🐾 "Elbow dysplasia in young dogs can start affecting them not just when they're old, but potentially very early in their life!" 🐶

🩺 Today on Call the Vet, we dive deep into managing chronic conditions like elbow dysplasia and arthritis:

1️⃣ Multimodal approach is key—combining dietary changes, weight management, and environmental modifications to tackle the issue comprehensively.

2️⃣ Therapeutic diets and supplements (especially omega-3 fatty acids) can significantly enhance comfort.

3️⃣ Regular, gentle exercise and use of ramps can prevent worsening of the condition.

4️⃣ Complementary therapies like hydrotherapy and physiotherapy are crucial for maintaining joint mobility and muscle mass.

💡 Early intervention plays a pivotal role in managing conditions like elbow dysplasia effectively. Starting treatment when symptoms are mild can drastically improve quality of life. This proactive approach can decrease the need for continuous medication and help manage pain more effectively.

For some dogs, surgery may be an option, and this episode also covers what you need to know if you think this may be the path for you and your dog.

Check out all the info and dive into all the related topics over in the full show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/dog-elbow-dysplasia

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

Increasing age can bring increasing health complexity and in this episode, we unpack a complex listener-submitted scenario about a 14-year-old Chihuahua battling congestive heart failure and mysterious seizures.

This episode is packed with invaluable insights, from understanding heart murmurs to dissecting the causes behind seizures in older dogs, with insights for all pet parents with older animals.

🚨 Did you know? A heart murmur isn’t always an indicator of overt heart failure in dogs! 🐶

1️⃣ Dr. Alex explains that a heart murmur simply indicates turbulent blood flow, which could be due to a leaky valve but doesn't necessarily mean that heart failure is present.

2️⃣ Seizures in older dogs are rarely due to epilepsy; the causes are often much more complex, ranging from organ disease to brain lesions.

3️⃣ Monitoring a pet’s sleeping respiratory rate at home can be a simple yet effective way to gauge heart health over time.

4️⃣ Diagnostic steps include full blood testing, urine testing, X-rays, and possibly an echocardiogram or MRI to pinpoint the exact health issues.

Dive into further resources in the full show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/dog-heart-failure-and-seizures

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

😱 Don't gamble with your pet's life. When it comes to your furry friend's surgery, knowing the risks is crucial for their safety!

🩺 Surgery may not be just routine - from a tiny risk of 0.01% for neutering procedures (that's 1 death for every 10,000 surgeries) through to a 16% death rate for the sickest of patients, the risk really does vary hugely by individual.

🏥 Several measures can increase safety: from pre-surgery blood tests, weight management, to advanced monitoring equipment - these are vital!

💡 The takeaway? Proactive health management & choosing a vet with the right skills & equipment is a game-changer. It not only reduces risk but ensures peace of mind.

💬 Have you ever delayed a surgery for your pet due to fear of anesthesia risks? What could have eased your worries? Share your thoughts!

Dive into everything you need to know and more over in the show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/pet-surgery-safety

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

🐾 Get ready to tackle this itchy pet mystery with Dr. Alex answering a question sent in by listener Trish that addresses some really key pet-care pearls. From narrowing down the potential causes of any problem, the importance of making a proper diagnosis, through to when to seek the input from your veterinarian. This episode has something for every pet parent!

Check out The Dog Allergy Summit here - https://ourpetshealth.com/allergysummit

And the full show notes here - https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/multiple-itchy-dogs

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

🐾 Did you know that it used to be common for veterinarians to withhold pain relief for pets with joint injuries or wounds? The thinking was that this was needed to prevent them from overusing the injured area and causing more harm 😱

Some vets and owners still advocate for this approach.

In my latest podcast episode, I dive deep into this shocking practice and why it's time for this outdated thinking to be left in the past. Join me as I discuss the impact of pain on a pet's well-being and the importance of appropriate pain management.

I highlight the negative effects of pain on healing, the body, and the human-animal bond, and why it's crucial to prioritize pain relief whenever pain is present.

While some may have reservations about using pain medication, I emphasize the various options in our arsenal for managing pain, promoting a multimodal approach for the best outcomes. My big takeaway is that we owe it to our pets to ensure they not only have a great chance of recovery but also remain comfortable throughout their healing journey.

Find out more in the show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/no-pain-relief

🐶 Are you aware of the impact of pain on your pet's overall well-being? What are your thoughts on the use of pain medication for pets? Let's start a conversation and ensure our furry family members receive the care they deserve.

#PetHealth #AnimalWellbeing #VeterinaryCare #DogPainManagement #PetPainRelief

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

🐾 Do you know just how effective acupuncture is for our dogs and cats?

In answering one listener question I dive into the placebo effect in both humans and animals, shedding light on the importance of understanding what the evidence says, or doesn't say.

And it's not just acupuncture. Understanding the intricacies of alternative treatments and their impact on our pets' well-being is crucial for making informed decisions as pet parents.

We dive into the multimodal approach to pet care, incorporating proven therapies in all different areas of your pet's life. By optimizing treatment strategies and embracing a holistic approach, we can enhance our pets' long-term comfort and overall well-being.

The key learning from this episode is that as responsible pet parents, it's essential to critically evaluate the treatments we consider for our pets and prioritize evidence-based care.

Have you ever explored alternative therapies for your pets? What are your thoughts on evidence-based treatments versus alternative therapies? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below! 🐾

Dive into all the links and related information in the show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/dog-acupuncture

#PetHealth #EvidenceBasedCare #HolisticPetCare #AnimalWellness #dogacupuncture

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

Overvaccination of pets is a controversial topic with serious health implications? 🤔

In the latest episode of Call the Vet Show, I delved into the hot potato issue of vaccination, addressing the concerns and risks associated with overvaccination. 🎙️

I talk about the importance of vaccinations as a core strategy to prevent dangerous infectious diseases, like the parvovirus outbreaks currently occurring in various parts of New Zealand. However, I also highlighted the need to avoid overvaccination, explaining the normal vaccination schedules of the essential core vaccines along with assessing the need for "lifestyle" vaccines.

And don't worry, I also address the potential of vaccine side-effects, the risks of overvaccination, and one big vaccine alternative...

The key learning from this episode is to carefully consider the individual risks and benefits of vaccinations for each pet, ensuring they receive necessary protection without being over vaccinated unnecessarily. 🐶

Dive deeper into all of the issues discussed in today's show over in the full show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/pet-overvaccination-risks

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

Is your furry friend scratching non-stop, leaving open wounds and red, dry skin? Imagine the distress they must be feeling and the worry it brings to you as their loving caregiver.

You've tried home remedies like hydrogen peroxide, colloidal silver, and apple cider vinegar, but nothing seems to provide relief.

But what if the root cause of your dog's itch goes beyond just dry skin? Could it be parasites, infections, allergies, or another underlying skin problem? The mystery of your dog's discomfort is like a puzzle waiting to be solved. You're seeking answers and solutions, but barriers like financial constraints and transportation limitations stand in your way.

In this episode of Call the Vet, Dr. Alex addresses a listener's concern about her dog's incessant itching and open wounds.

The listener, Nicole, is based in Jamaica and unable to afford veterinary care or transport her dog to a clinic.

Dr. Alex dives into the possible causes of itch, including parasites, infections, allergies, and other skin problems. He offers practical advice for at-home treatment, specifically highlighting the importance of addressing underlying infections and the potential use of isoxazoline group treatments.

Despite the challenges, Dr. Alex emphasizes the value of seeking veterinary consultation, sharing insights on telemedicine options and the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention.

Dive deeper into these topics over in the full show notes

Get your question answered here- https://ourpetshealth.com/question

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review