In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by Dr. Donald Sturz, President and Show Chairman of the Westminster Kennel Club, as they celebrate a historic milestone: the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. With decades of experience as a handler, judge, and leader in the dog show world, Dr. Sturz offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic events in American sporting history.

Topics include:

• Why the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is historically significant
• What happens behind the scenes at Westminster
• The role of junior showmanship and why it’s vital to the future of the sport
• How dog breed standards are developed
• Why dog shows should honor dogs as companions, not just competitors
• The history of Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
• How Dr. Sturz's background as a clinical psychologist informs his approach to leadership at Westminster
• How dogs, handlers, judges, and spectators experience the event

Also on this month’s show:

• Trending animal story about the heartwarming rescue of a lost sea otter pup 
• Animal news, including research showing urban raccoons may be showing early signs of domestication
• Pet Health Listener Q&A: Whether anesthesia is necessary for dental cleanings and x-rays; enrichment ideas for senior cats on prescription diets; and whether dogs should wear collars at all times

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her longtime colleague Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Department Head of Ophthalmology at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Together, they explore how veterinary ophthalmologists help keep pets’ eyes healthy — from everyday eye issues to advanced surgery.

Topics include:

• What veterinary ophthalmologists do and when your pet should see one
• Common eye problems in pets, including corneal ulcers, dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis
• The types of eye surgeries pets may need, from eyelid procedures to cataract removal
• How to clean eye discharge at home — and when it’s a red flag
• How dogs and cats see the world differently (including why yellow and blue toys are easier for dogs to see)
• Early warning signs of eye issues
• How pets adapt to vision loss
• How eye changes can signal systemic disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure

Also on this month's show:

• Trending animal story about Bombi, a young zebra in Kenya whose mother was killed by lions — and how rescuers helped her feel secure by wearing black-and-white striped coats to mimic a zebra’s pattern
• Animal news, including research into whether dogs can become addicted to playing fetch; “chemical fossil” evidence that ancient sponges — and early animals — existed far earlier than once thought; and a study showing that New York City cats caught COVID-19 from their owners during the early days of the pandemic (and why they likely weren’t a risk to people)
• Pet Health Listener Q&A: A Bombay cat struggling with chronic hairballs; a young Siberian Husky who eats everything in sight; and a cat with spinal lumps accompanied by vomiting and lethargy.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Dr. Dennis Slade, Department Head of Internal Medicine at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, about what veterinary internal medicine really means, and how specialists like him help pets with complicated or chronic health issues.

Topics include:

· What veterinary internal medicine treats
· How AMC’s collaborative care model improves patient outcomes
· The surprising things pets swallow and how endoscopy helps get them out
· How veterinarians address multiple diseases in the same patient
· Ways pet owners can prepare for a specialist visit
· The future of veterinary medicine, from artificial intelligence to microbiome research

Also on this month’s show:

· Viral trending animal story about twin eastern box turtles successfully separated after hatching conjoined in Virginia
· Animal news including the dogs guarding endangered penguins, “gifted word learner” dogs that understand toy categories, and the rats trained to detect landmines and tuberculosis
· Pet Health Listener Q&A: Managing pets with both heart and kidney disease, preventing feline stomatitis after calicivirus infection, and understanding inflammatory bowel disease in dogs

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of "Ask the Vet," Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Philipp Schott, veterinarian, bestselling author, and storyteller, to discuss his new book Heal the Beast: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts. Together, they explore surprising and quirky stories of animal healers across cultures and centuries, while reflecting on what these traditions teach us about the bond between humans and animals.

Topics include:

Why caring for animals has been universal throughout human history

• How wars and plagues helped spark the foundations of modern veterinary medicine
• The scourge of rabies from ancient Egypt to today
• Superstitions, misguided cures, and the return of alternative approaches
• The emotional, practical, and spiritual reasons people treat animals
• What the history of veterinary medicine reveals about its future

Also on this month’s show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring Maple, the retired police dog who now protects honeybees
• Animal news, including radioactive rhino horns to fight poaching, U.S. cities ranked by pet-friendliness, and TSA warnings about transporting pets
• Pet Health Listener Q&A on moving cross-country with cats, managing recurring ear infections in dogs, and knee problems after a common orthopedic surgery in dogs

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of "Ask the Vet," Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Rachel McPherson, Founder and President of The Good Dog Foundation, about the transformative role of therapy dogs. For more than 25 years, Rachel has been a trailblazer in the movement to bring trained therapy dogs into the lives of people experiencing illness, trauma, or hardship.

Topics include:

• Rachel’s path from Academy Award–nominated film producer to therapy dog advocate
• The story of Fidel, her first therapy dog who worked at Ground Zero after 9/11
• Why therapy dogs are uniquely impactful in healing and recovery
• How The Good Dog Foundation expanded from 3 dogs to more than 1,000 therapy teams
• What makes a great therapy dog and handler team
• Groundbreaking research partnerships with Yale and Mount Sinai
• The Good Dog Foundation’s new initiatives

Also on this month’s show:

• Viral trending animal story about twin red panda cubs
• Animal news, including why some dogs watch TV, the mystery of cats and concrete slabs, and bearded dragons with tiny backpacks
• Pet health listener Q&A discussing paw licking in dogs, rare complications of rhabdomyolysis in cats, and vaccine reactions in pets

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of "Ask the Vet" Dr. Ann Hohenhaus talks with Dr. Andrea Looney, Senior Veterinarian at AMC and board-certified specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia, about how anesthesia is safely administered to pets. They discuss why the idea of anesthesia can make pet owners feel uneasy -- especially because general anesthesia involves a loss of consciousness -- and what goes on behind the scenes to keep animals safe and comfortable during procedures.

