EPISODE SUMMARY
Dr. Doug Hoffman, Co-CEO of AcutePet Urgent Care, joined Scott Sloan on 700 WLW to talk about the New World Screwworm outbreak making headlines in Mexico and Texas — what it is, why it’s back after being eradicated decades ago, and what pet owners and livestock producers alike should know.
EPISODE NOTES
In this episode, Scott Sloan and Dr. Doug Hoffman discuss:
- What the New World Screwworm is and how it differs from typical maggots — these actually burrow into and feed on living tissue rather than dead tissue
- Why the parasite, eradicated in the U.S. decades ago, has re-emerged and is spreading north from Mexico into Texas
- The potential impact on already-high beef prices, with the cattle herd at historic lows
- What signs pet owners should watch for, since dogs and cats with open wounds can also be affected
- The USDA’s plan to fight the outbreak using sterile fly release — the same strategy that worked the first time
- Why quarantine and honest reporting from ranchers is key to keeping it contained
Listen to the full segment on 700 WLW / iHeart
