73 — Managing Pet Allergies: Flea Control, Hair vs. Fur & Safe Preventatives

Pet Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats: Myths, Symptoms and Elimination Diets

PET FOOD ALLERGIES IN DOGS AND CATS: MYTHS, SYMPTOMS AND ELIMINATION DIETS Dr. Marty Greer and Laura debunk common pet food myths about corn and wheat while sharing step-by-step veterinary strategies for diagnosing genuine food allergies and sensitivities in dogs and cats. * Symptoms & Presentation: Unlike human food allergies, pet food allergies primarily manifest as skin issues—such as intense scratching, chewing, biting and ear infections—rather than digestive upset. Only about 20% of allergic dogs show signs of vomiting and diarrhea. In cats, symptoms are heavily concentrated as intense scratching around the head and neck. * Debunking the Corn Myth: Despite the popularity of "no corn, wheat, or soy" marketing, the most common food allergens for dogs are actually beef, chicken, lamb, wheat and dairy. For cats, the top allergens are beef, chicken and fish. * The Inefficacy of Retail Allergy Tests: Blood, saliva and skin test kits sold online are unreliable. Veterinary dermatologists do not recommend them. * How to Run a Strict Food Trial: The only reliable diagnostic method is a provocative food trial lasting up to 12 weeks. This involves feeding the pet either a prescription hydrolyzed protein diet (where proteins are broken down so small that the immune system doesn't detect them) or a carefully prepared homemade diet. During the trial, the pet must consumeonlythis food and water—no treats, rawhides or table scraps. * Systematically Identifying Allergens: After a successful trial, owners can systematically introduce one ingredient back into the diet per week (such as beef, chicken or wheat) and track reactions on a calendar to identify specific triggers. * Allergies vs. Sensitivities vs. Food Poisoning: Allergies prompt immune-mediated skin issues, whereas food sensitivities present as digestive discomfort, chronic diarrhea or picky eating. True food poisoning comes from spoiled foods, dead animals or unique toxins—such as a pink mold on soft cheeses (like cream cheese) that can cause seizures in dogs. * Predisposed Breeds: Food allergies are most frequently seen in Labradors, German Shepherds and West Highland White Terriers for dogs, and in Oriental breeds like Siamese, Persian and Burmese for cats. * Helpful Resources: * Homemade Diets  [https://www.wiley.com/en-us/shop/general-introductory-veterinary-medicine/home-prepared-dog-and-cat-diets-2nd-edition-p-9781119949510] * Balanceit [https://balance.it/]

80 — The 30,000-Foot View on Pet Allergies: A High-Level Overview for Pet Owners

THE 30,000-FOOT VIEW ON PET ALLERGIES: A HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW FOR PET OWNERS Marty and Laura break down how to identify environmental, food and contact allergies in your pets, explain why dogs react in their feet rather than sneeze and share essential, money-saving pro-tips to help you prepare for your next veterinary clinic visit. Episode Highlights: * The "Rust-Colored Toes" Clue:Discover why dogs chew and lick at their feet when reacting to pollen, molds or dust mites. This biological quirk is actually due to allergy-sensitive mast cells being located in their paws. * Food vs. Environmental Allergies:Learn how to spot the difference between food-based allergies (which can cause GI issues or chronic ear infections) and environmental atopy, which typically doesn't flare up until a pet's second summer. * Don't "Wash the Crime Scene":Find out why bathing your pet or wiping out their gooey ears the night before a vet visit actually washes away the critical physical evidence your veterinarian needs to make an accurate diagnosis. * The Smartphone Vet Prep Checklist:Discover how taking videos of scratching behaviors, photographing food labels and placing a nickel or Bic pen next to skin lesions for scale can make your next vet visit faster, more efficient and cheaper. * The Veterinary "MyChart" Mystery:Learn why there is no universal patient portal for pets, why you need to keep your own consolidated records and why securing pet health insurance early on is a lifesaver.

