Vet Sessions

S5E11 Veterinary Sustainability Alliance with Dr. Katie Clow

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Happy Earth Month! This week we welcome back Katie Clow for a special Earth Month episode on a topic that affects every corner of veterinary medicine: climate change and animal health. Dr. Clow explores the profound impacts of climate change on our patients and communities, while sharing practical, meaningful actions veterinary professionals can take to make a difference. We also discuss the work of the Veterinary Sustainability Alliance, including the evidence-based Green Paw Program certification and the Pathways Program webinar series. All very achievable steps to help move our profession toward a more sustainable future!

S5E10 Management of Status Epilepticus with Dr. Alex Chan

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Hello listeners! This week we’re excited to welcome OVC neurologist Dr. Alex Chan. Dr. Chan is an Associate Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College and earned his veterinary degree from the University of Sydney, Australia. His clinical interests include neurocritical care, neuroimaging, and neuromuscular diseases, and he is passionate about veterinary education, particularly working to reduce “neurophobia” within the profession. In this episode, Dr. Chan joins Dr. Durzi to discuss practical approaches to managing and treating status epilepticus and cluster seizures, sharing insights from both clinical practice and teaching. Thanks for tuning in - this episode will definitely help your neurology knowledge "synapse" into place.

S5E9 Pet Obesity Updates with Dr. Hannah Godrey and Shawna Morrow

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to Vet Sessions! In this episode, we’re joined by two members of the OVC Clinical Pet Nutrition team to explore the latest updates in feline and canine obesity. Dr. Hannah Godfrey, a post-doctoral fellow, and Shawna Morrow, who has been part of the OVC Pet Nutrition Team for five years and is currently completing her PhD on weight loss in dogs, share insights from emerging research and clinical practice. Tune in as we discuss new findings, practical strategies, and what these advances mean for improving the health and longevity of our companion animals. To learn more about ongoing clinical studies and updates from the OVC Pet Nutrition team, follow them on Instagram @ovcpetnutrition. We hope you enjoy listening!

S5E8 FIP Treatment Updates with Dr. Lindsay Ormesher

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

This week on Vet Sessions, we chat with Dr. Lindsay Ormesher, who is completing her residency in Internal Medicine. Dr. Ormesher talks all about feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and the latest treatment updates. She shares her firsthand experiences treating what was once considered a fatal disease and achieving truly remarkable outcomes. We discuss how to obtain the medication, how dosing is adjusted throughout treatment, and how these steps can give affected cats the best possible fighting chance. We also highlight BOVA, the manufacturer of this medication, which offers excellent educational resources for veterinarians and pet owners alike. We hope you enjoy this very informative episode!

S5E7 Discontinuation of Immiticide with Dr. Andrew Peregrine

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Vet Sessions, we’re joined once again by Dr. Andrew Peregrine, who has had many previous appearances on the show. This time, we discuss the upcoming elimination of Immiticide (Melarsomine) outside of the USA and what this means for heartworm treatment moving forward. Dr. Peregrine shares insights into alternative heartworm treatment options that will be critical once Immiticide is no longer available outside of the USA. As always, his expertise brings valuable perspective to this important topic, and we encourage listeners to check out his past episodes on Vet Sessions as well.

S5E6 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever with Dr. Scott Weese

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to Vet Sessions! We hope everyone had a restful holiday season. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Scott Weese, a veterinary internal medicine specialist and the Chief of Infection Control at the Ontario Veterinary College. An expert in infectious and parasitic animal diseases, Dr. Weese joins us to discuss his well-known Worms & Germs Blog and its new podcast counterpart. Our infectious disease focus this week is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), as Dr. Weese explains what it is, which ticks transmit it, and how to recognize it in practice, including real-world cases that first raised concern about RMSF in Ontario. We hope you enjoy this informative conversation!

S5E5 Coping with Pet Loss with Sarah Bernardi Part 1

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In part one of this two part episode, Sarah Bernardi, RSW, MSW, shares her journey as a veterinary social worker, exploring the emotional complexities faced by pet parents and veterinary teams and the vital role of compassionate support. We also highlight the new Pet Trust digital resource, a special guide designed to help people navigate grief and pet loss, offering invaluable information on coping with loss, accessing pet loss resources, and preparing for end-of-life decisions with care and understanding. We hope this conversation brings comfort, insight, and support to anyone who listens.

