Ask the Vet

Heal the Beast: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts with Dr. Philipp Schott

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 historyHow wars and plagues helped spark the foundations of modern veterinary medicineThe scourge of rabies from ancient Egypt to todaySuperstitions, misguided cures, and the return of alternative approachesThe emotional, practical, and spiritual reasons people treat animalsWhat the history of veterinary medicine reveals about its futureAlso on this month’s show:Viral trending animal story featuring Maple, the retired police dog who now protects honeybeesAnimal news, including radioactive rhino horns to fight poaching, U.S. cities ranked by pet-friendliness, and TSA warnings about transporting petsPet 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 dogsDo 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.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

How Therapy Dogs Change Lives: A Conversation with Rachel McPherson

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 advocateThe story of Fidel, her first therapy dog who worked at Ground Zero after 9/11Why therapy dogs are uniquely impactful in healing and recoveryHow The Good Dog Foundation expanded from 3 dogs to more than 1,000 therapy teamsWhat makes a great therapy dog and handler teamGroundbreaking research partnerships with Yale and Mount SinaiThe Good Dog Foundation’s new initiativesAlso on this month’s show:Viral trending animal story about twin red panda cubsAnimal news, including why some dogs watch TV, the mystery of cats and concrete slabs, and bearded dragons with tiny backpacksPet health listener Q&A discussing paw licking in dogs, rare complications of rhabdomyolysis in cats, and vaccine reactions in petsDo 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.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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 askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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 askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!

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 askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!