In this episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communications specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, joins us to deliver important One Health updates. Avian influenza remains an ongoing global concern, with millions of birds affected and increasing spillover into vulnerable marine mammal populations along the California coast. While New World Screwworm has not yet crossed into the U.S., cases continue to rise just south of the border, prompting updated national response plans and new treatment options. The episode also explores an active E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese, highlighting the complexities of foodborne illness investigations and delayed detection. Closer to home, a surge in flea-borne typhus cases in Los Angeles underscores how everyday parasites can pose serious human health risks. Together, these stories reinforce how interconnected human, animal, and environmental health truly are, and why vigilance matters.

Key Takeaways:

• 5 million birds affected by avian flu in 30 days and marine mammals are still impacted
• Screwworm nearing U.S. border. The USDA has released a new response playbook and new treatment options area available for companion animals, equine, and small ruminant animals.
• Raw cheese E. coli outbreak has led to severe illness and involves a complex tracing process.
• Flea-borne typhus reached an all time high in LA in 2025 with ~90% of cases requiring hospitalization.
• Flea prevention protects pets and people (true One Health issue)

Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter

Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians.

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

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.

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 the second episode of the Strong Skin Happy Pets series, board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Mollie Mesman how in allergic dogs and cats with itchy skin or recurrent infections, skin barrier repair may be a key part of treatment. Learn how bathing, topical therapy, nutrition, and long-term home care can help allergic pets stay more comfortable. The series is proudly sponsored by Dechra, a leader in veterinary dermatology solutions that support skin barrier health.

Episode page with pictures and video: Strong Skin Happy Pets: How to Repair the Skin Barrier

Find a veterinary dermatology specialist near you: Specialist Search 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: 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

10 million birds. Marine mammals infected. What's happening right now.

A continued surge in avian influenza cases has led to over 10 million birds affected in just 30 days and new spillover into marine mammals along the California coast. New World Screwworm threats increase as cases rise in northern Mexico, driven in part by warming temperatures that favor parasite survival. A concerning raw milk–associated E. coli outbreak underscores ongoing food safety risks, particularly for young children. New maps from the Companion Animal Parasite Council increase tick-borne disease awareness, vaccine policy updates, and evidence-based recommendations from trusted professionals are explored.

• 10M+ birds infected in 30 days; now affecting marine mammals
• Screwworm cases rising near U.S. border with warmer weather
• Raw milk outbreaks → serious illness, especially in children
• Raw pet foods carry significant risks of pathogenic bacteria
• Tick-borne disease risk exists nationwide (not just "back East")
• Vaccine decisions should be guided by trusted medical professionals

Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter

Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians.

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

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.

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

What if your next patient wasn't a dog, cat… or even remotely domesticated?

In this very special April Fools episode of Your Vet Wants You to Know, we welcome Dr. Dave, a highly specialized (and highly questionable) expert in Sasquatch husbandry, preservation, and general care. From navigating dense woodland "practice settings" to treating elusive, blur-prone patients, this episode explores what it might take to care for the most mysterious mammal on earth.

Along the way, we discuss the unique behavioral traits of Sasquatch, creative (and ethically debatable) capture techniques, and the surprising "medical conditions" that may affect these legendary creatures. While this episode leans heavily into humor, it also offers a lighthearted reflection on real veterinary challenges—like patient compliance, diagnostic limitations, and the creative problem-solving required in clinical practice.

Listener discretion advised… especially if you believe everything you hear. 😉

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 the first episode of the Strong Skin Happy Pets series, board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Mollie Mesman joins to explore the foundation of healthy skin: the skin barrier. She breaks down what the skin barrier is, how it functions, and why it plays such a critical role in dogs and cats with allergies. Using real-life examples and practical explanations, this episode helps pet owners understand why chronic itch, infections, and flare-ups often keep coming back. The series is proudly sponsored by Dechra, a leader in veterinary dermatology solutions that support skin barrier health.

Episode page with pictures and video: Strong Skin Happy Pets: Understanding the Skin Barrier

Find a veterinary dermatology specialist near you: Specialist Search 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: 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

Pet insurance can make a significant difference in the medical options available for pets when illness or injury occurs. In this episode, we sit down with veterinary critical care specialist, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, to discuss how pet insurance works, what it covers, and how it can affect both pet owners and veterinary teams. Through real clinical stories, she explores the pros and cons of insurance, common misconceptions, and why enrolling pets early can make a major difference in coverage. The conversation also highlights how insurance can reduce the moral stress veterinarians feel when financial limitations affect medical decisions.

