Tails of Truth: The Truth about Veterinary Medicine

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🐾 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, holistic veterinarian Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo explore the sometimes confusing world of cat nutrition. Drawing on Dr. Angie’s extensive experience working for major pet food brands—including Open Farm, Stella & Chewy’s, and I and Love and You—they unpack the pros and cons of raw feeding, kibble, canned food, homecooked and prescription diets.

Listeners will learn how to safely feed raw during the avian influenza era, why HPP (High-Pressure Processing) doesn’t diminish nutrients, and how to balance homemade cat food with resources like Balance.it. The duo also covers common myths about kibble, discusses why Fancy Feast isn’t the enemy, and explores how prescription diets can be beneficial for cats with IBD, kidney disease, or urinary blockages.

Through candid, unscripted conversation, Dr. Angie reminds cat parents that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to feline nutrition—genetics, palatability, and practicality all play a role. Whether your cat eats raw, canned, or kibble, this episode empowers you to make informed choices and find what works best for your feline family.

🐱 Key Takeaways

• Tails of Truth keeps cat care conversations unscripted and authentic.
• Dr. Angie’s pet food industry experience offers rare behind-the-scenes insights into formulation.
• Raw feeding supports high protein and moisture with low carbs.
• Safe raw feeding requires a kill step (like HPP) and balanced nutrition, not grocery store meat.
• Kibble is convenient but too high in carbs for obligate carnivores; it can contribute to obesity, inflammation, and dental disease.
• Canned food (even Fancy Feast!) is often a better option—higher moisture, more protein, fewer carbs.
• Prescription diets are helpful for conditions like IBD, kidney disease, and urinary blockages.
• Homemade and gently cooked diets can work if properly balanced with vitamin/mineral mixes.
• Every cat is different—genetics, texture preferences, and practicality matter more than perfection.
• The goal: Do your best, love your cat, and enjoy life together.

 🎙️ Sound Bites

“HPP does not diminish the nutrition in the raw food.”  ~ Dr. Angie 

“My cat poo doesn’t stink. What an elitist thing to say.” ~ JoJo

“The downside of canned, if we’re going to talk about it, is the lining. That lining has chemicals that we are linking to hyperthyroidism.”  ~ Dr. Angie 

 “Prescription diets are so painful for people who come to our practice.” ~ JoJo

“With cats, it’s only going to get better and better, right? Because they’re decades behind on the research.”  ~ JoJo

 “Canned is much better than kibble—and almost any type of canned—and this is going to be controversial—but Fancy Feast is not that bad.” ~ Dr. Angie 

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🐾 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo discuss the multifaceted issue of accessibility in veterinary medicine.  From financial barriers and the emotional weight of hard decisions to the privilege of pet insurance and the evolving role of house calls and telehealth, they explore what it really means to make veterinary care available to everyone. The conversation highlights disparities between urban and rural veterinary care and emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in the veterinary community. 

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💡 Key Takeaways

• Financial accessibility is one of the biggest challenges in veterinary care today.
• Shame and guilt often accompany financial decisions around pet treatment.
• Veterinarians can ease that shame through open, compassionate communication.
• Pet insurance remains a privilege many families can’t afford.
• House calls and telehealth are helping make care more accessible.
• Rural areas face longer waitlists and fewer resources for even basic care.
• The veterinary industry must balance compassion with financial sustainability.
• Empathy and respect are essential to every client conversation.
• Accessibility isn’t just financial — it includes emotional, physical, and geographic barriers.
• The future of veterinary care must prioritize inclusivity and understanding for all pet parents.

🗣️ Sound Bites

“It’s hard to not be able to afford treatment. I see it tear people up. The guilt is high.” — Dr. Angie

"Insurance has its own accessibility issues, right? Because to ask someone to pay a monthly amount is actually a privilege — to have any kind of leftover money to spend on pet insurance.” — JoJo

“Veterinary medicine doesn’t have great margins and it’s actually hard to run a clinic and be profitable.” — Dr. Angie

“I could write a book on how many times we’ve been told 'you obviously don’t care about animals if you’re not willing to treat them'.” — JoJo

“People are going to value those relationships more than ever, so it’s important to stay aligned with places where you can have relationships with people and figure it out together.” — Dr. Angie

“I hope my want is that people still feel accepted, people still feel respected, and people feel that they can have the conversations about where they need more support.” — JoJo

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🐾 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, holistic veterinarian Dr. Angie and veterinary nurse JoJo discuss the essential topic of dog vaccines. They focus on the importance of proper vaccination schedules for puppies, the significance of core vaccines like rabies and distemper/parvo, and the nuances of other vaccines such as Bordetella and Canine Influenza. They emphasize the need for individualized vaccination protocols based on the dog's environment and health status, while also addressing common misconceptions and the evolving nature of vaccine recommedations in veterinary medicine. Dr. Angie shares the truth about early breeder vaccinations, socialization timing, the debate around reduced rabies doses, and why “one size fits all” doesn’t always fit.

