19 Cats and Counting Episode 145 Back in the Cat Seat: Rita’s Return and Oliver’s Close Call

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Ezra J. Ameis, DVM. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Ezra opened his veterinary practice, Paw Priority, with the goal of offering both Urgent Care and General Practice with a personal touch. Most veterinarian offices today are owned or being bought by large corporations, which often values serving a large quantity of patience over care giving care with compassion. It’s often hard to get the same veterinarian for all appointments, too, which mean continuity of care for the pets they see is often lost, sometimes leading to misdiagnosis. Tune in and listen as Dr. Ezra explains how his veterinarian practice focuses on pet care in a compassionate setting. His clinic, is “dedicated to delivering the highest standard of medical care that your pet rightfully deserves”. As a bonus, we’ll also be discussing how Acupuncture for our pets has changed many pets’ lives for the better.EPISODE NOTES: Breaking the Corporate Mold: A Vet Who Puts Pets First Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

As cat owners, we all want to give our feline friends the best life possible. We’re careful about the food, treats, and toys we choose to keep them happy and healthy. But what about their teeth? Dental health is one area that often gets overlooked, and trust me, I’ve been guilty of that myself! So today, I’m super excited to chat with Dr. Greg Reinhart, Chief Scientific Officer at Pet Honesty, to dive into how we can keep our cats' teeth and gums in tip-top shape. Let's get those kitty smiles sparkling! EPISODE NOTES: Feline Dental Health Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

Welcome back to the 19 Cats and Counting Show! After a brief hiatus, Rita Reimers, Cat Behavior Trainer, is back to talk about all things cat. Today Rita will talk about the changes at 19 Cats and her new company and will also talk about what’s coming up on future show. Rita will also do an overview about Understanding Cat Behavior and discuss how she almost made the wrong life & death decision about her cat Oliver, based on an incorrect diagnosis by a veterinarian. Don’t worry; Oliver is fine now, but he almost wasn’t. Second opinions are always wise before you take an action that can never be undone.EPISODE NOTES: Back in the Cat Seat: Rita’s Return and Oliver’s Close Call Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

What do you do when there are so many community cats outside, and they keep having more and more kittens? If you’re Jan Leonard, you don’t wait for someone to fix the problem: you create your own solution. Backwoods TNR is a non-profit organization in Clinton, Louisiana, was created by Jan when she saw that no one else was helping these cats. Their mission is to reduce overpopulation, promote the welfare of and improve the lives of free-roaming feral, stray, homeless, and abandoned cats and the people who care for them. Listen in as Rita and Linda talk with Jan about her all-volunteer non-profit, providing TNR at no charge to her community.EPISODE NOTES: Trap, Neuter, Revolution: How One Woman’s Mission Transformed a Town Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

Do you believe in animal communicators? Linda was skeptical and Rita did not think it was possible, until we met Kara Udziela from Pets Eye View. Kara told us things she could not have known! So what's the point? What if we told you a good animal communicator can tell you about pain and illnesses your cat is hiding? What if you were accidentally doing something that hurt or bothered your cat? Would you want to know? These are just a few examples of what Kara helps us with, as well as energy.EPISODE NOTES: Animal Communicator Kara of Pet’s Eye View Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

FIP affects 1 - 2 percent of the cat population. Historically, 96% of cats with FIP did not survive. While it is not common for cats to develop FIP, all cats are at risk, even if they are kept indoors. Peter Cohen's beloved cat, Smoky was diagnosed with FIP at 17 weeks and was one of the first cats to be cured with an experimental trial. To honor Smoky and to save others, he founded Zen by Cat to work with countless other FIP warriors to fund research and help those in need. Join us as we find out more about FIP, where it stands today and what is still needed to permanently end FIP and its devastating effects on us and our cats.EPISODE NOTES: Saving Smoky: How One Cat Sparked a Movement to Cure FIPBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

So, you’ve decided to have more than one cat. Congratulations! You’ve officially leveled up in the game of feline companionship. While single-cat life has its perks, nothing beats the chaos, comedy, and cuddles of a multi-cat household. But let’s be honest—living with multiple cats isn’t all synchronized purring and Instagram-worthy group naps. It’s also territorial tiffs, litter box logistics, and a constant battle for the best sunbeam real estate. Join Linda and Rita as they talk about living with 12 and 18 cats respectively, and how they manage to keep peace among the felines.EPISODE NOTES: Multi-Cat HouseholdsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

Spring is coming up fast, and with spring comes kitten season. With rescues and shelters already overpopulated, what is the answer? Preventing those kittens from being born in the first place. Join Linda and Rita as they talk with Brianna Lovell Myers, Director of United Spay Alliance and their Fix By Five initiative. Find out how United Spay Alliance is helping to make spay/neuter more accessible and affordable by training veterinarians on the latest and most efficient cost-saving techniques. As quoted on their website: "Spaying or neutering a cat or dog is one of the most important actions any of us can take to prevent animal suffering, cruelty, and neglect. United Spay Alliance strives to make affordable, accessible, and timely spay/neuter services available nationwide. We do this by working with a national network of state and local spay/neuter referral organizations, by carrying out research, education, and public outreach initiatives, and by advocating for strong public policy on spay/neuter."EPISODE NOTES: Spay/Neuter Saves LivesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

There’s no doubt that raw food for our cats and dogs has arguably been the number one choice, touted by veterinarians and pet experts alike. Closer to what cats and dogs would eat in nature, the benefits of feeding raw range from improved appetite, weight management, and healthier skin and coats. However, our love of the raw diet has now been tarnished. H5N1, aka Bird Flu, has been found in numerous raw meals, causing illness and even death in a few cases. The FDA is demanding better control over the manufacture of raw pet foods, while the AVMA says “Feline susceptibility to H5N1 is a cause for vigilance.” Steve Dale is here to help us understand what is happening in the pet food industry: is raw food still a good choice for our cats, or do we go back to traditional cooked meals for our cats? Let’s find out…EPISODE NOTES: Feeding Fears: Bird Flu and the Raw Diet DebateBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

Have you ever considered doing TNR (Trap Neuter Return) or maybe fostering some cats while they wait for their furr-ever homes? There are many well-known people in the world of TNR and fostering, like Sterling Davis the Trap King and Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw. They commit their days to these tasks, and we are thankful for them. But what if you want to help, but you can't commit to helping full time? Or you don’t have resources? Rita and Linda are joined by Rachel Comte, who decided to help when and where she can. She's here with Rita and Linda to discuss how she is helping by doing some part time TNR and fostering and making a big impact in her neighborhood. EPISODE NOTES: Rachel Comte - TNR and FosteringBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.