Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for Veterinary Vertex
ScienceHealth & FitnessMedicineEducation

Veterinary Vertex

AVMA Journals

Veterinary Vertex is an SSP EPIC Award–winning weekly podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the latest clinical and research discoveries published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR). Each episode explores cutting-edge advancements in veterinary medicine, offering expert insight you won’t find anywhere else. Tune in to gain practical knowledge you can apply in your own practice—along with fresh inspiration to reconnect with what you love about veterinary medicine.

Play
Open in
  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 19 min
  • English

Episodes 20

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
  • Saturday · 15 min

    Feeling for Answers: Rectal Palpation and Intestinal Lesions in Colic

    Send us Fan Mail A rectal exam is one of the oldest tools in the equine colic workup, but we rarely stop to ask a blunt question: how accurate is abdominal palpation per rectum at telling small intestinal disease from large intestinal disease when it truly counts? We sit down with Drs. Mary Hallsten and George Elane to dig into the data behind rectal palpation, using surgical findings as the gold standard so we can compare what we feel with what is actually happening inside the abdomen. We unpack why their study matters for everyday decision making, especially for the horses that keep hurting despite sedation and may need referral or exploratory surgery. You’ll hear what it means to have high sensitivity but extremely low specificity, and why that combination can still be clinically useful while also being easy to overinterpret. We also talk about why accuracy may look better than older reports, including improvements in veterinary education, palpation models, cadaver wet labs, and better correlation between anatomy and hands-on findings. Then we zoom out to the diagnostic hierarchy. Heart rate, lactate, PCV, and age track with non-survival, while a “correct” rectal exam finding does not, which reframes rectal palpation as one important but subjective test that works best when paired with objective physiology. Finally, we address the part everyone thinks about but doesn’t always say out loud: rectal exams carry real safety risk, and the right choice depends on help, restraint, environment, and the horse in front of you. If you work with horses and want a clearer, more evidence-based way to use rectal palpation in equine colic triage, listen through and share this with a colleague. Subscribe for more, and leave a rating and review to help other veterinarians find the show. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.12.0837 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • August 19 · 15 min

    Rethinking Parvovirus Protocols: A Low-Cost Oral Fecal Transplant Trial

    Send us Fan Mail Oral fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) capsules sound like the kind of elegant fix we all want for canine parvovirus: simple to give, easy to store, and built for high-volume shelter medicine. But when you put a microbiome therapy into a randomized controlled trial in a real outpatient protocol, the story gets more complicated and far more useful. We sit down with manuscript authors Drs. Meghan Hoel and Amanda Gimenez to unpack their shelter-based study at Austin Pets Alive and why they designed it for the realities of accessible veterinary care. We dig into the key choices that make-or-break field research: why oral capsules were more feasible than rectal FMT, how they approached dosing without a known “right” answer, and how blinding and consistency can actually hold up over a two-year trial in a dynamic shelter environment. We also talk about what “recovery” should mean when survival is already high, and why time to normal stool and a negative SNAP parvo test matters for isolation space, staffing, and cost. Then we get into the results and the nuance clinicians care about most. The oral FMT capsule regimens did not shorten recovery, did not reduce ICU transfers, and did not show a clear survival benefit. Even without definitive proof of harm, the overall trend pushes us to ask a harder question: should we assume FMT is benign when the intestinal barrier is severely damaged and immune defenses may be suppressed? We close with what better follow-up studies could look like, including timing later in recovery, comparing delivery routes, confirming microbial viability, and adding longitudinal microbiome sequencing. If you care about evidence-based parvovirus treatment, the veterinary microbiome, and what actually works in shelter medicine, subscribe, share this conversation with a colleague, and leave us a rating and review. What would you test next? JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.01.0051 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • August 11 · 21 min

    Fighting Resistant Hookworms: Inside the AAVP Task Force's New Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines

    Send us Fan Mail Hookworm cases that “just won’t clear” are no longer a weird outlier, and that should change how we practice. We sit down with parasitology expert Dr. Ray Kaplan to unpack the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) Hookworm Task Force recommendations on diagnosing and treating multidrug-resistant canine hookworms, including what clinics can do right now to stop guessing and start confirming. We talk through how this problem came to light, why drug-resistant hookworms likely gained traction in greyhound breeding and racing environments, and why it’s now a pet dog problem across breeds and regions. We also zoom out to the biology that makes Ancylostoma caninum such a persistent threat, from multiple routes of infection to the possibility of “larva leak,” and then get practical about what should raise suspicion. From there, we map out a clear diagnostic path. We discuss the value of a two-week post-treatment fecal recheck, how to use a fecal egg count reduction test to quantify efficacy, and what “good” reduction should look like. We cover the task force approach to treatment and testing across the three drug classes (topical moxidectin, pyrantel, and benzimidazoles like fenbendazole or febantel), the limits of current PCR testing, and when extra-label emodepside enters the conversation with important safety precautions. If you want a grounded, clinic-ready framework that also addresses environmental contamination and zoonotic risk, this one’s for you. Subscribe for more evidence-driven veterinary conversations, share this with a colleague who’s seeing chronic hookworm cases, and leave us a rating and review to help more listeners find the show. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.02.0094 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • August 8 · 18 min

    Crowdfunding Cardiac Care: The Reality Behind Canine Pacemaker Campaigns

    Send us Fan Mail A dog needs a pacemaker, the estimate is five figures, and the family’s last lifeline is a GoFundMe link. We wanted to know what happens next when veterinary teams suggest crowdfunding as a way to cover the cost of canine pacemaker implantation and whether it truly works often enough to be responsible advice. We sit down with cardiologist and researcher Dr. Mark Rishniw to break down what he found by mining publicly available GoFundMe campaigns for dog pacemakers. We talk about how “success” gets defined, why reaching 80% of a target can still be a huge gap, and the uncomfortable headline: only a small slice of campaigns come close, while many never reach even half of what they ask for and some raise nothing at all. We also explore a pattern that changes the timeline for decision-making, with most donations arriving early and then fading fast. From there, we widen the lens to the rising cost of advanced veterinary procedures, the reality that some interventions now rival the price of a car, and what that means for client conversations when the choices feel like treatment or euthanasia. We also discuss where pet insurance fits, why “friends and family” may be the true engine of most fundraising, and how to set expectations without taking hope away. If you’ve ever wondered what to tell a client considering veterinary crowdfunding, this one will give you data and language you can use. Subscribe, share this with your team, and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.03.0160 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • August 1 · 20 min

    When Is Research Ready to Publish? A Veterinary Cardiologist on Genetics, Negative Results, and Peer Review

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of researchers quietly struggle with the same question: when is a study truly ready to publish, and how do you write it so someone actually uses it? From the AVMA Convention 2026, we sit down live with Dr. Joshua Stern, a veterinary cardiologist and geneticist whose work bridges cardiovascular disease, genomics, and clinical impact. We start with Joshua’s path into cardiology, sparked by working with “super athlete” animals like racehorses and sled dogs, then move into what he learned from publishing early in his career, including a genetic screening project in boxer dogs that came back completely negative. The twist: those results still mattered, and they taught him how to frame significance, define impact, and tell the truth clearly without overselling. We also talk about how to decide when to stop collecting “just one more” datapoint and instead share findings that can help patients, clinicians, and other researchers now. From there, we get practical about scientific writing and peer review. We unpack how to distill complex datasets into an approachable manuscript, when to move tables and niche analyses into supplementary materials, and why a massive supplement can be a sign you’re trying to write two papers. Joshua also shares his go-to mindset for reviewing and responding to reviews, including the simple habit of reading critiques, walking away, and coming back with a clearer lens. We close with a research challenge he hopes the field tackles next: the optimal timing of medical or surgical intervention in dogs and cats as advanced therapies expand. If you care about veterinary research, manuscript publishing, and clinician-scientist career skills, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave us a review with your biggest peer review lesson. INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • July 23 · 28 min

