
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The successful identification of animal abuse – and deaths caused by such abuse – typically involve not just the veterinary forensic pathologist w...
Rescue Ready: Adhering to the Latest CPR Standards for Pets
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to saving a pet’s life, every second counts. On this archived episode of Animal Airwaves, Dr. Jake Wolf, an emergency and critical...
For better balance in diet, look to the orangutan
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Orangutans might not have access to nutrition labels or meal plans, but they seem to know a thing or two about balanced eating — and they’re putti...
All the Hats, All the Heart: Celebrating National Veterinary Technician Week
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
National Veterinary Technician Week is October 12-18, and we’re incredibly grateful for the role our vet techs play on our patient care teams and wi...
All the Hats, All the Heart: Celebrating National Veterinary Technician Week
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
National Veterinary Technician Week is October 12-18, and we’re incredibly grateful for the role our vet techs play on our patient care teams and wi...
OCD in fast-growing horses
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Young, fast-growing horses are prone to a condition called osteochondrosis [ah-stee-oh-kahn-DROE-sus] dissecans [DISS-ah-cans], or OCD for short. That...
Why do cats sleep so much?
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cats love their sleep. That goes without saying, since most sleep 12 to 16 hours each day. Why do they do that? Instead of sleeping for long uninterru...
Teaching kids safety around dogs
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly one thousand people per day in the US visit the ER for a serious dog bite. The simple fact is that dogs pay attention to our cues more than...
Are rabbits with horns a real thing?
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When folks began reporting wild rabbits with what appeared to be horns this summer, it wasn’t just another tall tale. This was the real deal. The ra...
Hoof punctures warrant immediate veterinary care
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re dealing with a horse, cow, sheep or goat, a hoof puncture is a veterinary emergency. That might seem counterintuitive since the hoof ...
The unimaginable toll that H5N1 is taking on wildlife
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly everyone has heard about the havoc wreaked by the H5N1 virus on poultry, dairy cows and people. But what goes virtually unnoticed is its toll o...
Feeding pet-specific diets in multi-pet households
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Veterinarians often recommend prescription foods for certain canine or feline health conditions. These specialized diets are available for particular ...
FDA approves first oral product to control northern fowl mites in US poultry
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The bloodsucking northern fowl mite, or red mite, is the most economically important external parasite of US poultry. In July 2025, the US Food and Dr...
FDA approves first long-acting flea and tick preventative for dogs
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This past summer, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Bravecto® [brah-VECK-toe] Quantum, or fluralaner [FLEUR-ah-lah-ner] extended-release i...
Economic headwinds driving pet surrenders
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Once again, US shelters are being inundated with surrendered animals — and, not surprisingly, the number one reason is economic hardship. The combin...
The pros and cons of digital versus standard pet ID tags
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pet ID tags have come a long way in the last few years. From metal tags that only held a pet’s name and address to digital tags that may have...
Chewable canine medication has sickened cats
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Apoquel® [APP-oh-quell] chewable tablets can help dogs with certain allergic skin conditions, but they’re dangerous to cats. Recently, 2 cats devel...
Beam It Like Beckham: The Precision Game of Veterinary Radiation
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Veterinary oncology is a specialized field in veterinary medicine centered on the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer in animals. UF CVM cli...
Warm Waters, Wandering Whiskers: Manatee Migrations in Fall
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Florida fall slowly settles in and chilly weather arrives for winter in the U.S., manatees will begin their migration pattern south along the easte...
Rx for All Sizes: How to Safeguard Animal Health and Source Pet Prescriptions Safely
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a world where we’ve grown accustomed to the digital convenience of scrolling, clicking and shipping in an instant, it may seem easy to take short...
Dr. Christina Montalbano
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping Fido fit isn’t only important for pup’s mental and physical health, but also a great way to build your bond and keep you active as well. H...
Giving cats the research attention they deserve
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The research on feline diseases and treatments has traditionally lagged behind that of dogs. But now with an estimated 220 to 373 million pet cats aro...
A tool to help classify canine seizures
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To treat canine seizures effectively, they first need to be accurately characterized. That’s challenging when pooch parents may be the only ones wit...
Do animals need products made from cannabis?
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As increasing numbers of cannabis-derived products become available for people, veterinarians are often asked whether they are safe for pets. When sta...
Preparing and storing commercial pet food
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although we hear lots about raw food diets, cooked or processed commercial pet foods also need to be prepared and stored properly. First, make sure th...
Preventing the spread of feline panleukopenia
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feline panleukopenia [pan-loo-kow-PEE-nee-ah] is a viral disease that often kills or severely debilitates cats — especially kittens and sick or unva...
Even air conditioning may not keep some dogs safe
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Particularly heat-susceptible dogs, like double-coated breeds, need extra cooling strategies for protection in extreme heat. One family learned this i...
Pets and algal blooms
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although healthy algae is an important part of aquatic ecosystems, the right conditions can promote the growth of dangerous types of algae. These harm...
Extreme heat reduces dairy cows’ production
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A 12-year study of more than 130,000 dairy cows showed that severe heat reduces their milk production by about 10 percent. What’s more, that lower p...
A promising experimental treatment for canine hemangiosarcoma
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly 50,000 cases of the blood vessel cancer called canine hemangiosarcoma are diagnosed each year in the U.S. It’s invariably fatal, although rem...
Let sleeping cats lie — on their left side
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cats love their snooze time — in fact, they nap 12 to 16 hours a day. After analyzing hundreds of videos of sleeping cats, researchers found that tw...
