Animal Airwaves

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 are you’ll be asked to have samples taken from your pet’s blood, urine and stool to assess his or her health status. Dr. Chris Lanier, a board-certified veterinary clinical pathologist, will discuss the types of tests that typically take place in veterinary clinical pathology, and what they mean to you and your pet.

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 between life, death and/or a lengthy and expensive hospitalization. Dr. Michael Schaer, UF CVM professor emeritus of emergency medicine and critical care, joins Animal Airwaves Live to talk all things snake bites, discuss an update on recent lessons learned from several severe cases of pit viper envenomation, and to share an update on a promising new clinical trial drug used to treat coral snake envenomation.

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 donors was involved. On this archived episode, veterinary technician Camille Kelly, CVT, VTS, who manages the canine blood donor program at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, will discuss common conditions that can require a blood transfusion and how to determine if your dog might be suitable as a donor. She’ll also share how blood is collected, processed and stored and why there is an increasing demand for blood products these days to help animals in need.

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 important to make walks as safe as possible.

It starts with ensuring that your pet has up-to-date identification — preferably in the form of a microchip — in case you get separated. Always be careful on unfamiliar terrain to prevent falls or other injuries. If it’s hot outside, save walks for cooler parts of the day — and if it’s really toasty, walk on the grass to avoid paw burns from hot surfaces.

Watch your pup for signs of heat or exercise intolerance, especially if your buddy is obese or a short-nosed breed. And never let your dog scarf things up from the ground or drink stagnant water.

Above all, take time to enjoy the walk with your pooch companion.

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 and rodents. In North America, its most frequently reported in the spring and summer.

Dogs uncommonly develop tularemia when they eat tissues from infected animals, drink contaminated water or suffer bites from carrier insects. Affected dogs may be lethargic and have a poor appetite or — rarely — develop conjunctivitis and abscesses of their own. In those cases, they’ll need medical or even surgical treatment.

Tularemia can affect humans too. That’s why it’s important for you and your pooch to stay away from areas rife with rabbits and rodents and steer clear of carcasses.

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 more hesitant when navigating their usual environment. They might bump into things and misjudge distances due to faulty depth perception. A quieter, less energetic demeanor is also a clue that something’s up. Uncharacteristic behavior to other people or pets may also be a sign of fear or anxiety related to vision loss.

Once we detect a problem, we can make things easier for our pets. That includes maintaining consistency in their environment, keeping them away from potential hazards — like bodies of water and stairways — and providing other sensory cues to alert them or remind them where they are.

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 United States. However, a recent study identified fifteen rodent species as carriers in North America and revealed hantavirus hotspots in Virginia, Colorado and Texas.

That said, hantavirus is a global pathogen. It has pandemic potential with symptoms akin to those seen with severe COVID-19. It’s transmitted through aerosolized droppings, urine or saliva from asymptomatic rodent hosts.

In short, hantavirus is more adaptable than we ever knew. Emerging data from studies like this may help us get a foothold on hantavirus before it gets a bigger grip on us.

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 always offering plenty of water.

The Fourth of July is a big celebration for many of us, but a terrifying time for most pets. That’s why it’s best to leave your buddy at home in a quiet, comfortable indoor spot with the windows and curtains closed and the air conditioning on as needed. Remove any items your pet may destroy if agitated, and plan ahead with your veterinarian if your pet needs stress-calming medication.

Finally, keep your pet away from festive foods that could be harmful, like chocolate, sugar-free or rich foods, onions, grapes and — of course — alcohol.

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 local and state laws. But which vaccinations does each pet need?

Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and cats unless there’s a medical risk to vaccination. In contrast, non-core vaccines are only important for certain animals, based on their risk of disease by way of their location or lifestyle. These vaccinations may be recommended by your veterinarian depending on your pet’s situation.

Remember that the first series of vaccinations is recommended during the first few months of a puppy’s or kitten’s life. From then on, your veterinarian can recommend your pet’s vaccination schedule.

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 and related breeds, can occur anywhere on the body as flat ulcers, small nodules or large fleshy masses. Squamous cell carcinomas can also be ulcerative or fleshy growths, but they’re likely to affect white or pink areas of skin. Melanomas — another of the three most common equine skin tumors — appear almost exclusively, but not only, on older gray horses, usually around the eyelids, under the tail or throat, or in the perianal or genital areas. They may be black masses or just raised lumps under the skin.

Anything that looks abnormal should be assessed by an equine veterinarian as early as possible for the best outcome.