Summer travel plans don’t always include our furry companions—and that’s okay! In this episode, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist, shares expert advice to help you prepare your pet for your absence and ensure they’re cared for with compassion and reliability. Whether you're considering a pet sitter, boarding facility, or a combination of both, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to reduce stress for both you and your pets.

• 🐶 How to choose the best care option for your pet’s personality—boarding, in-home sitter, or hybrid

• 🧘 Ways to ease your pet’s anxiety while you’re gone, including calming aids and routine tips

• 📋 What to include in a pet sitter care plan—feeding, meds, quirks, emergency info & more

• 🎥 How tech tools can keep you connected during your trip

• 🧼 What makes a great boarding facility and how to spot red flags

• 🏡 How to prep your home and pet before you head out for a guilt-free getaway

📌 Mentioned in this episode (Affiliate Links):

• 🐾 Trusted Housesitters – Find trusted pet sitters near you

• 🎥 Furbo Dog Camera - Watch and give your pets treats while you are away!

  • 1. Furbo 360° Dog Camera and Furbo 360° Cat Camera - ONLY $44 during Prime Day for the model that requires a subscription to unlock OR $129 without a subscription. Regularly priced $210.

    2. Furbo Mini - ONLY $25 during Prime Day for the model that requires a subscription to unlock OR $59 without a subscription. Regularly priced at $99.

  • Use code FURBOVIP starting June 26th!

• 🐕 ThunderEase Pheromone Diffuser for Calming Dogs

• 🐈 Feliway Pheromone Diffuser for Calming Cats

In a new episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti is joined by Dr. Mandy Sorenson, communications specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians. Together, they break down the latest developments in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), tularemia risks in pets and people, and how public health veterinary professionals are vital in protecting animal and human populations.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

1. Massive Avian Flu Outbreak in Arizona:

   • A large commercial egg facility lost 6 million birds, prompting renewed discussions around poultry vaccination for HPAI.

   • Trade implications and vaccine limitations are major hurdles to widespread use. Learn more: USDA announces $100M funding opportunity in fight against avian influenza

2. H5N1 Persistence in Raw Milk:

   • H5N1 remains infectious in raw milk for up to a week under refrigeration.

   • Pasteurization is a critical safety measure for both humans and pets.

   • Read more: CDC on Raw Milk Risks

3. Emerging Threat: Tularemia

   • Zoonotic bacterial disease spread by ticks, flies, and contact with infected animals.

   • Most common in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, but reportable nationwide.

   • Tick prevention is essential for both pets and people.

   • View the: CAPC tick prevalence maps

4. USDA Workforce Reductions May Impact Outbreak Response:

   • Loss of ~1,300 USDA-APHIS employees may slow outbreak detection and genotyping capabilities.

   • Agencies are still working hard to monitor multiple diseases including screwworm and tularemia.

5. Scratching the Itch: Rapid Cage-Side Avian Flu Test

   • Purdue researchers developed a rapid test for avian influenza using a water bath and paper strip.

   • Promises quicker diagnosis, isolation, and containment. New assay offers way to combat the treat of HPAI

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.

By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.

Connect with Your Vet!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

West Highland White Terriers (Westies) present unique challenges when managing their allergies. In this episode, board certified veterinary dermatologist and devoted Westie owner Dr. Valerie Fadok joins to allergic skin and ear disease in these little dogs with big personalities. Dr. Fadok shares her expertise and personal stories to help pet owners better understand and manage this frustrating condition in this specific breed.

Key Takeaways:

• Westies are genetically predisposed to atopic dermatitis and can show signs of allergies early in life.

• Common signs include persistent itchiness, greasy or scaly skin, frequent secondary infections, hair loss, and chronic ear infections.

• Early diagnosis and management are critical to avoid progression to severe, chronic skin changes. Treatment plans may include medications, regular bathing, immunotherapy, and collaboration with a veterinary dermatologist.