• Pet insurance can dramatically expand treatment options by helping families afford advanced care during emergencies or chronic illness.
• Policies generally do not cover pre-existing conditions, which is why enrolling pets early in life is often recommended.
• Most pet insurance plans work on a reimbursement model, meaning owners typically pay upfront and are reimbursed afterward.
• Insurance can reduce moral stress for veterinarians by allowing treatment decisions to focus on medical needs rather than financial constraints.
• Understanding deductibles, copays, reimbursement percentages, and coverage limits is essential when choosing a policy.

A Compassionate Calling by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk: https://acompassionatecalling.com

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

This episode of One Health Heroes highlights several fast-moving public health stories that illustrate how closely human, animal, and environmental health are intertwined. From the accelerating spread of avian influenza to proactive containment efforts against New World Screwworm, the conversation highlights both the scale of current threats and the science being deployed to address them. A leptospirosis outbreak in California emphasizes how urban wildlife, weather patterns, and vaccination decisions intersect in everyday veterinary practice. These disease outbreaks inspire broader reflection on why early detection systems, global cooperation, and continued professional engagement are essential in a changing world.

• Avian influenza cases are escalating, with over 9 million birds affected in the past month, heavily impacting Pennsylvania.

• New World Screwworm prevention efforts are expanding, including a new sterile insect facility in Texas to help contain spread near the U.S.–Mexico border.

• Leptospirosis cases are increasing in California, especially following rainy conditions, underscoring the importance of vaccination and early treatment.

• 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, highlighting the need for integrated surveillance and One Health strategies.

• Global early warning systems and collaboration matter, particularly as climate change and habitat shifts increase human–animal interactions.

Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter

Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians.

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

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.

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

We're launching the very first Your Vet Book Club with a heartfelt conversation about A Compassionate Calling by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk. In this episode, we explore the emotional realities of veterinary medicine, from exhaustion and burnout to empathy, grief, and resilience. Dr. Holowaychuk shares evidence-based research through her personal stories to reveal both the struggles and the hope within the veterinary profession. We also discuss the growing role of veterinary social work, the impact of autonomy on burnout, and how pet owners can better understand the human side of veterinary care.

• Wellbeing is essential to safe, sustainable patient care. Rest and boundaries are not optional.
• Empathy is a strength, but learning to separate compassion from personal distress protects against burnout.
• Greater autonomy and ownership in practice may help reduce professional burnout.
• Veterinary social workers provide critical emotional support for both pet owners and veterinary teams.
• Compassion must go both ways. Positive client–veterinarian relationships strengthen care for animals.

A Compassionate Calling by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk: https://acompassionatecalling.com

Handouts: Book club discussion and 10 Things Your Veterinarian Wishes You Knew: https://acompassionatecalling.com/book-club/#free-pdf-handouts

Gretchen Rubin: The Happiness Project & Happier Podcast: https://gretchenrubin.com

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 episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Hannah Varnell, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and specialist in veterinary preventive medicine, explains the rapidly growing world of solar sheep grazing. This innovative practice integrates livestock production with renewable energy infrastructure, creating measurable benefits for animal welfare, soil health, pollinators, and local communities. Dr. Varnell explains how managed intensive grazing under solar panels improves carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity — while also opening new opportunities for veterinarians in preventive medicine and livestock consulting. It's a hopeful, data-driven look at One Health in action, where agriculture, environmental stewardship, and public health truly intersect.

• Gray's LAMBscaping https://grayslambscaping.com

• American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) https://solargrazing.org/

• Three Trails Livestock Institute https://threetrailslivestock.org/

• Contact Dr. Hannah Varnell: [email protected]

Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter

Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians.

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

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.

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 final Mission RENAL episode, veterinary nutritionist and scientific communications nutritionist at Royal Canin, Dr. Megan Shepherd, explains how nutrition supports pets with chronic kidney disease. They discuss why kidney diets are formulated differently, the importance of phosphorus restriction, protein quality, hydration, GI health, and omega-3 fatty acids. The episode also addresses common myths about toppers and home-cooked diets while offering practical strategies for managing picky eaters. Dr. Shepherd emphasizes that early dietary intervention can improve both quality of life and longevity for pets with CKD. Sponsored by Royal Canin, this guide empowers pet owners with Real Education for Navigating Advanced Longevity in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease.

• Hydration is a crucial component of managing CKD

• Phosphorus, protein and omega-3 levels and their impact on the kidneys are explained

• Appetite support requires both medical and nutritional assessment

• Feeding tubes are a valid, compassionate option for some pets

• Toppers and home cooking should be closely supervised, but may not be needed with the wide variety of options for CKD available

Resources & Links:

• Episode page with pictures and video: Mission RENAL Part 6: Nutrition and Diet for Chronic Kidney Disease in Pets

• Royal Canin Academy for Veterinary Professionals
• Royal Canin for Pet Owners
• Virginia Organizing, the community activism group discussed by Dr. Shepherd

• Find a veterinary internal medicine specialist near you: Specialist Search 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: 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