Our Pets Health: with Dr Alex
By Dr Alex Avery
Our Pets Health: with Dr AlexMay 15, 2018
Call The Vet To Help Your Pet Live The Long And Happy Life You Want For Them!
If your dog or cat is part of the family and you want to know how to best care for them then be sure to head over to The Call The Vet Show - the number one podcast for all pet lovers! Remember to subscribe, and I cant wait to see you there.
Listen on your favorite podcast app here - https://ourpetshealth.com/listen
Puppy Weaning Guide - do it right and keep your puppies healthy (#165)
Once the shock of a new litter of puppies arriving on the scene has passed (and it always takes some adjustment no matter how prepared you are!), chances are you’re going to start thinking about starting to wean the puppies. It is however vital not to wean your puppy too early, and instead have a clear step-by-step plan. After all, proper nutrition is vital for growth, immunity and all-round development. It couldn’t be more important in the first few months of a puppies life. Full show notes
Free guide to keeping your pet as healthy as possible - get it now
Will CBD Oil Help Your Old Dog with Dementia? (#164)
While it’s much too early for anyone to answer this with any degree of certainty, there actually is some evidence that CBD oil may benefit dogs with dementia. CBD oil is getting huge publicity at the moment for the treatment of all manner of different diseases and ailments, both in people and in our pets. The scientific community is also interested, with more evidence becoming available to show that CBD oil can benefit dogs with certain conditions. That is not to say that CBD oil will be appropriate for every dog suffering from cognitive dysfunction. Nor should you ignore all of the other treatment options and management strategies that may benefit your dog.
Check out the show notes for everything you need to know about dementia in dogs
Why is there Blood in My Cat’s Stool (#163)
Head over to the full show notes and check out my other podcast "Call the Vet".
Bleach Poisoning in Dogs - first aid + home treatment (#162)
Bleach is used in all kinds of products around the house. And with bleach poisoning in dogs, the emergency action and home treatment you give if your dog drinks bleach can make all the difference. Full show notes here
5 Steps to Keep Your Pet Happy, Health, and out of the Vet Clinic! (#161)
There is little worse than your dog or cat suffering from a disease or injury that could have easily been prevented, but unfortunately, as a veterinarian, I see cases like this every single day. Preventative health is so important, and only takes a little bit of thought and planning. This is why I produced my FREE 5 step guide that you can download for free here
Are You Firework Ready? How to help your dog and cat stay calm!
With firework season fast approaching, now is the time to come up with a management strategy that will help your dog or cat stay calm during fireworks and also keep them safe. It is really important to take action and come up with a clear plan for any pet (dog or cat) that suffers from any behavioral issue. Ignoring a noise phobia, or any other issue, is only going to make it harder to manage in the future and the problem is also likely to become worse.
Further resources mentioned:
Helping dogs with a firework phobia
Keeping cats calm during fireworks
Is Having a Pet Really Good for Your Health? (#159)
For those of us for whom their pet is a vital family member, it is easy to see the benefits that our dog or cat (or any other pet for that matter) brings to our lives. The actual overall benefit, however, may be less clear-cut than you imagine. And, as a veterinarian, I can tell you from first-hand experience some of the stress that pets can cause which could impact your mental health. Let me explain…
How Much Vets Earn (and the debt of vet school!) - (#158)
It is a common perception that veterinarians earn a fortune and that they are able to fund really extravagant lifestyles. But just how much do vets make? How does this relate to the amount of debt that they graduate vet school with? And how does a veterinary salary compare to other professions?
Full show notes
The Real Reason Why Cats Eat Grass (#157)
If your cat goes outside, the chances are that you have seen them eating grass. You may have even seen grass in their vomit. But cats aren't cows, so why do cats eat grass? Eating grass is a really common activity for cats. In fact, over 7 out of 10 cats are reported by their owners to regularly enjoy tucking into a meal of the green stuff. There’s a good chance then that your cat is also a grass muncher, whether you see them or not! Here's why...full show notes here
The Challenge of being a Vet - what I hate about my job! (#156)
Being a veterinarian is not just about cuddling puppies and kittens all day. There is a dark side to the profession. There are some really difficult, challenging, and at times upsetting parts to being a part of this profession. I think it is important that everyone is aware that being a vet is not all the sunshine and rainbows it’s portrayed to be on popular TV shows and glossy Instagram posts.
