It could be a bug bite. Or a harmless fatty lump. But it might be a mast cell tumor. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we delve into mast cell tumors in dogs, including the unpredictable nature of these tumors, nuances around interpretation of cytology and histopathology reports, cytologic grading accuracy, and options for therapy including surgery, chemo, radiation and Stelfonta, an injectable mast cell tumor treatment for dogs. You’ll learn about staging considerations and the role of newer prognostic panels as well as strategies for client communication about mast cell disease.

The tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is normally found in rodents and other wild animals, such as coyotes and foxes, but it can affect dogs and even humans, posing a real threat to both. Despite historically being an endemic country for E. multilocularis, recent data suggests that this disease is emerging in a new way in the U.S. A potentially new strain is spreading into different wildlife reservoirs and new areas of the country. While new diagnostics are helping us identify more cases in dogs, the whole risk picture is still unclear. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we talk about how this disease affects dogs, the best current diagnostic techniques, treatment options and how to protect pets and people!

What are the benefits of in-house blood film review? Oh, let us count the ways: less guesswork, faster diagnosis, better patient care, reduced client anxiety and more. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we dive into the essentials of blood film review in the veterinary clinic, highlighting best practices and quality assurance strategies. We explore common challenges and share tips to improve your technique and boost your diagnostic confidence in daily practice.

Assistive device is a broad term that encompasses a wide array of tools and equipment designed to improve the health, comfort and mobility of animals. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we explore assistive devices for stifle disease. We examine the types of stifle injuries that can be helped by an assistive device, as well as the intended purpose of different assistive devices and why they can be beneficial for managing certain conditions and be inappropriate in others. You’ll also learn about the pitfalls when it comes to choosing an assistive device and the pros and cons of this type of management compared to surgical intervention.

It’s a common occurrence (and mistake): A veterinarian decides to open their own practice, thinking it will lead to success. The issues related to this E-Myth in VetMed (the “e” stands for entrepreneurship) can be avoided when you focus on planning and developing processes and systems that allow entrepreneurial veterinary professionals to provide reliable, predictable outcomes for the patients that come through their doors. Having systems in place can help optimize the client experience, elevate the level of medicine practiced, and increase staff retention and job satisfaction. Tune into this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to learn about implementing a problem-solving approach to systems and ideas in your practice and discover where this way of thinking might take us in the future.

Talking about treatment costs with pet owners can be uncomfortable. For many clients, there is a growing gap in the ability to afford veterinary care, which threatens the sustainability of veterinary practices and exacerbates moral distress for veterinary care teams that are unable to provide pets with needed care. This can result in pets going without care, being surrendered or being euthanized. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, learn how Open Door Veterinary Collective developed and tested a financial triage process that veterinary teams can use to identify clients’ financial needs so they can be matched with a pay-over-time option that helps them afford and accept recommended diagnostic and treatment plans.

In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we sit down with Ron Sosa, Executive Director of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference and founder of Syn-APT Neuroinclusive Leadership, to explore what it means to lead with inclusion in mind, especially when supporting neurodivergent professionals in veterinary medicine. Ron shares personal insights and practical strategies for recognizing traits, such as justice sensitivity, executive dysfunction and rejection sensitive dysphoria, not just as shortcomings but also as signals that call for empathy and adaptation. We dive deep into the concept of masking, how neurodivergence is often misunderstood or mislabeled as "toxic," and why embracing difference isn’t just kind but it’s also essential to the future of veterinary leadership. Whether you’re neurodivergent, managing someone who is or simply curious about creating more psychologically safe workplaces, this conversation offers tools, frameworks and a refreshing new lens on what it means to lead well in VetMed.

Phosphorus control is crucial in managing canine and feline chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly in cats. Because the disease is progressive and incurable, monitoring a cat with CKD is vitally important. With early detection and management, you can significantly extend your patient's lifespan and maintain a good quality of life. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, we delve into the monitoring of CKD in cats—including assessing Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA), proteinuria and blood pressure—and how phosphorus can get lost in the shuffle, especially if it is within the normal reference range. Learn why it is important to continue to actively monitor and manage phosphorus since it is a disease accelerant even before the concentration leaves the normal reference range. We discuss the pathophysiology behind hyperphosphatemia, how to effectively monitor phosphorous levels in order to be able to intervene early, options for managing hyperphosphatemia and updates to the IRIS guidelines.

Cats are notorious for hiding discomfort and pain. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we explore the behavioral and physical cues that a feline patient in chronic pain will exhibit and the importance of the owner's recognition of subtle changes and signs that may be noticeable only to them. You'll also learn about pain-management options and alternatives for treating a cat who is a master at disguising its pain.

Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for obtaining a good clinical outcome for veterinary patients with acquired myasthenia gravis. Tune in to this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to learn how it’s diagnosed and what treatment options are available. Host Dr. Cassi and guest Dr. Lauren Downey Koos also engage in a bigger conversation regarding neuromuscular disease.

Do you struggle with helping pet owners understand the medical information about their pet’s atopic dermatitis diagnosis or to comply with the treatment plan you’ve created to manage it? In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, we go “beyond the itch” and chat about effective client communication when it comes to atopic dermatitis. We explore how complicated and nuanced this condition tends to be, illustrating why effective, informative and empathetic communication with clients is so important. Dr. Lancellotti tells Dr. Cassi how she designs her discharges to give clients a clear breakdown of the management plan and the function of each therapeutic recommendation. They delve into how additional tools can be useful, such as pre-written snippets and templates about atopic dermatitis, as well as providing other sources of information, including owner-facing podcasts, to help get information into owner’s hands and help answer their questions in the most efficient way possible.

