Ask the Vet

Caring for a pet at the end of their life is one of the hardest parts of loving a them. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Wendy McCulloch, veterinarian and founder of Pet Requiem, to discuss quality of life, difficult decisions, and how to find compassionate support.

Topics include:
What seeing a pet in their home environment may reveal in contrast to seeing them in a traditional clinic setting
What Pet Requiem does and how the practice came to be
What palliative care for pets looks like and how it can help pets and their families make the most of their time together
Tips to assess a pet’s quality of life
How to approach and navigate discussions about euthanasia
What a peaceful in-home euthanasia experience looks like and how to prepare for it
Navigating grief and the role of rituals, keepsakes, and memorials in providing comfort
Also on this month's show:
Trending animal story about Romeow, a stray orange tabby cat who made an unexpected appearance during an outdoor performance of “Romeo and Juliet”
Animal news, including the story of how a new study challenges the common assumption that cat ownership automatically worsens asthma in children
Pet Health Listener Q&A: What sudden movements during deep sleep may mean; why cats may drool while kneading surfaces; and what to do if your pet gets sprayed by a skunk
Do you have a pe t health question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet.

Summer means more time outdoors, beach trips, barbecues, and adventures with our pets. It can also be one of the busiest times of year in the veterinary emergency room.

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by Dr. Carly Fox, Senior Veterinarian in AMC's Emergency and Critical Care Service, to discuss the most common summer emergencies and what owners need to know to help protect their pets.

Topics include:
Which pets are most vulnerable to heat-related illness
The warning signs that a pet may be overheating
What to do in a heat emergency — and one common mistake that can make the situation worse
Why a day at the beach can sometimes end in the ER
Summer travel risks many pet owners overlook
Picnic and barbecue hazards that can lead to an emergency vet visit
What ER veterinarians wish every pet owner knew
Also on this month's show:
Trending animal story about a Great Horned Owl rescued after becoming trapped inside a concrete mixer
Animal news, including new research suggesting beluga whales may recognize themselves in mirrors, a study exploring how zebra finches learn complex skills, and fascinating findings about what pet hair may reveal about the indoor environments pets and people share
Pet Health Listener Q&A: Addressing breathing concerns in a Yorkie with pancreatitis; whether Golden Retrievers should be shaved during the summer; and ongoing diarrhea and excessive thirst in a cat being treated for thyroid disease
Do you have a pet health question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet!

Pet owners shouldn’t have to face hardship alone. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Katie Campbell, President and CEO of RedRover, to discuss the resources available for pet owners facing difficult circumstances.
Topics include:
What RedRover is and how the nonprofit works to strengthen the human-animal bond
Resources available through RedRover, including disaster relief, financial assistance, and education
How RedRover supports pet owners who are survivors of domestic violence
An overview of the Purple Leash Project, including its impact and future
Guidance for pet owners who may be facing hardship
Also on this month's show:
Trending animal story about Dippy, the first axolotl ever found in the wild in the UK
Animal news, including the story of Molly, a beloved dog who was successfully rescued and reunited with her owner after a life-threatening accident in New Zealand
Pet Health Listener Q&A: Addressing inappropriate urination in a rescued Pomeranian; when to schedule an appointment with a dental specialist; and what limping after a nap may mean for dogs
Do you have a pet health question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email AskTheVet@amcny.org or click the button below to have your question answered on Ask the Vet.

Proper exercise and conditioning can support our dogs as they age. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes her colleague, Dr. Leilani Alvarez, Service Head of Integrative & Rehabilitative Medicine at AMC, to discuss exercise, mobility, and how we can keep dogs strong and active throughout their lives.
Topics include:
What a specialist in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation does
The changes in strength, mobility, and function you may see in your dog as they age
Differentiating between normal aging and early signs of mobility problems
All the ways in which regular movement can support overall health and quality of life
Why conditioning your dog for exercise matters
What a well-balanced exercise routine looks like
Common mistakes and habits that can lead to strain and injury
Regaining strength and mobility after an injury
Also on this month's show:
Trending animal story about Buck, a dog who was rescued after being found with a plastic bucket stuck over his head
Animal news, including how dogs may try to help their families find lost objects in ways that look strikingly similar to human toddlers
Pet Health Listener Q&A: When to worry about hydration in kittens; how sun exposure can lead to cancer; and what to do if your cat has one pupil larger than the other
Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Renee Schmid, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, to discuss poisonings and toxin exposures in pets.
Topics include:
What veterinary toxicologists do
How Pet Poison Helpline works — and when you should call
Trending toxin exposures and emerging concerns
Red-flag symptoms pet owners should never ignore
How new toxin alerts are prepared and shared with veterinarians and pet owners
Practical tips to help prevent poisonings
 Also on this month's show:
Trending animal story about Splash, a small-clawed Asian otter helping law enforcement with underwater search and recovery
Animal news, including how an endangered white rhino with a life-threatening parasitic eye infection was saved
Pet Health Listener Q&A: Why a dog may skip or hop for a few steps while walking; what a sudden bald patch in cats may indicate; and what to do if your dog tears off a dewclaw
Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.
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