Podcast episodes - Your Vet Wants You to Know

Allergy mythbusters

Common myths about dog and cat allergies can lead well-intentioned pet owners astray when it comes to getting relief for their itchy pet. In this episode, veterinary dermatologist Dr. Nellie Choi joins Dr. Brittany Lancellotti to dispel some common misconceptions they hear regarding allergic skin and ear disease in pets including:
Why antihistamines are not very helpful
Why ear infections don’t just happen in floppy ear dogs
Why fleas are still important to prevent even if your pet is indoor only and you’ve never seen a flea
Why there isn’t such a thing as hypoallergenic dog breeds
Why allergy immunotherapy should be an early treatment option and not a last resort
Plus, don’t miss rapid-fire mythbusters at the end of the episode regarding blood tests for food allergies, grain free diets, and coconut oil!

Working with your vet

On many of our episodes, we have talked about the teamwork required between pet owners and veterinarians, as far as managing their animal, figuring out what’s going on, and coming up with a plan together. This episode takes a deeper dive into how exactly to build that relationship, giving you some actionable tips for what you can do to talk to your vet in a way that helps create a really successful team, so that you can get the best care for your pet possible. Dr. Curtis Plowgian joins us again to talk a little bit about what that communication looks like.

Previsit Medications

Scared pets at the vet are displaying perfectly normal fear responses, but it doesn’t have to be like this. Previsit medications can be part of a plan to minimize fear, anxiety and stress when your dog or cat needs veterinary medical care. This episode focuses on how previsit medications, such as pheromones, gabapentin, and trazodone, may help make your trip to the vet as pleasant as it could be.

Decreasing Stress Before Vet Visits

Some pet owners may feel dread when thinking about bringing their pet to the vet. Fear, anxiety, and stress can be major barriers to bringing dogs, and especially cats, in for much needed medical care. Stress can cause major obstacles to providing the highest medical care once the animal is at the vet. A relaxed, happy vet visit starts at home by decreasing anxiety before your pet reaches the vet’s office. Listen to this week’s episode for valuable, actionable tools on decreasing stress before your pet’s trip to see the veterinarian.

Diet Trials

The only test to determine if a pet has allergies to food is an 8 week diet trial. No blood test has been shown to be accurate. If you’re curious about food allergies and want more information on how to successfully perform a diet trial, then check out this episode with Dr. Meagan Painter, board certified veterinary dermatologist, as she discusses her tips and tricks for setting pet owners up to get an A+ on this crucial diagnostic test for the treatment of allergic dogs and cats.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and urinary obstructions (UO) are common medical reasons for cats to visit the veterinarian. FLUTD can be chronic and frustrating for cat owners. Urinary obstructions can be life threatening if the obstruction is not removed. Emergency veterinarian, Dr. Christine Klippin talks about what to watch for at home and how your veterinarian can help.

Inappropriate Elimination

Cats who pee outside the litter box are 2-6 times more likely to be relinquished to a shelter. Dr. Lauren Harris talks about inappropriate elimination and the significant damage to the human animal bond in today’s episode. Restoring that bond requires appropriate diagnosis, which is obtained by partnering with the veterinarian to evaluate for underlying medical conditions. If no medical reason can be found, behavioral assessment can help determine a cat’s aversions and preferences to help get them going where they should.

Scabies

Scabies, or sarcoptic mange, is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. This mite burrows into the skin and makes the animal intensely itchy! Scabies can be confused for allergies because of redness, hair loss, crusting and scratching. It is commonly contracted from wildlife, including foxes, and can cause skin disease and intense itching in pet owners as well. Listen to this week’s episode with special guest Dr. Curtis Plowgian, who has saved many miserable families from these mites.

Demodex

Demodex mites are a common cause of hair loss, redness and crusting in young dogs whose immune systems are still developing, as well as older dogs and cats with an underlying immune abnormality. Listen to this week’s episode to hear where these mites come from, what problems they cause, how they can be treated, and why they are Dr. Lancellotti’s favorite parasite.

black and white image of German Shepard looking out over the snow

When It’s Time

Welcome, Dr. Donny Consla Dr. Consla at the White Mountains