EP39 - Christmas Tea Break (Q&A)

The Flea & Tick Medication Controversy: What Pet Owners Need To Know

This week on The Dr. Molly Says Podcast, it’s just me… and we are getting into one of the biggest conversations happening in pet health online right now: flea & tick prevention misinformation. But first… life update because YES, I’m building a veterinary clinic!!! I give you a sneak peakreal behind-the-scenes update on buying a building, construction chaos, leaving my previous role, and what it’s actually been like creating the practice I’ve dreamed about for years. (We also do a quick follow-up on last week’s cat scruffing discourse because apparently veterinary restraint debates are thriving on the interne!!) THEN… we get into the big one. We talk flea & tick preventatives, internet fear-mongering, “natural” wellness marketing, and the class of medications everyone seems to be panicking about right now: isoxazolines. We get into: * Why fleas & ticks are WAY more than just annoying bugs * The diseases veterinarians are actually trying to protect pets from (Lyme disease, ehrlichia, flea allergy dermatitis, bobcat fever & more) * How flea & tick preventatives really work (yes… including the “neurotoxin” conversation) * The truth about oral preventatives, tick transmission, and the “they poison your dog’s blood” myth * FDA label updates, seizures, neurologic side effects & what we actually know about risk * Correlation vs causation, medication safety studies & how these products are tested * “Natural” preventatives, essential oils, detox protocols & the business of pet wellness misinformation PLUS: hot takes on internet grifters, why “natural” doesn’t automatically mean safer, pharmaceutical nuance, veterinary transparency, and a very honest conversation about how confusing all of this can be for pet owners just trying to do right by their animals. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome back! Real life updates + recording in the future vet clinic 👀 00:00:52 Follow-up on the cat scruffing debate (because the internet had thoughts…) 00:05:22 I’M BUILDING A VETERINARY CLINIC?! Behind-the-scenes update 00:08:24 Flea & tick prevention misinformation is EVERYWHERE right now 00:12:05 Why vets take fleas & ticks so seriously 00:13:02 Fleas: allergies, anemia, tapeworms & yes… plague 00:16:28 Tick-borne diseases explained: Lyme, ehrlichia, bobcat fever & more 00:23:17 How flea & tick medications actually work 00:24:23 “They’re neurotoxins?!” — let’s talk about that 00:31:36 The “they poison your dog’s blood” myth 00:34:18 How flea & tick meds are safety tested before approval 00:37:21 Isoxazolines, seizures & the FDA warning conversation 00:39:28 Correlation vs causation: are these medications actually causing problems? 00:43:40 Which dogs may be more sensitive to these preventatives? 00:47:08 Risk vs benefit: how veterinarians actually think about prevention 00:49:52 “Vets push meds for money” — myth vs reality 00:51:04 Are flea meds causing cancer in dogs?! 00:52:15 Natural preventatives, essential oils & pet wellness influencers 00:56:14 Final thoughts: nuance, integrative medicine & protecting your pets 00:57:06 LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod]  https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1]  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028] --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Dr. Molly: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays] Follow the podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/ [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod] ---------------------------------------------------------------

Cat Only Practices, Why You Shouldn’t Scruff a Cat, & VPA’s

This week on Dr. Molly Says, I’m joined by veterinarian, feline medicine enthusiast, industry leader, and fellow “we have a lot of opinions about vet med” human… Dr. Jason Epstein. We get into everything from cat-only hospitals, corporate veterinary medicine, the future of feline care, and one of the biggest debates happening in veterinary medicine right now. Dr. Epstein shares his journey through general practice, leadership roles, startups, vaccine clinics, and why he’s now building cat-focused veterinary hospitals, because according to him… cats don’t belong in dog hospitals. (Yes, he said it.) We also get into: * Why feline medicine deserves its own approach * The surprising problem with traditional mixed animal hospitals * Corporate vet med, leadership, and what happens when practices collapse overnight * Accessibility, affordability, and the realities of modern veterinary care * The future of veterinary technicians and why they deserve WAY more support * The controversial Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) conversation happening in the U.S. * Whether mid-level veterinary providers could help… or create bigger problems PLUS: hot takes, conference friend lore, cat behavior misunderstandings, “spicy cats” vs moody monarchs 👑, and a surprisingly passionate discussion about veterinary education, legislation, and who should actually be writing healthcare policy. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome + meet Dr. Jason Epstein 00:01:00 Marching band, clarinet discourse & veterinary origin story 00:05:00 Early career, GP life & leadership transitions 00:06:30 Corporate veterinary medicine + what happened with My Pets Wellness 00:08:50 Affordable care, vaccine clinics & community medicine 00:10:20 Why Dr. Epstein is building cat-only hospitals 00:11:30 HOT TAKE: “Cats don’t belong in dog hospitals” 00:13:00 Species-specific veterinary care: future or fantasy? 00:15:00 What cats actually experience at the vet (and why it matters) 00:20:00 Feline medicine gaps in veterinary education 00:30:00 Cat-friendly care, environment & understanding feline behavior 00:40:00 “Spicy cats” aren’t spicy… they’re cats 00:41:30 The VPA conversation explained (without assuming you’ve been living on vet internet) 00:44:00 Colorado, legislation & why this debate got very real, very fast 00:50:00 Education pathways, supervision rules & big concerns about implementation 00:57:00 Access to care vs quality of care — can both exist? 01:00:00 Vet tech utilization, title protection & workforce challenges 01:05:00 Where veterinary medicine might be headed next 01:07:00 Final thoughts + why this is definitely not the last conversation we’re having about this --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod]  https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1]  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028] --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Dr. Molly: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays] Follow the podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/ [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod] ---------------------------------------------------------------