    What Journal Editors Actually Look For: A Veterinarian's Guide to Getting Published

    Send us Fan Mail Your research might be solid, your conclusions might be exciting, and you still may be setting yourself up for a rough peer review if the methods, statistical analysis, and journal fit aren’t dialed in. Recording live from the AVMA 2026 convention in Anaheim, we sit down with Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, a longtime veterinary surgeon and associate editor, to unpack what actually speeds up (or stalls) publication in veterinary journals like JAVMA and AJVR. We get specific about the behind-the-scenes signals editors look for right away: study design clarity, sample size thinking, appropriate statistical tests, and whether the discussion stays relevant instead of inflating claims. Jolle explains why selecting a journal early and writing for a defined audience can prevent avoidable rewrites, and how improvements like faster time to publication can change an author’s entire submission strategy, especially for early-career veterinarians navigating deadlines and credentialing pressure. We also dig into the emotional side of publishing: that first brutal review, the temptation to get defensive, and the simple habits that separate a strong revision from a red-flag response. You’ll leave with a practical writing workflow (starting with Materials and Methods), a reminder that good research can matter more than flashy results, and clear guidance on making your abstract and cover letter do real work. If you found this helpful, subscribe for weekly conversations with the people shaping veterinary research, share this episode with a colleague who’s writing a paper, and leave a review telling us what publishing question you want answered next. INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • July 17 · 20 min

    Deep Digital Flexor Tenotomy: Pain Relief and Comfort for Horses with Chronic Laminitis

    Send us Fan Mail Chronic laminitis forces every equine clinician into the same hard question: when comfort keeps slipping and radiographs keep worsening, what can truly change the mechanics of the foot and the horse’s day-to-day life? We sit down with Dr. Jim Orsini to talk about deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy, a procedure many people still treat as “last resort,” and why the data argue it may deserve earlier consideration in the right chronic rotational laminitis cases. We dig into what the surgery is actually trying to accomplish: reducing the pull of the deep digital flexor tendon on the coffin bone (third phalanx) so the foot can realign to the ground surface. Jim walks us through the patient selection details that matter, including the rotation versus sinking distinction, and why great farriery is not optional. We also discuss the practical, clinic-friendly ways to judge success, from owner-observed comfort and stable pain-medication needs to radiographic progression like lysis, sole penetration, and hoof wall separation. Then we get into the findings that made us pause, including the striking improvement signal at three to six months and the nuance around age, underlying causes like equine metabolic syndrome, and why chronic cases can be recognized late. We close with the real-world conversation every veterinarian has to have: cost, expectations, and the truth that chronic laminitis care is a long-term commitment, not a one-and-done fix. Subscribe for more equine veterinary surgery and lameness insights, share this with a colleague or farrier you trust, and leave a rating and review so more listeners can find Veterinary Vertex. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.12.0839 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • July 9 · 20 min

    FARVets: A Model for Global Competency in Veterinary Service-Learning

    Send us Fan Mail A veterinary “clinic” doesn’t always look like stainless steel tables and a wall of equipment. Sometimes it’s a town pavilion, a park, an old hotel lobby, or a host’s living room and that shift changes what students learn, what they notice, and who they become as clinicians. We’re joined by Dr. Paul Maza to talk about international veterinary service learning and why it deserves more recognition in veterinary education, not as a feel-good add-on, but as rigorous training that builds adaptability, confidence, and cultural humility. We dig into the on-the-ground reality of providing animal care in low-resource settings: how teams adjust anesthesia protocols when the usual machines aren’t available, how students learn to problem-solve with different supplies and medications, and how interpreters often translate cultural context as much as language. Paul also shares what he’s observed after training hundreds of students over the years, including how the “clinical work” can become the backdrop for deeper learning about community, partnership, and the global nature of veterinary medicine and animal welfare. Then we get personal with the stories that stick: setting up a clinic at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand and realizing a single monk was the essential partner for safely handling the dogs, and walking the streets of La Paz, Bolivia, only to find street dogs wearing child-sized puffy coats because people wanted them warm. If you’ve ever wondered what global veterinary service, externships, and community-based care can teach that a hospital rotation can’t, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend in veterinary medicine, and leave a rating and review wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.04.0275 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • July 3 · 18 min

