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

🛑 Is Your Pet's Pain Relief Doing More Harm Than Good?

🧑‍⚕️In this compelling episode of the Call the Vet podcast, veterinarian Dr. Alex Avery uncovers the painkiller side effect that no one is talking about— and it’s not what you’d expect! 🤯 From busting myths about medication risks to highlighting the dangers of inaction, this episode is a must-listen for every pet parent.

Join us as we explore:

• The real risks...

😡 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 Veterinar...

This is one of the most common diseases to affect middle-aged and elderly cats.

Is your furry friend losing weight despite a ravenous appetite? Are they jittery, with a coat that's lost its shine? They might be battling hyperthyroidism!

And because untreated hyperthyroidism in cats can lead to severe consequences like sudden blindness or heart failure, recognizing the early signs is crucial.

In this episode yo...

🔍 "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...

Are you tired of shelling out big bucks for your pet's medications while knowing their human counterparts cost a fraction?

Tune in to this eye-opening episode where Dr. Alex Avery exposes the secrets of the pharmaceutical industry, reveals how stringent regulations handcuff your vet's prescribing options, and offers savvy tips to save on your furry friend's medical bills. 🐶💊🐱

From the shocking reality of t...

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 op...

😲 Are you concerned about the rising costs of vet care? You're not alone and this episode dives deep into the issues plaguing the pet health care space, affecting your pets, you, and those within the veterinary industry.

It's easy to vilify veterinary professionals as money grabbing (and many do) but the truth is very different - Did you know that in the last 12 months, 25% of veterinary staff in the UK received...

🐾 "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...

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 kn...

😱 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...

🐾 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....

🐾 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 l...

🐾 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 mak...

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 ...

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, infection...

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,...

Dive into the purr-fect solution for your cat's bathroom behavior!
In this episode of Call the Vet, Dr. Alex helps out lister Kim who is having issues with her cat pooping in the bath - gross! Bit whether it's problem pooping or peeing outside the litter box, this episode brings you six top tips including insights on cleanliness, litter types, and behavioral changes, to help you uncover the secrets to getting your fel...

🐾 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...

You would think that military dogs would be given the best care when it comes time to retire...

In this episode, we dive into a topic that might be new to some of our listeners: the rescue and rehabilitation of military dogs. Our guest, Bob from Mission Canine Rescue, shares his insights on the incredible work they do to provide happy endings for retired military dogs, contractor working dogs, and police dogs who have serv...