In The Pits: Weekly Nascar and Indy Racing Recaps, Car Racing Expertise, and New England Racing

Animal Chat 1-23-26 with Dr. Mathew Holden DVM John Williams

·1 hr·5 clips

A veterinarian warns that dogs rescued from the South are often passed off as heartworm-free when they're not.

The episode begins with hosts John Williams and Dr. Matthew Holden discussing the impending cold weather across the U.S., emphasizing the need for pet and livestock owners to prevent hypothermia and ensure access to unfrozen water. They transition to a warning about heartworm in dogs rescued from southern states like Texas, noting cases where dogs were falsely claimed to be treated before adoption. Dr. Holden advises working with a veterinarian for testing and prevention. The conversation shifts to New World Screwworm, with the CDC issuing an advisory as it nears the Texas border, posing risks to both animals and humans through flesh-eating larvae. The hosts then address a nationwide shortage of large animal veterinarians, attributing it to economic challenges and fewer farm-raised students entering the field. They announce upcoming USDA webinars on avian influenza for dairy and poultry producers. Later, they explore research at the University of Pennsylvania where dogs are trained to detect cancers like hemangiosarcoma by smelling volatile organic compounds, achieving 70% accuracy. The episode concludes with a humorous take on Washington D.C.'s rat problem and a brief mention of a Patriots football game.

As heard by us

A plainspoken look at screwworm risk, livestock wounds, and the hard reality of fly control.

Screwworm risk gives this edition of Animal Chat with Dr. Matt a serious, practical center. Flies can get into wounds or other body openings, so the concern reaches both livestock and people.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a grounded chat about screwworm risk, cattle, wounds, and why keeping flies off livestock is nobody's easy win.

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