Oct 10, 2022

What Veterinary Professionals Need to Know About The Pandemic Pet Parent with Dr. Natalie Marks

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Natalie Marks on pandemic pet parents. It's been over 2 years post-COVID pandemic, and we're still seeing a lot of "pandemic-pet" related problems! What are some of the biggest issues veterinary professionals are seeing right now in first-time pet parents, and what about those pandemic pets who never received veterinary care during or post-pandemic? Tune in for some tips on how to best advise new pet parents, and what you can tell pet parents to help them transition back to the office when it comes to their pets! This VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Merck Animal Health is committed to disease prevention in our animal companions. With a philosophy driven by innovation, their continuous research and development help ensure the latest technological advances are available to provide reliable protection. The Nobivac® portfolio of industry-leading vaccines empowers veterinarians like you to have a broader impact on pets and their owners.

Oct 3, 2022

The “Pros” of Probiotics with Dr. Michael Lappin

In today’s VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Michael Lappin, DACVIM, Professor at Colorado State University, on all things probiotics in dogs and cats. What are the "pros" of using probiotics in our veterinary patients, and is it more than just supplementing yogurt? While probiotics are designed to boost healthy gut bacteria (and hence, why they are used with gastrointestinal conditions), what other non-GI conditions should probiotics be considered in? What's the latest in veterinary studies when it comes to probiotics, and are probiotics beneficial for cats with stress-related conditions (e.g., upper respiratory infections!)? More importantly, how do we veterinary professionals choose which type of probiotic to use? Learn it in this VETgirl podcast! Today’s VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements, a proud partner of veterinary professionals. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements develops innovative, targeted products backed by research, as well as offers education, home delivery and other resources to support your staff and business. To learn more, visit PurinaProPlanVets.com.

Sep 5, 2022

Evaluation of pericardial catheter placement versus needle pericardiocentesis in the dog

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we will be evaluating two methods of pericardiocentesis based off a study by Cook et al entitled Prospective evaluation of pericardial catheter placement versus needle pericardiocentesis in the management of canine pericardial effusion. Pericardial effusion in dogs is a condition we see with some degree of frequency in the ER. The urgency of this condition arises from the buildup of trapped fluid in the small sac surrounding the heart, located between the pericardial lining and the myocardium. Normally this space is so small that you can’t really see it on an emergency ultrasound scan without a cardiologist and a diagnostic ultrasound. When enough fluid builds up in the pericardial sac, this space becomes easier to see on emergency ultrasounds. But more importantly, as the fluid accumulates, the pressure in this trapped space compresses the heart chambers, preventing adequate filling of the heart, and results in less blood exiting the heart, and so less blood and oxygen is supplied to our vital organs. This condition is called cardiac tamponade and represents one of the causes of “obstructive shock.” Clinical signs that may clue us in to the presence of cardiac tamponade include Beck’s triad of: 1) low blood pressure 2) muffled heart sounds 3) and jugular venous distention, and often the patient is also tachycardic which is the body’s compensatory response to the lower cardiac filling volumes.

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