IntroVETS Podcast

Lauren and JJ discuss one of the most fatal pandemics in history. This episode contains a detailed review of the Black Death pandemic, which occurred from 1346-1353, as well as the causative organism, Yersinia pestis and its life cycle. References: Black Death. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Death Benedictow, O. J. (2005, March). The Black Death: The greatest catastrophe ever. History Today, 55(3). https://www.historytoday.com/archive/black-death-greatest-catastrophe-ever Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1984, August 31). Plague pneumonia—California. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 33(34), 481–483. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000394.htm DeBess, E., Coyle, K., Fawcett, R., Hamade, A. K., & Cieslak, P. R. (2025, July 17). Notes from the field: Early-season human plague transmitted from an infected cat—Oregon, January 2024. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 74(26), 430–431. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7426a2.htm Glatter, K. A., & Finkelman, P. (2021). History of the plague: An ancient pandemic for the age of COVID-19. The American Journal of Medicine, 134(2), 176–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.08.019 HISTORY.com Editors. (2026, September 15). Black Death. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/articles/black-death Oriental rat flea. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_rat_flea Rufus of Ephesus. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_of_Ephesus Schaffer, P. A., Brault, S. A., Hershkowitz, C., Harris, L., Dowers, K., House, J., Aboellail, T. A., Morley, P. S., & Daniels, J. B. (2019). Pneumonic plague in a dog and widespread potential human exposure in a veterinary hospital, United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 25(4), 800–803. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2504.181195 Science Museum. (n.d.). Bubonic plague: The first pandemic. https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/medicine/bubonic-plague-first-pandemic Yersinia pestis. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yersinia_pestis Rothrock, K., & Morgan, R. V. (2023). Plague, Zoonotic, Feline. VINCyclopedia. www.vin.com Rothrock, K., & Morgan, R. V. (2023). Plague, Zoonotic, Canine. VINCyclopedia. www.vin.com

In the 2025 Howloween Spooktacular, Lauren and JJ discuss the associations between black cats and Halloween, including the origins of black cat lore and black cats in popular culture. References: (1) Yuko, E. (2021). Why black cats are associated with halloween and bad luck. History. https://www.history.com/articles/black-cats-superstitions. Accessed October 11, 2025. (2) Cat-Sith. (2025). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat-s%C3%ACth. Accessed October 11, 2025. (3) Farell, S. (2024). Cats, symbolism and the 16th century witch craze. Cheshire & Wain. https://www.cheshireandwain.com/blogs/journal/cats-and-the-16th-century-witch-craze. Accessed October 11, 2025. (4) Bedtime History. (2023). History of black cats and crows of Halloween [Podcast transcript]. https://bedtimehistorystories.com/history-of-black-cats-and-crows-of-halloween/. Accessed October 11, 2025.

Lauren and JJ discuss a case report from 2000: myiasis in a Thoroughbred gelding in Florida. Why was this case significant, and why was a major government response necessary? This episode includes a thorough review of myiasis caused by the new world screwworm fly (Cochliomyia hominovorax). References: United States Department of Agriculture. (2025, September 3). Module 41: New World Screwworm. National Veterinary Accreditation Program Modules for Accreditation Renewal. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/nvap/training-modules United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (2025, August 24). New World Screwworm. Accessed September 14, 2025. USDA. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm The Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm Infestation in Livestock (COPEG). (2025). Accessed September 14, 2025. COPEG. https://www.copeg.org/en/ United States Department of Agriculture. (2024, December 28). Pesticides to potentially use against new world screwworm. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/pesticides-for-nws.pdf United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 27). About new world screwworm. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/new-world-screwworm/about/index.html National Public Radio. (2025, August 25). The U.S. confirms its first human case of new world screwworm: what is it? NPR. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2025/08/25/nx-s1-5515487/new-world-screwworm-us-human-case Beck, L. (2025, September 9). Veterinarians asked to be alert for screwworm infestations. Veterinary Information Network. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=12840615&f5=1 Cutolo, A. A., Perrier, N., Menz, I., Thyssen, P., Silva, F. O., & Beugnet, F. (2021). Efficacy of afoxolaner (NexGard) on the treatment of myiasis caused by the new world screwworm fly Cochliomyia hominovorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in naturally infested dogs. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 24(0), 100569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100569 McCullough, C. (2025, May 27). USDA confirms reports of new world screwworm in the U.S. are false. RFDTV. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://www.rfdtv.com/usda-confirms-reports-of-new-world-screwworm-in-the-u-s-are-false Correia, T. R., Scott, F. B., Verocai, G. G., Souza, C. P., Fernandes, J. I., Melo, R. M. P. S., Vieira, V. P. C., & Ribeiro, F. A. (2010). Larvicidal efficacy of nitenpyram on the treatment of myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominovorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in dogs. Veterinary Parasitology, 173(1-2), 169-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.06.019 Muchiut, S., Miro, M. V., Anziani, O., Nava, S., & Lifschitz, A. (2024). Failure of doramectin and ivermectin in prevention Cochliomyia hominivorax myiasis in a subtropical region: A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study. Veterinary Parasitology, 334, 110384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110384 American Veterinary Medical Association. (April 1, 2000). Screwworm turns heads in Florida. Accessed September 14, 2025. https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2000-04-15/screwworm-turns-heads-florida Alexander, J. L. (2006). Screwworms. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 228(3), 357-367. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.3.357

Lauren and JJ discuss the changing landscape of technology in veterinary medicine, including a recent change in the Georgia veterinary practice act that yielded unexpected consequences. References: (1) Wogan, L. (2025). Georgia pet owners lose access to pet poison hotlines. VIN News Service. Last accessed on 8/15/25: https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&catId=620&Id=12781210 (2) Wogan, L. (2025). Ohio lawmakers loosen veterinary telemedicine rule. VIN News Service. Last accessed on 8/15/25: https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=12755728&f5=1 (3) (2018). Alabama Veterinary Practice Act. Last accessed on 8/15/25: https://asbvme.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Alabama_Practice_Act_and_Administrative_Code_Updated_Working_Copy_2018_3_5_2019.pdf

Lauren and JJ investigate a case of chronic coughing in a dog. Today's episode includes an in-depth review of coccidiodomycosis in dogs. References: (1) Fisher, A., Brister, J., & Morgan, R. (2024). Coccidioidomycosis, zoonotic, canine. VINcyclopedia of Diseases. Accessed July 7, 2025. www.vin.com. (2) Rishniw, M. (2017). Chronic bronchitis. Medical FAQs. Accessed July 7, 2025. www.vin.com. (3) McKiernan, B. (2025). Coughing, sneezing, gagging: Interpreting history and physical exam findings in animals with respiratory disease. Medical FAQs. Accessed July 7, 2025. www.vin.com. (4) Kittleson, M. (2017). Diagnosing CHF in dogs: The golden rules. Medical FAQs. Accessed July 7, 2025. www.vin.com. (5) Donovan, F. M., Fernandez, O. M., Bains, G. & DiPompo, L. (2025). Coccidioidomycosis: A growing global concern. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 80(1), i40-i49. https://academic.oup.com/jac/article/80/Supplement_1/i40/8078712