S5E4 Dentistry Curriculum at OVC with Dr. Kate Wycherley

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Vet Sessions, Dr. Omar Khan sits down with Dr. Kate Wycherley, who is an Assistant Professor in Small Animal Primary Health Care and Experiential Learning in the Department of Clinical Studies at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Dr. Wycherley explores the inner workings of OVC’s dental program and shares how students are trained in foundational dental skills, the common oral health issues encountered in clinical practice, and why dentistry is such a critical—yet often overlooked—component of comprehensive veterinary care, all through the lens of her experience as both a clinician and an educator.

S5E3 Community Medicine with Dr. Lynn Henderson

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Lynn Henderson joins us to talk about the growing field of community medicine and how it’s helping reshape both veterinary care and education. She shares her experience working as the director of the Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program (CHPP) at the Ontario Veterinary College. This program gives veterinary students real-world experience in community-based care throughout all four years of the DVM program. We get into how CHPP helps students connect with underserved populations, better understand the social factors that impact health, and learn what it really means to build trust and make a difference outside the clinic. This conversation highlights the importance of bringing healthcare beyond the clinic and into the communities that need it most.

S5E2 Reflections on Failing then Passing the NAVLE with Dr Nicole Iarusci

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Join Dr Shannon Gowland as she chats with OVC Graduate Dr Nicole Iarusci. Nicole shares her insights about the challenging experience of failing the NAVLE exam, finding the support and inspiration to start studying again and the approach she used to pass on her second attempt. It is a reassuring listen for anyone who has worried about failing the exam and how to support ourselves and our friends when we don't succeed the first time.

S5E1 Canine Mast Cell Tumors with Dr. Paul Woods

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to a new season of Vet Sessions! Thank you listeners for continuing to support us, we can't believe we are starting Season 5! This week, we are joined by special guest Dr. Paul Woods, a leading veterinary oncologist and professor at the Ontario Veterinary College. A graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, Dr. Woods has built an impressive career spanning clinical practice, advanced training in oncology, and groundbreaking cancer research. He co-founded the Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation and played a key role in developing the Mona Campbell Centre for Animal Cancer—Canada’s most comprehensive animal cancer treatment and research facility. In this episode, we’ll focus on canine mast cell tumors, including how they're diagnosed, treated, and what current research means for the future of care. We hope you enjoy!

S4E15 Hill's Pet Nutrition Weight Care Program with Shoshana Verton-Shaw RVT and Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have that one patient who can't seem to lose weight no matter what you try? This week we have two guests, RVT Shoshana Verton-Shaw and Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe to talk about OVC's new Hill's Pet Nutrition Weight Care Program! The Ontario Veterinary College is launching a holistic referral weight care clinic, encompassing both physical rehabilitation and nutritional counselling to help your patients meet their goals. The new Hill’s Pet Nutrition Weight Care Service will launch alongside the existing OVC Health Science Centre’s Fitness and Rehabilitation service within the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Health Care Centre at the OVC. Any veterinarian in Ontario can refer patients to this program! Tune in to the last episode of Season 4 for more information!

S4E14 Cancer Biomarkers for Early Detection with Dr. Geoffrey Wood

Mon, 26 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Ever wonder how the tests we perform on patients came to be? Join Dr. Omar Khan and Dr. Geoffrey Wood as they discuss microRNA's and ground-breaking investigation into their use in developing tests for osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Dr. Wood is the Assistant Co-Director at the Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation and a board certified veterinary pathologist. He is also currently an Associate Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College. Tune in to hear more about how this work could revolutionize early cancer detection, monitoring, and treatment decisions in veterinary oncology.

S4E13 Spaying and Neutering Pets with OVC Theriogenologist Dr. Michelle Caissie

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Ever wonder when you should be spaying or neutering an animal? Well look no further as who better to ask than OVC's own Theriogenologist, Dr. Michelle Caissie! After graduating from AVC in 2015, Michelle completed a large animal rotating internship at OVC. During this time, her passion for reproduction (theriogenology) flourished and she continued on as a DVSc student in Theriogenology. She successfully completed both her theriogenology board certification examination and her DVSc in 2019. In this episode, Dr. Gowland chats with Dr. Caissie about the benefits of spaying and neutering, and also how to come to a decision as to when you should be performing these procedures.

