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

I bet you thought that the increasing level of veterinary healthcare available to your pet is a good thing. The reality is that for many dogs and cats, it is actually resulting in worse care, and even early death.

Let me explain…

In this episode we explore:

• The change in the level of veterinary care available
• How increasing care standards can actually result in a reduction in care
• How insurance helps but is also impacted
• How options B or C may not be as much of a compromise as you might think
• Practical steps to provide the best care possible

Head over to the full show notes for more information and links mentioned in today's show.

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Cannabis Marijuana, CBD oil, hemp products…unless you've been living under a rock you're going to have come across some really wild claims about how amazing and revolutionary these products are.

But it can be really difficult to separate fact from fiction.

To know who you can believe, who you can trust, and what the actual hard evidence is.

Well, today I have got the wonderful Dr. Casara Andre, who is absolutely passionate about getting excellent information out to everyone so that cannabis products can be used appropriately and correctly so that our pets can get the best possible benefit from them without unwittingly compromising their health.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss:

• The difference between cannabis, marijuana, and hemp
• Considerations into the use of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids
• How to ensure product quality and safety
• Toxicity and drug reactions
• The endocannabinoid system
• Which conditions respond to cannabis treatment
• How to talk to your vet about CBD treatment
• Common mistakes to avoid
• And so much more…

If you’ve ever wondered if you should try using CBD oil in your dog or cat, or you’re already using it but want to know how to get the most out of these exciting products, then this conversation is for you!

Check out more details and all the links discussed in the full show notes

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It's so easy to put a huge amount of time, effort, and energy into tinkering with your dog or cat's diet. But rather than worrying about making small changes that in all likelihood will have a negligible effect on their health, you need to concentrate on these instead to truly impact their health and happiness.

To dive deeper into this topic and for all the links mentioned in the show, head over to callthevet.org

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

The fact that our pets age faster than we do is an inevitability and we want to ensure they remain as happy and comfortable for as long as possible. But knowing what different options are open to you that will actually make a difference can be really confusing, not to mention expensive.

Today we are diving deep into the world of senior care, palliative treatment, and end of life decisions to ensure your gray-muzzled dog and senior cat has the golden years they deserve.

Veterinarian Dr. Mary Gardner is my expert guest today as we discuss:

• The barriers to good healthcare for older dogs and cats
• The fact that old age alone is not a disease
• Tips on how to know your pet needs extra help
• Your relationship with your vet to ensure a holistic approach
• Focusing on quality of life, not just quantity
• End of life options

For more information and to check out the links discussed head over to callthevet.org

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

Has your pet always eaten kibble but now they only want to eat wet food? Are you wondering if this is OK or a sign of something more serious?

It might not seem like much to worry about if your pet still enjoys their wet food but has stopped eating their kibble or any other harder foods. In fact, it can be a sign of something more serious that, if not picked up and addressed early, can lead to serious pain and poor health.

For more information and related posts head over to the full show notes

Get your free Healthy Pet Checklist at ourpetshealth.com/healthchecklist

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Even though vaccines are a fundamental step in having the healthiest dog (and cat) possible, confusion about which vaccines a dog actually needs, and how often, is all too common. It is really important to only vaccinate against diseases that actually pose a threat to your dog. Otherwise, the risk of side effects outweigh the potential benefits.

Vaccinations is just one of the 5 topics I discuss in my free guide Dog Health Essentials

Although vaccines are very safe, you do need to be aware of potential side effects, and deciding on the type of vaccine and frequency of administration is very much based on a risk - benefit assessment performed in conversation with your veterinarian.

Head over to the full show notes

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

How often do you give your dog or cat treats, extra helpings, or reserving a little bit of your main meal for them as an expression of your love? This could be harming both their physical and mental wellbeing!

In this episode, veterinarian Dr Alex Avery talks about the best ways to show love to your pets. He shares some insights into the effects of giving our pets extra food and treats, the best way to feed them, how to actually make them happy, and also improve your relationship with your furry family.

Timestamps:

• [03:36] How we show and express love for our pets
• [04:30] The effects of giving our pets extra food and treats
• [06:10] Changing our thinking about pets
• [07:11] How to feed our pets
• [08:35] How to make our pets happy and improve our relationship with them

Notable quotes

• A lot of the time, we forget about the mental health of our cats and dogs.
• Carrying extra weight has a lot of impact on our pets.
• Expressing our love through giving our pets food and extra treats is not good. We are actually shortening their lives.
• Obesity affects over 60% of our pets.
• Give your dog and cat attention because that is the most valuable thing they treasure.

Resources

Check out all the details and related information at callthevet.org

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

On this episode, I chat with dog trainer Niki French of Pup Talk who has a surprising answer to the question ‘how often should I walk my dog?’.

Niki is an experienced dog trainer who tells owners that not every dog should be walked every day. In fact, in some cases, it’s not only better to stop walking your dog completely. This will actually make them happier!

For many dogs and their owners a walk can be a real source of stress. Instead, Niki says that you should focus on your dog’s mental stimulation, which can be more beneficial for dogs than walking.

Niki and I have a detailed discussion about how you can start to mentally stimulate your dog at home, in an environment where the dog is safe and not confronted by things that they are afraid of.

Niki emphasizes the importance of learning to read your dog’s body language so that you can tell their moods, and she also encourages dog owners to keep working on their dog’s confidence at every stage of their life, to keep them ready for any challenges they may face.

