VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Cheryl London, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology) on what's new in oncology, from new updates in diagnosing cancer to using liquid biopsy to understanding how immunotherapy plans a role to finding out what Precision Cancer treatments are! If you diagnose dogs or cats with cancer, tune in to learn more about the updates in veterinary oncology!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Julie Menard, DACVECC, on what's new with emesis induction in dogs. When it comes to poison ingestion by our canine patients, when should we be inducing emesis, and what are the contraindications? Should we be inducing emesis with every toxin? What's new with emetics? Learn it here! Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Vetoquinol, makers of Clevor, the only FDA-approved emetic agent for dogs. For more information and prescribing directions, go to https://www.vetoquinolusa.com/clevor-info.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Neil Shaw, DACVIM on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary medicine. What is the role of technology and AI in radiology, and can this help veterinary professionals with time management, diagnostic quality, and overall improvements in veterinary medicine globally? Tune in as we learn about the use of AI in veterinary medicine, specifically in the area of diagnostic imaging and radiographic interpretation. Today's VETgirl's podcast is sponsored by SignalPET. SignalPET's advanced technology utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence to assess radiographs in real-time for normals and abnormals on 50+ radiographic tests. You take x-rays. Your images instantly get reviewed by SignalPET's AI. And you get your test results in addition to a custom client-facing radiology report, in just 10 minutes or less. Help your veterinary team provide faster intervention, less expensive care, and enhanced patient outcomes during radiographic procedures. Visit www.signalpet.com/vetgirl for more information.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Natalie Marks, CVJ on the role of the veterinary health care team on managing pet diabetes. Tune in to learn what every veterinary staff member should know about diabetes mellitus, and how the practice team can help with best client communication with pet owners. Find out what the most common questions are that pet parents ask about diabetes mellitus, and how the veterinary team can help!

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we will discuss proteinuria in dogs with gallbladder mucoceles (GBMs). Lindaberry et al from NCSU wanted to evaluate this in a study entitled "Proteinuria in dogs with gallbladder mucocele formation: A retrospective case control study." In this study, the authors tackled an important first step in answering such questions. The primary objective of this study was to determine if GBM formation or specific clinicopathologic comorbidities were associated with proteinuria in dogs. This was a retrospective case-control study; dogs in the current study had been previously enrolled in a separate case-control study at NCSU involving GBMs. Those dogs had been recruited prospectively between 2014 and 2017 after being diagnosed with a GBM via ultrasonography, and if the pup had surgery or was euthanized, gross and histopathology reports were used to confirm the diagnosis. The medical records from these cases were reviewed for inclusion in the present study, which required that dogs had a CBC, serum biochemical profile, and urinalysis within a month of the ultrasound. Healthy controls also had these diagnostics performed, as well as a focal hepatobiliary ultrasound. All dogs also had an ACTH stimulation test and thyroid panel (consisting of T4, free T4, TSH, T4AA, T3AA, TgAA) performed. When dogs were initially recruited for the previous study, they were excluded if they had treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid, topical or systemic corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, furosemide, sulfa-containing drugs, or fatty acid supplements within 2 months. Reproductively intact dogs or those with clinical signs suggestive of an endocrinopathy were also excluded.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Michael James, MHA, PHR, LVT, Hospital Administrator at ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals, on the top 10 hiring errors made in veterinary medicine. Find out what some of the best questions to ask a veterinary job candidate before hiring them, so you can best identify if your applicant will have a "good attitude" at work? Tune in to see if working interviews are really necessary in veterinary medicine, and how to ensure that your hiring processes are fair. If you're truly trying to find the best candidate, tune in to this VETgirl podcast!

