If your dog or cat is part of the family and you want to know how to best care for them then be sure to head over to The Call The Vet Show - the number one podcast for all pet lovers! Remember to subscribe, and I cant wait to see you there. Listen on your favorite podcast app here - https://ourpetshealth.com/listen

Once the shock of a new litter of puppies arriving on the scene has passed (and it always takes some adjustment no matter how prepared you are!), chances are you’re going to start thinking about starting to wean the puppies. It is however vital not to wean your puppy too early, and instead have a clear step-by-step plan. After all, proper nutrition is vital for growth, immunity and all-round development. It couldn’t be more important in the first few months of a puppies life. Full show notes Free guide to keeping your pet as healthy as possible - get it now

While it’s much too early for anyone to answer this with any degree of certainty, there actually is some evidence that CBD oil may benefit dogs with dementia. CBD oil is getting huge publicity at the moment for the treatment of all manner of different diseases and ailments, both in people and in our pets. The scientific community is also interested, with more evidence becoming available to show that CBD oil can benefit dogs with certain conditions. That is not to say that CBD oil will be appropriate for every dog suffering from cognitive dysfunction. Nor should you ignore all of the other treatment options and management strategies that may benefit your dog. Check out the show notes for everything you need to know about dementia in dogs

It can be really concerning to see your cat pooping blood, blood in their stool, or in the litter tray. But is it really as serious as you might think? Blood in a cat’s stool is often accompanied by mucus, a little bit of clear jelly mixed in with the poop. This is a sign of colitis which is simply an inflammation lower down in the intestinal tract in the colon, rather than up high in the small intestine close to the stomach. The good news, if this is the case, is that colitis is pretty much always caused by a problem within the intestine itself rather than a disease in the rest of the body (such as kidney failure or liver disease). There are eight main reasons that your cat could be pooping blood, either mixed in or on the surface of their stool. Head over to the full show notes and check out my other podcast "Call the Vet".

Bleach is used in all kinds of products around the house. And with bleach poisoning in dogs, the emergency action and home treatment you give if your dog drinks bleach can make all the difference. Full show notes here

There is little worse than your dog or cat suffering from a disease or injury that could have easily been prevented, but unfortunately, as a veterinarian, I see cases like this every single day. Preventative health is so important, and only takes a little bit of thought and planning. This is why I produced my FREE 5 step guide that you can download for free here

With firework season fast approaching, now is the time to come up with a management strategy that will help your dog or cat stay calm during fireworks and also keep them safe. It is really important to take action and come up with a clear plan for any pet (dog or cat) that suffers from any behavioral issue. Ignoring a noise phobia, or any other issue, is only going to make it harder to manage in the future and the problem is also likely to become worse. Further resources mentioned: my charity calendar! Helping dogs with a firework phobia Keeping cats calm during fireworks McCann Professional Dog Trainers Canine Arthritis Management

For those of us for whom their pet is a vital family member, it is easy to see the benefits that our dog or cat (or any other pet for that matter) brings to our lives. The actual overall benefit, however, may be less clear-cut than you imagine. And, as a veterinarian, I can tell you from first-hand experience some of the stress that pets can cause which could impact your mental health. Let me explain… Full show notes here

It is a common perception that veterinarians earn a fortune and that they are able to fund really extravagant lifestyles. But just how much do vets make? How does this relate to the amount of debt that they graduate vet school with? And how does a veterinary salary compare to other professions? Full show notes

If your cat goes outside, the chances are that you have seen them eating grass. You may have even seen grass in their vomit. But cats aren't cows, so why do cats eat grass? Eating grass is a really common activity for cats. In fact, over 7 out of 10 cats are reported by their owners to regularly enjoy tucking into a meal of the green stuff. There’s a good chance then that your cat is also a grass muncher, whether you see them or not! Here's why...full show notes here

Being a veterinarian is not just about cuddling puppies and kittens all day. There is a dark side to the profession. There are some really difficult, challenging, and at times upsetting parts to being a part of this profession. I think it is important that everyone is aware that being a vet is not all the sunshine and rainbows it’s portrayed to be on popular TV shows and glossy Instagram posts. Full show notes: the pros + cons of being a veterinarian

Being a veterinarian can be an incredibly rewarding job. Let me take you into my world as a companion animal GP vet as I discuss the five things I enjoy best about being a veterinarian. Full show notes at ourpetshealth.com/info/being-a-veterinarian

If you are dealing with a sick pet then there is a real chance you might be becoming stressed, depressed, anxious or even angry.  All of these will affect YOUR quality of life so it is important you look after YOU!  The syndrome known as "caregiver burden" is well recognized in people who care for chronically ill family members, but it has only more recently been recognized in owners who have to look after sick pets. Show notes - ourpetshealth.com/info/caregiver-burden

If your dog enjoys swimming, or if you're going on long hikes and they're drinking from lakes and from streams, then at this time of year you really need to know all about blue-green algae poisoning in dogs. Blue-green algae can kill a dog within 15 minutes. It produces toxins that stop the nerves working or destroy the liver. The main risk period is late summer and early autumn when water levels are low and warm - perfect for blue-green algae growth. Check out my complete guide to blue-green algae poisoning in dogs

Just how similar are dogs to their closest relation - the gray wolf? The evolution of dogs from wolves is not as straight forward as you might believe. Just how similar are dogs and wolves? Are they really such close relatives that your dog could easily revert back to their ancestral form, or are the differences more than skin deep? Full show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/dog-evolution

 If you are coming up to retirement, or if you are already retired, and you’re thinking about getting a new dog then there are some of the questions that you need to ask yourself when you are thinking about what the best dog for retirement is. Retirement and senior living can bring a specific set of challenges and opportunities. It is really important for you and your new dog that you plan and consider all of your options carefully. Here are some considerations, as well as the best dog breed suggestions! Full show notes: ourpetshealth.com/info/best-retirement-dog

 There are a number of different reasons why a dog pants. Some of them are normal. Some of them are signs of serious diseases. If your dog has started panting all the time and you’re wondering why they are panting so much, then I've got the nine main reasons that you need to think about. A simple examination by your vet may be enough to diagnose the problem or give the AOK, but if there is something that needs treating, an early diagnosis could make all the difference in how successful this will be for your dog Full show notes - ourpetshealth.com/info/dog-panting-causes

Not all pets find forever homes. To make matters worse, up to 25% of dogs and cats entering the shelter system get euthanized. Find out what you can do to stop these dogs and cats being killed. It is a responsibility we all have! Show notes:  https://ourpetshealth.com/info/shelter-euthanasia 

 Are grain-free diets causing dogs to die of heart failure? The answer is yes, but it is now clear that lentils, peas and potato are also major problem ingredients. These are the facts you need to know if your dog is eating a grain free diet. Full show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/is-grain-free-dog-food-killing-our-pets

It's vital every dog owner learns these 5 main signs and symptoms of heatstroke in dogs. Heat stroke can kill and it can kill incredibly quickly, so picking up on the fact that your dog is starting to overheat early can save their life! Free hot weather dog care guide: https://ourpetshealth.com/summerdogcare Show notes - https://ourpetshealth.com/info/dog-heatstroke-symptoms