Rethinking Anesthesia for Senior Patients: Age is Just a Number, Frailty is a Risk

Osteoarthritis in dogs often begins much earlier than we think, making proactive awareness and early conversations with pet owners essential. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Kristin Kirkby Shaw discusses how to shift the narrative around OA—from a disease of aging to a lifelong condition that starts in young dogs. She explores practical strategies for building client awareness, applying structured frameworks like the COAST guidelines, and implementing effective, multimodal treatment plans. The conversation highlights Galliprant as a strong first-line option for managing OA pain, while emphasizing its role as one component of a comprehensive, patient-centered approach.

Does age increase anesthesia risk in veterinary patients? Not necessarily. This episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast explores the critical difference between chronological age and true physiologic risk factors during anesthesia. While age-related physiologic changes may become more common as patients grow older, it is the presence and severity of those changes—not the number of birthdays—that influence anesthetic risk and decision-making.

Fiber is more than a single nutrient—it’s a powerful clinical tool when used appropriately. Join this VetFolio Voice podcast for a practical discussion on dietary fiber in veterinary medicine, including the different fiber types, how they are classified, when they can benefit patients, and when they may not be the right choice. You’ll also get up to speed on important updates to fiber labeling and what those changes mean for clinical decision-making. This CE episode will help you make more informed nutrition recommendations for your patients. Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/different-fiber-types-a-practical-discussion-for-clinicians-podcast-quiz

Vomiting is one of the most common and clinically challenging presentations in small animal medicine and emergency care. This episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast is a practical discussion about evaluating and stabilizing vomiting patients while recognizing the broad range of gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal differentials that may contribute to nausea and emesis. Listeners will learn key clinical signs of nausea, interpretation of diagnostic findings, use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), radiography, and bedside monitoring tools, as well as evidence-informed resuscitation strategies including the ROSE fluid approach, shock assessment, and electrolyte interpretation. The podcast also delves into practical therapeutic strategies for nausea and vomiting, including antiemetics, antinausea therapies, and prokinetics. Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/practical-management-of-the-vomiting-patient-in-small-animal-practice-podcast-quiz

Laser therapy is widely used for rehabilitation and pain management, but many veterinary professionals may be overlooking opportunities to apply it across a broader range of cases. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, you’ll learn how Class IV laser therapy can be integrated into everyday practice beyond traditional rehabilitation. From dermatology and wound management to dentistry, surgery, and internal medicine, discover how laser therapy can support healing, improve patient comfort, and enhance clinical outcomes. Learn practical ways to incorporate laser therapy into common cases, identify opportunities to expand services, and discover how emerging technologies are shaping the future of veterinary medicine. Whether you’re new to laser therapy or looking to maximize its value, you’ll leave with actionable insights you can apply immediately in practice. Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/the-untapped-potential-of-laser-therapy-in-veterinary-medicine-podcast-quiz

Take a fresh look at veterinary pharmacology through the eyes of a pharmacist! We bridge the gap between veterinary medicine and pharmacy in this VetFolio Voice podcast episode. Discover how veterinary prescriptions are handled, emerging opportunities for pharmacists in veterinary medicine, and why choosing the right compounding pharmacy matters. The discussion provides guidance on evaluating compounded medications, asking the right questions about quality and efficacy, and building productive veterinarian-pharmacist partnerships. You’ll learn practical strategies to strengthen prescribing decisions and help deliver better outcomes for every veterinary patient.

Why do we still struggle with flea and tick prevention in cats, despite a market filled with options? Choosing the right flea and tick prevention for cats is more complex than ever. This episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast explores oral therapies, feline acceptance, administration challenges and client communication strategies. Learn how personalized parasite control plans can turn a one-time treatment into a life-long prevention habit, improve compliance, patient outcomes and strengthen the human-animal bond.

Take the guesswork out of urinary tract cases with this practical veterinary CE podcast. You’ll get a comprehensive overview of managing urinary tract issues in dogs and cats. Tune in to learn how to interpret crystalluria on urinalysis results, understand the significance of urinary pH in diet selection, and differentiate between polyuria and pollakiuria during patient history. We also also compare the clinical approaches for dogs versus cats, and explore the use of therapeutic combination diets to effectively manage lower urinary tract diseases alongside other patient comorbidities, such as stress or obesity. Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/crystals-uti-fic-oh-my-podcast-quiz

With canine Lyme disease cases increasing across North America, the spirochete responsible for Lyme disease—Borrelia burgdorferi—is no longer only a regional threat; it’s become a widespread veterinary concern. In this insightful VetFolio Voice podcast episode, we take a closer look at Borrelia burgdorferi and what every veterinary professional needs to know to protect their patients. We take you step-by-step through how Borrelia burgdorferi enters the dog’s body, evades the immune system and causes infection. You’ll also learn about the tools that can help prevent infection.

Evaluating a dog’s orthopedic health can feel like solving a moving puzzle. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, you’ll get practical tips for approaching these exams with confidence! Learn how to localize pain efficiently, assess subtle cases and take targeted radiographs that reduce repeat imaging for referrals. Tune in now for easy-to-implement tips for everyday veterinary practice.