A wounded eagle gets help from an unexpected source
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Skin grafts can provide lifesaving treatment for large soft-tissue wounds. That’s true for people and animals, and sometimes these grafts have inter...
Honeybee die-offs spell trouble
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The last half of 2024 was devastating for U.S. honeybees. Over 60% of commercial colonies were decimated — and that followed a 50% die-off the pr...
Smushy Snout Squad: Understanding and Caring for Brachycephalic Dog Breeds
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to cute canines with squishy noses and flat faces – or brachycephalic breeds of dogs – there’s more than meets the eye. These bree...
What to Consider Before Bringing a New Pet Home
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The decision to bring a new pet into your household is a big one, not to be taken lightly. Whether you’re considering a cat, a dog, or some other sp...
Eye on the Fly: What to Know About the Emerging Risk of New World Screwworm
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The New World screwworm (NWS) is forecast to reach the United States later this year. Eradicated from the country in 1966, this flesh-eating parasiti...
Veterinary Community Outreach Program Bridges Education and Community Service
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The University of Florida’s Veterinary Community Outreach Program provides valuable synergy between veterinary education and supporting local animal...
Pet Pain Decoded: How to Tell When Your Pet is Hurting
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has your pet shown abnormal behavior lately, such as hiding or growling? Our animals can’t tell us when they’re hurting and assessing pain in our ...
Socializing feral kittens: it’s all about timing
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A position statement from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association has explained why some feral kittens respond to socialization better than others. ...
Can we fight infections without antibiotics?
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With antibiotic resistance growing all the time, researchers are looking for alternatives to fight infections — in people and animals, too. They jus...
Catching up with cataracts in dogs and cats
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A cataract is a clouding of the eye lens that, although not inherently painful, can lead to bigger issues. An early cataract is often just an incident...
Pet care plans become employee perk
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the world of competitive employee benefits packages, pet care has become a valuable perk. With 70% of U.S. workers being pet parents, pet care cost...
Urban peregrine falcons are thriving
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Peregrine [peh·ruh·gruhn] falcons are one of nature’s marvels. Achieving speeds of at least 200 miles per hour in a hunting dive, they’re the wo...
With young wildlife, hands-off is best approach
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our well-meaning attempts to help wildlife, we often do more harm than good — like when we try to rescue what we assume are abandoned offspring. ...
Equine vaccinations: the basics
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vaccination is one of the best ways to keep your horse healthy. But which vaccinations are necessary? Every horse needs what are called core vaccinati...
Mycotoxicosis presents lethal dangers to horses
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
During a single month in the spring of 2025, sixteen horses in Delaware died soon after showing neurologic signs. Testing ruled out infection, and pos...
An innovative way to help horses with asthma
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most horses in the U.S. have some degree of asthma and nearly 15 percent have a severe case. But now, thanks to collaboration between a medical school...
Recognizing the threat of H5N1 avian flu
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A recent article in a medical journal highlighted the looming threat of the H5N1 avian flu. Virologists from over 40 countries signed on, urging globa...
How nonprofit helps animals in Indigenous communities
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dogs are an integral part of most Native American communities, but in low-income environments, veterinary needs often run up against financial challen...
Ehrlichiosis: what to know to protect your dog
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ehrlichiosis [air-leek-ee-OH-sis] is a tickborne disease, particularly affecting dogs in Southeastern and Southwestern states. Rickettsial organisms —...
Comparing and Understanding Labels: Pet Food Versus Human Food
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pet food labeling is regulated at the federal and state levels to ensure product safety, but there are key differences in how human food and pet food ...
Paw-sitive Preparedness: Tips for Animal Disaster Preparedness from UF VETS
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With hurricane season in full swing, Dr. Larry Garcia, Clinical Associate Professor and Medical Director of UF’s Veterinary Emergency Treatment Serv...
Lab Results Unleashed: Why Laboratory Testing Matters to Pet Health
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although a clinical pathologist’s role is primarily behind the scenes, bloodwork and general lab testing are critical for disease diagnosis and prev...
Venom & Vets: An Update on Snake Bites in Pets
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Quick bites, fast action. Snake bites are one of the most common occurrences in veterinary hospital emergency rooms through the summer months, and pro...
The Canine Blood Bank: Dogs Saving Dogs, One Donor at a Time
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve read or heard about a dog’s life being saved through a blood transfusion, chances are a blood bank that collects blood and blood product...
Taking your pooch on safe enjoyable walks
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judging by our dogs’ reactions when they hear the word “walk,” they love their outdoor time — the action, the smells, seeing other animals and...
Keeping you and your pooch safe from tularemia
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You may have heard about tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, but not likely in a canine context. Tularemia is a bacterial disease that often causes...
Detecting a pet’s failing vision and providing comfort
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Like humans, our pets’ vision worsens with age. But since they can’t tell us what’s happening, we need to watch closely for behavioral cues. Pet...
The danger and spread of hantavirus
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After recent high-profile cases, hantavirus came roaring back into the headlines as a potentially deadly human pathogen. Hantavirus is spread by roden...
Protecting pets during summer celebrations
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before another summer of celebrations, certain pet-friendly precautions bear repeating. First and foremost, always keep your pet cool and well-hydrate...
Pet vaccinations: the basics
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For nearly a century, widespread vaccinations have saved the lives of countless animals. Beyond that obvious benefit, vaccinations are often required ...