Amy Shojai is the recipient of the American Veterinary Medical Association Steve Dale Excellence In Veterinary Communications Award. And, aside from authoring countless pet articles in blogs and magazines, she has authored well over 30 books. She discusses two of those books, one is about the necessarily of enrichment for dogs, and another is the need for enrichment for cats.

President of the International Academy for Veterinary Pain Management Dr. Tammy Grubb offers exciting news for arthritic dogs, which there are many. Sometimes arthritis in dogs is breed-related, and often age-related or both. Arthritis in dogs is certainly more common in larger dogs, but occurs an awful lot in small dogs as well. And layered over all this are all the overweight and obese dogs, which may more likely have arthritis. And it turns out in humans, chronic pain is linked to depression. Also, discussed is relationship between pain in dogs and cats and the human animal bond.

Dr. Susan Little, Professor Parasitology Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, might scare you with news she has regarding ticks – how numerous they are – and tick disease. She also talks about fleas, and why those buggers are more than merely gross. 

Kara Burns, licensed veterinary technician, reveals a new way your veterinarian can detect periodontal disease in dogs and cats, called OraStripDX. 

It wasn’t likely a person in a bear suit in China, but Steve expresses his concerns.

How smart are dogs, really? Could we do much more to tap into their potential? Pilley Bianchi, who knows a little something about smart dogs (her dad John Pilley Jr. trained Chaser, the world’s smartest dog) has authored For the Love of DOG: The Ultimate Relationship Guide. It’s a fascinating discussion about who dogs really are.

Did you know that so many cats are dehydrated, and what to do about.

Dr. Liz Brown and David Frei discuss the Great American Cat Show and the Great American Dog Show.

What can people expect if you’ve never been to a cat show? What cats show judges look for? What are some activities that happen at the cat show beyond the beauty contest part of the program?

At the dog show, over 200 breeds will appear and in the evening a special event happens, The Chicago Challenge Cup compete for a $20,000 first prize. David explains how you can get up close and personal at this show, meeting the dogs.  Learn more about these events HERE.

Vicki Santo discusses the Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Dog Foundation, which was a dream of Ron’s. In some cases, the trained dogs have actually saved lives. Vicki explains how the dogs are trained, and how Steve Dale even had something to do with Ron and Vicki understanding how dogs are connected and can alert having something to do with a dog named Joker. Vicki explains how you can support this non-profit.

Domestic rabbits are being abandoned.

A very special conversation with Dr. Kate Meurs, Dean of Medicine at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about heart disease in cats, which may be the most common cause of death among cats who are about 2 to 8 years old. Steve discusses a fund he created to support investigators like Dr. Meurs learning more about heart disease in cats with what is now the EveryCat Health Foundation, and Dr. Meurs reveals new research for heart disease in cats. Dr. Meurs also makes a special announcement regarding cats and North Carolina State.

Cats can get heatstroke too.

Dog trainer and certified dog behavior consultant Peggy Moran goes into philosophical depth regarding positive reinforcement dog training. She knows, as she has lived through the evolution of dog training and she has evolved herself. Look for what you want and know how to reinforcement and be less concerned about punishing for what you don’t want. She also discusses training service dogs for veterans with PTSD.

The importance of playing with your cat.

Renowned veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lisa Radosta co-authored the most recent edition of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat (with Dr. Gary Landsberg and Dr. Lowell Ackerman). Anxiety or panic (such as in separation anxiety) does cause a physiological change in the body, which Dr. Radosta explains. She also talks about how important it is to be open to medications for behavior problems of dogs or cats. Can obese cats be depressed?  Also discussed is Fear Free, and taking cats to the veterinarian.

Could dogs walking slower be a sign of cognitive decline?

Holly Agra of the Mercury Skyline Cruiseline talks about the Canine Cruise, which began as a result of a conversation 15 years ago with Steve on WGN Radio. It’s a novel dog-friendly cruise, kind of an architecture cruise for dogs, showing off the parks with the most squirrels and oldest fire hydrant. Also discussed is Architecture Cruise, led by Chicago Architecture Center docents.

Certified dog trainer Gracie Wilkerson of the Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Foundation discusses how she is helping to support Ron Santo’s vision to save lives of children with juvenile diabetes. Gracie discusses how she trains the dogs, and what the results have been. It does cost thousands to train each dog, and you can help to provide support. 

Keeping dogs safe in hot weather.

Veterinary behaviorist Katherine (Kat) Pankratz explains what enrichment is and why for dogs and cats it’s so important for their well-being. Physical exercise is certainly a good idea, but on walks, she says let dogs smell the world.  Enrichment my vary depending on the breed. And there’s a better way to feed dogs and cats, and she explains why. She describes what cats require, from hiding places to opportunities to forage.

Taylor St. Onge is a veterinary social worker with the Premier Veterinary Group. She explains what she does, including but not limited to helping pet parents decide when it’s time to euthanize and also providing pet loss support for family members of all ages. 

Alternative ideas for keeping dogs busy indoors when it’s too hot outdoors.