UF Health Podcasts

Our canine companions can suffer from their own form of seasonal depression if we don’t tend to their needs during the winter.

While you may prefer to hole up indoors, your dog counts on the exercise of outdoor walks all year round. Outdoor time is mentally stimulating too. In fact, you might consider sniffing a canine form of social media.

Just make sure you prepare for winter walks by putting a coat on your pooch as necessary. Small dogs and those with short hair are most in need of an extra layer, and all dogs can benefit from winter booties to protect their paws from deicers.

For those days when frigid temperatures increase the risk of frostbite, you might want to pull out the puzzle toys and chew treats for your pooch while you snuggle in for a winter read.

In efforts to enhance the welfare of racing Thoroughbreds, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has developed a digital tool to assist regulatory veterinarians. Called Horse-in-Sight, it combines aspects of a horse’s racing career with the animal’s medical history to help track veterinarians make timely decisions.

The tool graphs an individual horse’s high-speed furlongs over time, including races, workouts and scratches. That information is supplemented with data on injuries, treatment and outcomes. A Race Day tab also enables veterinarians and other stakeholders to compare data on multiple horses.

Ultimately, Horse-in-Sight aims to identify horses at risk before they suffer catastrophic injuries.

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.

Being in a relationship is known to have positive health benefits, like reducing anxiety and boosting longevity. But it can also increase the odds of having something less desirable in common: high blood pressure.

When one partner or spouse has hypertension, it’s more likely that the other partner does, too. That’s the takeaway from a recent study by University of Michigan researchers, who looked at blood pressure metrics among more than 33,000 couples in the U.S., England, China and India.

The study is the first of its kind to look at high blood pressure among heterosexual couples in high- and middle-income countries.

The overall prevalence of hypertension in two partners or spouses was highest in England and the U.S., at 47% and 38%, respectively. Wives in India and China who had a hypertensive spouse were at least 19% more likely to have high blood pressure themselves.

High blood pressure is more common in the U.S. and England than in China and India, but the researchers found a stronger association between couples’ blood pressure in the two Asian countries. The researchers don’t know why that is, but they do have a theory: Cultural norms in India and China emphasize a cohesive family structure. As couples depend on each other, it’s possible their health issues become more closely entwined.

The researchers say the findings are significant because high blood pressure is one of the most modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Health-improvement messages aimed at spouses could be especially effective.

So, there’s one more thing happy couples might consider adding to their wedding registry: a blood pressure cuff.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, and some of us start sweating thoughtful gifts for our loved ones, a new study may put your mind at ease.

Research from the University of Bath shows that personalization can transform a simple present into a powerful experience that boosts self-esteem and makes the recipient feel truly valued.

In a series of studies conducted across the United Kingdom, France, and Switzerland, researchers found that personalized gifts evoke a unique emotional response — a sense of ‘vicarious pride’ — in the recipient.

In one experiment, participants gave clothes to friends, some of which were personalized. When the recipients were asked to change items they didn’t like, those who received personalized gifts made fewer changes, showing a deeper appreciation.

In another study, participants were shown videos of two T-shirt selection processes: one where the gift was customized, and the other where the gift was simply selected online. The result? The personalized gift was met with more appreciation, regardless of how much effort the giver put into the process.

Studies with a mug and wristwatch confirmed that customization not only boosted appreciation but also enhanced the recipient’s self-esteem.

The takeaway? Personalization is the real gift-giving game-changer.

But it’s not just about picking something custom — it’s also about communicating the thought behind it. Sharing why you chose the elements you did helps the recipient connect with your pride in the gift, too.

And even something small — like adding a personal message or signature — can make all the difference.

If you need an excuse to buy more chocolate on Valentine’s Day, this is it. A new study has found that eating dark chocolate might be associated with a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers from Boston tracked 192,000 health care professionals who had no initial history of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes for an average of 25 years. Every four years, participants completed detailed food frequency questionnaires. Just under 20,000 participants ended up developing Type 2 diabetes.

The study found that participants who had five servings of dark chocolate every week had a 21% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. They also found that for every extra serving of dark chocolate enjoyed each week, there was a 3% reduction in diabetes risk.

It’s important to note that these findings do not apply to milk chocolate. Increased consumption of milk chocolate contributed to weight gain, which is a Type 2 diabetes risk factor.

The researchers said dark chocolate seems to have a metabolic advantage, even though its fat and calorie content is like that of milk chocolate. This advantage could be attributed to the high levels of flavanols dark chocolate contains. Flavanols have been linked to a variety of health benefits, including improvements in brain, cardiovascular, and metabolic health, as well as cell protection and anti-inflammatory effects.

Researchers said more study is needed to further examine the relationship between dark chocolate and diabetes.

While raiding the candy aisle for a diabetes cure is probably not the answer, this study suggests that for some, dark chocolate can be a healthy treat when consumed in moderation.

Most people would advise against running away from your problems, but when it comes to depression, a recent study says it’s OK to walk it off. That is, people who take more steps in a day are less likely to experience depression.

The study looked at data from nearly 100,000 adults across 13 countries, the most comprehensive exploration of the relationship between depression and step counts. The researchers discovered that the more steps taken, the more depressive symptoms decreased.

The scientists also found 7,000 steps to be the magic number at which benefits become most evident. Taking fewer than 5,000 steps per day is considered a sedentary lifestyle, but just adding an extra 2,000 steps decreases the likelihood of depression by 31%.

The study discusses several factors that lead to these results, including how physical activity can help regulate stress, reduce inflammation, and boost neuroplasticity — that’s the brain’s ability to form new connections. Walking outdoors also offers opportunities for positive social interactions and to be exposed to natural environments.

With the proliferation of smartwatches and other smart health devices, counting steps has never been easier.

And if you’re hard-pressed to find time to go for a walk, get your steps in other ways: Park in the farthest corner of the parking lot, take the stairs, or take the scenic route to the conference room.

Many people count steps in pursuit of cardiovascular health or weight management, but this new study offers strong evidence for its positive mental health benefits as well.

Feeling blue? Going for a walk might help you feel better.

The Super Bowl is upon us. Football fans will be debating and dissecting the game. But what does the big game do to our health?

It’s time for a Super Bowl health assessment based on recent medical research.

For starters, we all know many people are going to drink, scream, and pound their feet on game day, depending on how their team is doing. What does all that emotion do to our health? Pennsylvania researchers looking at one hospital noted an uptick in heart failure in the days after the Super Bowl compared with the rest of the month. Luckily, the hike was deemed statistically insignificant.

Still, some evidence suggests a close game may cause heart failure admissions to go up in the losing city. Perhaps that means it’s better for your health if your team loses in a blowout.

Now to the hazards of eating: Given the overeating and alcohol consumption associated with game day, risk of a food blockage is a serious issue. A study led by a University of Florida researcher has found that people who overeat during national holidays and sporting events are 10 times more likely to need emergency medical attention for food obstruction. Chew slowly, people.

Then, there’s the flu. We often gather with friends to view the Super Bowl during the height of flu season. A study in the American Journal of Health Economics noted that people whose home team makes it to the game suffer a notably higher death rate from flu — so wash those hands.

Finally, consider the babies. No, we don’t conceive more of them during the Super Bowl. The NFL has suggested as much, but University of North Carolina researchers say that’s bunk.

Turns out, some passes are dropped off the field, too.