Vet Tales

Drs. Brackeen and Dame return to discuss FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukemia virus): how they spread, how we test and interpret results, and what positive results mean for care.

They explain that FIV is usually transmitted by bites, can be managed with careful monitoring and vaccination of affected cats, and that maternal antibodies can cause false positives in kittens. FeLV is more serious—causing anemia, lymphoma, and often fatal disease—so testing before vaccination, strict isolation or risk mitigation, and prevention are essential.

Practical takeaways: test outdoor or exposed cats regularly, vaccinate and reduce exposure, act quickly on illness in positive cats, and consider pet insurance to help cover unexpected costs.

This episode breaks down why anal glands exist, how they work, and the common problems pets can have—from impactions and infections to abscesses and rare cancers.

Hosts, Dr. Natalie Brackeen and Dr. Josiah Dame, explain symptoms to watch for (scooting, tail tucking, straining), how internal vs. external expressions are done, treatment options, and prevention tips like diet, weight management, and allergy control.

In this episode of Vet Tales, Dr. Natalie Brackeen and Dr. Josiah Dame discuss pet obesity—how to recognize it using body condition scores, why excess weight causes arthritis, diabetes, breathing issues and liver problems, and why calories matter more than exercise.

They share practical advice for pet caretakers: keep food logs, measure portions, adjust feeding for spayed/neutered and senior pets, consider satiety or weight-loss diets, use meal management tools for multi-pet homes and cats, monitor progress with your veterinarian, and watch for emerging medical options.

In this episode of Vet Tales Dr. Natalie Brackeen and Dr. Josiah Dame discuss mammary cancer in dogs and cats and how timely spay/neuter dramatically reduces risk. They explain the difference between cytology and histopathology, review statistics (dogs: ~50% malignant, cats: ~90% malignant), and cover practical timing recommendations—generally spay by 6–12 months for most dogs, at the age of 6 months for cats, with exceptions for large breeds.

The hosts also address male neuter benefits (prostate disease prevention), common owner concerns (anesthetic risk, weight gain, behavior changes), and rare exceptions like persistent puppy vaginitis or specific health cases where timing may vary.

Key takeaways: check any firm lumps on the mammary chain promptly, spay/neuter pets if you do not plan to breed, and talk to your veterinarian about the best timing for your pet’s breed and health.

In this episode, two veterinarians, Dr. Natalie Keith and Dr. Josiah Dame discuss lymphoma in dogs (and briefly in cats): common breeds and ages affected, how enlarged lymph nodes present, and the tests used to diagnose (aspiration cytology and PARR).

They explain treatment options ranging from steroids and oral drugs to the CHOP chemotherapy protocol, address prognosis differences between B-cell and T-cell lymphoma, and share real clinical stories about rapid progression and difficult decisions.

The episode also touches on feline GI lymphoma, the role of routine lab work, and how veterinarians balance diagnostics, treatment costs, and pet quality of life.