Veterinary advice, animal news & views with host, veterinarian, Dr. Roger Welton.

Dr. Roger discusses the commonly held pet owner notion that spayed and neutered dogs and cats have a higher likelihood of becoming obese. Is this observation correct, or do the actual statistics differ? If true, what may be the reasons for the tendency to be obese? Dr. Roger sifts through fact and fiction to give pet owners the straight answer on this topic. Plus, Dr. Roger also addresses 2 listener e-mail comments. All listeners are encouraged to submit their own questions/comments to be addressed on the air by e-mailing them to comments@web-dvm.net

Dr. Roger showcases this increasing, troubling trend in the field of veterinary medicine and the dangers of the poor standard of care it poses. In tonight's episode, Dr. Roger also discusses breed specific legislation and one particular group that is dedicated to fighting it. There are 2 listener e-mails that Dr. Roger will be addressing this evening as well. Please feel free to submit your own questions/comments to be addressed on the air by sending them to comments@web-dvm.net.

Dr. Roger answered an online consultation regarding a parasite a man caught from his dog (who had caught it from infected raccoon feces) whose seriousness inspired tonight's episode dedicated to zoonoses, a group of infectious diseases that people can catch from our furry family members.  Children, the elderly, and the otherwise immune compromised are particular susceptible, so tune in tonight to learn about what these diseases are, how they are treated, and most importantly, how they are prevented.  Dr. Roger also has one listener e-mail question to address on the air.  Please feel free to submit your own questions or comments to be addressed on the air by sending them to comments@web-dvm.net. 

In this episode, Dr. Roger disusses the entry of superstore giants into the pet medication industry.  He highlights how this is poised to change the face of veterinary medicine and what consequences it will have on pet owners.  Lower prices for medications would seem an inevitable  plus for pet owners, but with that may come other negative consequeces that are already beginning to occur.  Plus, we have 3 listener e-mail questions that Dr. Roger will be addressing on the air.  Please feel free to submit your question ot comments to be addressed on the air, by e-mailing them to comments@web-dvm.net.

Tonight, Dr. Roger update's our listeners' knowlege of heartworm disease in dogs and cats: latest teatment and prevention modalities, possible resistant strains, and a rise in feline cases of disease.  Plus, we have 3 listener e-mail questions to be addressed on the air.  Feel free to submit your questions/comments for Dr. Roger to address on the air at comments@web-dvm.net.

Tonight, Dr. Roger will be revising his top 10 pet health myths. Differently from past top 10 lists, he chose to lump both dogs and cats together save redundancy for the several myths that apply to both species. Dr. Roger's top 10 lists are based on feedback he gets from clients and colleagues throughout the year, making each new one unique as it reflects a new year’s misinformation. There are likely to be some repeats as some myths refuse to die, but there will be several new ones as well. There is one listener submitted question that Dr. Roger will address on the air. We welcome all listeners to submit their questions to be addressed on the air by sending them to comments@web-dvm.net.

Dr. Roger discusses this powerful natural nutritional health supplement that it readily available, inexpensive, and can do wonders for your pet's health.  Plus, Dr. Roger will address 3 e-mail questions sent in by listeners.  Please feel free to send in your e-mail questions/comments for Dr. Roger to address on the air at comments@web-dvm.net

In tonights episode, Dr. Roger offers his opinion on why cat owners should be mandated to keep their cats indoors, as well as discusses the new fad of anesthesia free pet dentistry.  Plus, Dr. Roger addresses 2 e-mail comments on the air.  To submit your questions/comments for Dr. Roger, e-mail them to comments@web-dvm.net

Tonight’s episode deals with a very common disease area in dogs and cats: the spine and spinal cord.  Most pet owners would likely be astounded by the frequency with which I see injuries and disease of the spine, a frequency which approaches 3-5 newly diagnosed cases per week.  Whether we are dealing with simple muscle strains, intervertebral disc injuries, autoimmune disease, infection, vascular accidents, or degenerative spinal disease, the bottom line is this: disease of this region is common, and recognizing it as soon as possible to get treatment on board ASAP is the most effective way to deal with it. As always, listeners are invited to post comments and questions to be addressed by Dr. Roger on the air by e-mailing them to comments@web-dvm.net

Dr. Roger discusses recent sensational news stories regarding the dangers of communicable disease that pets pose to pet owners, especially those that share their beds with their pets.  While some of these dangers are real and should be taken seriously, Dr. Roger takes the sensationalizm out of the reporting, presents it objectively, and discusses how you can keep your pets and family safe from communicable disease.  Tonight, there are also 3 excellent listener e-mail questions that Dr. Roger will address on the air.  Feel free to send your questions or comments to be addressed on on the air to comments@web-dvm.net. 

Tonight Dr. Roger discusses the common canine behavioral disorder known as separation anxiety. Joining Dr. Roger to shed light on separation anxiety, how to recognize it and manage it, is L.A. based Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Steve Brooks. Steve's website is http://stevebrooksk9u.com/, and we encourage all to visit after tonight's broadcast. Both Dr. Roger and Steve will be addressing listener e-mail questions tonight, and as always, we invite you to submit your own questions or comments to be addressed on the air at: comments@web-dvm.net. 

Dr. Roger delves into the increasingly popular trend of feeding dogs and cats raw meat as a staple of their diet.  Although the veterinary industry as a whole is generally not in favor of this feeding approach, Dr. Roger presents this practice objectively, drawing from both science and his own clinical observations of patients fed this type of diet.  Lastly, if you are a proponent of raw feeding, Dr. Roger focuses on the best approach to doing it correctly to minimize risk and optimally provide for the nutritional needs of your dogs and cats.  Both proponents and opponents of raw feeding stand to learn a great deal from this episode, so please tune in and and offer your comments to be addressed on the air at: comments@web-dvm.net.

Dr. Roger discusses the troubling increase in cases of this dangerous strain prone to becoming immune to our best antibiotics, while also having occassional ability to jump species and infect humans.  Learn more about MRSA and how you can protect your pets and your family from this dangerous disease.  Plus, Dr. Roger addresses 3 e-mail questions submitted by listeners.  Send your questions/comments to be addressed on the air at comments@web-dvm.net.

In this episode, Dr. Roger discusses some simple priorites pet owners should strive for this year to provide optimal wellness and quality of life for your pets.  Plus, Dr. Roger addresses three e-mail listener comments on the air throughout the broadcast.  To send your questions or comments for consideration to be addressed on the air, e-mail them to comments@web-dvm.net

Tonight, Dr. Roger reviews the state of veterinary medicine the pet care industry, and animal welfare in 2011, highlighting triumphs and new innovation, as well as discussing some of the less savoring news items and areas that need improvement. Plus, Dr. Roger addresses 4 listener e-mail questions on the air, one all the way from Australia!