Vet Sessions

In a world of supplements out there, Dr. Sarah Abood joins Dr. Tiffany Durzi this week to help us sift through the massive amount of information out there. Dr. Abood is a veterinary nutritionist, pet food industry consultant and educator. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Michigan State University, she completed a PhD in Veterinary Science - Nutrition at The Ohio State University. Currently she is an Associate Professor on the OVC Pet Nutrition Team! Enjoy this week's episodes as we talk about pet supplements like Omega 3 fatty acids, probiotics, and dietary fibre!

Join us this week to talk all about eyeballs! Dr. Chantale Pinard, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist at OVC teaches us all about canine and feline glaucoma. Dr. Pinard is an incredible ophthalmologist who is also a great mentor to OVC's veterinary students. Tune in to hear her eye-opening analogies and some really great advice to our graduating class, Topaz Turtles!

Welcome back to Vet Sessions! This week we have a particularly hot topic to share with our listeners: a new treatment guideline for Feline Infectious Peritonitis! Dr. Shauna Blois and Dr. Matthew Kornya talk all about the new treatment guidelines and how Canadian veterinarians now have legal access to remdesivir and GS-441524 through an Emergency Drug Release (EDR). For additional information, we invite you to take a look at Dr. Scott Weese's Worms and Germs Blog where he has an article written about the updated treatment guidelines and the steps of how to do an Emergency Drug Release. We hope you enjoy listening to this week's exciting new episode!

Welcome back listeners! This week Dr. Shannon Gowland welcomes back Dr. Erin Phillips to complete her series on the liver! If you haven't already, we recommend listening to Season 3 Episode 6 for Part 1 of All Things Liver. We hope you enjoy listening!

This week, we have two special guests on Vet Sessions! Please join Dr. Tiffany Durzi as she interviews Dr. Shari Raheb, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist at the Ontario Veterinary College, and Ms. Sydney Banton, a PhD candidate at the Ontario Agricultural College. Both Dr. Raheb and Ms. Banton provide a lot of resources and information into dilated cardiomyopathy and how grain-free diets became entangled with this disease. Currently, Dr. Raheb and Ms. Banton are in the midst of a clinical trial that looks to study the impact of grain free diets on canine dilated cardiomyopathy.

This clinical trial is currently recruiting dogs who have been eating the same grain free diet for the past 6 months and who are not genetically predisposed to dilated cardiomypathy. Candidates must be over the age of 1 year old and must exhibit some form of clinical disease. If you have an ideal candidate, please reach out to ovc.clinicaltrials@uoguelph.ca.

This week we welcome back Dr. Andrew Peregrine! As many of our listeners may know, Dr. Peregrine is an Associate Professor in clinical parasitology at the Ontario Veterinary College. This episode, Dr. Peregrine chats with Dr. Omar Khan about Echinococcus multiocularis. This zoonotic parasite is commonly known as fox tapeworms, and is an emerging public health disease. Tune in to learn all about this interesting parasite, and as a bonus, learn all about the pathway to becoming a clinical pathologist!

Happy New Year listeners! To ring in 2024, we welcome back Dr. Matthew Kornya with Dr. Shannon Gowland. If you have a cat who seems to have endless hairballs, this episode is for you! This episode we are talking about Feline Chronic Enteropathy (also commonly known as IBD) and Feline GI small cell lymphoma. Join us for this interesting topic and see if you can figure out the case study at the end! We hope you enjoy listening! 

Welcome back listeners! In our final podcast just before the holidays, please join Dr. Tiffany Durzi as she interviews Dr. Emma Stacey. Dr. Stacey is a recent OVC graduate and is currently completing her second year of residency in clinical pathology. This week, she talks about great sampling techniques and what you can do in clinic to optimize your sample for submission. Listen on to learn all about the best practices of how to handle fine needle aspirates, urine, and blood samples! We hope you enjoy this week’s episode and we hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

This week we are talking about all things liver! Dr. Shannon Gowland welcomes Dr. Erin Phillips back to talk about biliary tract anatomy, diseases, and bile acids testing. There are so many useful tips for listeners that can help further your understanding of the liver and how to manage liver disease in practice. We be-liver you will definitely enjoy listening to this week's episode! 

