Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Tails of Truth: The Truth about Veterinary Medicine
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are mRNA Vaccines Safe for Dogs and Cats? | 16 Oct 2026 | 00:20:39 | |
Are mRNA vaccines safe for dogs and cats? Dr. Angie Krause and JoJo unpack Merck’s newer RNA vaccines for pets in plain language. They cover how these vaccines differ from the ones vets have used for decades, why they don’t need an adjuvant, and why they don’t change your pet’s DNA. They’re also candid about what we still don’t know, from long term data to manufacturer funded studies. Plus, why skipping rabies vaccines is a risk with no do over, and why healthy skepticism and critical thinking matter more than fear. Key Takeaways
Soundbites “I think veterinary medicine has been really guilty of denying the vaccine reactions that some pets have had.” — Dr. Angie "Maybe we can put some information in the misinformation.” — JoJo "When you look at all the ingredients in a vaccine, you’re like, I don’t want that.” — Dr. Angie “I think critical thinking is really important when it comes to vaccines.” — JoJo “I have to turn in my holistic vet card" — Dr. Angie “That would be terrible business to roll out something that just kills every animal.” — JoJo “It’s not entering the part of your cell that makes DNA." — Dr. Angie "Our kids don’t know about Old Yeller.” — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Dignity in Death. What Vet Med Teaches Us About Dying | 09 Oct 2026 | 00:30:29 | |
It’s okay to die. Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo get personal in this episode about dignity in death and how differently veterinary and human medicine approach the end of life. Speaking from their own experiences with loss, they explore why vets have the end-of-life conversation so many people never get in their end-of-life, and why our culture treats death as a failure to delay at all cost. Along the way, they answer questions many pet parents quietly carry. Will my dog or cat pass peacefully in their sleep? What does a natural death really look like? Is it okay to say goodbye before my pet is suffering? How do vets decide whether chemo is worth it? What if my beliefs don’t allow euthanasia? Dr. Angie shares how she built her own relationship with euthanasia after growing up in a family that didn’t believe in it. Together they talk about quality of life tools, in-home euthanasia, and why grief, especially the loss of a dog or cat, so often has nowhere to go. This is a tender, deeply personal conversation about the one universal experience every being shares. Key Takeaways
Soundbites “It’s kind of like the strangest gaslighting.” — Dr. Angie “Why do we have to give suffering to prolong suffering?” — JoJo “I probably diagnose something terminal every week.” — Dr. Angie “This is a place where I feel like in animal medicine we’re winning.” — JoJo "We are all going to die. I mean, I don’t know how you can have a more universal experience.” — Dr. Angie “Your dog dies, your cat dies, nobody seems to care.” — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| 5 Things Pet Parents Do That Vet Staff Hate | 02 Oct 2026 | 00:19:02 | |
Every vet visit is a partnership, and some habits make it harder for everyone, including the pet. In this episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo get candid about five things pet parents do that frustrate veterinary teams. They talk about what really happens when clients are unkind to the front desk, why sending a partner who doesn't know the pet's history can derail an appointment, and when a long phone call should really be a consultation. JoJo explains why skipping prescribed pre-visit sedation often means a second visit, and why leaving out details, even embarrassing ones, makes it harder to help. Dr. Angie also shares what she considers the hardest part of her job, and it isn't euthanasia. Key Takeaways
Soundbites "Because everyone thinks that the hardest part of my job is euthanizing animals. It's in fact not." — Dr. Angie "We're not here to shame. We're here to educate." — JoJo "We go to the back and cry when you are mean to us. The doctors cry, the nurses cry." — Dr. Angie "And so there's this hierarchy of madness." — JoJo "It's okay to not like me. It's okay to be frustrated if I'm behind. I get it." — Dr. Angie "We're people pleasers by default. It's bad. It's a sickness." — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Functional Mushrooms & Gut Microbiome with Dr. Rob Silver | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:48:01 | |
Dr. Rob Silver, the integrative veterinarian behind Boulder's Natural Animal Hospital, the Rx Vitamins line, and Real Mushrooms Pet Line joins Dr. Angie Krause to talk functional mushrooms and the gut microbiome. They cover why a probiotic alone rarely fixes an itchy dog, the importance of diet on gut health, how puppies and kittens inherit their microbiome, why Dr. Silver avoids metronidazole, what fecal transplants can do, and how to tell real mushroom supplements from mycelium grown on grain. Key Takeaways:
Soundbites "And we all know that most disease comes from the gut." — Dr. Angie "Each animal is their own universe." — Dr. Silver "It's kitty crack in here. They love it." — Dr. Angie "Into every life a little vice must fall." — Dr. Silver "I think sometimes it's kind of like reading tea leaves" — Dr. Angie "After forty years in practice, tired of putting out fires, it's time to start planting some trees" — Dr. Silver "I find that most supplements that people are buying over the counter don't really have therapeutic doses" — Dr. Angie "It delays effective treatment to be giving grain to an animal who has cancer."— Dr. Silver "Because you can have dysbiosis without GI symptoms." — Dr. Angie Dr. Silver's resources
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Is Your Vet Recommending Tests You Don't Need? | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:22:44 | |
This week Dr. Angie and JoJo get into the uncomfortable question of overtesting in veterinary medicine. They talk about packages that bundle unnecessary vaccines and tests, the debate over year round flea and tick prevention, whether a heartworm test is necessary before starting Ivermectin, and why so many pet parents feel like they're not being offered options. Dr. Angie shares how she handles these conversations in her own exam room, including a few opinions she knows will ruffle feathers. Key Takeaways
Soundbites "I don't wanna gaslight people and tell them this isn't happening. Sometimes it is happening." — Dr. Angie "There's an overarching story that veterinarians are greedy. And veterinary medicine is greedy." — JoJo "I want you to know there's a lot of dogs walking around and we know they have a heart murmur and they haven't had an echocardiogram yet." — Dr. Angie "So trust your vet." — Dr. Angie "It does feel like a unnecessary reach for money, which makes the industry feel distrusting." — JoJo "I think those consults are great for second opinions." — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Why Your Indoor Cat Still Needs a Rabies Vaccine | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:13:26 | |
Most cat parents assume rabies risk is an outdoor cat problem. Dr. Angie and JoJo disagree, and they've got two recent patient cases to explain why. In this episode, they walk through rabid bats becoming more common in the Boulder and Denver area, how a bat's behavior changes when it's infected, and what actually happens if a cat is exposed. That includes the quarantine process, why a rabies titer won't get a cat out of being vaccinated and quarantined, and the real consequences an unvaccinated, exposed animal can face. They also cover why rabies tops Dr. Angie's list of nonnegotiable vaccines, common myths about vaccine side effects, and what to look for in the vaccine itself. Listeners can grab their free course on cat vaccines at boulderholisticvet.com using code Truthtails or Truthtales. Key Takeaways
Soundbites "We've had two in the last year of our patients be exposed to bats, one confirmed rabies, we're waiting on the second one." — Dr. Angie "If your animal has been exposed to a rabid animal and they are not up to date on their vaccines, I mean they can try to force you to euthanize your animal." — Dr. Angie "It's a peace of mind vaccine because rabies is fatal." — JoJo "This is no shade to bats. Yes. Like they do so much." — Dr. Angie "Well, I think there's like this trend right now to not vaccinate for rabies." — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Your Comments and Questions, Cheekily Corrected | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:34:53 | |
On this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse, JoJo, dig into listener comments and questions, covering cat hyperthyroidism testing, Cytopoint and cancer risk, heartworm resistance to ivermectin, and the rabies vaccine recall. They also talk through saccharomyces boulardii for dogs on prednisone and the ongoing debate around gut health and allergies in dogs. Some comments are kind. Some are not. Dr. Angie and JoJo answer them anyway. Key Takeaways
Soundbites "The majority of these messages are so disrespectful and unnecessarily mean." — Dr. Angie "Sometimes intervention earlier prevents more intense toxic interventions later." — JoJo "Cytopoint is not going to increase your dog's risk of cancer. That's real." — Dr. Angie "That's a very privileged place to sit, to be able to say I am gonna just really spend the next two to three years working on my dog's gut health." — Dr. Angie "If somebody had one experience with their animal and it worked out well for them, they suddenly are the expert." — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Thorne's Sale to P&G and What It Means for Your Pet | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:39:59 | |
Thorne, the supplement company millions of pet parents have trusted for over two decades, was just sold to Procter & Gamble for $3.8 billion. But the veterinary side of that business isn't part of the deal. It's now PetDomain, a fully family owned company built by the same people who ran ThorneVet for years. In this episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo sit down with PetDomain owner and CEO Alex Pearson to talk about what happened, why his family chose independence over joining a corporate sale, and what family ownership means for the quality assurances behind every product on the shelf. They cover how PetDomain sources and tests ingredients, why proprietary blends make it hard for pet parents to know what they're actually giving their pets, and what to look for when choosing a supplement brand you can trust. If you've used ThorneVet products, or you're just trying to make sense of a pet product world full of company buyouts, this episode is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOUNDBITES "I tell ya, integrity's probably cost me money." — Alex Pearson "What's in there is what's in there. I know that's gonna be true." — Dr. Angie "Luck is the residue of design." — Alex Pearson "There's no placebo. That's the nice thing." — Dr. Angie "We didn't want to be a part of a $3.8 billion purchase." — Alex Pearson "I think a lot of people need to do less supplements." — Dr. Angie "It's hard to find integrity in anything anymore." —JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Our Confessions: Overdoses, Shame & Chaos | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:36:31 | |
Even veterinary professionals aren't immune to chaos and medical errors. In this episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo get vulnerable about the mistakes, emergencies, and shame spirals that happened with their own pets, including a medication dosing error, an unexpected ER visit after a dog ate a pot cookie, and a cat dental emergency that came with major sticker shock. They talk through what it actually feels like to mess up in an industry where you're expected to know better, why full mouth dental x-rays under anesthesia matter, how ASPCA Animal Poison Control works, and what to do if your dog may have eaten THC. Vulnerable, honest, and possibly even relatable. KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOUNDBITES "This is a scary episode." — JoJo "I immediately felt sheepish and small." — Dr. Angie "She's hella uncomfortable." — JoJo "You've gotta let yourself be human." — Dr. Angie "I think it makes us less judgmental, 'cause how can we judge?" — JoJo "I'm in metronidazole jail." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Are Steroids Bad for Cats? What to Know | 14 Aug 2026 | 00:24:40 | |
Steroids get a bad reputation, especially among holistic pet parents, but Dr. Angie Krause and JoJo break down when cats actually need them and when it's okay to explore other options. They cover the difference between prednisone and prednisolone, the real risk of steroid-induced diabetes, budesonide as a gentler alternative, and how to safely taper a cat off long-term steroids. They also dig into steroids for IBD, asthma, and skin conditions, plus what the research does and doesn't say about steroids and cancer risk. They discuss benefits and risks and potential side effects. This conversation is for any cat parent who has felt nervous about starting their cat on steroids.
