We have all heard the adage that the eyes are the window to the soul.  Another saying that pets owners should take to heart is  ‘a pet’s oral health is the gateway to its body wide well being’.  I know it’s not as catchy but bad teeth and gums can be a source of pain and insidiously lead to diseases that can shorten your pet’s lifespan.  And who wants to be kissed by a cat with tuna breath or a hound with halitosis? 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

We have all heard of pets who have weaseled their way into our homes and hearts and how the loss of a pet can leave us heartbroken but were you aware that dogs and cats can suffer with many of the same cardiac, heart conditions that plague their owners?  There is a very unique and specialized team of veterinary medical professionals who are advancing the knowledge and treatment options that are saving the lives of pets and hopefully in the future, the people who care for them. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

You’ve heard these warnings before…don’ t swim for at least one hour after eating or you will cramp up and could drown.  Don’ t cross your eyes or they will get stuck that way.  To prevent your dog from developing the potentially life threatening condition, bloat and torsion…don’t feed dog food that contains grain , feed it from an elevated dish and keep it quiet for an hour after eating?  Well I haven’t drowned yet and my eyesight is OK. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

There are mornings when I get out of bed that I know I have fallen through a time warp and aged 20 years overnight.  My back is killing me.  Back aches are a common complaint of people.  Just listen to all the advertisements on the radio.  Human are not the only species that suffer from this malady.  Our cats and dogs are also plagued by slipped discs, pinched nerves and more.  So what are the causes and what can we as caregivers do to prevent these painful and often crippling conditions?

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Winter, what a fabulous time of year.  Perfect for grabbing a cup of hot chocolate, donning your ‘Snuggie’, delving into a good book with your pet curled up at your feet.  And then when you most need it, along comes Spring and you are drawn outside into the warmth of the sun.  But huh, your pet’s collar doesn’t fit anymore.  It must have shrunk.  And last year’s outdoor wear is a bit too tight on you.  It must be a conspiracy.  No, you know what happened.  You and your pet are certifiably pudgy.  No exercise and snacks in front of the TV have taken their toll. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

In the overall scheme of veterinary medicine, dogs have been treated like little people.  Health issues that affected people in a certain way were thought to act similarly in dogs.  Cats were often treated like little dogs.  With the advances in feline medicine has proven that cats are very unique creatures, medically and behaviorally.

72 million cats in the United States prove to cat owners and my guest, Dr. Mark Cousins, that they are the  purrrfect pet. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

One of my favorite experiences in the whole world is being slathered with sour milk kisses from a 6 week old puppy or kitten.  What could be more innocent?  The majority of the time, this is a perfectly harmless act, but there are instances that it can lead to some serious health concerns. 

My guest is Dr. Jeffrey Rhody.  He is a veterinarian who is concerned not only with the health and well being of his animal patients but that of the entire family that lives with them.  Dr. Rhody will inform us on what we need to know and do in order to share a happy , healthy life and home with our pets.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Your veterinarian’s education doesn’t stop when he or she graduates from veterinary school.  When I graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary medicine, we were told that 50% of what we had learned was going to be outdated and wrong in 10 years.  Our task was to determine which 50%.

A marvelous way for veterinarians to stay current is with state conventions.  Some of the brightest researchers, clinicians, and professionals update veterinarians on latest discoveries and trends.  The exhibit halls are another fabulous avenue of learning what products can help our clients and patients experience a better health span. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Probably the only time you think of rabies is when you need to get your dog licensed.  Some might think that getting a dog vaccinated for this antiquated disease is just a ploy of local government to get more money out of pet owners.  And why don’t cats need to be vaccinated?  Besides…rabies is an eradicated disease.  Isn’t it?

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

You might think that most DVMs embark on their journey to veterinary school from either working on a farm or in a veterinary clinic.  Dr. Matt Toia took a slightly different route, from literally flying high as a Special Forces member of the Green Berets to Auburn University, School of Veterinary Medicine.  This non-traditional streak was to be a hallmark Dr. Toia’s career.  Dr. Matt has chronicled his sundry adventures as a veterinarian in his book... ‘You Want Me to Declaw What?’ 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

How do you know when a sea horse is sick?  How do you get it to a veterinarian?  How do you find a veterinarian who has the expertise to diagnose and treat aquatic animals?  These are but some of the questions that cause aquarist’s heads to swim. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

When is the best time to think about the end of your beloved pet’s life?  There never seems to be the right time and you definitely don’t want to wait until your pet is in severe, intractable pain.  Dr. Julie Reck, a companion animal veterinarian in Charlotte, North Carolina is all too familiar with the heartache pet owner’s experience while trying to grapple with end of life decisions for animals they love.  Dr Reck has written a very compassionate book on understanding our emotions, a pet’s perception of death and how to work through one of the most difficult and loving decisions a pet owner can ever make. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

