Call the Vet - an insider's guide to dog and cat health

😡 The cost of a new veterinary drug for hypertension in cats is skyrocketing by 1200%, and it's not even a new active ingredient!

1️⃣ Amlodipine, a drug we've used safely and effectively for years, is now also available in a veterinary-specific version—but at what cost?
2️⃣ The new version costs $94 a month for a standard-sized cat, whereas the human equivalent only costs $27 for a four-month supply.
3️⃣ Veterinary professionals are legally bound to use these more expensive animal versions due to prescribing regulations, without considering cost.
4️⃣ This isn't a lone example; similar price hikes exist for other drugs like furosemide and clomipramine, increasing costs by 400% or more.
5️⃣ The lack of affordable options could price many pet parents out of the ability to treat their pets' chronic conditions, which is simply unacceptable.

💡 Understanding these industry practices can help you navigate your pet's healthcare choices more informedly. It's crucial that we, as pet parents, advocate for fair pricing and transparency in the medications our pets need 🐱

Find out more in the show notes at https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/new-pet-drugs Jump into episode #162 to find out the other ways the pet healthcare industry is broken

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This is one of the most common diseases to affect middle-aged and elderly cats.

Is your furry friend losing weight despite a ravenous appetite? Are they jittery, with a coat that's lost its shine? They might be battling hyperthyroidism!

And because untreated hyperthyroidism in cats can lead to severe consequences like sudden blindness or heart failure, recognizing the early signs is crucial.

In this episode you'll learn how early detection and proper care can make all the difference. We'll unravel the 4 main options available when it comes to treating this disease, and how monitoring post treatment plays an important role.

💡Recognizing and treating hyperthyroidism early can ensure your feline friend enjoys a long, healthy life. By knowing the symptoms and treatment options, you can make informed decisions that best suit your cat’s needs 🐱

Find out more over in the full show notes at https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/hyperthyroid-cat

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🔍 "The improvement in pet health care may not be the best thing for you and your pet." What?! Before you get the wrong idea, let me explain what's behind this statement.

1️⃣ First off, veterinary advancements like Apoquel and Cytopoint for itchy dogs are amazing but come with higher costs—sometimes prohibitively so for many pet parents. 2️⃣ Consider cruciate ligament disease: while TPLO surgeries have outshined older methods like lateral sutures, the cost difference can be staggering. 3️⃣ Oncology advancements have significantly improved, but at a huge financial burden with relatively smaller life expectancy gains for pets. 4️⃣ Overall, the low-hanging fruit in veterinary medicine is gone, leaving behind improvements that are costlier and less impactful. 5️⃣ Reflect on your own circumstances. Is spending thousands for an additional month or two with your pet worth it for you?

💡The key takeaway here is to balance the benefits and costs of advanced veterinary treatments with your pet's quality of life and your financial situation. Not all interventions, even the latest and greatest, guarantee what you would consider significant benefits.

Head over to the full show notes to learn more - https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/diminishing-returns

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Are you tired of shelling out big bucks for your pet's medications while knowing their human counterparts cost a fraction?

Tune in to this eye-opening episode where Dr. Alex Avery exposes the secrets of the pharmaceutical industry, reveals how stringent regulations handcuff your vet's prescribing options, and offers savvy tips to save on your furry friend's medical bills. 🐶💊🐱

From the shocking reality of the 'prescribing cascade' to legal minefields that could land your vet in hot water, we're pulling back the curtain on a topic every pet parent needs to know. Whether you’re a seasoned pet owner or a new fur parent, this is one episode you can’t afford to miss.

📢 **Highlights:**

- The dramatic price hikes in pet-specific medications

- Why your vet's options are more limited than you think

- Five actionable steps to get the best value on pet meds

Don't let high medication costs catch you off guard. Discover the secrets and save! 🌟

We took the notes for you at https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/cheaper-pet-meds

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Deciding the best age to spay your dog can be a pivotal choice in ensuring a long, healthy life for your pet.

With various factors to consider, such as breed size, potential health risks, and behavioral benefits, understanding when to spay your dog can significantly influence their overall well-being.

This guide aims to provide you with insightful information and expert recommendations to help you determine the optimal timing for spaying, supported by veterinary expertise and current research. By choosing the right time to spay, you can help prevent serious health issues and enhance your dog's quality of life.

For full details head over to the show notes at - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/when-to-spay-a-female-dog

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

😲 Are you concerned about the rising costs of vet care? You're not alone and this episode dives deep into the issues plaguing the pet health care space, affecting your pets, you, and those within the veterinary industry.