S4E12 Developing Communication Skills for Veterinary Practice with Dr. Jane Shaw & Dr. Jason Coe

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

This week we have 2 special guests joining us on Vet Sessions! We have Dr. Jason Coe who some of you may remember from our podcast about the AVM value matrix. We also have Dr. Jane Shaw joining us from Colorado State University. Dr. Jane Shaw is an expert in veterinarian-client-patient interactions, Professor, University Distinguished Teaching Scholar, and Director of Veterinary Communication for Professional Excellence at CSU. Dr. Coe and Dr. Shaw have published a book called "Developing Communication Skills for Veterinary Practice" filled with useful information on how to best approach communication in practice. Their book can be found on Amazon and on Wiley.com (https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Developing+Communication+Skills+for+Veterinary+Practice-p-9781119382713) We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

S4E11 Blocked Cats with Dr. Matt Kornya

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Dr. Matt Kornya is back with us this week to talk all about urinary obstructions in cats! Dr. Kornya breaks down the causes, symptoms, and most importantly, the treatments available for this serious condition through some cases presented by Dr. Gowland. Whether you’re a veterinary student or general practitioner, this episode is packed with expert insights to help you manage these cases!

S4E10 Otitis with Dr. Liz Goodale

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Liz Goodale explores veterinary otitis, a common ear issue affecting pets. Dr. Goodale discusses the different types of otitis in dogs and cats, how to spot the symptoms, and the best treatment options to ensure your furry friend stays comfortable. If you've ever wondered how to care for your pet’s ears or prevent ear infections, this episode is a must listen!

S4E9 Value Matrix with Dr. Jason Coe

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Join us this week as we invite Dr. Jason Coe to dive into the Value Matrix, a powerful visual aid that’s transforming shared decision-making in veterinary practices! Dr. Coe is a professor at the Ontario Veterinary College and currently holds the VCA Canada Chair in Relationship-Centred Veterinary Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Coe explains how the Value Matrix supports the Spectrum of Care model, helping veterinarians guide clients through the decision-making process with clarity and confidence. Tune in to learn how this tool fosters better communication, improves patient care, and enhances client satisfaction.

S4E8 Feeding Tubes with Dr. Sarah Abood

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Curious as to how feeding tubes can help improve patient care? Join us this week on Vet Sessions as Dr. Omar Khan chats with Dr. Sarah Abood about all things tube feeding for cats and dogs! This is Dr. Abood's third time on our podcast, and she always gives a lot of excellent information on veterinary nutrition! Be sure to check out our other podcast featuring Dr. Abood.

S4E7 Managing Diabetic Patients with Dr. Erin Phillips Part 2

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 05:30:00 -0400

Welcome back listeners! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. This week, please join us for part 2 of the topic of managing diabetic patients with Dr. Erin Phillips. If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, be sure to listen to that first! We hope you enjoy!

S4E6 Managing Diabetic Patients with Dr. Erin Phillips Part 1

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400

This week we welcome back Dr. Erin Phillips! Our guest this episode has been on several previous episodes of Vet Sessions. Dr. Phillips is a board-certified specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, and is working toward a PhD in the RCVM@OVC lab. This episode, she talks about managing diabetic patients. This episode is intended to be a guide for phase 4 students, interns, residents, and any other practitioner who needs help with managing diabetic cases. We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

S4E5 Disease Surveillance in Primary Care with Dr. Lauren Grant

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Did you know disease surveillance is important in primary care veterinary practice as well? This week we welcome Dr. Lauren Grant who teaches us all about how general practitioners can help with disease surveillance. Dr. Grant is an Assistant Professor of Environmental and Public Health and Epidemiologist in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College. Veterinarians can significantly contribute to broader disease data sets, aiding in early detection and management of outbreaks that affect both pets and public health. Tune in to learn how general practitioners can get involved in this critical work! We hope you enjoy the conversation.

S4E4 28th European Nutrition Congress with Dr. Sarah Abood

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:45:00 -0400

This week we welcome back Dr. Sarah Abood! As some of you may recall, Dr. Abood is the recipient of the Nestlé Purina Professorship in Companion Animal Nutrition and currently serves as the OVC Nutrition Service Section Chief. This episode, Dr. Abood talks all about her recent trip to Ireland for the 28th European Nutrition Congress which lasted for two and a half days. A lot of novel research was presented at the congress, including pet food sustainability and insect diets! We hope you enjoy listening to this unique experience!