• Flea allergy dermatitis is a common trigger—preventative flea control is non-negotiable, even if fleas aren't seen.

• Food allergies affect approximately 50% of allergic Westies; an elimination diet trial with a prescription or elemental diet is the gold standard for diagnosis. Owners should avoid unreliable internet food allergy tests like hair or saliva testing.

• The Westie Foundation of America provides excellent breed-specific resources and funds research to improve Westie health.

Resources:

• 📸Episode page with blog post and images

• 📘 Westie Foundation of America Health Book (Free Download)

• 🔬 Find a Veterinary Dermatologist Near You

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.

By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians. Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Connect with Your Vet!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

In this One Health Heroes episode, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti welcomes back Dr. Mandy Sorensen of the AAFSPHV and features special guest Dr. Laura Rothfeldt, Arkansas’s State Public Health Veterinarian. They explore the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health through updates on avian influenza, screwworm prevention, parasite forecasts, and a deep dive into the mysterious and growing condition: Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Learn how veterinarians, physicians, and public health officials are collaborating on tick-borne disease surveillance and how you can protect your pets—and yourself.

Resources & Links:

• 🐾 American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians (AAFSPHV)

• 🐛 CAPC 2025 Parasite Forecast Maps

• 🦠 CDC: Alpha-Gal Syndrome Info

• 🦢 Cornell Wildlife Health Lab: Avian Influenza Tracking

• 🐕 Learn more about Alpha-Gal Alert Dogs

In this follow-up to our acute kidney injury (AKI) episode, Dr. Simona Buoncompagni returns to explain how hemodialysis works in pets and when it can be used to save lives. Learn the differences between IV fluids and dialysis, the conditions that make a pet a good candidate, and what to expect during treatment. We also explore other extracorporeal therapies like hemoperfusion and plasma exchange.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What hemodialysis is and how it mimics kidney function

• When your veterinarian might recommend dialysis

• How extracorporeal therapies help pets recover from toxins or immune disease

• What the treatment process looks like (feeding tubes, sedation, session length)

• Prognosis, risks, and recovery

• How these tools are expanding what's possible in veterinary medicine

Links & Resources:

• 📍Episode page with blog post

• 📍 LeadER Specialty Hospital – Boca Raton & Cooper City

• 📍 Find a Specialist Near You

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.

By doing so, we strive for:

1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,

2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,

3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and

4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.
Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Connect with Your Vet!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

Kidney injuries can happen suddenly and without warning—especially in dogs and cats. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a medical emergency that requires quick recognition and treatment to give pets the best chance of recovery. In this episode of “Your Vet Wants You to Know,” we’re joined by veterinary internal medicine specialist Dr. Simona Buoncompagni, who shares her expertise in nephrology and dialysis to help pet owners understand this critical condition.

📸 See the Episode Extras:
Read the blog post and learn more about AKI on the website—visit YourVetWantsYouToKnow.com for additional resources!

📍 Find a Veterinary Dermatologist Near You:
Visit the resources page to find a veterinary internal medicine or critical care specialist near you.

🔗 Learn more about LeadER Animal Specialty Hospital: Schedule an appointment with Dr. Buoncompangi or the other veterinary specialists in Boca Raton or Cooper City, FL.

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.
By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Connect with Your Vet!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

In this installment of the One Health Heroes segment, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti is joined again by Dr. Mandy Sorensen from the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians to provide important updates on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), ongoing challenges in federal food safety oversight, including dairy quality control with the FDA, and what these developments mean for animals, people, and the environment.

They discuss recent human cases of HPAI in Mexico and Vietnam, explore the risks of cross-species transmission (including pets), and emphasize the importance of preventive hygiene and biosecurity. The episode also takes a deep dive into recent budget and staffing cuts in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and how those cuts are affecting diagnostic surveillance and milk safety testing at the federal level. It finishes with findings from a recently published study looking at how dogs in regions with Valley Fever can give us insight into this disease in humans as well.