Animal Airwaves

How many times have you pampered your pooch by offering a rawhide treat? Chances are, you weren’t aware of the risks involved.

Rawhide is animal skin — usually from a cow — that’s been chemically dried and then flavored. Although chewing rawhide is generally safe for a dog’s teeth, there are other potential dangers that should give you pause. Chief among them is the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction after a dog swallows a chunk of rawhide. That’s because rawhide isn’t easily digested. Dogs can also choke on rawhide pieces, and less commonly, they may be allergic to the flavor additives.

So, in place of rawhide treats, consider safer alternatives — like Yak Chews made of dried cheese, or dehydrated fish skins that are chock full of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, has been a characteristically fatal viral disease for at least half a century. Using previous therapies, cat parents had little hope that their stricken cats would survive.

But now, there’s a novel compound that could change all that. GS-441524 — the active metabolite of the antiviral, remdesivir [rehm-DEHS-ah-veer] — has been shown to be safe and effective in treating cats with FIP. Clinical trials have been primarily conducted in Australia and the UK, and until now, the injectable drug hasn’t been available in the United States. Now, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the compounding of GS-441524 into an oral formulation when prescribed by a veterinarian.

Talk to your veterinarian if you want to learn more about this game-changing drug

One of the most common heart problems seen by veterinary cardiologists is degenerative mitral valve disease. Although any breed of dog can be afflicted with the disease, certain small-breed dogs are more prone to it, and the likelihood of developing the ailment grows as dogs age. The progressive nature of mitral valve disease means that many dogs with it will go on to develop congestive heart failure, and ultimately die. Only open heart surgery, a highly specialized procedure, can offer a definitive treatment. On this show, Dr. Darcy Adin, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist who oversees a new open heart surgery program for dogs at the University of Florida, will discuss how the program is making a difference in the lives of mitral valve disease patients and their owners.

Most veterinarians work closely with their pet owning clients about the importance of disease prevention through a routine vaccination schedule, and many talk to them about the importance of nutrition and a proper diet through throughout the pet’s life. But the list is broader, and Dr. Wendy Mandese, a clinical associate professor whose focus is primary care and dentistry, will provide her own take on what pet owner’s need to be aware of, from when a pet first enters the household through its later years.

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 process. On this show, Dr. Federico Vilaplana Grosso, a clinical associate professor and diagnostic imaging specialist, will discuss some of the tools used most frequently these days in veterinary medicine to diagnose diseases. He’ll also discuss how veterinary specialists can supplement what general practitioners are able to do when the need for diagnostic images arises, and how technology has evolved to enable the veterinary care team to obtain faster and ever more accurate diagnoses in order to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet or horse.

Dogs explore the world through their mouths, but unfortunately that can mean trouble when the items they swallow include things like clothing, paper, bones and many other items that can wreak havoc on their gastrointestinal system. Cats often will ingest thread, wool, plant materials and small toys, among other things, and are similarly at risk for foreign body obstruction. On this show, Dr. Kathleen Ham will discuss what happens when something gets stuck and causes a foreign body obstruction, what treatments are needed and what pet owners can do to minimize risks associated with this problem, both inside and outside of the household.

Central Florida is home to horses of all breeds and disciplines, and boasts one of the most robust equine industries in the country. With a plethora of horses for sale, how do potential buyers know if a particular horse is healthy and well-suited for the desired job? Most equine sale contracts do not contain buy-back clauses, making it critically important for buyers to obtain as much information as possible before purchasing.  A veterinary pre-purchase exam, or PPE, is a great way for buyers to protect their upcoming investment by screening for common health conditions and evaluating for musculoskeletal soundness prior to sale. On this show, Dr. Sally DeNotta, a clinical associate professor and equine extension veterinarian, will share more about this important topic for horse owners.

Veterinary literature abounds with diagnostic images of common animal species. But what if you need images of nontraditional species?

That was the problem zoo veterinarians faced in 2018 when they performed the first-ever CT scan on an eastern black rhinoceros. The scan appeared to show an abnormal sinus mass, but they had nothing to compare it to.

This has long been a problem for zoo vets. But now, the newly launched Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database allows veterinarians, wildlife biologists and others worldwide to share X-rays, MRIs and CT scans of nondomestic animals online.

So far, the database contains 1,000 images from 50 species, but it aims to include 10,000 images in two years. It looks to be a game-changer.

Sometimes, seemingly strange bedfellows create magical partnerships that reward each individual exponentially. That’s often the case with prison pet programs.

Since they began in the 1980s, these programs have helped shelters care for animals that might otherwise be euthanized. The programs allow inmates to care for dogs or cats, neither of whom judge folks for past wrongdoings. In return, inmates enjoy feelings of love, self-esteem, empathy and responsibility. The programs have improved interpersonal relationships inside prisons, increased inmates’ future employability and reduced recidivism.

Some inmates have said that taking on an animal was the first time they ever allowed themselves to care about anything or anyone. That’s a win any day of the week.

If you think fish are the perfect starter pets, think again. They rely on us for all their environmental needs, and that’s a daunting responsibility. So, let’s look at what you should do even before you bring any fish home.

First, you’ll need to research which species of fish can live together. After all, different species need different microclimates. As you set up their tank, you’ll need to factor in the right temperature, water pH — that’s the degree of acidity and alkalinity — as well as light.

It’s crucial to set up a balanced bacterial population before bringing any fish home, and that takes at least two to four weeks. Establishing that so-called biofiltration is key to controlling toxic waste levels that can be lethal to fish.