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we discuss the utility of bile acid measurements in dogs with various forms of liver disease. Serum bile acids (SBAs) are a common diagnostic test performed in small animal medicine, primarily used to assess liver function. As you know, bile acids are typically measured by performing two separate blood draws. They are first measured with the dog fasted, followed by a postprandial measurement taken 2 hours after eating. The postprandial measurement offers even more sensitive detection of abnormalities, in that clearance of bile acids is challenged by the surge that occurs from eating. When we observe abnormally elevated bile acid levels, there are three broad categories of problems this could indicate. One is liver dysfunction, as bile acids are not being cleared effectively by the liver itself. The second is abnormal blood flow, such as a portosystemic shunt. In this scenario, bile acids are bypassing the liver, and thereby not being cleared from the bloodstream. Lastly, bile stasis for any reason can result in elevated serum bile acids, due to impared excretion. While measurement of SBAs may help identify that a problem is present and offer a sense of the severity of the problem, the assay is less helpful in defining what the underlying problem actually is. So, Pena-Ramos et al sought to compare fasted and postprandial SBAs and to determine their sensitivity and specificity in the context of different types of liver disease in dogs.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Tammy Grubb, PhD, DACVAA about what's new with local anesthetics in our canine and feline patients. Tune in to learn what the top 3 mistakes veterinary professionals make when it comes to pain management, what the indications and contraindications are for using local blocks, and when we should be incorporating local anesthetics into surgical procedures. Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Elanco, makers of Nocita. Provide up to 72-hours of post-operative pain relief from a single administration with the only FDA approved long-acting local anesthetic for dogs and cats. For more information, visit nocita-vet.com.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, VETgirl's Chief Happiness Officer, Jeannine Moga, MA, MSW, LCSW, clinical veterinary social worker, discusses what we veterinary professionals can do to take care of ourselves and our colleagues. What can we do to look after our own mental wellness and self-care, and how, as a community, can we help prevent suicide in our field?

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Andrew Hanzlicek, DACVIM, Veterinary Medical Director at Miravista Veterinary Diagnostics on everything you need to know about systemic mycoses infections in veterinary medicine. If you're not well versed in the clinical signs, treatment, and diagnostic work-up for blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, aspergillosis and cryptococcosis, tune in to learn it! Plus, we'll discuss what types of antifungals to reach for and how to monitor their effect! Today's VETgirl podcast is brought to you by MiraVista Veterinary Diagnostics, where we offer a wide array of diagnostic tests for systemic mycoses such as blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, aspergillosis and cryptococcosis as well as therapeutic drug monitoring for itraconazole. Our educational resource library provides guidelines to inform diagnostic and treatment decision making as well as current publications for reference. For more information and to receive educational newsletters, visit miravistavets.com.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss diagnostic considerations for gastrointestinal (GI) biopsy samples from those ever-frustrating feline enteropathy cases. I am sure you have all had your fair share of writing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) versus GI lymphoma (LSA) as the diagnosis in cat medical records and getting biopsy results of lymphocytic plasmocytic something! These two common GI diseases can have similar clinical presentations in cats, and even when owners allow aggressive diagnostics, the conditions can prove challenging to differentiate. Biopsy samples of the GI tract can be obtained surgically or endoscopically. Typically they are simply submitted for routine histopathology, but additional testing such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) or clonality testing can be performed as well. So, Chow et al wanted to evaluate whether the addition of IHC and clonality testing to routine histopathology of intestinal biopsy samples improves our ability to differentiate IBD from LSA in cats in their study entitled Comprehensive comparison of upper and lower endoscopic small intestinal biopsy in cats with chronic enteropathy. This study also adds another layer to this question, in that they obtained biopsies from both the upper small intestine (USI) and lower small intestine (LSI). The authors note that a previous study looking at both duodenal and ileal endoscopic biopsies showed discrepancies, suggesting that by obtaining both samples we could improve our diagnostic accuracy (Scott). However, that study did not perform IHC or clonality testing in all cases. Therefore, Chow et al not only investigated how adding IHC and clonality testing affects results, but it also assessed the agreement between USI and LSI diagnostic results in light of these additional diagnostics.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC) reviews fluid therapy in veterinary medicine. Does it matter what type of IV fluids you reach for? Should you reach for an isotonic fluid? What about a colloid? Does IV fluid therapy make a difference in patients regardless of what type of IV fluid bag you reach for?

