Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, as they discuss pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession. Were you surprised by recent headlines claiming that 99.1% of dogs have behavior problems, based on data from the Dog Aging Project? In this episode, Dr. Beth and Dr. Alyssa consider whether the …

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Heather D.S. Walden, MS, PhD, to discuss her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Rat Lungworm in Companion Animals.” This new-to-us parasite is popping up more frequently in the Southeast region of the United States in both dogs and humans and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Dr. Walden…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Alyssa Watson, DVM, Beth Molleson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, as they discuss pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession. Times have certainly changed when it comes to the availability of distance learning in veterinary education. In this episode, the trio unpacks the AVMA Council on Education’s n…

Too much phosphorus can quietly wreak havoc on the body, but when and how should we intervene? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Beth sits down with Christopher Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, to explore hyperphosphatemia, including why it occurs, how it impacts the kidneys, and what to do about it. They discuss pra…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes Jason Bleedorn, DVM, MS, DACVS, and Bryce Talsma, DVM, to talk about their recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Osteoarthritis Treatment Options for Geriatric Dogs.” Dr. Bleedorn and Dr. Talsma each share their evidence and experience to guide us on how body condition, drugs, supplements, and e…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Katie Berlin, DVM, and Alyssa Watson, DVM, as they discuss pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession. In this episode, Dani Rabwin, DVM, founder and CEO of Ready, Vet, Go, a mentorship program and community for early career veterinarians, joins the podcast to discuss how already-too-busy veterinar…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes Søren Boysen, DVM, DACVECC, to talk about his recent Clinician’s Brief articles on the benefits and limitations of POCUS in general practice. Using point-of-care ultrasound is becoming more accessible, and Dr. Boysen details the questions you can expect to answer and the confidence you’ll gain by a…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Katie Berlin, DVM, and Alyssa Watson, DVM, as they discuss pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession today. In this episode, they're joined by Dr. Erica Wassack, Associate Pharmacy Officer at Instinct Science. Together, they explore the collaborative dynamics between veterinarians and pharmacists,…

Can mushrooms play a role in supporting immune health in veterinary patients? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, host Dr. Beth and Dr. Brad Roach explore the science behind mushrooms and beta glucans, their immune-boosting properties, and the latest options in veterinary supplements. Dr. Roach shares what we know about these powe…

Behavioral addictions have increased in importance over the past few decades and are perhaps more relevant than ever with the legalization of sports betting across America. However, there is still debate about whether behavioral addictions exist. While some disordered behavior, such as gambling and gaming disorder, have recently received more wides…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes back Kate Barnes, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 6 Osteoarthritis Treatment Options for Geriatric Cats.” Recognition of arthritis in cats is growing. Dr. Barnes imparts a feline-centric view on medications, supplements, weight loss–and even surgery–to he…

Do you ever feel like your days in the clinic could run smoother? In this episode of the Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Beth invites Dr. Mary Ann Vande Linde to join her in a discussion on how veterinary teams can work smarter, not harder, by maximizing the potential of the team’s veterinary technicians. From understanding state-specific le…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, as they discuss pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession today. This week, Dr. Katie and Dr. Alyssa take a few moments to acknowledge that the rapidly changing social climate in the United States is hard on a lot of us, particularly on colleagues and fri…

Allergic patients can be some of the most frustrating cases in veterinary medicine—for veterinary teams, owners, and patients alike. When a patient has an allergic flare, how do we treat the patient, address pet owner concerns, and work to prevent future flares? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Anthea Schick answers this bi…

The world population is aging. In the United States alone, the population of older adults 65 and up is projected to nearlydouble by 2060, from 49 million in 2016 to 95 million people. This historic change in population demographics will require shifts in public health responses. In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Alexis Kuerbis about how older adul…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes back Marc Seitz, DVM, DACVR, DABVP, to discuss his recent Clinician’s Brief article, "Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Sampling Techniques in Veterinary Patients." Dr. Seitz breaks down the key techniques for obtaining high-quality diagnostic samples, compares fine-needle aspiration with the nonaspira…

On this Addiction Psychologist segment, we talk to experts about new policy developments to get a better understanding of the implications for our work, our clients, and our personal lives. On this episode, we talk with Dr. Lara Coughlin about the science of contingency management, recent changes in incentive allowance for contingency management, a…