79 — Canine Heart Disease Guide: Managing Mitral Valve Disease and DCM in Dogs

CANINE HEART DISEASE GUIDE: MANAGING MITRAL VALVE DISEASE AND DCM IN DOGS Marty and Laura dive into canine cardiac health, breaking down the causes, symptoms and life-extending treatments for the two most common acquired heart diseases in dogs: mitral valve disease in small breeds and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in large breeds. * Mitral Valve Disease (Small Breed Dogs): * Who it affects:Small breeds like Shih Tzus, Schnauzers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. * The Cause:Genetic factors lead to "knobby" protrusions on the left-side mitral valve, preventing a proper seal and causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium. * Proactive Monitoring:Owners should count their dog’s resting respiratory rate monthly while they are horizontally asleep. Normal is 26 to 32 breaths per minute; rates climbing past 38 to 40 require veterinary attention. * Symptoms:Look out for reduced exercise tolerance, weight loss (cardiac cachexia), and a persistent cough (often caused by an enlarged heart pressing on the trachea). * Prevention & Care:Excellent dental health and routine brushing can prevent bacteria from latching onto damaged heart valves. * Dilated Cardiomyopathy / DCM (Large Breed Dogs): * Who it affects:Primarily large breeds like Great Danes, Dobermans, Boxers and Newfoundlands, with rare exceptions in small terriers. * The Cause:The heart muscle becomes flabby and weak, impairing its ability to contract. DCM can stem from genetic factors, chemotherapy drugs or nutritional deficiencies (taurine and L-carnitine) linked to grain-free or legume-rich diets. * Symptoms & Risks:Unlike small dogs, large dogs with DCM are highly prone to dangerous arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), fainting and sudden acute heart failure. * Diagnosis and Modern Treatments: * Diagnosis is Accessible:Any primary care veterinarian can diagnose an enlarged heart using a standard chest X-ray and a Vertebral Heart Score (VHS) to normalize heart size against the spine. * Improved Lifespans:While dogs diagnosed with heart disease historically survived only six months, modern medications can give them two to three more high-quality years. * Primary Medications:Treatment frequently relies onPimobendan(a veterinary-only drug that strengthens heart contractions), ACE inhibitors (enalapril or benazepril), and diuretics like furosemide (Lasix) or spironolactone. * Cardiac Emergencies:Tears in the chordae tendineae (fibers holding the valve) can trigger sudden, severe failure. Advanced hospital care can include oxygen, sildenafil (Viagra) for pulmonary hypertension, nitroglycerin, and amlodipine. Note that canine CPR is rarely successful in chronic cardiac arrest, so owners should not harbor guilt if they cannot revive an arresting pet.

78 — Canine Eye Health: Navigating Cataracts, Glaucoma and the Third Eyelid

CANINE EYE HEALTH: NAVIGATING CATARACTS, GLAUCOMA AND THE THIRD EYELID In this final installment of our eye anatomy series, Marty and Laura break down the critical differences between common canine eye conditions, exploring the causes and treatments for cataracts, glaucoma, uveitis and issues affecting the third eyelid. Episode Highlights: Cataracts vs. Nuclear Sclerosis: We explain how rapid-onset cataracts are frequently linked to diabetes in dogs, while the harmless, cloudy-looking eyes seen in older pets are a natural aging change called nuclear sclerosis that does not lead to blindness. The Emergency of Glaucoma: Learn why high intraocular pressure is a major emergency in dogs. Unlike in humans, a dog's eye pressure can shoot up overnight, potentially causing permanent blindness within 24 hours if not treated immediately. Symptoms to watch for include a bulging eye, a "steamy" cornea, and a red sclera. Uncovering Uveitis: We discuss uveitis, a condition characterized by low eye pressure and inflammation. Because "the eyes are the window to the brain," uveitis often signals a deeper underlying disease, such as a tick-borne illness or an infection, requiring a thorough veterinary workup. Third Eyelid Troubles: Discover the mysteries of the canine third eyelid. We demystify "cherry eye" (a prolapsed gland that looks scary but isn't painful) and discuss follicular conjunctivitis, a common and easily treatable inflammation caused by environmental irritants like pollen and dust.

77 — Unlocking Canine Retina Health: Blindness, Detachments and Genetics in Dogs

UNLOCKING CANINE RETINA HEALTH: BLINDNESS, DETACHMENTS AND GENETICS IN DOGS Join Marty and Laura as they dive into the complex world of the canine retina, exploring common eye diseases, the dangers of retinal detachment and essential genetic health screenings. Our hosts focus on the canine retina, an essential part of the back of the eye that acts like the "film" in a camera to interpret light, images and motion. Because the retina is a highly complex structure, diagnosing retinal issues often requires the specialized equipment and training of a veterinary ophthalmologist. Key Topics Discussed: * Retinal Detachment:This is a severe condition that usually results in blindness. In dogs, it can be triggered by trauma, tumors, immune-mediated diseases, uveitis, or high blood pressure linked to kidney failure or hyperthyroidism. While humans can often have their retinas reattached via laser, it is incredibly difficult and rare to successfully reattach a dog's retina. * Hidden Blindness in Pets:Dogs and cats are incredibly skilled at hiding their vision loss by memorizing their home's layout. Owners may not realize their pet is going blind until they rearrange the furniture or move to a new house. * SARD (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration):A rare, irreversible condition of unknown cause where a dog suddenly goes blind. * The Dangers of Merle-to-Merle Breeding:Breeding two dogs with the Merle gene (such as Aussies or Collies) can produce puppies with severe visual and hearing impairments. It is crucial to DNA test for "cryptic Merles" to avoid accidentally crossing two Merle dogs. * The "Hybrid Vigor" Myth:Mixing two breeds, such as a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle to make a Bernadoodle, does not magically cure or filter out bad genetic traits. Sometimes, this combination actually doubles up on genetic issues. * Health Testing & Preventive Care:Responsible breeders and owners should utilize both DNA tests for conditions like Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and physical exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Breeders can visit the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) website to discover which specific eye diseases to test for based on their dog's breed. * Medication Toxicities:Giving a dog a massive, accidental mega-dose of ivermectin—such as using farm store variants instead of proper heartworm preventatives—can lead to temporary blindness.