The Pet Doctor - Keeping your pets healthy & pet wellness - Pets & Animals on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

There is a major epidemic in the United States…people addicted to pain control medications. It can start out innocently enough but then spiral out of control, often with dire consequences. Sadly, I see too many pets with an issue at the other end of the spectrum…in pain but the suffering is not appreciated by their caregivers. Providing your pet with the best quality of life depends on you recognizing when your pet is in pain, understanding the pathways that lead to pain, knowing how to find a veterinarian who is capable of treating your pet and recognizing which treatments are safe and worth pursuing. Who better to chat with today than Dr. Michael Petty, author of Dr. Petty's Pain Relief for Dogs: The Complete Medical and Integrative Guide to Treating Pain (Countryman Press, February 2016). He is a veterinarian and certified veterinary pain management expert and acupuncturist. He owns Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Pain Center in Canton, Michigan.

If you don’t like snakes, you had better move to Alaska, Hawaii or Maine, otherwise no matter where you live in the United States, you are sharing geography with at least one of the 20 venomous snakes that call the U.S. home. You and your pet may encounter one when out for a walk or playing in your backyard. They can even slither into your home unnoticed. Imagine the scene…suddenly your pet is crying in pain or favoring a body part. Is it because of an insect bite, broken limb or snake bite? What do you do? Can you just ‘wait and see’ or do you need to see your veterinarian and how quickly do you need to get there? Your knowledge and the steps you take can make the difference between discomfort and death.

My clients often gnash their teeth when I tell them that their pet needs dental care, often with multiple extractions. But why they ask. The groomer brushes their pet’s teeth every 6 weeks, they give them dental chew treats that the pet store recommends and they had their teeth cleaned 2 years ago. What gives? Dr. Eric Van Nice is a board certified veterinary dentist in Tustin, California. He will give us some great tips to chew on for home pet dental care.

With 26 states and the District of Columbia having legalized the use of Cannabis sativa and now 7 states and the District of Columbia decriminalizing recreational pot use, more and more people are reporting the health benefits in people and pets. Is pot appropriate for your pet? Why isn’t your veterinarian recommending it or even talking to you about its use? Dr. Ken Pawlowski, the 2016-2017 California Veterinary Medical Association’s President is my guest today. We are going to discuss if you should consider using this ancient botanical for your pet.

Dogs and cats like their owners are living longer than ever…that is the good news. Sadly with that longevity both can suffer with dementia issues. The signs can vary tremendously. You might be tempted to believe that your pet has become frustratingly stubborn, lazy, grumpy or just downright daft. Is it dementia, a behavioral quirk or does it have some other underlying medical explanation? If it is dementia are there any effective treatments? Is there anything you can do to prevent it or at least slow down the process? My guest is award-winning board certified veterinary behaviorist, Dr. Gary Landsberg. He operates a behavior referral practice, North Toronto Veterinary Behavior Specialty Clinic and is the vice president of Veterinary Affairs at CanCog Technologies

I won’t pretend to understand what a dog or cat feels when it goes to the veterinarian or groomer but for some pets visions of space aliens conducting medical experiments and water boarding might be close. As pet care givers we try to coo our furry charges into believing that it is for their own good and to be brave. But if you have ever broken out in a sweat at the thought of going to the dentist for a root canal, you know that all the cajoling in the world just doesn’t cut it. Debbie Martin, a Licensed Veterinary Technician is today’s guest. She is one of only 14 veterinary technicians to earn her specialty status in behavior. We will discuss how you can insure that your pet will receive the best care by learning how to recognize and reduce fear, stress and anxiety.

Pets are living longer than ever…that is the upside to improved veterinary health care and nutrition but with longevity other health issues like chronic kidney disease becomes more prevalent. Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common causes of illness and death in older pets. Even if your pet looks to be the picture of health this insidious disease may be affecting it. By knowing the subtle signs and appropriate screening tests, you may not be able to prevent your pet from becoming a victim but you could help it to experience as good a quality of life for as long as possible. My guest is Dr. Jane Robertson. She is board certified in veterinary internal medicine and Director of Internal Medicine for Idexx Laboratories.

