The Family Pet Podcast

Mikkel Becker, lead trainer at Fear Free Pets, joins the Family Pet Podcast to discuss fear, anxiety, and stress that pets experience during veterinary care. They cover the importance of protecting the emotional well-being of pets, the benefits of Fear Free certification for veterinary practices, and tips for preparing dogs and cats for vet visits. They also share fun facts about calming music and...

In this episode, Dr. Holly Brown from Antec Diagnostics continues the discussion about lab testing. The sensitivity and specificity of the CBC test are explained, highlighting its ability to detect abnormalities but not always provide specific information about the underlying disease process. The importance of further testing and interpreting lab results with veterinary professionals is emphasized...

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, host Stephen and guest Dr. Holly Brown discuss the importance of lab work in pet healthcare. They cover topics such as the complete blood count (CBC), fecal testing, and urinalysis. They also explore the differences between in-house testing and reference labs. Dr. Brown emphasizes the value of baseline lab results and provides a fun fact about the origin...

In this episode, Justin Wallen teaches us the basics of keeping bugs and spiders as pets! Check out his business Justin's Critters located in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, Dr. Christine Garrett discusses chronic kidney disease in pets. The kidneys act as filters, removing waste and maintaining electrolyte balance in the body. Chronic kidney disease is characterized by irreversible loss of kidney function. Common signs and symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, and weight loss. Diagnosis involves ph...

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, we talk to Dr. David Levine and Ashley Wheeler LVMT to discuss rehabilitation for pets. They explain the purpose of rehab, which includes reinforcing post-operative surgeries and maximizing function in cases of arthritis or neurological conditions. The guests also highlight the importance of assessment and individualized treatment plans. They discuss vari...

Dr. Christiane Massicotte, a boarded veterinary neurologist with Veterinary Care and Specialty Group in Chattanooga, TN, joins the podcast to discuss various neurologic diseases in pets. She explains the role of a veterinary neurologist, which includes diagnosing and treating brain, spinal cord, nerve, and muscle diseases. One common condition she discusses is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), w...

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, Dr. Katelyn Marlowe discusses veterinary oncology and the similarities and differences between human and pet cancers. She explains the causes of cancer and the various ways it can be diagnosed in pets. Dr. Marlowe also explores the different treatment options available, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. She emphas...

Summary In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, hosts Michael and Stephen Shirley are joined by Dr. Sam Bilko, a board-certified veterinarian specializing in emergency and critical care. They discuss the training and preparation required for emergency and critical care veterinarians, as well as the body's response in traumatic situations. Dr. Bilko explains the difference between emergency...

In this episode, the Michael and Stephen discuss the basics of reading a pet food label with guest Dr. Megan Sprinkle, the president of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition. They emphasize the importance of understanding pet food labels and making informed decisions about pet nutrition. The chapters cover topics such as the attraction to pet nutrition, the importance of a balanced diet, un...

Summary In this episode, Michael and Stephen recap their top five episodes of the year as voted on by themselves. They also mention some honorable mentions and discuss the impact of their guests on the show. The top five episodes cover a range of topics including dog sports, diabetes in pets, pet dentistry, cat ownership, and new treatments for canine arthritis. The hosts express their gratitude t...

Ep. 83 Preventive Medicine - BEFORE your pet is sick w/ Dr Christine Garrett In this episode, Dr. Christine Garrett discusses the importance of preventive care for pets. She defines preventive care as actions taken before a pet becomes sick, such as diagnosing diseases early or protecting pets from potential exposures. Dr. Garrett emphasizes that preventive care cannot prevent everything but can h...

Episode Title: Understanding Declawing: A Conversation with Dr. Nicole Moran Introduction: In this episode of The Family Pet Podcast, we embark on an essential conversation about the controversial practice of declawing cats. Our expert guest, Dr. Nicole Moran from The Feline Medical Center of Houston, sheds light on the considerations, alternatives, and the well-being of our feline companions. Key...

