Podcast episodes - Your Vet Wants You to Know

Skin Infections Part 1

What’s that smell? Dogs and cats with allergies or hormonal diseases can often develop infections on their skin with bacteria and yeast. These infections can cause itching, redness, scabs, and discomfort. In this episode, veterinary dermatologist Dr. Alicia Webb-Milum joins follow dermatologist Dr. Brittany Lancellotti to talk about why skin infections occur and the types of bacteria and yeast most often involved with the infection. They will also discuss how topical therapy, such as medicated bathing, can be an excellent treatment, and what to discuss with your veterinarian if you are having difficulty with topical therapy.

cat scratching

Are you scratching your head wondering why your cat has destroyed your furniture? Cat scratching is a natural behavior that many pet owners find frustrating. This episode discusses why cats scratch, the evidence and misconceptions about declawing, and ways you can train your cats to scratch where you prefer. Dr. Gwennyth Stair of High Ridge Animal Hospital shares her tricks for using nail caps to protect your sofa and your skin.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are a great companion animal for any home, especially with children or as classroom pets. Dr. Nancy Alperson shares her knowledge on how to provide proper veterinary care to these small animals, including Vitamin C, foot care, and understanding night poops.

Arthritis

Just like people, pets can develop arthritis following injury or simply due to age-related changes. Arthritis can cause discomfort and pain, slowing an animal down, making them seem older and less able to enjoy their favorite activities. In this episode, veterinarian and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, Dr. Jennifer Fletcher, discusses how to recognize signs of arthritis in dogs and cats, how your veterinarian might diagnose arthritis, and what treatment options are available.

Reindeer

This time of year, there are more and more questions about reindeer, especially from fascinated children. We sat down with Dr. Josh Link of the North Pole Veterinary Hospital and asked questions submitted by some of our littlest audience members all about reindeer. Check out this special holiday episode of Your Vet Wants You to Know with your whole family to learn more about these amazing creatures.

Dog Flu

Canine influenza is a respiratory virus that can be transmitted between dogs. The Los Angeles Public Health Veterinarians suspect that between July and October, 2021, there were over 1,000 cases, the largest outbreak ever in LA County. In this episode, Dr. Durocher-Babek, veterinary internal medicine specialist, talks about canine influenza. She provides prevention tips to help keep your pet safe, using many of the same methods being used for SARS-CoV2, such as vaccination, disinfecting surfaces, and isolating when an animal might be ill.

woman in pet food store choosing food for dog

Choosing a pet Food

Choosing a pet food for your dog or cat can feel overwhelming with the amount of variety and products available. In this episode, veterinary nutritionist, Dr. Dan Su, goes through the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods. These guidelines give pet owners the tools to decide whether a pet food company is investing in science and nutrition when formulating their diets, or if the company is simply investing in marketing to sell the food.

Leptospirosis

Rodents, like rats and mice, can make pets and their owners sick from a bacterial infection called leptospirosis, or lepto for short. Urine from infected rodents can be found in puddles in the city and in rural areas. Finding out a pet has lepto as early in the disease as possible is crucial for recovery. Talk to your family veterinarian about vaccinating against this infection. Listen to this episode to find out what to watch for and how to protect your pet and yourself from this life-threatening disease.

Pet fish

Are you interested in adding pet fish to your home? Dive into this fun-filled episode with Dr. Ashley Emanuele, certified aquatic veterinarian, and you’ll be up to the gills with information on how to care for these finned friends. Learn how bacteria are necessary to keep your fish swimming along, what’s wrong with Elmo’s fish tank, and how giving a fish a pea will not fix everything. This is a fascinating episode that will have you hooked, even if fish don’t float your boat.

Bee and Wasp Desensitization

Bee and wasp allergies can be life threatening to pets. Animals who have had an anaphylactic reaction to a sting are at risk for worsening reactions with each future sting. In this episode, Dr. Trenton Ewing joins Dr. Lancellotti to discuss a life-saving therapy in which pets are desensitized to bee and wasp allergies. 85% of animals who have gone through this therapy will have a reduction in the severity of their reactions if they are stung in the future. This therapy saves lives.