A Scientific Look at Human–Dog Bonds

Domestic dogs have been living with humans for thousands of years. Dogs can be found all over the world—and in many niches, from free-ranging scavengers to therapeutic partners, with >90 million pet dogs in the United States alone. Many of these dogs are treated as cherished family members, sharing close bonds with their owners. There has been considerable scientific debate regarding the origin of the close relationship humans share with dogs, particularly regarding the question of what makes dogs unique. In this webinar, the key similarities and differences between domestic dogs and wolves will be discussed, as well as lifetime and environmental factors that appear to contribute to the social behaviors of pet dogs. Factors that contribute to the quality of the bond formed between dogs and individuals will also be discussed, as will tips on how this knowledge can be applied by pet owners, veterinarians, and other animal professionals to improve human–dog interactions and welfare.

Use of Serum Thyroid Hormones for Feline Thyroid Disease

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrinopathy in aged cats. Nonthyroidal illness and early stages of disease can make the diagnosis difficult. Treatment of hyperthyroidism can result in hypothyroidism in many cats and is associated with the development of azotemia and shortened life expectancy. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism in cats can also be confounded by subclinical and concurrent disease. In these scenarios, simultaneous measurement of total thyroxine, free thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are necessary to achieve diagnosis. This webinar will discuss use and interpretation of serum thyroid hormones in various clinical scenarios that create a diagnostic challenge.

Complicated Hyperthyroid Cats: What to Do When Your Hyperthyroid Cat Has CKD

Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats, and often, hyperthyroid cats have other diseases that complicate diagnosis and treatment, specifically chronic kidney disease. Join Dr. Cynthia Ward in this webinar for a discussion on how to clinically handle these challenging cases. This webinar will review real-life cases and highlight what we can learn from each of them.

Practical Tips for the Management of Microbiome Dysbiosis

The intestinal microbiome is an important immune and metabolic organ that contributes to health. Microbiome dysbiosis is a frequent component of acute and chronic intestinal disease and contributes to clinical signs. This presentation will discuss the different mechanisms of old and novel treatment approaches to dysbiosis, such as dietary modulation, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and antibiotics.

Turn Back Time: Helping Cats with Chronic OA Pain Live Better

Up to 60% to 90% of cats were found to have radiographic joint changes consistent with osteoarthritis (OA) in a study (Lascelles, Hardie JAVMA 2002). Almost half of these have clinically detectable pain, but it is estimated we are only “finding” and treating ≈10% of this population. Why is this? The veterinary profession has a responsibility to educate owners on what chronic OA pain looks like in cats so they know when to seek our expertise to provide the care their cat deserves. Join us in this webinar, in which we’ll discuss chronic OA pain and its multifaceted aspects, including the mind–body connection and its importance in how the brain processes emotional and physical pain.