No matter if you want to find a Korean barbeque restaurant in the middle of Tulsa Oklahoma, find your way around Sidney Australia or learn how to play mahjong, there is an iPhone app for that.  Now, if you want to find the quintessential canine companion, there is an app for that also.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

It is not uncommon for cat owners to me for what they believe is a bladder infection.  The cat is either flooding out the litter box or urinating all over the house.  All they want is a prescription for some antibiotics.  It is also not uncommon that they get a bit miffed when I explain that I need to have them bring their kitty in for an examination.    I listen, I look, I feel their cats all over.   I explain that I need to run some blood and urine tests to rule in or out other possible causes of what they are seeing.  The answer is sometimes diabetes mellitus.

My guest today is Dr. Richard Edling. He is a professional services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim pharmaceutical company.  We will be chatting about what is diabetes mellitus.  Why cats seem to be falling victim to this disease in greater numbers.  How it is treated and what can you do to decrease the chances that your cat will become a diabetes statistic.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Boy meets girl.  Boy and girl get married.  They have their first-born child…and these days that is often a cat or a dog.  Pet is the apple of their eyes.  Girl gets pregnant and the first born, possibly highly indulged pet is expected to abdicate its place on the bed and owners’ heart to a squirmy, smelly, crying creature.  The transition can be rocky.

The American Humane association wants to maintain peace and harmony and insure that the pet isn’t relinquished to a shelter because these two members of the family just aren’t getting along. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

When you think of Hawaii, visions of palm trees, frosty umbrella drinks and white sand beaches languidly sway in your imagination.  But life can be hard if you are a homeless cat or dog.  Pet overpopulation is not just a mainland dilemma.  The impact of homelessness affects not only the cats and dogs but also the fragile wildlife on the islands.  How are the islanders addressing the problem?  What can we learn from them….and why are there so many chickens on the Kauai?  Dr. Becky Rhoades of the Kauai Humane Society will share her story of being a veterinarian in paradise.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Bring a puppy home and the first thing you hear is a lot of barking and not necessarily from the dog.  The new puppy parent starts to bark orders, come, sit, stay, and the ever popular – NO!  We sound like drill sergeants.  This is the way that it has always been done, but is this the best way to get through to a very impressible youngster?  How do we get a pup to learn its role in our pack and have good social manners?  My guest is Sarah Wilson.  She is co-author with Brian Kilcommons of the book ‘My Smart Puppy – the fun, effective and easy puppy training’.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

What a spectacular time of year, Spring.  You are soooo over the thrill of the first flakes of snow.  The cozy nights by the fire wrapped in your Snuggie is getting old.  Spring, your chance to clean the cob webs out of your home and mind.  But not all cleaning products are created equal when it comes to being safe around you, your family or your pet.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

You think you are a good pet caregiver, maybe even a great one.  You provide the best in veterinary care and food.  Your pet does not want for toys, attention or mental stimulation.  Your home is a safe haven for this special member of the family.  But is it?  Your home, yard, and car could be putting your furry friend in peril.  My guests today are Bob Tucker of the home security system company, ADT, Dr. Justine Lee of Pet Poison Hotline, and Dave Kaler of IMMI, producers of the  pet travel safety system, PetBuckle.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Fads and craziness often starts in California and works their way East.  Some of the fads are great - think hula hoops, Barbies and the green energy movement.  Some however, can have potential dire unexpected side effects such as the movement by local municipalities to regulate the relationship of a veterinarian and pet owner.  Several California cities have made it illegal for a veterinarian to declaw a domestic cat.  My guests today, the executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Association, Dr. Peter Weinstein and veterinary behaviorist, Dr. Rolan Tripp will discuss the legal, ethical and behavioral aspects of this emotionally charged topic.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

There are times in our lives when we need someone to care, someone to just be there.  One of these critical periods is at the end of our lives, when we are in hospice.   But what if we were told that one who held a very important part in our lives was prohibited from being with us?  Someone that didn’t care what we looked like.  Didn’t mind if it was a good day or bad, or even remember their name.  What if someone told you that you couldn’t have your beloved pet with you when you near your time of passing?

Pet Peace of Mind is a non-profit hospice support group, part of the Banfield Charitable Trust. Dianne McGill, the executive director and CEO of the trust, will tell more about this very special example of the human/animal bond.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

It’s probably happened to you….you casually stroll by the pet store window and you are inexplicably drawn inside and exist with a fur ball of a pup or kitten.  You can’t put in words why but your life just seems incomplete without a quadruped to share your home.  And after a tough day at work, you get more comfort from stroking your pet than anything else you can think of.   The connection that we feel with our pets has garnered a great deal of press recently but is this phenomenon all in your heads or can it be explained in terms of cold hard facts?  My guest, Meg Olmert, has unraveled the mystery of human/animal bond.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Some people believe that a rabbit’s foot is good luck.  Alyna was skeptical.  Born with a congenital disorder, that left her paralyzed from the waist down, not even two rabbit’s feet was doing her any good.  That was until she met some very inventive and creative people at the premier rehabilitation hospital for children in Israel, ALYN.  Now Alyna is helping other patients at this facility.  Oh did I mention…Alyna is a rabbit.