    Fluorescent Findings: Making Sentinel Node Mapping Accessible in Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail A glow under blue light might be the difference between guessing and knowing where cancer has spread. We sit down with Drs. Elizabeth Maxwell and Veronica Perez to unpack a practical, low-cost approach to sentinel lymph node mapping in dogs using fluorescein sodium, a compound many veterinarians already recognize from everyday clinical use. Our focus stays on one big goal: expanding access to accurate cancer staging in veterinary oncology without requiring advanced imaging, specialized near-infrared camera systems, or a referral-only workflow. We walk through the real surgical details: intradermal injections around the tumor, quick massage for lymphatic uptake, then watching the lymphatic channels appear in real time with handheld lights and blue light filtering glasses. Elizabeth and Veronica share why simplicity matters for adoption in general practice, what they learned about black light versus blue light clarity, and why “I can see it with my eyes” can reduce friction in the operating room. Then we get into the stakes. In their pilot study of six client-owned dogs, the team identified at least one sentinel lymph node in every case, with rapid visualization after injection. Histopathology underscores the clinical value: metastatic mast cell disease showed up in sentinel nodes, including early nodal metastasis that palpation alone could miss, and even deeper second-tier nodes in some dogs. We also cover key limitations, including small sample size, qualitative assessment, and the need for head-to-head trials against standards like indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence to define sensitivity, specificity, and false negative rates. If you care about affordable veterinary cancer care, better surgical decision making, and practical tools that can move beyond specialty centers, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, then tell us what would help you adopt sentinel lymph node mapping in your own clinic. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.11.0735 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • June 27 · 18 min

    What Actually Makes Nutrition Conversations Work

    Send us Fan Mail Pet food advice is everywhere, but the hardest part is what happens when an owner walks into the exam room already convinced they’ve found the “right” answer. We sit down with repeat guest Drs. Janice O’Brien to dig into what veterinarians say actually blocks effective pet nutrition communication during small animal appointments and what helps break through without shaming clients. Janice shares insights from a large survey of 500+ veterinarians across the US and Canada, including why the top barrier often isn’t time, it’s owner preconceived notions. We talk behavior change and the pre-contemplation stage, why nuance is tough when people want certainty, and why veterinarians often feel like the last voice in a long chain of breeders, shelters, pet store conversations, online searches, ads, and influencers. We also get highly practical: when handouts work and when they end up in the trash, how to start weight and obesity conversations with an invitation, and what “direct yet compassionate” sounds like in real life. We cover shared decision making, building trust in short visits, writing specific nutrition and calorie recommendations owners can follow, and how cost and prescription diets can affect adherence. We close with the growing impact of social media misinformation and why a whole veterinary team approach including technicians, nurses, assistants, and client service staff may be key to better outcomes. Subscribe for more evidence-based veterinary communication conversations, share this with a colleague, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.01.0077 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • June 23 · 15 min

    When the Tests Disagree: The Diagnostic Gap Between Cytology and Histopathology in Canine Splenic Masses

