Gut Guardians: Exploring the Gut Microbiome's Influence on Pet Health

Just like many of us, innovators in veterinary medicine are discovering the potential—and pitfalls—of artificial intelligence (AI), which is already having a transformative effect on the profession and industry. In this thought-provoking VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi hosts Aaron Massecar, executive director of the Veterinary Innovation Council, as they explore a host of areas where the impact of AI is being felt. They discuss some of the applications where it is more commonly used, such as scribing software and radiology interpretation, as well as some of the potential uses for AI, including wellbeing initiatives and monitoring for signs of burnout. They also delve into the potential long-term impacts of incorporating AI into our daily lives and what this might mean for the future.

Transcription technology is a powerful tool in the veterinary setting. Scribenote is an AI-powered medical scribe that helps veterinarians streamline their documentation process and improve their work-life balance by automatically generating medical records, recording client communications, creating team meeting notes and more. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, you’ll learn what’s new at Scribenote, including improved security functionality and compliance efforts such as automatic data retention policies and SOC 2 cybersecurity compliance initiatives. Discover what the future looks like and how you can start incorporating transcription technology into your practice today.

Degenerative or myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is a common canine cardiac disease. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we discuss the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in order to slow the progression of this disease. Listen in as we chat about MMVD, from diagnosis through the preclinical stages of the disease. We review diagnostics that can be helpful in assessing this disease, such as thoracic radiographs and echocardiography, and what information can be obtained from each. We’ll also explore how the treatment plan may change once the patient is symptomatic. Want to earn CE from this episode? Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/treatment-of-preclinical-mitral-valve-disease-in-your-practice-podcast-quiz

Therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiome offer veterinarians promising interventions for managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. Tune in to this informative VetFolio Voice podcast episode to earn CE while learning about the important role of the gut-kidney axis in managing feline CKD. We address gut dysbiosis and its link to the accumulation of gut-derived uremic toxins in feline CKD patients, as well as options for caregivers that are unable to feed a renal therapeutic diet. Earn CE while learning about the importance of conducting a good history and asking open-ended questions in getting to the root cause of a behavioral issue. Want to earn CE from this episode? Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/update-on-management-of-feline-chronic-kidney-disease-podcast-quiz

We’ve all encountered them in practice: The myths surrounding reptile husbandry and medicine. The myths run the gamut, from believing carrot juice baths will help a reptile with a Vitamin A deficiency, reptiles don’t need water, and snakes need help shedding their skin. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, we set the record straight: Soaking reptiles in carrot juice does nothing for their health and only results in an orange, sticky lizard and even desert reptiles need water, and reptiles do not usually need help shedding. Tune in to learn how to educate well-meaning but misinformed pet owners with empathy as well as understand that the concepts and principles important in dog and cat medicine also apply to working up and treating reptiles and other exotic species.

Globally, thousands of people die every year from the canine variant of rabies. In the United States, a 2023 federal ban on dogs entering the U.S. from countries with a high risk of canine rabies was implemented in order to reduce the infection risk in the country. Tune in to this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast as Dr. Cassi explores the global rise of canine-variant rabies virus, the increasing number of human deaths from rabies, and the impact this has on veterinarians practicing in the U.S. Learn about the federal regulations on dog importation into the U.S., as well as the variation in state rabies laws/regulations that directly affect decisions made in clinical practice.

How knowledgeable are you about the gastrointestinal microbiome? This complex and crucial community of microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses and fungi—live within an animal's body and is essential for digestion, immune system regulation, energy metabolism and more. Tune in to this insightful VetFolio Voice podcast episode and learn about the role of the gut microbiome on body systems, GI disease and weight management, plus find out how nutrition, nutritional support and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) influence it.

Veterinary practitioners know that a host of diseases and medical issues, including osteoarthritis or polyphagia, might be the cause of behavioral changes in feline patients, but is there a surefire way to determine whether a cat’s behavior is due to a medical or behavioral cause? There isn’t, but starting with client communication and asking the right questions about the patient’s behavioral history can help you understand what our enigmatic feline patients are trying to tell us. in this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi chats with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel about certain behaviors cats exhibit that are perceived by owners as behavioral issues, when they are instead indicative of an underlying medical problem (for example, a cat who is polyphagic digging through the trash or a cat urinating outside the litterbox due to pain from OA or from being declawed). Earn CE while learning about the importance of conducting a good history and asking open-ended questions in getting to the root cause of a behavioral issue. Want to earn CE from this episode? Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/the-cat-conundrum-unveiling-health-clues-in-feline-behavior-podcast-quiz

Lunchbox items—such as grapes, caffeine, chocolate and peanut butter (xylitol)—as well as seasonal hazards—Halloween candy, Thanksgiving food and Christmas decorations (such as salt dough ornaments and old school bubble lights)—can poison pets or be hazardous to them. In this important VetFolio Voice podcast episode, we focus on the common culprits found in our everyday lives that can harm our pets and our patients. We also delve into plant and pasture toxins, such as lilies for cats, sago palm for dogs, and azaleas, oleander, etc. for grazing animals. We also provide tips for effective client communication—helping pet owners understand what’s an immediate problem versus what they can monitor at home, key ingredients to look for in toxic substances, and how to navigate financial concerns around treatment.

The best imaging modality for veterinary patients depends on the issue being evaluated and the patient’s needs. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we delve into the types of imaging modalities available to veterinary patients, such as radiographs, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While radiographs and ultrasound tend to be more common and accessible in private practice, CT is becoming more readily available. We explore sampling, including ultrasound guided sampling vs CT guided sampling, and discuss when MRI would be indicated over CT. Learn about the strengths and limitations of each modality, as well as common misperceptions about each.