Call the Vet - an insider's guide to dog and cat health

Are you worried about your young pet's health? Confused by all the advice swirling online about kibble, vaccines, and vet care? In this eye-opening episode of "Call the Vet," Dr. Alex shares some tough love about the three biggest causes of poor health in young pets—issues often overlooked until it's too late. Learn how to spot weight problems, tackle dental disease before it leads to pain, and what no one tells you about breed-related risks. Armed with practical tips and expert insights, you...

Making medical decisions for your pet isn’t always straightforward—especially when budgets, emotions, and complex treatment options all collide. In this episode, Dr. Alex breaks down how to think clearly and confidently about recommended blood tests, long-term medications, and the tough choices that come with chronic conditions like arthritis, allergies, and more. You’ll learn how vets use monitoring tests, when they genuinely influence treatment decisions, and when it might be reasonable to ...

😮 Just because we can do more tests or treatments for our pets, doesn’t mean we should—sometimes doing everything isn’t the best choice for their quality of life! 🐾 Recently, my own cat Molly faced a life-threatening illness, forcing me to ask the same tough questions I ask clients every day: • Diagnose first! Without accurate diagnosis, you risk the wrong treatment and a poor prognosis. • Ask if additional tests will really change your treatment plan—or simply add expense and stress. • Weigh...

Can you believe that one common dog disease is misdiagnosed 50% of the time! So then, how can we trust the accuracy of a diagnosis if our beloved pets are suffering? 1️⃣ Sensitivity and specificity are crucial in diagnostic tests but often involve a trade-off. A highly sensitive test reduces false negatives, while a highly specific one cuts down false positives. 2️⃣ Misdiagnosis can result from running inappropriate tests, lack of funds, incorrect history interpretation, and limited vet knowl...

😡 The cost of a new veterinary drug for hypertension in cats is skyrocketing by 1200%, and it's not even a new active ingredient! 1️⃣ Amlodipine, a drug we've used safely and effectively for years, is now also available in a veterinary-specific version—but at what cost? 2️⃣ The new version costs $94 a month for a standard-sized cat, whereas the human equivalent only costs $27 for a four-month supply. 3️⃣ Veterinary professionals are legally bound to use these more expensive animal versions du...

🔍 "The improvement in pet health care may not be the best thing for you and your pet." What?! Before you get the wrong idea, let me explain what's behind this statement. 1️⃣ First off, veterinary advancements like Apoquel and Cytopoint for itchy dogs are amazing but come with higher costs—sometimes prohibitively so for many pet parents. 2️⃣ Consider cruciate ligament disease: while TPLO surgeries have outshined older methods like lateral sutures, the cost difference can be staggering. 3️⃣ Onc...

Deciding the best age to spay your dog can be a pivotal choice in ensuring a long, healthy life for your pet. With various factors to consider, such as breed size, potential health risks, and behavioral benefits, understanding when to spay your dog can significantly influence their overall well-being. This guide aims to provide you with insightful information and expert recommendations to help you determine the optimal timing for spaying, supported by veterinary expertise and current resear...

🐾 "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 Regu...

😱 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 ...

🐾 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 th...

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 overvaccinat...

Get ready to unleash your cat's full potential! In this episode of Call the Vet, join Dr. Alex and special guest, accredited animal behavior technician Leili from Supakit, as they reveal essential skills to teach your cat. From harness training to recall and carrier comfort, discover expert tips for fostering a happy, confident feline. Uncover the art of training, understanding your feline friend's body language, and building a strong bond that lasts a lifetime. Dive into more cat training...

🐾 Get ready to capture your furry friends' most adorable moments as Dr. Alex welcomes pet photography experts Darlene, Kathy, and Bonnie to the Call the Vet podcast! In this episode, they delve into the magical world of pet photography, exploring how these talented photographers bring out the unique personalities and beauty of dogs and cats through their lenses. From tips on preparing your pets for a session to finding the perfect pet photographer, this episode is a must-listen for all pet ...