🎧 Whether you’re a new puppy parent or an experienced dog guardian, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a practical guide to keeping your pup protected. 

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Vaccines given before 8 weeks often don’t count due to maternal antibodies.
• Parvo and distemper are critical puppy vaccines.
• The Leptospirosis vaccine varies by region; discuss with your local vet.
• Modern Lepto vaccines are much safer than they used to be but still short-lived.
• Rabies vaccine timing should reflect the dog’s lifestyle, size, and local risk.
• Small dogs shouldn’t automatically get smaller vaccine doses.
• Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines help reduce spread in group settings.
• Vaccination schedules should be individualized — not “one size fits all.”

💬 Sound Bites

"This isn’t big pharma — it’s about ethics and what’s acceptable when testing vaccines.” — Dr. Angie 

"Vaccines before eight weeks are actually null and void.” — Dr. Angie 

“I think rattlesnake training would probably be a better option.” — JoJo

“Basically when your dog gets parvovirus, they slough their entire intestines. Talk about leaky gut — it’s the epitome of gut damage.” — Dr. Angie 

“It’s so reasonable that people ask, ‘Why does my two-pound Chihuahua get the same dose as a Great Dane?’ But it just doesn’t work that way.” — Dr. Angie 

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🐾 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and JoJo take a thoughtful look at vaccine titers—what they measure, how they’re used in veterinary medicine, and how they can help pet parents make decisions about vaccination.

They break down the science behind antibody levels, discuss why rabies vaccines are mostly non-negotiable, and unpack the complexities of distemper and parvo vaccination protocols. Cats get their spotlight too, as Dr. Angie explains how panleukopenia protection develops and why feline vaccine reactions are relatively rare. 

Whether you’re a cat guardian wanting to avoid over-vaccination or a dog parent trying to understand titers, this conversation helps you feel informed, empowered, and ready to partner with your vet in protecting your pet’s long-term health.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Vaccine titers measure a pet’s antibody response to specific viruses, showing whether they’re likely protected.
• Rabies vaccination remains essential for both pets and public safety.
• Titers help reduce unnecessary vaccines, but they have limitations veterinarians must consider.
• Distemper and parvo titer interpretations and recommendations for vaccination are complex.
• Cats benefit from early vaccination against panleukopenia, a preventable but dangerous virus.
• Each pet’s individual health history should guide vaccination decisions.
• Titers can offer peace of mind for guardians concerned about vaccine reactions.
• Veterinarians navigate uncertainty when making recommendations without standardized data.

 🎙️ Sound Bites 

 “We’re just testing your pet’s antibodies in this one moment in time, but I can’t guarantee how long it’s gonna stay that way.” — Dr. Angie

 “It’s tricky because we don’t have any studies that show a certain level of antibodies means your pet is protected—and that makes it really tricky for me as the practitioner.” — Dr. Angie

 “People and pets have been injured by vaccines—that’s fact. And people and pets have been saved by vaccines—that’s fact.” — JoJo

 “If I got one of those results that said everything looks good and we can just push it off another year—that would feel so good. That’s one or two less vaccines my dog has to get over his lifetime.”  — JoJo

 “If your pet interacts with a rabid animal, the health department isn’t going to care about that titer—and it could cost your dog or cat’s life.” — Dr. Angie

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📝 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and veterinary nurse, JoJo, dive into one of the most overlooked issues in feline health: pain in senior cats. Too often, slowing down is dismissed as “laziness” or “just old age,” when in fact, many cats are silently suffering from arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.

Dr. Angie and JoJo break down how to recognize pain in cats—from subtle changes in movement and grooming to litter box struggles—and why the grimace scale can be a game changer for pet parents. They also discuss today’s most effective treatments, from the injectable drug Solensia to the benefits of CBD and Fish Oil.

Along the way, they explore myths, controversy, and practical tips for cat guardians, including when to use fish oil, gabapentin, massage, and holistic therapies. Whether you’re a cat lover, veterinary professional, or simply want to give your feline the best possible golden years, this conversation is packed with truths every cat parent needs to hear.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• Senior cats often live with untreated pain—slowing down is not just “aging.”
• The Grimace Scale helps pet parents spot subtle signs of discomfort.
• Arthritis can show up as litter box issues, missed jumps, or changes in grooming.
• Solensia is a revolutionary injectable treatment for feline arthritis.
• CBD offers holistic benefits: reducing pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
• Fish oil, massage, and acupuncture support long-term wellness.
• Gabapentin and NSAIDs have a place but are not first-line solutions.
• Pain management restores not just mobility, but joy and connection between cats and their people.
• Pet parents should feel empowered to ask their veterinarians about options.
• Cats deserve to live active, comfortable lives at every age.

