When Ben Franklin famously said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” he could have been referring to preventive dental care in dogs and cats. In this episode of VetFolio Voice, Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Jan Bellows, a multi-board certified veterinary dental specialist. They discuss preventive dental care, including how to obtain the VOHC seal of acceptance, different products for preventative home dental care, and Dr. Bellows’ “Elegant Extraction” technique. Earn CE while getti...
Oct 19, 2023•35 min
Osteoarthritis (OA) in pets have reportedly been on the rise for years. How can veterinary professionals reverse the trend and achieve a better outcome for their patients? In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Davis Dycus about the pathophysiology of OA, objective scoring measures for evaluating OA in a patient, important client communication points from predisposition and early diagnosis to progressive or severe OA, and effective strategies for maintaining joint healt...
Oct 12, 2023•54 min
VMX 2023 was the largest conference and expo in the NAVC’s history. Thousands of veterinary professionals from all over the world came to Orlando, Florida, to learn, network and have fun. It was the perfect opportunity for our staff veterinary technician, Sam Sacasa, to be on the Expo Hall floor and talk to her peers. In this edition of the VetFolio Voice podcast, join Sam as she gathers unique and thoughtful perspectives on important topics affecting veterinary technicians today.
Oct 05, 2023•38 min
Your days in the clinic can be chaotic, messy and just plain hard. On top of that, your professional identity has become intertwined with your personal one, affecting your well-being. Sometimes, nothing in the clinic goes according to plan, leaving you overwhelmed. But before you leap to the conclusion that this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast is yet another gloomy and pessimistic look at the veterinary profession, we’d like to introduce you to our fun-loving and optimistic guest, Kelsey B...
Sep 28, 2023•47 min
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a cat can be difficult for the veterinary practitioner to treat, and for the pet owner, it is a disease that requires day-to-day management. One of CKD’s complications, nonregenerative anemia, often contributes to the death or euthanasia of an affected cat. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Shelly Vaden joins host Dr. Cassi in a discussion about the first drug for the control of nonregenerative anemia associated with CKD in cats, Varenzin-CA1 (molidustat...
Sep 21, 2023•19 min
New Treatment for Canine OA In this VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Tamara Grubb about a new species-specific monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA to control osteoarthritis pain in dogs.
Sep 14, 2023•35 min
Dry eye — keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) — is an ocular condition commonly diagnosed in dogs and can become a very uncomfortable and painful condition for the patient. Tune in to this episode of VetFolio Voice as Dr. Cassi hosts two board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists to chat about the different types of dry eye and how to identify them, as well as discuss the available treatment options. The good news: For the majority of affected patients, the prognosis for long-term comfort and main...
Sep 07, 2023•56 min
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for pets with urinary tract infections (UTIs), but antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a real-life dilemma that presents a One Health challenge to veterinary clinicians. VetFolio Voice podcast host Dr. Cassi discusses the latest guidelines for treating UTIs in small animal patients and important pharmacological concepts for antibiotics with Dr. Natalie Young, who is board certified through the Board of Pharmacy Specialists in sterile compounding. They address ...
Aug 31, 2023•32 min
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common diseases affecting cats. Though it can show up more dramatically and be an emergency, it usually develops over time and affects older feline patients. CKD is not a curable or reversible disease, but early detection, support and treatment can improve the cat’s quality and length of life by slowing progression of the disease. In this episode of VetFolio Voice, earn CE and explore staging recommendations, substages, sequelae and effective thera...
Aug 24, 2023•31 min
There is no cure for equine osteoarthritis (OA), and once arthritic changes have started in a horse, they cannot be reversed. However, a multimodal management plan can slow progression of the disease. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, earn CE and discover how to improve the comfort and quality of life of your equine patients by learning about the pathophysiology, diagnosis and multimodal management options for equine OA, including physical/environmental factors and pharmaceutical/biologic ...
Aug 17, 2023•42 min
Proper nutrition is a crucial part of helping pets in a shelter prepare for a better life when they are adopted. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, host Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Cody Dressler about the importance of quality and consistency in foods for shelter pets, including resources for shelter feeding programs. Learn about the American Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ guidelines for feeding shelter pets and hear about real-life examples that demonstrate the importance of feeding hi...
