Not Your Veterinarian

Fish! As promised at the end of our last episode, we set out to talk about fish. However, the topic is bigger than expected, so we try to focus on just one aspect of fish-keeping - the aquarium. You know...the tank the fish live in. The glass box thing. Only trouble is, Dr. Chris has real trouble staying inside the box on any topic and now is no exception.

According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, feline hyperthyroidism will affect 10% of cats over 10 years old, making it the most common endocrine disorder in middle-aged and older cats. Dr. Chris Pagel joins us (as ever) to talk about how hyperthyroidism develops, how you treat it, and how it can be cured.

Alright - it doesn't matter where or how you've gotten a kitten, but you have one now. It's old enough to be away from it's mother, but...now what? Dr. Chris, the Kittenarian himself, is here to answer that question and go over more things a kitten owner needs to know.

We start with talking about potty and crate training and somehow get to talking about training in general. Maybe we should try some of that focus training we talk about.

Nobody likes going to the dentist and your pets are no exception. However, like people, just because they don’t like it, doesn’t mean they don’t have to go. Veterinarian Dr. Chris Pagel talks about the apex importance of making sure that your pet’s mouth says healthy and how to see that it does – hopefully without the massive bill.

Humans and dogs share many things in life: companionship, living space, adventures, snacks, and Lyme’s Disease. Wait. What? Here to talk about Lyme in dogs (he’s not qualified to treat humans) is Wisconsin veterinarian Dr. Chris Pagel. Note: this episode was recorded back in May, before the podcast went live. We meant to save it for next year, but due to an unanticipated scheduling gap, we figured...

Arthritis has been a part of getting older since the time of the dinosaurs (no, really, it has) and animals can suffer from it in their golden years just like people can. Dr. Chris explains what arthritis is, what can make it worse, and how it can be treated. Remember no podcast, website, message board, forum, or anything online can take the place of a real life analysis by a real life vet. If you...

When it comes to taking care of cats, litter is generally pretty far down on the list of things cat owners – uh, I mean, staff – like to do. However, it’s one of the most important, and stressful, parts of having a cat and Dr. Chris is here with all the ins and outs of litterbox issues, litterbox use, litter type, and the rest.

Sometimes the question is not, "What should I know before taking my pet to the vet?" but "Should I take my pet to the vet?" or "Do I go now or do I wait?" Though nobody can answer than question is except you - and YOUR veterinarian - you can get some guidance from Wisconsin vet Dr. Chris.

Autumn and Dr. Chris talk about travelling with your pet - what you need, what they need, and why it might not be the best choice at all - whether it's a dog, a cat, a horse, or a monkey.

Summer sees an uptick in vet visits every year. Whether it’s the heat, the lake, the barbeque, or any other Interesting Outdoor Thing, pets - dogs in particular - can face some serious dangers. Dr. Chris goes over some of those dangers and how you can protect your pet.

Dr. Chris and Autumn talk all things heartworm releated - what they are, how animals get them, how you treat them, and, most importantly, how you prevent them.

It's easy to get overwhelmed in the pet food aisle. What do all the cans, bags, photos, and claims mean? Which ones are important? What's just marketing? What's this stuff really made of? And what the heck am I supposed to feed my pet? Though it's always important to get your own vet to answer any questions you have about your pet's food, we're here today to at least explain what some of that stuf...

Everyone will have a first vet visit - whether its a new vet, a new pet, or a new owner - and today we're going over all the things you need to know for your first trip to the veterinarian. Also, tips for experienced pet owners (especially those with difficult pets) for those follow up visits.