Clinician's Brief: The Podcast

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, MS, DABVP, to discuss the growing prevalence of feline osteoarthritis (OA), including treating and managing OA-associated pain. Cats are never themselves when in the clinic, which can complicate obtaining an accurate pain assessment. Dr. Colleran also shares expert tips and tools for conducting pain assessments, obtai...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, is joined by Adesola Odunayo, DVM, MS, DACVECC, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Cystocentesis.” Dr. Odunayo shares her knowledge covering all aspects of this procedure—from why to when to how. She talks about potential complications and overall safety. Dr. Odunayo also discusses specific scenarios, including decompressive cystocentesis...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, talks to DJ Haeussler Jr, DVM, MS, DACVO, about his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Epiphora in Dogs.” Dr. Haeussler starts with the general conditions that lead to epiphora, contrasting those that should be fixed with those that can be lived with. He then moves to the diagnostic process, emphasizing that we all should be doing more tear testing. Dr. Ha...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, chats with Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline), about the formidable and frustrating feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). A boarded feline specialist, Dr. St. Denis shares her wisdom in evaluating and managing cats—and clients. She reviews the individual diagnoses that comprise FLUTD, with a focus on feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) as the mos...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, talks to Christian Latimer, DVM, CCRP, DACVS-SA, about his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Intussusception Reduction.” Though rare, Dr. Latimer reviews those patients who are at greatest risk for developing intussusceptions, as well as how to diagnose them. He goes into great detail about treatment options and whether what we do has an impact on recurre...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with Karen Tobias, DVM, MS, DACVS, to dive into her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Improving Owner Compliance with Pet Medication Regimens.” Client compliance can be a 50/50 proposition, and Dr. Tobias explains why pet owners can have trouble giving medications. She then lays out the ways veterinary teams can help clients succeed down to the v...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with DJ Haeussler, DVM, MS, DACVO, to discuss his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Diseases of the Iris & Anterior Chamber.” Dr. Haeussler shares some fundamental ways to improve eye care at the general practice level, including what you need to be a better ocular photographer. He explains the advantages of going slow and encourages all of us to...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, is joined by Sarah Steen, DVM, and Lisa Pohlman, DVM, MS, DACVP, to discuss their recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Progressive Facial Lesion in a Community Cat.” Dr. Steen shares the clinical challenges she faced as a shelter veterinarian in addressing this cat’s destructive facial lesion. Dr. Pohlman, as the pathologist, dives deep into the diagnostic a...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, talks to Timothy M. Fan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, about his recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Canine Hemangiosarcoma.” Dr. Fan shares thorough background knowledge on the nature of hemangiosarcoma in dogs, as well as in cats and humans. He reviews how this tumor commonly presents and potential future approaches to early detection. Dr. Fan also covers current the...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with Karen Tobias, DVM, MS, DACVS, to dive into her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Complications of Gonadectomy.” Dr. Tobias details each of her top complications—including unmanaged pain, incisional swelling, and hemorrhage—and instructs us on how to avoid them. She also shares her opinions on incision size, at what age to spay/neuter,...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, sits down with Monique Feyrecilde, LVT, VTS, to discuss how—and why—to provide cooperative veterinary care. Taking a feline focus, Monique talks about the arduous journey that veterinary visits are for most cats and the lasting impact it can create. Harkening back to operant and classical conditioning, she shares how to help patients say “yes” and provides...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with Kathleen Ruby, PhD, to discuss the importance of well-being and self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some may be experiencing an excess of free time at home, many in the veterinary industry are busier than ever with new, unique practice challenges. Whether you’re isolated at home or practicing curbside medicine, your personal well...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, is joined by Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, CVJ, to discuss how to optimize telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Vogelsang explains what “telemedicine” actually means, and she details the differences between telemedicine, telehealth, teleconsult, and teletriage. She also addresses how practices should document each teleconsultation, and how the billing...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, to discuss clinic operations during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Weinstein addresses the guidelines (or lack thereof) for what services clinics should or should not offer, and where to find up-to-date information for your state. He also talks about how to determine if a case is emergent, as well as the clinic’...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, and Indu Mani, DVM, ScD, to discuss coronavirus AKA COVID-19. The world is facing a variety of unknowns as COVID-19 impacts our community. Whether you’re choosing disinfectants or struggling to navigate social distancing, the team is here to provide helpful answers to your questions. Resources: https://www.c...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, talks to Erin Aufox, DVM, DACVD, about her Clinician’s Brief article, “Acute Moist Dermatitis.” Dr. Aufox lays out a plan for how to assess these lesions, relying on our examination and basic dermatology diagnostics. She shares the characteristics that differentiate a “hot spot” from something deeper like furunculosis, and she covers the underlying causes...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, connects with William Oldenhoff, DVM, DACVD, to discuss one of the most common dermatologic conditions in veterinary practice: Staphylococcus infections. Dr. Oldenhoff breaks down the bacteria that are typically involved in these infections, the associated clinical signs, and a few of the underlying causes. He also discusses the best approaches to treating...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, sits down with Heather Hopkinson, RVT, VTS-EVN, to discuss bringing rehabilitation services into general practice. Heather challenges us to reconsider which patients could benefit from rehab and physical therapy services, extending beyond just orthopedic post-op dogs. She also talks about how no fancy equipment is needed, but creativity can help. Finally,...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, sits down with Bryden Stanley, BVMS, MVetSc, MACVSc, DACVS, to discuss the ups and downs of wound healing. Dr. Stanley talks about how the 3 phases of wound healing impact assessment and treatment, and how the 4 tenets of wound healing apply to our veterinary patients. She also reviews several beneficial adjunctive therapies, as well as the multiple factor...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, sits down with Denise Tumblin, CPA, to discuss how practices can not only afford to give their staff raises, but can even profit from it. Denise brings us all up to speed on how stress over wages contributes to employee turnover and team members leaving the profession. She shares how raises can be a tool to retain team members, improve personal well-being,...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, sits down with Andrew Rosenberg, DVM, DACVD, to discuss the formidable topic of food allergies in dogs and cats. Dr. Rosenberg explains the difference between food allergies—cutaneous adverse food reactions—and food intolerances, then offers guidance on how to tell the difference. He also contrasts food allergies with environmental allergies, offering some...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, sits down with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, to discuss veterinary practice growth and expansion. Dr. Weinstein shares his approach, starting with the most important question: Why? He stresses that growing a veterinary practice should be about improving patient and client care, and he provides guidance on how to lead your practice’s team through an expansion....

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, sits down with Simon Platt, BVM&S, DACVIM (Neurology), DECVN, FRCVS RCVS, to discuss everything you need to know about vestibular disease. Dr. Platt reminds us how to differentiate between central and peripheral localizations, then brings back our favorite mnemonic device to help us sort through possible causes. He also shares practical approaches for mana...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, talks to Jan Suchodolski, MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM (Immunology), about his Clinician’s Brief article, “Intestinal Dysbiosis.” Dr. Suchodolski explains how involved gut bacteria are in overall health and patient metabolic function, introducing the concept of the microbiota as another organ system. He also talks about dysbiosis as a complex and far...

In this episode, host Beckie Mossor, RVT, talks to Karen Lynn C. Sueda, DVM, DACVB, about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Canine Compulsive Disorder.” Dr. Sueda gives a clear definition of what classifies as a compulsive behavior, then details how to diagnose it in your patients. She provides examples of compulsive behaviors in many species, from dogs and cats to birds and polar bears. Dr....