Increasing numbers of people are getting backyard chickens and are coming to veterinarians with questions. And that's where you play a crucial role in keeping backyard chicken flocks healthy. As a general practitioner, are you confident in the care you provide to these patients? Tune in to this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast and learn why chickens are great patients to work with if you are just starting in avian medicine. Dr. Cassi and Dr. Proenca delve into some of the aspects that need to be considered: the equipment that can help make working on chickens a bit easier, how our choice of medications needs to be guided by food animal standards and anesthesia. They demonstrate how we all possess much of the necessary knowledge to make good decisions for our patients, and how applying the same systematic thinking we apply to species we are not familiar with can readily extend to other species and allow us to treat our patients successfully—with care and compassion. Hit subscribe to keep up with our latest VetFolio Voice podcast episodes!

Are you using fluorescent light therapy as a noninvasive treatment for dermatological conditions in your patients? In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, learn about fluorescent light energy and how it can accelerate healing, its mechanism of action, different applications such as post-operative incisions and pyodermas, and the research that shows the impact of fluorescent light therapy in helping to shorten the duration of antibiotic therapy in conditions such as deep pyoderma. You'll also learn about antimicrobial stewardship and the importance of complementary therapies, such as light therapy, in reducing antimicrobial use as well as enhancing antimicrobial effectiveness. Get tips for implementing fluorescent light therapy in a busy practice and how it can be a profitable and rewarding therapy to offer to pets and their owners.

There are so many benefits to enacting the PAW Act—People and Animals Well-being Act. This act would allow pet owners to use their HSA and FSA accounts to pay for up to $1,000 for veterinary care (or a pet health insurance plan) and allow for an unlimited amount of those funds for service animals. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we explore the important role that pets play in our lives, including how they contribute to our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and how not being able to provide healthcare to pets due to financial reasons takes a toll on pets, pet owners and veterinary professionals. We discuss the challenges around access to care and the solutions aimed at increasing access to care, including the PAW Act, to improve quality of life for pets—and by extension, people. Tune in to learn how you can help support this bill and take additional political steps to help promote continued access to high-quality veterinary care for our pets.

There are unique challenges for veterinarians in managing otitis externa due to the many factors and causes related to it, the potential for it to become chronic, and the need for long-term management strategies. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, you’ll learn about some of the unique characteristics of yeast otitis externa, including that, as a rule, yeast in the ear tends to be easier to kill than bacteria and how keeping them from recurring presents its own set of unique challenges. You’ll explore the differences among ear cleaners and practical applications for each type of cleaner. You’ll get tips for low-stress handling of the patient with painful ears and for client communication around managing allergies and yeast otitis. You’ll also learn about DuOtic from Dechra, a new, antibiotic-free tool to combat canine otitis externa that has a prolonged duration of efficacy. Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/understanding-and-treating-yeast-otitis-externa-podcast-quiz

Canine pancreatitis remains a clinical challenge due to its varied presentation, complex pathophysiology, and potential for rapid deterioration. In this episode, we explore diagnostic strategies—including imaging and biomarker-based approaches—and review the foundational treatments of fluid therapy, analgesia, antiemetics, and nutritional support. We also highlight emerging therapies, with a focus on Panoquell-CA1 (fuzapladib sodium for injection), the first FDA conditionally approved drug designed to target inflammation in dogs with acute pancreatitis. Tune in as we unpack the science, share clinical insights, and discuss how this novel treatment may enhance multimodal care for this serious condition.

Canine otitis externa is one of the most common conditions veterinarians treat. Tune in to this CE episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to learn essential tips for antimicrobial treatment selection, how to prevent frustrating recurrences and effective strategies for long-term ear health maintenance. You’ll also get information about Merck Animal Health’s new otic product, Mometamax Single, a convenient, single-dose treatment for canine patients with otitis externa. Be sure to log into VetFolio and take the quiz to qualify for your CE credit! https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/dont-fear-the-ear-mastering-canine-otitis-externa-jbqh

Confused about pet insurance? You're not alone—and your clients probably are too. In this podcast, we break down key differences between accident, illness, and wellness policies, demystify deductibles, and highlight what veterinary professionals need to know when talking with pet owners. While recommending specific policies isn't your role, understanding the landscape helps you guide clients with confidence. We also explore how pet insurance stacks up against savings accounts—so you’re ready for the questions pet owners are asking.

Diet plays a role in feline kidney disease, urinary problems such as stones and crystals, feline lower urinary tract disease and gastrointestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease. Tune in to this CE episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to gain insights behind feeding strategies for cats and their species-specific quirks. You’ll learn the key factors in diets that support a cat’s urinary tract health. You’ll also get tips on how to provide informed recommendations for clients regarding feeding their healthy, young, adult cats.

Brushing a dog’s teeth helps prevent dental problems, keeps their breath fresh, and can even reduce the risk of more serious conditions. Easy-peasy, right? Sure, except many dogs don’t love it, which often means it isn’t the most sustainable form of home dental care for pets. Fortunately, we have lots of alternatives today. In this CE edition of the VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Cassi hosts Dr. Jan Bellows, who discusses home dental care options, such as water additives, dental wipes and dental chews, and even most importantly, how to talk to clients about these options. You’ll learn about Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), the independent, nonprofit organization that seeks to promote and improve the oral health of pets. Dr. Bellows explains what it takes for products to be listed on the VOHC website and how it can be used as a resource for finding veterinary dental products that really work.