Soundbites "Cats often need steroids. They need steroids for asthma, for inflammatory bowel disease, for their allergic disease, for all kinds of things." — Dr. Angie "People in the holistic space really try to avoid steroids. They hear that word steroid and I feel like it's all out panic." — JoJo "The first thing I think of is please don't become diabetic. It's happened to me twice in 20 years, but it feels bad." — Dr. Angie "I know it can feel overwhelming to dose your cat a pill every day. Just know that this can be compounded into a formulation that works for you and your cat." — JoJo "If your cat has asthma and is struggling to breathe, steroids are the best thing... in crisis, it's not the time to think about any kind of alternative." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Angry About The Cost of Veterinary Care? So Are We | 07 Aug 2026 | 00:32:17 | |
The veterinary industry is changing fast, and Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo are not afraid to say how they feel about it. In this episode, they get honest about why pet care keeps getting more expensive, what corporate consolidation and mergers like MWI and Covetrus mean for your local vet clinic, and how brands like Chewy are reshaping the industry in severely impactful ways. It is a conversation about what is happening to veterinary professionals trying to stay independent and to pet parents trying to keep up, and what you can actually do about it.
Soundbites " I felt like, okay, it's up to us to evolve or die." — Dr. Angie "Like it's just contractual, it's not human." — JoJo "It definitely feels like a knife in the back." — Dr. Angie "I'm like Chewy is Voldemort." — JoJo "What I wanna say is try to get care at non corporate veterinary clinics." — Dr. Angie "I just want to really acknowledge that the industry is changing. You're not imagining that." — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Which Pet Supplements Can You Actually Trust? | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:24:51 | |
In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo dig into the murky world of pet supplements: what's actually worth buying, what's marketing hype, and how pet parents can tell the difference. They talk through the emotional pull of supplement ads, including Dr. Angie's own impulse buy, why fear is such effective marketing, and why a page of five-star reviews doesn't mean a product works. The conversation covers what the NASC seal actually means, why CBD chews for pets can vary wildly in potency, and which supplements Dr. Angie actually trusts and stocks, including fish oil, probiotics, and Chinese herbs. They close with a simple gut check for choosing a supplement without falling down a research rabbit hole.
Sound bites "Anyone can start a supplement company." — Dr. Angie "Fear is fantastic marketing." — JoJo "Fish oil is one of the most underrated supplements. I think that's helpful for almost any condition." — Dr. Angie "A consultation with you might save people money." — JoJo "My philosophy overall is if I have a good diet, I shouldn't need that many supplements." — Dr. Angie "What really irritates me is how then you'll have people come on and say, I thought I was gonna have to euthanize my dog, but then I started this supplement and now he's totally fine." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Just Us, Talking Life & a Plan for JoJo's Anxious Dog | 24 Jul 2026 | 00:25:52 | |
In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo take a break from veterinary topics for an unscripted, personal catch up after two weeks apart. There's no agenda for this episode other than to give their listeners a peek into their lives. They talk through mutual, mostly unfounded worries about the podcast, chat dating and travels, and share real life updates including a health scare, a surprising pregnancy test twist, and a family court update. The conversation turns practical toward the end as Dr. Angie and JoJo map out, in real time, a sedation plan for JoJo's anxious dog, Sage, ahead of an upcoming vet visit. If your own pet turns into a different animal the moment you walk into a clinic, you'll find you're not alone in trying to figure out how to get veterinary care for your pet.
Sound Bites I have to admit JoJo like I've been really worried all week that you hate working here and you're gonna quit. — Dr. Angie This is where I feel like a jerk... I could do it and save everybody, but I also don't want to do it. — JoJo It doesn't really matter who you marry. It matters who you parent with. — Dr. Angie I've been worried all week that you're gonna fire me. — JoJo I feel like the labradoodle and the golden doodle, those are like soft choices. — Dr Angie If you don't subscribe, I'm gonna quit. — JoJo Remember, Meta doesn't love us. — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Hyperthyroidism in Cats: Pills, Iodine, or Diet? | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:21:45 | |
Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common diseases veterinarians see in senior cats, but most cat parents don't know they have real options once a diagnosis comes in. In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo walk through the full picture: the symptoms that should prompt a T4 blood test, why the test is so straightforward compared to human thyroid testing, and all four treatment paths available today, methimazole in pill, cream, or melt form, radioactive iodine therapy, a prescription iodine-restricted diet, and surgery. They also cover a conversation most cat parents aren't prepared for: why treating hyperthyroidism often uncovers underlying kidney disease, and why that's expected rather than a red flag. If your cat is losing weight, acting ravenous, or yowling at night, or if you're already managing a hyperthyroid diagnosis, this episode covers the questions to ask your vet next. Key Takeaways
Soundbites "This is one place where Western medicine actually is pretty effective." — Dr. Angie "Pilling your cat every day... it's a relationship breaker for some people." — JoJo "I could talk about hyperthyroidism in cats all day long, and in fact I do." — Dr. Angie "Your vet is gonna want to recheck blood work in four to six weeks. This is not a money grab." — JoJo "You're going to get so much more radiation from that airplane than from a cat." — Dr. Angie "It sounds terrifying. And if you're holistic in nature, make this make sense." — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Senior Dog Had One Seizure? Here's What to Do | 10 Jul 2026 | 00:17:41 | |
When a senior dog has a single seizure, most pet parents end up in the emergency room the same night, and many walk out with a prescription for anti-convulsants before anyone's confirmed what caused it. In this episode, Dr. Angie Krause and JoJo unpack why that reflexive approach concerns Dr. Angie after treating six or seven senior dogs with new-onset seizures in just the last few weeks. They walk through what actually qualifies a dog as "senior" for seizure purposes, what a seizure looks like versus fainting or a vasovagal episode, and why post-ictal confusion is the tell. Dr. Angie explains what ER bloodwork can and can't reveal, why a brain tumor becomes the leading concern in older dogs, and why some dogs who seize once never seize again. They also get into the specifics: phenobarbital versus Keppra and why the wrong anti-convulsant sometimes gets prescribed, the real risks of starting steroids preemptively, when cluster seizures change the treatment decision entirely, and where CBD and Chinese herbs fit into long-term management. The episode closes with practical guidance for what to do, and what not to do, if a senior dog seizes at home.
Sound Bites "After twenty years of practice, when I watch an animal seize, it still alarms something inside me." — Dr. Angie "It's one of my least favorite things to witness." — JoJo "Seizures beget seizures." — Dr. Angie "After one seizure, putting your dog on an anti-convulsant, in my opinion, is incorrect." — Dr. Angie "Everybody wants to just pull them close and hold them, and your dog's just not in their normal state of being." — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Does Woo-Woo Have a Place in Holistic Veterinary Medicine? | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:21:35 | |
Dr. Angie and JoJo take a detour from clinical topics to explore the space where holistic veterinary medicine meets the metaphysical. From animal communicators and crystals to soul contracts and pet reincarnation, this episode is a candid, funny, and surprisingly moving conversation about everything science hasn't caught up to yet. Dr. Angie opens up about growing up in a deeply metaphysical family, her parents meeting at an ashram in India, her early experiences with psychic readings after losing her mother, and why she's been quietly wondering how much of that belongs back in her exam room. She practices Chinese veterinary medicine, acknowledges it sits on the woo-woo spectrum, and draws a thoughtful line between staying open to energetic practices and making real medical decisions for suffering animals. JoJo brings her own perspective as someone who thought she'd be the grounded one in this conversation and slowly realizes she's further along the woo-woo scale than she thought. She shares a jaw-dropping family story about a psychic horse in Florida that helped Illinois police locate two missing children, and reflects on her last words to her soul dog Bodhi before he died. Together they get into pets mirroring their guardian's health conditions, whether our animals chose us before we incarnated, intuition in clinical practice, animal communicators, homeopathy, muscle testing, and what role listeners actually want their holistic vet to play in all of it. This episode ends with a question for you: what's your woo-woo, and what do you want from your veterinarian?