    Send us Fan Mail A splenic mass shows up on ultrasound and the question hits like a brick: benign or malignant? We go straight at the uncomfortable truth behind canine splenic cytology. Even when splenic FNA feels like the “do something now” step, the match between cytology and histopathology is only moderate, and that has consequences for how we advise families, schedule rechecks, and decide when splenectomy is the safest path. We talk with Drs. Janet Grimes and Matthew Aluisio about what their data means in the exam room: why a neoplastic cytology result tends to be more predictive than a non-neoplastic one, and why a benign aspirate does not rule out cancer. We unpack the spleen’s built-in complexity, including extramedullary hematopoiesis, mixed cell populations, and the sampling problem of trying to summarize a large, heterogeneous lesion from a tiny needle sample. We also get specific about the diagnoses no one wants to miss, including hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma, and how tumor exfoliation and overlap with reactive processes can blur the picture. From there, we shift into action: when cytology is most useful, when serial ultrasound monitoring is a reasonable strategy for smaller, non-ruptured nodules, and when size and rupture risk should move the conversation toward surgery and definitive histopathology. We also dig into the “possibly neoplastic” gray zone and why calling your pathologist can be one of the most practical diagnostic tools you have. If you work up splenic masses in dogs and want clearer owner conversations, better monitoring plans, and fewer false reassurances, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a rating and review so more clinicians can find the show. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.01.0006 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • June 10 · 15 min

    Skipping the Scope: Long-Term Results of HTO for Canine Cruciate Disease

    Send us Fan Mail Routine stifle exploration during canine cranial cruciate ligament surgery sounds like common sense, until you ask the uncomfortable question: what if “doing more” doesn’t reliably improve long-term function for most dogs? We sit down with Dr. Dan Low to unpack long-term outcomes after high tibial osteotomy procedures (TPLO and CCWO) performed without routine arthroscopy or arthrotomy and without proactive meniscal evaluation, a real-world approach many clinicians use but rarely see studied in depth. We break down what high tibial osteotomy actually changes in the cruciate-deficient stifle, then get practical about evidence. Dan explains why this large case series matters, how uncommon events become easier to estimate with bigger numbers, and why validated owner-reported tools like LOAD (Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs) and the Canine Orthopedic Index give us a more standardized view of recovery than vague “good” or “excellent” labels. We also discuss one of the most debated points in veterinary orthopedics: late meniscectomy. When a meniscal sparing strategy produces a low late-intervention rate that looks similar to rates reported in explored joints, it raises a bigger issue about which meniscal lesions are truly clinically meaningful. We don’t pretend one study settles the debate. You’ll hear the strongest criticisms of this design, the patient groups where exploration still makes sense (uncertain diagnosis, revision cases), and the unanswered research questions that could reshape how we balance morbidity, time, and cost in dog knee surgery. If you treat CCL disease, refer cruciate cases, or counsel owners through surgical options, this conversation will sharpen how you explain risk-benefit decisions without defaulting to habit. Subscribe for more evidence-focused veterinary conversations, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a rating or review wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.11.0736 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • June 3 · 31 min

    From Diagnosis to Recovery: Equine and Canine Rehabilitation

    Send us Fan Mail Rehabilitation isn’t a luxury line item at the end of a case anymore. It’s becoming the difference between “we fixed the lesion” and “this patient truly returns to function.” We’re joined by Drs. Heidi Reesink, Denise Marcellin-Little, and David Levine to unpack a first-of-its-kind JAVMA rehabilitation Technical Tutorial Video supplemental issue and what it signals about where veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy are headed. We talk honestly about what makes rehabilitation challenging and exciting in real clinical practice: plans that look totally different for dogs, cats, and horses; chronic cases like osteoarthritis that demand long-term strategy; and the reality that owner goals, time, and cost shape what care can actually happen. You’ll hear why a multidisciplinary rehab team matters, how technicians and assistants help deliver consistent protocols, and why listening to the patient over time can be just as important as any single test. From there we get practical and tech-forward. We dig into objective gait analysis using wearable sensors and motion capture, the stubborn underuse of goniometry despite validation, and how ultrasound-guided injections and arthroscopy support both diagnosis and treatment while enabling longitudinal monitoring. We also explore major modalities clinicians ask about every day, including shockwave therapy and underwater treadmill aquatic therapy, plus what we still need to learn to tighten protocols. Finally, we tackle orthobiologics and regenerative medicine evidence, why big studies are so hard in veterinary patients, and how video tutorials can bridge the gap between research and day-to-day rehabilitation outcomes. If you care about better mobility, clearer measurements, and more predictable recoveries, listen now, share it with a colleague, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. After you listen, leave us a rating and review and tell us: which rehabilitation tool has changed your practice most? JAVMA editorial: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.264.s1.s3 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • May 29 · 15 min

