Tails from the Lab: A Veterinary Podcast

The only constant in life is change. And in this episode, Jessica and Holly reconnect, share some of their exciting updates, and introduce a new iteration of the Tails From the Lab podcast soon to be released.

Zack, the beagle, presents for his annual wellness exam, and labwork is performed, including a CBC, chemistry, and (oh-so-fortunately) urinalysis, as part of his minimum database. Listen in as Jessica and Holly discuss Zack's unexpected results and the options to provide a definitive diagnosis. Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Inappropriate urination and lethargy lead to a concerning finding of hypercalcemia on Louie's labwork. Listen in as Jessica and Holly tackle the ensuing diagnostics to solve this hypercalcemia headache.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Bella has an appointment for a prescription refill, but the astute doctor is concerned about some subtle physical changes and reported clinical signs, and so he recommends laboratory diagnostics to explore further. Holly and Jessica discuss this interesting case, taking listeners on Bella's unintended journey through labwork abnormalities and the ensuing diagnostic outcomes.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

In this episode of Tails from the Lab, Drs. Holly and Brad explore one of the most overlooked tools in preventive veterinary care: wellness lab data. Together, they unpack why routine bloodwork is so meaningful and how it can guide early intervention and better outcomes throughout a pet’s life. This episode covers: How population-based reference intervals are created and what causes them to miss subtle but important changes Why scanning for “red” results isn’t enough to catch disease early The critical role of baseline data in identifying trends before clinical signs appear What key studies reveal about the value of wellness testing — including that 1 in 7 seemingly healthy adult pets show actionable abnormalities How establishing “normal” for each individual patient leads to more accurate, timely diagnoses Through real-world examples and expert insights, Drs. Holly and Brad reframe how veterinarians should approach preventive diagnostics through investment in long-term baseline data—and how this investment improves your ability to make confident, informed decisions when it matters most. Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

In our latest Tails from the Lab podcast episode, Dr. Brad Ryan sits down with Dr. Jen Brandt, AVMA Director of Member Wellbeing Initiatives, to talk about cultivating compassion in your relationship with yourself and why it’s so important for veterinary professionals to be kind to themselves. Watch the conversation now.Content warning: This episode contains discussions on mental health topics that may be sensitive to listeners. We encourage you to take care of your wellbeing. If you need mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional or crisis line.Our mental health podcast series is meant for education and informational purposes only. It is not meant to provide medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you need mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional or crisis line. Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

What does “spectrum of care” really mean? How does it help veterinarians, clients, and patients alike? In this episode of Tails from the Lab, hosts Holly and team welcome Dr. Michelle Evason for a deep dive into contextualized, evidence-based care. Dr. Evason shares the origins of spectrum of care, its practical applications, and how the new Spectrum of Care Toolkit (recently published in JAVMA) equips veterinary teams with communication tools, value matrices, and case examples to guide real-world decision-making. Listeners will learn: How spectrum of care goes beyond “gold standard” thinkingWhy shared decision-making improves outcomes and reduces stress Practical tools to bring evidence-based options into everyday practice Whether you’re in general practice, specialty care, or veterinary education, this conversation will leave you with new perspectives on how to support patients, clients, and your team through contextualized, compassionate care. Our guest today is Dr. Michelle Evason who is employed by Antech. We’re sharing this so you have full transparency about the relationships involved. Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Vector-borne diseases are on the move — changing local disease prevalence and increasing health risks for pets and people alike. In this episode of the Tails from the Lab podcast, Dr. Brad Ryan sits down with internal medicine specialist and infectious disease expert Dr. Michelle Evason to explore the latest insights on tick- and mosquito-borne disease. Together, they discuss: Why annual screening is critical for both dogs and cats How changing climates and travel are expanding disease risks The role of diagnostics in prevention, early detection, and antimicrobial stewardship Practical strategies to help veterinarians communicate risk and value to pet ownersWhether you’re navigating tick-borne disease in your practice or looking to strengthen client conversations about preventive care, this episode delivers actionable takeaways to keep pets healthier, longer. Our guest today is Dr. Michelle Evason who is employed by Antech. We’re sharing this so you have full transparency about the relationships involved.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Boundaries aren’t just about saying no — they’re about protecting our wellbeing, our teams, and the human-animal bond. In this special Tails from the Lab episode for World Mental Health Day, Dr. Brad Ryan sits down with Dr. Jen Brandt, AVMA Director of Member Wellbeing Initiatives, to explore the role of boundary setting in veterinary medicine.* Dr. Brandt shares: Why boundaries are often misunderstood in practice How healthy boundaries improve psychological safety, trust, and retention Practical strategies for defining and communicating boundaries with colleagues and clients The ripple effect boundaries have on team culture and mental health “When we do then have that in place, we see so many benefits, including improved retention, increased psychological safety, improved trust, improved communication, improved decision-making — because now we really are all operating on the same page.”  – Dr. Jen Brandt Whether you’re a veterinary professional seeking tools for personal resilience or a leader striving to support your team, this episode offers insights to help you create healthier, more sustainable practices. *Our mental health podcast series is meant for educational and informational purposes only. It is not meant to provide medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you need mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional or crisis line. Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Even the healthiest appearing pets can be hiding underlying conditions. In this episode of Tails from the Lab, Drs. Holly Brown and Brad Ryan dive into the value of wellness testing, using Doug — a seemingly healthy rescue Mastiff — as a case study. From uncovering Lyme exposure to detecting heartworm infection, they explore why routine lab work matters, how to communicate its value to pet owners, and the critical role of preventive diagnostics in supporting longer, healthier lives.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

