In this One Health Heroes episode, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti welcomes back Dr. Mandy Sorensen of the AAFSPHV and features special guest Dr. Laura Rothfeldt, Arkansas’s State Public Health Veterinarian. They explore the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health through updates on avian influenza, screwworm prevention, parasite forecasts, and a deep dive into the mysterious and growing condition: Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Learn how veterinarians, physicians, and public health officials are collaborating on tick-borne disease surveillance and how you can protect your pets—and yourself.

Resources & Links:

• 🐾 American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians (AAFSPHV)

• 🐛 CAPC 2025 Parasite Forecast Maps

• 🦠 CDC: Alpha-Gal Syndrome Info

• 🦢 Cornell Wildlife Health Lab: Avian Influenza Tracking

• 🐕 Learn more about Alpha-Gal Alert Dogs

  Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE

In this follow-up to our acute kidney injury (AKI) episode, Dr. Simona Buoncompagni returns to explain how hemodialysis works in pets and when it can be used to save lives. Learn the differences between IV fluids and dialysis, the conditions that make a pet a good candidate, and what to expect during treatment. We also explore other extracorporeal therapies like hemoperfusion and plasma exchange.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What hemodialysis is and how it mimics kidney function

• When your veterinarian might recommend dialysis

• How extracorporeal therapies help pets recover from toxins or immune disease

• What the treatment process looks like (feeding tubes, sedation, session length)

• Prognosis, risks, and recovery

• How these tools are expanding what's possible in veterinary medicine

Links & Resources:

• 📍Episode page with blog post

• 📍 LeadER Specialty Hospital – Boca Raton & Cooper City

• 📍 Find a Specialist Near You

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.  

By doing so, we strive for:

1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,  

2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,  

3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and  

4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.   Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Connect with Your Vet!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

 

In this compelling episode of One Health Heroes, world-renowned veterinary infectious disease specialist Dr. Jane Sykes joins as a special guest to discuss her recently published study on Valley Fever. Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communications specialist for the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health returns with updates on avian influenza and FDA dairy quality testing, as well as breaking news on New World Screwworm and the risks to cattle along the southern US border. 

🔬 Highlights include:

• A deeper look into the latest Valley Fever research, including how dogs may serve as early warning sentinels for disease outbreaks in people.

• A critical update on the spread and mutations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1)—with attention on the concerning D 1.1 strain.

• A timely overview of the reemergence of New World Screwworm, a devastating parasite threatening U.S. livestock and wildlife.

• Why screwworm infestations are painful, economically devastating, and reportable—and what pet owners and veterinarians should be watching for.

Resources:

• Sykes, Jane E., et al. “Use of Dog Serologic Data for Improved Understanding of Coccidioidomycosis: A One Health Approach.” JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Apr. 2025.

• UC Davis Center for Valley Fever
• Cornell University Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Resource Center
• American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians

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Kidney injuries can happen suddenly and without warning—especially in dogs and cats. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a medical emergency that requires quick recognition and treatment to give pets the best chance of recovery. In this episode of “Your Vet Wants You to Know,” we’re joined by veterinary internal medicine specialist Dr. Simona Buoncompagni, who shares her expertise in nephrology and dialysis to help pet owners understand this critical condition.

 

📸 See the Episode Extras: Read the blog post and learn more about AKI on the website—visit YourVetWantsYouToKnow.com for additional resources!

📍 Find a Veterinary Dermatologist Near You: Visit the resources page to find a veterinary internal medicine or critical care specialist near you.

🔗 Learn more about LeadER Animal Specialty Hospital: Schedule an appointment with Dr. Buoncompangi or the other veterinary specialists in Boca Raton or Cooper City, FL.

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.  By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,  2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,  3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and  4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.  

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Connect with Your Vet! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

In this installment of the One Health Heroes segment, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti is joined again by Dr. Mandy Sorensen from the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians to provide important updates on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), ongoing challenges in federal food safety oversight, including dairy quality control with the FDA, and what these developments mean for animals, people, and the environment.

They discuss recent human cases of HPAI in Mexico and Vietnam, explore the risks of cross-species transmission (including pets), and emphasize the importance of preventive hygiene and biosecurity. The episode also takes a deep dive into recent budget and staffing cuts in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and how those cuts are affecting diagnostic surveillance and milk safety testing at the federal level. It finishes with findings from a recently published study looking at how dogs in regions with Valley Fever can give us insight into this disease in humans as well. 

• 🦇 CDC Rabies and Bat Exposure Info • 🧪 Cornell HPAI Research Resource • 📋 AAFSPHV Newsletter and Membership Info   Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE

If your horse is rubbing its mane, swishing its tail excessively, or breaking out in hives, you’re not alone—and it may not just be bugs or behavior. Equine allergies are more common than you might think, and they can affect both the skin and respiratory systems.

