Ask the Vet

Dr. Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Catherine Ruggiero, a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist, and Manager of Scientific Communications at Hills Pet Nutrition. Tune in as they discuss: 

• Why Dr. Ruggiero wanted to become a veterinarian and focus on nutrition
• Tips on what to feed your pet
• Reliable sources for pet food nutrition information
• Common problems with homemade diets for pets
• What terms like "natural" and "limited ingredients" mean on pet food labels
• Why it's good to keep the original pet food packaging you purchased
• The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and their role in the pet food industry
• Ways to help keep your dog or cat at the right weight

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about how a cement barrier couldn't keep rescue dogs Brenda and Linda apart
• Animal news, including the bond between a scuba diver and a small mouth bass
• Listener Q&A 

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with her colleague, Dr. Kelly Muller, intern and future resident at AMC. Veterinary interns are fully-licensed veterinarians who have chosen to complete advanced training, often in preparation for a residency and board certification. Listen as they discuss:

• When Dr. Muller knew she wanted to become a veterinarian
• How Dr. Muller’s internship year is helping her become a specialist in neurology
• What makes an internship at AMC especially valuable
• Dr. Muller’s goals for her upcoming residency
• What Dr. Muller would like listeners to know about veterinary internships

Dr. Hohenhaus also interviews Anne and Andrew Zeneski, volunteers with Pilots N Paws, a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to transporting rescue pets to their forever homes. Tune in to hear: 

• How Pilots N Paws helps rescue animals 
• Where dogs commonly fly to and from 
• Why student pilots make great volunteers 
• How Pilots N Paws connects with animals in need 
• Anne’s in-flight role 
• Spreading the word about Pilots N Paws 

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animals, including how Oddball and his human, Swampy Marsh, helped save Little Penguins in Australia’s Middle Island
• Animal news, including the rescue animals who had their own shining moment at the Met Gala, and the birth of a pair of the world’s rarest piglets
• Listener Q&A 

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Sarah-Elizabeth Byosiere, Director of the Thinking Dog Center at Hunter College, about new research into the behavior and cognition of domestic dogs. Listen as they discuss:

• The origins of Dr. Byosiere's research interests
• The interdisciplinary and translational nature of dog cognition research
• The history of dog cognition as an academic field
• The pre-historic origins of canine domestication and breeding
• The multi-species work being done at Hunter College's Animal Behavior & Conservation Program
• Practical considerations of studying dog cognition
• Sample research projects and results
• Button mats that allow dogs to "talk"
• How dogs have been "talking" to us this whole time, but we just haven't been listening

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animals, including Murphy the bald eagle, his pet rock, and his foster baby eagle
• Animal news, including Cinnamon the goat & Felix the dog; Moggie's retirement village for cats; dogs' unique "nose prints"
• Listener Q&A

Email [email protected] to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Karen Shaw Becker, a veterinarian who empowers pet owners to enhance the wellbeing of their animals. Dr. Becker believes in a common sense approach to maintaining vibrant companion animals and an unconventional, integrative approach to addressing disease. Tune in as they discuss:

• How Dr. Becker got started  as a veterinarian
• The catalyst for her book, "The Forever Dog - Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer"
• How genetics and environmental factors impact canine health and longevity
• The D.O.G.S. strategy 
• Planning for dog health issues based on genetic predispositions
• Customizing your dog's exercise plan for their physical and mental needs
• The lifestyle factor that the oldest dogs in the world have in common

Also on this month's show:

• How loyal pup Ruby saved her human's life - twice!
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Email [email protected] to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Jill Rappaport, a journalist, author, producer, and passionate animal advocate especially for senior pets, pitties, and those with special needs. Tune in as they discuss:

• What we can learn from our animals
• The special story of Jack & Jill: The Miracle Dog with a Happy Tail to Tell
• The joys of giving a rescue animal a new life
• How Jill helped Christie Brinkley adopt her "fourth child"
• The impact of the pandemic on animal shelters
• How bully breeds are misunderstood
• The many ways that fostering is transformative for animals and people
• Jill's line of pet products and how they help animals

Also on this month's show:

• How a lost rescue pup used her sense of direction and technology for help
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Email [email protected] to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of our AMC to the Rescue Fund, which provides subsidized specialty care to rescue animals whose health is an obstacle to their adoption. This fund has helped over 600 animals, partnered with over 146 rescues, and provided over $1.6 million in donated care to help pets find forever homes. In honor of this anniversary, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Katherine Good, co-founder of The Good Life Dog Rescue in New York City. Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Katherine started an animal rescue group
• What a rescue group does to help animals
• Where can people interested in adopting a pet find a rescue group?
• Why AMC to the Rescue was formed
• How AMC to the Rescue helped Bo Casper and Gus
• Ways to volunteer for an animal rescue
• The increase of relinquished dogs and the slower pace of adoptions
• What Katherine would like people to know about rescue animals

Also on this month's show:

• The Pallas's cats found living on Mount Everest
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Email [email protected] to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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In this episode, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Leslie Lyons, a feline geneticist and professor of comparative medicine at the Missouri University College of Veterinary Medicine. Tune in as they discuss:

• What inspired Leslie to become interested in genetics
• Leslie's feline companions
• How Leslie pinpointed where cats first became pets
• Where cats were first purposely bred
• The genetic similarities between cats and people
• Using cats as a biomedical model to better understand and treat hereditary diseases
• Genes and cat coat patterns

Learn more about Dr. Lyons' research at the Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory.

Also on this month's show:

• A moose sheds his antlers in Alaska
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Email [email protected] to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Kathryn Coyne, who is retiring after twelve years as AMC's President and CEO. Tune in as they discuss:

• Kate's backstory and how she came to AMC
• How running an animal hospital compares to a human hospital
• Kate's first impressions as President and CEO
• The biggest changes during Kate's leadership
• One of Kate's fondest memories
• What will Kate miss about AMC?

Also on this month's show:

• Mahale the chimpanzee's heartwarming reunion with her newborn baby
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Call us toll-free and leave a message to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A: 866-993-8267

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Jessica Mejia who was named Schwarzman Animal Medical Center's 2022 Licensed Veterinary Technician of the Year for her exceptional care, compassion, and collaborative spirit. Tune in as they discuss:

• Jessica's six pets and where they came from
• How Jessica became a veterinary technician
• NYC area programs for veterinary technicians
• What has changed over the last 20 years since Jessica started working at AMC
• The responsibilities of AMC technicians
• What happens when a patient is under anesthesia
• Jessica's favorite animal patients
• Why Jessica loves AMC's Interventional Radiology Service

Also on this month's show:

• Larry the Cat, Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street, UK, defends his territory
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Call us toll-free and leave a message to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A: 866-993-8267

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AMC's Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Lisa Weeth, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, about pet food and nutrition to help your pet live a long, healthy life. Tune in as they discuss:

• Dr. Weeth's lifelong love of veterinary medicine and her career path as a veterinary nutritionist
• The importance of nutrition in the health of pets
• The pet food manufacturing process and quality assurance measures
• What to look for when buying pet food
• Why you should avoid vegan diets for pets, especially for cats
• Misconceptions about cooking for your pet
• Precautions to take with raw food diets
• Dr. Weeth's recent lecture for AMC's Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education

Also on this month's show:

• The heart-warming relationship between George the lion and his caretaker, Shandor
• Animal news
• AMC's 5th Annual Celebration of Life: Pet Memorial Event
• Listener Q&A
• Upcoming events at AMC's Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education

Call us toll-free and leave a message to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A: 866-993-8267

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