Animal Airwaves

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 and layoffs earlier this year affected the speed at which the U.S. Department of Agriculture could determine the cause of the deaths. But now the culprit is clear: viruses spread by varroa [vah-ROW-ah] mites. Pesticide exposure and poor nutrition may also have contributed.

Virtually all bees studied were resistant to amitraz [AM-ǐ-traz], the only miticide still safe for bees and historically effective against varroa mites.

If honeybee populations suffer too consecutive die-offs, they may not bounce back. They pollinate more than 90 of the nation’s commercial crops, so that could spell all kinds of trouble.

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 breeds: pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, shih tzus and boxers, for example, can face unique health challenges and care requirements due to their short snouts, compressed skulls and flat faces. According to the American Kennel Club, the French bulldog is the No. 1 most popular breed in the United States three years running. On this episode of Animal Airwaves Live, Clinical Associate Professor Kathleen Ham, M.S., D.V.M., DACVS, will cover brachycephalic dog breeds, breathing syndromes and other health challenges they face. Dr. Ham will also talk responsible care for brachycephalic breeds, like regulating body temperature, weight management and more.

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, you’ll want to be sure your lifestyle is conducive to meeting the pet’s needs. You should also prepare to make some adjustments to your environment, schedule and finances. It’s important that the pet’s needs be met, but you also need to be able to cover the expenses of responsible pet ownership, from food to veterinary care when needed. On this archived episode of Animal Airwaves Live, Dr. Wendy Mandese, a primary care and dentistry veterinarian, will cover what you need to know before and after you offer a forever home to a new family member.

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, has the potential to cause massive harm to the livestock industry, and would cost millions, potentially billions, of dollars to eradicate again. Animal owners throughout the southern U.S. are urged to stay vigilant to identify potential cases. In this episode, Dr. Sally Denotta, UF Veterinary Medicine equine medicine specialist, and Dr. Ted Burgess, UF/IFAS veterinary entomologist, discuss the NWS, what to look for in identifying a screwworm infection and who to call if they suspect their animals or livestock may be affected.

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 offering services that reduce pet overpopulation, improve shelter animal health, facilitate adoptions and educate the community on responsible pet ownership. On this archived episode, Dr. Simone Guerios will discuss how the program benefits not only the students’ clinical training but also the local sheltering community.

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 important that pet owners are in tune with any changes in behavior, including the way your pet stands, walks or even looks at you. On this archived show, Dr. Elizabeth Maxwell, a surgical oncology specialist, will discuss why pain assessment is so important, why contacting your veterinarian is critical if you suspect your pet is in pain and different methods of pain management.

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 socialized before a certain age. For companion kittens — that is, kittens already used to some human contact — that’s before nine weeks of age. If these kittens don’t have positive interactions with people before then, they may be afraid of humans for the rest of their lives.

When it comes to feral kittens that aren’t used to any human contact, attempted socialization is not recommended after four months of age because of the likely emotional distress. Instead, the association recommends using a trap-neuter-release process, where kittens are captured, neutered and returned outdoors.

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 molecule made by pigs.

Swine dysentery is a bacterial infection that causes serious clinical signs and death in growing pigs. There’s no preventative vaccine — only antibiotics to treat the disease.

After years of analysis, researchers found that pigs that produce more of an immune defense peptide called pBD-5 were less likely to get sick from the bacteria. After the researchers created pBD-5 in the lab, they showed that the synthetic version also inhibited bacterial growth.

In pigs, at least, this discovery may help to boost immunity to fight infections, without having to rely on antibiotics.

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 pet’s veterinary exam — like a pinpoint lesion that’s not causing a problem. However, cataracts grow to involve more of the lens, causing a progressive loss of vision. Cataracts can cause other problems too, like increased pressure or inflammation in the eye, which can be painful.

The most common causes of canine cataracts are hereditary disease and diabetes. In cats, chronic intraocular inflammation is most often to blame.

Other problems can cause the eye to appear cloudy, and any of them warrant a veterinary visit. Treatment is available, but it’s most effective sooner versus later.

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 bite out of wages. Balancing work with pet care can also be stressful and adversely impact employee productivity. Now, an increasing number of companies are taking note and offering pet-related benefits and pet-friendly work policies.

These days, employee benefit packages may include pet insurance or stipends to apply toward pet food, supplies or day care costs. And some companies have created pet-friendly environments so employees can bring their fur babies to work. Flexible work hours and increased remote time can also help employees balance work and pet care responsibilities.