The Collaborative Vet Podcast - Michael Dr.T Tokiwa

Where is senior pet medicine headed?

In this final segment, Dr. Stephen shares her vision for the future:
 • Senior pet education courses for pet parents
 • Arthritis and dementia advocacy
 • Teaching pet owners how to understand diagnostics
 • Hospice and palliative care
 • Eastern-integrated therapies and herbal medicine
 • Rehab certification

The goal isn’t just lifespan. It’s healthspan.

Senior care is evolving — and this is just the beginning.

#PetHospice #PalliativeCarePets #SeniorPetAdvocacy #CollaborativeVet

Longevity is built on fundamentals.

In this segment, we break down the first practical steps in senior wellness:
 • Ideal body weight
 • Dental disease detection
 • Fish oil and nutritional support
 • The importance of protein
 • Muscle wasting and its link to mortality

We also discuss why anesthesia for a senior dental procedure can actually extend quality of life — not shorten it.

Proactive care adds healthspan, not just years.

#SeniorWellness #PetNutrition #VeterinaryAdvice #HealthyPets

Is work-life balance even real?

Dr. Amanda Stephen shares how she balances motherhood, veterinary medicine, and building a senior-focused business. Instead of balance, she calls it a carousel — seasons of intensity supported by strong boundaries and purpose.

We discuss:
 • Working with intention
 • Setting family boundaries
 • Support systems at home
 • Modeling ambition for your children

When you love what you do, it becomes alignment — not sacrifice.

#WomenInVeterinaryMedicine #VetMom #EntrepreneurVet #LeadershipInVetMed

Is it “just aging” — or something more?

We dive into cognitive dysfunction (pet dementia), arthritis evaluation, and what a true senior workup should include:
 • Bloodwork
 • Radiographs
 • Blood pressure
 • Dementia screening checklists
 • Gut microbiome considerations
 • MCT oil and supportive therapies
 • Even the impact of something as simple as a nightlight

Small adjustments can significantly improve quality of life.

This is senior medicine done thoughtfully.

#DogDementia #PetCognitiveDysfunction #SeniorDogHealth #VeterinaryPodcast

What changes a veterinarian’s entire approach to medicine?In this segment, Dr. Amanda Stephen shares the story of her soul dog, Floyd — battling a brain tumor, dementia, and arthritis. Feeling alone and questioning conventional approaches, she realized how different outcomes might look with earlier detection and broader options.

We discuss:
 • Emotional isolation pet parents feel
 • Conventional vs integrative care
 • Why early senior screening matters
 • How one dog reshaped a medical philosophy

Senior care begins long before crisis.

Subscribe for more conversations on proactive veterinary medicine.

#SeniorPets #VeterinaryMedicine #PetDementia #IntegrativeVetCare

Are vaccines still important in older pets?

In this segment, we address one of the most misunderstood topics in senior care. Senior pets are often immunocompromised — not immune.

We discuss:
• Vaccine recommendations for older pets
• Duration of immunity
• Titers vs boosters
• Real cases of parvo in senior dogs
• Why rabies is still a real concern

Informed decisions require informed conversations.

#SeniorPetVaccines #RabiesVaccine #ParvoPrevention #VeterinaryEducation

In this episode, Dr. Whitney Terrell shares the unconventional path that led her into veterinary medicine — from growing up in a hunting family to discovering that being a veterinarian is, at its core, detective work. We talk about sports, discipline, self-discovery, and how early life experiences shape the kind of doctor you become. This is a powerful reminder that not everyone follows a straight line into vet med — and that’s often where the magic happens.

At VMX, I had the chance to sit down with veterinarians who are not only incredible clinicians, but real humans navigating ownership, family, social media, and the future of our profession.
Today’s conversation with Dr. Whitney Terrell is honest, funny, and deeply relatable — the kind of discussion vet school never really prepared us for.
Let’s get into it.

To make vet visits easier for cats, consider choosing a feline-friendly certified vet, as they specialize in gentle handling and environments that suit a cat’s needs, like quieter waiting rooms and cat-specific techniques. Stay calm, as your cat senses your energy, so relax before the visit with calming music or breathing exercises. Practice short car rides to reduce stress and break the association of car trips with vet visits. Use pheromone sprays like Feliway to soothe your cat, and bring a familiar item, like a blanket, for comfort. Keep the carrier cozy and familiar by leaving it out at home with treats, and reward your cat with toys and treats before, during, and after the visit. If anxiety is a major issue, ask your vet about medications like gabapentin to help make the experience smoother.

"Empowering new graduates in veterinary medicine begins with embracing mentorship, where the guidance of experienced veterinarians provides the essential tools and emotional support to navigate the complexities of referrals. Clear communication is critical for building client trust; by explaining the referral process in simple terms, new graduates can ease client concerns and foster confidence in their recommendations. Developing strong relationships with specialists through professional respect and collaboration ensures patients receive the best care, enhancing the reputation and capability of the practice. Showing empathy and understanding toward clients, especially when they feel uncertain, transforms a potentially anxious experience into one of trust and reassurance. Preparing clients with clear instructions and addressing potential concerns upfront enables them to navigate the referral process confidently, strengthening their trust in you as their veterinarian. Together, mentorship, clear communication, collaboration, empathy, and preparation empower new graduates to create a positive and fulfilling referral experience for clients and their pets."