Steve Valeika DVM PhD
@zoonotic1.bsky.social
DVM (UGA 01) | PhD (UNC 08) | Small Animal Vet | Recovering Academic | Infectious Disease Epi | ID and Public Health consultant for the Veterinary Information Network | Board member for Buncombe County Health Dept. | Family Guy | Son of an immigrant
You could stop posting at any time. If I found out I was in the same league as these two, I’d probably take the L and STFU. But you do you!
November 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
You could stop posting at any time. If I found out I was in the same league as these two, I’d probably take the L and STFU. But you do you!
Boocapparition
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Boocapparition
For a second I thought this was for something about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
For a second I thought this was for something about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
All the way down in Asheville. Camera adds a lot, but even with the naked eye this was a deep purple/pink. Gonna listen to some Prince now.
November 12, 2025 at 3:32 AM
All the way down in Asheville. Camera adds a lot, but even with the naked eye this was a deep purple/pink. Gonna listen to some Prince now.
Fireside Boocat
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Fireside Boocat
The only problem with wearing a sweater on these cold days is the crazy amount of lint I pick up. Took forever to roll this big chunk off.
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The only problem with wearing a sweater on these cold days is the crazy amount of lint I pick up. Took forever to roll this big chunk off.
Huge flock of Brown Headed Cowbirds with a smattering of other species mixed in. The pics don’t do the flock size justice. And every now and then a huge flock takes flight and lands again.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
November 8, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Huge flock of Brown Headed Cowbirds with a smattering of other species mixed in. The pics don’t do the flock size justice. And every now and then a huge flock takes flight and lands again.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
I can’t help but hear Leonard Cohen when I see something like this.
My hotel has no fourth floor, but it does have a 13th floor? And what’s weird is that there’s a pause when you from 3 to 5. Maybe that’s where Lazlo lives?
November 8, 2025 at 2:35 AM
My hotel has no fourth floor, but it does have a 13th floor? And what’s weird is that there’s a pause when you from 3 to 5. Maybe that’s where Lazlo lives?
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Raleigh. Not like I remembered it. Used to be peaceful. Now there’s weapons shops on every corner.
November 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Raleigh. Not like I remembered it. Used to be peaceful. Now there’s weapons shops on every corner.
Obviously stuffing my face with Hot Weiners if I’m in Raleigh. For lunch, at the Roast Grill, which has been in the same spot since 40s(?) Definitely unchanged since I was last here 20 years ago. Get your minds out of the gutter. It’s a family place.
November 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Obviously stuffing my face with Hot Weiners if I’m in Raleigh. For lunch, at the Roast Grill, which has been in the same spot since 40s(?) Definitely unchanged since I was last here 20 years ago. Get your minds out of the gutter. It’s a family place.
Visited my daughter who is a freshman at UNC and got to show her where I defended my dissertation just over 17 years ago—when she was 2!
She was most excited that she now had a cool new spot to study in within an easy walk from her dorm.
She was most excited that she now had a cool new spot to study in within an easy walk from her dorm.
November 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Visited my daughter who is a freshman at UNC and got to show her where I defended my dissertation just over 17 years ago—when she was 2!
She was most excited that she now had a cool new spot to study in within an easy walk from her dorm.
She was most excited that she now had a cool new spot to study in within an easy walk from her dorm.
Sometimes you get to hold a floofy puppy at just the right moment.
November 3, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Sometimes you get to hold a floofy puppy at just the right moment.
Napoleon’s assault and retreat is immortalized in the greatest data visualization of all time (h/t Edward Tufte). Minard’s map shows the march on Moscow in brown, and the retreat in black. The width of these lines is the size of the army. They were already decimated before they reached Moscow.
October 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Napoleon’s assault and retreat is immortalized in the greatest data visualization of all time (h/t Edward Tufte). Minard’s map shows the march on Moscow in brown, and the retreat in black. The width of these lines is the size of the army. They were already decimated before they reached Moscow.
Boocat of Yotei.
October 23, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Boocat of Yotei.
Fall is popping out here near Mount Pisgah. So lucky to live here, and so thankful the Parkway reopened nearly a year after the hurricane.
October 17, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Fall is popping out here near Mount Pisgah. So lucky to live here, and so thankful the Parkway reopened nearly a year after the hurricane.
This little tuxedo nugget loved getting his face smooshed while he made air biscuits.
October 17, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This little tuxedo nugget loved getting his face smooshed while he made air biscuits.
This little Chiweenie couldn’t get enough of my mouth kazoo noises. That radar dish of an ear!
October 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This little Chiweenie couldn’t get enough of my mouth kazoo noises. That radar dish of an ear!
As an epidemiologist, when I see the phrase “Hot Tub Blowout” all I can think of is that this is the beginning of a cryptosporidium or E. coli outbreak report. Also the fact that as a veterinarian “blowout” refers to a very specific medical event.
October 4, 2025 at 9:03 PM
As an epidemiologist, when I see the phrase “Hot Tub Blowout” all I can think of is that this is the beginning of a cryptosporidium or E. coli outbreak report. Also the fact that as a veterinarian “blowout” refers to a very specific medical event.
Kids these day, snortin’ grass trying to get high.
September 27, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Kids these day, snortin’ grass trying to get high.
They are definitely more cautious in their final conclusion (and their rec about acetaminophen usage is definitely appropriate). But sprinkled throughout the methods and results they make statements that veer into stronger causal language.
September 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
They are definitely more cautious in their final conclusion (and their rec about acetaminophen usage is definitely appropriate). But sprinkled throughout the methods and results they make statements that veer into stronger causal language.
Acetaminophen is an incredibly dangerous drug at any dose and should never be used… in cats.
Kitten1 and Kitten2 approve this message.
(Check out the 6 toes!!)
Kitten1 and Kitten2 approve this message.
(Check out the 6 toes!!)
September 23, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Acetaminophen is an incredibly dangerous drug at any dose and should never be used… in cats.
Kitten1 and Kitten2 approve this message.
(Check out the 6 toes!!)
Kitten1 and Kitten2 approve this message.
(Check out the 6 toes!!)
This is the response when I tried to fill Boocat in on the clusterfuckery taking place at the ACIP meeting today. She ain’t having it.
September 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is the response when I tried to fill Boocat in on the clusterfuckery taking place at the ACIP meeting today. She ain’t having it.
I’d love for the government to pay to screen all pregnant women. Universal coverage! But we need really high sensitivity. Also, it’s not just the mother, but other people who live in the household since this can be so contagious.
Also, I googled sens and spec of Hep B screening and the AI answer 🤦♂️
Also, I googled sens and spec of Hep B screening and the AI answer 🤦♂️
September 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I’d love for the government to pay to screen all pregnant women. Universal coverage! But we need really high sensitivity. Also, it’s not just the mother, but other people who live in the household since this can be so contagious.
Also, I googled sens and spec of Hep B screening and the AI answer 🤦♂️
Also, I googled sens and spec of Hep B screening and the AI answer 🤦♂️
Panda Bear at the Orange Peel last night. Fantastic show. Very weird, psychedelic indie rock. He’s a member of Animal Collective.
September 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Panda Bear at the Orange Peel last night. Fantastic show. Very weird, psychedelic indie rock. He’s a member of Animal Collective.