In this episode of "Ask the Vet," Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Philipp Schott, veterinarian, bestselling author, and storyteller, to discuss his new book Heal the Beast: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts. Together, they explore surprising and quirky stories of animal healers across cultures and centuries, while reflecting on what these traditions teach us about the bond between humans and animals.

Topics include:

Why caring for animals has been universal throughout human history

• How wars and plagues helped spark the foundations of modern veterinary medicine
• The scourge of rabies from ancient Egypt to today
• Superstitions, misguided cures, and the return of alternative approaches
• The emotional, practical, and spiritual reasons people treat animals
• What the history of veterinary medicine reveals about its future

Also on this month’s show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring Maple, the retired police dog who now protects honeybees
• Animal news, including radioactive rhino horns to fight poaching, U.S. cities ranked by pet-friendliness, and TSA warnings about transporting pets
• Pet Health Listener Q&A on moving cross-country with cats, managing recurring ear infections in dogs, and knee problems after a common orthopedic surgery in dogs

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of "Ask the Vet," Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Rachel McPherson, Founder and President of The Good Dog Foundation, about the transformative role of therapy dogs. For more than 25 years, Rachel has been a trailblazer in the movement to bring trained therapy dogs into the lives of people experiencing illness, trauma, or hardship.

Topics include:

• Rachel’s path from Academy Award–nominated film producer to therapy dog advocate
• The story of Fidel, her first therapy dog who worked at Ground Zero after 9/11
• Why therapy dogs are uniquely impactful in healing and recovery
• How The Good Dog Foundation expanded from 3 dogs to more than 1,000 therapy teams
• What makes a great therapy dog and handler team
• Groundbreaking research partnerships with Yale and Mount Sinai
• The Good Dog Foundation’s new initiatives

Also on this month’s show:

• Viral trending animal story about twin red panda cubs
• Animal news, including why some dogs watch TV, the mystery of cats and concrete slabs, and bearded dragons with tiny backpacks
• Pet health listener Q&A discussing paw licking in dogs, rare complications of rhabdomyolysis in cats, and vaccine reactions in pets

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of "Ask the Vet" Dr. Ann Hohenhaus talks with Dr. Andrea Looney, Senior Veterinarian at AMC and board-certified specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia, about how anesthesia is safely administered to pets. They discuss why the idea of anesthesia can make pet owners feel uneasy -- especially because general anesthesia involves a loss of consciousness -- and what goes on behind the scenes to keep animals safe and comfortable during procedures.

Topics include:

• Dr. Looney’s childhood around animals and her love of goats
• Why people may be anxious about their pets undergoing anesthesia
• How anesthetic plans are customized for each individual patient
• Which vital signs are closely monitored during anesthesia
• The subtle physical signs that veterinary staff look for when a patient is under anesthesia
• Why “flat-faced” breeds like Frenchies present unique challenges

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring the giraffe who gave birth to a calf weighing 132 pounds
• Animal news, including a look at how humans resemble their pets, the small-clawed otters with a knack for escaping, and unlocking the secret mechanisms of a cat’s ability to purr.
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, with topics including hysterectomy options for small dogs, signs of kidney disease in cats, and what causes a cat to have different colored eyes.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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