Laura Reeves & Dr. Marty Greer

Shows

The Marty & Laura Show34 – Bloat: Know the Early Warning SignsBloat: Know the Early Warning SignsMarty and Laura give you tips and tools to save your dog’s life in the case of bloat. Minutes count in this life-threatening condition, so knowing the early warning signs is critical.Bloat, also known as gastric dilation and volvulus, is a condition that knows no boundaries. It occurs in large breed dogs primarily, but it can happen in smaller dogs as well. Gas becomes trapped in the stomach, causing it to “flip over,” cutting off blood supply to vital organs, all within just a few minutes.o E...2025-08-0628 min

Pure Dog Talk698 – Three Words That Strike Fear in Vets and OwnersThree Words That Strike Fear in Vets and Owners Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Marty Greer talking about the three words that strike fear in both veterinarians and owners. “These three things are what can take a normal, easy, lovely day at the veterinary clinic and turn it upside down and cause clients to have to wait and then swear at their veterinary team because they don't understand why they have to wait because they had an appointment,” Greer said. Those three words, according to Greer, are GDV (bloat), Pyo (pyometra) and HBC (hit by car). Refr...2025-08-0440 min

The Marty & Laura Show33 — Examining the Power of the Human Animal BondExamining the Power of the Human Animal BondMarty and Laura examine the powerful human animal bond and how we can help our pets be healthier while they help us be healthier.The power of this ancient connection is documented at the Human Animal Bond Research Institute."The value that pets bring to our lives," Laura said, "is they impact whether we go out and exercise with them because we need them to lose weight. Whether it is the companionship, whether it is the social activity where we actually go into the public...2025-07-3026 min

The Marty & Laura Show32 – Pro Tips for Doggy DietingPro Tips for Doggy DietingMarty and Laura take on the “weighty” conversation around doggy dieting. Research proves conclusively that dogs kept at a healthy weight live two years longer. How pet owners reduce or manage weight for their pets can be challenging and often requires some personal introspection as well. Our best pro tips for doggy dieting:· Move more, eat less … There’s no such thing as doggy Ozempic· Replace 50% of kibble with vegetables· Measure the food, don’t just guess· Feed two meals, don’t free feed· Use kibbles f...2025-07-2331 min

The Marty & Laura Show31 — How to Manage the High Cost of Vet CareMarty and Laura tackle the high cost of vet care, everything from WHY the cost is so high to pro tips on ways you can help keep costs manageable.Laura said, "I ran across (an article) in a magazine called Money Wise, and it says that half of America's 87,000,000 pet owners have decided against vet treatment. And it it continues that for many Americans, the cost of caring for their pets has become unbearable. A Gallup poll found 52% of US pet owners say that they've had to put off veterinary care because of the cost. A whopping 7...2025-07-1636 min

The Marty & Laura Show30 — Foxtails and Algae and Snakes and Alligators, Oh My!Foxtails and Algae and Snakes and Alligators, Oh My!Summer vacation with dog as co-pilot, as Marty and Laura discussed last month, is well under way. Today they bring important information to help keep your pet safe in the late summer at various locations around the country. Whether it's foxtails, blue green algae, poisonous snakes or alligators, your pet can encounter a variety of environmental challenges.Skunks and porcupines also get rolled into this wide-ranging conversation about what to avoid and what to do if you can't avoid some of these dangers for your pet.2025-07-0929 min

Pure Dog Talk694 – What’s Your “Line in the Sand” for BreedingWhat’s Your “Line in the Sand” for Breeding Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Marty Greer for an important conversation about “what is YOUR line in the sand” when breeding dogs. This is a conversation around breeding ethics and having a “mission statement” for your breeding program. “I had a listener ask about a baby puppy with one testicle yoyoing and one maybe, maybe not there and what should they do? And Marty said, ‘Well, there's only a couple things and it won't take very long (to talk about), but I think that there's no reason not to breed that...2025-07-0736 min

The Marty & Laura Show29 — A Day in the Life: Answers to Your WTF Questions at the VetA Day in the Life: Answers to Your WTF Questions at the VetMarty and I talk a lot. Like we talk pretty much, maybe not daily, but we talk every week. And I interact with people on a daily basis who work in veterinary clinics. I think it's really hard, sometimes, for us as clients to appreciate what's going on in the veterinary clinic. 'The receptionist just snarked at me. I've been sitting here for 45 minutes, like, what the F?'So I thought it would be really great if Marty would talk to...2025-07-0233 min

