The Buzby Dog Podcast

In today's episode of The Buzby Dog Podcast we are going to discuss seven simple ways that you can modify your home and your lifestyle to help your senior dog enjoy life to the fullest. Let’s start by talking about what makes a dog a senior. By most veterinary standards, we consider dogs 7 and over to be seniors, but that's just a rule of thumb. Generally, the larger the breed (ie. giant breeds), the shorter the lifespan; the smaller the breed, the longer the lifespan. Aging itself is not a disease, but as many of us can attest to, aging takes a toll on the body. Often in those golden years of a dog’s life, we depart from the simplicity of our dog’s Plan A wellness journey and move to Plan B. And Plan B, often means that we need to make adaptations. The biological definition of that word—adapations—is the process of change by which an organism, in this case dog, becomes better suited to its environment. So our dogs are inherently adapting to their changing needs and abilities as they age, but we’re going to be proactive about doing all we can to help them thrive in their environment at whatever stage of health and mobility they may be. If you are new to the Buzby Dog Podcast, my eternal challenge to you is to being proactive in managing your dog’s physical and emotional wellbeing. That is really our goal, I think as the caregivers for our dogs, to keep our dogs safe and happy and enjoying life and to be thinking outside the box on how to do that as challenges arise.

In today's episode, we have our first guest, Frank Huey, my friend who is going to share his story of his dog Mercy. Frank is an excellent writer, and he was kind enough to write Mercy's story for us, and I thought it would be a great podcast episode. It is amazing what an enormous impact a seemingly small act of kindness can have on our lives. Many of you probably have a pretty similar story to Frank and have been amazed at what a profound change a dog can have in your life. I think you'll love Frank's story, and I hope it inspires you to perform random acts of kindness. Your mercy will be rewarded, just like Frank's was.

In Today's episode, we talk about one of my favorite diagnosis and one of my first experiences as a new vet, vestibular disease. “Vestibular” refers to the vestibular apparatus, located in the inner ear, which perceives the body’s orientation with respect to the earth’s gravitational field. This information is then communicated to the brain, eyes, and body, to maintain appropriate posture and balance. Symptoms of vestibular disease are similar to vertigo in people. After experiencing a bout of acute vertigo a couple years ago, I’ve developed new sympathy for these dogs. Towards the end of a busy, normal day, I began to feel so dizzy that I couldn’t safely stand up. Within minutes I was vomiting. I crawled to my bed, where just turning my head on the pillow made me sick. Extrapolate that to dogs… Classic symptoms of vestibular disease in dogs include: loss of balance/ the veterinary term is: ataxia—which manifests in the drunken sailor gait), abnormal posture, head tilt, and nystagmus—the medical term for the rapid, uncontrolled eye movement that is the hallmark of vestibular disease.   There is no specific “cure.” We treat these dogs with supportive care on an inpatient or outpatient basis, with lots of TLC, and sometimes acupuncture. A thorough physical and neurologic exam is the most effective place to start sorting out the diagnosis. Idiopathic vestibular disease affects the peripheral vestibular system (in the middle ear) as opposed to the central system (nerves in the brain). With peripheral disease, we do not see mental dullness/stupor, or generalized weakness. The dog’s strength is maintained even though his equilibrium is out of whack.

Mobility is a dog’s greatest asset. When dogs can no longer walk securely, with confidence, they inherently walk less. This is bad for their bodies, their minds, and their spirits. Fear-free mobility is one of the greatest gifts we can give our dogs, but, as a whole, we need to be intentional about it. Have you heard about the latest technology in veterinary medicine? It might surprise you to learn that it isn’t computer based or cost prohibitive. Technology is simply applying what we’ve learned scientifically to smooth and improve life. That is the essence of this novel movement called “Fear Free”—to smooth and improve the veterinary experience for every pet. In today's episode, we discuss the Fear Free movement and how it can help you to help your dog live a happier healthier life. I'm excited about the future of the Fear Free movement in veterinary medicine and beyond. Frankly, I'm excited about the innovative solutions that now exist for aging dogs.

On today’s episode of the Buzby Dog Podcast, we’re going to look at an interesting phenomenon called compensatory injury in dogs, and consider how to avoid it. In today's episode, I cover how I was talked into leaping off a 32-foot cliff at Slide Rock State Park in Arizona into a pool of murky water which resulted in an injury that gave me a new appreciation for compensatory injuries. Pain is “multisynaptic”. This means there are many highways running to the brain which all carry the sensation of pain. It’s actually one of ways that acupuncture works. We stimulate the body at acupuncture points, which shuts the “gate” to other roads of pain from a sore joint, a sore back, a toothache, etc. Compensatory injury in dogs is a well-known phenomenon. For example, it is reported that once a dog ruptures a cruciate ligament in one knee (sadly, a common dog injury), he has about a 60% greater chance of doing the same in the other knee within about a year. It makes perfect sense. Think about all the extra work that the “good” knee has to do, while the dog shifts weight off of the “bad” knee. Often, like my foot, the body pays a price for that. We cover 4 strategies to help you catch and manage compensatory injuries including: 1. Dogs are tough. Limping means pain. Diagnose early. 2. Visit the vet. Rest the dog. 3. Doggie rehab is a good thing. 4. Time and patience are virtues. Peel the onion. Remember, when it comes to compensatory injury in dogs, we don’t have the luxury of patients who speak English and post their antics on social media. As long as your dog is moving in the right direction, be patient during your dog’s recovery process. However, don’t be shy about talking to your veterinarian about your questions or concerns at any point along the path. Rest assured, if you need to shed a few tears as the onion peels, we fully understand.

