How knowledgeable are you about the gastrointestinal microbiome? This complex and crucial community of microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses and fungi—live within an animal's body and is essential for digestion, immune system regulation, energy metabolism and more. Tune in to this insightful VetFolio Voice podcast episode and learn about the role of the gut microbiome on body systems, GI disease and weight management, plus find out how nutrition, nutritional support and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) influence it.

Veterinary practitioners know that a host of diseases and medical issues, including osteoarthritis or polyphagia, might be the cause of behavioral changes in feline patients, but is there a surefire way to determine whether a cat’s behavior is due to a medical or behavioral cause? There isn’t, but starting with client communication and asking the right questions about the patient’s behavioral history can help you understand what our enigmatic feline patients are trying to tell us. in this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi chats with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel about certain behaviors cats exhibit that are perceived by owners as behavioral issues, when they are instead indicative of an underlying medical problem (for example, a cat who is polyphagic digging through the trash or a cat urinating outside the litterbox due to pain from OA or from being declawed). Earn CE while learning about the importance of conducting a good history and asking open-ended questions in getting to the root cause of a behavioral issue. 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/the-cat-conundrum-unveiling-health-clues-in-feline-behavior-podcast-quiz

Lunchbox items—such as grapes, caffeine, chocolate and peanut butter (xylitol)—as well as seasonal hazards—Halloween candy, Thanksgiving food and Christmas decorations (such as salt dough ornaments and old school bubble lights)—can poison pets or be hazardous to them. In this important VetFolio Voice podcast episode, we focus on the common culprits found in our everyday lives that can harm our pets and our patients. We also delve into plant and pasture toxins, such as lilies for cats, sago palm for dogs, and azaleas, oleander, etc. for grazing animals. We also provide tips for effective client communication—helping pet owners understand what’s an immediate problem versus what they can monitor at home, key ingredients to look for in toxic substances, and how to navigate financial concerns around treatment.

The best imaging modality for veterinary patients depends on the issue being evaluated and the patient’s needs. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we delve into the types of imaging modalities available to veterinary patients, such as radiographs, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While radiographs and ultrasound tend to be more common and accessible in private practice, CT is becoming more readily available. We explore sampling, including ultrasound guided sampling vs CT guided sampling, and discuss when MRI would be indicated over CT. Learn about the strengths and limitations of each modality, as well as common misperceptions about each.

The Veterinary Industry Giving Tree (VIGT) is a 2024 NAVC Gives award recipient for its work in uplifting veterinary professionals experiencing financial distress. This year, VIGT says it will prioritize families or individuals in western North Carolina and other areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Tune in to this touching VetFolio Voice podcast episode to learn how VIGT will help members of the veterinary profession during the winter holidays!

Treating pets injured in car accidents can be traumatic for your team. But just like human passengers, pets are at risk of serious injury—or worse, death—by collision or when an airbag deploys. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, a critical care clinician, about the types of injuries Dr. Mazzaferro has seen from unrestrained animals in cars, as well as the risk that is posed to human safety. Riding with pets not safely restrained in the car poses a risk to both the pet and the human driver and passengers. There is also the potential for negatively impacting vehicles that are sharing the roadway with you. They explore different restraint devices and how to communicate risks and car safety principles to pet owners. You’ll learn about resources for veterinary professionals treating pets with these injuries and how to communicate with clients or first responders who are calling about a pet injured in an accident.

A multimodal treatment approach can help dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) by controlling the pain and inflammation associated with the disease. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we explore the use of NSAIDs—specifically Metacam—for managing OA pain. While Librela is a very useful product, many patients are still uncomfortable even after being helped with Librela. Learn how NSAIDs, along with monoclonal antibodies, can be a winning combination for your patients.

Science, data and technology benefit veterinary professionals, pets and pet owners alike. Today, new developments are transforming the way veterinarians care for their patients. In this compelling episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, learn how one company — Antech Diagnostics — is driving innovation in veterinary medicine. You’ll learn about exciting developments in veterinary diagnostics, which are helping veterinary professionals to predict, diagnose and monitor wellness or disease, plus get tips for what to say to those hesitant to embrace technology.

Managing oncologic cases often requires collaboration between the referring veterinarian and specialist, but what does a successful partnership look like? A supportive collaboration between the pet owner, primary care veterinarian and oncology specialist is essential to achieve the best outcomes for these patients, but along with the major benefits that come from this joint effort are some hesitations. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi and veterinary oncologist Dr. Haley Leeper cover the options typically discussed with clients whose pets are diagnosed with cancer, from palliative care to referral to quality of life assessments and everything in between. You’ll learn what a collaborative care team looks like and how oncology can embrace providing a spectrum of care, plus explore a new conditionally approved medication that is used for the treatment of canine lymphoma — verdinexor (Laverdia). 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/managing-oncology-cases-from-palliation-to-referral-and-everything-in-between-podcast-quiz

The proposed Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform (PURR) Act of 2024 (H.R.7380) would allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have regulatory authority over the labeling and ingredient review process for dog and cat food and treats, and would eliminate inconsistent state interpretations and decisions impacting ingredient and pet food label approvals. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Cassi chats with Dana Brooks and Dr. Lindsey Bullen about the process of a bill becoming law and how it differs in reality from what we learned in the “I’m Just a Bill” episode of Schoolhouse Rock! They discuss the current state of the pet food industry and why the PURR Act is important. They delve into the influence we have as constituents and how to contact congresspeople to achieve the greatest success in getting our voice heard. They also explore what the expected results are after implementation of the PURR Act. Finally, they discuss the importance of nutrition education in veterinary school and veterinary technician programs.

As the school year kicks off, so do the risks of common household toxins that can threaten our pets. In this episode, Dr. Cassi sat down with Dr. Tina Wismer, director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, to discuss the hidden dangers that back-to-school season brings. From ADHD medications and illicit drugs like marijuana to everyday foods like grapes and chocolates, they explore the toxicities that are more common during this time of year. They also dove into effective communication strategies with clients to identify potential exposures and outline diagnostic and treatment approaches for both known and unknown toxins. Tune in for vital insights to help protect your patients from these seasonal hazards.