Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats

What does integrative veterinary medicine actually mean? That's what Dr. Amanda digs into today, including the buzzwords you'll hear that don't really mean much in the world of medicine, and how to make sure whoever you're seeing is practicing evidence-based care.

She covers:

• The difference between integrative care, alternative care, and labels like "holistic" or "natural"
• A real case example: Fonzie, a 15-year-old cat whose care involved a Western veterinarian, acupuncture, internal medicine, and rehabilitation
• Four questions to ask before choosing an integrative or alternative practitioner
• The role of evidence-based medicine, including acupuncture studies in dogs
• Her own patient stories using acupuncture, herbs, or rehab for conditions like dementia, arthritis, seizures, anxiety, and mobility issues

Listen in if you're ready to ask the right questions when choosing a practitioner for your senior pet.

LINKS

• Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen.
• Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com
• Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult
• If you don’t already, follow Dr. Ale on Instagram at ComPAWssionate Care Vet

TRANSCRIPT

TIME STAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to integrative veterinary medicine and Fonzie the senior cat
04:10 - Fonzie's acupuncture and whole medical team story
08:21 - Understanding holistic and alternative medicine, and why Dr. Amanda chose integrative medicine
11:24 - 4 questions to ask when choosing an integrative practitioner
12:06 - Licensing and certification in integrative medicine
14:25 - What does the evidence actually say
15:58 - How will you know when it's working and by when
21:36 - More on Chinese and Western medicine
28:38 - The future of collaborative care
31:46 - Success stories with acupuncture and Chinese medicine
36:12 - Final reflections

Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

How do I know if my dog or cat has dementia? Today, Dr. Amanda is talking all about how to recognize the early signs of cognitive decline in senior dogs and cats.

She gets into:

• How pets can develop this condition as they age, and why catching changes early helps support their quality of life
• Why there's no single test that confirms dementia and the importance of ruling out other causes first
• DISHAALV framework for recognizing signs
• How these changes can affect caregivers too
• Simple home adjustments that can help, plus integrative options

Dementia signs do not mean nothing can be done; listen in for more ways to support your senior pet.

LINKS

• Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen.
• Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com
• Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult
• Missed the episode about Nuclear sclerosis? Listen in here!

TRANSCRIPT

TIME STAMPS

00:00 - Pet dementia and why it matters

01:47 - Understanding dementia in pets

03:16 - Why early recognition and intervention matter

04:34 - Common signs of dementia in senior pets

05:32 - DISHAALV protocol for recognizing signs

06:33 - D: Disorientation

07:35 - I: Interaction changes

09:22 - S: Sleep-wake cycle changes

11:32 - H: House soiling

13:23 - A: Activity changes

16:13 - A: Anxiety in senior pets

18:20 - L: Learning and memory changes

19:34 - V: Vocalization signs

20:28 - Treatment options and hope for senior pets

Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

Is my pet in pain? It's one of the hardest questions to answer because pets are so good at hiding it. In this episode, Dr. Steffen dives into pain management in senior dogs and cats, with a focus on arthritis and how it quietly shows up through changes in movement, behavior, grooming, and daily routines.

She gets into:

• How common arthritis really is in senior pets
• Recognizing the signs of pain in dogs and cats
• There's no single "best" treatment for every pet
• Multimodal pain management strategies (why one approach usually isn't enough)
• Western and alternative treatment options
• The risks and benefits of NSAIDs and medications
• The role of acupuncture, laser therapy, and CBD
• Simple home modifications for comfort and safety like ramps, rugs, litter box access, beds, bowls, and stair support

Senior pets aren't helpless, and even with arthritis, there are still so many ways to improve their comfort and quality of life - listen in to learn how.

LINKS

• Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen.
• Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com
• Personalized Virtual Consultation
• Sign up for my email list and get the aging gracefully checklist
• Senior Pet Roadmap

TRANSCRIPT

TIME STAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to senior pet pain management
03:43 - Understanding pain in senior pets
11:13 - How to spot pain symptoms in your pet
19:59 - Multimodal pain management strategies
30:34 - Alternative therapies and home care tips
39:03 - Building a personalized care plan for senior pets

Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

Trust your intuition when something feels off with your pet; it's often the first clue that matters most. In this episode, Dr. Amanda Steffen focuses on 10 different body systems and what's normal versus abnormal in senior dogs and cats, and why the subtle signs of aging are so easy to miss — they tend to develop slowly, over weeks or months, rather than all at once.