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, VETgirl's Chief Happiness Officer, Jeannine Moga, MA, MSW, LCSW, clinical veterinary social worker, discusses what a well-being consult is, and why we as veterinary professionals should consider them! The biggest "themes" of stressors in veterinary medicine include having too many fires and too little energy, particularly with home/work strain; concerns about structural issues in practices that make it impossible to successfully work with/recover from COVID strain; and career disappointment. Tune in to learn how we as veterinary professionals can get our feet underneath us and restore balance, or find a workable solution for themselves.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT and Dr. Garret Pachtinger, DACVECC give some clues on how to be a more efficient veterinarian. If you want to improve your quality of life in veterinary medicine or want to learn how to get better work-life balance in veterinary medicine, tune in for some life hacks!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Natalie Marks on what you need to know about dog flu/H3N2/H3N8. After surviving a H3N2 outbreak in March of 2015 in Chicago, she'll weigh in on some important questions that veterinary professionals and pet owners have on dog flu. Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Merck Animal Health, makers of the Nobivac Canine Flu ®Bivalent H3N2/H3N8. For more information, go to www.dogflu.com.

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review everything you need to know about dystocias and Caesarean-section (C-section) of the veterinary patient. Dystocia refers to the difficulty, or inability to pass a fetus through the birth canal.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast,we will discuss transtracheal washes (TTW) and endotracheal washes (ETW) in dogs. Both types of tracheal washes (TW) offer clinicians an opportunity to sample the airways that avoids the required cost, equipment, or expertise of bronchoscopy. Cytology and bacterial culture of airway samples can provide essential diagnostic information, yet it is not always clear which type of TW should be recommended. Does one method provide superior results? Do patient variables or clinical suspicions influence which method to choose? Does ETW increase the risk of oral bacterial contamination? These are the types of questions that are commonly heard when discussing TW methods, and a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each method also help when interpreting results. For this reason, Graham et al wanted to evaluate this in a study entitled "Factors associated with clinical interpretation of tracheal wash fluid from dogs with respiratory disease: 281 cases (2012-2017)." In this study, the authors compared the cytology and culture results of ETW and TTW. They wanted to determine if diagnostic results were comparable between methods, and how often discrepancies were observed.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss urinary incontinence in cats. Urinary incontinence can occur in cats, although less commonly than in dogs. Large, comprehensive studies investigating feline urinary incontinence are largely lacking from the veterinary literature. For this reason, Lonc et al wanted to evaluate this in a much needed study entitled "Retrospective analysis of diagnoses and outcomes of 45 cats with micturition disorders presenting as urinary incontinence." In this study, the authors wanted to evaluate the causes, comorbidities, and outcomes of cats presenting with UI to a veterinarian.