What does it truly mean to be a leader in the veterinary profession? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Beth sits down with Dr. Christina Moore and Dr. Paige Baker to explore the many facets of veterinary leadership—from leading teams and providing mentorship in the clinic to stepping into leadership roles across the broader …

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, as they discuss the pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession today. You never know what will walk through the door in general practice. In this episode, Dr. Alyssa and Dr. Katie reflect on some of their recent zebra cases, sharing challenges, surprises, …

Dr. Kirsten Smith joined us in June 2022 for a wonderful discussion about Kratom. In this episode, she updates us on the volatile changes that have occurred since our last discussion. Dr. Kirsten Smith is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at Johns Hopkins University. If you hav…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes Charlie Pye, DVM, DVSc, DACVD, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Cutaneous Lymphoma in an American Pit Bull Terrier Crossbreed.” Dr. Pye covers all the essential background for cutaneous lymphoma, which can mimic many other skin diseases. She also gives practical tips for perform…

Ready to refine your approach to managing feline chronic kidney disease (CKD)? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Beth asks Dr. Stacie Summers, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, to share her expert insights into the often-overlooked role of uremic toxins in feline CKD. Listen in as they discuss why uremic toxins matter, their impact on the s…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes Alyssa Jenkins, DVM, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 3 Recent Advances in Feline Diabetes Management.” Dr. Jenkins starts with a feline diabetes mellitus refresher, including the comparison between it and type I/type II diabetes in humans. She then details the major new thi…

More and more veterinary professionals are embracing a spectrum of care approach–that is, the philosophy that “best medicine” means the care that best fits the pet and family in front of us, even if it’s not the most advanced care available. But, how do we do that without feeling even more vulnerable to lawsuits, board complaints, and angry online …

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes back Elizabeth Thomovsky, DVM, MS, DACVECC, to discuss her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Stabilization of Cats With Urethral Obstruction Prior to Referral.” Dr. Thomovsky highlights the importance of recognizing early signs of obstruction, performing prompt physical examinations, and managing …

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, as they discuss the pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession today. In a busy clinic, an unanswered call to a client can cause more than mere frustration. The pet may be under anesthesia or their condition may have worsened, leaving the team in urgent n…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Jennifer Granick, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Times to Reconsider Antibiotic Prescriptions.” Dr. Granick discusses scenarios where antibiotics may be misused, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying causes of these conditions …

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Beth Molleson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, as they discuss the pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession today. As 2025 gets underway, we’re all surrounded by messaging telling us it’s time to set goals around health and fitness–and for many of us, that can trigger some uncomfortable feelings and …

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes Carrie Schroeder, DVM, DACVAA, to discuss her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Dexmedetomidine-Induced Bradycardia in a Great Dane.” The conversation centers around the physiological mechanisms underlying bradycardia and dexmedetomidine's biphasic blood pressure effects. Key aspects of the discus…

Have you ever conducted a food trial only to end up with inconclusive results? Or had it cut short altogether due to compliance issues? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Beth sits down with Dr. Sarah Ramos, DVM, DACVD, to discuss the best strategies for making food elimination trials a success from start to finish. Intended …

Although risk of substance use disorder exists for anyone that uses substances, study after study shows that early initiation of substance use in adolescence is a strong predictor of later substance-related problems and is associated with higher risk . What is going on in the brain during adolescence, and how do substances affect it? Dr. Lindsay Sq…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, as they discuss the pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession today. In this episode, they break down the origins and implications of Colorado Proposition 129, which created a new Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role in the state. Like many veteri…

When a new drug class enters the veterinary world, first comes the excitement…then comes the learning. In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Jocelyn Mott, DVM, DACVIM, answers your most frequently asked questions when it comes to using a novel drug class in the treatment of feline diabetes mellitus: the sodium-glucose cotransporter-…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Elizabeth Layne, DVM, DACVD, to discuss her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Topical Therapies to Minimize Systemic Antibiotic Use.” Dr. Layne emphasizes the critical role of topical treatments in veterinary dermatology and their potential to reduce reliance on systemic antibiotics. She…

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to profoundly impact both human and veterinary medicine. In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, host Dr. Beth talks with Dr. Ernie Ward about how AI is entering veterinary clinics in a big way: through radiographic interpretation. Tune in as they explore both the advantages and limitations o…