    Cellular Senescence and the Future of Equine Osteoarthritis Management

    Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Dr. Lynn Pezzanite to explore a promising angle on aging-related equine osteoarthritis (OA): cellular senescence, the pro-inflammatory state where cells release a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that can amplify damage inside tissues over time. We walk through why horses are such a valuable One Health model for osteoarthritis research and why this team compared synovial fluid cells from the joint with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from circulation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, the study teases apart immune and cellular heterogeneity that bulk methods can blur. One of the most striking takeaways is the compartment split: senescence-associated pathways can be down in peripheral blood yet up in synovial cells, suggesting the joint environment may create a more intense, specialized senescent phenotype. We also dig into the immune cell story, including why dendritic cells and gamma delta T cells keep showing up as important across both chronic natural OA and early post-traumatic OA work. Then we shift to what this could mean clinically: the promise and cautions around senescence-targeted therapies and the practical case for local intra-articular delivery. Finally, we talk translational hurdles like equine-specific dosing and safety, plus the next research steps to connect senescence burden with OA pain and treatment response. If you care about equine lameness, osteoarthritis biomarkers, and the future of disease-modifying OA therapy, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave us a rating and review wherever you listen. AJVR article: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.09.0343 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • May 21 · 21 min

    Can Botox Help Laminitis?

    Send us Fan Mail Botox for the equine hoof sounds like a punchline until you learn the science behind it. We sit down with Dr. Kali Slavik and repeat guest Dr. Andrew van Eps to explore a simple but high-stakes question in equine biomechanics: what happens when you inject botulinum toxin into the deep digital flexor (DDF) muscle, the muscle-tendon unit that helps control the rotational forces acting on the horse’s foot and distal phalanx (P3)? We walk through the anatomy in plain terms and then get into the study design, using healthy horses with one treated limb and one control limb to reduce variability. Kali explains how they used wireless pressure sensor membranes to quantify ground reaction forces at different hoof regions and track center of pressure during stance and at the walk, a powerful alternative to traditional pressure plates when you want more real-world movement data. Andrew shares what he expected to see and what surprised him once the numbers came in. Then we dig into the findings that matter most for equine laminitis: reduced toe force during breakover and a meaningful palmar shift in center of pressure, including changes seen even when the horse is just standing still. We also cover the practical realities, including the short-lived effect (about two weeks), who this may best help (think acute onset laminitis tied to SIRS or hyperinsulinemia), why it is less suited to chronic or support-limb cases, and the big barriers of cost and technical ultrasound-guided injections. We close with study limitations and the next research step: a blinded placebo-controlled trial that also looks at P3 rotation outcomes. If you care about laminitis treatment options, hoof biomechanics, and how veterinary research turns measurements into better decisions, listen now and share this with an equine colleague. Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and tell us what question you want answered next. AJVR article: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.12.0452 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • May 13 · 24 min

    Blocked Again? How Lorazepam May Reduce Repeat Urethral Obstructions in Male Cats

