The Truth About Dog Arthritis, Acupuncture & Veterinary Rehab w/ Dr. Kristen Frevert

This week on Dr. Molly Says, I’m BACK!! And we’re talking about one of the most common things I see in veterinary practice… ear infections.From the head shaking and funky smells to the mystery ear gunk, I’m breaking down what’s actually happening inside your pet’s ears, why these infections keep coming back, and why treating the infection itself isn’t always enough.We get into yeast vs. bacterial infections, how allergies can play a HUGE role, and why I always want to know what’s causing the problem in the first place. Because if your dog keeps getting ear infections over and over again, there might be more going on than meets the eye.We also get into:* Yeast vs. bacteria and why figuring out the difference matters* What your vet is looking for during an ear exam* When ear infections can affect hearing, balance, and more* How often you should actually be cleaning your pet’s earsPLUS: a little ear anatomy, some truly gross microscope discoveries, and a reminder that our pets can’t exactly tell us when their ears hurt… so it’s up to us to pay attention.The Dr. Molly Says podcast is BACK, and we’re here every week! Have questions or a topic you want me to cover? Send them my way.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛Timestamps:00:00 Welcome Back to Dr. Molly Says!00:39 Opening The Local Vets & Returning to the Podcast04:09 Why Dog & Cat Ear Infections Are So Common04:35 Understanding Dog & Cat Ear Anatomy08:37 What Is Otitis Externa?10:17 Signs Your Pet Might Have an Ear Infection11:32 Yeast vs. Bacterial Ear Infections14:06 Foreign Objects, Ear Canal Growths & Eardrum Damage16:27 Why Your Dog Keeps Getting Ear Infections19:13 Why Ear Infections Are Painful22:49 Choosing the Right Treatment for an Ear Infection25:49 Why Your Pet Needs an Ear Infection Recheck26:49 Allergies & Other Underlying Causes of Ear Infections28:06 Ear Problems in Cats & Ear Polyps28:51 Ear Mites: What Pet Owners Should Know30:35 Ear Hematomas: Why Head Shaking Can Cause Swelling34:35 Deep Ear Infections & Problems With Balance and Hearing36:22 How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s or Cat’s Ears?38:06 Ear Cleaning Products You Should Avoid38:40 Should You Pluck Your Dog’s Ear Hair?39:44 Can Ear Infections Go Away on Their Own?40:29 SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!!---------------------------------------------------------------Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028---------------------------------------------------------------Follow Dr. Molly:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysaysTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysaysFollow the podcast:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod---------------------------------------------------------------

This week on Dr. Molly Says, I’m joined by veterinarian, feline medicine enthusiast, industry leader, and fellow “we have a lot of opinions about vet med” human… Dr. Jason Epstein.We get into everything from cat-only hospitals, corporate veterinary medicine, the future of feline care, and one of the biggest debates happening in veterinary medicine right now.Dr. Epstein shares his journey through general practice, leadership roles, startups, vaccine clinics, and why he’s now building cat-focused veterinary hospitals, because according to him… cats don’t belong in dog hospitals. (Yes, he said it.)We also get into:* Why feline medicine deserves its own approach* The surprising problem with traditional mixed animal hospitals* Corporate vet med, leadership, and what happens when practices collapse overnight* Accessibility, affordability, and the realities of modern veterinary care* The future of veterinary technicians and why they deserve WAY more support* The controversial Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) conversation happening in the U.S.* Whether mid-level veterinary providers could help… or create bigger problemsPLUS: hot takes, conference friend lore, cat behavior misunderstandings, “spicy cats” vs moody monarchs 👑, and a surprisingly passionate discussion about veterinary education, legislation, and who should actually be writing healthcare policy.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛Timestamps:00:00:00 Welcome + meet Dr. Jason Epstein00:01:00 Marching band, clarinet discourse & veterinary origin story00:05:00 Early career, GP life & leadership transitions00:06:30 Corporate veterinary medicine + what happened with My Pets Wellness00:08:50 Affordable care, vaccine clinics & community medicine00:10:20 Why Dr. Epstein is building cat-only hospitals00:11:30 HOT TAKE: “Cats don’t belong in dog hospitals”00:13:00 Species-specific veterinary care: future or fantasy?00:15:00 What cats actually experience at the vet (and why it matters)00:20:00 Feline medicine gaps in veterinary education00:30:00 Cat-friendly care, environment & understanding feline behavior00:40:00 “Spicy cats” aren’t spicy… they’re cats00:41:30 The VPA conversation explained (without assuming you’ve been living on vet internet)00:44:00 Colorado, legislation & why this debate got very real, very fast00:50:00 Education pathways, supervision rules & big concerns about implementation00:57:00 Access to care vs quality of care — can both exist?01:00:00 Vet tech utilization, title protection & workforce challenges01:05:00 Where veterinary medicine might be headed next01:07:00 Final thoughts + why this is definitely not the last conversation we’re having about this---------------------------------------------------------------Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028---------------------------------------------------------------Follow Dr. Molly:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysaysTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysaysFollow the podcast:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod---------------------------------------------------------------