Everyone believes that they have the most marvelous dog- so smart, loves everyone and is great with people.  My second guest today, Corrine Fahy of Lake Forest, CA, spends a lot of time in the hospital with her dog, Gus.  Gus isn’t ill…  he’s a certified therapy dog and helps out people who are going through woof times.   I thought you might like know if your dog has the right stuff to be a therapy dog and what it involves. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

The last two weeks, the Pet Doctor podcasts have been a series of interviews from the AKC/Eukanuba Dog Show, held in Long Beach, CA in early December of 2009.  I learned about some very distinctive breeds. 

Dogs can do so much more than keep us company.  They can be another set of eyes, ears and serve as an enforcement aid for police departments.  They can assist a disabled person with daily chores that we may take for granted.  Sometimes the disabled one is the dog such as retired military canines that need our help.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Welcome to part two of my adventures at the AKC/Eukanuba Dog Championships held in Long Beach, CA., at the Long Beach Convention Center.  Though the main event took place on a Saturday and Sunday of early December, a plethora of events occurred in the proceeding days. You can see video clips and tons of photos by going to the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AENC.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Have you ever been to a dog show?  They can be absolutely fascinating and can also verge on being overwhelming.  The variety of events, performances and demonstrations will put your sneakers to the test.  And then there are the dogs – some with names you have never heard of, some you have never seen on the street or in magazines. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

H1N1 affects many species of animals as well as humans. This includes cats, ferrets, possibly dogs, turkeys and more… Listen to this show and learn the facts as we currently know them to be about 2009H1N1 aka Swine Flu and your pets.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Levitan at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

If you have had pets in your lifetime, you have undoubtedly shared the fear of losing them to the great outdoors—an innocent mistake like leaving the door ajar can leave your family devastated and your pets unprotected on the streets…

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Levitan at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

As a child, I remember my mom explaining the fine points of proper behavior at the dinner table, especially when that dinner included guests.  I don’t remember, however, being instructed in the fine art of behaving around dogs.  All I recall is ‘don’t touch strange dogs’.  She tried to scare me into compliance.  It’s a miracle I ever became a veterinarian.  Sadly, the majority of children are never schooled in the skills needed to not become one of the 3.5 million youngsters that are bitten by dogs every year in the United States.  Surprisingly, most of these dogs are familiar to the child that is bitten. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

There are few sights as marvelous as watching your dog romp and run.  You could swear that they smile as they cavort during a play day at the dog park.  But mobility can be tragically taken away from your canine companion by trauma, disease or birth defects.  In the past all that veterinarians could offer was palliative relief, which too often required the amputation of a limb.  Then came OrthoPets, a very unique service that custom makes prosthetic, orthotic and adaptive devices for dogs.  My guests today are the founder of OrthoPets, Martin Kaufman and their resident veterinarian, Patrice Mich, a board certified veterinary anesthesiologist. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Every November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month and there has never been a more relevant time to educate ourselves about the factors that contribute to cancer in our pet and the early warning signs to look for. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) the number of pets with cancer is growing each year. The AVMA approximates that 1 in 4 dogs will develop a tumor of some kind in their lifetime, and the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center approximates that cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease related pet deaths each year. Our guest this show is one of the most esteemed veterinary oncologists in the world today, Dr. Mona Rosenberg. She will share with us her knowledge and insights about animals with cancer.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Levitan at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Some will say that you are only as old as you feel.  And there are some mornings when I feel really old.  I know that aging is a process and not a disease. It happens every day, second by second, year by year until you suddenly realize those highlights are really just gray hairs and not sun kissed streaks.  And your pet, the one you refer to as your baby, just got a letter from your veterinarian saying that it is now a senior citizen and needs targeted care.  Is that just a marketing ploy or are there things that you can do to increase the quantity and quality of your pet’s life?