S4E3 Spectrum of Care with Dr. Sara Ritzie

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to Vet Sessions! This week we welcome Dr. Sara Ritzie to talk about the spectrum of care in veterinary medicine. Dr. Ritzie worked in general practice in BC for three years before moving back to Ontario to join Royal Canin, where she has held various technical, scientific, and leadership roles. Throughout her time at Royal Canin she’s been an active volunteer with several organizations providing veterinary care to underserved populations. When a new DVSc Residency in Community Medicine was created at the OVC, she couldn’t resist the opportunity to expand her involvement in the community medicine space. Through her research Dr. Ritzie is focused on helping general practitioners find financially sustainable ways to expand access to veterinary care, and examining the link between a spectrum of care approach and mental wellbeing. As well, tune into our Instagram @vetsessions to discover more resources from Dr. Ritzie! We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

S4E2 Pain Management in Exotic Animals with Dr. Mike Dutton

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Did you know September was pain awareness month? This week we welcome a special guest, Dr. Mike Dutton, to chat with us about pain management in exotic animals. Dr. Dutton is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Avian Practice, Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, and Canine/Feline Practice. He has completed a post-doctoral Master’s Degree in Pain Management, and is also a Certified Pain Practitioner by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). He also co-founded the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, which now has over 900 members. Dr. Dutton lectures and publishes primarily on exotic pet medicine/surgery and small animal pain management. Currently, he is the medical director of New Hampshire Veterinary Centre for Wildlife (https://nhwildlifecare.org/). We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

S4E1 Veterinary Intern & Resident Wellbeing with Dr. Andria Jones

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to a brand new season of Vet Sessions! We hope everyone had a wonderful and restful summer. On our very first episode of Season 4, we welcome back Dr. Andria Jones to discuss the updated American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) guidelines for veterinary intern and resident wellbeing. Dr. Andria Jones is an OVC Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Population Medicine, and her research focus is the epidemiology of mental health and wellbeing in agricultural and veterinary sectors. She is the current chair of the AAVMC wellbeing task force, who developed the evidence based guidelines as discussed in this podcast. We hope you enjoy this episode!

S3E18 Part 2: Infectious Disease Testing with Dr. Erin Phillips and Dr. Matt Kornya

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome everyone to the last episode of Season 3! Join us this week to learn more about infectious disease testing with OVC's internal medicine team, Dr. Erin Phillips and Dr. Matt Kornya. Keep listening for some fun case studies at the end, and if you haven't already, make sure to take a listen to Part 1 as well! We hope you enjoy listening!

S3E17 Part 1: Infectious Disease Testing with Dr. Erin Phillips and Dr. Matt Kornya

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

This week we have two special guests joining us on Vet Sessions! OVC's internal medicine doctors, Dr. Erin Phillips and Dr. Matt Kornya, return to talk about infectious disease testing with Dr. Shannon Gowland. Listen on to learn all about test selection and interpretation, what tests are available, and some tests to consider avoiding! We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

S3E16 Mass Submissions with Dr. Caitlin Evered

Mon, 20 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Mystified about mass submissions? In the dark about inking margins? Humbled by histopathology reports? Join Dr. Omar Khan this week as he interviews OVC's 2nd year Anatomical Pathology Resident, Dr. Caitlin Evered. Dr. Evered helps to simplify sample submissions to the benefit of your patients! We hope this week's episode helps to answer some common questions about sample submissions!

S3E15 Exotic Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Derek Laporte

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Welcome back listeners! This week we have exotics veterinarian Dr. Derek Laporte join us virtually to talk all about his veterinary journey. Dr. Laporte practices in his clinic in Sudbury, Lasalle Animal Hospital. This episode he talks all about his experiences varying from clinic ownership, practicing as a new grad, and the needs an exotic veterinarian fulfills. For those interested in more information on exotics, Dr. Laporte recommends checking out "Exotic DVM", which is a free forum. The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV), Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), and Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) are all great resources as well but require a membership. For DVM students who are interested in reaching out to Dr. Laporte, please email drlaporte@lasalleac.com. We hope you enjoy listening!

S3E14 Veterinary Supplements with Dr. Sarah Abood

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E13 Glaucoma in Cats and Dogs with Dr. Chantale Pinard

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E12 NEW Treatment Guidelines for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) with Dr. Shauna Blois and Dr. Matthew Kornya

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:30:00 -0400

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!

S3E11 All things Liver (Part 2!) with Dr. Erin Phillips

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E10 Controversy around Grain Free Diets and Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Dr. Shari Raheb and Ms. Sydney Banton

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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.