She also suggests games that you can play with your dog on a walk to keep them mentally and physically active, all of which are quick and easy to do and don’t require expensive toys.

We finish the podcast by discussing how to reintroduce walking back into your dog’s routine in a way that’s safe and satisfying.

I’d love to hear from you if any of these dog mental stimulation tips have worked for you, so please do get in touch on Instagram @ourpetshealth, and be sure to share this important message with any dog parents in your life, to help them give their dog a happier, healthier life.

For all the links mentioned and to dive deeper into this topic be sure to head over to the full show notes

Timestamps

[01:40] The surprising message of today’s show

[03:35] Niki introduces herself and talks about her experience of being a dog trainer

[06:30] Walking nervous dogs

[08:53] The mental shift of not walking your dog

[10:05] Changing your attitude towards walking your dog

[11:13] How to mentally stimulate your dog without walking

[13:45] Telling the difference between an excited dog and a nervous dog

[14:50] What to do if your dog barks at someone during a walk

Written by Sarah Hopkinson for the Call The Vet podcast copyhop.co

[16:30] Keeping your dog calm and confident

[18:51] Keeping your dog mentally stimulated throughout the day

[19:36] Games to play with your dog on a walk

[22:19] Making games for your dog to play in the house

[24:59] Tackling age-related mental decline in dogs

[27:13] Reintroducing walking back into your dog’s routine

[32:13] Stop Walking Your Dog: Niki’s dog training guide

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It's all too easy to take antibiotics for granted, but if we are not careful it may be that they become next to useless...

On today’s episode of the Call The Vet podcast, I talk about one of the most serious problems that we may face in the near future, resistance to antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance is an issue for both humans and animals as we’re educating bacteria to adapt themselves to overcome antibiotics, which may mean that simple infections that we used to treat with penicillin or other common antibiotics could once again become deadly.

I would like to encourage you to be wary of overusing antibiotics for your animals, as there are ways that we can treat pets with first-class, evidence-based care that avoid unnecessary antibiotics. Today in my own practice, I have become much more cautious of prescribing antibiotics and try to use other approaches first before reaching for antibiotics.

Listen in to some of my listener questions about antibiotics, such as if one kind of antibiotic is better than another, what else pet owners should do when their animal is prescribed antibiotics, whether transdermal antibiotic options are available, and more.

Please share this episode with anyone who you think would benefit from this important message on appropriate antibiotic usage.

Timestamps:
[02:47] The overuse of antibiotics: One of the biggest risks to our health and that of our animals
[03:25] The history of antibiotics
[04:48] Using the right antibiotic for the right infection
[05:58] A best guess attempt at prescribing antibiotics
[06:43] Why we don’t always run tests to find out what the infection is
[07:19] What’s an inappropriate use of antibiotics?
[08:20] The most common inappropriate usages of antibiotics in dogs
[09:56] Inappropriate antibiotic usage in cats
[11:47] Reduction in the use of antibiotics
[13:13] Talking to pet owners about antibiotic usage
[14:29] Are there any kinds of antibiotics that are better or safer than others?
[16:59] Should cats take probiotics at the same time as antibiotics?
[18:01] What else should a pet owner do when their animal is taking antibiotics?
[19:16] Are there transdermal antibiotic options available?
[20:49] Other methods of administering medication to animals
[23:15] We’re all part of the solution

Head over to the full show notes for more information on safe, responsible antibiotic use in pets

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

Is your dog limping on their back leg? Have you just found out that they have damaged their cruciate ligament and are wondering what this means and the best treatment to give them?

On this episode of the Call The Vet Show, I talk with veterinarian Dr. Kristen Shaw, a specialist surgeon with a longtime interest in rehabilitation techniques, arthritis and cruciate disease, as well as the founder of Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE), which provides evidence-based resources for vets and pet owners on how to treat arthritis in dogs.

Dr. Kristen and I discuss cruciate ligament disease, also known as an ACL tear, which is by far the most common orthopedic injury in dogs. There have been many developments in the treatment of ACL tears over the years, and Dr. Kristen gives some great expert advice on how you can help your dog recover.

We walked through what an ACL tear is and how they happen, plus a comprehensive run-through of all the different kinds of treatment available. We also discussed some alternative treatments for an ACL tear if surgery isn’t within your budget.

Listen out to learn how you can help your dog to recover from an ACL tear, how you can spot any warning signs of a returning ACL injury, and what to do to manage subsequent arthritis in your dog following this injury including the supplements you can give your dog to help them recover from ACL injuries and keep their joints as healthy as possible long-term.

This is a really detailed episode with a lot of expert knowledge on treating dog ACL tears, so be sure to listen carefully and share the episode with the other pet parents in your life. 

Highlights:

[02:36] I invite special guest Dr Kristen Shaw onto the show and she talks about her background in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation

[04:38] What is an ACL injury and how does it happen?

[07:07] What are the treatment options for an ACL injury in dogs?

[10:01] Cheaper treatments for ACL injuries

[11:37] What’s the best kind of surgery to repair an ACL tear?

[14:34] How to help your dog heal after an ACL surgery 

[16:51] Supplements to give dogs during their recovery time, and when to give them

[20:38] How to spot the early signs of an ACL injury return post-surgery

[22:13] Dr. Kristen’s thoughts on using braces on dogs

[23:13] Where to go to find out more about Kristen and canine arthritis care

For all the links mentioned and more information head over to the full show notes

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