🎧 Sound Bites

• “Cats do have pain. We just weren’t listening before.”  ~Dr .Angie 
• “Cats aren’t lazy—that’s one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves.”  ~JoJo
• “Solensia is a game changer. I love it, and I’ve seen it give cats their lives back.”  ~Dr. Angie 
• "Fish oil… it’s reducing inflammation for all systems. It’s great for their coat. I like it. It’s lubricating the joints. We all should be on fish oil." ~Dr. Angie
• “They're getting to live their senior yesrs with a better, higher qualitiy of life." 
  ~JoJo
  
  

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🎙 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo tackle the evolving conversation around spaying and neutering dogs and cats. They explore how timing affects growth, health, and behavior, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. From early spay concerns and orthopedic risks, to quality-of-life considerations like daycare access, to newer options such as ovary-sparing spays and vasectomies, this discussion highlights the importance of individualized veterinary advice. They also share candid insights on the unique challenges with cats, the myths around male dogs, and the role hormones play in long-term pet health and behavior.

Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or a seasoned dog or cat guardian, this conversation will help you weigh the options with compassion, science, and your pet’s unique needs in mind.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Spay and neuter guidelines are changing—modern veterinary medicine encourages more individualized decisions.
• Early spaying (before 6 months) can increase behavior problems and urinary incontinence.
• Allowing dogs to grow with their hormones intact may reduce orthopedic issues like cruciate tears.
• Pyometra (uterine infection) is a serious, often fatal risk in intact female dogs—especially after age 5.
• Ovary-sparing spays and vasectomies are emerging alternatives, though they may require later surgeries.
• Intact male dogs can be bullied at dog parks, affecting socialization and daycare options.
• Cats are a very different case—living with an intact female cat in heat is not realistic for most homes.
• Quality of life—yours and your pet’s—matters.
• Open, ongoing conversations with your veterinarian are key to making the best decision for your animal.
• There is no universal answer—take it one heat cycle, one year, and one pet at a time.

 🎤 Sound Bites 

 “We used to spay dogs by six months, but now we know early spays can create more problems.” – Dr. Angie

 “Once you’ve seen a pyometra… it’s one of my least favorite texts or emails to get.” ~JoJo

 “When we remove hormones too early, growth plates close later and that changes the way joints form.” – Dr. Angie 

"Cats in heat are beside themselves. No one should live with that.” – Dr. Angie

 “A behavior issue that I hear about a lot when a dog is intact is humping. But I feel like I see that in all dogs. Male, female, intact, not intact.” ~JoJo

"There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — take it one heat cycle, one year, one pet at a time.” – Dr. Angie 

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🎙 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo share their experiences of different dog breeds—from feisty Chihuahuas to lovable Boxers, protective German Shepherds, and the ever-popular Doodles. They share real life stories as veterinary professionals and dog guardians, highlighting both the joys and challenges of living with and treating various breeds. The conversation explores dog behavior, breed characteristics, responsibilities as a dog guardian, and the ethical future of dog breeding practices. This honest discussion reminds listeners that while every breed has unique charm, understanding their needs is essential for a safe and fulfilling human–dog bond.

📌 Key Takeaways

• Chihuahuas may be tiny but pack big personalities.
• German Shepherds and Rottweilers can inspire both loyalty and fear, depending on experiences.
• Golden Retrievers are beloved but often face heartbreaking health challenges.
• Pugs and Cavaliers bring joy but come with grooming and health considerations.
• Doodles are trendy, but not all mixes make good family dogs.
• COVID-era puppies face unique socialization struggles.
• Some breeds, like Bulldogs and Frenchies, suffer greatly due to breeding practices.
• Choosing the right breed requires honesty about lifestyle, space, and budget.

 🎧 Sound Bites 

“Dogs are unpredictable, just like we are.” ~Dr. Angie

“Boxers don't age well...but I love Boxers.” ~JoJo

" We don’t make any breed better by mixing it with a poodle. That’s my hot take." ~Dr. Angie 

" COVID puppies are different. It’s like the ultimate introvert generation of dogs." ~JoJo

 "All the flat-faced breeds suffer so much. It doesn’t mean I don’t love your dog — but I wish we’d stop breeding them.”  ~Dr. Angie

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✨ Episode Summary

In this refreshingly honest episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo let their guard down to talk about the messy side of veterinary life. From inbox overload to unsolicited advice in the clinic lobby, they share the frustrations and “icks” that pile up on tough days — and why kindness and patience mean so much in those moments.