It is so frustrating. You’ve watched the well know TV dog trainer and are following his advice. You are the leader of the pack. You are demonstrating your superiority by calling your dog to your side with a deep booming voice and your dog refuses to come. He sits there yawning and licking his lips…what gives? My guest, Turid Rutgaas is an internationally known dog trainer who believes that by understanding the unique communication style of dogs our human/dog family will howl with delight.

You’re feeding grain free. There are no fleas. You have tried every lotion, potion and supplement on the internet. You are about to banish your dog from the bedroom because you aren’t getting any sleep. The incessant itching, biting, scratching and licking are driving both of you crazy. Help! The causes of skin irritation are myriad. You may not be able to find a cure but control is possible. Dr. Andrew Hillier is the Veterinary Medical Lead of Dermatology at Zoetis. We will chat about the most common myths, urban legends and newest treatment options so you and your dog can both sleep easier.

Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, Toto from the Wizard of Oz these are but a few of Hollywood’s famous canines… but what about their silver screen feline counterparts? Why aren’t there more celebrity kitties? Has it something to do with the phrase…’as easy as herding cats?’ You might not have visions of stardom, you would be happy just to have it come when you called. No matter what a cat may tell you, they are trainable. The behaviors you teach your cat could save its life and make them more enjoyable members of your family…even if it won’t fetch your slippers.

You’ve heard it for years… teeth need to be brushed at least twice a day… but your dog’s? Just because you have owned dogs for years and never brushed their teeth, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. Just because your pet has never had its teeth brush before, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Though brushing a pet’s teeth is the gold standard for proper oral hygiene other options exist that will help your pet nibble away at dental disease. Dr. Andrew Schreibman, a senior technical services veterinarian for Merial will reveal how foul breath can pollute the entire body with disease causing organisms and could potentially shorten your pet’s lifespan. He will also share some easy tasty steps to prevent it.

I’ll admit it…I am addicted to Google. What were the numbers of the last Powerball lottery? Can’t remember what Prince called himself before he was Prince? And what is Pokémon Go? When in doubt…Google it. I even use it when I need veterinary information. The answers that pop up on these inquiries are sometimes blatantly wrong or can be highly misleading. So what is a pet owner to do when they want information on pet care? Where can they go to find reliable, reputable information? Dr. Lauren Demos is the 2017 President of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and today’s guest. This organization of feline experts has created a spectacular website that is pet parent friendly and cat wise. So curl up with your favorite feline and listen with a purrrpose. You will learn some fascinating facts on how you can be the best cat owner ever.

Let’s take a quiz…a geography quiz. Yes, I know I am a veterinarian and this is a show about pets but you will see that it all makes sense. Name a country that has no standing army…where it is ilegal to own a wild animal, has a population of about 4.5 million people who are all educated for free from primary school to high school. Ranked 42nd in the world for environmental protection, has great beaches and fabulous people who speak Spanish. Figured out where I am talking about? Costa Rica. Elías Peña is a nature guide at the Danaus Ecological Reserve in La Fortuna de San Carlos. He is going to tell us how a small center in a small Central American country is enchanting and educating the countrymen and the world about the importance of protecting our plants, animals and world….they know we are One World…One Health.

That moment when a pet slips from being a part of your family to being a memory can be one filled with a quiet peace or regrets. If you are a fortunate pet parent, you have been given time…time to consider the passing…time to soak in the essence of your pet and time to insure that your companion has been kept comfortable and passes with dignity. My guest is Canadian veterinarian, Dr. Lianna Titcombe. She is currently the president of the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, an association focused on comfort-oriented care to companion animals as they approach the end of life.

You know your pet better than anyone else. You would know if it were in pain... or would you? Though pets are basically wired for experiencing discomfort as you and I are, too often they mask the typical outward indications like crying and whining for myriad reasons. So how can you tell if your pet is hurting? If you do thing they are ouchy, how about saving some money and dosing them with a bit of your pain medication? And what is so bad about pain anyway? Isn’t it just part of life? My guest is the Professional and Public Affairs Veterinary Advisor for the American Animal Hospital Association, Dr. Heather Loenser. We are going the explore these questions and more because every pet should experience the joy of a pain free life.