Animal Airwaves

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 Drug Administration approved Exzolt [egg-ZOLT], or fluralaner [FLEUR-ah-lah-ner] oral solution, for the treatment and control of northern fowl mites in laying hens and replacement chickens. It’s the first FDA-approved product for this problem as well as the first oral parasiticide that targets northern fowl mites in poultry.

Exzolt is only available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian. It’s administered in drinking water as 2 single doses, each a week apart. The product is safe and effective in hens, and when used as directed on the label, eggs and meat from treated birds are considered safe to eat.

This past summer, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Bravecto® [brah-VECK-toe] Quantum, or fluralaner [FLEUR-ah-lah-ner] extended-release injectable suspension, for use in dogs and puppies over six months old. It’s the first long-acting flea and tick preventative for dogs. One injection protects dogs against fleas and ticks for eight to twelve months. The treatment interval depends on which species of ticks a dog is most likely to contact.

Bravecto® Quantum must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Fluralaner belongs to the isoxazoline [eye-socks-ah-ZO-lean] class of parasiticides, which are generally safe for dogs. However, some dogs may experience neurological adverse reactions after exposure to these products. That’s why pet parents should talk with their veterinarian to see if Bravecto® Quantum is right for their dog.

Once again, US shelters are being inundated with surrendered animals — and, not surprisingly, the number one reason is economic hardship.

The combined costs of feeding and caring for pets have pushed a growing number of pet parents to the brink. It’s a heartbreaking decision to give up a pet that’s been part of your family for years, but some owners feel they have no other choice.

And it’s not just pet parents facing the hard realities of this economy. Costs have skyrocketed for shelters too — just as donations are drying up.

But folks can help in other ways. Some volunteers step up to care for shelter animals, while others temporarily foster pets. Safety-net programs offered by some animal welfare societies also include pet food pantries or subsidized veterinary care.

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 GPS and Bluetooth capabilities, along with QR codes and URLs, there’ve been lots of changes. The result is a mixed bag.

On the plus side, data can be accessed by tapping a smartphone on a digital tag, so a finder can contact the pet parent directly. If that fails, call centers offer additional service.

On the other hand, many jurisdictions only recognize easily visible information and not digital tags. What’s more, some QR codes may lead finders to malware sites or allow data harvesting. Other scams claim to register a pet’s microchip but don’t provide recovery services.

So, before you consider going the digital route, make sure you do your homework.

Apoquel® [APP-oh-quell] chewable tablets can help dogs with certain allergic skin conditions, but they’re dangerous to cats.

Recently, 2 cats developed serious kidney damage after eating Apoquel® chewables. Because they were rushed to a veterinary hospital, where they were hospitalized and received intensive supportive care, they pulled through. But other cats exposed to high doses of Apoquel® haven’t been so lucky.

Apoquel® labels clearly state that these medications are for dogs only. Cats don’t seek out the original, unflavored tablets, but they seem to relish the meat-flavored chewables.

If you have both dogs and cats, stick with the original Apoquel® tablets. Always keep a close eye on your cats and seek immediate veterinary care if something seems off.

Veterinary oncology is a specialized field in veterinary medicine centered on the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer in animals. UF CVM clinical assistant professor and radiation oncology expert Dr. Jishnu Gutti joins Animal Airwaves live to discuss the basics of radiation oncology, what to expect from an oncology referral and the role advanced diagnostics play in cancer detection. It’s natural for pet parents to experience anxiety surrounding a cancer diagnosis, so Dr. Gutti will touch on how veterinarians best help clients make informed decisions considering both treatment options and quality of life considerations for their fur babies.

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 Florida to spend the winter months in warm-water refuges like natural springs or artificially warm power plant discharges. On this archived episode of Animal Airwaves Live, Dr. Iske Larkin, who studies manatee reproduction, physiology and behavior, will discuss how manatees know to move to warmer waters with the fall season, and what movement patterns tell us about these gentle giants on the go. She’ll also discuss indications a manatee might not be following typical migration patterns and how to report a manatee that may need rescued.

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 shortcuts when acquiring prescriptions and medications for your animals. Dr. Megan Eide and Dr. Martha Mallicote join Animal Airwaves Live to talk about obtaining safe meds for your pets, the right way. Eide, one of less than 50 board-certified veterinary pharmacists globally, and Mallicote, an equine internal medicine and biosecurity expert, will examine topics like compounded medications, purchasing from online pharmacies and using international products. They’ll also discuss the integrative function of veterinary pharmacists on the care team, and the role veterinary pharmacists play in educating pet owners, ensuring safe, effective medication use across species, optimizing medication regimens, preventing errors and much more.

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 people can hurt themselves by engaging in too much or the wrong types of exercise for their bodies and ages, dogs, too, are susceptible to injury if a fitness plan isn’t carefully curated. On this archived episode, Dr. Christina Montalbano, a clinical assistant professor of integrative and mobility medicine at UF, will discuss safe exercise for dogs of all ages. She’ll also offer recommendations for safe levels of exercise for dogs of different ages, from puppy to senior, surface considerations, safer ways to play fetch and how to identify signs of fatigue and injury.

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 our feline friends get the attention they deserve.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition recently published the inaugural 2025 World of the Cat Report, which showcases advances in feline diagnostics, treatments and nutrition.

In the past, veterinarians often treated cats like small dogs. Thankfully, they’ve learned that cats respond differently to drugs, some of which can even be toxic to feline patients.

Currently, only about 40% of cats — compared to over 80% of dogs — have annual veterinary visits. With more ways to make cats comfortable in the clinic, the goal is to even those numbers up.