UF Vet Med Voice

Metritis is an inflammatory uterine disease found in about 20% of dairy cows after parturition. Studies at UF have found a distinct link between uterine disease and the uterine microbiome, metablome and the immune system in dairy cows, which may aid in prevention and treatment.

Equine specialists at UF’s Veterinary Hospital at World Equestrian Center diagnose and treat elite equine athletes.

The veterinary forensic sciences team at the University of Florida provides a cross-disciplinary approach to the pursuit of justice in cases involving animal abuse. Key programs, implemented collaboratively with animal shelters, law enforcement, and attorneys are heightening awareness of animal abuse issues and provide veterinary forensic science services including forensic autopsies to participating agencies.

The veterinary forensic sciences team at the University of Florida provides a cross-disciplinary approach to the pursuit of justice in cases involving animal abuse. Key programs, implemented collaboratively with animal shelters, law enforcement, and attorneys are heightening awareness of animal abuse issues and provide veterinary forensic science services including forensic autopsies to participating agencies.

Researchers at UF are studying the development of a new eyedrop they hope will be able to prevent or treat a condition known as equine recurrent uveitis, or moon blindness, the most common cause of blindness in horses.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) affects millions of Americans, and current treatment options are ineffective for many patients. In this podcast, Aaron Mickle Ph.D tells us about his project that aims to determine the role of angiotensin signaling in developing and maintaining disease symptoms of IC/BPS using animal models. These results could open up new FDA- approved treatments with widely available and safe angiotensin inhibitors, substantially impacting patients’ quality of life.

Florida has many invasive species, with Burmese pythons being one of the best known. However, while impacts of these reptiles are often framed in terms of threats they pose to the environment or other species due to habitat encroachment, the risks of diseases associated with emerging pathogens they carry are worthy of further study. Rob Ossiboff, D.V.M., Ph.D., shares his study and the implications of the introduction of novel pathogens and diseases that are less obvious, but can be equally problematic and harder to monitor

Osteosarcoma is the most common form of bone cancer in dogs. Highly metastatic, if located in a dog’s leg, it requires amputation and chemotherapy, which is only moderately effective. Building on technology he originally developed to treat melanoma in animals, Dr. Rowan Milner developed a vaccine to treat osteosarcoma in dogs. Rather than being administered to prevent a dog from developing cancer, it is given to a dog to treat cancer once it has developed. He discusses promising results from years of studies and what’s ahead to improve survival for dogs with this aggressive form of cancer.

Veterinary colleges are increasingly requested to respond to animal issues related natural and man-made disasters. Dr. Lawrence Garcia, Medical Director of the UF Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (VETS) Team, recently led his team on a 10-day deployment to Fort Myers in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. He discusses why a well-trained disaster response team is important for veterinary colleges to have, not only from the standpoint of providing medical help to animals in need, but also as a way to prepare students to respond and help their communities as veterinary practitioners in the aftermath of a disaster.

Asthma attacks account for nearly one-third of all asthma deaths. Anxiety is a common comorbidity in asthma that is associated with poorer asthma control and decreased quality of life. Despite links between asthma attacks and anxiety, there have been few studies in the asthma field of the amygdala, the brain region that initiates anxiety. Dr. Leah Reznikov, an associate professor of physiological sciences, discusses how her research aims to tackle that considerable gab with the goal of developing new approaches to treat asthma and reduce patient deaths.

Degenerative mitral valve disease is the most common heart disease affecting dogs, and the prevalence of the disease increases with increasing age, so that nearly all older and small breed dogs are affected to some degree. Darcy Adin D.V.M. Clinical Professor of Cardiology, department of large animal clinical sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses how ongoing research at UF aims to enhance treatments aimed at improving the lives of dogs living with heart disease.

The dangerous rat lungworm parasite is showing up in a growing number of species, including giant African snails and invasive Cuban treefrogs in Florida. Dr. Heather Walden, a parasitologist, shares what this means to human and animal health, as well as to the environment.

Avian Influenza, or bird flu, has been in the news this past year due to outbreak due to a highly pathogenic strain that has caused illness and death in a variety of species around the nation. Drs. Alexander and her colleague, Dr. Jim Wellehan, see and treat a variety of birds through the zoological medicine service at the UF Small Animal Hospital, and will provide updates and share information relevant to owners of pet birds as well as how the virus is a potential danger to other species, including humans.

Notable gaps exist when it comes to knowledge and diagnosis of several diseases affecting companion animals, especially canines. Rhoel Dinglasan Ph.D, a vector-borne disease expert, discusses a selection of these diseases, and how current research aims to close those gaps.

There are about 1 million diabetic dogs and cats in the US alone. Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires intense, life long, monitoring and treatment. Many owners cannot afford the emotional, financial and time commitment. As a result, many dogs and cats with diabetes are euthanized even though the disease is treatable. Chen Gilor DVM, PhD discusses how UF veterinary researchers have led a dramatic paradigm shift in how dogs are treated and monitored for diabetes by focusing on on early detection and prevention of the disease and by simplifying insulin therapy. He shares what tools and concepts are being adopted from human medicine and that owners are no longer bound by the old paradigm of “insulin has to be administered at exactly the same time every day and only after the dog has eaten a full meal”. Instead, with new insulin formulations, and with judicious use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), they can give insulin any time and regardless if their dog eats.

Researchers at UF are investigating the potential of a novel biomarker as a tool for identifying animals at high risk of developing end-stage renal failure and hope their findings will lead to improved therapies for chronic kidney disease. Autumn Harris DVM discusses hope for better management of chronic kidney disease in dogs.

Elizabeth Maxwell, DVM discusses the limitations and side effects associated with current canine oral analgesic medications and how this shows the need to investigate novel pharmacologic options for the management of canine pain.

As COVID-19 edges from pandemic to endemic status, there is a growing need for antiviral therapies. A multidisciplinary team of University of Florida researchers recently published a paper in Genome Medicine that has identified dozens of therapeutic targets that could feed the drug development pipeline. Chris Vulpe M.D., Ph.D discusses the development of antiviral therapies for COVID-19. To read the article referenced in this episode, click here: https://bit.ly/39luPwG

Arming veterinary students with the tools to successfully navigate the practice ownership and management has become more important than ever in today’s environment The benefits of practice ownership are many, but include providing a tool to help students in managing loan debt. University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine faculty provide a unique curriculum. Success in practice, which means mastery of finances, staff management and client relationships, translates to better care for animal patients and also can contribute to personal wellness through improved efficiencies. Martha Mallicote DVM, MBA discusses training tomorrow’s veterinarians for practice ownership

3D printing is a new technology that surgeons in veterinary and human medicine are using in conjunction with computed tomography (CT scans) for operational planning. Dan Lewis DVM and Adam Biedrzycki discuss how the use of 3D printing for surgical planning, to develop surgical procedures and as a teaching tool in veterinary medicine, is enhancing patient outcomes in large and small animals.