Topics include:

• Dr. Looney’s childhood around animals and her love of goats
• Why people may be anxious about their pets undergoing anesthesia
• How anesthetic plans are customized for each individual patient
• Which vital signs are closely monitored during anesthesia
• The subtle physical signs that veterinary staff look for when a patient is under anesthesia
• Why “flat-faced” breeds like Frenchies present unique challenges

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring the giraffe who gave birth to a calf weighing 132 pounds
• Animal news, including a look at how humans resemble their pets, the small-clawed otters with a knack for escaping, and unlocking the secret mechanisms of a cat’s ability to purr.
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, with topics including hysterectomy options for small dogs, signs of kidney disease in cats, and what causes a cat to have different colored eyes.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Daniel Spector for an informative conversation about minimally invasive surgery in pets. Dr. Spector has led AMC’s minimally invasive surgery program since its launch in 2024, and he brings nearly two decades of experience to the operating room. Together, they discuss:

• His perspective as a pet owner whose dog needed multiple surgeries
• The difference between minimally invasive surgery vs. traditional surgical procedures
• The benefits and suitability of these techniques for both small and large animals
• The types of procedures that can be treated with minimally invasive techniques
• What factors go into deciding whether minimally invasive surgery is the right fit
• How certain procedures can prevent life-threatening diseases
• Why minimally invasive surgery is a key part of AMC’s residency program
• How his interests in cooking, hiking, and running influence his approach to surgery

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring Bitsy, a stray cat from Alberta, Canada found with six legs.
• Animal news, including the story of an abandoned US postal service truck full of baby birds, how comparative research between humans and dogs is helping both species in the fight against cancer… and wild capuchin monkeys caught on camera carrying baby howler monkeys, a completely different species.
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers questions about whether or not to neuter a small toy poodle, the causes of tongue cancer in cats, and how to switch your pet’s diet for better digestive health.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Renee Alsarraf for a heartfelt and informative conversation about cancer in pets. Dr. Alsarraf brings a unique perspective, not only as a board-certified veterinary oncologist, but also but also as a cancer survivor and pet parent to dogs who have faced cancer. Together, they discuss:

• The types of cancers commonly seen at AMC
• How radiation therapy works and when it’s used
• AMC’s use of linear accelerator technology for targeted treatment
• What’s changed in oncology over the years and what hasn’t
• How Dr. Alsarraf helps clients navigate difficult treatment decisions
• Insights from her memoir Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well
• What to expect from her upcoming webinar, Navigating a Pet’s Cancer Diagnosis
• How she stays hopeful doing emotionally challenging work

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring Buford, a 150-pound ranch dog in Arizona who helped lead a toddler to safety
• Animal news, including a biotech company that claims to have brought back dire wolves, a new study showing that dogs understand meaningful words even in monotone speech... and the oldest known domestic cats in history, found in a 1559 shipwreck.
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers questions about what a giardia-positive test means in a newly adopted cat, managing inconsistent dog-to-dog reactivity, and whether gabapentin side effects in dogs are normal or worth reevaluating.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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Parasites are a year-round threat to pets, and some can pose risks to human health as well. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with veterinarian Dr. Craig Prior, former president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), about what every pet owner should know. From tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms to giardia and ticks that transmit diseases like Lyme and ehrlichiosis, they cover the most common and most concerning parasites. Tune in as they discuss:

• What are parasites and how do they affect animals?
• The upcoming parasite forecast
• CAPC's parasite risk maps
• Ways to keep animal companions (and humans) safe from parasites
• Why ticks are formidable 
• Do dog parks harbor parasites?
• How people traveling with animals is spreading parasites
• Are indoor cats at risk?
• The increasing problem of hookworm resistance and how it was exacerbated by the greyhound racing industry
• Do any natural cures work against parasites?

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story of the month featuring Aggie the cat, who went missing after the palisades wildfire destroyed her family home
• Animal news, including the newly identified genetic mutation causing blindness in Labrador retrievers
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers listener questions about giving a cat chemotherapy drugs, next steps for a dog with a persistent cough, and ideas for reducing a cat's severe anxiety in carriers.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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For our special 50th episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Vanessa Spano—AMCs first-ever veterinary behaviorist and the only board-certified veterinary behaviorist in New York City. Dr. Spano’s expertise spans a wide range of behavioral challenges, including anxiety, aggression, trauma recovery, and compulsive disorders. Tune in as they discuss:

• The difference between veterinary behaviorists, trainers, and general veterinarians 
• What are the most common behavior issues among pets?
• How Dr. Spano determines if a behavior issue is medical or psychological
• Body language clues for dogs and cats
• How anxiety in pets can be managed
• The role of medication and training in treating animals with behavioral issues
• Managing aggression in animals
• Are shelter pets different from other animals?
• Dr. Spano's advice for pet owners struggling with behavior issues
• How to make an appointment with Dr. Spano

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story of the month featuring the opossum who ate an entire Costco tuxedo chocolate mousse cake
• Animal news, including how the birdwatching app eBird is helping protect vulnerable species from bird watchers
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers listener questions about urine crystals, different types of diagnostic imaging, and how to effectively apply ear drops

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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