Aug 10, 2023•32 min
Medical records have often been referred to as “the source of truth,” and they serve many purposes for veterinary practitioners and their patients. In a perfect world, medical records provide all the details about the patient’s history, clinical findings, diagnostic test results, pre- and postoperative care, prescribed medications, and the patient’s follow up care and progress. When done well, these records can be understood by other veterinary practitioners and will support the veterinarian’s t...
Aug 03, 2023•40 min
Have you ever considered owning a mobile clinic and making veterinary house calls? One passion of VetFolio Voice host Dr. Cassi is her house call practice. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, we flip the mic on Dr. Cassi and turn over the hosting duties to Sam Sacasa, CVT. Sam gets Dr. Cassi to chat about the joys of being a low-volume, high-touch veterinarian — as well as the occasional chaos that ensues.
Jul 27, 2023•32 min
By now, you may be familiar with Apoquel and Cytopoint for the control of pruritus in dogs with allergic dermatitis. They are both fast-acting, safe and effective, but are you certain about the best use for each one? Both are beneficial options for dogs with itchiness caused by seasonal environmental allergies, but what about puppies? In this edition of VetFolio Voice, veterinary dermatologist Dr. Dana Liska and host Dr. Cassi chat about 5 general bullet points for both Apoquel and Cytopoint to ...
Jul 20, 2023•33 min
Veterinarians routinely sedate dogs in their daily practice to ensure the safety and comfort of their patients and the veterinary team, but canine sedatives carry some risk of harmful cardiovascular side effects. Zenalpha (medetomidine and vatinoxan hydrochlorides injection), which is used as a sedative and analgesic for dogs undergoing exams, certain medical procedures that require the patient to remain still or quiet, and minor surgical procedures, reduces that risk. In this VetFolio Voice pod...
Jul 13, 2023•41 min
When an emergency case comes rushing through the door of your clinic, the goal of the veterinary team is to stabilize the patient so that you can make a diagnostic and treatment plan. In this vitally important episode of VetFolio Voice, Dr. Cassi and Dr. Armi Pigott delve into basic emergency and critical care concepts that are designed to help general practitioners stabilize these patients with life-threatening illnesses or traumas. Tune in to learn about concepts that are invaluable in these s...
Jul 06, 2023•39 min
Join us for this informative VetFolio Voice podcast episode that offers tips for the general practice team who are working with clients whose dogs have received a devastating lymphoma diagnosis. Dr. Cassi, the host of VetFolio Voice, and her guest, Dr. Kimberley Galligher, give a brief overview of canine lymphoma and offer guidelines for providing compassionate communication with these clients. You’ll learn strategies on how to partner with clients and collaborate with referring veterinary oncol...
Jun 29, 2023•22 min
When a client tells you their cat is finding it tough to jump, climb stairs and play, you understand the cat is probably coping with osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Because there is no cure for OA, the diagnosis is often devastating for a client. In this episode of VetFolio Voice, Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Sarah Graham Marra about how veterinarians, their team members and cat owners can learn to recognize the signs of feline OA. Dr. Marra explains how the veterinarian can help control OA pain in a whol...
Jun 22, 2023•27 min
Shelter medicine is an interesting niche in veterinary medicine, one in which veterinary professionals must apply concepts of herd health to dogs and cats, all of which are related to overpopulation of both species. Shelter medicine has evolved over the past several decades and is now taught at many U.S. veterinary schools and has become a rewarding career option for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The growth in shelter medicine programs and in veterinary professionals choosing shelter...
Jun 15, 2023•27 min
The exotic pet trade is a growing industry, with the AVMA noting that an increasing number of U.S. households own a specialty or exotic pet, such as fish, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, turtles, snakes, lizards and amphibians. But what do we really know about exotic pets? Does the human-animal bond exist between these animals and their owners? And what’s it like to provide veterinary care for these unique pets? In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, NAVC Chief Veterinary Offi...
Jun 08, 2023•45 min
This edition of VetFolio Voice podcast explores the benefits and role of nutritional support in canine dermatologic disease, with a specific focus on allergic disease. Dr. Cassi, VetFolio Voice's host, chats with Dr. Sara Ramos about the right food and plethora of available supplements that are marketed to pet owners grappling with helping their dogs with allergic dermatitis. As a practitioner, it can be difficult to navigate all the supplements and brands on the market and determine which ones ...