Do you remember Episode 16 from our very first season when we talked about the Avian Influenza? This week, join Dr. Omar Khan as he discusses updates on the Avian Influenza with Dr. Shayan Sharif! Dr. Sharif earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tehran, and a PhD from the Ontario Veterinary College. Alongside his role as the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Sharif is also the University of Guelph's new interim associate vice-president research. In this role, he oversees the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, one of the largest single research agreements at the University. We hope you enjoy this week's episode as he discusses all the new discoveries that have been made about this disease!

Welcome back listeners! Join us this week as Dr. Shannon Gowland interviews the Manager of OVC's Medical Communications Program, Jen Thurtell. Jen organizes the Art of Veterinary Medicine (AVM) labs for Phase 1, 2, and 3 students, and coordinates the reflection of real life interactions Phase 4 students have with clients at the Primary Healthcare Centre. Listen on to take a sneak peek into the behind the scenes of these labs, hear some communication tips from Dr. Gowland, and learn what it means to master the Art of Veterinary Medicine! We hope you enjoy!

This week we talk everything poo! Join Dr. Tiffany Durzi as she interviews Dr. Allison Collier all about fecal transplants in dogs and cats. Dr. Allison Collier is a board certified Internal Medicine specialist, and is also a faculty member of OVC's Department of Clinical Studies. Her research interests focus on small animal gastrointestinal disease. In this episode, she talks about the use of fecal microbial transplant, which is the delivery of healthy fecal microbes to a diseased patient’s gastrointestinal tract, to help give veterinarians another tool to combat gastrointestinal diseases! We hope you have fun listening!

Join us this week as Dr. Shannon Gowland interviews OVC's internal medicine specialist, Dr. Erin Phillips. Dr. Phillips graduated from OVC in 2014, and recently obtained her internal medicine specialization after a rigorous internship and residency at the Ontario Veterinary College. We hope you enjoy this week's episode as she methodically breaks down the complex topic of "proteinuria" and goes over its causes, process of diagnosis, and treatment plans!

Welcome to Season 3 of Vet Sessions! On our first episode of the new season, join Dr. Tiffany Durzi as she interviews Dr. Will Hawker on how to set yourself up for surgical success. Dr. Will Hawker is a current surgical resident at the OVC Companion Animal Hospital, and will be joining the faculty next year. Dr. Hawker gives useful tips on how to manage the challenges and stressors that come with surgery and how you can navigate that as a new graduate (or as a seasoned veterinarian too!). We hope you enjoy this week's episode and stay tuned for many more fun topics to come!

This week we welcome back Dr. Andrew Peregrine to talk about hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) in dogs with Dr. Omar Khan. Dr. Peregrine is OVC's parasitology professor and veterinarian, and he was previously on Vet Sessions to discuss Tritrichomona foetus in cats. Dr. Peregrine has been at the Ontario Veterinary College since 1997 as an Associate Professor in clinical parasitology. Currently he teaches DVM students in all years of the program, and he is a diplomate of the European Veterinary Parasitology College and the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. We hope you enjoy this week's podcast!

It's allergy season! Join us this week to listen to Dr. Shannon Gowland interview board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Liz Goodale as she talks about how to manage itchy skin in dogs. Dr. Goodale received her veterinary degree from the Ontario Veterinary College and completed her dermatology residency at the University of California, Davis. She became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatologists in 2016. Hope you enjoy this week's episode!

Have you ever wondered about what the vet school experience is like? Look no further as recent graduate of the OVC Class of 2023, Dr. Hannah Mackellar, chats with Dr. Tiffany Durzi about her experience in vet school. During her time as a veterinary student, Dr. Mackellar was the president of the Community Outreach Club and also delivered an inspirational speech as the class valedictorian. Listen on to learn more about topics like how to study for the NAVLE, what to expect during clinical year at OVC, and how to prioritize your mental well-being in veterinary school!

Curious to learn more about pain management and rehabilitation? Join us this week to listen to a familiar voice, one of our hosts and founders of Vet Sessions, Dr. Tiffany Durzi. Dr. Durzi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Canine and Feline Medicine, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA), a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) and a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP). She has been the Chief of Service at the OVC Fitness and Rehabilitation Service since 2013. Her compassion and dedication to managing pain in animals and rehabilitation have been life changing for many of her patients. We hope you enjoy learning about the various certificate programs!