Full show notes: the pros + cons of being a veterinarian
Why I Love Being a Veterinarian - my top 5 reasons! (#155)
Being a veterinarian can be an incredibly rewarding job. Let me take you into my world as a companion animal GP vet as I discuss the five things I enjoy best about being a veterinarian. Full show notes at ourpetshealth.com/info/being-a-veterinarian
Sick Pet? You Need to Look After Yourself! (#154)
If you are dealing with a sick pet then there is a real chance you might be becoming stressed, depressed, anxious or even angry. All of these will affect YOUR quality of life so it is important you look after YOU! The syndrome known as "caregiver burden" is well recognized in people who care for chronically ill family members, but it has only more recently been recognized in owners who have to look after sick pets.
Show notes - ourpetshealth.com/info/caregiver-burden
The Blue-Green Algae Risk to Dogs - Don't Get Caught Out (#153)
If your dog enjoys swimming, or if you're going on long hikes and they're drinking from lakes and from streams, then at this time of year you really need to know all about blue-green algae poisoning in dogs. Blue-green algae can kill a dog within 15 minutes. It produces toxins that stop the nerves working or destroy the liver. The main risk period is late summer and early autumn when water levels are low and warm - perfect for blue-green algae growth.
Check out my complete guide to blue-green algae poisoning in dogs
How Dogs Evolved from Wolves - and why it matters! (#152)
Just how similar are dogs to their closest relation - the gray wolf? The evolution of dogs from wolves is not as straight forward as you might believe. Just how similar are dogs and wolves? Are they really such close relatives that your dog could easily revert back to their ancestral form, or are the differences more than skin deep?
Full show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/dog-evolution
How to Choose the Best Dog for Your Retirement (#151)
If you are coming up to retirement, or if you are already retired, and you’re thinking about getting a new dog then there are some of the questions that you need to ask yourself when you are thinking about what the best dog for retirement is. Retirement and senior living can bring a specific set of challenges and opportunities. It is really important for you and your new dog that you plan and consider all of your options carefully. Here are some considerations, as well as the best dog breed suggestions!
Full show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/best-retirement-dog
Why Your Dog is Panting All the Time (#150)
There are a number of different reasons why a dog pants. Some of them are normal. Some of them are signs of serious diseases. If your dog has started panting all the time and you’re wondering why they are panting so much, then I've got the nine main reasons that you need to think about. A simple examination by your vet may be enough to diagnose the problem or give the AOK, but if there is something that needs treating, an early diagnosis could make all the difference in how successful this will be for your dog
Full show notes - ourpetshealth.com/info/dog-panting-causes
The Impact of Neutering and Truth About Animal Shelters (#149)
Not all pets find forever homes. To make matters worse, up to 25% of dogs and cats entering the shelter system get euthanized. Find out what you can do to stop these dogs and cats being killed. It is a responsibility we all have!
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/shelter-euthanasia
The Grain Free Facts - which diets are killing dogs? (#148)
Are grain-free diets causing dogs to die of heart failure? The answer is yes, but it is now clear that lentils, peas and potato are also major problem ingredients. These are the facts you need to know if your dog is eating a grain free diet.
Full show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/is-grain-free-dog-food-killing-our-pets
Heat Stroke Symptoms in Dogs - Don't get Caught Out (#147)
It's vital every dog owner learns these 5 main signs and symptoms of heatstroke in dogs. Heat stroke can kill and it can kill incredibly quickly, so picking up on the fact that your dog is starting to overheat early can save their life!
Free hot weather dog care guide: https://ourpetshealth.com/summerdogcare
Show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/dog-heatstroke-symptoms
I'm Here to Answer Your Questions! (#146)
This week I'm bringing you a taste of The Dr Alex Answers Show, answering all of your dog and cat health questions, where I'm talking about skin lumps and bumps, post vaccine skin swelling, and anal gland expression. Get your question answered at http://dralexanswers.com
Pets are NOT Disposable (#145)
In today's throw-away culture, there is a worrying thought that pet dogs and cats are also disposable. Something to discard if you lose interest in them or health problems develop. Here are my thoughts!
Download my just-released drug information sheets and access my free resource library here
Steroids in Dogs and Cats: The essential guide to this common drug (#144)
Prednisone is a powerful steroid to treat many different diseases in dogs + cats, but steroids also come with the potential for serious, disruptive side-effects. Learn why this common drug is used, the common side effects of steroids and how they are different in dog's and cats, and understand when alternative treatment options may be the best bet.
