Ask the Vet – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her longtime colleague Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Department Head of Ophthalmology at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Together, they explore how veterinary ophthalmologists help keep pets’ eyes healthy — from everyday eye issues to advanced surgery.

Topics include:

• What veterinary ophthalmologists do and when your pet should see one
• Common eye problems in pets, including corneal ulcers, dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis
• The types of eye surgeries pets may need, from eyelid procedures to cataract removal
• How to clean eye discharge at home — and when it’s a red flag
• How dogs and cats see the world differently (including why yellow and blue toys are easier for dogs to see)
• Early warning signs of eye issues
• How pets adapt to vision loss
• How eye changes can signal systemic disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure

Also on this month's show:

• Trending animal story about Bombi, a young zebra in Kenya whose mother was killed by lions — and how rescuers helped her feel secure by wearing black-and-white striped coats to mimic a zebra’s pattern
• Animal news, including research into whether dogs can become addicted to playing fetch; “chemical fossil” evidence that ancient sponges — and early animals — existed far earlier than once thought; and a study showing that New York City cats caught COVID-19 from their owners during the early days of the pandemic (and why they likely weren’t a risk to people)
• Pet Health Listener Q&A: A Bombay cat struggling with chronic hairballs; a young Siberian Husky who eats everything in sight; and a cat with spinal lumps accompanied by vomiting and lethargy.

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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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Dr. Dennis Slade, Department Head of Internal Medicine at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, about what veterinary internal medicine really means, and how specialists like him help pets with complicated or chronic health issues.

Topics include:

· What veterinary internal medicine treats
· How AMC’s collaborative care model improves patient outcomes
· The surprising things pets swallow and how endoscopy helps get them out
· How veterinarians address multiple diseases in the same patient
· Ways pet owners can prepare for a specialist visit
· The future of veterinary medicine, from artificial intelligence to microbiome research

Also on this month’s show:

· Viral trending animal story about twin eastern box turtles successfully separated after hatching conjoined in Virginia
· Animal news including the dogs guarding endangered penguins, “gifted word learner” dogs that understand toy categories, and the rats trained to detect landmines and tuberculosis
· Pet Health Listener Q&A: Managing pets with both heart and kidney disease, preventing feline stomatitis after calicivirus infection, and understanding inflammatory bowel disease in dogs

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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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Rachel Herman, Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. This organization is dedicated to supporting vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets, preserving the human-animal bond during challenging times. Tune in as they discuss:

• What is the mission of PAWS NY?
• Rachel's inspiration to establish this organization
• How PAWS NY helps New Yorkers having difficulty caring for their pets due to illness, disability, mobility limitations, and finances, among other issues
• The poignant story of a man and his dog that PAWS NY helped for over ten years
• How individuals, veterinarians, and other organizations can partner with and support PAWS NY
• What does the future look like for PAWS NY?

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story of the month about how heroic firefighters saved a dog that fell through ice on a river in Ottawa
• Animal news, including updates about bird flu and tips for protecting your pet
• Pet Health Listener Q&A

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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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Monica Murphy, a veterinarian and co-author of "Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals" — a fascinating book that looks at how America’s attitudes toward animals were transformed in the late 19th century. Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Dr. Murphy found this particular time period intriguing
• The effectiveness of Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, in advocating for animals
• The impact the book "Black Beauty" had on animal welfare
• Why an outbreak of horse flu in 1872 highlighted the need for veterinary care
• The role of veterinarians advocating for animal welfare
• How the cruel transport of sea turtles destined for New York dinner tables inspired Henry Bergh to advocate for the welfare of wildlife
• Why PT Barnum was a lightning rod for reformers 
• Does the physical and emotional distance humans have from certain species impact animal welfare?
• Dr. Murphy's ideas for a new book

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story of the month, featuring the couple who used their wedding fund to rescue and treat a dog who had been injured in a hit-and-run
• Animal news, including the discovery in Siberia of a 37,000-year-old saber-toothed kitten with its fur, flesh, and tiny whisker tufts intact
• Pet Health Listener Q&A

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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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Scott Weese, a leading expert in veterinary infectious diseases and creator of the must-read Worms & Germs blog. Tune in as they discuss:

• Insights into the 2023 “mystery” canine respiratory disease
• The impact of social media and lifestyle trends on the perception of pet health
• How the social network of dogs influences the spread of disease
• The tragic situations that can arise if pets don’t receive vaccinations on time or at all
• Emerging challenges and threats that will impact the future of veterinary medicine, including climate change and antibiotic resistance