The conversation touches on client expectations, judgment about younger staff, over-the-top treatments, and the mental load veterinarians carry both inside and outside the clinic. Through humor and candor, Dr. Angie and JoJo remind listeners that veterinarians are human too — and that empathy and understanding go a long way in strengthening the bond between pet parents and their care teams.

📌 Key Takeaways 

• Don’t scream songs (or anything!) into your pet’s face — it’s stressful and unkind.
• It’s okay for clients to follow up if they haven’t heard back — just “please be nice.”
• Veterinarians are often juggling booked appointments, emergencies, callbacks, and emails all at once.
• Inbox overload is real — “My inbox is stressing me out right now.”
• Lunch breaks and after-hours often turn into time for urgent cases.
• Newer, younger staff can look inexperienced — but every skilled vet or nurse started there.
• Over-treatment (like unnecessary ultrasounds) can be frustrating when simpler solutions exist.
• Unsolicited advice in the waiting room often makes pet parents feel worse, not better.

🗣️ Sound Bites

• “We’re having a bad day. And we’re going to embrace this bad day.”                — Dr. Angie
• “Somebody’s gonna get their face mauled. Deservedly. For a trend.” — JoJo
• “My inbox is stressing me out right now.” — Dr. Angie
• “I felt irritated, but then I felt old… Give the dog some metronidazole.”            — Dr. Angie
• “I had to ask her to stop giving me advice about his collar. I was just like, leave me alone.” — JoJo
• “Everything starts with kindness. Just please be kind.” — JoJo

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✨ Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and veterinary nurse, JoJo, approach one of their favorite topics...CBD for pets. They share clinical insights on how CBD can support cats and dogs with pain, arthritis, anxiety, seizures, inappetancde, and more — while clarifying what CBD is (and isn’t).

You’ll learn the difference between CBD and THC, what makes a product trustworthy, and why concentration and transparency matter so much when choosing a CBD product. Dr. Angie also explains how CBD can safely fit alongside most medications, and where pet parents need to be cautious.

If you’ve ever wondered whether CBD could help your cat or dog — or felt overwhelmed by the options on the market — this episode breaks it all down in a clear and concise way.

👉 Explore Boulder Holistic Vet’s CBD Products:

• HempRx Feline Drops
  
  
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• HempRx Soft Chewz for Cats and Small Dogs
  
  
• HempRx Soft Chewz for Dogs

📌 Key Takeaways

• CBD can be life-changing for senior cats with arthritis.
• CBD can help improve quality of life.
• Not all CBD products are created equal — concentration and sourcing matter.
• CBD is not the same as THC and does not cause a high.
• Product transparency is critical for safety.

🗣️ Sound Bites

“All cats over 12 should be on CBD.” — Dr. Angie 

“CBD is not THC.” — Dr. Angie

“It looks tiny, but there's 450 doses in here.” — JoJo

“Most of the products are not concentrated enough. And so people buy them because they're less expensive, but they're not equal.” — Dr. Angie

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Tell Us What You Think

📖 Summary

In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and JoJo answer listener questions all about cats. They discuss managing chronic conditions like asthma, IBD, and hyperesthesia, dive into flea and tapeworm control, and share advice on reintroducing cats after conflicts. They also cover tricky issues like recurring cysts, feline acne, and over-grooming—exploring both physical and mental causes. Rounding out the conversation, they offer practical guidance on outdoor access, cat behavior, and helping pet parents get a good night’s sleep. With warmth and honesty, Dr. Angie and JoJo emphasize a holistic, individualized approach to feline health and behavior.

📌 Key Takeaways

• Hyperesthesia can improve with CBD, body work, and sometimes Gabapentin.
• Steroids remain an important tool for managing asthma and IBD in cats.
• Tapeworms always mean fleas—prevention is key, and safe treatments are available.
• Reintroducing cats after a conflict can be challenging and may require a behavior expert.
• Recurring cysts may require surgical removal, otherwise “let it be.”
• Over-grooming can be medical, behavioral, or pain-related; Prozac can sometimes help.
• Outdoor access needs boundaries—catios or adjusting routines can help preserve sleep.
• Holistic care and individualized veterinary advice can make a big difference in feline well-being.

🎧 Sound Bites

“If there are tapeworms, there are fleas.” ~Dr. Angie

“I release you.” (on leaving a benign cyst alone) ~ Dr. Angie

“Catios are the answer to everything.” ~Dr. Angie 

 “Did I create a monster?” (on outdoor bathroom habits) ~JoJo

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