Sound Bites Are we twin flames or are we just triggering the same childhood wound in each other? — Dr. Angie I came from a very metaphysical family. My parents met at an ashram in India and my family has a guru. — Dr. Angie I believe the way an animal was treated before its death impacts the way our bodies receive it. — JoJo My last words to Bodhi when he was dying was 'make sure we meet again'. — JoJo I can feel what they feel often. Like if my patient comes in with a fever, I feel the fever. — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box? | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:17:15 | |
Dr. Angie Krause and JoJo break down one of the most common and most misread cat health complaints: peeing outside the litter box. Your cat isn't plotting revenge. They're probably miserable. Whether it's feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), a stress response you never saw coming, or something more serious hiding underneath, Dr. Angie explains what's actually happening inside your cat's bladder and what feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) really looks like in practice versus what most people assume. They cover what helps, what doesn't, when to wait it out, and the one situation with male cats that is never a wait-and-see. Pain management, hydration, CBD, Chinese herbs, stress reduction, and yes sometimes Prozac. No judgment here.
Sound Bites "If your cat, your boy cat, is going to the litter box and straining to pee and nothing's coming out, you are going to the clinic in that very moment. Right then and there, no waiting." ~ Dr. Angie "Cats are just feelers with big emotions." ~ JoJo "99.9% of the time, if you have a young cat, it's not a urinary tract infection. It's urinary tract inflammation. So antibiotics aren't going to help." ~ Dr. Angie "Danger, danger. Red alert, everything on red alert." (on male cat blockage) ~ JoJo "The solution to pollution is dilution." ~ Dr. Angie "Some cats do require Prozac or amitriptyline, some kind of chemical way to feel better. And that's okay." ~ Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Fleas, Ticks, Worms & Flies: Oh My | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:25:17 | |
Turns out there's a lot of ick in tick and in flea, worm, and whatever a screwworm fly is doing, which is frankly worse than the name suggests. Dr. Angie and JoJo recorded this episode six weeks before New World Screwworm was confirmed in dogs in the US, but it seems more timely now than ever. In this episode they cover the parasites they see in practice, where pets pick them up, and why parasite prevention looks completely different depending on where you live. It's equal parts educational and "ew" — JoJo's favorite word in this episode! There is also a story about a microbiology professor's personal tapeworm that arrives without warning and cannot be unseen. 🎓 Dr. Angie's full course — A Holistic Approach to the Creepy Crawlers — goes much deeper on prevention and treatment for every major parasite. Free at boulderholisticvet.com with code TRUTHTAILS Key Takeaways
Soundbites Essential oils are always a little risky with cats. I'm not a huge fan of them for cats. — Dr. Angie I am neurotypical and very type A and I can still forget heartworm prevention. — JoJo This is the number one reason people visit our website according to our Google Analytics — to find out how to holistically prevent parasites. — JoJo 20 years ago when I first started practicing in the front range, I hardly ever saw any bugs, ever. And now I see more because global warming. — Dr. Angie This is why we should fund science. Just gonna say that. — Dr. Angie You're going to know if your pet has tapeworms, most likely. It looks like little rice in their stool. That moves. — JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Scratch That: A Vet Dermatologist on Why There's Real Hope for Itchy Pets | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:37:35 | |
If your dog or cat has ever scratched incessantly and you're left feeling helpless, this one is for you. This week Dr. Angie and JoJo sat down with veterinary dermatologist Dr. Darin Dell of Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, the specialist Dr. Angie emails almost every week with her toughest itchy cases. Dr. Dell has a gift for taking a frustrating, confusing topic and making it genuinely enjoyable, and he answers the questions pet parents often ask. Is Cytopoint safe? Does Cytopoint cause cancer? Are Apoquel and the newer drugs like Zenrelia and Numelvi something to fear? Do those at-home allergy tests for pets work? And what finally gets to the root of allergies instead of just covering them up? Whether you have an itchy dog, a cat that's itchy, or you are a vet professional filling in the dermatology gaps vet school skipped, you will leave with real hope and a clear path forward.
SOUNDBITES "Allergy at its root is inflammation in the skin." ~Dr. Dell "I see itchy dogs every day. All year round, I have itchy patients." ~ Dr. Angie "The test itself is really just to get us to immunotherapy, which is where the magic happens." ~ Dr. Dell "My dog's no longer itching, therefore problem solved." ~ JoJo "No matter what we need to rescue your dog from their itchy states." ~ Dr. Angie "If you want a constant infant, bulldog is your thing." ~ Dr. Dell "I see those test results every day and I have to just say, I'm so sorry that this isn't helpful." ~ Dr. Angie "If you think about the return on investment over a lifetime, if you broke that down over the next 10 years, that's actually not that much money." ~ JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| We Pressed Record on Our Weekly Check-In: Vaccine Reactions, Neurodivergent Dogs, & Puppy Fever | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:24:32 | |
Some of the best Tails of Truth conversations happen before anything is planned, so this Friday Dr. Angie and JoJo just pressed record during their weekly check-in. Dr. Angie walks through a vaccine reaction she handled this week, the kind that looks fine in the room and then swells up an hour later, and the honest call she had to make about splitting vaccines. They get into whether dogs can be neurodivergent (there is real science behind it now), why a cat pulling its hair out might be a skin issue rather than stress, a bladder stone Dr. Angie had never seen in practice, and JoJo's brush with puppy fever over a foster dog that pulled at her heart strings. They also discuss what it's like to run a small business. It is warm, a little funny, and very real. Next week brings veterinary dermatologist Dr. Darin Dell and it's a guaranteed top 10 episode. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of the great content coming your way. KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOUNDBITES "I think it's really important so that we can give people informed consent about how often we see vaccine reactions, which it's really truly not very often." ~ Dr. Angie "I mean, I think we're just starting to name it in women. So we're not going to name it in cats and dogs for a while." ~ JoJo "I want every patient that I see to be getting like the latest and the greatest." ~ Dr. Angie "The thought on that, at least for cats right now, is that we're shifting, that it's rarely a behavioral problem, and it's more of a dermatological problem" ~ Dr. Angie "I'm amazed at how many clinics are not reporting vaccine reactions. I'm like, make sure your vet reports that." ~ JoJo "I'm gonna tell the truth about something. I started using CBD twice a day." ~ JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| You're Not to Blame: A Veterinary Oncologist Gets Honest About Cancer in Pets | 29 May 2026 | 00:29:00 | |
Your pet just got a cancer diagnosis. Your first instinct is to wonder what you did wrong. Dr. Brooke Fowler, veterinary oncologist at Veterinary Cancer Services in Boulder, CO, is here for that conversation. The honest answer is: we don't fully know what causes cancer in pets. Genetics, aging, and biology are doing most of the work and the guilt most pet parents carry is rarely warranted. In this episode, Dr. Brooke joins Dr. Angie and JoJo for one of the most honest, grounded conversations we've had on this show. We talk about why dogs and cats get cancer, what you can actually control, and how to make treatment decisions without losing yourself in the process. We get into mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, the real cost of chemo, newer treatment options, quality of life, financial limitations, and the question every pet parent dreads: would I actually do this for my own pet? Dr. Brooke also shares where integrative and conventional oncology work well together and when turkey tail mushroom and Yunnan Baiyao actually have the studies to back them up. Note: This episode leans heavily toward dogs and specific dog cancers. We love our cat people and we're bringing Dr. Brooke back for a dedicated feline oncology episode. Stay tuned. To reach Dr. Brooke Fowler: vetcancerservices.com | 720-414-0116
Soundbites: "I'm saying this because a lot of people love to blame themselves. What did I not feed him? We live by power lines. And the truth is it's none of that." — Dr. Brooke "We're all gonna die. And I think it's okay to give our dogs and cats permission to die too. Which is a controversial thing to say." — Dr. Angie "So often we are buying time for ourselves more than the animal." — JoJo "You get all of the joy from your pet in their life. You get that joy and then you pay for it in the end, right? Because we lose them before we want to." — Dr. Brooke "After doing integrative medicine and being hired by people that feed raw or home cook or do all the things I can't say that I see cancer rates in that population be any less." — Dr. Angie "The difference between one kibble and the next is just not as much as you might think. It's really so small." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Thick Skin Required: Burned Out, Rude People, and Still Showing Up | 22 May 2026 | 00:22:31 | |
This week's episode is an honest, unfiltered vent session from two people who had a rough week in veterinary medicine and decided to record it. Dr. Angie and JoJo — both sick, both on their second or third round of antibiotics — talk about the client who announced to the lobby that Dr. Angie was a terrible veterinarian, the YouTube commenter who said they need empathy training, the one-star review left on a Shopify product that hadn't been opened yet, and the person who called JoJo cold-hearted after JoJo spent over an hour trying to make their cat's care work financially. This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered what it's actually like to be on the receiving end of that. Veterinarians are people. Veterinary nurses are people. And this week was a heavy one. This episode is a raw and vulnerable look at what's happening with your veterinary team.