S3E9 Echinococcus multiocularis with Dr. Andrew Peregrine

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E8 Feline IBD and GI Small Cell Lymphoma with Dr. Matt Kornya

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E7 Behind the Microscope with Dr. Emma Stacey

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E6 All Things Liver with Dr. Erin Phillips

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E5 Update on the Avian Influenza with Dr. Shayan Sharif

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 05:30:00 -0400

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!

S3E4 Communications Training at OVC with Ms. Jen Thurtell

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E3 Everything Poo! Fecal Transplants with Dr. Allison Collier

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E2 Managing Proteinuria in Dogs and Cats with Dr. Erin Phillips

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S3E1 Setting Up for Surgical Success with Dr. Will Hawker

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E15 Hookworms in Dogs with Dr. Andrew Peregrine

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E14 Itchy Dogs with Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Liz Goodale

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E13 Veterinary School Advice with OVC Class of 2023 Valedictorian, Dr. Hannah Mackellar

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E12 Certifications for Pain Management and Rehabilitation with Dr. Tiffany Durzi

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E11 Use of Cannabis in Veterinary Patients with Dr. Kim Lambert

Mon, 29 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E10 Veterinary Practice Ownership and Economics with Dr. John Tait

Mon, 15 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E9 Mental Health Surrounding Euthanasia with Emily Horton, RVT

Mon, 01 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S2E8 Navigating Life as a New Graduate with Dr. Werdah Iqbal

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E7 Lyme Disease and the Canadian Tick Situation with Dr. Katie Clow

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S2E6 Veterinary Opportunities in Government and CFIA with Dr. Mary Jane Ireland

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S2E5 Managing Hypotension with Dr. Jocelyn Marchiori

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S2E4 Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair and Stem Cell Therapy with Dr. Melissa MacIver

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S2E3 Canine Influenza with Dr. Scott Weese

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0400

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.

S2E2 Heart Murmurs with Dr. Shari Raheb

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S2E1 Lymphoma and Oncology Technology with Dr. Chris Pinard

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E25 Opioid-Free Anesthesia and Analgesia with Dr. Carolyn Kerr

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E24 Feline Tooth Resorption and Dentistry with Dr. Amy Thomson Part 2

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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/

S1E23 Feline Tooth Resorption and Dentistry with Dr. Amy Thomson

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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/

S1E22 The Evolution of Veterinary Clinical Skills Training with Dr. Andria Joy

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E21 Raw Food Diets with Dr. Caitlin Grant

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E20 Epilepsy and EEGs with Dr. Fiona James

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E19 The History of the Ontario Veterinary College with Dr. Lisa Cox

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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/

S1E18 Feline Upper Respiratory Disease with Dr. Matthew Kornya

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E17 AI and Diagnostic Imaging in Vet Med with Dr. Ryan Appleby

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:45:00 -0400

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.

S1E16 Avian Influenza Outbreaks with Dr. Brian Stevens

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E15 Gabapentin and Out-Patient Pain Management with Dr. Karol Mathews

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E14 A Legendary Journey in Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Karol Mathews

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E13 Primary Care for Working Dogs with Charlotte Donohoe, RVT

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E12 Tritrichomonas foetus: An Underrecognized Parasite in Cats with Dr. Andrew Peregrine

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E11 Practicing Self-Compassion with Dr. Andria Jones-Bitten

Mon, 23 May 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E10 Robotics, AI, and more In Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Pavneesh Madan

Mon, 09 May 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E9 Approach to Separation Anxiety with Dr. Lee Niel

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E8 Where Clients Get Their Information with Dr. Deep Khosa

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E7 Virtual Reality in Veterinary Anatomy and Beyond with Dr. Pavneesh Madan

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:40:00 -0400

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.

S1E6 Canine Corneal Ulcers with Dr. Chantale Pinard

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E5 Exotic Medicine to Exotic Island Survival with Dr. Omar Zaheer

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E4 Accessibility of Veterinary Care with Dr. Shane Bateman

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E3 From Rural Mixed Animal Practice to Emergency Medicine and More with Dr. Shane Bateman

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E2 The Future of Primary Healthcare with Dr. Peter Conlon

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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.

S1E1 The History of Primary Healthcare with Dr. Peter Conlon

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 08:00:00 -0400

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!

S1E0 Where It All Started

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 04:00:00 -0400

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!