This week on Dr. Molly Says… it’s just us!!! .… and an uncomfortable conversation we probably need to have about pet obesity.Because… statistically? A LOT of our dogs and cats are overweight. And before you get defensive — hear me out. This isn’t about aesthetics. We’re talking about real health consequences, chronic disease, arthritis, diabetes, mobility loss, and yes… shorter lifespans.We’re breaking down how veterinarians actually evaluate weight (hello body condition score), why so many pets gain weight without owners realizing it, and some hot takes about treats, free feeding, “active lifestyles,” and why your dog maybe doesn’t need a snack every time they pee.We also get into:* How to tell if your dog or cat is actually overweight* Why body condition score matters more than the number on the scale* The surprising diseases linked to obesity in dogs and cats* Why labs, beagles, and indoor cats can be especially prone to weight gain* Free feeding vs meal feeding (yes… we’re doing this debate)* Why treat calories count WAY more than you think* How spay/neuter changes metabolism* The real math behind feeding recommendations* Weight loss strategies that actually work in real lifePLUS: we discuss Solo cup measurements pretending to be “one cup,” chunky cat culture, why your veterinarian is not trying to offend you, and my slightly controversial opinion about potty treats.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛Timestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back! Season 2, podcast updates & the new clinic build00:02:45 Why pet obesity is uncomfortable to talk about00:04:00 Hot take: your dog doesn’t need a potty treat forever00:05:00 The shocking number of overweight pets in the U.S00:06:00 Why weight matters beyond “looking chunky”00:07:00 Body Condition Score explained (4–5/9 is the goal)00:09:00 How to actually tell if your pet is overweight00:13:00 Diseases linked to obesity in cats00:15:00 Arthritis, mobility & obesity in dogs00:17:00 How pets become overweight in the first place00:18:00 Labs, beagles & genetics of appetite00:19:00 Why your pet probably isn’t as “active” as you think00:20:00 Feeding guides vs actual calorie calculations00:21:00 Free feeding vs meal feeding debate00:23:00 Treat calories add up FAST00:26:00 Spay/neuter, hormones & metabolism changes00:28:00 Helping pets lose weight realistically00:30:00 Measuring food correctly (the Solo cup problem 💀)00:32:00 Treat rules, exercise & muscle mass00:34:00 When weight loss isn’t working: thyroid & medical causes00:35:00 Multi-pet household struggles00:36:00 Exercise ideas for indoor cats00:38:00 Why vets keep bringing up weight (even when owners hate hearing it)00:39:00 Fresh food, calorie density & marketing myths00:42:00 Weight loss diets, supplements & final thoughts00:43:00 SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!!---------------------------------------------------------------Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028---------------------------------------------------------------Follow Dr. Molly:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysaysTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysaysFollow the podcast:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod---------------------------------------------------------------Keywords: Pet obesity, overweight dogs, overweight cats, dog weight loss, cat weight loss, veterinary medicine, Dr Molly Says, pet health, dog nutrition, cat nutrition, pet obesity prevention, body condition score, dog treats, cat treats, pet calories, healthy pets, dog health, cat health, veterinary advice, pet lifespan, dog obesity, cat obesity, pet wellness, vet podcast, pet care tips, pet nutrition, veterinarian, dog diet, cat diet, pet weight management

This week on The Dr. Molly Says Podcast, we're diving deep into everything you need to know about Dachsunds!We get into where Dachshunds came from, what they were originally bred to do (spoiler: they were literally bred to hunt badgers underground 😳), why they've become one of the most popular dog breeds in the country, and what makes them such a unique mix of hilarious, stubborn, loyal, opinionated little dogs.But of course, we're not just talking about their personalities. We're also talking about the medical stuff every current or future Dachshund owner should know.We get into:* The different types of Dachshunds (smooth, long-haired & wire-haired)* Standard vs. miniature Dachshunds* Why these dogs have SUCH big personalities* Prey drive, barking, training challenges & "selective hearing" 😅* The truth about IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) and why Dachshunds are so prone to it* Signs of back pain and when it's a veterinary emergency* Whether stairs, jumping and exercise actually increase IVDD risk* Why maintaining a lean body weight is one of the most important things you can do for your Dachshund* Pet insurance and why I'm a huge advocate for it in this breed* Dental disease, anesthesia myths & why small dogs need dental care earlier than most owners realize* Heart disease, patellar luxation and other common health concerns* What to look for in a responsible Dachshund breeder* The major red flags everyone should know about before buying a puppyWhether you already have a Dachshund, you're thinking about getting one, or you just love learning about dogs, this episode is your complete veterinarian's guide to one of the most iconic breeds out there.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛Timestamps00:00 Welcome back + life updates00:00:52 Building The Local Vet & rabbit medicine updates 🏥🐰00:02:06 Meet the Dachshund: history, origins & why they're so popular00:03:32 Standard vs. Miniature Dachshunds00:04:22 Smooth, Long-Haired & Wire-Haired Dachshunds00:06:08 Common Dachshund colors & the dangers of Double Dapple breeding00:08:05 Dachshund personality: stubborn, loyal & VERY opinionated00:10:22 Why Dachshunds love to bark, chase & ignore your commands 😅00:12:03 The #1 health issue in Dachshunds: IVDD explained00:14:42 Signs of IVDD & when it's an emergency00:16:25 Preventing back problems: exercise, weight & muscle mass00:18:15 Why every Dachshund owner should consider pet insurance00:18:55 Dental disease: the health problem nobody talks about00:20:18 Why brushing your Dachshund's teeth matters so much00:22:00 Heart disease & mitral valve disease in Dachshunds00:23:15 Patellar luxation, arthritis & mobility concerns00:24:42 Allergies, cancer risks & mammary tumors00:26:08 Finding an ethical Dachshund breeder: what to look for00:27:08 Red flags, coat colors & breeding practices to avoid 🚩00:28:05 Are Dachshunds right for your family? Final thoughts00:28:55 LOVE YOU GUYS 💛---------------------------------------------------------------Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028---------------------------------------------------------------Follow Dr. Molly:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysaysTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysaysFollow the podcast:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod---------------------------------------------------------------

Hi friends! This week's episode is a quick one because by the time you're watching this, I'll be in Jamaica! But before I left - I recorded an episode about something a lot of you have been asking about: my new veterinary practice!