How To Help Your Dog or Cat Lose Weight with Dr. Molly Brinkman

This week on Dr. Molly Says… it’s just us!!! New season, new podcast setup, new vet clinic building (!!)… and an uncomfortable conversation we probably need to have about pet obesity. Because… statistically? A LOT of our dogs and cats are overweight. And before you get defensive — hear me out. This isn’t about aesthetics. We’re talking about real health consequences, chronic disease, arthritis, diabetes, mobility loss, and yes… shorter lifespans. We’re breaking down how veterinarians actually evaluate weight (hello body condition score), why so many pets gain weight without owners realizing it, and some hot takes about treats, free feeding, “active lifestyles,” and why your dog maybe doesn’t need a snack every time they pee. We also get into: * How to tell if your dog or cat is actually overweight * Why body condition score matters more than the number on the scale * The surprising diseases linked to obesity in dogs and cats * Why labs, beagles, and indoor cats can be especially prone to weight gain * Free feeding vs meal feeding (yes… we’re doing this debate) * Why treat calories count WAY more than you think * How spay/neuter changes metabolism * The real math behind feeding recommendations * Weight loss strategies that actually work in real life PLUS: we discuss Solo cup measurements pretending to be “one cup,” chunky cat culture, why your veterinarian is not trying to offend you, and my slightly controversial opinion about potty treats. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back! Season 2, podcast updates & the new clinic build 00:02:45 Why pet obesity is uncomfortable to talk about 00:04:00 Hot take: your dog doesn’t need a potty treat forever 00:05:00 The shocking number of overweight pets in the U.S. 00:06:00 Why weight matters beyond “looking chunky” 00:07:00 Body Condition Score explained (4–5/9 is the goal) 00:09:00 How to actually tell if your pet is overweight 00:13:00 Diseases linked to obesity in cats 00:15:00 Arthritis, mobility & obesity in dogs 00:17:00 How pets become overweight in the first place 00:18:00 Labs, beagles & genetics of appetite 00:19:00 Why your pet probably isn’t as “active” as you think 00:20:00 Feeding guides vs actual calorie calculations 00:21:00 Free feeding vs meal feeding debate 00:23:00 Treat calories add up FAST 00:26:00 Spay/neuter, hormones & metabolism changes 00:28:00 Helping pets lose weight realistically 00:30:00 Measuring food correctly (the Solo cup problem 💀) 00:32:00 Treat rules, exercise & muscle mass 00:34:00 When weight loss isn’t working: thyroid & medical causes 00:35:00 Multi-pet household struggles 00:36:00 Exercise ideas for indoor cats 00:38:00 Why vets keep bringing up weight (even when owners hate hearing it) 00:39:00 Fresh food, calorie density & marketing myths 00:42:00 Weight loss diets, supplements & final thoughts 00:43:00 Outro --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod]  https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1]  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028] --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Dr. Molly: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays] Follow the podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/ [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod]