    Send us Fan Mail Zero re-obstructions sounds almost too good to be true, so we wanted to understand exactly how the data got there and what it means for everyday feline practice. We are joined by study author Dr. Kelly Tart to talk about a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluating lorazepam for recurrence prevention after feline urethral obstruction in male cats, one of the most common and life-threatening urinary emergencies we treat. We start with the “why”: feline urethral obstruction can rapidly cause azotemia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and fatal arrhythmias, and recurrence often hits within the first couple of weeks after discharge. Kelly explains the key anatomic detail that drives the whole hypothesis: the male feline penile urethra contains both smooth and skeletal muscle, and plugs often lodge distally where skeletal muscle dominates. Many past pharmacologic approaches have focused on smooth muscle pathways, which may help explain inconsistent results in recurrence studies. Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine with skeletal muscle relaxant effects, offers a mechanism that better matches where the problem happens. We also dig into what strong evidence looks like in veterinary medicine and why prospective enrollment, standardized care, placebo control, and double blinding matter when owners and clinicians are judging outcomes in nonverbal patients. You will hear practical discharge details including timing, dosing approach, a 30-day course to cover the highest-risk window, approximate cost, and what adverse effects to monitor such as sedation and ataxia. We close with the clinical “so what”: how this could change post-obstruction management, which cats we would avoid based on prior benzodiazepine sensitivity, and the research questions this opens for lower urinary tract signs beyond true obstruction. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.01.0045 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • May 5 · 12 min

    A Practical Way To Reduce Venipuncture In Hospitalized Dogs

    Send us Fan Mail What if the IV catheter your hospitalized dog already has could spare them multiple needle sticks a day without sacrificing lab accuracy? We sit down with Dr. Bryan Welch to challenge a common assumption in small animal emergency and ICU care: that venipuncture is the only reliable way to get serial bloodwork. We talk through a validated push-pull blood sampling technique that uses a peripheral IV catheter to collect repeat samples while aiming to reduce stress, preserve veins, and lower the risk of oversampling and hospital-acquired anemia. Bryan breaks down the method step by step: flushing with sterile saline, drawing blood back, returning it to the patient, and repeating to clear dead space and reduce dilution. Then we dig into the results that matter to practicing veterinary teams, including how peripheral IV catheter samples compare with venipuncture right after placement and after at least 24 hours of continuous IV fluids and medications. We also clarify a point that trips up a lot of clinicians, statistically significant versus clinically relevant differences, using real examples of when a number changes but your treatment plan should not. We also cover the practical concerns that drive hesitation, hemolysis, clot formation, turbidity, and smear changes, plus what the study did and did not evaluate. Bryan shares where he would be cautious, including interpreting sodium potassium ratios for suspected hypoadrenocorticism, and offers simple implementation tips for teams trying the technique for the first time. If you want evidence-based ways to improve patient comfort and streamline hospitalized dog bloodwork, hit play, then subscribe, share with your ICU team, and leave a rating and review. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.09.0635 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • May 2 · 20 min

    The Gut–Brain Link in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy

    Send us Fan Mail A dog with chronic diarrhea or vomiting might also be telling you something else. That’s the core thread we pull on as we explore the gut-brain axis in dogs and why chronic enteropathy (CE) can’t be fully understood through GI signs alone. We’re joined by Drs. Ulrika Ludvigsson and Sarah Heath to unpack how chronic enteropathy is defined (GI signs lasting more than three weeks) and why emotional health has historically been sidelined in veterinary care. Then we get concrete about measurement. Sarah explains how a validated canine PANAS tool can capture emotional bias. We also dig into displacement behaviors like yawning, lip smacking, and shaking off in odd moments, using the Heath model “sink” analogy to show how high arousal can overflow into visible behavior. The conversation turns to what their findings suggest: dogs with CE show higher protective bias and more frequent high-arousal signals than healthy dogs, even when GI disease activity seems well controlled. We talk about what that means for clinical decision-making, when to consider referral to a veterinary behavioral medicine specialist, and how co-management can support welfare. You’ll also hear practical owner steps that connect canine gut health and emotional stability, from fiber-forward diets and microbiome-friendly habits to sleep quality (yes, many adult dogs need 14 to 18 hours daily), environmental adjustments, nutraceuticals, pheromones, and medication when appropriate. If you care about chronic GI disease, canine emotional health, and better outcomes through whole-dog treatment, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this episode with a veterinarian or dog-loving friend, and leave us a rating and review wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.09.0623 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • April 25 · 17 min

