Strengthening the Human-Animal Bond Through Communication, Trust and Technology

Understanding the deep human-animal bond is no longer just beneficial—it is essential to modern veterinary practice. This joint VetFolio Voice podcast discussion with Chewy Health and HABRI explores new research on the evolving human-animal bond and what it means for today’s veterinary teams. Drawing from insights gathered from more than 2,000 U.S. pet owners, the conversation highlights how communication, trust, and technology can strengthen the veterinary-client relationship, improve satisfaction, and better support modern pet owners—especially younger generations—throughout the pet health journey.

Pet owners want their cats to live long, vibrant lives, yet many well-meaning owners are unknowingly contributing to chronic health issues with every meal. Proper nutritional management is one of the most important factors in managing health and disease in cats. The veterinary healthcare team should be the preferred, expert source of the best nutritional information for pets. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, learn how proper nutritional management is one of the most important factors in maximizing health, performance and longevity in cats, in addition to managing disease conditions. This episode delves into the physiology and behavior of feeding cats, how this integrates with current owner feeding practices, and provides tips to ensure cats are getting the nutrients they need.

When bacterial pneumonia in a dog or cat is treated and managed appropriately, the prognosis for most patients is good. This episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast reviews common causes of bacterial pneumonia in dogs and cats, including aspiration and infectious causes. Dr. Cassi and Dr. Lori Waddell discuss the importance of the patient’s signalment and history in assessing risk factors for the various causes of pneumonia. Diagnostics, including thoracic radiographs and airway sampling–its usefulness and indications—as well as choosing empirical antibiotic therapy are also explored.

Unlike a simple infection with a clear-cut cure, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory, chronic condition with complex causes. Treating it with a one-size-fits-all approach is like trying to put a Yorkshire terrier’s sweater on a Great Dane—it will not work. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, discover the nuances in treating atopic dermatitis and finding the best fit for the individual patient. We explore how to alleviate pruritus while ruling out pruritic diseases that mimic atopy. Join us as we go from syndrome to solution in providing relief for your patients with CAD.

The data from a capnograph can help you identify complications or problems during veterinary anesthesia earlier than other monitoring methods, improving the safety of your patients. Tune in to this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to learn about the benefits of incorporating real-time continuous monitoring of CO2 with capnography in veterinary anesthesia as well as related physiology, equipment variations and troubleshooting errors. You’ll give your patients the best possible outcome when you understand the significance of a capnograph’s data!

The most common heart disease in cats, feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often progresses silently until it causes serious complications such as congestive heart failure or sudden death. While current treatments manage symptoms, new therapies targeting the underlying disease process offer promise for preclinical feline patients. In this CE episode of our VetFolio Voice podcast, we delve into feline HCM, including a review of patient characteristics, diagnosis and treatment as well as explore new, breakthrough therapies for preclinical HCM that show promise for managing this challenging disease.

Dental nerve blocks can enhance a veterinary patient’s well-being during a dental procedure. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, you’ll learn about the benefits of dental blocks as additional analgesia during these procedures, techniques for administering them, complications and how to avoid them, and what medications to use alone and in combination. Tune in to this episode and take the first step in mastering dental nerve blocks.

The clock is ticking the minute a critically ill patient arrives in your clinic and requires long-term venous access. The choice between a traditional central venous catheter (CVC) and a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is more than just a matter of location; it’s a decision that impacts everything you do for the patient. Tune in to this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to navigate the ins and outs of each option—including central line and PICC line differences and advantages, where they can be utilized best, what to monitor for and how to sample from a central line—so that you can make the most informed choice for these patients.

Veterinarians, veterinary technicians/nurses and pet owners all have a crucial role to play when it comes to pets and pain management, including pain assessment, diagnosis, patient monitoring and care. Tune in to the episode of this VetFolio Voice podcast as Dr. Cassi chats with Mary Ellen Goldberg about the importance of taking a collaborative approach, communication and the role of tools—such as videos—in accurately assessing a patient. Learn about objective measures, such as clinical metrology instruments, and the importance of tailoring treatment plans to patients. They also briefly cover medications and modalities, such as NSAIDs, Adequan, acupuncture, TENs units, Assisi loops, cold laser, physical therapy, and more.

The journey to a different career path in veterinary medicine can offer a renewed sense of purpose. But for a veterinary professional contemplating a career change, the challenge often involves navigating the barriers in pivoting to a new professional identity. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Cassi and Dr. Tannetje Crocker share their personal stories about moving between large animal work, small animal primary care, house calls and small animal emergency practice, among other career shifts. They explore the challenges, doubts and fears they faced during transitions and the lessons learned along the way as well as their experiences evaluating opportunities, weighing trade-offs and trusting their instincts.