UF Health Podcasts

When it comes to weight loss, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, or GLPs, are on their way to becoming America’s sweetheart. Functionally, the drugs work to titrate feelings of satiety, like your appetite. They scramble signals between your brain and your gut.

Originally, the drugs were created to help people with Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels.

Now, a new drug might be arriving on the scene — that was also targeted toward people managing Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet have developed a pill that amplifies metabolic activity in skeletal muscles, helping control blood sugar and break down fat. And where many GLPs tend to be administered via injection, this drug is taken orally — and as of early trials, has fewer side effects.

They also show a better preservation of muscle mass, which can be a concern when someone is quickly losing weight.

Because GLPs work through a different biological mechanism, researchers suggest they could still be used alongside this new drug.

While diet and exercise continue to play a major role in weight loss (and its maintenance), drugs like GLPs and their cousins can help level the playing field for those of us who struggle with feelings of fullness or thoughts overly focused on food.

The drug has been tested in animals and in a phase 1 clinical trial. And, though researchers have their sights set on a phase 2 clinical trial next, these steps still mean it will be some time before this is a readily available option at your next doctor’s visit.

But hey — it’s nice to have things to look forward to.

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.

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, have you considered your pet’s affect?

In the U.S., over 25 percent of the environmental impact from meat consumption comes from dog and cat foods. Cats need more animal protein than dogs do, and keep in mind that chicken and fish are environmentally friendlier than beef.

Feeding kibble and wet pet food has a lower environmental impact than feeding human-grade food, because these foods contain animal parts we would otherwise discard. Also, be aware that pet food brands aiming for sustainability might be labeled as climate neutral certified, regenerative organic certified or a certified B corporation.

And it’s not just about your pet’s diet. Consider durable toys and accessories made from recyclable materials that are gentler on the planet.

New World Screwworm, or NWS, hasn’t arrived in the U.S. yet and livestock owners want to keep it that way.

NWS flies produce larvae that feed on live tissue, causing pain, infection and death if left untreated. One of the best ways to protect animals — most commonly cattle, goats, sheep and horses — is to keep a close eye on them. Fly control is important, too.

NWS targets wounds, so daily inspection of animals and prompt wound care are key, including covering wounds to keep flies out. Bringing animals with wounds closer to the barn facilitates frequent monitoring. As larvae burrow deeper, wounds may develop a foul odor, and animals tend to get restless and lose weight. Ask your veterinarian what else to look for and  call immediately if you suspect NWS.

Traditional glucose monitoring in diabetic dogs and cats involves manual collection of blood for testing. Another option may be continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM.

CGM is currently used off-label in pets. A veterinarian applies the sensor to a shaved patch of skin on the pet’s upper back. Glucose levels are then measured every one to 15 minutes, and data are transmitted to a reader or smartphone for up to 15 days.

CGM can identify short- and long-term glucose trends. In addition, alerts to levels outside pre-set ranges allow for timely intervention.

However, CGM sensors can cost at least $200 per month. The limited range of sensor transmission to a data reader also means that data cannot be accessed remotely.

Veterinarians can help folks weigh the pros and cons to see if CGM may work for their pet.

A new study on how people perceive cats may contain valuable clues for feline care and welfare.

Researchers showed 665 study participants images of 12 cats, which included AI-generated backgrounds of both indoor and outdoor settings. Participants were then asked to rate the cat’s emotion in each setting.

Indoor backgrounds led to higher ratings of positive emotions, while outdoor backgrounds were associated with more unsettled ones. This trend held even among people who thought cats should be allowed outside. What’s more, the participant’s own emotions tended to reflect how they judged those in cats.

Our perceptions about cat communication strongly influence how we care for them — including how to best position those needing homes. Results of the study could be a valuable teaching tool.

With all the buzz about GLP-1 drugs in people, could they potentially benefit obese or diabetic dogs and cats, too? Several veterinary pharmaceutical companies are exploring these options.

About 60 percent of U.S. dogs and cats are obese, and hundreds of thousands are diabetic. Simply stressing diet and exercise isn’t significantly easing the obesity epidemic. As for diabetes, pets often need insulin injections twice daily, making this a labor-intensive and costly treatment.

Late in 2025, a pharmaceutical company in San Francisco began a pilot study of a GLP-1 drug in obese cats. Small injectable implants slowly release the drug over six months. If results live up to the promise, a larger trial will be launched with the aim of applying for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval within two years.