    From Habit to Evidence: The Shift in Antibiotic Use for Canine Acute Diarrhea

    Send us Fan Mail Metronidazole has been the reflex prescription for canine acute diarrhea for years and that habit is hard to break. We sit down with Dr. Erin Frey to unpack what the data actually says about outcomes in mild to moderate acute diarrhea, including cases with bloody stool, and why supportive care often matches antibiotics for speed of recovery. Along the way, we get honest about the real reasons “we know better” doesn’t always translate into “we do it” when a worried client is sitting in front of us. We walk through what uncomplicated acute diarrhea looks like in practice and what supportive care really means: hydration plans, a highly digestible diet, smart fiber use, and when probiotics may fit. Erin also explains why the gut microbiome is now central to the conversation, and how antibiotic-associated dysbiosis can linger for weeks to months, with special concern for puppies and kittens. If you’ve ever prescribed “just in case” because you feared missing something, this conversation gives you a clearer risk-benefit frame grounded in randomized controlled trials and day-to-day clinical reality. Then we zoom out to the culture of prescribing. Peer expectations inside a hospital, mixed standards between clinics, client demand for instant gratification, and the challenges faced by newer grads or relief doctors all shape decisions. Erin shares practical tools for behavior change, including practice-wide talking points, team alignment from front desk to exam room, and a concrete starting point using the AVMA antimicrobial stewardship checklist. If you want a clearer, evidence-based approach to treating canine acute diarrhea without unnecessary antibiotics, listen now, share this with a colleague, and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.10.0686 AVMA veterinary checklist for antimicrobial stewardship: Veterinary-Checklist-Antimicrobial-Stewardship.pdf INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • April 16 · 12 min

    Rethinking Neurological Exams in Guinea Pigs: Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All

    Send us Fan Mail Guinea pigs don’t read the dog-and-cat neurology textbook and that’s exactly where clinicians get into trouble. We sit down with Dr. Vishal Murthy to unpack what a truly species-specific neurologic examination looks like for guinea pigs, why so many “standard” tests can be misleading, and how prey-species stress can flatten reflexes and hide both normal function and real disease. If you’ve ever felt unsure interpreting postural reactions or reflex testing in small mammals, this conversation gives you a clearer baseline for what normal actually is. We dig into the practical realities that make exotic pet neurology hard in the exam room: freezing, shutdown behaviors, and the ways restraint and stress can change responses. Vishal shares the most surprising findings from their work, including why a gag reflex attempt can quickly become a chewing response, and what that means for brain and spinal cord lesion localization. We also talk about differences between client-owned and research guinea pigs, and why handling style may explain pelvic limb tactile placing changes. To make this useful at 2 a.m. in ER as well as in specialty practice, we walk through a guinea pig specific checklist designed to emphasize feasible, more reliable exam elements and reduce unnecessary handling. The goal is better diagnostic accuracy, faster decision-making, and improved welfare for a prey species that experiences exams differently than cats and dogs. Subscribe for more veterinary neurology conversations, share this with your zoological companion animal colleagues, and leave a rating and review wherever you listen. JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.12.0823 INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT TO JAVMA ® OR AJVR ® ? JAVMA ® : https://avma.org/JAVMAAuthors AJVR ® : https://avma.org/AJVRAuthors FOLLOW US: JAVMA ® : Facebook: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA | Facebook Instagram: JAVMA (@avma_javma) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: JAVMA (@AVMAJAVMA) / Twitter AJVR ® : Facebook: American Journal of Veterinary Research - AJVR | Facebook Instagram: AJVR (@ajvroa) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: AJVR (@AJVROA) / Twitter JAVMA ® and AJVR ® LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/avma-journals

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes