In this VETgirl veterinary continuing education podcast,  Dr. Mark Cousins debunks the “indoor cat safety” myth. Indoor felines face silent parasite risks: hitchhiking fleas, shoe-borne roundworm eggs, and mosquitoes carrying fatal heartworms. Because cats lack approved heartworm treatments, year-round preventive care is vital. Vets must educate hesitant owners, reframing protection as a baseline of indoor feline wellness.

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we’re talking about the new veterinary sepsis definitions. Having clear definitions is crucial in making sure we’re talking about the same type and severity of disease. Until now, our veterinary sepsis definitions have been largely adapted from human medicine. But let’s be honest, our patients who have a talent for hiding illness don’t always follow the same rules as humans. Having veterinary-specific definitions gives researchers a more consistent way to compare patients and studies, while giving clinicians a stronger foundation for recognizing sepsis, assessing illness severity, and shaping both today and tomorrow’s treatment recommendations.

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we focus on an often forgotten, but still vital, electrolyte in the management of congestive heart failure (CHF): chloride.  Sodium and potassium tend to steal the electrolyte spotlight, while chloride is over there quietly waiting for someone to notice. But perhaps that is about to change…To help us better appreciate the importance of chloride’s role in our felines with congestive heart failure, we will be reviewing a 2025 article by Lavigne et al. entitled, “Hypochloremia is negatively associated with outcomes in cats with stable congestive heart failure.”

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we focus on an often forgotten, but still vital, electrolyte in the management of congestive heart failure (CHF): chloride.  Sodium and potassium tend to steal the electrolyte spotlight, while chloride is over there quietly waiting for someone to notice. But perhaps that is about to change…To help us better appreciate the importance of chloride’s role in our canines with congestive heart failure, we will be reviewing a 2025 article by DeProspero et al. entitled, “Moderate to severe hypochloremia is associated with shortened survival in dogs with stable congestive heart failure.”

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we speak with two veterinary technicians about pet insurance: Tina T. Kapeyama, RVT, Veterinary Sales Representative with ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance Program, PTZ Insurance Agency Ltd., part of the Independence Pet Group ® Family and Jaclyn Carrington, CVT, Senior Product Underwriting Specialist with Independence American Insurance Company. Discover how veterinary teams can discuss coverage options with clients, overcome financial barriers, and leverage pet insurance to deliver optimal veterinary care. Tune in to hear more about this unique veterinary technician career path and learn how it can help more pets!

In this VETgirl veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Richard Ford, MS, DACVIM, DACVPM about the updates to pet vaccination guidelines. We’ll explore the changing vaccine landscape, from leptospirosis becoming core to mitigating risks like feline fibrosarcoma. Learn how to confidently address owner concerns and build trust.

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review a zero-blood-waste push-pull blood sampling technique using peripheral IV catheters in hospitalized dogs. Based on a 2025 study, we discuss whether this needle-free, patient-friendly method offers accurate CBC and biochemistry results to ease repeat venipunctures without compromising clinical decision-making.

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we chat with Dr. Scott Weese, DipACVIM about New World screw worm prevention and treatment options in dogs and cats. Learn how to recognize the clinical signs of this invasive, flesh-eating parasite, understand its spread into Texas, and discover critical wound management and approved veterinary drug protocols.

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we are chatting with Kali Marsh, RVT, compliance manager and Mark Harrison, MS.Ed., founder and president, both with Certified Safety Training (CST) about the role of veterinary technicians, assistants and CSRs on safety training. Learn what you should know regarding federal and state requirements, the impact of OSHA, SDS (formerly MSDS) and the role you have in maintaining a safe working environment for yourself, colleagues, the animals we serve and their people.

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, Drs. Garret Pachtinger, DACVECC and Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT discuss her upcoming retirement from VETgirl, effective July 2, 2026. Join us as we reminisce on the start of the small business back in 2012, the creation of content over the years (from all emergency critical care in 2013 to over 150+ hours a year in just about every topic), to our favorite memories over the decade plus. Rest assured, VETgirl will continue its mission to provide clinically relevant content and grow, as Garret continues to manage the amazing VETgirl team!