Call the Vet - an insider's guide to dog and cat health

Are you worried about your young pet's health? Confused by all the advice swirling online about kibble, vaccines, and vet care? In this eye-opening episode of "Call the Vet," Dr. Alex shares some tough love about the three biggest causes of poor health in young pets—issues often overlooked until it's too late. Learn how to spot weight problems, tackle dental disease before it l...

Is your dog struggling with epileptic seizures? Wondering about the best treatment options to help them live a full and happy life? In this episode of the Call the Vet podcast, Dr. Alex breaks down everything you need to know about seizure treatments—from trusted medications like phenobarbitone and Pexion, to alternative therapies including medium-chain fatty acids, omega-3s, and CBD oil. Discover...

Making medical decisions for your pet isn’t always straightforward—especially when budgets, emotions, and complex treatment options all collide. In this episode, Dr. Alex breaks down how to think clearly and confidently about recommended blood tests, long-term medications, and the tough choices that come with chronic conditions like arthritis, allergies, and more. You’ll learn how vets use monitor...

What happens when your beloved pet gets diagnosed with cancer? In this episode of the Call the Vet podcast, Dr. Alex sits down with board-certified veterinary oncologist Dr. Nicole Leibman for a candid, myth-busting conversation about cancer in our furry family members. From the most common warning signs and why early detection matters, to breakthroughs in treatment (including cutting-edge immunot...

😮 Just because we can do more tests or treatments for our pets, doesn’t mean we should —sometimes doing everything isn’t the best choice for their quality of life! 🐾 Recently, my own cat Molly faced a life-threatening illness, forcing me to ask the same tough questions I ask clients every day: • Diagnose first! Without accurate diagnosis, you risk the wrong treatment and a poor prognosis. • Ask...

🚨 Did you know there’s NO national blood bank for pets? When a dog or cat needs a life-saving transfusion, it’s down to local donor animals—often the pets of clinic staff or friends—to save the day! 1️⃣ The most common reason pets need transfusions is rat bait poisoning, stopping blood from clotting and causing deadly internal bleeding. 2️⃣ Severe anemia from immune disease or parasites is anothe...

Can you believe that one common dog disease is misdiagnosed 50% of the time! So then, how can we trust the accuracy of a diagnosis if our beloved pets are suffering? 1️⃣ Sensitivity and specificity are crucial in diagnostic tests but often involve a trade-off. A highly sensitive test reduces false negatives, while a highly specific one cuts down false positives. 2️⃣ Misdiagnosis can result from ru...

🛑 Is Your Pet's Pain Relief Doing More Harm Than Good? 🧑‍⚕️In this compelling episode of the Call the Vet podcast, veterinarian Dr. Alex Avery uncovers the painkiller side effect that no one is talking about — and it’s not what you’d expect! 🤯 From busting myths about medication risks to highlighting the dangers of inaction, this episode is a must-listen for every pet parent. Join us as we...

😡 The cost of a new veterinary drug for hypertension in cats is skyrocketing by 1200%, and it's not even a new active ingredient! 1️⃣ Amlodipine, a drug we've used safely and effectively for years, is now also available in a veterinary-specific version—but at what cost? 2️⃣ The new version costs $94 a month for a standard-sized cat, whereas the human equivalent only costs $27 for a four...

This is one of the most common diseases to affect middle-aged and elderly cats. Is your furry friend losing weight despite a ravenous appetite? Are they jittery, with a coat that's lost its shine? They might be battling hyperthyroidism! And because untreated hyperthyroidism in cats can lead to severe consequences like sudden blindness or heart failure, recognizing the early signs is crucial....

🔍 "The improvement in pet health care may not be the best thing for you and your pet." What?! Before you get the wrong idea, let me explain what's behind this statement. 1️⃣ First off, veterinary advancements like Apoquel and Cytopoint for itchy dogs are amazing but come with higher costs—sometimes prohibitively so for many pet parents. 2️⃣ Consider cruciate ligament disease: while...

Are you tired of shelling out big bucks for your pet's medications while knowing their human counterparts cost a fraction? Tune in to this eye-opening episode where Dr. Alex Avery exposes the secrets of the pharmaceutical industry, reveals how stringent regulations handcuff your vet's prescribing options, and offers savvy tips to save on your furry friend's medical bills. 🐶💊🐱 Fro...