In this VETgirl-Zoetis online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Ashley Bourgeois, DACVD, the "Derm Vet," on all things atopic dermatitis related. Dr. Bourgeois practices as a board-certified dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinic inPortland, OR. Here, she'll discuss how you can "ditch the itch" and get your veterinary practice ready for Itchy Pet Awareness Month in August. Learn how to better communicate with your derm clients and set expectations on management and treatment of this life-long disease!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss the use of flash glucose monitoring systems (FGMS) in the management of dogs with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Emerging evidence has promoted the use of FGMS devices for measuring interstitial glucose (IG) levels in diabetics, and using this information as a patient management tool. In fact, you may have even noticed commercials for such devices, which are becoming increasingly popular for humans with diabetes mellitus. Essentially the FGMS consists of a small, disc-shaped sensor that is placed on a shaved patch of skin, typically near the base of the neck in dogs. Interstitial glucose concentrations are read, and the data is stored and made available through a reader device, such as a smartphone. The ability to obtain more frequent glucose assessments without repeated blood draws is clearly appealing! While this device has been investigated in dogs with diabetes mellitus, there is little information about its performance specifically in the setting of DKA. Therefore, in a recent study by Malerba et al entitled Accuracy of a flash glucose monitoring system in dogs with diabetic ketoacidosis, the authors sought to assess the performance and accuracy of FGMS in dogs with DKA.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Raj Naik, DACVN on the use of probiotics in dogs and cats. Do probiotics work, and what specific type should you be reaching for and when? Learn it in this VETgirl podcast! Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements, a leader in therapeutic nutrition. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements develops innovative, targeted products backed by research, as well as offers online education, home delivery and other resources to support your staff and business. To learn more, visit PurinaProPlanVets.com.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we discuss the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome in puppies. Lately it seems that microbiome talk is all the rage! We are inundated with commercials for probiotics, catchy news articles about the microbiome, and news of novel medical treatments like fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs). In parallel to the newsworthy buzzwords, we are also seeing a tsunami of research being released about the microbiome, ranging across a broad spectrum of animal species, environmental ecosystems, and states of health and disease. Small animal veterinarians have joined this conversation as well, with plenty of exciting research being published regarding various aspects of canine and feline microbial communities. However, the development of the gut microbiome in puppies after birth and before doggy adulthood is one area where our research is lacking. So, Blake et al wanted to evaluate this in a study entitled Developmental stages in microbiota, bile acids, and clostridial species in healthy puppies to examine the composition of the fecal microbiome and fecal bile acid profiles in puppies, young adult dogs, and adult dogs.

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss the clinical presentation, cardiovascular findings, etiology, and outcome of myocarditis in dogs. Myocarditis, or inflammation of the myocardium, is not well studied in dogs but can occur secondary to infectious and noninfectious etiologies. Lakhdhir et al out of Iowa State University and NCSU wanted to describe the clinical and diagnostic findings in dogs with both presumptive and confirmed myocarditis, as well as to identify etiologies and evaluate treatment, and report outcome in a study entitled "Clinical presentation, cardiovascular findings, etiology, and outcome of myocarditis in dogs: 645 cases with presumptive antemortem diagnosis (26 confirmed postmortem) and 137 cases with postmortem diagnosis only (2004-2017)."

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Ryan Gouptil and Dr. Megan Davis, DACVECC on the use of percutaneous biliary drainage and octreotide (injectable milk thistle) for dogs with Amanita mushroom poisoning. In a recent publication entitled Clinical recovery of 5 dogs from amatoxin mushroom poisoning using an adapted Santa Cruz protocol for people, the co-authors review the dangers of mushroom, general approach to poisoning, how Amanita mushroom toxicity needs to be rapidly recognized and treated, and how to implement percutaneous biliary draining and the use of octretide (called the Santa Cruz method in human medicine) to help increase survival.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Wayne Rosenkrantz, DACVD of Animal Dermatology Group. If you see patients with canine otitis (which you do!), find out why it's so important to find the primary cause of otitis, tips for performing a good otoscopic exam, whether or not to use topical versus systemic therapies for otitis externa, or whether to perform a culture/sensitivity on that ear! Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Merck Animal Health, makers of makers of Mometamax.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Carolina Medina, DACVSMR, CVA, CVCH, CVPP about osteoarthritis (OA) in our canine and feline patients. What mistakes should we avoid when it comes to diagnosis, management and treatment of osteoarthritis in veterinary medicine? Learn it in this VETgirl podcast! Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Elanco, makers of Galliprant. Provide relief from canine osteoarthritis for the moments that matter! For more information, visit galliprantvet.com.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS discuss blood pressure in veterinary medicine. Learn how we measure it, what it means or represents, and when we should be concerned about hypotension or hypertension in our veterinary patients!

