Where passion for animals, science, and medicine lives…
Despite life, work, and intense studying, you have taken time to purchase flowers for that all-important holiday that occurs near the ides of February. We are talking of course, about Lupercalia, the ancient Sabine celebration which the Romans later renamed as Februa. During this time, we purify evil I-can’t-possibly-pass-this-test self-doubts and rejuvenate our health […]
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“What do you feed your dog?” you perfunctorily inquire, while completing your examination. “Cooked chicken and rice,” the pet owner boasts. “Is that on top of the kibble?” “No. Just chicken and rice. I buy premium, cooked chickens at Costco. I make sure it is lean, white meat, no skin, no bones, no fat. […]
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Raw oysters on the half-shell. Just the words invoke strong responses. For some, these trigger dreamy-eyed memories of Beausoleil or Bluepoint delicacies garnished with favorite toppings. Others wrinkle their lips at the idea of eating a chilled, living, or recently dead filter feeder with the consistency of sturdy phlegm. Neutral feelings on eating raw oysters […]
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As we trudged knee-deep through the course of this year, we witnessed dramatic adjustments in our life. In scientific measurement terms, we experienced a “shift-ton” of change. Many human and pet viral strains arise from genetic mutations, processes commonly referred to as “shift and drift.” Antigenic drift represents subtle changes that occur through transcription errors. […]
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Together, my rounded, asymmetric face, flirtatiously irregular hairline, upturned nostrils, and small, almost beady, eyes create a visage that Chris Hemsworth and Keanu Reeves envy. Yet drugs, injected, oral, or topical, penetrate deeper into my being. Sure, it is easy to believe that propofol could quickly rob me of my awareness or fentanyl might lay […]
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Have you ever asked, “What are my odds?” For most people, this question seeks information different from what an epidemiologist, mathematician, or gambler inquires after. If you thought the answer would give you risk, the odds are against you. Here’s a quick test. If you have a pair of dice and you take one die […]
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Have you ever read a vaccine study and quickly tried to skip to the heart of the matter? Perhaps there is someone there, a teacher, a colleague or a vaccine representative. You ask, “What’s the bottom line here? How well does the vaccine work? What percentage of pets are protected?” The other person says, “The […]
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In some parts of the country, fall has arrived. Unfortunately, in South Texas, we never really make the transition to fall colors, pumpkin spice, or crisp sunrises. What we settle for instead, is cooling weather and decreasing hordes of blood thirsty mosquitoes. These aerial vampires not only cause intense irritation and itching from bites, they […]
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In our last podcast, we introduced our listeners to the basics of farmed Pacific white shrimp. But, with any commercial livestock operation comes increased risk of disease. The first disease we discussed was infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV). First reported this year, IHHNV was not the first shrimp FAD to occur in the […]
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When we discuss foreign animal diseases, we usually think of mammals, with the occasional bird outbreak. But, in the field of veterinary medicine, we treat all species. Texas has extremely varied geographic terrain, allowing many different species to call this home. Farmed Pacific white shrimp offers a sustainable source of fresh shrimp to many areas […]
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