Dr. Carol Reinero, an expert in respiratory diseases in small animals, discusses the rising popularity and associated problems of brachycephalic (shortnosed) dog breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Pugs. She explains how their physical traits lead to a variety of health problems, particularly respiratory issues known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and aerodigestive disorders. The discussion delves into how even though specific symptoms associated with brachycelpahlic breeds (including exercise intolerance, loud breathing, coughing after eating, excessive burping, flatulence, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea) are often considered “normal," these have serious long-term health implications and negatively impact a dog’s quality of life. In addition, due to their compromised respiratory systems, these dogs are also increasingly susceptible to infections and severe manifestations of diseases like canine influenza. To combat these serious concerns, Dr. Reinero emphasizes the critical role of veterinary professionals in managing the complex health needs of brachycephalic dogs. By adopting Gentle Control techniques, implementing effective obesity management strategies, educating pet owners, and tailoring vaccination protocols to include low-volume preventive vaccines, veterinary professionals can significantly enhance the well-being of these beloved breeds. Additionally, the discussion delves into specifics of creating a positive and Fear Free veterinary experience that fosters better compliance with health recommendations and strengthens the human-animal bond. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Elanco.

Dr. Adam Christman discusses the importance of Fear Free, including why the concept hit home for him. He delves into ways he integrates Fear Free into his care for pets, including little wins that build loyalty in both person and pet in wanting to come back to the practice.

Dr. Adam Christman's Bio:

Dr. Christman is the Chief Veterinary Officer for dvm360® and the Fetch Veterinary Conferences, the country’s leading veterinary multimedia company.  He a proud dachshund dad to 4 and has been in private practice for 18 years and does relief work to stay sharp.  Dr. Christman is passionate about educating pet owners through his social media channels with over 1.5 million followers on his platforms.  Featured on TV, podcasts and radio shows, Dr. Christman enjoys elevating veterinary medicine through these media channels.  He is the co-author of “Honey Have You Squeezed the Dachshund? A Pet Owner’s Guide to Dogs with IVDD” and has written a textbook chapter for “Veterinary Practice Management.”.   Christman is the 2023 VMX Speaker of the Year in Practice Management, Bright Mind’s Veterinary Influencer of the Year and the 2023 recipient of the William Switzer Distinguished Alumni Award.  He is honored to be this year’s commencement speaker for his alma mater, Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

In this episode Dr. Natalie Marks speaks on the latest science and strategies surrounding improved quality of life for canine and feline cancer patients. Discussion includes ways to more effectively assess and address indicators impacting both the physical and emotional health of dogs and cats diagnosed with cancer and those in remission. Aspects of pharmaceutical treatment covered include pain management, preserving appetite, anxiolytic options and steps for easier pilling, including options for compounding medications. Environmental needs are also discussed, including modifications to how pets are fed and groomed as well as changes to household setup to allow for more optimal and lower stress living. Dr. Marks also discusses ways to compassionately and more effectively have those challenging conversations with guardians surrounding their pet’s diagnosis and treatment plan, with the overall goal being to preserve the human-animal bond as much as possible.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dechra.

Dechra tool for measuring quality of life is available here- https://dechra-us.com/Files/Files/SupportMaterialDownloads/US/14QZ-DEC22080-0322_Quality-of-Life-Score-Card-FINAL-2.pdf

More on Dr. Natalie Marks:

Natalie L. Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, FFCP-Elite.

Dr. Natalie Marks obtained her bachelor's degree with High Honors in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1998. Then, she received a master’s in veterinary medicine and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree with High Honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She became a Certified Veterinary Journalist in 2018.

She began practicing in Chicago as a veterinarian at Blum Animal Hospital in 2006, was co-owner until 2018, and continued to practice until 2023. Before 2006, Dr. Marks worked at Allatoona Animal Hospital just north of Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Marks finds the ideal combination of teaching/mentoring and improving the emotional health of pets in the Fear Free movement. She sat on the Fear Free Executive Council and is a national educator helping other private practitioners develop these techniques. She also led her practice to become the 7th nationally and first in Illinois to become a Fear Free Certified Hospital. She is an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional.

Important Safety Information:

For use in dogs only. Laverdia®-CA1 (verdinexor tablets) is conditionally approved for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs. NOT FOR USE IN HUMANS. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. CHILDREN SHOULD NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH LAVERDIA-CA1. Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing women and children should not handle or administer Laverdia-CA1 or come into contact with the feces, urine, saliva, or vomit of treated dogs for 3 days following treatment. Laverdia-CA1 can affect male fertility based on animal studies and studies in humans. Wear protective disposable chemotherapy resistant gloves when handling Laverdia-CA1 to avoid direct exposure to moistened, broken or crushed tablets or biological waste from the treated dog (feces, urine, saliva, or vomit). Do not use in dogs that are pregnant, lactating or intended for breeding. Laverdia-CA1 is a possible teratogen and can affect female and male fertility. Dogs should be frequently monitored for hematologic and serum chemistry abnormalities. The most commonly reported adverse reactions in dogs include anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, polyuria, polydipsia, elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia. Please see package insert for full prescribing information- https://dechra-us.com//Files/Files/ProductDownloads/US/Laverdia-CA1-US-Marketing-Insert-85-x-11-1-2.pdf

Celebrity trainer Nicole Ellis shares her top tips to lower stress for dogs, cats and yes, even horses!

