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 ..read more

Keeping Fido fit is not only important for his mental and physical health, it’s a great way to build your bond and keep you active as well. However, just as people can hurt themselves by engaging in too much or the wrong types of exercise for their bodies, dogs, too, are susceptible to injury if a fitness plan isn’t carefully thought out. On this show, Dr. Christina Montalbano, a clinical assistant professor of integrative and mobility medicine, will discuss safe exercise for dogs of all ages. She’ll also offer recommendations for safe levels of exercise for dogs of different ages, from puppy ..read more

So you want to be a veterinarian? In addition to caring for dogs, cats and other animal species as clinical practitioners, today’s veterinarians use their skill sets in a variety of careers, including the military, industry and others. A successful application to veterinary school involves an understanding of the profession and how prospective students aim to contribute to it. On today’s show, Dr. Ashley Allen-Durrance, assistant dean of admissions and student success at UF, will discuss veterinary student recruitment, what’s involved in getting into veterinary school, how to prepare a strong ..read more

All animal species can experience certain types of eye disease, but in exotic or wild animals, the diagnosis and treatment eye problems can be difficult, even for highly trained veterinary ophthalmologists. The explosion in popularity of exotic animals as pets, coupled with the need for improved medical attention to endangered species, are reasons why ophthalmology has become an important medical specialty for managing the health of exotic and wild animals. On this show, Dr. Bret Moore, a veterinary ophthalmology specialist, will discuss some of the challenges associated with maintaining visio ..read more

If your dog is suddenly unable to rise, or can’t move its legs, that’s a scary situation for any pet owner. However, the causes for these signs can vary greatly, ranging from trauma – such as being hit by a car – to affliction with tick-borne or other diseases, to name just a few. Getting to the root of the cause of your pet’s problem may require assistance from a veterinary neurology specialist. Dr. Gabriel Garcia, a board-certified veterinary neurologist, will describe how veterinarians work toward a diagnosis in these situations, and why pet owners faced with this problem should not panic b ..read more

Depending on where you live, it’s calving season or soon will be. So, now’s the time to plan for common health problems. Recently weaned calves are particularly at risk for respiratory disease. Your first step should be to look for telltale signs like coughing, difficulty breathing and a reduced appetite. Your veterinarian can get a better sense by using a stethoscope to listen to the calf’s breathing, taking its temperature or running other tests. An established veterinary-client-patient relationship may allow some caretakers to administer certain treatments without an exam first. Supportive ..read more

Veterinary oncology today makes use of increasingly sophisticated tools and methods for treating cancer in pets. In addition to surgery and medical therapy, or chemotherapy, radiation oncology is a veterinary specialty that entails the use of controlled radiation to treat certain types of cancer. On this show, Dr. Marilia Takada, a clinical assistant professor and veterinary radiation oncology specialist, will discuss what radiation therapy is, how it works and types of cancer it’s used most frequently to treat. She’ll also discuss why radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with o ..read more

Exposure to smoke is bad for us all, our pets included. Reports from a recent study show that it might even increase the risk of cancer in some dogs. Researchers looked at Scottish terriers, because they already have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer than other breeds. The study followed 120 Scotties for three years, examining their lifestyles, analyzing urine samples and speaking with their owners. The researchers found that Scotties exposed to smoke had a six times higher chance of developing bladder cancer, well above the breed’s typical risk. Metabolites from smoke were found in t ..read more

When you hear the term “scratches” in an equine context, it doesn’t refer to a superficial wound. Instead, it means a skin infection involving a horse’s lower leg. Sometimes it goes by “greasy heel,” “mud fever” or other colorful term. Scratches is often seen in wet or muddy environments. Horses with long feathered coats, like draft breeds, are most at risk because their hair traps moisture, which can foster bacterial and fungal infections. But scratches can affect any horse. Typical signs include scabs and a greasy discharge that progresses to inflammation, itchiness and pain. In severe cases ..read more

Even though many of us consider our pets family, most of us haven’t created a plan for their care if something happens to us. That means they could end up in shelters once we’re gone. But there are steps you can take now to ensure that doesn’t happen. First, identify a guardian willing to care for your pet. You’ll need to consider costs, including food, preventative medicine and vet visits. Your best bet might be to create a legally binding document that states your specific wishes. That could mean establishing a pet trust, which can be costly. Or you might put your wishes in writing and have ..read more