The Marty & Laura Show28 — Bombproofing Your Pet for the Big BoomsBombproofing Your Pet for the Big BoomsMarty and Laura tackle the big booms of summer, fireworks and thunderstorms, and how we can bombproof our pets ahead of time.LR: You made a comment to me last week when we were together that I thought was so great. We were talking about our phobias, your fear of heights. My claustrophobia. And you're like, 'we don't know why we have these phobias. Dogs don't know why they have their phobias either.' And I just thought that was such a genius comment that I'd never really...2025-06-2529 min

The Marty & Laura Show27 — Blastomycosis and Other Fungal InfectionsBlastomycosis and Other Fungal InfectionsMarty and Laura discuss the dangers of blastomycosis and other fungal infections for our pets as well as their humans."Blasto tends to be the upper Midwest," Marty said. "It's frequently found in areas where wood chipping has taken place, so places that trees have been cut down or chipped or garden centers and you know, things along those lines. "There are other parts of the country that have other kinds of fungal infections. So it's not like if you don't live in Wisconsin that you're safe from...2025-06-1826 min

The Marty & Laura Show26 — Osteoarthritis Diagnosis and TreatmentOsteoarthritis Diagnosis and TreatmentMarty and Laura tackle the topic of osteoarthritis in our pets, diagnosis, treatment and the differences between cats and dogs with this disease."The only time we'll see a pet cry in pain is if they have either serious trauma or they slipped a disc in their neck and those dogs vocalize," Marty said. "But they won't vocalize because they've torn a cruciate. They won't vocalize because they have hip dysplasia or back problem or elbow dysplasia or 1 of 1000 other causes of osteoarthritis. And so our perception, especially in cats, but in...2025-06-1127 min

The Marty & Laura Show25 – Oral Hygiene from Teeth to Gums to BeardsOral Hygiene from Teeth to Gums to BeardsMarty and Laura discuss oral hygiene including teeth, gums and beards. Keeping your pet's teeth clean means brushing them. There are no magic cures. Oral health impacts the pet's overall physical health directly, Marty said. She recommends visiting the Veterinary Oral Health Council's website to learn about approved and accepted products that can help reduce the severity of periodontal disease in our pets."It's not just about how they smell," Marty said, "because (tartar buildup) does have a bad odor to it. It's about their...2025-06-0436 min

Pure Dog Talk689 – Infertility Problem Solving ProtocolInfertility Problem Solving Protocol Host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Marty Greer for a conversation about the problem solving protocol for infertility using a case study submitted in the private Pure Dog Talk Patrons group. Greer’s first recommendation for fertility issues is to have a complete semen analysis on the stud dog. “There are six parameters that we should look at for semen quality. It should be volume, sperm count, the motility, the morphology, the longevity and speed of progression. …(I)t's much easier to analyze the fertility on a male dog that is a female.” Greer co...2025-06-0247 min

The Marty & Laura Show24 – Geriatric Cats and Why They Lose WeightGeriatric Cats and Why They Lose WeightMarty and Laura tackle the topic of skinny old cats, why they lose weight and how to prevent these geriatric diseases.Cats are NOT, as Laura theorized, “fluffy house plants.”“Lots of people know when they have a kitten that they need veterinary care,” Marty said. “They need vaccinations, they need deworming, they to be spayed or neutered, all the stuff. And then a lot of cats never see their veterinarian until they're 14, 15, 16 years old in some cases.“Suddenly look at your cat one day or your frie...2025-05-2834 min

The Marty & Laura Show23 — Summer Vacation with Dog as Co-PilotSummer Vacation with Dog as Co-PilotMarty and Laura drop useful tips and share hilarious stories about summer vacation with dogs.Top tips from the Pros: RV, hotel, campground or visiting friends and family, and on the road along the way, pick up after your dog! Abandoned dog droppings can spread "germs and worms," are smelly and disrespectful to other travelers. Marty's Pro Tip Keep your used grocery bags in an empty kleenex box for easy access and a "reuse, recycle" mindset.Xpens are your friend! Find the height and style you like to...2025-05-2135 min

The Marty & Laura Show22 — Spring Tune Up for Your DogSpring Tune Up for Your DogMarty and Laura get you and your buddy off the couch and ready for the spring weather."The most important thing is to not overdo it because the tendency is it's finally spring, it's finally nice out. I'm going to go garden all day, I'm going to go on a long hike, I'm going to cut the grass, I'm going to clean the garage, I'm going to do all this stuff that turns out to not really be conducive to not being physically conditioned for it. And it could...2025-05-1429 min

The Marty & Laura Show21 — Encephalitis, Meningitis and MoreEncephalitis, Meningitis and MoreMarty and Laura tackle a really tough topic today, talking about encephalitis and meningitis and other assorted brain and spinal cord inflammation.“These are scary because the dogs get very sick and it's a very difficult diagnosis to make,” Marty said. “It usually requires some advanced imaging, some advanced testing. It's not an easy diagnosis to nail down and it's not an easy treatment to develop.This category of illness is complicated due to the variety of causes, from bacterial infection to autoimmune mediated, and the vagueness of the sympto...2025-05-0731 min

