Your Vet Wants You to Know

As a curious pet owner, have you ever taken to the internet for more information about pet health? Maybe you want to know why your pet is itchy and what you can do about it. Maybe you’re frustrated about the ear infections always coming back. Maybe you’re looking for ways to make veterinary care more affordable. Instead of wading through a sea of information that may not be reliable, and in some cases may be harmful, here is what Your Vet Wants You to Know. I’m Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, board certified veterinary dermatology specialist. Join me to get the information you’re looking for to care for your dog and cat, from diseases and treatments to financial planning and what’s happening in the world of veterinary medicine. If you’re curious about your pet's health, then Your Vet Wants You to Know.

076 Allergies in Westies 06/09/2025

076 Allergies in Westies West Highland White Terriers (Westies) present unique challenges when managing their allergies. In this episode, board certified veterinary dermatologist and devoted Westie owner Dr. Valerie Fadok joins to allergic skin and ear disease in these little dogs with big personalities. Dr. Fadok shares her expertise and personal stories to help pet owners better understand and manage this frustrating condition in this specific breed. Key Takeaways: Westies are genetically predisposed to atopic dermatitis and can show signs of allergies early in life. Common signs include persistent itchiness, greasy or scaly skin, frequent secondary infections, hair loss, and chronic ear infections. Early diagnosis and management are critical to avoid progression to severe, chronic skin changes. Treatment plans may include medications, regular bathing, immunotherapy, and collaboration with a veterinary dermatologist. Flea allergy dermatitis is a common trigger—preventative flea control is non-negotiable, even if fleas aren't seen. Food allergies affect approximately 50% of allergic Westies; an elimination diet trial with a prescription or elemental diet is the gold standard for diagnosis. Owners should avoid unreliable internet food allergy tests like hair or saliva testing. The Westie Foundation of America provides excellent breed-specific resources and funds research to improve Westie health. Resources: 📸 📘 🔬 Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information. By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners, 2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team, 3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and 4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians. Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: Connect with Your Vet! Instagram: Facebook: Facebook group: /episode/index/show/yourvetwantsyoutoknow/id/36906415

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One Health Heroes: April 15, 2025 - Government cuts, Avian Influenza, and Rabies 04/15/2025

One Health Heroes - April 1, 2025 - Avian Influenza: Impacts on Pets and Food Systems 04/01/2025

Introducing One Health Heroes: Bridging Human, Animal, and Environmental Health 04/01/2025

072 Feline Allergy Treatment: Relief For Your Itchy Cat 03/29/2025

072 Feline Allergy Treatment: Relief For Your Itchy Cat Is your cat constantly scratching, overgrooming, or suffering from red, irritated skin? Feline allergies are a common but frustrating condition for both cats and their owners. In this episode, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, veterinary dermatologist, breaks down the best treatment options to help your allergic cat feel comfortable again. You'll learn: ✅ The latest veterinary treatments, including prescription medications and at-home solutions ✅ What questions to ask your veterinarian ✅ Common myths about feline allergy treatments and what really works Whether your cat needs allergy-friendly food, medicated shampoos, or advanced therapies like immunotherapy, this episode has the answers. Join us as we follow Otto’s journey—an allergic cat who lost all the fur on his back legs and belly—and explore the treatments that helped manage his allergies. Resources & Links: 📌 Struggling to medicate your cat? Check out the 📌 Find a veterinary dermatologist near you: 📌 Full transcript with pictures of Otto and other allergic cats: 📌 Schedule an appointment at Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles with Dr. Lancellotti: Scratching the Itch: EveryCat Health Foundation The EveryCat Health Foundation is the world's only nonprofit focused solely on feline health research. They award grants for cutting edge research in feline medicine, ranging from clinically applicable proposals to long shot investigations with game-changing potential. Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information. By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners, 2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team, 3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and 4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians. Help support our mission through : /episode/index/show/yourvetwantsyoutoknow/id/35912675

071 Feline Allergy Testing: How to Identify Your Cat’s Allergies for Long-Term Relief 03/19/2025

071 Feline Allergy Testing: How to Identify Your Cat’s Allergies for Long-Term Relief Feline Allergies: Testing – How to Find Your Cat’s Allergy Triggers Does your cat constantly groom, scratch, or develop scabs? Could allergies be the cause? In this episode, board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, discusses the process of diagnosing feline allergies. Learn how veterinarians rule out other conditions, identify allergy triggers, and determine the best management plan to give your cat long-term relief. Join us as we follow Otto’s journey—an allergic cat who lost all the fur on his back legs and belly—and explore the essential tests that helped pinpoint his allergies. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why ruling out other conditions like ringworm, mites, and autoimmune diseases is crucial ✅ How flea allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergies are diagnosed ✅ Why an elimination diet trial is the only reliable way to diagnose food allergies ✅ How allergy testing helps create a long-term management plan for environmental allergies ✅ The role of allergy immunotherapy in reducing symptoms over time Resources & Links: 📌 Struggling to medicate your cat? Check out the 📌 Find a veterinary dermatologist near you: 📌 Full transcript with pictures of Otto and other allergic cats: 📌 Schedule an appointment at Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles with Dr. Lancellotti: Scratching the Itch: Pride VMC🏳️‍🌈 Pride VMC is an organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ veterinary community. Their mission is to create an inclusive, empowered space for veterinary professionals through mental health support, DEI education, mentorship, and job resources. Allies are welcome, and all membership dues are tax-deductible! Learn more or donate at: Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information. By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners, 2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team, 3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and 4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians. Help support our mission through : /episode/index/show/yourvetwantsyoutoknow/id/35771585

070 Signs of Allergies in Cats 03/12/2025

070 Signs of Allergies in Cats Does your cat constantly lick, scratch, or lose fur? Are you struggling to figure out what’s causing their discomfort? In this episode of Your Vet Wants You to Know, board-certified veterinary dermatologist, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, dives into feline allergies, explaining the most common signs, how veterinarians diagnose allergies, and the best treatment options to help your cat find relief. Join us as we discuss real-life cases, including Otto, a cat who lost all the fur on his back legs and belly due to allergies—but with the right treatment, he got his pants back! Learn how to recognize allergic skin disease, what tests can help pinpoint the cause, and what treatment options are available, including steroids, cyclosporine (Atopica), and allergy immunotherapy. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ The 4 most common ways cat allergies show up on the skin ✅ Why overgrooming is often mistaken for stress when it’s really allergies ✅ How flea allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergies affect cats ✅ What eosinophilic granuloma complex is and how it impacts feline skin health ✅ How allergy testing and immunotherapy (allergy shots) can help cats long-term ✅ The role of secondary skin infections and why treating them is essential ✅ The best steps to take if you think your cat has allergies Resources & Links: 📌 Struggling to medicate your cat? Check out the 📌 📌 Full transcript with pictures of Otto and other allergic cats: 📌 Schedule an appointment at Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles with Dr. Lancellotti: Follow & Subscribe: 🎙️ Never miss an episode! Subscribe to Your Vet Wants You to Know on: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Google Podcasts: Share Your Thoughts: 💬 Have you dealt with cat allergies? Share your experience in our or tag us on social media @YourVetWantsYouToKnow! Scratching the Itch: Each episode, we highlight something that brings you joy or makes life easier. This week, we’re featuring Smarter in Seconds, a viral web series by educator Blair Imani, making complex topics accessible in bite-sized videos. Check it out . Tune in next time as we explore allergy testing and treatment options for cats, and hear more about Otto’s journey back to a happy, healthy life! Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information. By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners, 2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team, 3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and 4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians. Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: /episode/index/show/yourvetwantsyoutoknow/id/35590545