Steve Dale's Pet World

Mark Cushing, an attorney and Founder/CEO of the Animal Policy Group, is a well-known leader in the veterinary industry. Steve and Mark don’t exactly agree about what to do about pet stores that sell dogs/cats and have a spirited exchange about that issue. However, Mark and Steve do agree when it comes to virtual care, which is the future – like it or not. Both take a deep dive into a discussion virtual care or telehealth.

Steve expresses his passion regarding veterinary technicians – who he calls “true everyday heroes.”

Dr. Kurt Venator, Chief Veterinary Officer at Purina, explains that domestic violence and animal welfare are tied together. For starters abuse often includes the pet(s). Also, most people have a pet, and domestic violence victims aren’t exceptions. One problem, which Purina and the non-profit Red Rover are working on is to find pet-friendly places where the entire family – including the pet – can safely escape. To support this need, the Purple Leash Project was created.

Jeff Katz, founding member of the Lakeview Dog Park Council, explains why a dog friendly area (DFA) or dog park is going to be on the ballet if you happen to live near where the proposed DFA will be in Lincoln Park.

Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, lead veterinarian at Merrick Pet Care, joins Steve Dale on this Merrick Pet Care Five Star Interview. We love to offer our dogs and cats treats and they love to take them. Listen in while Dr. Lobos breaks down the usage of treats, how many is too many and which ones are the most appropriate.

Merrick Pet Care Far Star interview is brought to you by Merrick Pet Care.

Very scary – Dr. Renee Schmid, manager of medicine and professional services; senior veterinary toxicologist Pet Poison Helpline, discusses dangers to keep our pets away from over Halloween, and veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel talks about minimizing fear, anxiety and stress some pets have when that doorbell is constantly ringing.  And tips about pet costumes.

November is Senior Dog Month, and Steve, who is on the Advisory Board of the Grey Muzzle Organization, tells the story of one senior dog finally adopted.

Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, lead veterinarian at Merrick Pet Care, joins Steve Dale on this Merrick Pet Care Five Star Interview. Listen in while Dr. Lobos breaks down the nutritional benefits, among other benefits, to feeding your pets moist or wet food over dry food.

Merrick Pet Care Far Star interview is brought to you by Merrick Pet Care.

She is one of many often-unheralded Chicago heroes for animals, Jenny Schlueter, now director Heartland Animal Shelter. Jenny is also a part of Chicagoland Humane Coalition, and she discusses the Help a Chicago Dog Campaign and the current shelter situation in the Chicago area. Jenny also talks about Heartland, now in Wheeling, which she runs. Heartland is a no-kill facility, often accepting animals with special needs. 

Steve talks about how he participated in created legislation regarding dog fighting, and how there seems to be far less of it; though very recently a massive dogfighting operation was broken up in South Carolina.

She’s Chicago’s own, Dr. Sandra Faeh has been involved with organized veterinary medicine for over 20 years, since her junior year of veterinary school when she served as Student AVMA president; and now she’s running for President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In a wide-ranging conversation about how the profession has changed post pandemic and what that means to pet parents, everything from tele-triage and tele-medicine to the veterinary shortage to how veterinarians are utilizing artificial intelligence.

Here’s what happened with spay/neuter and shelter adoptions during the pandemic, and where we are now.

Following a dog flu outbreak in Nashville, TN, Dr. Natalie Marks says it can happen anywhere unless enough dogs are vaccinated. She explains signs of dog flu and why dog parents should pair up for protection with both the vaccine for dog flu and for Bordetella.

Dogs as pirates seems too obvious, as Captain Gabe Argumedo of the Mercury Skyline Cruiseline talks about the scary Halloween Canine Cruise costume contest which features a very nice prize for pet parents.

Queen Elizabeth was an animal activist, particularly when it came to horses. And only the pandemic in 2020 cancelled the Queen personally presenting Marty Irby, executive director Animal Wellness Action with an award. In part, it’s because of the work he’s done to prevent soring, which personally impressed the Queen. 

A detailed discussion about pet allergies.

Dr. Roger Mugford was Queen Elizabeth’s dog trainer. He explains why he was summoned by the Queen and what he did to help her contingent of Corgis. He also recalls what the Queen was like with great fondness.

Mike Ortega, founder and CEO of Petzey explains what this on-demand pet app is all about, and how at a time when veterinary appointments can be so difficult to make – this service may be helpful or even a lifesaver. Steve will be at a Petzey party – October 9 at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. pm: at Park & Field, 3509 W. Fullerton, Chicago – which includes adoptable pets from rescues; activities for dogs; massages for attending dog and Mella, a Chicago-based startup. The event is FREE. Register HERE.

How you can tell if your cat may be in pain.

Dr. Adam Christman is chief veterinary officer for DVM360 and a series of veterinary conferences known as FETCH. We talk tick; there are more ticks in more places than ever, which means more tick disease than ever. He says, he gives “mad props” to pet parents who do research and then run it by their veterinarian.

Want a veterinary appointment right now, that may be hard to get. Dr. Christman explains what that is all about. And he’s Dr. Adam Christman52 on TikTok.

Was granny losing her mind?