Full show notes here
The Importance of Vet Nurses: the unsung heroes of the veterinary team (#143)
Vet nurses and veterinary technicians are a vital part of your dog and cat’s healthcare team. Find out how hard it is for them to qualify and what they actually do every day. I bet you’ll be surprised!
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/what-vet-nurses-do
Is Your Cats Diet Giving Them Tuberculosis - just 1 more raw diet risk!? (#142)
If you're feeding your cat a commercial raw diet, or any sort of raw food, could it be giving them tuberculosis? It sounds crazy, but it's potentially true that raw diets cause TB in cats! This is an update of just the latest pet food scandal, following on from the vitamin D fiasco of a few months ago. If you are interested in the safety, risks and benefits of the diet you are feeding your pet then you should check out my free ebook which discusses the feeding of raw vs kibble. Get your free copy today in the knowledge vault - https://ourpetshealth.com/resources
Show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/raw-food-diets-and-tb-in-cats
Itchy Dog? Keep Their Skin Allergies in Check (#141)
A dog who is always itchy is little different to a dog in constant pain. Skin allergies are miserable. Stop your dog scratching all the time with this 6 step treatment plan.
Show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/how-to-treat-dog-skin-allergies
Fancy a Cat Burrito? The simple towel wrap to give a pill and clip nails! (#140)
The Cat Burrito Towel Wrap stops you getting scratched or bitten + is a simple, effective, yet gentle technique to retrain your cat for nail clipping, giving them a pill, or even getting them into their carrier! If you can't quite follow along with the audio, make sure to check out the video in the show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/cat-burrito-towel-wrap
Checking Your Cat for Fleas - Don't miss them! (#139)
If your cat is scratching, licking themselves bald, or has developed lots of little scabs on their skin then you really need to know how to check your cat for fleas.
Fleas are an incredibly common cause of itching in cats, and it’s not always as obvious as you might think to know if your cat has fleas or not!
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/how-to-check-a-cat-for-fleas
Kill Those Fleas and Destroy the Infestation! (#138)
Finding fleas is just the beginning...getting rid of a flea infestation can be a real battle but not if you follow this 3 step strategy!
Show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/how-to-kill-fleas-on-a-dog
New Baby? Help Your Pet Cope! (#137)
Why Is My Dog Itchy...It's Driving Them Crazy?! (#136)
Kicking off skin month, this episode runs through the 5 main causes of an itchy dog. Getting the right diagnosis is vital if the itch and scratching is to stop and your dog's skin condition kept under control.
For more skin discussion head over to http://dralexanswers.com
Will a Raw Diet Kill You and Your Dog?! (#135)
There are some well documented risks to feeding raw diets to your dog or cat. Does serious infection happen every day though, and how do these risks stack up against the feeding of kibble? Todays episode answers these questions and more!
Download my free raw feeding ebook: https://www.subscribepage.com/rawebook
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/raw-vs-cooked-dog-diets
The Benefits of Feeding a Raw Diet...Really?! (#134)
Raw diets are getting a lot of press online at the moment on blogs, forums and social media. Today is part 1 of my discussion of the actual evidence behind raw feeding claims, and I'm starting with the benefits of raw diets for dogs and cats.
Download my free raw feeding ebook: https://www.subscribepage.com/rawebook
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/raw-vs-cooked-dog-diets
Better, Faster, Cheaper Vet Treatment with 1 Simple Tip! (#133)
This one simple tip that almost everyone will be able to do could help save you time and money the next time your pet is unwell, as well as help your pet get better faster or receive the best treatment sooner!
Be sure to subscribe and also check out my other podcast "The Dr Alex Answers Show"!
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/save-time-and-money-at-the-vet
Tubular Ligation: is it really a spay alternative for your dog? (#132)
Tubular ligation in dogs is a method of sterilizing dogs that involves either tying a ligature around the uterus of a dog or making an incision in the uterus meaning that there is no way that pregnancy could ever happen. It is different to spaying because the ovaries are left untouched. This means that a female dog who has had tubular ligation will still come on heat and her body will still experience the pro's and con's of these hormones being present. Is this really a good idea?
Find out all about spaying your dog here: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/when-to-spay-a-female-dog
A Little Extra Weight Makes All The Difference to Your Dog or Cat!
2 identical dogs, the only difference being that one is overweight and one is fit and lean. Such a small difference can have a huge impact on the health of a dog as well as their life expectancy. Don't underestimate the impact of obesity on dogs lives. Keeping a healthy weight is one of the best ways to help your dog live longer. In today's episode, it's story time as I talk you through the lives of Max and Bailey.