Welcome back listeners! On this episode of Vet Sessions, Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with OVC graduate and Associate Registrar to the CVO, Dr. Kim Lambert. Dr. Lambert is a member of the quality practice team where she assists veterinarians in maintaining and improving their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. One question that she commonly gets asked is how should veterinarians approach discussing the use of cannabis products with pet owners. Here, we discuss everything veterinarians need to know prior to having these conversations including the legal aspects, which products are available, and safety standards to look out for. After listening, we hope you feel better equipped to handle these discussions in the future!

Welcome back listeners! If you have ever considered owning a veterinary practice or getting involved in the business side of the veterinary industry, this is the episode for you. This week, Dr. Omar Khan had the pleasure of sitting down with veterinarian and OVC professor Dr. John Tait. Not only has Dr. Tait has been teaching professional career development and financial planning to veterinary students for over 25 years, he also has a variety of experience in the operational and financial aspects of veterinary practices. In this episode we discuss the evolution of veterinary practice ownership in Ontario, as well as where the market is headed. Dr. Tait provides helpful insight for new graduates entering their first job, and explains how owning a practice in this economic climate is still a real possibility. We hope you enjoy!

This week we decided to switch gears and dive into an uncomfortable, yet critically important topic: mental health and euthanasia. To do so, Dr. Shannon Gowland sat down with registered veterinary technician and colleague, Emily Horton. Emily has been an incredible advocator for mental health in this profession for years. She, like so many others, struggled for far too long before opening up, and now hopes to encourage others reach out and seek help. In this episode we discuss all aspects of euthanasia, and how we can better support our colleagues, clients, and patients during these difficult times. Dr. Gowland and Emily also talk about looking after one another and some signs that can be helpful in identifying someone who needs help. We hope that today's episode, as well as Emily's story, inspires you to show yourself kindness and know that you are not alone. As a warning, the topics in this episode are sensitive and may be triggering to some listeners. If you or someone you know is seriously struggling with mental health, please seek help.

Spring is in the air, which means all across Canada, classes of student veterinarians are preparing to enter the profession very shortly. To celebrate this, Dr. Shannon Gowland sat down with OVC 2020 graduate, Dr. Werdah Iqbal to find out what new graduates can expect in the first few years of practice. In this episode, Dr. Iqbal opens up about the struggles she faced and overcame, with everything from curb-side medicine, to navigating complicated cases in a rural community setting. We also discuss creating work-life balance and building a community of people around you that you can turn to for help. We hope you enjoy this feel-good episode. And to all our new graduates who might be listening, you've got this!

The abundance and distribution of tick populations in Ontario, as well as the whole of Canada, has changed dramatically over the last decade. With unusually warm winters and other shifts in our climate, some pet owners are finding ticks on their animals in months outside the typical tick season. This is a concern, as ticks carry many infectious and zoonotic pathogens, one of which is Lyme disease. The question then becomes, do veterinarians need to alter their tick prevention recommendations to match these changes? To address this, Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with veterinarian and OVC One Health specialist, Dr. Katie Clow. We began by discussing Dr. Clow's recent study on tick prevalence and Lyme disease across Canada, and how this information can be beneficial in developing effective prevention protocols. Dr. Clow provides insight into the risk of tick-borne diseases now, and in the future, as well as what the literature says are the most effective prevention methods. We hope this podcast gives you extra confidence in making recommendations to pet owners about tick prevention this season.

Welcome back to Vet Sessions! For this week's episode we wanted to take a break from clinically-focused content to look at the government industry of veterinary medicine. To speak to this, Dr. Omar Khan was fortunate enough to sit down with veterinarian, Canada's chief veterinary officer, and executive director of the Animal Health Directorate for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Dr. Mary Jane Ireland. Dr. Ireland shared her journey from a new graduate in rural community practice, to where she is today. She also offers insight into what it's like to work in the government sector. Namely, how veterinarians play an integral role in disease investigation and prevention, drug approval, and more. If you have ever been intrigued by what careers exist outside of clinical practice, this is the episode for you!

