UF Health Podcasts

Nearly one thousand people per day in the US visit the ER for a serious dog bite. The simple fact is that dogs pay attention to our cues more than we do theirs — and that goes for our own pets, too. Up to 80 percent of dog bites happen at home — and most happen to kids under the age of 10.

So, let’s teach children how to safely approach dogs. First, always ask if it’s okay to pet a dog and look to see if the dog is interested, too.  Is she wagging her tail? Or is she backing away, bristling or growling? Approach slowly and offer the back of your hand for a sniff. Never reach over a dog’s head — that’s scary to them. The best places for pets are on a dog’s neck, chest, side and upper back.

Kids and dogs are a classic pairing, so let’s teach them how to stay safe together.

When folks began reporting wild rabbits with what appeared to be horns this summer, it wasn’t just another tall tale. This was the real deal.

The rabbits they were seeing were infected with the Shope papilloma virus. Classic signs of infection include wart- or horn-like growths, primarily involving the head but sometimes affecting other areas of the upper body or the feet.

Pet and other domestic rabbits can be affected too, but other animals and people are spared. Left untreated, infection can progress to malignant cancer in about 75 percent of affected pet and domestic rabbits.

Shope papilloma virus is spread through tick and mosquito bites, and it flares in the summer and fall. So, it’s important to supervise pet rabbits when they’re outside, especially during warm weather.

Whether you’re dealing with a horse, cow, sheep or goat, a hoof puncture is a veterinary emergency.

That might seem counterintuitive since the hoof is such a tough structure. But underneath the hoof wall lie many crucial and sensitive tissues. If they get damaged, the results can be disastrous.

The first sign of a hoof puncture is usually sudden lameness. If you notice anything embedded in the hoof, do not remove it. Instead, call your veterinarian right away. This too may seem counterintuitive, but your veterinarian knows the proper treatment sequence to help prevent serious infection.

After your veterinarian assesses and cleans the wound, that’s when you can get involved — by administering antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and changing leg wraps.

Nearly everyone has heard about the havoc wreaked by the H5N1 virus on poultry, dairy cows and people. But what goes virtually unnoticed is its toll on wildlife.

The so-called bird flu has been around for a couple of centuries, with some animal species being hit harder than others. H5N1 viruses readily swap genetic material, morphing into more dangerous versions as they do.

The current form of H5N1 is a wholly sinister variation that’s more unpredictable than ever. The wildlife deaths have been staggering — over 17 thousand elephant seal pups in Argentina, 25 thousand Cape cormorants in South Africa and 26 thousand northern gannets in Canada, just to name a fraction of the millions involved. The unprecedented extent of these die-offs could push some of the 450 affected species to extinction.

Veterinarians often recommend prescription foods for certain canine or feline health conditions. These specialized diets are available for particular gastrointestinal, kidney or thyroid conditions — just to name a few. But how do you manage individualized feeding in a multi-pet household?

For dogs, some veterinarians recommend establishing a set meal time — for example, from fifteen to thirty minutes — when each dog is fed separately before the food is removed. Dogs are pretty adaptive and most learn to eat during this dinner time.

That might work for some cats, but most need a bit more attention. One answer is using automatic “smart” feeders that dispense food at set times. Unique digital ID tags attached to each cat’s collar can then be read by individual feeders so that every cat gets what they need.

The bloodsucking northern fowl mite, or red mite, is the most economically important external parasite of US poultry. In July 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Exzolt [egg-ZOLT], or fluralaner [FLEUR-ah-lah-ner] oral solution, for the treatment and control of northern fowl mites in laying hens and replacement chickens. It’s the first FDA-approved product for this problem as well as the first oral parasiticide that targets northern fowl mites in poultry.

Exzolt is only available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian. It’s administered in drinking water as 2 single doses, each a week apart. The product is safe and effective in hens, and when used as directed on the label, eggs and meat from treated birds are considered safe to eat.

This past summer, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Bravecto® [brah-VECK-toe] Quantum, or fluralaner [FLEUR-ah-lah-ner] extended-release injectable suspension, for use in dogs and puppies over six months old. It’s the first long-acting flea and tick preventative for dogs. One injection protects dogs against fleas and ticks for eight to twelve months. The treatment interval depends on which species of ticks a dog is most likely to contact.

Bravecto® Quantum must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Fluralaner belongs to the isoxazoline [eye-socks-ah-ZO-lean] class of parasiticides, which are generally safe for dogs. However, some dogs may experience neurological adverse reactions after exposure to these products. That’s why pet parents should talk with their veterinarian to see if Bravecto® Quantum is right for their dog.

Once again, US shelters are being inundated with surrendered animals — and, not surprisingly, the number one reason is economic hardship.

The combined costs of feeding and caring for pets have pushed a growing number of pet parents to the brink. It’s a heartbreaking decision to give up a pet that’s been part of your family for years, but some owners feel they have no other choice.

And it’s not just pet parents facing the hard realities of this economy. Costs have skyrocketed for shelters too — just as donations are drying up.

But folks can help in other ways. Some volunteers step up to care for shelter animals, while others temporarily foster pets. Safety-net programs offered by some animal welfare societies also include pet food pantries or subsidized veterinary care.

Pet ID tags have come a long way in the last few years. From metal tags that only held a pet’s name and address to digital tags that may have GPS and Bluetooth capabilities, along with QR codes and URLs, there’ve been lots of changes. The result is a mixed bag.

On the plus side, data can be accessed by tapping a smartphone on a digital tag, so a finder can contact the pet parent directly. If that fails, call centers offer additional service.

On the other hand, many jurisdictions only recognize easily visible information and not digital tags. What’s more, some QR codes may lead finders to malware sites or allow data harvesting. Other scams claim to register a pet’s microchip but don’t provide recovery services.

So, before you consider going the digital route, make sure you do your homework.

Apoquel® [APP-oh-quell] chewable tablets can help dogs with certain allergic skin conditions, but they’re dangerous to cats.

Recently, 2 cats developed serious kidney damage after eating Apoquel® chewables. Because they were rushed to a veterinary hospital, where they were hospitalized and received intensive supportive care, they pulled through. But other cats exposed to high doses of Apoquel® haven’t been so lucky.

Apoquel® labels clearly state that these medications are for dogs only. Cats don’t seek out the original, unflavored tablets, but they seem to relish the meat-flavored chewables.

If you have both dogs and cats, stick with the original Apoquel® tablets. Always keep a close eye on your cats and seek immediate veterinary care if something seems off.