Animal Airwaves

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 eastern coastline and further inland in...

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. However, just as...

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 around the world, it's time...

To treat canine seizures effectively, they first need to be accurately characterized. That's challenging when pooch parents may be the only ones witnessing these events. Now, an international team of...

As increasing numbers of cannabis-derived products become available for people, veterinarians are often asked whether they are safe for pets. When state laws legalize marijuana for people, those laws don't...

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 that bags and cans of...

Feline panleukopenia [pan-loo-kow-PEE-nee-ah] is a viral disease that often kills or severely debilitates cats — especially kittens and sick or unvaccinated adult cats. It's extremely contagious and can spread like...

Particularly heat-susceptible dogs, like double-coated breeds, need extra cooling strategies for protection in extreme heat. One family learned this in a tragic way. With their 4-year-old Newfoundland in the backseat...

Although healthy algae is an important part of aquatic ecosystems, the right conditions can promote the growth of dangerous types of algae. These harmful algal [AL-gull] blooms are most likely...

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 production can last up to...

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 removing the dog's spleen and chemotherapy may extend...

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 two out of...

Skin grafts can provide lifesaving treatment for large soft-tissue wounds. That's true for people and animals, and sometimes these grafts have interesting origins. In 2024, a wounded adult bald eagle...

  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 previous year. Funding cuts...

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 species,...

The New World screwworm (NWS) is forecast to reach the United States later this year. Eradicated from the country in 1966, this flesh-eating parasitic fly affects all warm-blooded mammals and animals,...

The University of Florida's Veterinary Community Outreach Program provides valuable synergy between veterinary education and supporting local animal welfare. Veterinary students gain crucial hands-on surgical and medical experience while simultaneously...

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 pets can be difficult. It's...

A position statement from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association has explained why some feral kittens respond to socialization better than others. Strong cat-human bonds are usually forged when kittens are...

With antibiotic resistance growing all the time, researchers are looking for alternatives to fight infections — in people and animals, too. They just may have found some hope in a...

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 incidental finding on your...

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 costs can take a significant...

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 world's fastest birds. They've also learned to...

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. Most of these...

Vaccination is one of the best ways to keep your horse healthy. But which vaccinations are necessary? Every horse needs what are called core vaccinations to protect against highly contagious...

During a single month in the spring of 2025, sixteen horses in Delaware died soon after showing neurologic signs. Testing ruled out infection, and postmortem findings pointed to a toxin....

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 and a veterinary...

A recent article in a medical journal highlighted the looming threat of the H5N1 avian flu. Virologists from over 40 countries signed on, urging global leaders to increase surveillance, boost...

Dogs are an integral part of most Native American communities, but in low-income environments, veterinary needs often run up against financial challenges. That's when First Nations Vet steps in. Also...

Ehrlichiosis [air-leek-ee-OH-sis] is a tickborne disease, particularly affecting dogs in Southeastern and Southwestern states. Rickettsial organisms — a genus of bacteria — spread the disease. The most common carrier is...

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 are labeled, contributing...

With hurricane season in full swing, Dr. Larry Garcia, Clinical Associate Professor and Medical Director of UF's Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (VETS), is roaring the readiness alert on disaster preparedness...

Although a clinical pathologist's role is primarily behind the scenes, bloodwork and general lab testing are critical for disease diagnosis and prevention in pets. When you visit the veterinarian, chances...

Quick bites, fast action. Snake bites are one of the most common occurrences in veterinary hospital emergency rooms through the summer months, and prompt medical attention can make the difference...

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 products from qualified canine blood...

Judging by our dogs' reactions when they hear the word “walk,” they love their outdoor time — the action, the smells, seeing other animals and being with us. So, it's...

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 liver abscesses in rabbits...

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. Pets with failing vision may be...

After recent high-profile cases, hantavirus came roaring back into the headlines as a potentially deadly human pathogen. Hantavirus is spread by rodents — most commonly the deer mouse in the...

Before another summer of celebrations, certain pet-friendly precautions bear repeating. First and foremost, always keep your pet cool and well-hydrated. That means never leaving them unattended in the car and...

For nearly a century, widespread vaccinations have saved the lives of countless animals. Beyond that obvious benefit, vaccinations are often required by pet boarding and daycare facilities, as well as...

Equine lumps and bumps can appear alike whether they're benign or cancerous — and skin tumors can affect any age or breed of horse. Sarcoids, most common in Quarter Horses...

Because horses are natural grazers, many people don't know that seemingly benign vegetation might be dangerous. Take grass clippings, for example. They're so tasty that horses may bolt them down,...

This spring, the US Food and Drug Administration made legally available a treatment for a parasitic disease that commonly affects fish often kept in home aquariums and outdoor ponds. Informally...

Chances are you've heard about the environmental impacts of free-roaming domestic cats — but that doesn't mean our pooches are off the hook. An Australian review of existing studies recently...

Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is the most common cause of death in senior cats. Unfortunately, it's usually not diagnosed until symptoms are advanced. But when it's caught early, targeted...

The US Food and Drug Administration recently announced that, for the development of certain drugs, it will be phasing out animal testing in favor of more effective, human-centered methods —...

Aquatic animals are fascinating, and many opportunities exist for training in a variety of disciplines relating to aquatic animal health. Veterinary students at the University of Florida College of Veterinary...

Join us on Animal Airwaves-Live as we welcome Dr. Chi-Yen Wu, a veterinary dermatology specialist, to discuss ear infections in dogs. Dr. Wu will explore why dogs suffer from itchy,...

Join us on Animal Airwaves-Live as Dr. Caryn Plummer, veterinary ophthalmology specialist from UF, discusses cataracts across pets and horses. She’ll help owners identify early signs like eye cloudiness and...

Advanced diagnostic imaging tools can be life-saving for large and small animals. Expertise in this key area of veterinary medicine is critical for both pinpointing diseases and guiding the treatment...