Jun 01, 2023•45 min
There’s an alphabet soup of medications and therapies available for dogs and cats suffering with atopic dermatitis, so how do you know what therapeutic course to follow to ensure a successful outcome for your itchy canine and feline patients? In this episode of VetFolio Voice, host Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Kacie Blessing, a veterinary dermatologist, about using every tool in your veterinary toolbox to give your patients relief from this frustrating and challenging condition. Earn CE while learni...
May 25, 2023•30 min
In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, recorded in the midst of VMX 2023, Dr. Cassi is joined by a group of VMX attendees who discuss their experiences in veterinary medicine and what keeps them coming back every day. Their community stories are as varied as their backgrounds and career choices — these veterinary colleagues are involved in all parts of the industry, including small animal, exotics, corporate and shelter medicine, and come from diverse geographic locations, including the United ...
May 18, 2023•31 min
Dr. Cassi, host of the award-winning podcast VetFolio Voice, is joined by previous guests Dr. Toffy Blaber and Dr. Ruth Ann Spinosa for some real talk on the fun, rewards and challenges of being a mom and a veterinary professional. They offer a glimpse into their lives and a perspective on balancing parenthood with their busy careers. While they share the same experiences of being a veterinary professional and a parent, they have different clinical roles and children of different ages, giving th...
May 11, 2023•30 min
Featuring the professionals who created the NAVC’s Pet Therapeutic Nutrition Coach Certification, Dr. Ellen Lowery and VTS Kara Burns, this VetFolio Voice episode provides a thoughtful (and fun!) “team sport” approach to nutrition education in the clinic. They want to inspire the entire veterinary team to bring their “A” game when it comes to educating pet owners about nutrition for the animals they love. As the fifth vital assessment, the nutritional assessment should be completed during each p...
May 04, 2023•36 min
In this episode of VetFolio Voice, Dr. Cassi is joined by Danna Miller, senior director of Communications and Advocacy at the NAVC, and Brandon Fuller, JD, president of Raise the Roots, a consulting firm in the animal legislative space. The conversation reintroduces NAVC Embrace to listeners, covering grassroots advocacy basics, why it's important to use your voice for good as an animal health professional, and discusses some of NAVC's big wins since launching Embrace three years ago. Listen now...
Apr 27, 2023•26 min
Equine regenerative therapy – the use of biological products harvested from the horse, such as blood or bone marrow, as treatment for damaged tissue – is the intriguing and informative topic of this episode of VetFolio Voice. Dr. Erin Contino and host Dr. Cassi explore various biologic and regenerative therapies, with a focus on their use in treating equine musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. Learn about the current biologic products that are available, how to compare and contrast various tre...
Apr 20, 2023•42 min
Tune in to this VetFolio Voice podcast episode to hear Dr. Denis J. Marcellin-Little discuss a proactive management plan for osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs that incorporates evidence-based approaches used to treat humans who have OA. A veterinary orthopedic surgeon and specialist in sports medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Marcellin-Little developed this management plan for canine OA over the last 20 years. His approach prioritizes specific management options at each stage of OA, including the first...
Apr 13, 2023•51 min
In this very special edition of VetFolio Voice, Dr. Cassi is joined by Dr. Michelle Oakley—National Geographic’s Yukon Vet. They discuss her journey in veterinary medicine, how she ended up in her current role and how being a “TV vet” has allowed her to bring veterinary care to remote areas that may otherwise have gone without. They also touch on Dr. Oakley’s work in developing a foundation to help support established wildlife centers, and the ethics, emotions and logistics involved in filming a...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Right or wrong, veterinary medicine is inherent to the identities of many of us in the field. In this podcast episode, VetFolio Voice host Dr. Cassi and her guest, Dr. Andy Roark, dive into veterinary medicine as an identity, and how to approach being a part of this amazing field without letting it become all-consuming. They probe the challenges presented by the veterinary profession and offer tips to help navigate and reframe your relationship to your career in a healthy and balanced way.
Mar 30, 2023•52 min
