Talking with Dr. Mark Goldstein has become a Steve Dale’s Pet World howliday tradition. No one embodies howliday positivity as Dr. Goldstein. And he’s done it all in vet medicine, nowadays telling stories about his wonderful life. He also offers highlights of the year 2023 in vet medicine and looks into his crystal ball for next year. Goldstein is the author of Lions and Tigers and Hamsters: What Animals Large and Small Taught Me About Life, Love, and Humanity.

And Steve’s dramatic reading A Pet’s Night Before Christmas.

Dr. Adam Christman (sometimes called Dr. Christmas) is a secret Santa, and Chief Veterinary Officer at DVM360. Discussed is safety at Christmas – tips for keeping pets out of the emergency room. For example, kiss under the mistletoe, but keep pets away and warns about dangers of tinsel. 

Dr. Wendy Hauser of Peak Veterinary Consulting says open wide – there’s a new early warning system product to discern what’s going on with pets’ gums, called OraStrip dx.. She offers examples of how pets so often mask dental pain, and reveals hints about what to watch for.

Incoming President National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America Beckie Mossor, a registered veterinary technician about the so-impactful non-profit to support veterinary professionals called the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree. It’s that time of year, and Mossor is ringing the bell and wagging a tail for support – and when hearing these stories, you might just do that.

Wayne Pacelle, President Animal Wellness Action and Center for Humane Economy, weighs in on how Oklahoma Governor Keven Stit is supporting cockfighting, which is a felony. Pacelle explains exactly what goes on at these gruesomely violent events. Here is the Governor himself supporting cockfighting.  Pacelle points out cockfighting occurs in Illinois far more than you may think.

Zen by Cat Co-founder Peter Cohen is raising money to learn more about Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in the name of Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, who before she passed in 2023 tirelessly educated veterinary professionals and the public about FIP. Dollars raised in her name supports funding via the EveryCat Health Foundation to further treatment for kitties with FIP..

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Julia Albright, Associate Professor of Behavior at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine shares how to use dietary supplements to prevent or manage fear, anxiety and stress in pets. Dr. Albright explains more of what these are, such as Purina’s Calming Care. And Dr. Albright also talks about Fear Free Happy Homes.

Dr. Jeanette O’Quinn, Associate Professor of Shelter Medicine at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine notes that shelter medicine is in many ways very different compared to small animal private practice, and is now a specialty. O’Quinn notes there are Guidelines for shelters from the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health.  Also, discussed enrichment for animals at the shelter and how shelter medicine veterinarians support pet adoptions.

The National Link Coalition focuses on how if there is abuse in the home, the pet may be abused first. Phil Arkow, a co-founder, of the non-profit coalition supported research years ago to demonstrate this link is real. An example is that mass shooters may practice violence on animals first, and too often law enforcement or the judiciary don’t pay attention to these red flags – even if it doesn’t lead to a mass shooting – violence begets violence.

A new study regarding traveling with pets.

All about cats – this show features Dr. Sarah Brown, Author of The Hidden Language of Cats: How They Have Us At Meow. Understanding cats, no easy task, begins with understanding how cats became domesticated. However, some feel they aren’t domesticated – so are they or not? Cats do communicate with us all time. How do you know what they’re trying to tell us? And examples of how so often we misunderstand what they are trying to tell us. 

The loudest cat purr.

With the National Dog Show Presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day, NBC at noon (all time zones), a conversation with broadcasters David Frei and John O’Hurley.

As always, trying to nail Frei down to who he thinks might win the show. Very few TV programs last 22 years, what is it about the dog show?

Social media rumors persist that there will be a Seinfeld reboot. O’Hurley, who was of course J. Peterman on Seinfeld, ought know if it will happen? Also, O’Hurley is working a new TV series.

Also, check out the WGN Radio Steve Dale Petcast.

Dr. Kristin Shaw, a pain specialist at Zoetis, has an exciting announcement about a new drug called Librela, a monoclonal antibody which controls pain associated with canine osteoarthritis.

SO many dogs suffer from arthritis, many old dogs (and dogs are living longer so that number is on the rise); overweight/obese dogs (another number unfortunately on the rise); dogs of certain breeds (or mixes) are genetically predisposed and may actually begin to suffer arthritis in middle-age or even younger; following orthopedic surgeries (such as cruciate tears) – we are talking A LOT of dogs.

Beth Stultz Hairston, President of Pet Sitters International offers advice about how to find a pet sitter and/or dog walker.

And check out the rebooted WGN Radio Steve Dale Petcast.

Dr. Patrick Flynn, professional services veterinarian at Zoetis discusses two monoclonal antibody treatments for arthritis, one for cats called Solensia and for dogs, the newly released Librela. Also, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Meghan Heron of Gigi ‘s, a shelter and adoption center for dogs on a new monoclonal antibody to treat canine parvovirus.

Dr. Flynn, also President of the Human Animal Bond Association on exactly what the bond is – and how this bond is something we all have. November 8 is International Human Animal Bond Day, certainly a day to celebrate all family members with four legs, feathers or scales. The Human Animal Bond Association is a non-profit centered on the delivery of education and information that helps to better understand how – and why- both humans and also animals benefit from the bond.

Legendary ethologist Dr. Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder; Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society, and a past Guggenheim Fellow. His latest (of his many books), Dogs Demystified: An A to Z Guide of All Things Canine with a foreword authored by his chum Dr. Jane Goodall. How people live with dogs varies around the world, but – no matter – we have all evolved with dogs. Dr. Bekoff talks about the importance of play, the value of dog parks, and so much more in this rare opportunity to go deep with Dr. Bekoff. 

And how cats purr, mystery unraveled.

Let’s Talk About Cancer is a virtual event on November, 7 p.m. It’s free, and you can register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DCJxOOFOQl-mKHNjAkRLyQ.

Dr. Thomas Butera CEO of Volition Veterinary and Tricia Montgomery, founder of the non-profit Moose’s March and President of Pets are Family offer hope regarding canine cancers. On average, six million dogs are affected by cancer annually. Dr. Butera reveals a new simple blood test, leading to earlier diagnosis, particularly of canine lymphoma and a deadly blood cancer which is otherwise rarely predictable until it is too late, called hemangiosarcoma.