SOUNDBITES "I definitely went to my office and cried." — Dr. Angie "I have severe empathy problems, like in terms of too much of it." — JoJo "We care about your animal and we care about you. Facts. Full stop." — JoJo "No we only hire incompetent veterinarians here. Like what?" — JoJo "I saw one client that was so unkind to me and I probably saw 16 that were extremely kind. And the one we're talking about today was the one that was unkind." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Gut to Butt: The Anal Gland Episode | 15 May 2026 | 00:14:49 | |
Nobody puts "anal glands" on their list of things to learn about when they get a pet. Then your dog scoots across the carpet,licks incessently during the night, or your cat leaves a mystery smell on the couch cushion, and suddenly it's the only thing on your mind. In this episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo get into all of it: what anal glands actually are, why chronic anal gland problems are often a sign of food or environmental allergies most pet parents never connect, whether those fiber supplements flooding your social feed are worth it, and when a scooting situation turns into a needed vet appointment. Straightforward, a little gross, and genuinely useful. KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOUNDBITES "I wouldn't ever touch them if I didn't need to. If there isn't a problem, why get in there and muck around?" — Dr. Angie "The marketing is butt to gut, but the product is actually gut to butt." — JoJo "If your dog is scooting a lot, has a lot of problems with their anal glands, they probably have a food allergy, or maybe an environmental allergy, but more commonly a food allergy." — Dr. Angie "If anybody has experience with them and you've smelled anal glands, you've never forgotten that." — JoJo "Even when you give systemic antibiotics, sometimes it's hard to actually make the antibiotic get into that anal sac. And so we like to instill the antibiotics right into the anal sac." — Dr. Angie
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| One Year, 57 Episodes, and What We've Learned Along the Way | 08 May 2026 | 00:25:20 | |
It's been one full year and 57 episodes of Tails of Truth, and Dr. Angie and JoJo are taking a minute to sit in it. In this episode, they look back at their favorite moments, the episodes that hit hardest, and a few things they've genuinely changed their minds about along the way. From pet insurance skepticism to the Lepto vaccine, from raw food hand washing habits to processing grief in this public space, this is what it looks like to learn out loud in front of an audience that keeps showing up. They also revisit the grief episode that moved so many listeners, and give a nod to Euthabag, a company creating beautiful, meaningful options for pet body care after passing. If you're in an end of life season with your pet, they are worth looking up. On the insurance front, JoJo shares why she finally put her dog Sage on a Lemonade pet insurance policy despite being highly skeptical of the industry, and what she's watching for. Coming up in year two: a dermatologist, an oncologist, a cat behaviorist, and more episodes that make complicated veterinary medicine feel like a conversation with a friend. If you've been here since the beginning, thank you. If you're just finding them, welcome. This is a podcast that tells the truth about veterinary medicine, and they're just getting started. KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOUNDBITES "I like that we're making veterinary medicine accessible and that there's information out there that is valid, truthful, safe, and free." — JoJo "Allowing myself to feel ashamed about it and settle into it has actually now given me the space to do something about it." — Dr. Angie "It's okay to change your mind when you learn new information and when you have life experience that shows you something different." — JoJo "Anytime we're talking about cats, I love it because they are so underserved." — Dr. Angie "The podcast is teaching me, it's kind of shining a light on my own stuff, which is so therapeutic. And it's reminding me that I can be open to change." — JoJo "We deliver great content, but we're also giving you an inside look that a lot of veterinarians probably aren't focused on." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| We Asked AI About a Sick Cat. Here's What It Got Wrong (and Right) | 01 May 2026 | 00:19:00 | |
We're not here to shame you for Googling your pet's symptoms, or researching with AI, at 2 a.m. We've done it too. This week, Dr. Angie and JoJo get real about AI and pet health advice and what it gets right, where it dangerously misses, and why no algorithm can replace 20 years of hands-on clinical practice. They test two popular AI tools live (ChatGPT and Claude) on the show using a real clinical scenario (a 12-year-old cat not eating and losing weight), compare the responses side-by-side, and break down exactly what was missing from both answers. The conversation also touches on AI hallucinations in veterinary research, the difference between a search engine and a conversational AI tool, and why the 2 a.m. symptom spiral is completely understandable as long as you know what to do next. Bottom line: use the tools. Understand their limits. Always follow-up with your vet. Book a consultation with Dr. Angie at boulderholisticvet.com. Key Takeaways:
Sound Bites: "AI just can't replace practitioners. It can't replace 20 years of clinical practice." — Dr. Angie "You're going to use your AIs and you're going to Google, but they are not the end all, be all." — JoJo "When we tell people not to Google their pet's symptoms, that's so unrealistic." — Dr. Angie "Chat GPT seems very generalized. Claude is a little bit more mature." — JoJo "This is a great reason for a consultation. If you've Googled or AI'd something that scared you in the middle of the night." — JoJo "It pulled in some really random disease that we'll often in medicine call zebras — something that's so rare. That's so unlikely." — Dr. Angie
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| We Need to Talk About Anesthesia-Free Dentals for Pets | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:21:53 | |
We need to talk about anesthesia-free dentistry because it is marketed everywhere and a lot of loving pet parents are spending real money on something that mostly just makes teeth look pretty. In this episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo break down what anesthetic-free (or "awake scaling") actually does, what it misses, and why the gap between those two things matters so much for your pet's health. Dr. Angie shares what she sees in practice: pets who have regular anesthetic-free cleanings and show up needing multiple extractions because the disease had been quietly building under the gum line the whole time. We also talk about approaches to home dental care with teeth brushing, periocare, and what to look for when you peek in your pet's mouth once a week. If you want to take a deep dive into understanding oral health, you'll enjoy our Tooth Truths: The Dental Episode or if you feel fearful of anesthesia for your pet check out our episode Is My Pet Safe Under Anesthesia? What to Ask & What to Expect Key Takeaways
Sound Bites: "I wish they would say this is just cosmetic — that says we're gonna miss over half of the dental disease in your dog's mouth." — Dr. Angie "I'm not judging you as a listener or as a pet parent. I'm judging the marketing. That's what I'm judging." — JoJo "$295, y'all, is not that cheap when you can go get one for $500 or $600, which you might end up having to do anyhow." — JoJo "They are not cleaning under the gum and they're not assessing the tooth structure under the gum, which is where a lot of disease is." — Dr. Angie
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| Is My Pet Safe Under Anesthesia? What to Ask & What to Expect | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:23:54 | |
Fear of anesthesia is one of the most common concerns I hear from pet parents and it makes complete sense. In this episode, JoJo and I have an honest, reassuring conversation about what modern anesthesia actually looks like, what your veterinary team does to keep your pet safe, and why vet medicine has genuinely gotten so much better over the years, making anesthesia safer for your pet. We talk through pre-anesthesia bloodwork, dedicated monitoring, heart murmurs, when to ask for a specialist, and why anesthetic time matters more than most people realize. I also share a story about a cat with a barely audible murmur that turned out to have serious heart disease caught only because we screened before the procedure. That's exactly what good preparation looks like. You can feel confident going into your pet's next procedure. This episode will help you get there. Want to talk through whether your pet is a good candidate for an upcoming procedure? Book a consultation at boulderholisticvet.com. Key Takeaways
Soundbites: "You can have a small murmur and big disease. You can have a big murmur and small disease. You can have no murmur and big disease." ~ Dr. Angie "The quality of the anesthetic protocol and the education of the team and the experience of the team that's where it's at." ~ Dr. Angie "The most common reason for an anesthetic death is there was underlying disease there that we didn't know about." ~ Dr. Angie "I've only had one {pet that's passed}, and I've done a lot of surgeries." ~ JoJo "Do you want to resuscitate? I mean, as soon as that question is asked, that's terrifying. Like, what am I doing? What am I saying yes to?" ~ JoJo
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| Diarrhea, An Ear Mystery, Heartworm & The ER Did What Now? | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:28:03 | |
Real cases. Real talk. This week Dr. Angie pulls back the curtain on what actually came through her exam room door and what it's like to be an integrative veterinarian who cares deeply for her patients. A heartworm positive dog arrives from Texas. A cat parent introduces Dr. Angie to microchips that read body temperature at home. Giardia shows up in what feels like every stool sample of the week. An ER clinic runs an Addison's disease test on a dog that came in with diarrhea. And one mystery patient: a dog with a history of allergies, off balance, scratching without making contact is keeping Dr. Angie up at night with a suspected inner ear infection. This is what veterinary medicine actually looks like from the inside. 🎓 Want help building an integrative care plan for your dog or cat? Book a consult at boulderholisticvet.com Key Takeaways
Sound Bites: "I'm starting to get really prickly with these ER clinics that are spending way too much of my client's money." — Dr. Angie "That is a hill you will die on." — JoJo "Preventing heartworm disease is so much better than treating it." — Dr. Angie "It's not a good look to throw another veterinarian under the bus." — JoJo "Those are the thoughts that keep me up. And so she has my cell phone number." — Dr. Angie
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| The Rabies Vaccine Recall: What Pet Parents Need to Know | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:15:36 | |
We're recording this one still getting over being sick because this feels important. A rabies vaccine recall affecting dogs, cats, and ferrets has left pet parents across the country with an unexpected problem: a vaccine their pet already received may no longer be legally valid. In this episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo break down exactly what happened with the Boehringer Ingelheim IMRAB 3TF recall, what it means for your pet's rabies certificate, and the emotional reality for holistic pet parents who already navigate vaccine decisions carefully. Dr. Angie shares one patient story from this recall that still breaks her heart. If your pet was vaccinated between September 29, 2025 and January 8, 2026, check your rabies certificate for Serial Number 18665. If it's there, this episode is for you. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. https://boulderholisticvet.com/pages/signup-for-our-newsletter Key Takeaways:
Sound Bites: "It's its own class of vaccine because it's protecting against a disease that kills people uniformly." ~ Dr. Angie "It is the vaccine that every pet should have." ~ JoJo "And, I have one case in particular that I used this recalled vaccine for that just breaks my heart."~ Dr. Angie "Because it is rabies and it kills people too most places don't support titers and we don't know how long they last and there's not enough evidence." ~ Dr. Angie "It's not just dogs. In case you're listening and you have ferrets, they get this vaccine as well. And so can cats." ~ JoJo
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| The Truth About Rehoming and Responsible Breeding | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:21:39 | |
Rehoming a pet is one of the most judged decisions a pet parent can make, and this week Dr. Angie and JoJo are naming that out loud. Both have rehomed animals they loved. Both have watched clients stay in unsafe, unsustainable situations because the shame of asking for help felt worse than the situation itself. This episode is an honest conversation about when rehoming is the most loving choice, how the stigma around it can actually make outcomes worse for pets, and why matching the right pet to the right person matters from the very beginning. They also take on the adopt don't shop debate with some nuance: why responsible breeding has a place, what makes a good breeder versus a puppy mill, and why a backyard should not be a requirement to dog adoptions (rescue organizations, they're looking at you). If you've ever felt shame around a hard pet decision, or wondered whether getting a purebred dog or cat is really wrong, this one's for you. Sign up for our newsletter: https://boulderholisticvet.com/pages/signup-for-our-newsletter. Free course available. Discount code in episode.