In episode 1 of Tails from the Lab, Dr. Brad Ryan and Dr. Holly Brown discuss anaplasmosis using a real case example and dig deep into diagnostic insights that help shed light on its rise and prevalence. Tune in and learn what this means for veterinary teams across the country, and how smarter testing can support clearer diagnoses, stronger client communication, and better outcomes.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

We’re thrilled to bring back the Tails from the Lab podcast with our host Dr. Holly Brown and new co-host Dr. Brad Ryan! Get ready to discuss real cases with expert guests who dig deep into the diagnostic insights that help solve interesting and complex cases. We’ll also dive into topics that help veterinary teams tackle the industry’s many challenges while becoming better leaders and colleagues along the way. 🔬🐾 Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Snickers arrives sick at the hospital, and initial bloodwork reveals elevation of liver enzymes. Subsequent abdominal ultrasound identifies ascites, and the fluid analysis that ensues provides key diagnostic information that helps define Snickers' disease process.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Jessica is back with Part 2 of her ever-so-useful Tech Talk on Effusion Analysis, offering further tips and tricks to getting the most diagnostic information from your in-house fluid samples.  Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

In this tech talk, Jessica flies solo and talks about the basics of the in-house fluid analysis. Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship. 

Mac presented with acute abdominal pain, an irregular spleen, and possible lymphoma. Things got even more interesting with a surprise finding on the blood film review, and now an effusion is detected on abdominal ultrasound. Follow the twist and turns of Mac's case as Jessica and Holly review the diagnostics that tie it all together. (Part 2 of 2)Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Mac presents with acute abdominal pain, an irregular spleen, and possible lymphoma. Things get even more interesting with a surprise finding on the blood film review. Follow the twist and turns of Mac's case as Jessica and Holly review the diagnostics that tie it all together. (Part 1 of 2)Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Viper, the sometimes sweet / sometimes sour 1-year-old Bengal, suffered with recurrent diarrhea for months. After numerous hospital visits, a myriad of diagnostic tests, a variety of medications, and a poor quality of life for both Viper and his mom, we finally discover Viper's key to success.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Jessica and Holly unwrap some of the challenges in diagnosing and trending inflammatory disease in our veterinary patients and discuss the clinical application of acute phase protein measurement in such instances.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Paxton was treated successfully for his steroid-responsive meningitis, but now he is re-presenting white as a ghost. Follow the laboratory diagnostics to understand what has happened, who/what is to blame, and why Paxton is not off the hook.Tails from the Lab is a production of Antech Diagnostics. The intent of this podcast is to provide education and guidance with the understanding that any diagnostic testing and treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian within the established veterinarian-patient-client relationship.