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

Ask any puppy parent, and they will tell you that their puppy is the smartest one in the world. But what makes a smart puppy? Is it nature or nurture? Research has shown that human babies benefit from having certain essential fatty acids added to their formulas. Is the same true for puppies? My guest is Dr. Amy Dicke. We will explore how nutrition can affect not only can your pup learn new tricks but can it remember them later?

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

You hear about it on the news. Oprah raves about its benefits. Open any health magazine and you will see articles on anti-oxidants. You can get them in a glass of wine. Fish are swimming with them. Your sweet tooth can be satisfied them in a chunk of dark creamy chocolate. But how do they really work? Can they really help to slow down the aging process? I have the pleasure of speaking with dog owner and health advocate, Peter Brandt. We will chat about the health benefits your pet can experience by incorporating anti-oxidants in their diet.

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

Man and woman’s new best friend is the cat. There are over 82 million kitties purring their way into our homes and hearts. Sadly, our feline house guests receive less medical care and less research dollars. This shortcoming, along with their ability to hide their signs of illness often condemns them to shorter, less healthy lives. The Morris Animal Foundation and the Happy Healthy Cat Campaign aim to keep our cats ‘purr-fectly’ healthy. Listen and learn ways in which you can spot potential health issues and keep the kitten in your cat. My guest today is Dr. Joe Bartges. He is board certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine along with board certification by the College of Veterinary Nutrition.

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

Travel a few minutes south of San Diego, CA, and you will find a distressingly large number of people and pets trying to scratch out a meager living in Tijuana, Mexico. Dogs and cats often have to fend for themselves, searching for bits of food where ever they can find it. Tragically, pet overpopulation is kept in check by unnecessarily short life spans. Lives cut short due to lack of routine medical care. Thanks to the efforts of a band of volunteers, the Humane Society of Tijuana is improving the lives of the pets and people in some of the poorest sections of this border town. Today’s guest is Richard Massa. He is the president of the Friends of the Humane Society of Tijuana.

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

According to the nation’s largest pet health insurance company, Veterinary Pet Insurance, GI upset ranks as the second most common reason for dog owners to seek medical attention for their canine companions and the fourth most common reason for cat owners. A pet’s digestive system is amazingly complex and sensitive. It is responsible for more than just processing food into energy and waste products. An upset GI system can lead to a decreased quality of life and a decrease in its quantity. My guests today are from the Purina Pet Care Company, Drs. Grace Long and Gail Czarnecki-Maulden. They will tell us how to keep our pet’s GI system on the right tract.

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

Thanks to advancements in veterinary medicine, nutrition and general care, the average age of America’s pet population is greater than ever before.  But just as with the aging of their owners, senior pets are more prone to aches, pains, challenges and diseases. 

My guest today is Dr. Diane Levitan.  She is a board certified veterinary internist.  Dr. Levitan assists her aging patients in living the best quality of life for as long as possible.   She will discuss how therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, gamma ray therapy, radioactive isotope treatments and ultrasounds can diagnose and help save the lives of our silver whiskered pets. 

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

Unwanted pet behavior is a leading cause of pet neglect, abuse, surrender, and euthanasia!

It would seem so simple to train a dog or cat to be a welcome member of the family but that is not always the case. Issues may be with the pet. It may be just a bit more tenacious in exhibiting behaviors that are less than endearing. Or with an owner that doesn’t realize the need for consistent, compassionate training and attention. Any parent who has had more than one child will know that no two children are alike. The same is true for pets. Even if you have had pets for years, each pet presents his or her unique challenges.

We never outgrow our need to be loved.  But too frequently as we age, we are cut off from friends and family.  Maybe the senior has outlived all of his or her relations or maybe they are just too busy.  A pet can often soften the long hours of solitude and be just the impetus needed to get off that couch and take the dog for a walk.  

But this companionship comes with a price tag that especially in these difficult economic times, makes it impossible for a elder American to own and care for a pet.

Studies have shown that people typically remember only 50% of what they are told during a doctor’s visit. Of that 50%, only 50% is correct. Accurately remembering what your doctor tells you can be critical to your health and well being. During today’s show, I will give you tips that you can use during your pet’s veterinary visits. You may even find them useful during your own trips to your doctor’s office.