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story of the month, featuring the raccoons who invited close to 100 guests to a Washington woman’s garden buffet
• Animal news, including the contagious smile of dolphins
• Pet Health Listener Q&A

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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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Kwane Stewart, a veterinarian who provides free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness through his nonprofit, Project Street Vet. Dr. Stewart was named CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year for his outstanding efforts. Tune in as they discuss:

• What inspired Dr. Kwane Stewart to become a veterinarian
• The origin of Project Street Vet and how the organization has evolved
• Common health problems of dogs living on the streets in California
• The rewards of doing this work
• How being named CNN's Hero of the Year has affected his mission
• The diverse ways veterinarians can utilize their professional skills and expertise
• What are some misconceptions about people experiencing homelessness?
• How companion animals can be a lifeline to their humans

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story of the month, featuring Rainbow, the siamese cat who travelled more than 800 miles in search of his family after going missing in Yellowstone National Park
• Animal news, including a groundbreaking new surgery: the first-ever c-section on a North American porcupine
• Pet Health Listener Q&A

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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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Jamie Cohen, LCSW, AMC's new Veterinary Social Worker. Jamie brings more than a decade of experience in supporting trauma survivors and helping individuals and families navigate grief. At AMC, Jamie leads our Pet Loss Support Program and our Caregiver Support Group, offering both practical and emotional support to pet owners facing the loss or illness of their beloved animal companions.

Tune in as they discuss:

• How Jamie came to work at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center
• Jamie's biggest adjustment to working at an animal hospital
• Helping clients when they are making decisions about treatments
• The influence of Jamie's dogs on her work
• How the Pet Loss Support Programs and Caregiver Support Group at AMC help pet parents
• How the loss of a pet compares to, and differs from, the loss of a human
• Jamie's suggestions for people coping with the death of an animal companion
• How friends and family can support someone who has experienced pet loss

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story of the month, featuring Sphen, one half of the famous “gay penguin power couple” at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, who has died at the age of 11
• Animal news, including Dr. Hohenhaus' concerns about Fefé, a new perfume designed for dogs by Dolce & Gabbana
• Pet Health Listener Q&A

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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AMC's Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant, animal behavior scientist, and author of the new book Play With Your Cat: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline.

Tune in as they discuss:

• Dr. Delgado's career path in feline behavior
• "Catios," and indoor vs. outdoor cat recommendations
• Common feline behavior issues, including litter box avoidance and inter-cat conflict
• Cats' sense of smell and its importance in their social interactions
• Cats' innate solitary nature and heightened stress response
• Litter box best practices: placement, hygiene, and choice of litter
• The importance of play in cats' wellbeing and the origins of Dr. Delgado's book
• How play mimics hunting, which is considered a "species-specific natural behavior" for cats
• Play in kittens vs. adult cats
• Guidelines for feline play: make it an interactive hunting experience
• Dr. Delgado's 5 Golden Rules of Play

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story of the month, featuring a helpless baby bird saved by a warm tortilla
• Animal news, including: a miniature poodle saved by NYPD, AMC, and the ASPCA; new research on dogs' response to human emotions; "cocaine sharks" off the coast of Florida
• Pet Health Listener Q&A

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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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Florence L. Dickler, Professor and Author of “For Dog’s Sake,” a heartfelt story about Clea, an adorable dog rescued from a Moroccan village. Clea was also one of Dr. Hohenhaus' oncology patients at AMC. Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Florence wrote "For Dog's Sake" from the point of view of her dog Clea
• The challenges of writing this book
• How Florence balanced information and facts with the emotional aspects of storytelling
• The people who contributed to Clea's cancer care and recovery across countries
• What readers can learn from this book
• How Florence met her new dog

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about Archie the cat who was rescued from a ponderosa pine tree in the Grand Canyon's South Rim
• Animal news, including the new antiviral drug that treats FIP, a previously fatal disease in cats
• Pet Health Listener Q&A 

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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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Lisa A. Fortier, DVM, PhD, DACVS, a distinguished clinician, researcher, educator, and equine surgeon. Dr. Fortier is currently the Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR). Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Dr. Fortier became a horse specialist
• The fake journal problem causing researchers to lose their work, data, and writing
• Dr. Fortier's goals for influencing veterinary medicine through her work as Editor in Chief
• The role of peer-reviewed tutorial videos in how veterinarians learn
• Improving customer service at journals to better serve authors and readers
• What are good sources of online pet health information?
• Balancing the amount of articles between species
• The impact of podcasts and social media in reaching people
• Being happy with what you're doing

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about the orangutan who healed his wound with medicinal plants
• Animal news, including the longevity of different cat breeds
• Pet Health Listener Q&A 

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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