Luckily, most patients undergoing general anesthesia in small animal practice are healthy and the procedures are elective. However, given the vasodilatory effects of our anesthetic agents, hypotension is a common sequelae that does need to be addressed. With a multitude of drugs and techniques at our disposal, it can be hard to figure out where to even begin, let alone how to troubleshoot when things aren't working. Especially if this is not something you deal with regularly. So, to help make sense of it all, Dr. Shannon Gowland sat down with Dr. Jocelyn Marchiori who is a veterinarian and second year anesthesia resident at OVC. In this episode we discuss a comprehensive approach to hypotension, including initial assessment, inhalant reduction strategies and how and when to use vasopressors in primary care anesthesia. We also discuss some important differences in our canine and feline patients. After listening to this episode we hope you feel more confident in approaching your next patient with hypotension.

Happy Family Day and welcome back to Vet Sessions! Today's episode is all about those infamous cranial cruciate injuries in our canine patients. Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with veterinarian, OVC professor, and specialist orthopedic surgeon Dr. Melissa MacIver to find out what the current recommendations are for diagnosis and treatment of this condition. We also discussed rehabilitation, what do in between diagnosis and surgery, and her suggestions for the best recovery. Finally, Dr. MacIver shared some exciting new research in stem cell therapy that could provide an alternative or adjunctive therapy for non-surgical cases.

Welcome back to vet sessions! This week Dr. Tiffany Durzi had the pleasure of sitting down with veterinary internal medicine specialist and the chief of infection control at OVC, Dr. Scott Weese. In this episode we cover what small animal practitioners need to know about this viral disease, including when and who to vaccinate, when and who to test, and the signs of a potential outbreak to look out for. Canine influenza and talk about infectious disease outbreaks can definitely be anxiety-inducing, but we hope after listening to this episode you feel better equipped to tackle these cases in practice.

Heart murmurs: we all love to pick them out, but don't necessarily love figuring out what to do next. For many veterinarians, navigating how to share your findings with the client, deciding to treat or not treat asymptomatic patients, and figuring out when to refer to a cardiology specialist can be difficult, and sometimes even controversial. To clear the air, Dr. Shannon Gowland sat down with veterinarian, cardiology specialist, and OVC professor, Dr. Shari Raheb to find out what she recommends. In this episode, you will find a step by step guide, starting with the first auscultation to initiation of medication, and tips for when to refer. We hope you enjoy this quick and insightful episode, and that you come away feeling a little more confident in managing your next patient's new heart murmur.

Happy New Year and welcome back to the first episode of season two here at Vet Sessions. We have so much exciting and informative content to bring to you in 2023, we can't wait! To kick things off, Dr. Shannon Gowland sat down with veterinarian and oncology specialist Dr. Chris Pinard to talk about all things lymphoma. In this episode we get straight to the important details of clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Dr. Pinard also discussed the future of veterinary oncology, as well as some exciting new treatments and collaborations with human oncology. You won't want to miss this one!

Opioids, as a part of a well-balanced anesthetic or analgesic protocol, are a staple in veterinary clinics worldwide. However, either because of current or future disruptions in supply, negative side effects in our patients, or the risk of abuse, some have started to question the use of opioids in veterinary medicine and discuss 'opioid-free anesthesia/analgesia' or OFA protocols. To shed light on this topic, Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with veterinarian and OVC professor Dr. Carolyn Kerr who has a special interest in anesthesia and analgesia in domestic veterinary patients. In this episode we discuss what the current controversies are and what the research has shown about OFA protocols, as compared to more conventional ones. The differences between opioids, as well as the situations which may still warrant opioid use over other analgesics are also discussed. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Welcome back! Last time Dr. Shannon Gowland sat down with veterinary dental specialist Dr. Amy Thomson to talk about her journey in small animal dentistry and her approach to feline tooth resorption. In this episode we go over extraction methods and tips for closing those 'wet-tissue-paper' gingival flaps that are every practitioner's worst nightmare, plus more! We hope you enjoy part two of this episode with Dr. Thomson and it helps you feel more prepared for managing this tricky dental disease in your feline patients.

