Animal Airwaves

Scientists have long known that cats have an uncanny ability to land on their feet when they fall. But just how they do it remained a mystery.

Earlier this year, researchers provided some important clues after comparing the spines from donated cat cadavers to videos of live cats. They found that cats have an extremely flexible upper spine — able to twist nearly 360 degrees — but a stiffer and heavier lower one. That means they can quickly rotate their upper torso to face the ground, allowing them to see how to adjust the rest of their body for a safe landing.

Importantly though, this ability is far from foolproof. Even cats can be severely injured, or worse, if they fall from considerable heights. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your windows closed around your feline friends.

For bumblebees, beating the odds is old hat. After all, their ability to fly was once a mystery. Now we know that bumblebee queens can survive under water — sometimes for up to a week.

Each winter, some insects go into a period of suspended development called diapause when bumblebee queens may snuggle into burrows and nod off. But their underground nests are prone to flooding, and bees in diapause are too groggy to respond quickly. So, how do they save themselves?

First, diapause cuts a queen’s metabolism by about 95 percent. What’s more, queens have evolved the ability to use the oxygen in water and expel carbon dioxide. Finally, when oxygen is scarce, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism, which allows for the generation of energy without oxygen.

It’s just another amazing bumblebee strategy.

Many families are hesitant to introduce more paws into their homes, unaware that they have the option to foster. Fostering gives animals a safe and stress-free environment while also providing essential rehabilitation for animals with special needs or health conditions that need extra care and treatment. Still, many are uninformed about the life-changing impact that fostering has for animals, shelter and the humans who take part. This episode of Animal Airwaves Live follows students in UF’s Medi-Gators Mentorship Program as they share their insights after tracking foster cases in the Gainesville community. The group sheds light on why fostering matters, and how the public can help make a difference in the lives of animals without ever leaving their couch.

Diagnostic laboratories are a key part of the veterinary care team, but one most people don’t commonly interact with. Dr. Michael Dark, clinical associate professor and director of UF’s veterinary diagnostic labs, joins Animal Airwaves Live to discuss the importance of diagnostic laboratories to veterinary care, their role in the veterinary hospital system, and how UF’s recent accreditation by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians – only the second accredited laboratory in the state – emphasizes UF’s commitment to quality and opens opportunities for collaboration. 

Genetic testing can play a valuable role in human and animal health, alike. Canine genetic testing can screen for hundreds of inherited diseases, reveal traits and tendencies based on breed, support better training and behavior awareness, and, ultimately, improve veterinary care and long-term wellbeing. On this episode of Animal Airwaves Live, Dr. Rebecca Nance-Richey, a biomedical research scientist in our department of small animal clinical sciences, discusses the value of genetic information, what defines a breed genetically, and how breed and health panels actually work for your pooch. Plus, she offers anecdotal experience with her German Shepherd, Stella, who was identified as at-risk for Degenerative Myelopathy through canine genetic testing.

While dog supplements aren’t inherently bad, many are poorly regulated and unnecessary if your pooch is eating a complete and balanced diet. On this episode, Dr. Richard Hill, a professor of small animal medicine and nutrition expert, talks all things pups and supplements, including regulatory issues with pet supplements, the dangers of over-supplementation and why herbal and holistic supplements can be dangerous. More nutrients do not always mean better health. It’s easy to disrupt balanced formulas and, in some cases, supplements can delay proper treatment or mask real medical conditions. Always consult with your veterinarian on canine diets and nutrition; routine supplementation is not recommended without veterinary oversight, according to the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

The oldest wild bird on record has once again returned to her breeding ground.

Wisdom is a 75-year-old Laysan albatross who’s been breeding on Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean for seven decades. After mating, females lay a single egg, which the mating pair raises together. A few years ago, Wisdom’s mate did not return with her, but a year ago, she came back with a new mate.

Albatrosses spend up to 90 percent of their time in the air. In her lifetime, Wisdom has flown an estimated three million miles, laid 50 to 60 eggs and raised nearly 36 chicks.

Wisdom is a grandmother as of 2021, and she’s outlived the ornithologist who placed an identification band on her in 1956. Now, her many followers are eagerly waiting to hear if she and her mate can successfully raise a chick during this breeding season.

A new RNA rabies vaccine for pets is another target of misinformation.

An online influencer said that Nobivac NXT Rabies is “even more lethal” than previous vaccines. The truth is that, before approval, all veterinary vaccines are tested for safety and efficacy by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also, RNA vaccines don’t require adjuvants to boost immune reactions. Since these are the vaccine components most often involved in allergic reactions, RNA vaccines are expected to cause fewer side effects than conventional ones.

An online physician also implied that Nobivac NXT might cause rabies to spread to people. That’s impossible, since it doesn’t contain the genetic information needed to create new rabies virus particles.

So, be careful what you read about vaccines — for yourself and for your pets.

Each fall, monarch butterflies take off from as far away as Ontario and fly to central Mexico where they overwinter. Now, for the first time, scientists can track individual monarchs along this epic journey.

That’s because of a 60-milligram, solar-powered radio tag that’s attached to select butterflies. The monarchs, which weigh between 500 and 600 milligrams, are then tracked on a cellphone app developed by the tag manufacturer.

Butterfly aficionados can also follow individual monarchs on a free app called Project Monarch Science. They can plant pollinator gardens, too, which help nourish butterflies along their route.

This technology will hopefully provide crucial data on hundreds of species of butterflies at a time when they need all the help they can get.

When it’s cold outside, our pets can feel the freeze, too. In fact, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too frosty for your furry friend as well — especially if your buddy is ill, very young or quite old.

Some pets can develop hypothermia if left outside for more than a few minutes in frigid weather. Signs can include shivering, a hunched posture and anxiety or lethargy. Insulated coats and booties can protect pets for longer periods of time, but no pet should be left outside if the temperature is below freezing.

Ice can be a problem too — but deicers may be worse. Salt and other components can cause chemical burns on contact and make pets sick if  ingested. Antifreeze is particularly dangerous, so be sure to keep it as far away from pets as possible.