Sound Bites "We are pro-responsible breeding. We're pro-rehoming without shame. And we are still pro-rescue." — Dr. Angie "This is a hill that I will die on: it's okay to get your dog from a breeder." — Dr. Angie "We would have less rehomed animals if people are selecting breeds that are fit for their family." — JoJo "There is so much shame and so much judgment. And then we find people and pets in really, really dire situations." — JoJo "Doodles are for sure not healthier. And it's too bad, because standard poodles and poodles are some of the healthiest, best dogs." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Why Your Vet Hasn't Called You Back and the Weight They May Be Carrying | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:15:29 | |
In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie gets honest — really honest — about the things that have been weighing on her lately. Missed callbacks, overflowing inboxes, cases that didn't go the way she hoped, and the quiet emotional toll of caring for animals and people through hard days. This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at what a veterinarian actually carries. If you've ever felt frustrated waiting to hear back from your vet, this episode may help to soften some of your very valid frustration. And if you've ever wondered whether your vet thinks about your pet after you leave the exam room...spoiler alert: they do. Tune in for one of our more vulnerable and human episodes this year. Sign up for our newsletter: https://boulderholisticvet.com/pages/signup-for-our-newsletter Key Takeaways:
Sound Bites: "I love my job. I love what I do. I want to be there for people and I want to do the things, but I feel bad sometimes." ~ Dr. Angie "We wake up in the night thinking about your pet. We wake up in the morning thinking about your pet. Like it's just, it's consuming." ~ JoJo "If you only knew how many animals I euthanized, if you only knew how many terminal diagnoses I made... if you only knew the pressure cooker that is the life of a veterinarian on any given day of practice." ~ Dr. Angie "Feeling like you're disappointing people...the emotional weight of that is taxing." ~ JoJo "I have such golden retriever energy most of the time. And so when someone's like, I was really disappointed not to hear from you. Oh no. Oh my God." ~ Dr. Angie
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| Where You Fill Your Pet's Prescription Actually Matters. Here's Why. | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:15:09 | |
We're going there. Pet pharmacies, the topic Dr. Angie and JoJo have feelings about. In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie pulls back the curtain on something that happens behind the scenes at your vet clinic every single day: the time, cost, and liability involved every time you fill your pet's prescription at a third-party pharmacy. It's not a lecture — it's context most pet parents have never had. JoJo shares a cautionary tale that will genuinely stop you in your tracks: a cat who received his owner's blood pressure medication, at the owner's dose, for five weeks from a human chain pharmacy. The prescription was completely wrong. The drug wasn't even used in veterinary medicine. Dr. Angie and JoJo also break down the difference between big box online pharmacies, human chain pharmacies, and your veterinary clinic's own online pharmacy, including why vet-specific pharmacies have safety checks that human pharmacies simply don't. This one is short, punchy, and packed with information that could literally protect your pet. Free course code mentioned: Use code TRUTHTAILS or TRUTHTALES at https://boulderholisticvet.com/collections/courses for a free course. Book a consultation: https://boulderholisticvet.com/pages/video-consultations-with-dr-angie Key Takeaways
Soundbites "Some of the things you can buy on Chewy, they are selling it for less than we can buy it for at wholesale." — Dr. Angie "When you go to a third party like Chewy because you're trying to save $2... it is gutting the small practices that are left." — JoJo "I'll sign off anywhere from five to ten of these per day, sometimes more. And that takes up so much time. And the amount of revenue made on that is none." — Dr. Angie "The benefit of using your veterinary clinic's online pharmacy is that they are veterinary focused and only have veterinary safe drugs. — JoJo "We want to please everyone. We want you to get your stuff. We want you to get it for the best price possible too. It's just right now it's coming at our expense." — Dr. Angie "Help us help you." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Your Pet Deserves a Specialist and Here's How to Ask for One | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:26:24 | |
In this episode of Tails of Truth, we welcome our first guest: Dr. Kenneth Pierce, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and founder of VESPECON. Dr. Pierce joins us to talk about a growing challenge in veterinary medicine: access to veterinary specialists. From cardiologists to internists to ophthalmologists, specialty care is increasingly difficult to access, even in large metro areas. Dr. Pierce shares how VESPECON helps veterinarians consult directly with specialists so pets can receive expert guidance faster and closer to home. Dr. Pierce also gives Dr. Angie an impromptu live consult on her own cat, Fiona, who has chronic feline herpes and he helps us understand why many cats expereience chronic watery eyes and his go-to-treatment plan for cats with ocular manifestations of feline herpesvirus. Whether you’re a veterinary professional or a pet parent trying to advocate for your animal’s care, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how veterinary collaboration can improve outcomes for pets everywhere. Learn more about Dr. Pierce and VESPECON: Products Recommended in this episode: I-Drop Vet Plus Ophthalmic Solution Key Takeaways: • Access to veterinary specialists is becoming increasingly limited. Sound Bites: "Your local vet is like your main bread and butter and the first line of defense... and sometimes they need a lifeline." — Dr. Pierce “When veterinarians can collaborate with specialists, the confidence in that case goes way up.” — Dr. Pierce “I feel really guilty packing them up and sending them to a specialty hospital because I know it’s going to be costly.” — Dr. Angie “That shared knowledge that we kind of have lost… it sounds like you are building a bridge back to that.” — JoJo “I’ve been practicing for 18 years and I’m still asking questions.” — Dr. Angie
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| Novel vs. Hydrolyzed Protein for Itchy Dogs & Vomiting Cats | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:19:51 | |
If your veterinarian has ever told you to “try a novel protein diet” or mentioned a hydrolyzed protein food, and you left wondering what that actually means this episode is for you. In this episode of Tails of Truth, we break down how novel protein diets, limited ingredient diets, and hydrolyzed protein diets (like Royal Canin Ultamino) are used in real life for both dogs and cats. For cats, we most often use novel protein diets when we suspect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic vomiting, diarrhea, over-grooming, or food sensitivities. We explain what “novel” really means (think rabbit, duck, pork, venison, kangaroo, and more). For dogs, we talk about itchy skin, ear infections, food allergies, and why hydrolyzed protein diets are often the fastest and most reliable way to run a true elimination diet trial. We also discuss when simply removing chicken or another common protein may be enough and when it’s not. We cover:
If your dog is itching or your cat is vomiting and you’re overwhelmed in the pet food aisle, this episode gives you a practical roadmap so you can make a confident next step. And if you need personalized help, you can always book a consult at boulderholisticvet.com If you want to take a deeper dive here are some related episodes: Itchy Dogs: The Truth Behind the Scratching Key Takeaways:
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Holistic and Pharmaceutical Options for Anxious Dogs | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:18:43 | |
Anxiety in dogs is far more common than most people realize and it’s often undertreated. In fact, some recent studies suggest that up to 75% of dogs exhibit at least one anxious behavior. Yet anxiety is rarely the primary focus during routine veterinary visits. In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo unpack what canine anxiety really looks like, from pacing, panting, barking, and noise phobias to hypervigilance, car ride stress, and reactivity. They explore why anxiety is frequently dismissed, why many pet parents feel hesitant about medications like Prozac for dogs, and how untreated anxiety can increase cortisol, inflammation, and long-term stress on the body. You’ll hear about integrative treatment options including whole hemp extract CBD (HempRx Forte), Nutricalm with L-theanine and L-tryptophan, and when pharmaceuticals such as SSRIs, gabapentin, trazodone, or clonidine may dramatically improve quality of life. This conversation is compassionate, practical, and grounded in the belief that mental health is health. If you’re living with an anxious dog, whether it’s mild, situational stress or more severe generalized anxiety, this episode will help you think clearly about next steps. Nutricalm Capsules, Chews, Liquid Book a one-one-one consultation KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOUND BITES "At least half of my patients have some sort of anxiety." ~ Dr. Angie “Not treating your dog’s anxiety causes them to have so much more cortisol and stress hormones.” ~ Dr. Angie “Imagine being in that state of hypervigilance all the time.” ~ JoJo “Anxiety is undertreated.” ~ Dr. Angie “We’re not going to change their personality.” ~ Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| When Families Are Detained: What Happens to Their Pets? | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:12:29 | |
