Animal Airwaves

Motion sickness affects up to 50% of pets and can result in cycles of fear, anxiety and behavioral issues.

While more common in young pets, any dog or cat can exhibit the drooling, panting and gastrointestinal distress of motion sickness. Many pets grow out of it, but some don’t — especially those that rarely travel. The problem is made worse with stress — like anticipating a veterinary visit at the trip’s end.

Fortunately, there is effective treatment. True physiologic motion sickness is best treated with a prescription medication approved for pets. Desensitization uses positive reinforcement to accustom pets first to a parked car, and eventually to short trips to fun places. Your veterinarian can help you make the best choice.

Of all the endearing behaviors our cats demonstrate, the wiggle-and-pounce ranks high on the list. We’re talking about the low crouch and butt wiggle that precedes a cat springing on its prey.

Nobody knows exactly why domestic cats — as well as some large wild cats — act this way, but there are a number of theories. One of the main theories suggests that cats wiggle their back end to fine tune their vision, balance and muscles before they pounce. They could be testing surface traction and support before a powerful leap. It may even be that the dopamine released when a cat plays and hunts just makes them feel good.

Whether we humans find the explanation or not, the pre-pounce butt wiggle is one more reason to love our feline friends.

When your pet isn’t acting quite right, sometimes it’s tough to tell if you should let it ride or take it more seriously. For example, when should your sneezing cat be examined?

Cats sneeze once in a while if their nasal cavity is irritated. But if the sneezing persists, that needs looking into.

Taking a video of your buddy in the act could help your veterinarian, because coughing, wheezing and gagging can mimic sneezing.

True sneezing can be caused by many things, including inhaled foreign objects, dental disease, infections or tumors — just to name a few. Frequent sneezing, especially along with other symptoms, like nasal discharge or loss of appetite, is reason enough to schedule a veterinary visit.

Invasive pythons in southern Florida have been devastating to the region’s ecology, competing with native species for habitat and food sources. In addition to those known threats, a new study has revealed that Burmese pythons have introduced new viral pathogens into the environment. Rob Ossiboff, a veterinary pathologist and wildlife disease expert, will discuss some of the potential implications of these viruses and other diseases introduced by the pythons for native wildlife and ecosystem health.

When Florida’s marine mammals and sea turtles become sick, injured or die, a quick response is essential to understand the issues at play and, if needed, provide a means for care and treatment. At the University of Florida, the Marine Animal Rescue Program plays that role, working closely with other stranding networks within the state of Florida and nationally when needed. On this show, Dr. Mike Walsh, a clinical associate professor at UF and the program’s director, will discuss some of the program’s accomplishments since its inception, including the recovery of a deceased dolphin and the collaborations that led to a diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Join us for a riveting episode of Animal Airwaves – Live! featuring Dr. Cory Woliver, an emergency and critical care expert at the UF Small Animal Hospital. Dr. Woliver delves into the lives of coral snakes, discussing what happens from an envenomation and what makes these snakes unique among venomous serpents. Dr. Woliver will also discuss his groundbreaking clinical trial, which is being used to treat dogs envenomated by coral snakes. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain potentially life-saving knowledge about this elusive fossorial species and the latest advancement in treatment.

Uncover the hidden threat of rat lungworm in dogs with UF experts Dr. Heather Walden, an associate professor of parasitology, and Dr. Amy Stone, a clinical associate professor of primary care and dentistry. Dr. Walden will explore the parasite’s biology, while Dr. Stone will provide crucial insights into canine infection, clinical symptoms, and treatment strategies specific to our four-legged companions. Learn how to protect your dogs from this emerging parasitic danger in Florida.

Sometimes nature can feel cruel, but humans can step in to help out.

Scarlet macaws lay up to four eggs per clutch — that’s the group of eggs produced during one nesting event. But whether in the wild or in captivity, the parents routinely feed only one or two of the chicks, leaving the others to starve. This happens to healthy chicks and whether food is plentiful or scarce.

For reasons not well understood, the last chicks to hatch are the ones left to die. But now a fostering program removes neglected chicks from one nest and places them in another where chicks have been lost to predators. The foster parent birds raise the chicks as their own, allowing them to thrive.

If the program remains successful, it may help endangered parrot species too.

It’s not unusual for people to prioritize their pet’s health over their own. That’s especially true for vulnerable folks with limited means.

But one university is taking a unique approach to people who neglect their own care in lieu of addressing their pets’ needs. The University of Minnesota’s One Health Clinic is a pilot program that will provide health care for pets and their family members together.

The clinic, scheduled to open in 2025, will be run by students from the College of Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine, all working under faculty supervision.

The clinic’s initial focus will be on those who don’t have routine access to health care and have little or no health insurance.

In November 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to six companies selling unapproved drugs said to control seizures in dogs and cats. The products were sold online without requiring a prescription or veterinary oversight.

The letter cautioned that animals taking anti-seizure drugs should be  supervised by a licensed veterinarian who could diagnose and manage their conditions. Many abnormalities can cause seizures.

The FDA has conditionally approved two drugs for canine epilepsy — that is, seizures of unknown origin. KBroVet-CA1 [KAY-broh-vet-C-A-1] is a form of potassium bromide, and Fidoquel-CA1 [FI-doh-quell-C-A-1] is a phenobarbital agent.

If you think these might help you pet, ask your veterinarian.