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

A ‘Catalyst’ is defined as a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction. At Tails Humane Society in DeKalb, IL, it is the chemistry between dogs, cats and teenagers in need that has sparked some amazing changes. Injured animals and teens at risk are thriving. Thanks to an innovative program, ‘Catalyst’ is teaching life skills and compassion to the teens and the shelter animals receive the extra attention they need in order to become good adoption candidates.

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

Shirley MacLaine must have been right when she talked about reincarnation. I know I must have been a cat in a previous life. I love to be rubbed, kneaded and massaged. There is little else that will get me to purr like a masseuse with a knowing, firm touch.

Well now our dogs can benefit from massage techniques that you can learn at home. Raquel Wynn is a certified personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, licensed massage and neuromuscular therapist as well as an avid animal lover. This combined passion for optimizing the health and well being of others has lead her to release her first book, Stretch Your Dog Healthy.

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

As the weather starts to chill, the time is perfect to curl up with a great book, especially one about your pet. But which is the right book for you? Or maybe you want to start your holiday shopping early…..books make a great present. But which book to buy? Maryanne Dell is a reporter for the Orange County Register, in Southern California. She is a voracious reader, writes the pet column for the Register and is wild about pets. She is the perfect source for helping you find a great book for your or a friend.

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

Going to the dentist is usually not on the top ten list of exciting activities for people. Tell a pet owner, that their cat needs a trip to a board certified veterinary dentist and they will likely think that you have been sniffing cat nip.

All cats will periodically need to have their teeth professionally cleaned. How often is often a matter of diet, genetics and a bit of luck. Dental disease can be more than a cat being plagued with ‘tuna breath’. Bad teeth over time can lead to serious health issues. My guest is Dr. Jan Bellows. He is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Dentistry. He will tell us how we can keep our cat’s teeth purrrrfectly healthy.

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

The last time your pet was ill, your veterinarian likely recommended that your pet have a battery of tests run. What was he or she looking for? Why do they want to repeat the tests? Why isn’t there a test for cancer? And why do they want to run tests when your pet seems totally healthy?

My guest is Dr. Saundra Willis. She is board certified in veterinary internal medicine. She is going to let us in on the secrets of what a doctor can learn from drops and drips of our pets’ bodily fluids.

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

Mention the word rabies, and most people will have visions of Cujo, Steven King’s vicious, slobbering, rabid St. Bernard. If all rabid animals were that easy to recognize, over 55,000 people annually would not fall victim to this fatal disease.

What can you do safeguard your family and your pets? What can you do to make a difference in the lives of children world wide and save endangered wildlife in Africa? Listen and learn more about this preventable disease and the second annual World Rabies Day.

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

Summer is a time of outdoor fun for the entire family, and that often includes the family pet. Some of the best summer memories involve travel and family gatherings like barbeques. Making sure that your summer is a fantastic one and doesn’t involve a trip to the veterinary emergency hospital is sometimes as easy as planning ahead and being prepared.

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

Instead of “how much is that doggie in the window”, the better question to ask these days is “what is that doggie”. We used to just call them mutts. Those dogs that have the face of a Labrador, the body of a whippet and the personality of a Jack Russell terrier were always a source of great debate at the dog parks. Now many mixed breed dogs are designer pooches that come with hefty price tags. But knowing what composes a dog’s genetic background can be more important than just settling a debate. Knowing which breeds are in your dog’s genetic history can answer questions regarding health and behavioral issues. My guest today is Dr. Angela Hughes. She is a veterinary geneticist in Davis, California.

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

Will my crossed eyed male Siamese cat’s uncross when he is neutered? That was the question that launched the book “the Secret Sex Life of Dogs and Cats.”

“Where do the puppies come out?” “Why did his testicles grow back?” “Can my rabbit get my cat pregnant?” These are but a few of the questions that are answered in this ‘edu-taining’ book, written by none other than your ‘Pet Doctor’ host, Dr. Bernadine Cruz.