In this short but powerful episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo step into a hard conversation — not about politics, but about community and compassion. Across the United States, families are being detained during immigration enforcement operations. While the human impact is immense, there’s another ripple effect that isn’t being talked about enough: the pets left behind. Missed veterinary appointments are rising. Dogs aren’t being walked. Shelters are overwhelmed. Some animals are being found days or even weeks without their caregivers. If you love animals, this episode invites you to care about what’s happening to them. We discuss:
This conversation is about empathy. About community. And about showing up where we can. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s be in community. Key Takeaways
Sound Bites “If I can't convince you to care about the people that are being kidnapped off the streets, I want you to at least care about their pets.” ~ Dr. Angie “We've decided the risk is worth it because it is too hard and irresponsible, in our opinion, to not name what's happening in our country.” ~ JoJo “We're all beings. We have four legs, two legs, like we all are deserving of empathy, compassion, respect, care, food, shelter. Water, the basics. A walk.” ~ JoJo “Go take a dog for a walk for a neighbor that can't. Go take a dog to the vet that a neighbor can't. Just show up, be in community.” ~ JoJo "When you're hearing this information, it's just easy to forget about all those effects." ~ Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Questions From Pet Parents Answered by a Holistic Vet | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:24:13 | |
Pet parents have questions and in this episode of Tails of Truth, holistic veterinarian, Dr. Angie and veterinary nurse JoJo answer them unscripted and unfiltered. From concerns about Cushing’s disease in dogs and whether herbal formulas like Four Marvels are enough, to navigating kidney disease in cats, picky eaters, and when to stop forcing prescription diets — this episode tackles the real-world questions pet parents are asking every day. They also discuss:
This is a non-shaming, deeply validating conversation that acknowledges uncertainty, honors pet parents’ instincts, and explains the why behind veterinary recommendations — without fear-mongering or dismissiveness. If you’ve ever thought, “I just want someone to talk this through with me,” this episode is for you. ✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS
✨ SOUND BITES “Correlation and causation are not the same thing.” – Dr. Angie “At no time have I ever thought, I bet this dog or cat’s doing so much better because of the fenbendazole." – Dr. Angie “I already like this. I feel like you’re very quick to get to very clear answers.” – JoJo “Which one feels harder? Which one can you live with?” – JoJo “Veterinary medicine is kind of quick to dismiss anything that’s not anaphylaxis.” – Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Feeling Pressured at the Vet? How to Advocate for your Pet | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:20:31 | |
Veterinary visits, especially emergency vet visits, are stressful, emotional, and expensive — and most pet parents feel like they have no choice but to say yes to everything put in front of them. In this fiery, truth-telling episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and veterinary nurse, JoJo, pull back the curtain on what really happens in emergency veterinary medicine and how pet guardians can better advocate for their animals. Dr. Angie shares a real-world case that highlights how unnecessary and expensive diagnostics can quickly escalate costs without changing the treatment plan. She explains the difference between good medicine and overkill, why some emergency clinics present “everything at once,” and how fear, corporate protocols, inexperience, and liability concerns can drive decision-making. This episode teaches pet parents exactly what questions to ask, how to slow the process down, and how to understand which tests actually change outcomes — and which ones can safely wait. If you’ve ever left a vet visit feeling confused, pressured, or financially devastated, this conversation will help you walk in informed, confident, and empowered. KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOUND BITES “This is why people are going to stop trusting veterinarians.” ~ Dr. Angie “If it’s not going to change anything I do, why would I do it?” ~ Dr. Angie “Your brain is not fully online when you’re in the ER.” ~ JoJo “It’s never wrong medicine — but it can be wrong for people.” ~ Dr. Angie “When you’re in the ER, you feel like you need to say yes to everything.” ~ JoJo “That dog needed fluids — it did not need ten million x-rays.” ~ Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Caring for Spicy Cats: Reducing Fear and Stress During Vet Visits | 23 Jan 2026 | 00:23:19 | |
In this practical, honest, and judgment-free episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo talk openly about fractious cats — lovingly known as “spicy kitties.” These are the cats who may be sweet at home but become anxious, aggressive, or terrified at the veterinary clinic. They break down the many types of fractious cats, why fear — not “bad behavior” — drives these reactions, and how stress escalates when cats feel trapped or unsafe. Dr. Angie explains why chemical restraint is often the kindest option, how gabapentin and trazodone can dramatically reduce fear responses, and why skipping pre-visit meds makes veterinary care harder for everyone — especially the cat. The conversation also covers modern low-stress handling techniques, the controversy around scruffing, carrier tips that actually help, and why avoiding vet visits altogether can quietly harm cats who still need preventative medicine, dental care, and bloodwork. This episode is for every cat guardian who’s ever been told their cat is “difficult" or who has avoided seeking veterinary care for their kitty. You’ll leave feeling reassured, empowered, and reminded: your cat isn’t bad — they’re scared, and there are better ways to help. 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS 🌶️ “Fractious” doesn’t mean aggressive — it usually means terrified 🧠 Fear activates fight-or-flight, especially in veterinary settings 💊 Gabapentin and trazodone together can be game-changing for anxious cats 🐾 Chemical restraint is often the most compassionate choice 🚫 Skipping pre-visit meds increases stress and negative memory formation 🧺 Carriers that open from the top or fully detach reduce fear immediately 🩺 Avoiding vet care leads to missed dental disease, pain, and chronic illness ❤️ Holistic care includes pharmaceuticals when they protect emotional wellbeing 💬 SOUND BITES “We never blame you if your kitty is violent or aggressive with us. And we actually don’t really blame your kitty.” ~ Dr Angie “I have admiration for those kitties. I mean, their boundaries are so clear.” ~ JoJo “Chemical restraint is really the nicest thing for everybody involved, including your kitty.” ~ Dr Angie “All that cortisol is not good for your kitty — and it’s also not good for your kitty to not get veterinary care.” ~ Dr Angie “I think people are really resistant to using chemical restraint.” ~ JoJo “Every time we try to push through care that a cat is resistant to, I feel like we’re creating a negative memory.” ~ JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Grief After Pet Loss: Navigating Euthanasia, Guilt, and Goodbyes | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:25:48 | |
In this deeply emotional and unfiltered episode of Tails of Truth, JoJo and Dr. Angie sit with grief in real time as JoJo shares the story of losing her soul dog, Bodhi, over New Year’s. This conversation explores the raw truths of pet loss—anticipatory grief, guilt, anger, tenderness, and the impossible weight of deciding when it’s time to say goodbye. JoJo opens up about Bodhi’s sudden cancer diagnosis, the choice to pursue in-home euthanasia, and the heartbreak of letting go on a “good day.” Together, they talk honestly about the bargaining, self-doubt, and self-blame that so often follow euthanasia decisions—even for veterinary professionals. Dr. Angie offers grounded veterinary insight and compassionate reassurance, reminding listeners that there is no perfect moment, no “right” amount of suffering, and no way to love an animal deeply without eventually experiencing this pain. They also discuss how society minimizes pet grief, why comments like “just get another dog” can be so harmful, and how grief can ripple through families, children, and other animals in the home. This episode is not about answers—it’s about permission. Permission to grieve how you grieve. Permission to feel devastated by the loss of an animal who was your constant companion, your comforter, your witness. And permission to honor the love that made the loss hurt so much in the first place. 💛 Key Takeaways
🎙️ Sound Bites “It’s not so easy to say goodbye on a good day.” ~JoJo “Your heart can’t understand a terminal diagnosis, even when your medical mind does.” ~ Dr. Angie “I feel that I lost part of myself with him, but I also loved part of myself with him." ~JoJo “Grief looks however it’s going to look.” ~ JoJo “I feel that I lost part of myself with him, but I also loved part of myself with him.” ~JoJo “There is no sweet spot. You wrestle with it either way.” ~ Dr. Angie
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| Vet Life, Unfiltered: Real Stories from Inside Veterinary Medicine | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:25:06 | |
📝 SUMMARY In this fun, behind-the-scenes episode of Tails of Truth, holistic veterinarian Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo step away from heavy medical topics for a lighthearted, honest look at life inside vet med. This is story time — the kind you won’t find in textbooks or exam rooms — filled with real moments from decades of experience as a holistic vet and vet tech. From relief work surprises and old-school x-ray darkrooms to long surgery days, early career mistakes, and imposter syndrome, this episode captures the very human side of veterinary medicine. Dr. Angie shares a powerful lesson about being wrong in the best possible way, while JoJo brings humor and grit from the veterinary technician perspective — reminding us just how much vet techs carry behind the scenes. This episode is intentionally light, a little cheeky, and deeply relatable for pet parents, vet professionals, and anyone curious about what really happens in veterinary clinics. It’s a reminder that great pet care doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from experience, humility, teamwork, and compassion. 🐾 We’ll be back to medicine next episode. ✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS
