In this episode of "Ask the Vet" Dr. Ann Hohenhaus talks with Dr. Andrea Looney, Senior Veterinarian at AMC and board-certified specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia, about how anesthesia is safely administered to pets. They discuss why the idea of anesthesia can make pet owners feel uneasy -- especially because general anesthesia involves a loss of consciousness -- and what goes on behind the scenes to keep animals safe and comfortable during procedures.

Topics include:

• Dr. Looney’s childhood around animals and her love of goats
• Why people may be anxious about their pets undergoing anesthesia
• How anesthetic plans are customized for each individual patient
• Which vital signs are closely monitored during anesthesia
• The subtle physical signs that veterinary staff look for when a patient is under anesthesia
• Why “flat-faced” breeds like Frenchies present unique challenges

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring the giraffe who gave birth to a calf weighing 132 pounds
• Animal news, including a look at how humans resemble their pets, the small-clawed otters with a knack for escaping, and unlocking the secret mechanisms of a cat’s ability to purr.
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, with topics including hysterectomy options for small dogs, signs of kidney disease in cats, and what causes a cat to have different colored eyes.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Daniel Spector for an informative conversation about minimally invasive surgery in pets. Dr. Spector has led AMC’s minimally invasive surgery program since its launch in 2024, and he brings nearly two decades of experience to the operating room. Together, they discuss:

• His perspective as a pet owner whose dog needed multiple surgeries
• The difference between minimally invasive surgery vs. traditional surgical procedures
• The benefits and suitability of these techniques for both small and large animals
• The types of procedures that can be treated with minimally invasive techniques
• What factors go into deciding whether minimally invasive surgery is the right fit
• How certain procedures can prevent life-threatening diseases
• Why minimally invasive surgery is a key part of AMC’s residency program
• How his interests in cooking, hiking, and running influence his approach to surgery

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring Bitsy, a stray cat from Alberta, Canada found with six legs.
• Animal news, including the story of an abandoned US postal service truck full of baby birds, how comparative research between humans and dogs is helping both species in the fight against cancer… and wild capuchin monkeys caught on camera carrying baby howler monkeys, a completely different species.
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers questions about whether or not to neuter a small toy poodle, the causes of tongue cancer in cats, and how to switch your pet’s diet for better digestive health.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Renee Alsarraf for a heartfelt and informative conversation about cancer in pets. Dr. Alsarraf brings a unique perspective, not only as a board-certified veterinary oncologist, but also but also as a cancer survivor and pet parent to dogs who have faced cancer. Together, they discuss:

• The types of cancers commonly seen at AMC
• How radiation therapy works and when it’s used
• AMC’s use of linear accelerator technology for targeted treatment
• What’s changed in oncology over the years and what hasn’t
• How Dr. Alsarraf helps clients navigate difficult treatment decisions
• Insights from her memoir Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well
• What to expect from her upcoming webinar, Navigating a Pet’s Cancer Diagnosis
• How she stays hopeful doing emotionally challenging work

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story featuring Buford, a 150-pound ranch dog in Arizona who helped lead a toddler to safety
• Animal news, including a biotech company that claims to have brought back dire wolves, a new study showing that dogs understand meaningful words even in monotone speech... and the oldest known domestic cats in history, found in a 1559 shipwreck.
• Pet Health Listener Q&A, where Dr. Hohenhaus answers questions about what a giardia-positive test means in a newly adopted cat, managing inconsistent dog-to-dog reactivity, and whether gabapentin side effects in dogs are normal or worth reevaluating.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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