Have you ever conducted a food trial only to end up with inconclusive results? Or had it cut short altogether due to compliance issues? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Beth sits down with Dr. Sarah Ramos, DVM, DACVD, to discuss the best strategies for making food elimination trials a success from start to finish. Intended …

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Diane Delmain, DVM, DABVP, about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Remdesivir & GS-441524 for Treatment of FIP.” Dr. Delmain discusses the relationship between the two drugs, the hurdles veterinarians face in prescribing them, and the FDA’s stance on compounded GS-441524. She also covers the…

Gambling continues to grow in popularity in the United States, particularly with the introduction of sport betting. Should we be concerned? Dr. Jeremiah Weinstock joins us to discuss prevalence of gambling disorder, differences between gambling and substance use disorders, and the potential implications o rapidly rising rates of gambling in the Uni…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! Join Alyssa Watson, DVM, Beth Molleson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, as they discuss the pressing issues impacting the veterinary profession today. While it’s become more accepted to call out for physical illness, fear of retaliation or stigma still keeps many in the clinic from taking needed mental health days. …

In today’s episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, host Dr. Beth sits down with Dr. Wendy Simpson to discuss the unique challenges cats and their owners face when visiting the veterinary clinic. From the stress of leaving home to the intimidating clinic environment, acute fear and anxiety often inhibit the care cats receive—or prevent visits …

When it comes to patient treatment, we often think of a pill or an injection as the go-to solution, but in the case of dermatologic disease, are we overlooking the power of topical therapy? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, host Dr. Beth and dermatologist Dr. Julia Miller explore the role of topical therapies for both disease pr…

Does walking into a fully booked day of surgeries leave your team feeling stressed and wondering how they’ll manage it all? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, Dr. Beth asks veterinary surgeon Dr. Kim Tong for his top tips for running an efficient surgical practice. Listen in as they cover everything from refining team communicati…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with Michaela Beasley, DVM, MS, MBA, CCRP, DACVIM (Neurology), about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Seizure Management in a Fractious Dog.” Dr. Beasley discusses the complexities of seizure management in dogs, particularly those exhibiting fearful or aggressive behavior. She reviews the case o…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! In this special episode, Katie Berlin, DVM, talks with Liz Barton, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, MCIPR, about an often dreaded, rarely discussed, widely misunderstood health crisis that will in some way affect 100% of veterinary professionals: menopause. In one survey, 99% of women said perimenopause affected their work, an…

Are compounded drugs FDA-approved? Can any drug be compounded? In this episode of Clinician’s Brief Partner Podcast, host Dr. Beth asks Dr. Dawn Boothe to clarify everything a veterinarian needs to know about the world of compounded drugs. Tune in to get a clearer understanding of how compounded medication fit into the pharmaceutical landscape of s…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Tamara McArdle, DVM, DABVP (Canine & Feline Practice), to discuss her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Vaccinations in Atypical Veterinary Patients.” Dr. McArdle shares key considerations for assessing vaccination efficacy and risks, including patient health, immune response, and the impact o…

Alcohol is often consumed around others: at bars or clubs, social events, college parties, or dinner with friends. How does alcohol influence social connection, and vis-a-versa? Why are they so seemingly interconnected? In this episode, Dr. Michael Sayette discusses his research on alcohol's relationship with the social context and the clinical imp…

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! In honor of Veterinary Technician Week coming up, Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, asked a group of veterinary technicians: What do you wish doctors in your practice did more of to help you learn, grow, and build confidence? Because swag and snacks are always good, but nothing compares to the gift of w…

In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Michelle A. Kutzler, DVM, MBA, PhD, DACT, to discuss her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Prostatitis in a Bernese Mountain Dog.” Dr. Kutzler provides insights into the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis. She highlights the importance of distinguishing between prostatitis, benign …

Welcome to the Veterinary Breakroom! In the breakroom, Beth Molleson, DVM, and Katie Berlin, DVM, discuss the important, relevant topics affecting veterinarians today. In this episode, Dr. Beth and Dr. Katie sit down to discuss the role of veterinary assistants amid veterinary staffing shortages. Tune in as they share their thoughts on whether vete…