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.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which Dr. Kurt Venator, chief veterinary officer at Purina, talks about. A surprising number of families experience abuse in their lifetimes, but don’t want to flee out of fear of what may happen to the pet, and only very few domestic violence shelters allow pets. Purina has worked to increase the number of shelters in America which welcome pets safely and it turns out that there are surprising advantages of being pet friendly. Also, discussed is the Link, referring to the fact that if the pet is abused, it’s likely that someone in the household will be as well.

Transportation Security Administration has a new warning regarding traveling with pets.

Head of development and community relations at Orphans of the Storm, Sandy DeLisle talks about their upcoming 95th Anniversary Gala October 13, at Independence Grove in Libertyville. DeLisle discusses why shelters are filling up in the ‘burbs, and her answers are surprising. DeLisle, in an effort to get a message across about the dogs most often in shelters, has even made a movie called You’re Out!

Charlie Propsom is the founder of Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control. This is the non-governmental fund-raising arm to support the City’s municipal shelters. When Propsom first began to volunteer, only four percent of animals made it out alive; today we are still not where we could or should be but hovering at around 90 percent are being saved (just about in “no-kill” territory). Their big benefit is called Big Night and is October 19 at Room 1590, 1520 W Fulton St.

A little girl wandered off, but dogs looked over her to ensure her safety until law enforcement discovered them.

Pet lovers everywhere need to know about an initiative called Fear Free, and corresponding website for pet parents, FearFreeHappyHomes. Fear Free’s creator Dr. Mary Becker explains why he was determined take the terror out of veterinary visits, and even in some cases dog training and boarding dogs in kennels. Dr. Becker’s initiative is changing the paradigm, from veterinary schools to vet practices and even into pet parents’ homes. Dr. Becker also implies dogs who prefer a right paw may be smarter. 

Comments about dog bite claims, and the news isn’t all good.

Wayne Pacelle is President of Animal Wellness Action and Center for Humane Economy, and he shares how production animals are raised for food, and recent legal changes to protect those animals with appropriate welfare. And he explains a story you may never have heard about regarding how China impacts the way which we treat our farm animals. 

Certified veterinary technician Mary Ann Minick CEO, President All Pets Wellness Center, 1975 Melissa Lane, Aurora, IL, a new daycare, boarding and very soon veterinary facility and more, from rehab for dogs and cats to community events to horse care.

Animal shelter professional Sandy DeLisle, executive producer and screenwriter for a new comedy film called You’re Out!  – which even premiered at Cannes Film Festival – and stars a blocky head dog, called a pit bull.  The dog joins in on a baseball adventure. The film is now being streamed through many outlets, which are listed here.

CDC Salmonella warning regarding pet turtles.

An update on what’s happening with the shelter scene like in Chicago, and it’s not all good news, says Tracy Elliott, president of the Anti Cruelty Society. Intake is up and adoption of dogs are down. And Tracy explains the real reasons why, which isn’t necessarily consistent with what’s been reported elsewhere. He also explains that oddly millennials and GenZers aren’t as interested in shelters as they once were, thinking there’s something wrong with shelter animals.

A big Anti Cruelty fundraiser, called Pour Your Heart Out is September 28 at Venue West.

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.