Inside Emergency Vet Medicine with a Veterinary Nurse with Ashley Farmer

This week on Dr. Molly Says (and on round 2 of my world tour LOL), we’re coming to you LIVE from Vegas with veterinary nurse and chaos coordinator extraordinaire, Ashley Farmer (aka @ashleythevetnurse 💛). Ashley and I are diving into the world of veterinary technicians, emergency medicine, and what actually happens behind the scenes at your vet clinic… because trust me, it’s a LOT more than people realize. We talk about how Ashley went from dreaming of working with animals to feeding sharks at the Pittsburgh Zoo, becoming a licensed veterinary technician, working emergency medicine, and eventually helping run hospital operations at VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group). We also get into: * What veterinary technicians/nurses actually do all day (spoiler: basically everything) * The difference between vet techs, assistants, and veterinary nurses * Why the “vet nurse vs vet tech” debate is way more complicated than people think * How emergency vet hospitals really work behind the scenes * Why open-concept ERs are changing veterinary medicine * The relationship between pet owners, vets, and veterinary nurses during emergencies * Why efficiency and teamwork matter so much in emergency medicine * The emotional reality of caring for hospitalized pets * How veterinary assistants can grow into long-term careers in vet med PLUS: Ashley shares her hottest takes in veterinary medicine (including owners helping restrain pets 👀), we discuss the absolute chaos of emergency rooms, favorite and least favorite dog breeds in the ER, and why veterinary nurses are truly the backbone of every hospital. And of course… we end with important conversations about Pomeranians, doodles, Great Danes pooping everywhere, and what dog breed Ashley would be if she had to choose. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome from Vegas + why we’re recording from a hotel room 00:01:00 Ashley’s journey into veterinary medicine 00:03:00 Working at the Pittsburgh Zoo + feeding sharks 00:05:00 What it takes to become a licensed veterinary technician 00:07:00 Vet tech vs veterinary nurse explained 00:11:00 Why people don’t realize how advanced vet med really is 00:12:00 Inside VEG emergency hospitals + open-concept ERs 00:17:00 Why collaboration between ERs and general practice matters 00:19:00 Dr. Molly’s new “open-ish” hospital concept 00:20:00 Hot take: should owners help restrain pets? 00:22:00 What veterinary nurses actually do during ER shifts 00:26:00 Surgery techs, inpatient care & emergency teamwork 00:28:00 Why Ashley moved into operations & leadership 00:30:00 Veterinary technician specialists (VTS) explained 00:34:00 The complicated relationship between vet assistants & licensed techs 00:38:00 Advice for assistants considering tech school 00:39:00 Favorite pets, breeds & ER patients 00:42:00 Emergency cases Ashley actually loves treating 00:44:00 The adrenaline of emergency medicine 00:45:00 Meet Ashley’s pets: Miss Kitty Meow Meow & Linda 00:46:00 Outro --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod]  https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1]  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028] --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Dr. Molly: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays] Follow the podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/ [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod]

When to See a Vet Specialist (+ Why Your Pet Isn’t Getting Better) | with Dr. Nicole Fein

This week on Dr. Molly Says, we’re coming to you LIVE(ish) from a very not-fancy hotel room in Orlando… I’m joined by my friend and internal medicine specialist, Dr. Nicole Fein, and we’re diving into everything from what internists actually do to the reality of specialty vet care (plus a few unhinged tangents… obviously). We break down how someone becomes a board-certified veterinary internist (spoiler: years of chaos + 16-hour exams), the types of cases they see all the time (yes… so much poop), and a hot take you might not expect: more diagnostics ≠ better medicine. We also get into: * When it’s actually time to see a specialist * The relationship between pet owners, general practitioner veterinarians, and specialists (it’s a throuple, not a love triangle) * Why some cases should be referred sooner (and what can go wrong when they’re not) * The real cost conversations that need to happen in vet med * Why internal medicine is basically the “everything that doesn’t make sense” specialty PLUS: Dr. Nicole explains her viral “baby talking patients” videos (yes, including “mouth meat” 💀), we discuss cuteness aggression, and share what really happens behind the scenes at the vet. And of course… we end with Global Pet Expo chaos: piglet parades (aka Frenchies in wagons), influencer pets, and why veterinarians are just trying their best out here. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome + recording from a hotel bed 00:02:00 What is Global Pet Expo? 00:03:00 Meet Dr. Nicole Fine (internal medicine specialist) 00:07:00 How you become a veterinary internist (aka years of torture) 00:14:55 What cases internal medicine actually sees 00:18:30 Favorite cases (Addison’s, immune disease & emergencies) 00:21:00 What a typical day looks like (and why it’s so communication-heavy) 00:23:00 When should you ask for a specialist referral? 00:26:00 GP vs specialist dynamics (the “throuple” conversation) 00:33:50 Cases that should be referred sooner 00:37:00 Cost conversations & setting expectations 00:39:00 Making specialty care more accessible 00:42:30 Trends in cases + city vs rural vet med 00:46:00 IVDD, surgery vs medical management 00:49:00 Viral baby talk videos explained (yes… really) 00:55:00 Global Pet Expo chaos (piglet parade, influencer pets) 00:59:00 Outro --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple: https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod]  https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1]  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028] --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Dr. Molly: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays] Follow the podcast: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/ [https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod] ---------------------------------------------------------------