🗣️ SOUND BITES If I can bring this information to you at a middle school level, then I’m doing a really good job. ~ Dr. Angie That was the best news I’ve ever told anyone. I was wrong and you were right. ~ Dr. Angie I don’t care. I peed my pants. I peed my pants. ~ JoJo I was like, ‘I’m a climber and a veterinarian. ~ Dr. Angie Sometimes it feels like, what am I offering? ~ JoJo
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| Lumps and Bumps in Dogs and Cats: Benign or Cancerous? | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:25:11 | |
🎧 SUMMARY Finding a lump on your dog or cat can be scary, but it doesn’t always mean cancer. Lumps and bumps are one of the most common and anxiety-provoking reasons pet parents visit the veterinarian. In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo break down what those lumps actually mean, how to monitor them, and when it’s time to take action. You’ll learn the key differences between dermal vs subcutaneous masses, why cats are not supposed to be lumpy, and why Dr. Angie follows the rule, “If you see something, do something.” The conversation covers common and concerning diagnoses including lipomas (fatty tumors), mast cell tumors, melanoma, oral tumors, mammary gland tumors, aural hematomas, squamous cell carcinoma, and vaccine- or injection-site sarcomas in cats. Dr. Angie explains how fine needle aspirates work, why eyes and hands alone aren’t enough to diagnose cancer, and how changes in size, texture, or behavior should never be ignored. They also discuss breed predispositions (including boxers), age-related considerations, and how quality of life plays into decision-making. This episode is a compassionate, practical guide to helping pet parents feel empowered — not panicked — when they find something new on their dog or cat. 🧠 KEY TAKEAWAYS
💬 SOUND BITES “Anytime I see a bump on a cat, I do something about it.” ~ Dr. Angie “Tumor is a scary word" ~ JoJo “Your eyes are not microscopes.” ~ Dr. Angie “Most of the time, fatty tumors that feel like fatty tumors really are fatty tumors.” ~ Dr. Angie “Don’t be embarrassed — this happens all the time.” ~JoJo “Oral tumors are easy to miss.” ~ Dr. Angie
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| Why We Started Tails of Truth and Are Excited to Continue | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:22:16 | |
In this special year-end episode of Tails of Truth, integrative veterinarian Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo reflect on everything that made 2025 such a meaningful year—for the podcast, for their work in veterinary medicine, and for the pet parents who tune in each week. What started as casual, honest conversations between two veterinary professionals quickly became a trusted space for real talk about pet health, holistic care, and the realities of modern veterinary medicine. In this episode, Angie and JoJo pull back the curtain on what it takes to build a podcast from scratch—without a production team, without a script, and without an agenda beyond sharing useful, compassionate information. They discuss consistency, vulnerability, growth, burnout, learning new skills, launching a new website, navigating change in veterinary careers, and why unscripted conversations matter so much in an industry that often feels rushed. Most importantly, they reaffirm their mission: to empower pet parents, support veterinarians, and make people feel more confident and informed about caring for their animals. This episode is an invitation—to listen, to learn, to subscribe, and to join a growing community that values honesty, curiosity, and better conversations around pet health and veterinary medicine. ✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS 🐾 Tails of Truth was created to share honest, unscripted conversations about veterinary medicine and pet health 🎙️ SOUND BITES “We do all this because we want it to reach you.” ~ Dr. Angie “I got up like really happy this morning that it’s Monday because I like my job.” ~JoJo “Angie worked her tush off this year.” ~ Dr. Angie “Those are my two favorite things. This podcast and the consultations.” ~ JoJo “It was the first project I had that wasn’t trying to build anything other than I just wanted to do it with you.” ~ Dr. Angie “People want to hear what you’re talking about. And it turns out that’s true. And sometimes I’m still surprised by that.” ~ Dr. Angie “People do feel really empowered.” ~JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Hate Mail: Veterinarians Are Only In It For The Money | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:17:51 | |
🎙️ Summary Veterinary professionals enter this field because they love animals — not because they’re “in it for the money.” But in today’s episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo open up about a growing issue in veterinary medicine: unkindness, disrespect, and the emotional harm it causes behind the scenes. Using a real piece of hate mail they recently received, they unpack why harmful comments about money, motives, or “simple answers” cut so deeply — especially in a profession already battling burnout, compassion fatigue, and some of the highest suicide rates of any medical field. They discuss why email still requires time and expertise, why behavior and medical cases aren’t simple, the financial reality of being a veterinarian or vet nurse, and how kindness truly changes the culture of vet med. This episode is for everyone: pet parents, veterinary teams, practice owners, vet techs, and anyone who wants to help create a safer, kinder veterinary profession. Stay to the end for resources, free courses, and a reminder of how we can all support those caring for the animals we love. 🐾💛 And, if you want to further support mental well-being in veterinary medicine, please donate to Not One More Vet Key Takeaways 🧡 Kindness in veterinary medicine is not optional. Veterinarians are 2-4x more likely to die by suicide, often due to hostile communication and accusations about money or motives and financial struggles. 🧡 Complex issues like behavior, allergies, or hormone concerns cannot be solved in a “quick email.” Veterinarians should be compensated for complex email exchanges. 🧡 Most veterinarians and veterinary nurses do not earn high incomes and often struggle with debt and lack of benefits. 🧡 Burned-out or mistreated staff leave the field, leading to less experienced people caring for animals industry-wide. 🧡 Kindness toward your veterinary team helps create a sustainable, supportive profession — for everyone involved. Sound Bites “Asking me to consult for free and then calling veterinarians greedy is toxic and harmful behavior.” ~ Dr. Angie “I don’t think we give ourselves permission enough to set down toxic customers.” ~JoJo “Veterinarians are rarely making bank… we do it because we love it.” ~ Dr. Angie “Vet nurses don’t make livable wages. A lot of us are on food stamps.” ~ JoJo “If you choose to take care of animals, you are choosing to be responsible for their medical care.” ~ Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| The Chonky Cat Episode: Can GLP-1 Help Fat Cats? | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:26:52 | |
🐈⬛ Summary In this lighthearted but deeply informative episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo dive into the surprisingly complex world of chonky cats, feline weight loss, and the emerging science behind GLP-1 medications for cats. From adorable tummy rolls to serious conversations about cat obesity, they explore why so many indoor kitties are overweight, why kibble keeps cats chunky, and how switching to high-protein, low-carb canned food can transform feline metabolism. Dr. Angie shares her real-life struggles with her own overweight cat, Fritz, and the duo breaks down why some kitties experience relentless “food noise” — constant hunger cues that sabotage weight-loss efforts. They also take listeners inside the groundbreaking Meow1 GLP-1 implant study, which may soon help reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and support healthy weight loss in cats who can't slim down with diet alone. Packed with relatable stories, veterinary insights, and lots of laughter, this episode is perfect for cat parents wanting practical, compassionate, evidence-based strategies to help their feline friends live longer, healthier, happier lives. 🐈⬛ Key Takeaways 🐾 Wet food is an effective tool for feline weight loss 🐾 Free-feeding kibble almost always leads to overweight cats, even when the brand is “high quality” or “grain-free.” 🐾 Activity and enrichment matter — hunting games, food puzzles, and movement-based feeding can increase calories burned and reduce boredom-eating. 🐾 Some cats experience metabolic challenges making weight loss nearly impossible without additional support. 🐾 GLP-1 medications (like exenatide implants) are being studied for cats and may reduce food obsession, improve insulin sensitivity, and prevent diabetes. 🐾 Obesity is an inflammatory condition, increasing risk for arthritis, diabetes, and reduced lifespan. 🐾 Holistic and integrative approaches work best when combined with realistic expectations — not every cat will achieve a perfect body condition score, and that’s okay. 🐈⬛ Sound Bites “The amount of kibble your cat actually needs metabolically is shockingly small.” — Dr. Angie “Most cats love their kibble because it's like us — they like carbohydrates.” — Dr. Angie “Obesity is really a problem.” — JoJo “The food noise — I didn't realize how often it was on until it was off.” — JoJo “Most cats love their kibble because it's like us — they like carbohydrates.” — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Librela, Fish Oil, CBD? What Actually Helps Dogs With Arthritis | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:44:16 | |
