The Collaborative Vet Podcast - Michael Dr.T Tokiwa

Is it “just aging” — or something more? We dive into cognitive dysfunction (pet dementia), arthritis evaluation, and what a true senior workup should include:  • Bloodwork  • Radiographs  • Blood pressure  • Dementia screening checklists  • Gut microbiome considerations  • MCT oil and supportive therapies  • Even the impact of something as simple as a nightlight Small adjustments can significantly...

Is work-life balance even real? Dr. Amanda Stephen shares how she balances motherhood, veterinary medicine, and building a senior-focused business. Instead of balance, she calls it a carousel — seasons of intensity supported by strong boundaries and purpose. We discuss:  • Working with intention  • Setting family boundaries  • Support systems at home  • Modeling ambition for your children When you...

Longevity is built on fundamentals. In this segment, we break down the first practical steps in senior wellness:  • Ideal body weight  • Dental disease detection  • Fish oil and nutritional support  • The importance of protein  • Muscle wasting and its link to mortality We also discuss why anesthesia for a senior dental procedure can actually extend quality of life — not shorten it. Proactive care...

Where is senior pet medicine headed? In this final segment, Dr. Stephen shares her vision for the future:  • Senior pet education courses for pet parents  • Arthritis and dementia advocacy  • Teaching pet owners how to understand diagnostics  • Hospice and palliative care  • Eastern-integrated therapies and herbal medicine  • Rehab certification The goal isn’t just lifespan. It’s healthspan. Senio...

What changes a veterinarian’s entire approach to medicine? In this segment, Dr. Amanda Stephen shares the story of her soul dog, Floyd — battling a brain tumor, dementia, and arthritis. Feeling alone and questioning conventional approaches, she realized how different outcomes might look with earlier detection and broader options. We discuss:  • Emotional isolation pet parents feel  • Conventional...

Are vaccines still important in older pets? In this segment, we address one of the most misunderstood topics in senior care. Senior pets are often immunocompromised — not immune. We discuss: • Vaccine recommendations for older pets • Duration of immunity • Titers vs boosters • Real cases of parvo in senior dogs • Why rabies is still a real concern Informed decisions require informed conversations....

In this episode, Dr. Whitney Terrell shares the unconventional path that led her into veterinary medicine — from growing up in a hunting family to discovering that being a veterinarian is, at its core, detective work. We talk about sports, discipline, self-discovery, and how early life experiences shape the kind of doctor you become. This is a powerful reminder that not everyone follows a straight...

At VMX, I had the chance to sit down with veterinarians who are not only incredible clinicians, but real humans navigating ownership, family, social media, and the future of our profession. Today’s conversation with Dr. Whitney Terrell is honest, funny, and deeply relatable — the kind of discussion vet school never really prepared us for. Let’s get into it.

For many pets, Halloween can be a stressful night filled with unfamiliar sights and sounds. In this segment, we’ll explore strategies for reducing your pet’s anxiety, from managing doorbell ringing to creating a quiet “safe room” for them. Constant trick-or-treating can be overwhelming, so setting up a calm space away from the action with soothing music and familiar toys can help pets feel more se...

Halloween candy might be delightful for us, but it can be extremely dangerous for pets. In this segment, we’ll explain why chocolate and xylitol, a common sugar substitute in sugar-free candies, can pose severe health risks. Chocolate toxicity varies by type, with dark and baking chocolates being the most dangerous, leading to symptoms ranging from vomiting to heart complications. Xylitol, meanwhi...

In this segment, we’ll cover tips on making sure your pet’s Halloween costume is safe and comfortable. While costumes can be adorable, it’s important to choose designs that aren’t too tight, restrictive, or made from materials that could irritate your pet’s skin. We’ll go over ways to check if a costume is truly comfortable and safe for pets, including looking for secure fastenings without loose p...

"Pets bring joy to our lives, but they can also carry zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can spread from animals to humans. Common parasites like roundworms, hookworms, Giardia, leptospirosis, and ringworm can affect both pets and people. Pets often pick up these parasites from contaminated soil, water, or other animals, and once infected, they can pass them to us, especially through contact wi...

"Empowering new graduates in veterinary medicine begins with embracing mentorship, where the guidance of experienced veterinarians provides the essential tools and emotional support to navigate the complexities of referrals. Clear communication is critical for building client trust; by explaining the referral process in simple terms, new graduates can ease client concerns and foster confidenc...

To make vet visits easier for cats, consider choosing a feline-friendly certified vet, as they specialize in gentle handling and environments that suit a cat’s needs, like quieter waiting rooms and cat-specific techniques. Stay calm, as your cat senses your energy, so relax before the visit with calming music or breathing exercises. Practice short car rides to reduce stress and break the associati...

A brief synopsis of heatstroke signs, diagnoses treatment and Prevention

During the summer heat and humidity, two common issues can occur in your pets, namely Hot Spots and Ear Infections.  This episode discusses what they are, how your veterinarian treats them, and what you can do to prevent these issues. 

Even though pets get older, it should stop your veterinarian from recommending vaccinations if they are healthy.  In this episode we touch upon 5 things for senior pets,  ranging from nutrition to cancer screening.

In this episode we talk about tick and flea preventatives, what they are and why we recommend year round use.  

Every time I come across a pet and their pet parent, I'm given opportunities to educate.  I believe it is our responsibility to do so and by educating we can enhance patient care and improve the human animal bond. 

We discuss the benefits of pet insurance.  #CarefreeCompanions #DrMollySays #CollaborativeVet #PetInsuranceSolutions #VetCareRelief #HealthyPetsHappyHearts 

Here Dr. Brinkmann and I discuss insurance and its role in helping pet parents provide better patient care.  #TruthRevealed #VeterinaryExposed #CritiqueUnveiled #AnimalCareExposed #TruthBehindCritiques #VetTruths #UncoveringReality #ScathingExposure #TruthTalks #VetInsights #collaborativevet #mollybrinkmann 

Everyone has an origin story.  This is Molly Brinkmann's!  #CollabVetChronicles #MollySaysPodcast #VetOrigins #VetVoices #SocialVetJourney #CollabVetTales #MollyBrinkmannStory #VetCommunityChat #VetInspired #PodcastGrowth #VetPodcastConvo #CollabVetJourney #VetPassionProject #SocialMediaVet #VetInfluence #mollybrinkmann #drmollysays #collaborativevet #michaeltokiwa #originstories 

You simply have to hear how much she loves the profession to understand her passion.  Her sage advice is sound!  #VetDreams #FutureVetJourney #VetSchoolBound #VetLifeGoals #AspiringVetPath #VetStudentLife #VetMedJourney #PreVetAdventure #VetSchoolSuccess #VetCareerPath #VetProfessional #VetPassion #VetFutures #VetInspiration #VetAspirations #collaborativevet #michaeltokiwa 

Jacob Adams is the Chief Scientific Officer at Noxsano, a startup that created a product that heals wounds through producing Nitric Oxide.  Nitric Oxide has been shown throughout the last few decades as a powerful tool in healing wounds and fighting infection.  However, developing an affordable delivery system has proven difficult, until now.  Jacob and his colleagues have developed an affordable...

Ian Spiegel is a veterinary Dermatologist and Owner of Dermforpets.com   Here he discusses tips for general practitioners and new grads to realize that these cases are not always straightforward.  He gives pointers on making time for cases such as this, the utilization of the new allergy meds AFTER reducing the inflammation and infections that they present, as well as taking into account the compl...