UF Health Podcasts

There are 32,000 fish species in the world — that’s more than all other vertebrate species combined. So, it’s a good thing there are fish veterinarians to care for them. But how do they do it?

In July 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Felanorm [FEEL-ah-norm], the first generic form of methimazole for treating hyperthyroidism in cats.

Although the Department of Transportation reported only seven animal deaths out of over 188,000 animal flyers in 2022, that’s seven too many for their grieving pet parents.

Cats are meant to use their claws, and that means scratching — which can be problematic when it comes at the expense of your furniture. So, what can you do?

Is your cat a chatterbox? You may be able to translate your cat’s vocalizations, but chattering can be baffling to decipher.

We’ve likely all seen pets with disabilities and wondered if they can live happy lives. So, let’s talk about cats with cerebellar hypoplasia [sare-uh-BELL-er high-po-PLAY-zha], or CH [C-H] for short.

Smell and memory have long seemed inextricably linked. It’s more than the way a certain aroma can trigger a strong, long-ago memory.

Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other disorders involving the brain are often preceded by a loss of olfactory capacity. Scientists, for example, are today studying how the loss of the sense of smell with COVID-19 infection might be associated with reports of cognitive impairment from the coronavirus.

Could that connection be used therapeutically?

A study by University of California researchers says evidence shows it likely could be. Every night for two months, they wafted a fragrance through the bedrooms of older adults without cognitive impairment and found aromas had a dramatic impact on memory.

They saw a 226% increase in cognitive capacity, or memory, for those ages 60 to 85 who slept while a strong fragrance was pumped into their bedrooms. That’s compared with a control group exposed to weaker fragrances.

Imaging showed those with improved memory had stronger integrity in a brain pathway between the medial temporal lobe and the decision-making prefrontal cortex. This pathway often weakens as we grow older.

As one researcher notes, when our eyesight deteriorates as we grow older, we can get a prescription for new eyeglasses. Memory impairment, however, resists any easy fix.

While the study is relatively small and involved just 43 participants, the scientists believe it points to the possibility of developing aroma therapy to treat cognitive decline.

“Stop and smell the roses” might become more than a cliché. It could one day be doctor’s orders.

You don’t want be as slow as a sloth in recognizing the symptoms of this virus.

The Oropouche [Orr-oh-pooch] virus, also known as “sloth fever,” has been reported in the United States. More than 8,000 cases have been confirmed this year, most of which originate from South America, where the virus is endemic.

Thus far, U.S. residents traveling from Cuba account for most of the domestic Oropouche cases. Florida leads the states in the number of cases.

The virus originates from a village in Trinidad and Tobago, where it was discovered in 1955. Since then, nearly a half-million cases have been diagnosed.

The virus spreads through insect bites, especially from biting midges, a type of tiny fly, and certain types of mosquitoes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60 percent of people infected with Oropouche develop symptoms, which can include sudden fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and joint stiffness. In rare cases, the disease infects the nervous system and causes meningitis and encephalitis.

The ongoing outbreak is spreading rapidly in countries native to the virus. Locally acquired cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. There is no evidence of local transmission in the U.S.

However, this year marks the first time that there have been reported deaths from the Oropouche virus, as well as the first time it’s been proven the disease can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

Travelers headed to South America or the Caribbean should take special care, because so far, there are no preventive vaccines or specific antiviral treatments available for Oropouche.

You’ve heard the saying “kill them with kindness.” Sadly, a modern version of that old saw might be “kill them with rudeness.”

New research finds that workplace sass not only hinders team productivity but can threaten lives.

A team led by researchers from Indiana University and the University of Florida conducted five studies to gauge how negative workplace interactions impact teams in corporate and medical settings.

In one study, 40 teams were asked to build a bridge out of newspaper and tape, with some subjected to rude comments as they worked.

In another, 24 teams took part in a medical scenario where they tried to save a simulated infant patient while an observer lobbed either neutral or negative comments.

The other studies were online simulations that asked participants to complete virtual team tasks while a rude or neutral observer weighed in.

Researchers used these undoubtedly annoying tactics to measure what is called Social Value Orientation, or the degree to which people put group interests above their own.

They found that rudeness triggered a defensive response, making the team less likely to share information and properly distribute work.

Wherever the negativity came from, researchers found that workplace rudeness consistently made people more self-centered and their team less productive.

Adding an element of danger, rudeness contributed to poor task execution, including lifesaving medical procedures.

So, the next time your team is under pressure and you’re tempted to offer a snarky zinger, remember that biting your tongue may hurt in the moment, but will pay off in the end.

Do you love your pet? No need to answer … of course you do.

You cherish your pup’s greeting when returning from work. You appreciate the moments your cat shows affection by brushing against your leg.

We all want our pets healthy and happy. They make us happy, too. Interacting with them lowers our cortisol levels and blood pressure.

The American Pet Products Association says nearly two-thirds of Americans have at least one pet. That’s a 10% increase from the number of American households that owned pets in 1988.

Americans spent more than $136 billion on their pets in 2022. You combine that with the fact that we pamper our pets with customized nutrition and accessories, such as knapsack carriers and cat hotels, some animal welfare ethicists and veterinary scientists wonder whether we have gone too far.

The more we treat our furry friends like people, they argue, the more dependent they become on us.

What’s the harm? Well, the health risks for our pets can start in breeding and become behavioral as well. Look at the French bulldog. The breed experiences difficulties breathing, among other severe health problems.

Many of us overfeed them. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that about 59 percent of dogs and 61 percent of cats are overweight.

Plus, as we bring our pets everywhere — restaurants, the grocery store, and in the car — they can experience separation anxiety and or act out.

And while head harnesses and electronic collars should keep your pets out of potential danger, they also limit freedom of expression and movement.

Remember, to ensure our own good health, we need to ensure theirs, too.