Amy's Website: https://toothythomson.ca/about-amy-thomson-vet/

Dental Resources: https://avdc.org/

For dentistry and diagnostic imaging CE: https://obivet.com/

On this week's episode of Vet Sessions we are so excited to bring you some incredibly helpful content on small animal dentistry and specifically, feline resorptive lesions. To help us, Dr. Shannon Gowland has recruited veterinary dental specialist Dr. Amy Thomson to get us up to speed on what we need to know about this common dental disease in our feline patients. Dr. Thomson mobile dentistry service is renowned in Southern Ontario and her instagram (@toothy.thomson) is full of amazing tips to make performing those tricky dental procedures so much easier. In part one of this episode we go into how Dr. Thomson became the dental specialist she is, as well as the start of diagnosing feline resorptive lesions in cats. Make sure to stay tune for part two of this interview in 2 weeks!

Amy's Website: https://toothythomson.ca/about-amy-thomson-vet/

Dental Resources: https://avdc.org/

We're switching gears this week to talk about something different but very important: clinical skills training for veterinary students. So much has changed in the history of how veterinary students are taught and practice their skills, yet some themes and ideas remain consistent year to year. To speak to this, we have none other than OVC's manager of clinical skills learning, Dr. Andria Joy, who sat down with Dr. Omar Khan to talk about how the approach to clinical skills training has evolved and continues to change as new technology brings new opportunities. We hope you enjoy this light, yet informative episode!

Raw food diets seem to be a rising trend, and many clients swear by the benefits they see in their pet's skin and digestive health, or feel the diets are less processed than traditional pet foods and therefore healthier. But aside from these anecdotal claims, what does the science surrounding raw food diets say? This week Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with OVC's Clinical Nutritionist Dr. Caitlin Grant to find out what the research does and doesn't know about the validity of raw food diets. In this episode we also give tips on approaching difficult conversations surrounding raw food diets with clients and what alternatives exist.

We're back with another exciting episode! This week Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with OVC neurologist Dr. Fiona James to find out her tips and tricks for diagnosing and treating epilepsy in companion animal patients. Dr. James also shed some light on the use and limitations of EEGs in epilepsy diagnosis, how this widely used human tool applies to canine patients, and where the future of epilepsy diagnosis may be headed. There is a lot to unpack in this episode but be sure to stick around because you won't want to miss these helpful guidelines. If you are have a neurotypical or epileptic dog and are interested in participating in one of Dr. James' studies, please email epilepsy@uoguelph.ca for more information.

Although in today's society, veterinary practices appear on almost every corner, there was a time not so long ago where veterinary medicine was a novel profession. The Ontario Veterinary College may be the oldest in North America, but where did it come from, who started it, and how did to get to be where it is today? This week, join Dr. Tiffany Durzi as she interviews OVC's own veterinary historian, Dr. Lisa Cox, to learn about the rich history of OVC and how it has shaped veterinary medicine in Canada, and across the world. Learn more about the Barker Veterinary Museum here: https://barkerveterinarymuseum.uoguelph.ca/

Happy first day of school and welcome back to another episode of vet sessions! Even though we're sad to see summer come to an end, we couldn't be more excited for the lineup of episodes we have coming your way this fall. And to kick it all off, today's episode, with host Dr. Shannon Gowland, covers a topic that is sure to be common across all veterinary primary care clinics: feline upper respiratory disease. What to look for, when to pursue diagnostics, when to treat, and which treatments/drugs are actually effective are all answered in today's session, featuring veterinarian, feline medicine aficionado, and OVC internal medicine resident, Dr. Matthew Kornya. You won't want to miss it!

Most veterinarians will understand the feeling of wanting another pair of eyes to confirm the diagnostic results of complicated cases. Something like, does this dog really have right-sided cardiomegaly, or am I just seeing things? Imagine having that extra level of assurance right at your fingertips. That is what artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary medicine is working towards, but is it too good to be true? Find out in this week's episode, where Dr. Shannon Gowland sits down with veterinarian and board-certified radiologist Dr. Ryan Appleby to find out exactly what AI is, where it fits into veterinary medicine, and what considerations need to be made when using these AI applications in practice.

