Steve Dale's Petcast

Dr Marty Becker is the most influential veterinarian on the planet. Several years ago he said “why aren’t we paying attention to the emotional well-being of pets?” and founded the Fear Free initiative to minimize fear, anxiety and stress at veterinary visits. This notion has not only caught on around the world with veterinary professionals, but also dog trainers, dog groomers and pet sitters. Fear Free has been and continues to be transformational.

Dr Adam Christman, chief veterinary officer DVM360, and Steve Dale in a wide-ranging discussion about how veterinary medicine continues to evolve and what the pet parents’ role is today.

Dr. Mary Gardner can apparently foretell the future, as today the notion of euthanizing at home or a dog’s favorite place, or providing hospice is something pet parents are seeking. Lap of Love is a network of over 300 veterinarians around the country with the goal of empowering every owner to care for their geriatric pets including at-home euthanasia. What she says about the right time to euthanize may be surprising.

We do have more geriatric pets than ever, and to answer questions about their needs she’s authored old pet bibles: It’s Never Long Enough: A Practical Guide to Caring for Your Geriatric Dog and Nine Lives Are Not Enough: A Practical Guide to Care for Your Geriatric Cat.

Dr. Debra Horwitz, world renowned veterinary behaviorist and co-editor Decoding Your Dog, discusses why dog bites may be on the rise. For starters, she says hugging your dog isn’t likely a good idea. We may call them our fur babies, but treating dogs like human babies doesn’t benefit the dog. Also, discussed are dog bite prevention tips as well as how the Fear Free initiative is transforming veterinary medicine.

Pilley Bianchi, who is the author of For the Love of DOG, and her late dad, professor John W. Pilley, Jr. trained Chaser, the smartest dog in the world. How did they do it? How smart was Chaser? How smart are dogs really? Are we not tapping into what all dogs are capable? Pilley has a way to open minds and dispel myths.

Ear infections are among the most common complaints heard by veterinarians, which makes ZYMOX a savior for pet parents, ZYMOX Ear Cleanser combines protein, enzymes to gently cleanse. ZYMOX Ear Solution provides two options with the patented combination of enzymes. Billy Bosco, research and development at Pet King Brands, explains how this company, now celebrating 25-years, grew from a seed of an idea in his mom’s basement to what it is today. Zymox products are available on:  Amazon, Chewy, at select Petco, and Petsmart stores and at many other fine pet retailers!

Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, lead veterinarian at Merrick Pet Care, joins Steve Dale on this Merrick Pet Care Five Star Interview. “Doggy breath” isn’t necessarily something we should ignore. Listen in while Dr. Lobos talks about what causes “doggy breath” and how it can be prevented.

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

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.

Dr. RuthAnn Lobos on how to keep pets out of the pet ER over the holidays, and it begins with being safe rather than sorry when it comes to tinsel and a special hint for preventing cats from toppling Christmas trees. Discussed are foods to keep pets away from and an idea to offer appropriate holiday food and treats so the pets aren’t begging for turkey or ham from the Christmas table. Also, Steve Dale’s dramatic reading, “A Pet’s Night Before Christmas”

Arguably the most important non-profit in the cat world is the EveryCat Health Foundation (formerly Winn Feline Foundation). Guests on this Merrick Pet Care Petcast are Vickie Fisher, president of the Board of Directors at EveryCat and Past President International Cat Association and EveryCat Executive Director Jackie Ott Jaakola discuss the rich history and impact this organization as nearly all we know about all cats was once funded over the past 53 years by this non-profit.

I too am involved, as I am Secretary of the Board of Directors, and explain how I created a fund called the Ricky Fund for heart disease in cats, and why that is important to all cats, and we are making progress.

Progress is the key word for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), once fatal and now considered treatable as a result of funding from the EveryCat Health Foundation.  This is newsworthy because FIP is caused by the feline coronavirus (not the SARS coronavirus-2 now impacting people around the world), but as a result a drug called Remdesivir was found to help people.  

Cats are living longer than ever before, and now the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has created Guidelines for Senior Cats called Senior Cats Have Special Needs. My guest in this Merrick Pet Care Petcast is Dr. Hazel Carney, feline practitioner and Co-Chair of the AAFP Guidelines Committee.

We cover LOTS of ground in this Petcast, from rattling off lots of very subtle signs of pain in cats you might not be aware of to defining feline cognitive dysfunction (sometimes dubbed ‘Kitty Alzheimers’). We talk about how learning throughout life and providing an enriched environment might even delay or prevent the onset of cognitive impairment with age. And how Dr. Carney has fun surprising older cats with crickets (her idea of fun might not be the same as yours, but cats enjoy it). We also discuss nutrition and how to create a comfortable environment for senior cats (ranging from night lights to kitty step stools).