Ask the Vet

• Is Anesthesia Risky for your Pet? With Dr. Andrea Looney

  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 goatsWhy people may be anxious about their pets undergoing anesthesiaHow anesthetic plans are customized for each individual patientWhich vital signs are closely monitored during anesthesiaThe subtle physical signs that veterinary staff look for when a patient is under anesthesiaWhy “flat-faced” breeds like Frenchies present unique challengesAlso on this month's show:Viral trending animal story featuring the giraffe who gave birth to a calf weighing 132 poundsAnimal 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 [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Redefining What's Possible in Animal Care with Dr. Daniel Spector

  In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Daniel Spector for an informative conversation about minimally invasive surgery in pets. Dr. Spector has led AMC’s minimally invasive surgery program since its launch in 2024, and he brings nearly two decades of experience to the operating room. Together, they discuss:His perspective as a pet owner whose dog needed multiple surgeriesThe difference between minimally invasive surgery vs. traditional surgical proceduresThe benefits and suitability of these techniques for both small and large animalsThe types of procedures that can be treated with minimally invasive techniquesWhat factors go into deciding whether minimally invasive surgery is the right fitHow certain procedures can prevent life-threatening diseasesWhy minimally invasive surgery is a key part of AMC’s residency programHow his interests in cooking, hiking, and running influence his approach to surgeryAlso on this month's show:Viral trending animal story featuring Bitsy, a stray cat from Alberta, Canada found with six legs.Animal news, including the story of an abandoned US postal service truck full of baby birds, how comparative research between humans and dogs is helping both species in the fight against cancer… and wild capuchin monkeys caught on camera carrying baby howler monkeys, a completely different species.Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers questions about whether or not to neuter a small toy poodle, the causes of tongue cancer in cats, and how to switch your pet’s diet for better digestive health.Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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• Helping Pets and People Through Cancer with Dr. Renee Alsarraf

  In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Renee Alsarraf for a heartfelt and informative conversation about cancer in pets. Dr. Alsarraf brings a unique perspective, not only as a board-certified veterinary oncologist, but also but also as a cancer survivor and pet parent to dogs who have faced cancer. Together, they discuss:The types of cancers commonly seen at AMCHow radiation therapy works and when it’s usedAMC’s use of linear accelerator technology for targeted treatmentWhat’s changed in oncology over the years and what hasn’tHow Dr. Alsarraf helps clients navigate difficult treatment decisionsInsights from her memoir Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living WellWhat to expect from her upcoming webinar, Navigating a Pet’s Cancer DiagnosisHow she stays hopeful doing emotionally challenging workAlso on this month's show:Viral trending animal story featuring Buford, a 150-pound ranch dog in Arizona who helped lead a toddler to safetyAnimal news, including a biotech company that claims to have brought back dire wolves, a new study showing that dogs understand meaningful words even in monotone speech... and the oldest known domestic cats in history, found in a 1559 shipwreck.Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers questions about what a giardia-positive test means in a newly adopted cat, managing inconsistent dog-to-dog reactivity, and whether gabapentin side effects in dogs are normal or worth reevaluating.Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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• The Parasite Problem: How to Protect Your Pet with Dr. Craig Prior

  Parasites are a year-round threat to pets, and some can pose risks to human health as well. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with veterinarian Dr. Craig Prior, former president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), about what every pet owner should know. From tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms to giardia and ticks that transmit diseases like Lyme and ehrlichiosis, they cover the most common and most concerning parasites. Tune in as they discuss:What are parasites and how do they affect animals?The upcoming parasite forecastCAPC's parasite risk mapsWays to keep animal companions (and humans) safe from parasitesWhy ticks are formidable Do dog parks harbor parasites?How people traveling with animals is spreading parasitesAre indoor cats at risk?The increasing problem of hookworm resistance and how it was exacerbated by the greyhound racing industryDo any natural cures work against parasites?Also on this month's show:Viral trending animal story of the month featuring Aggie the cat, who went missing after the palisades wildfire destroyed her family homeAnimal news, including the newly identified genetic mutation causing blindness in Labrador retrieversPet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers listener questions about giving a cat chemotherapy drugs, next steps for a dog with a persistent cough, and ideas for reducing a cat's severe anxiety in carriers.Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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• Special 50th Episode: Pet Behavior with Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Vanessa Spano

  For our special 50th episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Vanessa Spano—AMCs first-ever veterinary behaviorist and the only board-certified veterinary behaviorist in New York City. Dr. Spano’s expertise spans a wide range of behavioral challenges, including anxiety, aggression, trauma recovery, and compulsive disorders. Tune in as they discuss:The difference between veterinary behaviorists, trainers, and general veterinarians What are the most common behavior issues among pets?How Dr. Spano determines if a behavior issue is medical or psychologicalBody language clues for dogs and catsHow anxiety in pets can be managedThe role of medication and training in treating animals with behavioral issuesManaging aggression in animalsAre shelter pets different from other animals?Dr. Spano's advice for pet owners struggling with behavior issuesHow to make an appointment with Dr. SpanoAlso on this month's show:Viral trending animal story of the month featuring the opossum who ate an entire Costco tuxedo chocolate mousse cakeAnimal news, including how the birdwatching app eBird is helping protect vulnerable species from bird watchersPet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers listener questions about urine crystals, different types of diagnostic imaging, and how to effectively apply ear dropsDo you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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