Podcast: Play in new window | Download When a disaster strikes, animals as well as humans are vulnerable. In some cases, specialized training is needed for animals to be rescued, whether it be from a sinkhole, a flooded area, or any place where access is impeded. The UF Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service, (VETS) has responded [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download The modern-day dinosaur, the toothy menace hiding in the retention pond, the scaly substrate for purses and shoes. Most of us would rather keep the American alligator at the opposite end of the swimming pool, but researchers from McNeese State University … deep in the heart of the [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download Fear of flying or fear of reacting? For people with food allergies travel can be more stressful than ever. In America, 6 percent of children suffer from food allergies and about 4 percent of adults do. For these people, nothing is worse than having an allergic reaction while [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download Spring is kitten season when cats are surrendered in droves to shelters. That makes it a prime time to adopt a feline friend. But have a plan in place first. Be sure everyone at home is invested in adding a cat to your clan. Then choose a cat [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download In the fall of 2012, veterinarians at the University of Florida’s Small Animal Hospital helped a young Labradoodle, named Mocha, as she fought for her life. Mocha was brought to the hospital with complete muscle rigidity and a 110-degree fever. She couldn’t stand or open her mouth to [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download As a pet parent, you focus on being your buddy’s eyes, ears and voice at the veterinary clinic. Details you recount to your veterinarian can help crack a diagnosis. Likewise, information from your veterinarian can help you tweak creature comforts at home. But when it counts, do you [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download Cats in close quarters are at risk of infection by a tiny parasite with a big name: Tritrichomonas foetus [TRI-trick-a-moan-us FĒ-tus]. This one-celled nuisance causes some big digestive problems. Smelly diarrhea is the primary clinical sign, but some cats also strain and have inflamed bottoms. Parasites passed in [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download Up to 160 million tons of trash are discarded annually in the United States, and after leaving our hands, much of it creates deadly hazards for wildlife. Food scraps can become spoiled or even toxic. Along with these leftovers, animals eat packaging that obstructs the digestive tract. A [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download Turtles are mighty cute, but they’re also contaminated. Like other reptiles, turtles carry Salmonella as part of their normal bacterial population. Salmonella is not dangerous to a natural host, but it can cause serious infections in people who touch reptiles or contaminated surfaces. Those most at risk are [...]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download People think an Achilles heel is a weak spot. But there’s practically no tougher tissue in the body. Think of the forces involved in hopping, alone. The Achilles tendon handles hundreds of pounds as it bridges the bones of the heel and the calf muscle. Imagine the strain [...]