Episode Title: Heather's Top 5 Things to Consider Before Bringing a Dog Home for Christmas Introduction: In this festive episode of The Family Pet Podcast, expert dog trainer Heather Moore shares her invaluable insights on the top 5 things to consider before welcoming a new dog into your home for Christmas. Whether you're a seasoned pet owner or a first-timer, Heather's advice is a...

Episode Title: Exploring the Veterinary Spectrum of Care with Dr. Michelle Evason Introduction: In this week's episode of The Family Pet Podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Michelle Evason, who delves into the fascinating concept of the veterinary "spectrum of care." Join us as we explore the diverse facets of veterinary medicine and gain insights into providing comprehensi...

As the holiday season approaches, pet owners often find themselves indulging in festive feasts, but did you know that this time of year poses a heightened risk of pancreatitis for our furry companions? In this episode of The Family Pet Podcast, we are joined by Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician Stephanie Adams to unravel the complexities of pancreatitis in pets and discuss practical tips to e...

Ep. 78 - Health Certificates/Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for International Travel - Show Notes Moving to another country is a major transition in life. Including your pet in such a move presents its own set of challenges. Fulfilling the requirements for pet travel often requires multiple documents, including a country-specific international health certificate that is completed by a USDA...

Ep. 77 - Flying with Pets - Show Notes Millions of Americans will be flying this holiday season to visit family and friends. Many of them will be traveling with their pets. However, flying with our pets is not as easy as just showing up to the airport and boarding the plan. But where can pet owners go to get more information about the requirements for flying with their pets? Dr. Nelva Bryant serve...

Ep. 76 - Choosing an Outside Pharmacy - Show Notes Recent years have seen an explosion of pharmacy options for pet owners. Where they once had no other option but to go to their local veterinary office to pick up food and medicine for their pets, pet owners today have any number of options to choose from. But how do pet owners decide what outside pharmacy is right for them? Sue Hutton, LVMT and Me...

Ep. 75 - Pet Poison Helpline - Show Notes H alloween is right around the corner and your house may already be filled with all sorts of assorted candy and treats. Unfortunately, many of these delicious treats are toxic to our pets. Many other common poison risks for our pets are all around our homes, often without us even being aware of the dangers. Dr. Renee Schmid is a Diplomate of the American B...

Ep. 74 - Learning about “bobcat fever” - Show Notes One of the most devastating illnesses that can affect domestic cats is cytauxzoonosis, often called “bobcat fever”. This disease is spread by ticks and has an incredibly high mortality rate. One symptom of a cat suffering from cytauxzoonosis is prolonged crying out in pain, often called a “death yowl.” Fortunately, regular flea/tick prevention is...

Ep. 73 - New treatments for arthritic pets - Show Notes Our pets can suffer from arthritis, just like their human owners. For years, the only treatment has been non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS.) However, two drugs have recently been approved by the FDA for our pets. Dr. Tamara Grubb returns to the podcast to explain how these new drugs, utilizing the science of monoclonal antibodies,...

This week on the podcast, we continue our discussion with Dr. David Dycus, a board-certified veterinarian and leader in veterinary orthopedic surgery. Today, we delve into the crucial topic of osteoarthritis in our dogs and cats. From recognizing the signs to exploring effective management strategies, Dr. Dycus shares invaluable insights

Ep 71 Let's talk Orthopedics with Dr. David Dycus In this episode, we delve into a critical topic: orthopedic issues in dogs and cats. Our expert guest today is Dr. David Dycus, a board-certified veterinarian renowned for his leadership in veterinary orthopedic surgery. He specializes in treating conditions like osteoarthritis, CCL tears, patella luxation, and hip dysplasia. Website for Dr. D...

Ep. 70 - Tips for training your dog based on their genetics – Show Notes For centuries, humans have bred certain dog breeds to perform specific tasks. Deep within those dogs is the drive to perform certain tasks. Providing enrichment for our dogs based upon their genetic predispositions is key in providing a happy home. Nikki Ivey joins the podcast again today to walk us through how to select and...