Do seizures mean your pet has a brain tumor? Can vaccines really trigger neurological disease? In this episode of Irreplaceable Tails, hosts Dr. Gershon Alaluf and Mallory Dickinson, RVT welcome Dr. Rodger Pettigrew, board-certified veterinary neurologist, to bust myths about seizures, vaccines, aging, and what a “board-certified specialist” actually means. Bonus: His wildest case involved a pygmy hippo.

What you'll learn:

– What seizure control actually looks like (hint: not zero)

– The “kindling” effect and why seizure frequency matters

– How to tell if a limp is neurological, not orthopedic

– Why distemper still matters—and when it turns deadly

– Do vaccines cause seizures? What over-vaccination really means

– What you can do at home to protect your pet’s brain

– How to prep pets on seizure meds for bloodwork

– Dr. Pettigrew’s craziest patient? A privately owned pygmy hippo 🦛

– What’s coming next: intervertebral disc disease in Frenchies

Who should listen:

– Pet owners dealing with seizures, limping, or odd behavior

– Clients confused by Dr. Google and neurological diagnoses

– Vet professionals referring out neurology cases

– Frenchie and small breed dog owners

– Animal lovers who geek out on wild patient stories

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro + Meet Dr. Pettigrew

01:00 – Seizure frequency, goals & the “kindling” effect

03:30 – What seizures actually are (fireworks in the brain?)

05:00 – Can you prevent neurological issues at home?

06:00 – Vaccines, over-vaccination & immune system risks

09:00 – Distemper: when it’s deadly and why to vaccinate

11:00 – Neuro vs. orthopedic: how to tell the difference

13:00 – What board-certified neurologist really means

14:30 – Dr. Pettigrew’s most unusual case: a pygmy hippo

16:00 – Final thoughts & upcoming episode: disc disease deep dive

Stay Connected:

• Like if you’ve ever Googled your pet’s symptoms
• Drop your questions or stories about seizures or strange behaviors
• Subscribe so you never miss an expert conversation Irreplaceable Tails: Because every pet’s story matters.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms

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📥 Contact: [email protected]

Ep. 15

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