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we discuss the CARPODIEM study in veterinary medicine, which looks at how well oral torasemide works in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease and new onset congestive heart failure. If you're still 'scipting out furosemide to your heart murmur patients, listen up. Torsemide (aka Torasemide) is a loop diuretic with greater potency, longer duration of action, and smoother diuretic effect than furosemide. Recent data in dogs has indicated that the dose correlation of torsemide to furosemide is nonlinear -; at doses less than 0.2 mg/kg/day, torsemide is approximately 10X more potent than furosemide, but at doses greater than 0.2 mg/kg/day, that potency factor is closer to twenty. Torsemide's duration of action is twelve hours in oral form in dogs compared with six hours for furosemide.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Amy Pike, DACVB on separation anxiety, COVID, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and all things behavior! With COVID, what should we veterinary professionals do with the spike in separation anxiety once pet owners return to work? Tune in to learn all about all things behavioral, including natural and prescription behavioral medications to reach for, and how to identify, recognize and treat behavioral problems in veterinary medicine. Finally, are you recognizing cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) in dogs and cats? An often under-diagnosed medical condition, find out what we can do to help recognize CDS more readily and monitor its progression in dogs. As CDS affects an estimated 14% of dogs over 8 years of age, tune in to learn what you can do to combat age-related neurodegeneration.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS discuss superstitions in veterinary medicine. Why are we so superstitious as veterinarians and veterinary technicians within our field? Does commenting on the vein prior to catheterization or saying ""Have a slow night?" and "It's a full moon" really jinx us?

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Audrey Cook, BVM&S, MSc Vet Ed, MRCVS, DACVIM, DECVIM, DABVP (Feline Practice), Professor at Texas A&M University on weight loss during chronic diseases in our canine and feline patients. We see so many diseases chronically that affect nutritional intact -; cancer, CRF, cardiac cachexia. In this podcast, we'll discuss the biggest mistakes that veterinary professionals make with long term management of chronic diseases? Learn it in this VETgirl podcast! Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Elanco, makers of Elura and Entyce. Don't wait for weight loss in your patients with chronic diseases! For more information, visit virtual.elanco.com.

