The career path that most of us imagine when we think of veterinarians or veterinary technicians is the role of a general practitioner or technician who takes care of small companion animals. But there are many potential career options for all veterinary professionals within the veterinary field. Students who enter a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or veterinary technician program can choose the path that suits them, including nontraditional ones, as long as they have a mentor to help guide them, a willingness to step outside their comfort zone, and the confidence to seize opportunities when they present themselves. Listen to the nontraditional path Dr. Jessie Stanley took in this inspiring episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast.

Dermatology conditions are among the most common reasons owners bring their pets into the veterinary clinic. These issues are also among the most difficult for you to treat, so it’s important to know your options. Tune into this informative VetFolio Voice podcast, as Dr. Dana Liska, a veterinary dermatologist with Zoetis, and Dr. Cassi highlight some key findings in a new study on adverse events with short-term steroid use in dogs. A few surprising findings debunk some of the myths and misperceptions about steroid side effects and have implications for pet owner communication on treatment options. Dr. Liska addresses the advantages of a chewable medication for canine allergic itch, including why pet owners prefer a chewable, how a chewable can lead to better compliance and decreased caregiver burden, and data around food allergy, speed of onset and transitioning patients onto the chewable.

In veterinary medicine, Addison’s disease – hypoadrenocorticism – has been called “the Great Imitator” because it can mimic so many other diseases. Patients often present with vague clinical signs or biochemical abnormalities, making it challenging to correctly diagnose. In fact, it’s been said that managing Addison’s is not nearly as difficult as making the diagnosis in the first place. This CE episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast discusses diagnosing Addison’s disease in veterinary patients with nebulous clinical signs or biochemical abnormalities. It also covers routine approaches to management and prognosis. Want to earn CE credit for this podcast? Log into VetFolio to take the quiz and earn your CE credit. https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/overcoming-the-great-imitator-addisons-disease-in-vet-med-podcast-quiz

Whatever she has accomplished — moving from Brazil to the U.S., transitioning into ZooMed, founding Vetahead — Dr. Lyla Proença has made a leap of faith and deep passion to pursue her dreams. In this episode of VetFolio Voice, Dr. Proença shares her journey of validating her veterinary diploma in the United States after moving from Brazil. She reveals the work, sweat and tears, and even how she considered changing career paths, which led her to ZooMed and the founding of VetAhead. Dr. Cassi and Dr. Proença discuss the core values that are the foundational support of VetAhead, the importance of access to knowledge for all veterinary professionals, and access to care for all species. They cover the importance of critical thinking when it comes to managing exotic species and the importance of recognizing and preserving the human animal bond with species beyond just dogs and cats.

In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Patty Lathan about the pathophysiology of feline diabetes mellitus and some exciting updates in the treatment of diabetes mellitus including sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. They discuss the importance for veterinary practitioners to understand how these medications work, the recommendations for monitoring these patients and the adverse side effects and complications. They also explore some important updates on insulin, including the availability of glargine at a much lower price and upcoming clinical trials for a once weekly insulin formulation. Want to earn CE from this episode? Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/advances-in-the-treatment-of-feline-diabetes-mellitus-podcast-quiz-1

Though rare, marijuana poisoning in pets is on the rise as the result of pet owners having increased legal access to marijuana and marijuana-infused products (both medicinal and recreational). Though the toxicity is typically mild, THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) — the psychoactive compound in marijuana that makes people high — is toxic to pets and is no laughing matter. Tune in to this informative episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to learn about the sources of THC toxicities, the clinical signs, diagnostics, and decontamination and treatment plans, as well as how to manage the rare case when the toxicity is severe.

The clinical signs of canine pancreatitis, which can range from mild to severe, can escalate rapidly. In severe cases, extra-pancreatic inflammation can lead to multi-organ failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and death. Until now, the standard of care for dogs with this disease has been centered on supportive care only, including fluid therapy, pain and anti-nausea medications, and management of underlying causes, concurrent diseases and systemic complications. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Cassi chats with Harry Cridge, an internal medicine specialist, about everything you need to know regarding pancreatitis in your patients, including the pathophysiology, diagnosis and causes of the disease. Earn CE and learn about effective treatment plans for dogs with acute pancreatitis, including a novel drug that targets neutrophilic inflammation, Panoquell®-CA1 (fuzapladib sodium for injection). Want to earn CE for this episode? Head over to VetFolio to take the quiz and earn your CE credit. https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/clinical-updates-on-pancreatitis-in-dogs-podcast-quiz

Chronic enteropathy in dogs is a term that encompasses all complex gastrointestinal (GI) disorders with an unknown origin and is characterized by clinical signs lasting 3 weeks or longer. Tune in to this VetFolio Voice podcast episode to hear about two different cases, Mongo and Pax, who present with different types of chronic enteropathy. Learn how to differentiate small and large bowel diarrhea, discover techniques that are available for initial evaluation, and understand the nutritional considerations you should keep in mind. Want to earn CE from this episode? Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/chronic-enteropathies-meet-mongo-and-pax-podcast-quiz

This is a compelling VetFolio Voice episode that examines the importance of using a “spectrum of care” approach in providing a range of viable options to clients seeking parasite protection for their pets. Because almost all pets are at risk for significant pathology caused by the major categories of parasites, year-round, broad-spectrum parasiticides are necessary for our veterinary patients. Indeed, recommending parasiticides is one of the cornerstones of the care we veterinarians provide to our patients. However, there are many pet owners who may not be able to afford many of the commonly recommended options. In this VetFolio Voice episode, Dr. Cassi hosts Dr. Kendall Houlihan in an illuminating discussion about the importance of open communication with clients to bring awareness about the different options available for parasiticides in order to provide the best possible parasite prevention plan for each unique pet and client. An important component of this approach is to support clients who are doing their best, even if it is not the “gold standard” we associate with parasite preventative measures. Dr. Cassi and Dr. Houlihan discuss the importance of supporting one another as colleagues when we make these plans. Listen in as Dr. Cassi and Dr. Houlihan discuss the broader aspects related to spectrum of care in the context of parasite protection for pets.

Case reports are invaluable to the veterinary community — they identify new diseases, detail new diagnoses, explore novel treatments, or, in the case of a Labrador retriever named Sammy, they illustrate how teamwork can lead to a better clinical outcome for the patient. In this fascinating case-based VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi chats with Jessica Wilson-Hess, a veterinary technician specialist, and Dr. Holly Brown, a veterinary clinical pathologist, to discuss the case of Sammy, who is a survivor of Lyme nephritis but became acutely ill after a recent stem cell treatment. Jessica and Holly discuss his labwork, the nuances of his CBC, and the ancillary diagnostics performed to figure things out and get Sammy back to feeling his best. In discussing the case, the working relationship (and friendship) between this veterinarian and veterinary technician is highlighted, maximizing their impact in diagnostic testing and case management. At the end of the episode, they hope to leave you a little smarter, a little brighter, and feeling more empowered in the lab.

Paige Allen, RVT, has had a multifaceted and noteworthy career in VetMed. Her passion for lifelong learning and for the veterinary profession is infectious and inspiring. Join Dr. Cassi and Paige in this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast as Paige reflects on her career after recently retiring. You'll hear about the different roles she's undertaken, some of the challenges she faced, the lessons she has learned, the numerous opportunities available to someone with a degree in veterinary technology, and her hopes, expectations and uncertainties for the future of the profession.