Ask the Vet

Summer means more time outdoors, beach trips, barbecues, and adventures with our pets. It can also be one of the busiest times of year in the veterinary emergency room.

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by Dr. Carly Fox, Senior Veterinarian in AMC's Emergency and Critical Care Service, to discuss the most common summer emergencies and what owners need to know to help protect their pets.

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Pet owners shouldn’t have to face hardship alone. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Katie Campbell, President and CEO of RedRover, to discuss the resources available for pet owners facing difficult circumstances.

Topics include:

• What RedRover is and how the nonprofit works to strengthen the human-animal bond
• Resources available through RedRover, including disaster relief, financial assistance, and ed...

Proper exercise and conditioning can support our dogs as they age. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes her colleague, Dr. Leilani Alvarez, Service Head of Integrative & Rehabilitative Medicine at AMC, to discuss exercise, mobility, and how we can keep dogs strong and active throughout their lives.

Topics include:

• What a specialist in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation does
• The changes in strength,...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Renee Schmid, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, to discuss poisonings and toxin exposures in pets.

Topics include:

• What veterinary toxicologists do
• How Pet Poison Helpline works — and when you should call
• Trending toxin exposures and emerging concerns
• Red-flag symptoms pet owners should never ignore
• How new to...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her colleague Dr. Erin Achilles, Senior Veterinarian and Specialist in Cardiology at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Together, they discuss how veterinary cardiologists play a critical role in helping pets live longer, healthier lives. 

Topics include:

• What veterinary cardiologists do and when your pet should see one
• Common types of acquired heart disease in...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Victoria Schade, a professional dog trainer, author, and longtime lead puppy trainer/wrangler for Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. With decades of experience helping dogs and their families thrive, Victoria shares behind-the-scenes insights from one of television’s most beloved animal events — and offers practical advice pet parents can use every day.

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by Dr. Donald Sturz, President and Show Chairman of the Westminster Kennel Club, as they celebrate a historic milestone: the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. With decades of experience as a handler, judge, and leader in the dog show world, Dr. Sturz offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic events in American sporting history.

Topics include:

• Why t...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her longtime colleague Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Department Head of Ophthalmology at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Together, they explore how veterinary ophthalmologists help keep pets’ eyes healthy — from everyday eye issues to advanced surgery.

Topics include:

• What veterinary ophthalmologists do and when your pet should see one
• Common ...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Dr. Dennis Slade, Department Head of Internal Medicine at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, about what veterinary internal medicine really means, and how specialists like him help pets with complicated or chronic health issues.

Topics include:

· What veterinary internal medicine treats
· How AMC’s collaborative care model improves patient outco...

In this episode of "Ask the Vet," Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Philipp Schott, veterinarian, bestselling author, and storyteller, to discuss his new book Heal the Beast: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts. Together, they explore surprising and quirky stories of animal healers across cultures and centuries, while reflecting on what these traditions teach us about the bond between humans and animals.

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In this episode of "Ask the Vet," Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Rachel McPherson, Founder and President of The Good Dog Foundation, about the transformative role of therapy dogs. For more than 25 years, Rachel has been a trailblazer in the movement to bring trained therapy dogs into the lives of people experiencing illness, trauma, or hardship.

Topics include:

• Rachel’s path from Academy Award–nominated film producer t...

In this episode of "Ask the Vet" Dr. Ann Hohenhaus talks with Dr. Andrea Looney, Senior Veterinarian at AMC and board-certified specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia, about how anesthesia is safely administered to pets. They discuss why the idea of anesthesia can make pet owners feel uneasy -- especially because general anesthesia involves a loss of consciousness -- and what goes on behind the scenes to keep animals safe and comfo...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Daniel Spector for an informative conversation about minimally invasive surgery in pets. Dr. Spector has led AMC’s minimally invasive surgery program since its launch in 2024, and he brings nearly two decades of experience to the operating room. Together, they discuss:

• His perspective as a pet owner whose dog needed multiple surgeries
• The d...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Renee Alsarraf for a heartfelt and informative conversation about cancer in pets. Dr. Alsarraf brings a unique perspective, not only as a board-certified veterinary oncologist, but also but also as a cancer survivor and pet parent to dogs who have faced cancer. Together, they discuss:

• The types of cancers commonly seen at AMC
• How radiation therap...

Parasites are a year-round threat to pets, and some can pose risks to human health as well. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with veterinarian Dr. Craig Prior, former president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), about what every pet owner should know. From tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms to giardia and ticks that transmit diseases like Lyme and ehrlichiosis, they cover the most common and ...

For our special 50th episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Vanessa Spano—AMCs first-ever veterinary behaviorist and the only board-certified veterinary behaviorist in New York City. Dr. Spano’s expertise spans a wide range of behavioral challenges, including anxiety, aggression, trauma recovery, and compulsive disorders. Tune in as they discuss:

• The difference between veterinary behaviorists, trainer...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes zoologist and best-selling author Bill Schutt to discuss the fascinating history and function of teeth. His latest book, Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans explores how teeth evolved, what they reveal about survival, and why they matter for both wild animals and our pets. Tune in as they discuss:

• How scientists identify extinct species by their fossilized teeth
• Why teeth originat...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Rachel Herman, Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. This organization is dedicated to supporting vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets, preserving the human-animal bond during challenging times. Tune in as they discuss:

• What is the mission of PAWS NY?
• Rachel's inspiration to establish this organization
• How PAWS NY helps New Yorkers having difficulty caring for their pets due to illness, disabilit...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Monica Murphy, a veterinarian and co-author of "Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals" — a fascinating book that looks at how America’s attitudes toward animals were transformed in the late 19th century. Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Dr. Murphy found this particular time period intriguing
• The effectiveness of Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, i...