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

What impact can one person, one veterinarian, one initiative make to help our pets when there are disasters as devastating as Hurricane Katrina, as horrible as the flooding in the Midwest, horrific as the wildfires in California or blizzards in Colorado?  Countless animal lives have been saved and pets have been reunited with misplaced owners because of a unique partnership called Paws to Save Pets.  But what can you do to help?  More importantly, what can you do to help insure that your pet is not a victim of a preventable disaster?  How can you prepare for catastrophes that just can’t be predicted but are all too common?  My guest today is Dr. Hal Little of Merial Animal Health.  He will tell us how to plan ahead to safeguard the pets in our lives. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

The Earth, is often referred to as the ‘Blue Marble’ of our solar system.  The blue hue, as seen from space, is a reflection of the water that covers 70% of the earth’s surface. This water is very attractive, enticing over ½ of the U.S.’s population to live within 50 miles of the coast.  Sadly, the seemingly boundless nature of our marine resources has caused people to take it for granted.  We become outraged when there are huge oil spills but what about the small amount of oil that our cars leak onto our roadways everyday?.  Where does it go?  Much of it into our oceans. 

The oceans have served as a convenient garbage dumping site.  The junk that pollutes our oceans ranges from pet droppings that enter the storm drains and ground water, industrial noxious waste, and runoff.  Regrettably, the health of our oceans and its inhabitants have suffered tremendously.  But it is not just the seas and fish that are feeling the ill effects….the health of land dwellers are also impacted.  What can a veterinarian do?  What can you do?  Dr. Joseph Gaydos, chief scientist and wildlife veterinarian at UC Davis Wildlife Center, Orcas Islands in Eastsound, Washington will be my guest today and give us some sobering facts and reason for hope.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

You know the look…the back yard that is a depressing combination of dead grass punctuated with moonscape craters and all the welcoming appeal of a dusty interstate rest stop.  The homeowner isn’t cursed with a brown thumb, only pets.  But having a dog or cat doesn’t mean you will never have color, fragrance and live plants in your outdoor living spaces.  My guest today, Ms. Jule Eller, is a green thumb specialist from the home improvement company, Lowe’s.  She will give us a paw up on how to have a yard that is pet friendly and pet safe.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

In a whoosh of a whisker, a pet seems to go from being a cuddly bundle of fluff to a mature member of the family with silver whiskers.  You try to be a good pet owner..take your pet when it is ill or when you get those pesky vaccine reminders in the mail.  But are you doing all that you can in insure that your pet’s health span equals its life span?  Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president of Underwriting and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI Pet Insurance, will explain why ‘Pet Wellness Starts with a Plan.’

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

I have been a veterinarian for over 20 years.  At least once every week of my practice life, I have had clients gasp when I tell them how much it is going to cost to administer care to their pet.  Veterinary medical services are not free.  Yes, veterinarians love animals or we would not be in our profession.  We can’t discount every case because the pet owner is short on funds.  We strive to give good service at reasonable fees and provide a living for ourselves, our families and our employees.

The miracles of veterinary medicine come with a price tag that too often, especially in these economic times, force people to decline the level of care they want to give their pets.  Tragically, pets are frequently euthanized, when other medical options are available because their owners just did not have the requisite funds.  What can a pet owner do to avoid finding themselves in such a dire situation?  Three words…pet health insurance.

Loran Hickton is the Executive Director of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.  He is my guest today. We will explore what is pet insurance?  How does it differ from people health insurance?  How do you find the best policy for you and your pet?

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

You’ve seen them…that pudgy pup waddling down the street.   They look cute with the swaying of their thunder thighs and paunchy gut almost touching the ground.  And those internet photos of the 30lb. cat, who wouldn’t go ‘ahhhh what a honey of a chunky monkey’.  Deep down you say to yourself, my pet isn’t that fat.  It just has big bones.  My cat must have Maine Coon in it.  That’s why it is so chubby.  It really doesn’t eat that much.  But did you know that 1 extra pound on a Chihuahua is like a 125lb. woman gaining 30lb.s!  Though my guest is a stand up comic and internationally recognized veterinarian of Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, obesity in our cats and dogs is no laughing matter. 

We will talk about how to recognize if your pet is fat and not fluffy.  What are the health risks associated with being overweight?  How to put your pet safely on a diet?  What are calorie safe treats for your pets?  And calculating how much to feed your pet.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Eat first, think later is the mantra many pets profess.  This philosophy can send them to the emergency room faster than they can bark or meow.  Sometimes the results are just an upset tummy or minor inconvenience.  It can also be deadly.  Dr. Justine Lee, one of only 240 board certified veterinary specialist worldwide in emergency medicine and critical care will chat with me today on ways you can increase the safety profile of your home and yard.  We will also explore the pages of her two edu-taining books….’It’s a Dog’s Life….but It is Your Carpet’ and ‘It’s a Cat’s World…You Just Live in It’.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.

Most 10 year olds are busy playing with their ‘My Little Pet Shop’ toys.  Miss Courtney Oliver however is doing what many adults only dream of; she has earned her certificate as a veterinary assistant.  While summer vacation for most grade schoolers is a trip to the shore or a week at camp, Courtney spent a week in Grenada at St. Georges University of veterinary medicine.  Who is this remarkable young lady and what are her plans for life?  Let her story inspire and motivate you. 

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.