Although infectious diseases are always making headlines, avian influenza is one virus that seems to be consistently in the news, especially lately. This week, Dr. Omar Khan sat down with Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative veterinarian and board-certified veterinary pathologist Dr. Brian Stevens, to find out the inside scoop on this tenacious virus. In this episode we discuss the basic etiology, transmission, and diagnostics of the current avian influenza strains, as well as how the current outbreak in wild bird populations has the potential to affect livestock, companion animals, and even people. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Welcome back! We are so pleased to share part two of our interview with the renowned Dr. Karol Mathews. Last time, Dr. Mathews shared her serendipitous journey in veterinary medicine, but in today's episode Dr. Tiffany Durzi explores one of Dr. Mathews many passions in veterinary medicine: pain management. Managing out-patient pain is often challenging and many clinicians feel limited in what they can prescribe. In this session Dr. Durzi and Dr. Mathews lay out the uses, dosages, contraindications and evidence supporting Gabapentin for a variety of out-patient pain management and sedation/anxiolytic protocols. We hope you enjoy!

Most of you know the name Karol Mathews, either through her time as a professor, or through her work in OVC's ICU as an emergency and critical care specialist, or even through her ECC textbook that seems to be a staple in every veterinary clinic. But I'm sure many of you would be surprised to know that Dr. Mathews didn't grow up dreaming of becoming a doctor, despite boasting an incredibly successful career. In this week's episode Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with Dr. Mathews to hear not only how she came to become a veterinarian, but what brought her all the way from the UK to Ontario, Canada. Kick back, relax, and enjoy this serendipitous story that is sure to inspire you to believe that anything is possible.

Welcome back! While it's certainly no secret that primary care is important for our all companion animals, this is especially true for working dogs. These specialized canines need to be kept healthy, as they rely on their strength, endurance, and keen senses to perform their valued jobs. However, it can be tough to get proper veterinary care when injuries are sustained in remote areas or a call to duty could come at any moment. Not to mention veterinary personnel comfortability with treating these dogs, some of which quite literally bite for a living. To talk on this subject, Dr. Tiffany Durzi has brought in Charlotte Donohoe, a skilled RVT and Fitness and Rehab technician who, alongside her husband Dr. Jason Donohoe, has extensive experience providing primary care to the canine units of police departments in the GTA. In this episode you will learn about the health management considerations and safety precautions necessary for treating these very special animals.

Welcome back! Although widely recognized in bovine medicine as a culprit of infertility and abortion, Tritrichomonas foetus isn't often added to differential lists for companion animals, so don't worry if it wasn't on your radar either. However, over the last decade, evidence has shown that T. foetus is likely involved in chronic large bowel diarrhea in cats, but not all cats are equally affected. To help shed some light on this mystery, Dr. Tiffany Durzi has recruited OVC's own parasitology professor and veterinarian Dr. Andrew Peregrine, to give us the details on this underrecognized parasite.

As veterinary professionals, we are known for our compassion and empathy to the animals we serve, as well as their owners. But what about compassion for ourselves? Well this doesn't always seem to come naturally to many veterinarians and veterinary professionals. So, for this week's episode we had veterinarian and mental health epidemiologist Dr. Andria Jones-Bitten sit down with Dr. Tiffany Durzi to help unveil what self-compassion truly is, why it is so necessary for longevity in this profession, and how we can be better at it.

If you've ever wondered how technology will integrate into the future of veterinary medicine, this is the episode for you. This week, Dr. Omar Khan sits down again with Dr. Pavneesh Madan to talk about some new technological advances that will likely make an appearance in veterinary healthcare in the near future. We touched on everything from streamlining data-driven technologies and the internet of things, to robotics and nanoscale bacteria-enabled autonomous drug delivery systems (nanoBEADS). We hope this episode leaves you feeling as excited for the future as we felt recording it.

Spring is finally here in Ontario and life has started to return to some semblance of normal, which for many people means going back to work and other activities that take them out of the house. And although this is largely an exciting time, some of our furry friends may not share the same sentiment, as many veterinarians have reported an increase in separation anxiety behaviour in their patients, especially dogs. Not only is separation anxiety frustrating and challenging for the owner, it can be equally as frustrating to treat. That's why in this week's episode, Dr. Shannon Gowland has brought in companion animal behaviour expert Dr. Lee Niel to break down everything from differentiating and diagnosing true separation anxiety, to treatment plans involving both medications and behavioural modification training. We hope this episode leaves you feeling more confident in understanding and treating this important behavioural disorder.

