Clinician's Brief: The Podcast

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Andrew Christopher Lewin, BVM&S, DACVO, to talk about his recent Clinician’s Brie f article, “Ocular Pain & Vision Loss in a Golden Retriever.” Dr. Lewin brings us all up to speed on golden retriever pigmentary uveitis, a prevalent hereditary ocular condition. He shares the most important examination findings and offers tips on practical eye e...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! In the breakroom, Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, discuss the important, relevant topics affecting veterinarians today. Production-based compensation (commonly called the ProSal method) for associate veterinarians is often billed as a win-win for all involved. But implementation of the ProSal model varies significantly across practices. Join us in t...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes back Karen M. Tobias, DVM, MS, DACVS, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Gonadectomy in Dogs: Considerations & Review.” Dr. Tobias lays out evidence for why spaying and castrating dogs at 4-6 months of age should no longer be a universal recommendation. She explains why—and how—we should be taking an individualized approach that...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! In the breakroom, Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, discuss the important, relevant topics affecting veterinarians today. We hear it all the time: euthanasia MUST be the hardest part of the job. But is it? How does euthanasia affect us as veterinarians and support staff? Tune in as we discuss these questions and also get tips on client communication t...

Are you utilizing the food elimination trial as a diagnostic test to its full potential? In this episode of the Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, talks with host Beth Molleson, DVM, about why food elimination trials are so important in managing the pruritic patient. But never fear–she simplifies the steps, addresses owner communication issues, and breaks down the bar...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by W. Alex Fox-Alvarez, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, to talk about his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in Dogs.” Dr. Fox-Alvarez covers everything from the major to minor points of handling GDV cases, with an evidence-based yet practical approach. From diagnosis to recovery, you can find the answers here. Resource: https://ww...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom, where Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, discuss the important, relevant topics affecting veterinarians today. “I became a veterinarian because I just love charting,” said literally no one ever. And yet, generating complete, accurate medical records is a vital part of a veterinarian’s job and takes a considerable amount of time. Thorough records can fa...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Stacey Fox-Alvarez, DVM, MPH, DACVIM (Oncology), to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Paraneoplastic Syndromes.” Dr. Fox-Alvarez thoroughly details some of the most notable paraneoplastic syndromes you may come across in practice—hypercalcemia, hypoglycemia, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and hyperestroge...

Welcome to the veterinary breakroom! Today in the breakroom, Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, reflect on a recent study that evaluated client perception based on how veterinarians were dressed. How does it feel to know you’re being judged on your appearance? What do these results mean for veterinary teams? Listen in as we discuss our reactions to the veterinary dress code. Resource: htt...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Carla Barstow, DVM, MS, DACT, about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Inappropriate Urination in a Neutered Cat.” Dr. Barstow shares the key physical examination finding that prepared her for the major twist in this case. She then leads us through the confirmation of the diagnosis with serology and reproductive ultrasound, concluding with s...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom, where Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, discuss the important, relevant topics affecting veterinarians today. In this episode, Dr. Alyssa and Dr. Beth discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced each of their careers over the past 2 years. From the early days of uncertainty surrounding PPE shortages and who was considered essential to the now-rou...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Josep Aisa, DVM, DECVS, to talk about his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Nasal Swelling in a Border Collie.” Dr. Aisa breaks down his approach to this case of a young dog who presented with recurring swelling on the dorsal nasal midline at the junction of the nasal planum. He shares the keys that led him to diagnose this rare condition and...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Lisa Moses, VMD, DACVIM, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Tips for Guiding Pet Owners Through Difficult Decisions.” Dr. Moses shares strategies for how to communicate with clients in emotionally challenging situations, with a focus on goals of care and client and patient comfort. She also emphasizes the importance of...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! In the breakroom, Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, will be discussing the important, relevant topics affecting veterinarians today. In this episode, Dr. Alyssa and Dr. Beth exchange views on what a midlevel position—similar to a human nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant—might look like in veterinary medicine. Programs aimed at matriculating v...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Selena Lane, DVM, DACVECC, about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Smoke Inhalation.” Dr. Lane explains what exactly causes the problems in these pets and how to assess them with a focus on respiratory injury and toxins like carbon monoxide or hydrogen cyanide. She also shares the best therapeutic approaches for these dynamic cases. Resourc...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Today in the breakroom, Alyssa Watson, DVM, introduces the newest member of the Clinician’s Brief podcast team, Beth Molleson, DVM. Listen as Dr. Beth discusses her Ohio roots and her career path as a small animal practitioner over the last ten years. You can catch Dr. Beth as the host of our future partner podcasts—veterinary content created in collaboration w...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Michael Court, BVSc, PhD, DACVAA, about his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Breed-Specific Considerations to Avoid Adverse Drug Effects.” Dr. Court reviews which breeds have a history of adverse effects, what the effects are, and which drugs are responsible. He covers the common examples—collies and greyhounds—as well as several that yo...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, chats with Kendon Kuo, DVM, MS, DACVECC, and Katherine Gerken, DVM, MS, DACVECC, about their recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Emesis Induction.” Dr. Kuo and Dr. Gerken work through the entire process, starting with indications for—and against—inducing emesis, the timing of induction, patient risk factors, and which emetics to use. They also answer some o...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Robert Kennis, DVM, DACVD, MS, about his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Dermatologic Indications for Pentoxifylline in Dogs.” This unique medication—once touted as a “miracle drug” and studied for treating atopy—has solidified its place in managing vasculitis and related conditions. Dr. Kennis reviews its many virtues, its minor baggag...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes back Amy L. Pike, DVM, DACVB, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Feline Aggression.” We’ve covered dogs, now it is time to take on cats. Dr. Pike sorts feline aggression cases into two categories: human-directed and feline-related. And while the triggers for each category may be different, Dr. Pike teaches us how to help all of t...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom, where Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, discuss important topics affecting veterinary professionals today. In this episode, we dive into a debate that’s gotten a lot of attention recently on social media. When Peloton, maker of premium fitness equipment, denied one veterinarian a “healthcare worker” discount, their response stirred up a conversation we...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Heidi L. Barnes Heller, DVM, DACVIM, about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Anticonvulsants.” Dr. Barnes reviews some available resources on managing seizures in dogs and the necessary difficulty of extrapolating those to cats. She then dives into the discussion about phenobarbital, potassium bromide, levetiracetam, and zonisamide. Load up...

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! In the breakroom, Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, will be discussing the important, relevant topics affecting veterinary professionals today. Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever to create a personal brand, but what does that mean exactly? What factors should you consider when starting or developing your own brand? Is it safe to express your...

Host Katie Berlin, DVM, chats with Cory Penn, DVM, about the changing face of fecal testing in veterinary medicine. Dr. Cory reminds us why it’s still so important to be diligent about checking fecal samples regularly in all our patients, discusses strengths and limitations of available parasite testing, and shows us how artificial intelligence technology may permanently change the way we look at...

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes back Lisa M. Pohlman, DVM, MS, DACVP, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Watery Diarrhea & Frequent Fecal Dribbling in a Cat.” Dr. Pohlman talks about her diagnostic process when determining the cause of this cat’s diarrhea, with an emphasis on differentiating between Giardia spp and Tritrichomonas foetus . After determining a di...