In this episode of Your Vet Wants You To Know, board-certified veterinary dermatologists Dr. Brittany Lancellotti welcomes follow dermatologist and horse lover, Dr. Julia Miller, who uncovers the often-overlooked world of horse allergies. From chronic hives and hay sensitivities to the connection between equine asthma and environmental allergens, this episode is packed with practical advice for every horse owner.

📸 See the Episode Extras: Photos of intradermal skin testing and different types of hives in horses—visit YourVetWantsYouToKnow.com to view them!

📍 Find a Veterinary Dermatologist Near You: Visit the resources page to find a veterinary dermatologist or equine practitioner near you.

🔗 Follow Dr. Miller on Instagram: @drjanimaldermatologist

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.  By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,  2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,  3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and  4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.  

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Connect with Your Vet! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

New infections, emerging risks, and critical funding cuts—how are these shaping the safety of our food, our pets, and our public health? In this episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti is joined again by Dr. Mandy Sorensen to discuss urgent updates on the avian influenza outbreak, a recent rabies-related transplant case, and concerning budget cuts to federal health agencies. Learn how these changes could impact veterinarians, animal health, and your family’s safety—and what you can do to stay informed and protected.

Key Topics:

• Avian Influenza Update: Continued spread among dairy herds, cats, and wild animals; new fatal case in a child in Mexico; latest research confirms pasteurization inactivates the virus.

• Rabies Risk & Prevention: Insights into a rare rabies-related transplant case, the often-overlooked risk of bat exposure, and the life-saving importance of pet vaccination.

• Federal Budget Cuts: How recent staffing cuts at HHS, CDC, and FDA—including the Center for Veterinary Medicine—could affect food safety, drug approval, outbreak surveillance, and pet health.

• Protecting Pets and People: Practical One Health strategies for individuals—biosecurity for backyard flocks, avoiding raw diets, and food safety measures to prevent zoonotic transmission.

Resources & Links:

• 🦠 USDA APHIS Avian Influenza Map (last 30 days)

• 🐾 Animal Medical Center Avian Influenza Webinar

• 🦇 CDC Rabies and Bat Exposure Info

• 🧪 Cornell HPAI Research Resource

• 💉 Mission Rabies

• 📋 AAFSPHV Newsletter and Membership Info

 

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE

Deadly diseases, food safety risks, and zoonotic threats—how do they impact you and your pets? In this debut episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti is joined by Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communications specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, to discuss pressing public health concerns. Learn about the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, its devastating impact on poultry, dairy herds, and even pets. Get expert insights on how to protect your animals, understand the role of veterinarians in disease surveillance, and avoid common misconceptions.

Key Topics:

• The deadly scope of the avian influenza outbreak and its ripple effect on food supply, farmers, and pet owners

• Why raw milk and raw food diets put pets at risk

• The importance of disease surveillance and early reporting to prevent zoonotic threats

• How veterinarians contribute to One Health and public safety

• What pet owners can do to protect their families and animals

Resources & Links:

• Cornell's Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Resource Center

• USDA & CDC Avian Influenza Surveillance Maps

• AAVSPHV Newsletter & Membership Information

• Ohio State University’s Indoor Cat Initiative

 

Welcome to a new segment called 'One Health Heroes.' This segment highlights the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health and the crucial role of public health veterinarians. Special guest Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communication specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians (AAFSPHV) will join bimonthly for news updates. Topics include zoonotic diseases, food safety, emerging health threats, and the the work being done in veterinary public health. This recurring segment aims to provide timely, evidence-based information for both pet owners and veterinary professionals.   Veterinarian professionals can join the AAFSPHV to subscribe to their newsletter here: https://aafsphv.org

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: 

Is your cat constantly scratching, overgrooming, or suffering from red, irritated skin? Feline allergies are a common but frustrating condition for both cats and their owners. In this episode, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, veterinary dermatologist, breaks down the best treatment options to help your allergic cat feel comfortable again.

You'll learn: ✅ The latest veterinary treatments, including prescription medications and at-home solutions ✅ What questions to ask your veterinarian ✅ Common myths about feline allergy treatments and what really works

Whether your cat needs allergy-friendly food, medicated shampoos, or advanced therapies like immunotherapy, this episode has the answers. Join us as we follow Otto’s journey—an allergic cat who lost all the fur on his back legs and belly—and explore the treatments that helped manage his allergies.

Resources & Links:

📌 Struggling to medicate your cat? Check out the Calm and Cozy Cat Wrap.

📌 Find a veterinary dermatologist near you: Your Vet Wants You to Know Resources

📌 Full transcript with pictures of Otto and other allergic cats: Episode Page

📌 Schedule an appointment at Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles with Dr. Lancellotti: Veterinary Skin and Ear

Scratching the Itch: EveryCat Health Foundation

The EveryCat Health Foundation is the world's only nonprofit focused solely on feline health research. They award grants for cutting edge research in feline medicine, ranging from clinically applicable proposals to long shot investigations with game-changing potential. Learn more and donate here.

 

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information. By doing so, we strive for:

1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,

2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,

3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and

4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: