News

This summer Dr. Marty Becker, who you may know from his appearances on Good Morning America and the Dr. Oz show, will be hitting the road on a 7-week bus tour to promote a new book on dog care and the message “Healthy Pets Visit Vets.” As part of this tour he’ll be stopping at PETCOs across the country to answer questions from dog owners about the health and well-being of their pets. In this podcast, Dr. Becker explains the importance of regular wellness exams for our pets, and shares some tips on dog care. READ MORE»

Selecting a veterinarian can be one of the most important decisions you make for the health and well-being of your pet. Your veterinarian could very well provide medical care and oversight for the entire life of your pet, so it’s important to find a doctor that’s right for you and your pet. In this podcast, Dr. René Carlson, a small animal veterinarian from Cheteck, Wis., and president-elect of the AVMA, offers advice on selecting a veterinarian. READ MORE»

National Report -- A human drug sometimes used by veterinarians to treat certain prostate conditions has been recalled due to a possible mislabeling error, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). READ MORE»

While relief and recovery missions in Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami have focused on humanitarian efforts, there is a large and growing concern for the animals of Japan-the pets, livestock, and wildlife that may also have been injured, killed, or displaced in the initial wave of disasters, or exposed to radiation in the aftermath. Dr. Michael Hannon, coordinator of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps and a member of the AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Team, talks about what’s happening in Japan, the risk to animals and people in the United States, and how U.S. pet owners can prepare for similar types of disasters. READ MORE»

West Nile Virus has been around for a long time, but it wasn’t until 1999, when it was first identified in New York, that it appeared on the radar for most of us in the United States. The virus is now found in nearly every state and has proven fatal to not only humans but birds and horses, and has caused illness in other animals as well. In this podcast, Dr. Don Hoenig, state veterinarian and state public health veterinarian from Maine, discusses West Nile virus as it relates to animals, including our pets. READ MORE»

For 46 years, the third week in March has been designated as National Poison Prevention Week, established in 1965 to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. While this week has traditionally focused on the health and safety of people, it’s a good reminder to keep our four-legged members of the household in mind as well. In this podcast, Dr. Justine Lee, a board-certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist and the associate director of veterinary services for Pet Poison Helpline, talks about items in and around the house that may be poisonous to our pets. READ MORE»