She discusses:

• Why pet parents play such an important role in noticing what's normal vs. abnormal
• Subtle signs of aging that pet owners often miss
• Arthritis in senior dogs and cats — what to watch for
• Muscle wasting and how it affects your pet's quality of life
• Eye changes: nuclear sclerosis vs. cataracts (and how to tell them apart)
• Cognitive decline and dementia in aging pets
• Integrative veterinary medicine, blending Western and Chinese approaches for supportive care

If you're a pet owner who wants practical tips for spotting the early signs of aging and knowing when it's time to act, get out your paper and pencil; this episode is for you.

LINKS

• Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen.
• Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com
• Personalized Virtual Consultation
• Sign up for my email list and get the aging gracefully checklist
• The Vet Eye Guy

TRANSCRIPT

TIME STAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to subtle aging signs in pets
00:56 - Why pet parents often miss the small changes
02:22 - Why trusting your gut matters for your pet's health
03:16 - Arthritis in pets over 8-12 years old
04:39 - Recognizing early signs of pain and discomfort
06:31 - Eye changes: nuclear sclerosis vs. cataracts
14:49 - Muscle wasting in senior pets and its effects
20:13 - Signs of arthritis and joint pain in pets
22:30 - Early signs of osteoarthritis in dogs
24:12 - Western and Chinese approaches to joint health
26:34 - Recognizing early signs of arthritis and pain
27:40 - Pain management and how to prepare as an owner
28:47 - Cognitive decline and dementia in pets
30:44 - Success stories in treating cognitive issues
33:01 - Monitoring weight changes for early disease detection
35:08 - Why regular weight checks and blood work matter

Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

When does a pet become a senior? Welcome to the very first episode of Senior Pet Talk! In this episode, veterinarian Dr. Amanda Steffen breaks down one of the questions pet owners ask most: when does my dog or cat actually become a "senior" — and why does it matter so much?

This episode gets into:

• Getting to know Dr. Amanda Steffen and her approach to senior pet care
• How to recognize the signs of aging and support your pet's health as they get older
• The evolving world of senior pet care, including integrative veterinary medicine

This is where to start if you're ready to understand what senior pet care really looks like and how to improve your pet's quality of life in their golden years.

LINKS

• Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen.
• Website: seniorpetconnection.com
• Personalized Virtual Consultation

TRANSCRIPT

TIME STAMPS

00:00 - Intro to senior pet care

02:53 - What actually makes a pet a "senior"

05:46 - Why proactive care matters more than you think

09:07 - My personal journey with senior pets

12:06 - How size and breed change when seniorhood starts

17:47 - Why regular vet visits and blood work matter so much

24:47 - Recap and encouragement for pet owners

Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

Welcome to Senior Pet Talk! Your whole-medicine approach guide to becoming the most prepared and informed advocate for your senior pet. Bring what you learn here into every vet visit, every care decision, and every stage of the journey ahead.

Today, Dr. Amanda Steffen, integrative veterinarian and founder of Floyd's Tale Mobile Veterinary Services, shares why the show exists and opens up about her personal why: her experience with her own senior dog, Floyd. That experience is what led her to start an in-home senior pet practice, and eventually, this podcast, so other pet parents wouldn't have to face it without support.

She walks through the medical philosophy behind the show, and looks ahead to what's coming — topics that rarely get enough airtime during a short vet visit, like pain, nutrition, dementia, mobility, cancer, and end-of-life care.

Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have. This show is here to give you more of it.

So listen in if you're ready to better understand the aging process, walk into vet appointments prepared, and advocate for your pet with more confidence.

Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dr.amanda.vet.

TRANSCRIPT

CHAPTERS

• 0:00 - First signs of change
• 0:58 - Floyd's story
• 1:19 - A Promise to pet parents
• 1:41 - Meet Dr. Steffen
• 2:01 - Blending Western medicine with Eastern holistic approaches
• 2:25 - The philosophy behind the show
• 2:36 - What topics you can expect each week
• 3:17 - Why this show exists