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

Choosing the best diet to feed your dog can be a minefield, especially if they are fussy. In this episode I discuss the main risks and benefits of feeding raw and cooked diets, along with some strategies for getting your fussy dog to eat! Check out the Our Pet's Health Academy to optimize your pet's health and happiness. "I believe there are both benefits in raw diets and processed...

If your dog is due to be spayed, which option is best for their long-term health? Removing just the ovaries is becoming more common, but how does this compare against a traditional ovariohysterectomy? This episode is brought to you by the Our Pet's Health Academy I don't believe there is any significant difference in risks or benefits of removing just the ovaries compared to a traditiona...

Your dog has had a routine senior blood test or pre-anesthetic screen and the liver enzymes are high. Your dog has no symptoms of liver disease though. They appear completely healthy. This is a very common situation to find yourself in. But what should your next step be? What are liver enzymes? Changes in different liver enzymes mean different things ALT and AST are used as a marker of liver damag...

Cat vaccination frequency varies depending on the lifestyle of a cat, and the vaccinations that they need: No need to vaccinate cats every year with the core vaccine (flu and panleukopenia), although the WSAVA recommendations are that high-risk cats benefit from an annual flu booster. Rabies may also be required depending on where you live. All cats should have a full booster vaccination every 3 y...

Does your puppy or kitten have more teeth than they should? Have you noticed their baby teeth sticking around? If so they can end up causing serious problems. This is what you need to know! For most dogs and cats, the deciduous baby teeth are all present by 2 months of age, and then become replaced by the adult teeth by 6 months. In some breeds it is more likely that some baby teeth fail to fall o...

Do let your cat explore outside? What about at night? It could just be safer for your cat to keep them indoors! "Will my cat be okay if I let her sleep in a close room at night?" - Maricar Your cat will be absolutely fine in a closed room at night so long as it's not too hot or cold. She should have access to fresh water and I'd recommend having a litter tray for her to use as...

Bravecto is one of the newest kids on the block when it comes to the control of fleas and ticks. While it works very well, some people question this drug’s safety and others struggle with the tablet’s price. So can you split Bravecto tablets, and when should you be worried about an overdose or Bravecto side effects? Bravecto is isoxazaline parasite control product that is a tablet which: Kills fle...

If your dog or cat isn’t responding to treatment as well as you’d like, or their problem comes back, it’s tempting to either just sit on it or go to a different vet for a second opinion. Today I want you to meet Molly and her owner Bex, whose story is a great example of checking in with your vet when treatment wasn't going to plan, and how seemingly simple common problems can actually be the...

What do you think? Is pet insurance a needless expense? Or is it, in fact, a vital life-saver? In Australia, the pet insurance industry has just been given a Shonky Award for being one of the dodgiest products in the country! On the other hand, pet insurance could allow your pet to receive life-saving treatment you would not otherwise be able to afford. So is insurance for your dog or cat somethin...

Antibiotics are an incredibly valuable treatment for all manner of infections and diseases in pet dogs and cats (as well as us humans of course!). But if your pet needs long-term antibiotic treatment you might be worried about the potential for side effects. Here are some questions you need to answer… Different antibiotics have different potential side effects. Neurotoxicity could be seen with met...

Anal sac abscesses are not particularly common in cats. They are though painful and there are some causes that mean a vet check is always a good idea. Tracey asks: “My 4 year old male cat seems to have a burst abscess anal gland on the right side his anus. He seems okay. He has been licking it and hasn’t been sick in any way. He is very active and it seems to be healing now and closing up.” Not a...

If your dog or cat's treatment is not going to plan then what should you do? It might be tempting to take them to a different vet for a second opinion. While this is certainly an option, it may not actually be the best idea Important that if a problem isn’t resolving, or if there are unexpected changes, to revisit with your veterinarian. Record what problems you are seeing at home by writing...