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

If you have seen the movie Dr. Doolittle more than 6 times and have read the series of books “All Creatures Great and Small” you probably have pawed at the idea of becoming a veterinarian.

What does it take? How many years is veterinary school? What if you love science but hate math? Is there a chance for you? Today’s guest is in the midst of becoming a licensed veterinarian. Amber Anderson is a fourth year veterinary student at Western University in Pomona, California.

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

‘Pen Pals of San Quentin’…no it is not a correspondence initiative for the inmates of this northern California prison but rather an innovative partnership between the Marin Humane Society and this penal institution. Dogs with special rehabilitation needs are matched with selected minimum-security inmates. This program and its coordinator, Larry Carson, have had such a phenomenal success that the California Veterinary Medical Association has honored them.

Why You Want to Become Your Pet’s Personal Masseuse

There are few things more relaxing than a good massage for relieving stress, but massage for a dog or cat? My guest, Jean Pierre Hourdebaigt, is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of dog, cat and horse massage. He will inform us of the benefits of pet massage, from speeding postoperative healing to increasing the loving bonds that you and your pet share.

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

They itch, they bite, they scratch themselves until you think you will go crazy. Your poor cat or dog is miserable. Pets can have skin issues for all the reasons that you and I do and then some. How to figure out the cause and get it under control can make you feel like a CSI agent. Dr. Wayne Rosenkrantz, a board certified veterinary dermatologist will help you scratch out an answer to what may be bothering your pet.

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

Almost 60% of U.S. households as of the end of 2006 owned a pet. Most were cats and dogs but others owned much more unusual pets like tarantulas, hedgehogs or spider monkeys.

Over the years, fads in animal ownership can go in and out of style like bell-bottom trousers. ‘Must have’ pets have run the gamut from alpacas to Zambesi Parrotfish. Owning an alternative type of pet can be fun but it can also spell disaster for the animal as well as the owner.

Dr. Scott Weldy, a veterinarian who has treated all creatures great and small, from cheetahs to chimpanzees will chat with us about the perils, pitfalls and pleasures of owning some of the more exotic animals on our planet.

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

Cancer is a disease that affects all animals. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, it is the number one cause of death in our companion animals. But how would you know if your pet has cancer? What signs could you see? Does the diagnosis of cancer have to be a death sentence? What hope is there for a pet with cancer?

My guest today is Dr. Mona Rosenberg. She is a board certified veterinary internist. She is the chief of staff of the Veterinary Cancer Group in California.

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

If you have ever said to yourself that you would love a career that combines your love of animals, a desire to improve the health of people as well as animals and one that challenges your mind, you don’t have to be a veterinarian. You might want to consider the field of veterinary technology.

Registered veterinary technicians are skilled professionals work in veterinary hospitals as well as in the field. They play an essential role in research laboratories, and diagnostic companies. The RVTs are in the military as well as help to protect the environment with the work that they do with wildlife conservation.

Today’s guest is Cherylann Gieseke, a registered veterinary technician at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

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

It is estimated that there are 10 million more cats in the United States than dogs. That’s almost 82 million cats at the end of 2006 and the number continues to rise. But with the increasing popularity of cats, the fact that these furry felines receive less professional attention than their canine cousins makes you want to yowl. The latest figures reveal that in a single year, 83% of dog owners take their dogs to the veterinarian as compared to only 64% of cat owners.

Are cats just healthier than dogs? No, they can experience just as many maladies as dogs. Today I will be speaking with the president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, Dr. Valerie Creighton, about conditions that affect cats, how to recognize if your cat is sick as a dog and what you can do to ensure that your feline friend experiences the best quality of its nine lives.

I sometimes think that ophthalmologist try to trick their patients….”which is better one or two?” Do they really change anything or do they just want to watch us squirm as we look through that funny device with all those dials and lenses. And reading the eye chart can be an exercise of mind numbing squinting and guessing.

But what do you do if your pet has vision issues? Do you hold up a mouse in front of a cat and ask it to raise 1 paw or two? Veterinary ophthalmology is extremely sophisticated. A primary care veterinarian can diagnose and treat most eye ailments but at times needs to refer a patient - cat, dog, bird or even a horse to an eye specialist.