It's easy to vilify veterinary professionals as money grabbing (and many do) but the truth is very different - Did you know that in the last 12 months, 25% of veterinary staff in the UK received absolutely NO pay raise? The preconception that vets are "only in it for the money" couldn't be more misplaced!

📉 Yet this is on the back of record vet bill rises. We're facing serious global challenges in pet healthcare:

- Inflation is skyrocketing, yet vet pay isn't keeping up, making it tougher for veterinary professionals worldwide.

- Costs are on the rise, not just for pet owners but for the clinics too, due to increased prices for drugs and necessary medical equipment.

- There's a trend of corporatization where shareholder returns are driving business decisions and the staff in your clinic may have zero say in pricing and service provisions.

🧐 Importantly, we need to consider the advanced level of care provided today compared to decades ago. Practices now are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to offer the best care, which significantly drives up the costs.

But is this also part of the problem?

This episode covers so much more, and while I don't claim to have all the answers these topics are vital for you to be aware of so we can work towards a future that works for everyone.

Learn more over in the show notes at: https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/broken-pet-healthcare

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🐾 "Elbow dysplasia in young dogs can start affecting them not just when they're old, but potentially very early in their life!" 🐶

🩺 Today on Call the Vet, we dive deep into managing chronic conditions like elbow dysplasia and arthritis:

1️⃣ Multimodal approach is key—combining dietary changes, weight management, and environmental modifications to tackle the issue comprehensively.

2️⃣ Therapeutic diets and supplements (especially omega-3 fatty acids) can significantly enhance comfort.

3️⃣ Regular, gentle exercise and use of ramps can prevent worsening of the condition.

4️⃣ Complementary therapies like hydrotherapy and physiotherapy are crucial for maintaining joint mobility and muscle mass.

💡 Early intervention plays a pivotal role in managing conditions like elbow dysplasia effectively. Starting treatment when symptoms are mild can drastically improve quality of life. This proactive approach can decrease the need for continuous medication and help manage pain more effectively.

For some dogs, surgery may be an option, and this episode also covers what you need to know if you think this may be the path for you and your dog.

Check out all the info and dive into all the related topics over in the full show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/dog-elbow-dysplasia

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Increasing age can bring increasing health complexity and in this episode, we unpack a complex listener-submitted scenario about a 14-year-old Chihuahua battling congestive heart failure and mysterious seizures.

This episode is packed with invaluable insights, from understanding heart murmurs to dissecting the causes behind seizures in older dogs, with insights for all pet parents with older animals.

🚨 Did you know? A heart murmur isn’t always an indicator of overt heart failure in dogs! 🐶

1️⃣ Dr. Alex explains that a heart murmur simply indicates turbulent blood flow, which could be due to a leaky valve but doesn't necessarily mean that heart failure is present.

2️⃣ Seizures in older dogs are rarely due to epilepsy; the causes are often much more complex, ranging from organ disease to brain lesions.

3️⃣ Monitoring a pet’s sleeping respiratory rate at home can be a simple yet effective way to gauge heart health over time.

4️⃣ Diagnostic steps include full blood testing, urine testing, X-rays, and possibly an echocardiogram or MRI to pinpoint the exact health issues.

Dive into further resources in the full show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/dog-heart-failure-and-seizures

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😱 Don't gamble with your pet's life. When it comes to your furry friend's surgery, knowing the risks is crucial for their safety!

🩺 Surgery may not be just routine - from a tiny risk of 0.01% for neutering procedures (that's 1 death for every 10,000 surgeries) through to a 16% death rate for the sickest of patients, the risk really does vary hugely by individual.

🏥 Several measures can increase safety: from pre-surgery blood tests, weight management, to advanced monitoring equipment - these are vital!

💡 The takeaway? Proactive health management & choosing a vet with the right skills & equipment is a game-changer. It not only reduces risk but ensures peace of mind.

💬 Have you ever delayed a surgery for your pet due to fear of anesthesia risks? What could have eased your worries? Share your thoughts!

Dive into everything you need to know and more over in the show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/pet-surgery-safety

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

🐾 Get ready to tackle this itchy pet mystery with Dr. Alex answering a question sent in by listener Trish that addresses some really key pet-care pearls. From narrowing down the potential causes of any problem, the importance of making a proper diagnosis, through to when to seek the input from your veterinarian. This episode has something for every pet parent!

Check out The Dog Allergy Summit here - https://ourpetshealth.com/allergysummit

And the full show notes here - https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/multiple-itchy-dogs

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review