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

There is a lot of misconception about what dogs are really allergic to, and without knowing the true cause of allergies it can be a real struggle to settle their skin and get their itch under control. In this episode I break down the most common causes of both food allergies and atopy (or environmental allergies), so you can do your best to limit your dog's exposure to the most common causes...

Allergies are the most common cause of long-term scratching in dogs and can be due to a number of different allergy types, but it can be challenging to identify the exact cause of an individual dog’s allergies which compromises your ability to treat them successfully. In this episode I discuss The 3 main different types of dog allergy How they can be similar but also different Clues as to which al...

Is your dog scratching more than normal? Any increase in your dog's itch deserves your prompt attention, but before you rush off to the veterinarian be sure the simple problem of fleas is not to blame! In this episode I discuss: How scratch and pain are closely linked Why scratching only makes your dog's skin worse How to know fleas are present even when you can't see them Check out...

Heat stroke kills, and your dog can overheat really quickly. Rather than rushing them to the ER after this happens, it’s better to avoid this problem completely and in this episode, I discuss exactly how to keep your dog cool when the sun shines and the mercury begins to climb. Find out more in the full show notes Get your free dog summer survival guide here Love the show? Sharing this episode or...

Spotting the signs of heat stroke early and then taking the right action to quickly cool your dog is proven to save lives. In this episode we run through: The 5 main signs of heatstroke in dogs The biggest risk periods for overheating How to effectively and quickly cool your dog Find out more in the show notes Download your free copy of the Sog Summer Survival Guide at https://OurPetsHealth.com/su...

We love to get our cats and dogs new toys and tasty treats to show how much they mean to us, and subscription boxes are a super-convenient option to make sure your pet is never left wanting. But it’s not all harmless fun as they can cause all kinds of problems, and even compromise their health… In this episode I talk all about: The health and environmental problems that subscription boxes contribu...

Do you want to feed our dogs the safest, and healthiest food possible? Do you worry about their environmental impact? One thing is certain. The largest study to date looking into the health of vegan diets for dogs and comparing those fed a raw or conventional cooked meat diet has caused some serious waves. I spoke to Dr. Andrew Knight, the study author, to find out more. Including: The environment...

 It's just been World Veterinary Day and I wanted to highlight some of the amazing work my colleagues across the world do every single day but then I read a report detailing the staggering level of abuse vets are being subjected to. Believe me, this affects every pet parent and compromises the care of every pet... Find out more in the full show notes Love the show? Sharing this episode or lea...

Are you thinking about adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue charity? Do you know all the steps to take to make sure the process is a success from start to finish? Today I’m talking to registered veterinary technician Bethany Muir all about how to adopt a dog so that you not only get through the new pet parent screening but also so that you make all the right decisions to have a strong and lovin...

I bet you thought that the increasing level of veterinary healthcare available to your pet is a good thing. The reality is that for many dogs and cats, it is actually resulting in worse care, and even early death. Let me explain… In this episode we explore: The change in the level of veterinary care available How increasing care standards can actually result in a reduction in care How insurance he...

Cannabis Marijuana, CBD oil, hemp products…unless you've been living under a rock you're going to have come across some really wild claims about how amazing and revolutionary these products are. But it can be really difficult to separate fact from fiction. To know who you can believe, who you can trust, and what the actual hard evidence is. Well, today I have got the wonderful Dr. Casara...

It's so easy to put a huge amount of time, effort, and energy into tinkering with your dog or cat's diet. But rather than worrying about making small changes that in all likelihood will have a negligible effect on their health, you need to concentrate on these instead to truly impact their health and happiness. To dive deeper into this topic and for all the links mentioned in the show, h...

The fact that our pets age faster than we do is an inevitability and we want to ensure they remain as happy and comfortable for as long as possible. But knowing what different options are open to you that will actually make a difference can be really confusing, not to mention expensive. Today we are diving deep into the world of senior care, palliative treatment, and end of life decisions to ensur...

Has your pet always eaten kibble but now they only want to eat wet food? Are you wondering if this is OK or a sign of something more serious? It might not seem like much to worry about if your pet still enjoys their wet food but has stopped eating their kibble or any other harder foods. In fact, it can be a sign of something more serious that, if not picked up and addressed early, can lead to seri...

Even though vaccines are a fundamental step in having the healthiest dog (and cat) possible, confusion about which vaccines a dog actually needs, and how often, is all too common. It is really important to only vaccinate against diseases that actually pose a threat to your dog. Otherwise, the risk of side effects outweigh the potential benefits. Vaccinations is just one of the 5 topics I discuss i...

How often do you give your dog or cat treats, extra helpings, or reserving a little bit of your main meal for them as an expression of your love? This could be harming both their physical and mental wellbeing! In this episode, veterinarian Dr Alex Avery talks about the best ways to show love to your pets. He shares some insights into the effects of giving our pets extra food and treats, the best w...

On this episode, I chat with dog trainer Niki French of Pup Talk who has a surprising answer to the question ‘ how often should I walk my dog? ’. Niki is an experienced dog trainer who tells owners that not every dog should be walked every day. In fact, in some cases, it’s not only better to stop walking your dog completely. This will actually make them happier! For many dogs and their owners a wa...

It's all too easy to take antibiotics for granted, but if we are not careful it may be that they become next to useless... On today’s episode of the Call The Vet podcast, I talk about one of the most serious problems that we may face in the near future, resistance to antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance is an issue for both humans and animals as we’re educating bacteria to adapt themselves t...

Is your dog limping on their back leg? Have you just found out that they have damaged their cruciate ligament and are wondering what this means and the best treatment to give them? On this episode of the Call The Vet Show, I talk with veterinarian Dr. Kristen Shaw, a specialist surgeon with a longtime interest in rehabilitation techniques, arthritis and cruciate disease, as well as the founder of...

Is your cat their healthiest weight? With over 60% of pet cats being classed as overweight or even obese, there's a good chance your cat could do with losing a few pounds. And if left unaddressed this can lead to them suffering from multiple, otherwise preventable health problems. In this episode we talk about: Health Risks of Being Overweight for Cats Perception of Normal Weight for Cats Kee...

We love our pets and often express this by giving them extra portions or treats we know they enjoy. But there is a health crisis sweeping the global pet population, and if we allow our pets to continue to gain weight then their life will be cut short by as much as 2 years. Meet Edie and her human Kelly, and find out how their weight loss journey could mark the turning point in your pet’s health an...

We all want to be able to keep our dogs and cats as healthy as possible in the first instance, with the aim being to prevent illness and injury whenever possible. A holistic approach considers all aspects of a patient's lifestyle and individual needs and is an absolute requirement in this aim. But does this mean that drugs, or pharmaceuticals, are to be avoided at all costs? Do they actually...

Not One More Vet. That is the dream…that not one more veterinarian, technician, nurse, or support staff will feel that they have no other option than to end their life by suicide. This is a silent crisis that has been a part of the veterinary profession for far too long. Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes, and exploring: The statistics of veterinary suicide - it’s not just vets The reasons...

Why do veterinarians recommend the diets they do, rather than a more "natural" raw diet that must surely be better for your pet's health. It can't be because the kibble is better, but instead that they are either ignorant or out to make a fast buck...or is it? Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshe...

Taking your pet to the veterinarian can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. But you, the pet parent, play a key role in making sure that your pet receives the best care available, and also that you get the most value possible. These 9 tips, based on my 15 years as a vet working in general practice, will make sure you and your vet make the perfect healthcare team for your dog and cat! Dive...