⭐ Summary In this episode of Tails of Truth, holistic veterinarian Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse JoJo break down everything dog parents need to know about arthritis in dogs—from early symptoms to diagnosis, natural remedies, pharmaceuticals, and the latest rehabilitation therapies. Dr. Angie explains why modern veterinary medicine has shifted away from relying on x-rays to diagnose canine arthritis, focusing instead on symptoms, physical exams, and response to treatment. The conversation covers the most effective natural supplements such as fish oil and CBD, plus why glucosamine and chondroitin may not always be worth the hype. They explore holistic veterinary medicine approaches, including weight management, muscle strengthening, acupuncture, underwater treadmills, chiropractic care, PEMF therapy, and lifestyle modifications to support aging dogs. Dr. Angie also shares her candid take on pharmaceuticals like NSAIDs, gabapentin, and the injectables Adequan and Librela, including current concerns around safety. If your dog is slowing down, struggling with stairs, stiff after naps, or losing mobility, this episode offers compassionate, practical veterinary advice to support their comfort and quality of life—using a comprehensive, integrative approach to dog health and wellness. ⭐ Key Takeaways
⭐ Sound Bites “Sometimes we're literally saving a dog's life with Rimadyl.” ~ Dr. Angie “I treat my patients like I would my own animal.” ~ Dr. Angie “I am so interested in your take on Librela.” ~ JoJo “Fish oil is the most underrated supplement because not only does it have great anti-inflammatory properties for the joints, but it has anti-inflammatory properties for all the organs.” ~ Dr. Angie “I was like wow…the number of different brands just trying to capitalize on that is far-reaching.” ~ JoJo
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Indoor or Outdoor? Choosing the Best Life for Your Cat | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:14:06 | |
🌟 Summary In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo explore both sides of the ongoing debate around indoor cats vs. outdoor cats—a topic packed with nuance, emotion, and passionate opinions. Together, they explore the benefits, risks, and lifestyle differences that shape a cat’s overall well-being. JoJo shares how her thinking has evolved from a strict indoor-only stance to recognizing the real joy and quality of life many outdoor cats experience. Dr. Angie echoes that sentiment, adding clinical insight into the behavioral and health differences she sees every day in veterinary practice. They break down everything from cat behavior, cat stimulation, and mental wellness to the dangers outdoor cats face—from cars to predators to ecosystem impact. The conversation also highlights common challenges indoor cats face, such as boredom, obesity, and under-stimulation—and offers practical ways to keep indoor cats mentally enriched. Listeners also learn about best practices for cat care, including vaccinations, deworming, spay/neuter, and communicating with neighbors about community cats. The duo also dives into modern solutions like catios, supervised outdoor time, leash walks, and enrichment strategies that help meet a cat’s instinctual needs safely. The episode wraps with an invitation for community discussion—because this is a topic with strong feelings on all sides. Dr. Angie and JoJo want to hear from cat parents about their experiences, environments, and what choices have worked best for their cats. Whether you're team indoor, team outdoor, or somewhere in the messy middle, this episode offers grounded veterinary advice, real-life stories, and thoughtful exploration to help you make the best decision for your individual cat. 📝 Key Takeaways 🌿 Outdoor cats may experience greater joy and quality of life, though this comes with higher immediate risks. 🎙️ Sound Bites "A cat's gotta live the cat life." — JoJo "The most miserable cats we've seen in practice are those feral community cats that have been forced to be indoor cats." — JoJo "This cat doesn't have what it takes to make it on the street." — Dr. Angie "Some cats will like start whole families on the side." — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Finding Belonging and Community in Veterinary Medicine | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:16:51 | |
📝 Summary As we step into the holiday season, I’m feeling especially grateful for community, connection, and the feeling of truly belonging — both in my personal life and in the world of veterinary medicine. In this episode of Tails of Truth, I open up about a big, heartfelt update: I’ve found a veterinary practice to call home. JoJo and I explore what it means to trust your gut in a profession that’s rapidly changing, why community matters now more than ever, and how the challenges of the pandemic reshaped the veterinary landscape. From relief work drying up for me, to the loneliness of jumping clinic to clinic, to the joy of finding a supportive, aligned environment — this episode is all about alignment, intuition, and honoring the work you’re called to do. We also talk candidly about the growing demand for holistic care, the emotional cost of losing community during COVID, and the unique pressures female veterinarians face while balancing career and family. Whether you’re in vet med, love someone who is, or simply appreciate candid and vulnerable conversations — we hope this one will resonate. 📌 Key Takeaways
🎧 Sound Bites “There is something different in being welcomed for who you are.” — JoJo “There was a point where 250 people were on our waitlist.” — Dr. Angie "At no point did I feel like, ‘This might not be right.’” — Dr. Angie “I go to these clinics and I have great days… and then I leave and it’s so lonely.” — Dr. Angie “We were so horrified at the thought of bringing COVID into someone’s home.” — Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| The Raw Dog Food Controversy: What You Must Know Before You Feed Raw | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:21:54 | |
⭐ Summary In this episode of Tails of Truth, Dr. Angie and JoJo unpack one of the most debated topics in veterinary medicine: raw diets for dogs. They explore why raw feeding creates such strong opinions, what “raw done correctly” really means, and the two must-have criteria for safe raw diets: a true kill step like HPP and AAFCO nutritional balancing. Dr. Angie explains why grocery-store meat and DIY blends aren’t safe or complete, how to evaluate raw food brands, and which dogs are not good candidates for raw — including immunocompromised pets. They also discuss the benefits many dogs experience on raw diets, from improved digestion to better coat quality, while emphasizing proper sanitation and realistic expectations around cost, safety, and fit for your household. Whether you’re raw-curious, raw-committed, or raw-skeptical, this episode gives you grounded, practical guidance straight from a veterinarian. 🔑 Key Takeaways
🎤 Sound Bites "Not all dogs do well on a raw diet" - Dr. Angie "I don't hesitate to feed Stella & Chewy's because I feel so good about their safety protocols." - Dr. Angie "Let us be the advocates for feeding your dog raw." - JoJo "I feel that this is one of the most controversial topics in veterinary medicine when it comes to dogs and diet.” - JoJo " Most people want to feed their dogs raw diets because someone on the internet told them to." - Dr. Angie “I see a lot of improvement in digestive issues going raw.” - Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||
| Dog Food Trends and Risks: From Gently Cooked to Grain Free | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:25:40 | |
🐾 Summary In this thought-provoking episode of Tails of Truth, holistic veterinarian Dr. Angie Krause and veterinary nurse, JoJo, dive into the complicated and ever-evolving world of dog food, exploring everything from fresh cooked diets and home cooking to the latest findings on urinary stones linked to certain fresh dog food brands. Listeners get an inside look at how pet food industry trends often mirror human diet fads, from paleo to grain-free, and how these shifts can sometimes lead to unintended health consequences for dogs. Dr. Angie draws on her firsthand experience working for major brands like I and Love and You, Open Farm, and Stella & Chewy’s to explain what’s behind the marketing, where nutrition meets science, and how pet owners can make informed choices. They unpack the University of Minnesota’s discovery of a new type of urinary stone (calcium tartrate tetrahydrate) linked to choline bitartrate — an ingredient found in several popular fresh food brands, including The Farmer’s Dog, Nom Nom, and Just Food for Dogs. Dr. Angie discusses how the industry is likely to adapt, the importance of transparency in pet nutrition, and why dog food trends should always be guided by science, not social media. The duo also explores the role of BalanceIt.com in creating nutritionally sound home-cooked diets, how AAFCO standards determine nutrient minimums and maximums, and the delicate balance between convenience, cost, and canine health. They end the episode by addressing grain-free diet myths, legume-based diets, and taurine deficiency in breeds like Golden Retrievers, tying it all together with a call for balanced, evidence-based feeding choices. If you’ve ever wondered whether fresh cooked diets are safer, healthier, or simply trendy — this episode is your science-driven, judgment-free guide to understanding the truth behind your dog’s bowl. 🎧 Key Takeaways
🎙️ Sound Bites "I love this segment of the market — the fresh cooked.” - Dr. Angie “University of Minnesota discovered a new urinary stone called calcium tartrate tetrahydrate linked to choline bitartrate in some fresh dog foods.” - Dr. Angie “Everyone’s going to fix this. The pet food companies don’t want this — they’ll change the ingredient.” - Dr. Angie “This episode became more about trends in diet — what happens when we follow human fads in our dogs’ food.” - JoJo “I still love fresh cooked diets, despite the fact that, for a short time, they accidentally gave some dogs urinary stones. I think we can fix that.” - Dr. Angie
Please subscribe and review! xoxo Dr. Angie & JoJo | |||