The Vets Unleashed

Not every vet visit is sunshine and rainbows.  Sometimes we get overloaded with options for treatment and don't know what the right decision is.  Sometimes our pets lose complete bodily function all over the room.  Very different experiences, and yet both very stressful in their own way.  Thankfully there are a couple of Vets who know how to maneuver these sticky situations. Tune in this week as D...

This week we're answering listener mail and providing moral guidance on what to do in some dicey situations.  What do you do when you see someone mistreating their animal? How do you handle difficult neighbors when a pet is involved?  What steps should you take in the work environment if you suspect someone is diverting medication?   If you need help:    Call or text 988 in the US,    or call The...

NSFW   We're getting into the first of our listener mail segments, and it's the usual drugs and sex content you come here for week after week. What's the appropriate level of embarrassment to feel after your vet surgically removes a sex toy out of your dog?  If my dog starts acting funny after our walk through Portland, what are the signs for ingesting marijuana vs. methadone vs. methamphetamine? ...

Dr. Stephanie Han Checks joins us to discuss her 4th year at Davis, and about finally becoming a REAL doctor!  The vets reminisce on her experience through vet school and the changes one goes through year to year through the program.   We bring it back old school with the first cocktail (DV(c)M) from Dr. Han's first episode, and sling up some new content with our first listener write-in, asking th...

Welcome to Season 8 and our ONE HUNDREDTH episode! We're catching up with some of our, and your, favorite past guests and asking all the important questions. Who are you? What have you been up to? What's on the horizon for the future of Vet Med? Toilet paper, over or under?   Join us as we celebrate this milestone in podcasting history! This special episode sets the tone for an exciting new season...

Soon-to-be graduates from Vet school have some choices to make when it comes to next steps in their career.  Internships offer a great opportunity to sharpen your skills and learn specialty skills before diving into a private practice.   As her internship experience is coming to an end, Dr. Adriana Razo returns to discuss the benefits and challenges she's encountered, advises best practice in how...

Ahoy Ahoy!  Dr. Sheddy the Sailing Vet joins us aboard the S.S. Unleashed from her own vessel, Chuffed, as she traverses the Mexican Pacific coast bringing veterinary services to underserved areas.  Listen as she describes her incredible story of carving her own path in Vet Med, from disenchanted land lubber to Captain Doctor of her very own ship!   Dr. Sheddy is a testament to the will, and visio...

Beep boop beep, veterinarians and bartenders beware, the robots are coming to take yer jobs!   While AI is an integral part of running our societies, it's been the center of sensationalism in the news.   So what's the reality of how it's being used, and where is it showing up in animal care practice?   The Vets courageously trust AI to help write out show talking points. Fearlessly employ it to co...

This episode dives into a topic near and dear to Dr. Mike's heart: humor! Salient and diverse, it's potential to create a better visit experience for clients, and better patient outcomes, is undeniable.   Laughter is an important part of healing and creating bonds.   But not all jokes are appropriate for the exam room, so Dr. Mike prescribes a special blend of qualities to make sure the use of hum...

Life is full of interruptions.  Whether on personal or professional time, being able to assess and pivot where to put your focus and resources is a crucial skill set.  The choices we make in those moments can have ripple effects through our day.   The Vets look at effective ways to manage your time, especially in an ever changing clinical environment.  From triage to treatment, our hosts discuss b...

Vets and pet parents come to the medical care experience with their own viewpoints and assumptions on what is necessary or practical when it concerns delivering care.  But what does it mean to give, or receive, the right treatment for our pets?   In this episode, we explore the spectrum of care, and how professionals balance what might be considered top-tier or "gold standard" treatment against wh...

Whether it's in our personal or professional lives, for those of us who are naturally empathetic and people pleasers, it's easy to find ourselves over committed, and taking care of others before taking care of numero uno.   Doctoral candidate Kelly Burich offers services and insight to the veterinary field on how we can draw necessary boundaries, for our own mental health, respectful relationships...

Stephanie Han returns as a 3rd year student; calmer, wiser, more balanced and attenuated to creating a better experience in the doctor-client relationship. Half the challenge (read joy) of the profession is working with clients and patients, and different folks have different needs in the communication department. Sometimes the best lessons are learned in real time, and adapting your communication...

