Animal Airwaves

The decision to bring a new pet into your household is a big one, and 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 in your environment, schedule and finances; it’s important that the pet’s needs be met, but to do so you also need to be able to cover the expenses of responsible pet ownership, from food to veterinary care when needed. On this show, 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.

Canine distemper — a viral infection that’s often deadly in dogs—is surging in some parts of the country. Here’s how to keep your pooch safe.

First and foremost, stay up to date with your dog’s vaccinations. The canine distemper vaccine is super effective, but dogs need periodic boosters to maintain strong immunity.

Infection is transmitted through respiratory droplets from other dogs as well as raccoons — and sometimes foxes and skunks. Contaminated objects can also spread the virus, so keep food and water sources away from wildlife and other dogs.

You can also help by reporting raccoons that are active during the day (they’re usually out only at night) or any susceptible wild animals exhibiting abnormal respiratory or neurologic signs.

Just like humans, dogs are susceptible to an eye disease known as glaucoma, which causes high pressure inside of the eyeball. Have you noticed changes in eye size or color, such as a really red or cloudy or bluish appearance? Those are among the clinical signs that could indicate your dog has developed glaucoma, a painful condition that can cause blindness if left untreated. On this show, Dr Caryn Plummer, a veterinary ophthalmology specialist, will discuss causes of the disease, which breeds are most susceptible to it, common treatment practices and why it’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately if you see signs of eye trouble in your pet.

Veterinary forensic pathologists are using some pretty sophisticated tools to  pinpoint animal abuse and crack crimes against wildlife.

Good intentions are golden, but hard evidence wins court cases. Just as in human forensics, veterinary evidence can now be collected through imaging, genealogy, microscopic evaluation of dissections, DNA analysis — even 3D-printed models. Artificial intelligence may increasingly play a role as well — in helping to identify patterns of trauma or disease.

In addition to detailed evidence, collaboration with law enforcement, animal control and Fish and Wildlife partners is key to building criminal cases. That’s how to hold perpetrators accountable for what used to be invisible crimes.

Every day, swine producers across the United States are working diligently to fend off dangerous diseases — like African swine fever and brucellosis—that could shut down hog facilities. That’s why the US Department of Agriculture developed the US Swine Health Improvement Plan — or U.S. SHIP — to help protect hogs and US trade in the event of disease outbreaks.

The program is based on biosecurity, disease surveillance and testing to help confine diseases that make their way into individual facilities. That way, effects on international trade could be mitigated while getting the disease under control.

But swine producers need to sign up to be a part of U.S. SHIP. Interested individuals can get more information about the program at usswinehealthimprovementplan.com.

Vehicular trauma, or injury sustained when your dog is hit by a moving vehicle, is common in dogs who are allowed to roam outdoors while unattended. Even when a dog is kept inside, accidents can happen: an animal can escape through an open door, or get away from you during a walk or another outing. Injuries caused by vehicles can be minor or life-threatening, and each case is different. However, in every situation, immediate veterinary attention is critical. On this show, Dr. Carl Southern, a small animal veterinary emergency and critical care specialist, will discuss the types of injuries caused by vehicular trauma that are commonly seen in the emergency room, how these injuries are typically treated and what anyone taking an animal hit by a car to the ER needs to be aware to ensure the animal is stable during transport.

All animals can be affected by toxins in household products — just in different ways. Dogs like to chew on things like detergent pods, while cats tend to groom substances off their fur. Birds are especially sensitive to airborne toxins, while amphibians absorb toxins through their skin.

Toxicity is often directly related to the concentration of chemicals. Multipurpose cleaners are usually pretty dilute, whereas corrosive products—like oven cleaners — are much more concentrated. Products that are very acidic or alkaline are also more caustic.

Make sure to store household products safely and use them only as directed. As a general rule, keep animals away while you’re cleaning and let them return only when you can’t smell the product anymore.

As the weather warms, skunks become more active — and more of a problem for pets. A direct skunk spray to the face can irritate a pet’s eyes — and if ingested, can cause drooling, nausea and vomiting.

And of course there’s the smell. The offending thiols [THIGH-alls] in skunk spray aren’t water soluble, so bathing your pet with soap and water won’t help. One effective recipe adds one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide to one-quarter cup baking soda, then mixes in two teaspoons of liquid dish detergent.

When the mixture bubbles, lather it on, avoiding your pet’s eyes. Let it sit for five minutes before rinsing and bathing your buddy with regular pet shampoo. Wear gloves. Be careful: products containing hydrogen peroxide can bleach fur and fabric.

Did you know that the most common pets have outsized carbon footprints? That’s due to the carnivorous diet we feed dogs and cats. If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly pet, you might want to take a look at rabbits.

These guys thrive on a diet of hay supplemented with veggies and leafy greens — no meat for them! They even go for the parts we toss away—like stems and carrot greens — which you might be able to get for free at your grocery store. What’s more, a rabbit’s droppings can be composted or used as garden fertilizer. That’s not the case with cats and dogs.

But before you bring a bunny home, do your homework. In addition to a vegan diet, rabbits need safe roomy housing, companionship and routine veterinary care. As with any pet, a good match is key.