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/obesity-life-expectancy
Giveaway Launch of The Dr Alex Answers Show (+ 1st episode)
I'm excited to be able to announce the official launch of my new podcast, "The Dr. Alex Answers Show", and to celebrate I'm also running a giveaway for some great prizes to suit any pet lover!
The Dr. Alex Answers Show is a Q&A podcast where, each week, I answer 5 of your dog or cat health questions. If you like what you hear today there are 2 other episodes already released so check them out and let me know what you think!
Head over here for more information and to enter the competition - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/podcast-launch-giveaway
Phenobarbital: The Best Dog Epilepsy Treatment? (Ep. 129)
Penobarbital is one of the most common drugs used in the treatment of dog epilepsy and to control seizures. Before starting, you need to know how well it works, learn about the side-effects and how to monitor your epileptic dog taking phenobarbital.
Epilepsy and seizures is a distressing condition for your dog to be diagnosed with but with the right treatment the seizures can be very well controlled. Phenobarbital is often the first choice and this episode goes through what you need to know about this epilepsy treatment for dogs.
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/phenobarbital-dog-epilepsy-treatment
Deadly Diet - the Hills Dog food Recall (Ep.128)
Just last week the pet food manufacturer Hill’s issued a recall of some of their prescription diets because they were found to contain very high levels of vitamin D - something that causes kidney failure and death!
I reached out to them for some answers to explain how this pet food recall happened, what checks are in place and what they are doing to make sure that something like this doesn't happen ever again.
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/does-your-dogs-food-contain-rat-bait
Should You Treat a Dog After Just One Seizure? (Ep. 127)
If your dog has had one or more seizures and has been diagnosed with epilepsy, one of the first decisions you will have to make is when should you start treatment for epilepsy in dogs.
The aim of epilepsy treatment in dogs is to reduce their frequency and severity, not prevent all seizures. All drugs also have the risks of side-effects and cost money to give and then monitor. As a result the decision to start treatment is based on a risk-benefit analysis.
This episode though discusses the general guidelines every owner of a newly diagnosed epileptic dog should consider.
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/treatment-timing-of-epilepsy-in-dogs
5 Top Tips to Treat Vestibular Disease in Dogs at Home (Ep. 126)
Has your old dog suddenly started to stumble and act drunk, developed a head tilt, can’t get up and as a result been diagnosed with old dog vestibular disease? If so you may have been told that with care and home treatment and management their chance of recovery is good - something that is thankfully very true!
While your dog is recovering from their bout of vestibular disease home treatment and management plays a very important role in getting your dog back on their feet as soon as possible, without suffering any unnecessary complications or prolonged illness.
This podcast episode gives my top tips with essential home treatment management strategies to help your old dog recover as quickly as possible.
Show notes: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/vestibular-disease-in-dogs
Do Puppies Need EVERY Vaccination? (Ep. 125)
Is Marijuana Dangerous for Dogs (funny or fatal)? (Ep. 124)
Marijuana poisoning in dogs is actually not that rare in general and you won’t be surprised to hear that marijuana poisoning becomes even more common in an area when marijuana goes from illegal to legal. CBD oil is all the rage at the moment, and is actually something that I’ve discussed before in podcast episode 99. It comes from the cannabis plant and is felt to be really safe so you might well be asking just how dangerous is marijuana?
Show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/marijuana-effects-on-dogs
The Green Way to Get Rid of Your Dogs Poop - really! (Ep. 123)
How to Choose the BEST Pet Supplements: does your dog or cat really need them? (Ep. 122)
What are the best supplements to give a dog or cat? It can be hard to decide, there are just so many. Join me as I ask if your pet needs a dietary supplement and then give 6 tips to choosing the best supplement for your pet!
Show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/choosing-pet-supplements
Happy Christmas from Me to You! (Ep. 121)
Show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/happy-christmas-2018
What Weird Stuff Dogs Eat - and how it can kill them! (Ep. 120)
Show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/weird-things-dogs-eat
How to Help Your Cat Relax + Stay Safe During Fireworks (Ep. 119)
Show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/how-to-help-cats-cope-with-fireworks
Is It Ever Right to Give a Puppy as a Present? (Ep. 118)
Show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/giving-a-puppy-as-a-present
Grain Free Dog Food Update: heart failure + exotic diets (Ep. 117)
Show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/is-grain-free-dog-food-killing-our-pets