If your cat is breathing fast, even if it’s only for a short period of time, then you need to know that they could be incredibly sick. Cats are great at hiding signs of being unwell, and while they may be completely healthy, in my mind, a cat who is breathing quickly of heavily should be seen as a potential emergency. Heavy and fast breathing is always a bit of a worry in cats. Cats are great at h...

Spaying your female dog is one of the biggest surgeries she will have in her life. You need to know that you are doing the right thing. So should you spay your dog, and if so what is the best age? Known benefit of spaying a female dog include: eliminate pyometra risk, massively reduce mammary cancer risk, spayed dogs live longer lives, reduced roaming and trauma risk, and eliminate pregnancy risks...

Watching your dog having a seizure is an incredibly distressing event to witness. But what can you do to help stop their seizures if they're not having a fit caused by epilepsy? Sometimes treatment is tough and the prognosis poor. Recognizing these situations is so important if you want to be sure that you are making the decisions that are in your dog’s best interest. Seizure causes are numer...

Make no mistake, if your dog or cat has a problem with their eye then it can go from being a minor inconvenience or irritation to something really serious within a day or two. It could even result in permanent blindness or loss of the eye. You definitely want to make sure that they are being given the right treatment for keratitis or any other form of eye disease! Keratitis is an inflammation of t...

Grooming a long-haired cat can be a full-time job. If they don't like it then it can also be a nightmare where you end up being covered in scratches and blood! This cat in question is getting poop stuck to her back end and the first step is to find out why this is happening and if there is an underlying condition that needs treating. If not, there are several steps that any owner can take to...

If we have a pet in our lives, then unfortunately at some point there will come a time when we will need to make a really difficult decision to say goodbye. Today's question is all about how to speak to your children about the death of a pet. How to talk to them and involve them in the buildup to euthanasia. And once your dog or cat has died, how to help your child grieve. Full show notes her...

Are prescription diets really the best option for your dog or cat if they are unwell? Is raw feeding or switching to a home-cooked diet as good (or even better)? And are vets are paid to sell diets by the big food companies? Feeding your dog or cat the best diet can be tricky and the choice is even more important if they are unwell! Get your question answered at callthevet.org Love the show? Shari...

Dental disease in rabbits is one of the most common problems they develop. It is also a big reason that a rabbit may need to be euthanized while they are still relatively young. Understanding why tooth problems develop and how to prevent then can ensure your rabbit lives a long and happy life! Check out the full show notes at callthevet.org Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review h...

I'm tackling two completely separate topics this week Why a cat could be leaking urine after suffering from a blocked bladder (01:45) How to prevent cystitis in cats (09:52) The causes of a hard, bloated abdomen in a Chihuahua (25:32) For full show notes, mentioned resources, and to get your dog and cat health questions answered by veterinarian Dr. Alex, simply head to callthevet.org Love the...

This episode I'm answering your pet health questions about: A female dog who is leaking urine while sleeping - the causes and treatment of this common problem (02:52) Reducing the stress of introducing a new cat into the house - helping the new and resident cats cope in a multi-cat home (12:22) How to wean a puppy onto solid food - taking them off Mum and dealing with bottle-fed puppies (19:4...

On today's show I'm answering your pet health questions about: Can CBD oil be used to treat dementia in dogs - and what other treatment options are there? (02:10) The causes of long term diarrhea in a puppy - and how to put a stop to it! (11:02) The best rabies vaccination protocol for your dog (18:55) Sign up to my free arthritis mini-course here . For full show notes and to get your do...

This episode tackles the important pet health topics of: What to do if you’re scared of dogs jumping up - and what we can all do as dog owners to help people who are scared of dogs (01:25) The best way to treat a dog with a slipped disc (08:47) When to spay your female dog, along with the risks and benefits of having this surgery carried out (26:30) Get a free copy of my hot weather dog care guide...

This episode tackles the important pet health topics of: What the causes and solutions are to a cat who keeps toileting in the kitchen (01:15) How to help an old dog showing signs of weakness and suffering mobility issues - an overview of an effective arthritis treatment plan (09:52) Helping and treating a dog who is starting to show signs of senility and dementia - the signs to watch for and trea...