Clients sometimes don't realize how above and beyond their vets go for their patients. But some of you have made a real impact on veterinary staff through your acts of gratitude and generosity.  This episode, Dr. Scott and Dr. Mike reflect on some of their favorite clients, and celebrate the amazing ways they've shown their gratitude through the years.   Whether it's a thank you card, a good onlin...

We are back celebrating Season 7!  Dr. Scott and Dr. Mike catch up after a brief hiatus and discuss what to look forward to in upcoming episodes. New drinks, returning friends, and signature banter to be sure.    This season the Docs put a focus on the client, and optimizing the experience for everyone involved with the care of our animals.  Get your ears and your cocktail shakers ready, this is t...

The Vets Unleashed celebrates the wrap of Season 6!   Dr. Scott and Dr. Mike share their favorite episodes, favorite drinks, and lessons learned from this season.   And thanks to all of you who have listened and supported the podcast over the last several years!   Please take time to fill out this survey on our IG page to help us plan out future episodes for our return in the fall.   Cheers to Sea...

In this episode we check in with return guest Stephanie Han on the conclusion to her 2nd year of veterinary school.   The gang swaps stories about the trials and tribulations of what 2nd year looks like, and how to navigate self care through a demanding program.   Cultivating the right mindset to handle the workload of vet school requires balancing discipline, ambition, and community.   And while...

Dr. Doug Mader is a triple boarded veterinarian, author, mentor, teacher, and story teller whose new book, The Vet at Noah's Ark: Stories of Survival from an Inner City Animal Hospital, traverses themes as diverse as One Health, Underserved Communities, Mental Health, Not One More Vet,  Business and medical interactions.     The vets discuss their role in promoting the Human-Animal Bond, going abo...

Paid time off is one thing, but the ability to take an extended leave from your job without worrying about money or insurance is something else entirely.  Dr. Scott and Dr. Mike explore the benefits and challenges of being able to take a sabbatical to rejuvenate your soul and re-evaluate where you are in your profession.   It can be hard to find the time or be offered the resources to take a sabba...

There's a lot of options when it comes to taking care of your pets.  Whether it's food bowls, leashes, beds, or puzzles, it's easy to get target confusion when trying to outfit your pet with life's necessities. Let the Vets ease your mind and give you their two cents.  With decades of experience between the two, they've seen what works, and what doesn't.  Get some expert advice and treat your pet...

Sit down, have a drink, or a happy pill, what else do you need?  In this episode, the vets look at what it means to be happy as a person and a professional.  Are we passive in our ability to find happiness, or is it a mindset we cultivate?    We all deal with different challenges in life, whether it's at our jobs, in our relationships, because of our health, or because of our finances.  The Doctor...

There's a lot to consider when deciding to bring a new cat into the home.   Do I want a kitten? An older cat?   Do I have space? Or the resources to care for it? Will it fit into an established pet dynamic? What should I name it ,and will it even respond if I do?   The Vets delve into the basics of deciding if adding a new cat to the home is right for you, and bring light to some of the hard quest...

With the rise of social media every vet has a platform to reach as many followers as they can garner. Dr. Scott and Dr. Mike are joined by Dr. Courtney Campbell to discuss the pitfalls and benefits of putting yourself and your opinions out in the world.   Join them as with the custom drink made in Dr. Courtney's honor:   Matcha-do About Nothing Juice 1 Lime 1 oz Simple Syrup Matcha powder to taste...

Vet techs play a vital role in patient care and client communication in ways that touch people's lives forever. Return guest Jessie Johan stops by to swap stories about first hand experiences in the way vet techs positively impact their community.   For some, it's the mentorship they provide training and guiding the next generation of the industry.   For others, it's the extra care they show to th...

Whether it's being cut off in traffic or dealing with an irate client, it's natural to react in anger. Is there anything we can do to change our nature and create a more positive response?  Today, Dr. Scott and Dr. Mike talk with writer, podcaster and dog life coach extraordinaire Katya Lidsky on the ways we can approach and assess frustrating situations, and to actively choose kindness as our fir...