Kicking off skin month, this episode runs through the 5 main causes of an itchy dog. Getting the right diagnosis is vital if the itch and scratching is to stop and your dog's skin condition kept under control.

For more skin discussion head over to http://dralexanswers.com

There are some well documented risks to feeding raw diets to your dog or cat. Does serious infection happen every day though, and how do these risks stack up against the feeding of kibble? Todays episode answers these questions and more!

Download my free raw feeding ebook: https://www.subscribepage.com/rawebook

Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/raw-vs-cooked-dog-diets

Raw diets are getting a lot of press online at the moment on blogs, forums and social media. Today is part 1 of my discussion of the actual evidence behind raw feeding claims, and I'm starting with the benefits of raw diets for dogs and cats.

Download my free raw feeding ebook: https://www.subscribepage.com/rawebook

Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/raw-vs-cooked-dog-diets

This one simple tip that almost everyone will be able to do could help save you time and money the next time your pet is unwell, as well as help your pet get better faster or receive the best treatment sooner!

Be sure to subscribe and also check out my other podcast "The Dr Alex Answers Show"!

Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/save-time-and-money-at-the-vet

Tubular ligation in dogs is a method of sterilizing dogs that involves either tying a ligature around the uterus of a dog or making an incision in the uterus meaning that there is no way that pregnancy could ever happen. It is different to spaying because the ovaries are left untouched. This means that a female dog who has had tubular ligation will still come on heat and her body will still experience the pro's and con's of these hormones being present. Is this really a good idea?

Find out all about spaying your dog here: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/when-to-spay-a-female-dog

2 identical dogs, the only difference being that one is overweight and one is fit and lean. Such a small difference can have a huge impact on the health of a dog as well as their life expectancy. Don't underestimate the impact of obesity on dogs lives. Keeping a healthy weight is one of the best ways to help your dog live longer. In today's episode, it's story time as I talk you through the lives of Max and Bailey.

Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/obesity-life-expectancy

I'm excited to be able to announce the official launch of my new podcast, "The Dr. Alex Answers Show", and to celebrate I'm also running a giveaway for some great prizes to suit any pet lover!

The Dr. Alex Answers Show is a Q&A podcast where, each week, I answer 5 of your dog or cat health questions. If you like what you hear today there are 2 other episodes already released so check them out and let me know what you think!

Head over here for more information and to enter the competition - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/podcast-launch-giveaway

Penobarbital is one of the most common drugs used in the treatment of dog epilepsy and to control seizures. Before starting, you need to know how well it works, learn about the side-effects and how to monitor your epileptic dog taking phenobarbital.

Epilepsy and seizures is a distressing condition for your dog to be diagnosed with but with the right treatment the seizures can be very well controlled. Phenobarbital is often the first choice and this episode goes through what you need to know about this epilepsy treatment for dogs.

Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/phenobarbital-dog-epilepsy-treatment

 Just last week the pet food manufacturer Hill’s issued a recall of some of their prescription diets because they were found to contain very high levels of vitamin D - something that causes kidney failure and death!

I reached out to them for some answers to explain how this pet food recall happened, what checks are in place and what they are doing to make sure that something like this doesn't happen ever again.

Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/does-your-dogs-food-contain-rat-bait

If your dog has had one or more seizures and has been diagnosed with epilepsy, one of the first decisions you will have to make is when should you start treatment for epilepsy in dogs.

The aim of epilepsy treatment in dogs is to reduce their frequency and severity, not prevent all seizures. All drugs also have the risks of side-effects and cost money to give and then monitor. As a result the decision to start treatment is based on a risk-benefit analysis.

This episode though discusses the general guidelines every owner of a newly diagnosed epileptic dog should consider.

Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/treatment-timing-of-epilepsy-in-dogs