Why does insomnia occur in senior dogs? If you have a senior dog, you may deal with restlessness, panting, pacing, and vocalization at bedtime (and overnight. This problem can have a profound negative impact on quality of life for both the dog and his family. There are dozens of reasons why this occurs, and getting to the cause can seem impossible, especially if there are multiple contributing factors. However, through a careful physical exam and with a “holistic" approach, restful nights can be a reality. There is hope. In today's episode, we cover what you can do to help your dog with this problem that could be plaguing you. First, we talk about trying to find a diagnosis and how to work with your veterinarian. Next, we cover some issues that can often cause insomnia in senior dogs. And finally, we talk some option for helping your dog. There is no magic bullet here. There may be some trial and error; good days and bad days, but I am optimistic that you and your dog can have restful nights in your future!

In today’s episode of the Buzby Dog Podcast, we are going to cover five easy ways to coerce your dog to take medications, inspired by my recent personal experience. I’m blessed to have 3 healthy mutts who I don’t often have to medicate. But as I pried my dog’s jaws open to give him an antibiotic that there was no way he was taking willingly, I realized that, as a vet, prescribing the appropriate medication for your dog is only half of the battle! What about YOU, standing in the kitchen, holding a pill, looking at your dog while your dog looks back at you, both wondering who’s going to win? The answer, my friend, is YOU! Here are a five of my favorite tips, tricks, and techniques for getting your dog to take his medicine in today's episode: 1)The Bribe 2)The Bait and Switch 3)The Trick and Treat 4) Jaws 5)The Accomplice If you want to see the tactics from today's episode in action head over to youtube to subscribe and watch: https://goo.gl/7WDgq8 .

Welcome to this episode of the Buzby Dog Podcast, where we'll be discussing why dogs slip and the four options available to address this problem. As we cover this in today's episode, it is important to remember why this topic is so crucial to your dog's health and happiness. Not only does improved mobility increase your dog's physical health, but also the emotional health of your dog. Dogs who are slipping are usually living with some level of anxiety about moving around their home. This can impact the way they interact with their family. Dogs are very social, pack animals and they don't want to be isolated because they're physically unable to safely join their family in whatever their "pack" is doing. As we cover the 4 ways to help your dog avoid slipping, we start out with how dogs achieve traction and how their natural traction mechanism works. After we understand how dogs move around, we talk 4 simple yet effective ways to help them improve. If you haven't had issues with your dog's mobility yet, there is a good chance that you will have to address this issue at some point. Especially as your pet ages, mobility is a key to quality of life, so please share this episode with your friends who have dogs too. If you're interested in learning more head over to http://www.toegrips.com

Proper nail care is very important for the health and mobility of all dogs, but we know that it can be a source of stress and anxiety for both dogs and their owners. In this episode of the Buzby Dog Podcast, Dr. Buzby shares her secret recipe for easily and painlessly trimming your dog's nails. The goal in sharing this recipe for trimming your dog's nails is that you will love trimming as much as Dr. Buzby does and understand why it is a critical part of your dog's health. This episode dives into the complete nail trim and covers everything from preparing your dog for the trim to the tools that Dr. Buzby suggests you use. With a little practice and application of these simple tips, you and your dog can grow to enjoy you dog's nail trimming experience instead of dreading it.

Not giving up is a core principle of what it means to be a "Buzby" dog owner, but sometimes being the best advocate for your dog means knowing when saying goodbye is the right choice. Today's episode is not an easy one. Talking about end of life care is always a sensitive subject, but it's so much wiser to consider hard issues when we're not in crisis mode. The decision to say goodbye is never an easy one, but hopefully, with a little forethough, the transition will be smoother for both you and your canine companion.

“Client education” has always been one of my favorite parts of being a veterinarian. When the lightbulb goes on for a client about some aspect of home care, there is joy in that transfer or information, and hope for bettering a pet’s life in some way. Typically I stick to the script. We might cover tips for administering a medication, how to change a bandage, or symptoms of hypothyroidism. But I hope you don’t mind if I veer off course to highlight three life lessons in today's podcast that aren’t rooted in veterinary science. I’ve learned them, or should I say I’ve “earned them”, caring for my clients, patients, 8 human children, and 3 dogs. Consider it a heart to heart talk from one mom to another (dads of course are also welcome!).