Deciding the best age to spay your dog can be a pivotal choice in ensuring a long, healthy life for your pet. With various factors to consider, such as breed size, potential health risks, and behavioral benefits, understanding when to spay your dog can significantly influence their overall well-being. This guide aims to provide you with insightful information and expert recommendations to help you...

😲 Are you concerned about the rising costs of vet care? You're not alone and this episode dives deep into the issues plaguing the pet health care space, affecting your pets, you, and those within the veterinary industry. It's easy to vilify veterinary professionals as money grabbing (and many do) but the truth is very different - Did you know that in the last 12 months, 25% of veterinar...

🐾 "Elbow dysplasia in young dogs can start affecting them not just when they're old, but potentially very early in their life!" 🐶 🩺 Today on Call the Vet, we dive deep into managing chronic conditions like elbow dysplasia and arthritis: 1️⃣ Multimodal approach is key—combining dietary changes, weight management, and environmental modifications to tackle the issue comprehensively....

Increasing age can bring increasing health complexity and in this episode, we unpack a complex listener-submitted scenario about a 14-year-old Chihuahua battling congestive heart failure and mysterious seizures. This episode is packed with invaluable insights, from understanding heart murmurs to dissecting the causes behind seizures in older dogs, with insights for all pet parents with older anima...

😱 Don't gamble with your pet's life. When it comes to your furry friend's surgery, knowing the risks is crucial for their safety! 🩺 Surgery may not be just routine - from a tiny risk of 0.01% for neutering procedures (that's 1 death for every 10,000 surgeries) through to a 16% death rate for the sickest of patients, the risk really does vary hugely by individual. 🏥 Several m...

🐾 Get ready to tackle this itchy pet mystery with Dr. Alex answering a question sent in by listener Trish that addresses some really key pet-care pearls. From narrowing down the potential causes of any problem, the importance of making a proper diagnosis, through to when to seek the input from your veterinarian. This episode has something for every pet parent! Check out The Dog Allergy Summit her...

🐾 Did you know that it used to be common for veterinarians to withhold pain relief for pets with joint injuries or wounds? The thinking was that this was needed to prevent them from overusing the injured area and causing more harm 😱 Some vets and owners still advocate for this approach. In my latest podcast episode, I dive deep into this shocking practice and why it's time for this outdated...

🐾 Do you know just how effective acupuncture is for our dogs and cats? In answering one listener question I dive into the placebo effect in both humans and animals, shedding light on the importance of understanding what the evidence says, or doesn't say. And it's not just acupuncture. Understanding the intricacies of alternative treatments and their impact on our pets' well-being i...

Overvaccination of pets is a controversial topic with serious health implications? 🤔 In the latest episode of Call the Vet Show, I delved into the hot potato issue of vaccination, addressing the concerns and risks associated with overvaccination. 🎙️ I talk about the importance of vaccinations as a core strategy to prevent dangerous infectious diseases, like the parvovirus outbreaks currently occu...

Is your furry friend scratching non-stop, leaving open wounds and red, dry skin? Imagine the distress they must be feeling and the worry it brings to you as their loving caregiver. You've tried home remedies like hydrogen peroxide, colloidal silver, and apple cider vinegar, but nothing seems to provide relief. But what if the root cause of your dog's itch goes beyond just dry skin? Could...

Get ready to unleash your cat's full potential! In this episode of Call the Vet, join Dr. Alex and special guest, accredited animal behavior technician Leili from Supakit, as they reveal essential skills to teach your cat. From harness training to recall and carrier comfort, discover expert tips for fostering a happy, confident feline. Uncover the art of training, understanding your feline fr...

Dive into the purr-fect solution for your cat's bathroom behavior! In this episode of Call the Vet, Dr. Alex helps out lister Kim who is having issues with her cat pooping in the bath - gross! Bit whether it's problem pooping or peeing outside the litter box, this episode brings you six top tips including insights on cleanliness, litter types, and behavioral changes, to help you uncover...

🐾 Get ready to capture your furry friends' most adorable moments as Dr. Alex welcomes pet photography experts Darlene, Kathy, and Bonnie to the Call the Vet podcast! In this episode, they delve into the magical world of pet photography, exploring how these talented photographers bring out the unique personalities and beauty of dogs and cats through their lenses. From tips on preparing your p...