Nicole Ellis

CPDT-KA, APDT, Fear Free Certified, AKC evaluator

Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and esteemed pet lifestyle expert, is the co-author of Working Like a Dog and has been featured on Amazon’s The Pack, as well as The Today Show, among other platforms. Through her positive reinforcement training approach, Nicole emphasizes building strong bonds between pets and their owners. Her expertise spans puppy training, teaching tricks, dog sports, movie work, and more, all with the overarching goal of integrating pets more seamlessly into our lives. She has her own loved pets, Maggie and Rossi, as well as her horse Cali.

World renown dog trainer Victoria Stilwell from It's Me or the Dog and host Steve Dale discuss why Fear Free is so essential for all animals and stands as the gold standard of care. The duo also discuss ways to reduce canine aggression that include consent tests that ensure the dog’s kept comfortable throughout the entire interaction.

Be sure to checkout the Dog Behavior Conference put on by Victoria Stilwell that's taking place April 19-21, 2024. Special guests include The Fear Free Podcast's own host, Steve Dale, and Fear Free’s own father/ daughter team, Marty and Mikkel Becker. Signup here- https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.com/dog-behavior-conference/.

More on our special guest, Victoria Stilwell:

Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer best known as the star of the international hit TV series and social media sensation It's Me or the Dog as well as The Dog Academy (Channel 4), Greatest American Dog (CBS), Dogs Might Fly (Sky TV), Dogs with Extraordinary Jobs (Smithsonian Channel), Help My Dog is Out of Control (BBC One), and various featured web series including Arson Dogs, Guardians of the Night and Unsung Heroes. Having filmed over 150 episodes of It’s Me or the Dog since 2005, Stilwell reaches TV audiences with her philosophy of positive training methods in over 135 countries, while the show’s popular YouTube, Facebook and TikTok channels inspire new generations of dog lovers. A best-selling author of 5 books including her latest, The Ultimate Guide to Raising A Puppy, Stilwell appears frequently in the media and is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior.

A passionate advocate for positive dog training methods, Stilwell is the Editor-in-Chief of Positively.com, the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior, and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – the world’s premier global network of positive dog trainers. Stilwell is the recipient of multiple awards and is committed to helping the cause of animal rescue and rehabilitation and is heavily involved with organizations around the world to increase awareness of puppy mills, dogfighting, animal abuse, pet overpopulation, dog bite prevention and other animal-related causes, but she is best known as a champion for humane positive reinforcement dog training methods. She is an Ambassador for the RSPCA, International Ambassador for the Soi Dog Foundation and serves on the Advisory Boards of RedRover, The Georgia Pet Coalition, The Grey Muzzle Foundation, DogTV and Canine Assistants.

Since the onset of canine parvovirus in the 1970s, we’ve made great strides with vaccination. That being said, unfortunately, we still see canine parvovirus cases. Join Dr. Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, to learn about an exciting treatment option that is available!

Brought to you by our friends at Elanco: https://www.elanco.com/en-us

Feline diabetes is becoming much more prevalent in today's world. Dr. Cindi Ward, VMD, PhD, DACVIM SAIM, FFCP, joins Dr. Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, Elite FFCP, for a deeper dive into the world of feline diabetes to discuss case selection, monitoring, and how communication can remove fear, anxiety, and stress from treatment.

Brought to you by our friends at Elanco: https://www.elanco.com/en-us

Dietary supplements have shown promise in treating a wide variety of canine and feline conditions such as diarrhea, dehydration, age-related cognitive decline, and anxiety, particularly when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Join Dr. Julia Albright MA DVM DACVB, to discuss the underlying actions of several supplements and how their use can improve clinical signs, compliance, and the human-animal bond.

Brought to you by our friends at Purina: https://www.purinaforprofessionals.com

Join Dr. Jessica Pritchard VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM) to discuss what’s new in feline infectious disease and prevention strategies. She will go into details about feline leukemia, feline calicivirus, vaccination strategies for prevention and how they align with Fear Free principles.

Come join Dr. Jessica Pritchard VMD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM) and learn more about the bacterial infection leptospirosis including risk factors to both animals and people, prevention strategies and ways to make the vaccination visit safe and fear free for our pets.