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Lindsey Bullen, DACVN, on all things new in veterinary nutrition. Find out what the most important nutrient level is to manipulate in your renal patients, and what the differences are between therapeutic renal diets. Should we be supplementing or using omega-3 fatty acids for our kidney patients, and how do we help educate pet owners on the importance of nutrition, particularly with our renal patients? Tune into this VETgirl podcast to learn more! Today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast is sponsored by New Royal Canin Vital Support, the science-based diets made especially for aging pets. Learn how you can proactively address the renal, mobility and cardiac needs of your patients at royalcanin.com/vitalsupport.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we're excited to have Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS discuss what a veterinary technician specialist is. Is it worth those extra initials? What does the training entail?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Richard T. Marconi. You're probably wondering why we're interviewing him, but Dr. Marconi has given numerous Zoetis-sponsored VETgirl podcasts on Lyme disease. The main reason why? To introduce you to the scientist behind the Lyme disease vaccine and all the research!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss when heartworm patients face complications. Most dogs with adult heartworm infection can be treated and recover without serious complications, particularly if their infections are diagnosed early. But what about those patients with more advanced infection? Today, our guest is Dr. Marisa Ames, DACVIM, a veterinary cardiologist and Associate Professor at the UC Davis. Dr. Ames serves on the board of directors of the American Heartworm Society. Tune in to learn what factors put dogs at increased risk of experiencing complications during heartworm treatment, what some of the more common complications of canine heartworm infection are, how to treat pulmonary hypertension, and what you need to know about caval syndrome.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss what the best treatment protocol for your heartworm-positive patient is. Here's something no veterinarian wants to tell a client: “Your dog has heartworm disease.” We know the pet is headed for a multi-step, expensive regimen of medications as well as months of cage rest and exercise restriction. Given these challenges, it's not surprising that many owners ask their veterinarians about alternative treatment protocols. Today we are joined by Dr. Andy Moorhead, who is a veterinary parasitologist and an assistant professor on the faculty of the University of Georgia. He also serves on the board of directors for the American Heartworm Society. Tune in to learn what the AHS heartworm treatment protocol entails and why it includes the steps it does. Find out about "slow kill" treatment, and how it differs from traditional protocols with melarsomine.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss you need to know about heartworm disease in cats. We know cats contract heartworms just like dogs, through the bite of an infected mosquito. We know that heartworms can be deadly in cats. And that heartworm preventives are highly effective in preventing disease. Yet there are many differences and much that veterinarians simply don't know about heartworm disease in cats. Today, our guest is Dr. Tom Nelson, who is Medical Director of the Animal Medical Centers of Northeast Alabama in Anniston, Alabama, and Research Chair on the board of directors for the American Heartworm Society. Tune in to learn how heartworm disease itself is a very different disease in cats versus dogs, and why the American Heartworm Society recommend that ALL cats be protected from heartworms even if they live indoors? Learn when and how cats should be tested, and what the AHS guidelines say about treatment of adult heartworms in infected cats.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss diagnostic dilemmas with heartworm disease. The diagnosis of heartworm disease may seem like a straightforward issue, thanks to the availability of accurate, easy-to-use patient-side tests that detect the presence of heartworm antigen in the blood of pets being screened annually for heartworm disease. But is heartworm testing foolproof? Today we're joined by Dr. Lindsay Starkey, a veterinary parasitologist and an assistant professor on the faculty of Auburn University. Dr. Starkey also serves on the board of directors for the American Heartworm Society. Tune in to learn what the AHS recommends for heartworm screening and why, along with how to interpret “weakly” or “borderline” positive antigen tests. She'll discuss when additional screening tests are warranted, and how often to re-test positive dogs. But don't forget about cats! Find out what the AHS recommends for heartworm screening in cats, and whether you should use antigen or antibody testing... or both!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss transport of the heartworm-positive dog. Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states, over the years moving from traditionally endemic areas to areas of the country where heartworm infection was once considered uncommon. Today, we're joined by Dr. Brian DiGangi, a diplomate of ABVP in canine and feline practice as well as shelter medicine. Dr. DiGangi is a senior director of Shelter Medicine with the ASPCA, a past-president of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and a current officer on the American Heartworm Society board of directors. Tune in to learn how shelter veterinarians are addressing heartworm in their day-to-day work, what standards they are following in reducing the spread of infectious diseases such as heartworm disease, and what we can do to help protect pets from heartworm infection.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Galina Hayes, BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, PhD, DACVS, DACVECC on her recent study entitled A multicenter observational study investigating care errors, staffing levels, and workload in small animal intensive care units. With veterinary clinics at capacity and really busy, is caseload affecting quality of nursing care? Find out how often medical errors and nursing errors can occur, based on staffing levels and caseload.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we discuss different treatment protocols for canine Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb), including the use of aerosolized antimicrobial therapy, specifically the aminoglycoside, gentamicin. In a study by Canonne et al, the authors wanted to evaluate the clinical response in dogs affected by Bb when administered 2 distinct protocols of aerosolized gentamicin.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, DACVD on the top 5 mistakes to avoid with atopic dermatitis. Find out the importance of getting a thorough history, to performing an appropriate diet trial, doing cytology, to doing more tape preps and more! Learn it in this VETgirl podcast! Today's VETgirl podcast is sponsored by Elanco, makers of Atopica, Baytril Otic, Claro, and a whole range of shampoos, rinses and flushes to help you manage your dermatology cases. To learn more, visit www.Elanco.com.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we discuss aortic thrombi (ATh) in dogs. If you are like this VETgirl, when you hear of an aortic thrombus your mind may jump to the dreaded feline cardiac case that presents yowling in distress from an aortic thromboembolism (ATE) and giving heart palpitations to everyone on your staff. In fact, you may be trying to remember if you have ever managed a canine patient with an ATh. While small animal clinicians manage many types of thromboembolic diseases, the presence of a true canine ATh is not a commonly recognized complication in this VETgirl's experience. Recently a very helpful consensus on antithrombotic use was published, yet there are relatively few large-scale studies evaluating canine ATh in the veterinary literature (deLaforcade). Therefore in this study by Ruehl et al, the authors sought to expand upon this area, and they describe risk factors, treatments, and outcome in a cohort of dogs diagnosed with ATh.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we're excited to have Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS discuss what's defined as quality veterinary medicine. Quality starts from the customer service representative (CSR), front desk staff, team member, to veterinary technician to veterinarian. What can we do to improve quality within our veterinary clinic?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Kate Hopper BVSc, DACVECC, PhD from UC Davis on a recent publication entitled Etiology and prognosis for dogs with abnormal blood glucose concentrations evaluated in an emergency room. For as often as we monitor blood glucose (BG), does it make a difference on outcome and prognosis? How often should we be monitoring blood glucose in our critically ill, emergent patients? Learn it in this VETgirl podcast!