Today’s podcast features Dr. Bill Miller, a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Together we will clearly look into the issues of our pet’s vision and investigate the advances in veterinary ophthalmology. We will also discuss a special initiative of providing free eye examinations for those animals that assist vision impaired people, the Seeing Eye dog.

With all the advances in veterinary medicine, it seems as though there is a pill for everything. There are however, many instances when surgery may be indicated. Your primary care veterinarian can perform most surgical procedures but there are times when he or she will find it necessary to refer you and your pet to a board certified veterinary surgeon. Even amongst these highly specialized individuals, there are those that specialize to only doing procedures on bone, orthopedic surgeons, or those who provide relief for patients suffering with neurological issues.

Today’s guest is Dr. Phil Zeltzman; a board certified veterinary surgeon based in Lehigh Valley, PA. He will discuss the use of surgery to save lives, correct birth defects, retrieve those bizarre items that pets will sometimes ingest as well as a host of other topics.

Pet birds - they may weigh only ounces or be as big as a cat. Their voices may be a quiet coo or an ear splitting squawk. It is estimated that over 5 million households share their homes with these winged creatures. Though they don’t require yearly vaccines, periodic visits to a veterinarian trained in avian medicine can help insure that your feathered friend lives a long and healthy life. This show will answer the questions: What bird is best for you? How can nutrition and routine well bird check ups help to keep your bird healthy. What to do if you think your bird is ill. Can you really spay a budgie?

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

Our bodies and those of our pets are affected by chemicals called hormones. Over production, as well as deficiencies can wreck havoc with our health. Diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease are but a few. Signs of these diseases can be subtle. They can be difficult to diagnose and even more challenging to treat. A primary care veterinarian will often consult with or refer a pet to a board certified veterinary internist. Our podcast today will focus on this veterinary medical specialist and learn how internists unlock mysteries occurring under your pet’s skin.

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

It was something in his eyes, a funny ‘Sheepa-dor’ named Watson that made his owner, major league baseball player, Arnie Costell realize that he couldn’t give up. Watson’s quality of life was compromised because of old age infirmities. When others said that it might be time to let Watson pass, Arnie knew that with hard work, some creativity and luck that he could give Watson back his dignity, extend his life and maybe help some other pet owners facing similar issues. So was born the “Bottoms Up” leash and one man’s passion to help senior dogs everywhere. This is a shaggy dog tale that will give your heart a lift and your dog’s hind quarters a boost.

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

We know that it is going to happen sometime. We know it is going to happen to ourselves or to those we love. We know it is may be very expensive. We know we should plan for it, but too often we don’t. I am talking about accidents and illness. It is critical for everyone to possess health insurance. It is our hedge against a possible financial melt down if we are stricken with a catastrophic illness or injury. But what if the family member that becomes ill is the family pet?

The advances in veterinary medicine are spectacular, but they come with a price tag. How is the pet owner supposed to pay for these potentially life saving treatments? Pet insurance is making the miracles of veterinary medicine more affordable for the caring pet owners. But not all insurance companies are created equal. This segment of ‘the Pet Doctor’ will explore how the concerned pet owner can find pet insurance company that fits their individual needs. My guest today is Ms. Laura Bennett of Embrace Pet Insurance.

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

With the advent of computers, a great deal of research that previously was performed using animal models can now be done with machines. But computers are not living organisms and the best computer model can not always predict what will occur in real life. The Foundation of Biomedical Research is the oldest, and largest organization in the United States devoted to promoting public understanding, respect and support for the humane and responsible use of animal research. Mr. Paul McKellips, the vice president of FBR will discuss with me the ways that animals have made an irreplaceable impact on life saving advances in human and veterinary medicine.

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

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, it is estimated that of the 83 million cats in the United States, only 1/3 receive adequate, regular veterinary attention. Why are these felines merely scratching the surface of the medical care they need? This segment of the Pet Doctor will feature Dr. Patricia Olson of the Morris Animal Foundation. She will help to clear away the fur and show cat owners how to keep their feline friends purring with optimal health.

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