The Dr. Molly Says Podcast

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!I know I've mentioned it here and there, but I've never actually sat down and told you the whole story — how it came to be, what it's going to look like, and why I'm doing this instead of just... not (spoiler: there was a corporate buyout involved, and honestly, that was my sign 😅). I give you all the details about some special features in the new practice:Why our exam rooms have their OWN exterior doors (hint: anxious dogs and achy senior dogs will thank us)The comfort room - a private space with its own entrance specifically for euthanasia appointments, so families don't have to walk back through the lobby afterward"The vet bar" - basically a nurse's station meets open pharmacy window, so you can actually SEE the care happening as you walk throughThen we finish off chatting about the real timeline (soft opening tentatively September 1st, grand opening party September 19th — mark your calendars!), hiring updates, and why I believe so strongly in private practice vet med.If you've ever wondered what actually goes into opening a vet clinic — or you just want to nose around the design decisions with me — this episode is for you!!!!If you want to see visuals of everything I'm describing, come find me on socials; I'm @drmollysays and the clinic is @thelocalvets. And if you've got questions about the practice, please send them in! I'd love to do a Q&A episode as we get closer to opening.LOVE YOU GUYS!Timestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back + why today's episode is just me00:04:27 The building, the layout & what our clinic will look like00:09:57 Design details — porches, the comfort room & full transparency00:15:32 Opening timeline, hiring updates & the mystery new vet00:20:52 Private practice vs. corporate vet med (and how you can help)00:22:00 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---------------------------------------------------------------

This week on Dr. Molly Says, I’m hanging out with our FIRST repeat guest, Dr. Tannetje Crocker! We’re talking about veterinary medicine, practice ownership, motherhood, social media, and what it’s really like trying to build a business while juggling everything else.Then we get into YOUR questions…from choosing the right veterinarian and veterinary clinic red flags to dental health, supplements, arthritis, emergency cases, and more. Plus, we talk about how pet owners can better support their veterinary teams and share some of the craziest cases we’ve seen in emergency medicine. 😂Basically, it’s two veterinarian friends talking about the realities of vet med, business, pets, and everything in between.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛00:00 Dr. Tanja Is Back!04:31 Opening a New Veterinary Surgery Practice14:15 Answering Your Pet & Veterinary Questions17:13 The Pros & Cons of Being a Vet Content Creator23:40 Balancing Motherhood & Practice Ownership29:31 What Pet Owners Should Ask Their Veterinarian47:58 Veterinary Clinic Red Flags56:47 Crazy Emergency Vet Stories01:02:43 How to Support Your Veterinary Team---------------------------------------------------------------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/@drmollysayspodFollow Dr. Tannetje Crocker:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dr.tannetje.crocker ---------------------------------------------------------------

This week on Dr. Molly Says, we’re going to vet school! Well… kind of lol. We’re doing a Vet School for Pet Owners episode because I firmly believe educated pet parents are the best pet parents, and today, we’re talking about something that every dog and cat owner has probably dealt with at some point: vaccines.I’m breaking down the diseases we vaccinate our pets against, what those diseases actually do, and why your veterinarian recommends the vaccines they do. Because “your dog needs the distemper combo” is helpful information… but knowing what that vaccine is actually protecting your dog from? Even better.We get into:What the infamous distemper/parvo combo actually protects dogs fromWhy distemper can be so devastating, including the neurologic form that can show up weeks or months laterWhy parvo is basically the absolute worst and why it’s so incredibly contagiousWhat leptospirosis is, why it’s now considered a core vaccine for dogs, and why it’s not just a “farm dog” diseaseThe truth about the kennel cough vaccines (and why they don't necessarily prevent every single cough)Canine influenza, Lyme disease, and which dogs may benefit from those vaccinesThe vaccines cats need, including herpesvirus, calicivirus, and feline panleukopeniaWhy feline leukemia vaccination is especially important for outdoor catsWhy some vaccines are recommended every year while others can be given every three yearsBasically, if you’ve ever sat in your veterinarian’s office and thought, “Okay, but what exactly are you vaccinating my pet AGAINST?” - THIS episode is for you.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛Timestamps:00:00 Welcome y’all!!00:52 Why Pet Owners Should Understand Vaccines02:01 Dog Vaccines: What Are We Protecting Against?02:25 Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza & Parvo03:28 Canine Distemper08:59 Adenovirus11:21 Parvovirus17:00 Parainfluenza & Kennel Cough8:57 Dog Core Vaccine Schedule19:41 Leptospirosis24:10 Bordetella & Kennel Cough26:01 Canine Influenza28:13 Lyme Disease30:07 Cat Vaccines30:42 Feline Herpesvirus33:21 Feline Calicivirus34:34 Feline Panleukopenia36:25 Feline Leukemia Virus 38:30 Final Thoughts & Vaccine Q&A---------------------------------------------------------------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 me… and we’re talking about one of the most important diseases in veterinary medicine that somehow still manages to be one of the most misunderstood: heartworm disease. I know, I know… heartworms aren't exactly the sexiest podcast topic BUT if you've ever wondered, "Does my indoor dog really need heartworm prevention?" or "Is heartworm prevention actually safe?" or "Can't I just skip it during the winter?"… we're answering all of it.We start with Heartworm 101 (don't worry, I'll make parasites as fun as they can possibly be 🤝). We talk about how dogs actually get heartworms, why mosquitoes are the real villains here, and how these parasites somehow manage to make their way from one tiny mosquito bite all the way into your dog's heart and lungs. (Nature is... honestly kind of terrifying.)Then we get into the questions I hear every single day in practice.* How heartworm disease actually develops* Why your dog can have heartworms for MONTHS before showing any symptoms* The scary complications veterinarians worry about (including caval syndrome)* What heartworm treatment actually looks like... and why we'd all rather prevent it than treat it* How heartworm preventatives actually work (because they don't work the way most people think they do)* Whether indoor dogs really need heartworm medication (spoiler: yes 😅)If you've ever had questions about heartworm prevention (or you've seen one too many TikToks trying to convince you it's more dangerous than heartworm itself) this episode is for you.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛Timestamps:00:00 Welcome back! Why we're talking about heartworm disease01:20 What heartworm actually is03:58 How mosquitoes transmit heartworm07:18 The heartworm life cycle explained11:10 What heartworms do inside the body15:57 Early signs of heartworm disease17:34 Right-sided heart failure & caval syndrome20:13 Wolbachia bacteria & why it matters for treatment22:30 How veterinarians diagnose heartworm disease25:45 Heartworm treatment explained30:39 Why treatment is expensive (and dangerous)31:39 Heartworm prevention myths debunked32:28 How heartworm preventatives actually work34:24 Ivermectin, resistance & prevention options36:30 Why year-round prevention matters37:43 Why your vet recommends annual heartworm testing38:31 Indoor dogs still need prevention39:20 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---------------------------------------------------------------