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection in dogs. In this podcast, we review a study entitled "Comparison of cerebellomedullary and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid analysis in dogs with neurological disease" by Lambe et al. In this study, the authors compared CSF samples collected from the CM and lumbar cisterns in dogs that were undergoing MRI and CSF collection for CNS disease.

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Monique Feyrecilde, CVT, VTS (Behavior) on how to prepare puppies and kittens for veterinary visits (or grooming visits). What can we do to minimize stress in our young, pediatric patients?

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss the DELAY study, which stands for the "DELay of Appearance of sYmptoms of Canine Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease treated with spironolactone and benazepril." If you see small dogs diagnosed with heart murmurs, then keep on listening, as this one is important. Now, most of us feel comfortable grading heart murmurs, taking chest radiographs, and starting dogs on pimobendan, right? But does it work? When should we add in a diuretic - and if we do, which type should we reach for? Furosemide, the common loop diuretic, or spironolactone, the potassium-sparing one? Does it make a difference? When do we reach for an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor? Over the years, I've noticed more cardiologists switching from furosemide to spironolactone, but what's the evidence?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Tina Wismer, DABT, DABVT, Senior Director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on a recent publication in JAVMA entitled Companion animal exposures to potentially poisonous substances reported to a national poison control center in the United States in 2005 through 2014. While most poisoning cases have a good prognosis, learn about the ones that can result in fatalities such as fluorouracil (5-FU) and bifenthrin.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review bacteriuria in dogs with chronic paralysis. Unfortunately, the majority of small animal clinicians have dealt with their fair share of the dachshund or other poor pup presenting with paraplegia secondary to intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) or other diseases. In the midst of the numerous difficult conversations that such cases require, the risk of future urinary tract infections (UTIs) is likely not the first thing to come to mind. Yet in humans, UTIs and sepsis are a serious concern with paralysis. In dogs with chronic paralysis, how do we handle the urinalysis with bacteriuria? It can be difficult to determine the clinical implications of such a finding, yet in the age of antimicrobial stewardship, many clinicians are seeking guidance on when to treat such a patient with antibiotics. Therefore, in a study entitled “The frequency and clinical implications of bacteriuria in chronically paralyzed dogs”, the authors investigate chronically paralyzed dogs to determine the frequency of bacteriuria, the presence of clinical signs associated with bacteriuria, and the survival rate in such patients.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the use of benazepril in cats with cardiac disease. Despite a wide variety of medications used to treat heart disease in cats, there is little prospective data to support a definitive benefit with use of any medication in cats with heart disease. Previous data has established a benefit for the use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in humans and dogs with congestive heart failure. But what about cats? Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a known phenomenon in cats with heart disease. So King et al (and I mean ALL) wanted to evaluate this in a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2019 entitled Evaluation of benazepril in cats with heart disease in a prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The authors of this study posited that benazepril, an ACE inhibitor, might provide benefit to cats with heart disease, regardless of type.