In today’s Buzby dog podcast, we are going to discuss a question that i know has kept many of my clients up at night, and frankly is one that has weighed heavy on my soul over the years: Is My Dog Too Old For Anesthesia? 

 As a veterinarian, I have a healthy respect for anesthesia and I certainly understand my clients’ fears.  Anesthesia in veterinary medicine is essentially the process of taking someone’s beloved pet to the brink of death—obliterating many life-preserving reflexes—and then, after a specified amount of time, bringing that animal back to life again. It is never, ever without risk but that doesn’t inherently mean it’s not worth doing. However, the risk must always be carefully calculated from the start—and weighed against the reward.

As dog parents, one of the things we recognize about our dogs is that they don’t have a voice. This mandates that we, the ones who love them and are blessed to be loved by them, have a heightened responsibility. It goes well beyond food and shelter. It extends into the intangible realm of setting up situations to go in their favor. And a prime example of this is shaping your dog’s experience at the veterinary hospital. Of course, there are some elements of this experience which are completely out of our control, but as a veterinarian, I admire and applaud my clients who handle the visit with thoughtfulness and strategy—maybe intuitively or maybe because they’ve learned from past experiences. Here are 6 tips which I’ve gleaned over the years for helping you be proactive in creating the most enjoyable vet visits possible for the dog you love.

Welcome to the first episode of the Buzby Dog Podcast! In this first introduction episode I cover what we’re all about and how to “Buzby” your dog so that they can live the longest healthiest life possible. As the mom of 6 boys, two girls and three dogs I frequently get some pretty funny questions from my kids. One of their favorites is “what would you do” scenario and the situations are pretty creative. One of the most recent “what would you do scenarios” that was asked on our way to church was, “if your room were on fire and you were trapped, would you try to crawl through the ceiling vent, lay there and die or do a triple whip and vault out the window?” Since these quizzes happen so often, I have come to understand that there seems to be a formula to the options in the quizzes. The triple whip is always the option that fighters choose.Thankfully, I have never seen my kids attempt a triple whip, but it is clear that this choice is in the hearts of those who never give up. What’s interesting is that these scenarios always contain the opposite choice, to lay down and die. You’re probably asking, what does this have to do with my dog? As a veterinarian, I’ve observed a similar spectrum in the way people participate in the care of the pets, and I’m not talking about the amount of money people are willing to spend on their veterinary care. I see a hunger in the way clients want to learn about their dog’s body, their test results, their dog’s diagnosis. These clients are passionate about their dog’s health and I love being part of their team. These active dog owners have mastered the “triple whip” of dog care. Yes, these “triple whippers” take more time in appointments because they ask a lot of questions, often bring a stack of records, but I love them for it. I love to attract triple whippers like a magnet so that I can help them fight for their dogs who are their family members. What I’m suggesting is that the more involved you are in your dog’s care, the longer and better your dog’s life will be. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but here are my 5 takeaways from this story: -Lie down and die is never the right option -If you are a triple whip client don’t apologize for it, find a vet who appreciates you -Ask questions until you are satisfied -Always do the best you can, but remember you did the best you could. --You can’t control every outcome -The “triple whip” is a handy paradigm for life. In our house, we use the word Buzby as a verb. The term Buzby is synonymous with giving it your best, seeing a task through in spite of personal sacrifice and never giving up. After 20 years in being in practice I think there is something shared in common with my clients - the “Buzby” their dogs! Our dogs are such an integral part of our family, I want to use this podcast to help empower and encourage you so that you can rest easy knowing you are doing everything you can to give your dog the best life possible. So welcome and thanks for listening. Our goal is to build a community of pet owners who “Buzby” their dogs or want to know more about their dogs. I believe in the power of Buzby Dog Owners. You can do this, we can help!

Welcome to the beginning of a podcast series on proactively helping your dog live a longer, healthier life! It’s intentional that our first topic in this series is weight management. According to recent data from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 54% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. It’s true. Leaner animals live longer. Obesity has been shown to decrease longevity in species ranging from fish to fruit flies! And In 2001, a fourteen year, landmark study on Labrador Retrievers was published. It reported that maintaining dogs’ ideal body condition extended their life span by 15 percent, which translated into nearly two years! We're going to have to change our mindset and I will give you the incentive in today’s podcast to make that change! I have a message of hope and encouragement, not guilt! It is never too late to work on your dog's figure. This I know from my personal experience as a veterinarian, but it’s also been proven in scientific research—at any point in a dog's life, if you can shift them to a healthier body condition, it will pay dividends in both quality and quantity of life. In other words, it’s never too late!