This week's episode is a short one but a good one! We have Dr. Tiffany Durzi in the studio with beloved OVC professor and clinician Dr. Deep Khosa to talk about the age-old question: where do clients go for information related to their pets? In this episode we unpack the factors that affect where clients go for pet health information, who they trust the most, and where veterinarians fall in all of this. Be sure to check this episode out to find out the answers to these questions, they may surprise you.

Welcome back! Dr. Omar Khan recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the well-known, and well-loved, OVC professor and clinician Dr. Pavneesh Madan to talk about virtual reality in the veterinary world. More specifically, in this episode we dove into the software that has been developed, in collaboration with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, to allow students to study anatomy in a virtual reality environment. This technology, aside from being incredibly fun and exciting, has the ability to reduce animal cadaver usage and lessen exposure to formaldehyde, which is a smell that any current or previous veterinary student will surely be able to recall. Listen to the rest of this episode to find out more ways that studying and practicing veterinary medicine may move into the virtual world.

Welcome back! This week Dr. Shannon Gowland sat down with the incredible veterinary ophthalmologist, and fellow OVC colleague, Dr. Chantale Pinard to get a complete guide to the dreaded canine corneal ulcer. In this episode you'll learn step by step everything from the components you need to include in your initial assessment, to what medications to use and when, to what to do when everything starts going downhill. We certainly learned a ton from this week's episode, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

We are so thrilled to share this exciting, bonus episode with OVC alumni Dr. Omar Zaheer! Dr. Zaheer recently competed on the infamous TV show Survivor, and Dr. Tiffany Durzi sat down with him virtually this week to talk about his journey in veterinary medicine and how his unique set of skills as an avian and exotics veterinarian made him a worthy contender on the show. You can catch Dr. Zaheer on Season 42 of Survivor, which premieres Wednesday March 9th at 8pm ET/PT on CBS. We're rooting for you Dr. Zaheer!

Welcome back to part two of our incredible interview with Dr. Shane Bateman. In this week's episode, Dr. Shannon Gowland picks back up where we left off with Dr. Bateman in talking about the accessibility of veterinary care. Not only has Dr. Bateman been a part of countless veterinary outreach and human-animal bond projects during his years of practice, he was also the co-founder and interim director of the Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program over the last two years. In this episode we shed some light on the social justice issue of the inaccessibility of veterinary care to whole communities and groups of people, and discuss why this area of veterinary medicine is important and valuable to students, pets, and their owners alike.

In this week's episode of Vet Sessions, Dr. Shannon Gowland catches up with a colleague, and friend, Dr. Shane Bateman. Although we planned to have Dr. Bateman on the show to talk about accessibility of veterinary care, we just had to include his incredible backstory as well. From starting his career in rural mixed animal practice, to specializing in small animal emergency and critical care, to spearheading many community healthcare and outreach initiatives across North America, Dr. Bateman certainly exemplifies how diverse and exciting a career in veterinary medicine can be. We hope you enjoy listening to this incredible journey as much as we did, and be sure to tune in next week for part two of this interview.

Dr. Peter Conlon is back for a second episode with Dr. Tiffany Durzi, this time to talk about the evolution of primary healthcare in the veterinary industry and what the future holds for this area of the profession. In this week's session we chat about some of the challenges associated with modern day veterinary practice and identify some of the central themes that have allowed veterinary care to remain so valuable in the eyes our clients.

In this week's episode Dr. Tiffany Durzi interviews the celebrated veterinary practitioner and professor Dr. Peter Conlon on the history of primary care at The Ontario Veterinary College and why this branch of veterinary medicine is such a critical component of veterinary education. For recent OVC veterinary students and graduates, The Primary Healthcare Center is/has been a huge part of the curriculum, but this was not always the case, and some of the details of this origin story may surprise you!

Welcome to Vet Sessions! In this intro episode our three hosts, Dr. Tiffany Durzi, Dr. Shannon Gowland, and Dr. Omar Khan delve into their backstory and the journey that lead them where they are today. You will get to know each veterinarian a little bit better, including some funny quirks, and we hope to get you excited for all the incredible content we have coming your way!