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 knowledg...
Mar 11, 2025•15 min•Ep. 169
🛑 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 vs. perceived dangers of pet painkillers 🐾 The hidden consequences of untreated...
Dec 24, 2024•12 min•Ep. 168
😡 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 due ...
Oct 21, 2024•10 min•Ep. 167
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 you'll learn how early detection and proper care can make all the difference. We'll unrav...
Sep 19, 2024•22 min•Ep. 166
🔍 "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 Oncol...
Aug 28, 2024•20 min•Ep. 165
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 the 'prescribing cascade' to legal minefields that could land your vet in hot water, we'r...
Aug 06, 2024•13 min•Ep. 164
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 research. B...
Jul 17, 2024•18 min
😲 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 absolutely NO pay raise? The preconception that vets are "only in it for the money"...
May 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 162
🐾 "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...
May 08, 2024•14 min•Ep. 161
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...
May 01, 2024•16 min•Ep. 160
😱 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 a...
Apr 15, 2024•19 min•Ep. 159
🐾 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...
Mar 27, 2024•15 min•Ep. 158
🐾 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 i...
Mar 13, 2024•11 min•Ep. 157
🐾 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, incorpora...
Mar 06, 2024•15 min•Ep. 156
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 overvaccinatio...
Feb 28, 2024•14 min•Ep. 155
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 discomf...
Feb 20, 2024•15 min•Ep. 154
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 tips ...
Dec 06, 2023•41 min•Ep. 153
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 feline friend back on track and toileting where you want them to. For more toileti...
Nov 29, 2023•9 min•Ep. 152
🐾 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 pare...
Nov 15, 2023•31 min•Ep. 151
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 served humankind. We discuss the different breeds of military dogs, the work t...
Oct 27, 2023•25 min•Ep. 150
Calling all cat lovers! 🐱 Get ready for a heartwarming episode of "Call the Vet" as host Dr. Alex sits down with the amazing Nancy Peterson to delve into the world of raising foster kittens. 🐾 From the importance of caring for feral mother cats to the ins and outs of nurturing scared kittens, this episode is packed with must-know tips and adorable stories. 😻 Discover how to raise these little furballs to not just survive, but thrive, as Dr. Alex and Nancy share their expertise and experiences...
Oct 04, 2023•36 min•Ep. 149
If you're worried about your furry friend's upset tummy, diarrhea, or blood in their stools, this episode is a must-listen! Join veterinarian Dr. Alex Avery on another episode of the "Call the Vet Show" as he addresses a common concern among pet parents – colitis in dogs. Dr. Alex and guest pet parent Jeannine dive into the ins and outs of colitis, exploring different diet options, including the infamous chicken and rice, and whether switching to brown rice is a safe bet. They also discuss the b...
Sep 25, 2023•12 min•Ep. 148
Dive into the fascinating world of pet wearables with our special guest, Guilherme Coelho. In this episode of 'Call the Vet,' Dr. Alex and Guilherme explore the groundbreaking technology that is revolutionizing pet care 🐶🐱. 👨⚕️From AI-powered monitors to smartphone integration, discover how pet wearables are keeping our furry friends safe, healthy, and connected! 📈 Join us as we uncover the power of data, early intervention, and the incredible potential of understanding our pets' thoughts a...
Sep 06, 2023•33 min•Ep. 147
Join veterinarian Dr. Alex as he dives into the often fraught world of itch and allergy diagnosis. In this episode, he is joined by the incredible Dr. Jeff Werber, an award-winning veterinarian with over 38 years of experience. Together, in this sneak peek into The Dog Allergy Summit , they unravel the complexities of canine allergies and discuss how to make an accurate diagnosis, along with the common pitfalls to avoid. If you've ever wondered why your furry friend is constantly scratching or s...
Aug 21, 2023•19 min•Ep. 146
Ready to unlock the secret to your pet's sparkling smile ✨? Join our host, Dr. Alex Avery, alongside guest pet parent Michelle, as they tackle the age-old challenge of keeping our furry friends' teeth in top shape. Michelle's 14-year-old fur baby, Jerry, might have a heart murmur and can't undergo surgery, but that doesn't mean his dental health can't be improved! Discover expert tips, practical advice, and innovative solutions to take your pet's dental care to the next level. From in-home brush...
Aug 02, 2023•18 min•Ep. 145
Are pets a privilege or a necessity? When sickness or injury strikes, sometimes the most expensive treatments are affordable and at other times those at the cheaper end of the spectrum are completely out of reach. So, if you can’t afford their care, should you have a pet? For all the notes, related links, and discussion head over to the full show notes Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review...
Jul 05, 2023•22 min•Ep. 144
Are you guilty of focusing on the physical health of your pet, while neglecting their mental and emotional wellbeing? Most pet parents (including myself) are to some degree. Today this comes to an end as we discuss what emotional disease is, how you can spot your pet dog or cat may be struggling, before diving into some cutting-edge treatment options… For further information and all the links discussed in today's episode, be sure to head over to the full show notes Love the show? Sharing this ep...
Jun 07, 2023•40 min•Ep. 143
Stray and feral cats are more than just a neighborhood nuisance. They are a welfare concern for any animal-lover, a menace to any conservationist, and a potential threat to your pet cat. In this conversation with cat-advocate Bryan Kortis from Neighbourhood Cats , we discuss the impact that feral cats have in your community, how conservationists may have the wrong approach, and the best way to implement trapping and population control. For more information and all the links discussed in the show...
May 10, 2023•38 min•Ep. 142
When you hear the word “bacteria” you probably picture some disease-causing monster found in filthy places like the toilet or garbage. But, what if I were to say that without bacteria your pet’s health would really suffer? Or that purposefully feeding your dog or cat live bacteria, or even poop from another animal, could be the key to treating and preventing all manner of health complaints! Dive deeper over in the full show notes Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps othe...
Apr 12, 2023•14 min•Ep. 141
As humans, we have an innate desire to connect with other living beings, and animals have always been a part of this connection. Whether it's the loyal wag of your dog's tail or the comforting purr of your cat as they kneed your lap, there is something about animals that draws us in and makes us feel connected. But what is it about the human-animal bond that makes it so special? What are the actual benefits they bring to our lives? And is there a downside and price we have to pay… For deeper ins...
Mar 14, 2023•29 min•Ep. 140