Pure Dog Talk685 – Mastitis is not Metritis is not PyometraMastitis is not Metritis is not PyometraDr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves to walk through the differentials in diagnosing possible infections in the breeding bitch, including mastitis, metritis and pyometra.“There's a lot of reasons that postpartum bitches can run a fever. So I think it's a really good topic because when you go to the vet or if you know if you're calling for a vet appointment or you're getting to the vet, it can be a little more muddy than you think it should be.2025-05-0542 min

The Marty & Laura Show20 – Do Stuff with Your Dog, Safely!Do Stuff with Your Dog, Safely!Marty and Laura are talking puppercise today with a great run down of the fun stuff to do with your dog and how to do it safely. They even throw in a little philosophy. Like, what is “hiking?” Are we climbing cliffs or strolling on a volksmarch. Hosts discuss.Back on track, our intrepid hosts cover communicating with our dogs. How to hear what they’re trying to tell us, whether it’s that their feet are hot or they’re tired and need a rest period.A discussi...2025-04-3030 min

The Marty & Laura Show19 – Managing Grief Over Pet PassingManaging Grief Over Pet PassingMarty and Laura are joined by Lindsay Stanton, grief coach and author to discuss managing grief after losing a pet."At the end of the day, grief and trauma run down very parallel paths," Stanton noted. "And depending on the type of grief that you're experiencing, it can be extremely traumatic. And depending on the way the person or pet passed, it can be extremely traumatic.""If you're really a dog person or really a cat person, you understand the gravity of that loss," Marty said. "And society...2025-04-2336 min

The Marty & Laura Show18 – Types, Causes and Treatment of SeizuresTypes, Causes and Treatment of SeizuresMarty and Laura take on the tough topic of seizures in our pets. They break down the types of seizures, what may cause them and treatment options based on the cause.Sparked by a listener request to cover the topic when a client dog had a hypoglycemic seizure in a groom shop, this episode is for everyone who owns a dog. All dogs and cats can experience a seizure whether from low blood sugar, ingestion of toxin, various diseases and what is known as “idiopathic epilepsy” which literally means seiz...2025-04-1639 min

The Marty & Laura Show17 — Pros and Cons of Dog Parks and Doggy Day CarePros and Cons of Dog Parks and Doggy Day CareMarty and Laura debate dog parks and doggy day care, weighing the risk versus the reward of each.Dog parks and doggy daycare are convenient solutions to busy schedules. But they do have downsides. We're here to help walk you through some of the considerations."Some (doggy daycares) are run really well," Marty noted, "so I don't wanna say that they're all negatively associated. But there are some that have really done well and some that are really not done well. "...2025-04-0931 min

Pure Dog Talk681 – Tube Feeding: When, Why and How with Dr. Marty GreerTube Feeding: When, Why and How with Dr. Marty Greer Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves for a run down of when, why and how to tube feed neonates. New born puppies who can’t or won’t nurse for whatever reason may be fed with a tube passed directly to the stomach. “I just want people to know that dying of starvation is not an option at my house,” Greer said. “Different people have different thresholds and that's my threshold, is you are not going to die of starvation.” Marty and Laura walk through the “why”s of tube feedin...2025-04-0733 min

The Marty & Laura Show16 — Separation Anxiety Solutions for You AND Your DogHome AloneMarty and Laura tackle separation anxiety, a tough topic for folks trying to manage returning to office life while keeping their pooch entertained. A lot of “pandemic dogs” that have never had 30 seconds of being by themselves, find a new way of life more challenging.“So there are some things that you can do to help prepare them for being left alone,” Marty said, “whether it's to go to work or something more significant. And some of them are pharmaceutical and some are non-pharmaceutical. It’s okay to use pharmaceuticals if you need the...2025-04-0233 min

The Marty & Laura Show15 – How do We Give Our Pets the Best Chance at a Long LifeHow do We Give Our Dogs the Best Chance at a Long LifeMarty and Laura walk through best practices for giving our pets the best chance for a long life.Our hosts share their experiences with losing dogs in old and young ages, while providing detailed recommendations to help our pets live long, productive lives.“So preventive care is going to be probably the most important,” Marty said. “And that means routine blood work. That means routine dental cleanings, that means the right nutrition.“There's some really important things that we can d...2025-03-2639 min

The Marty & Laura Show14 — Breaking Down the Life Stages of Our DogsThe whole one year of human life is 7 years of dog life; some of that isn't right. But it kind of gives us a feel for what we think of puppy, teenager, adult, elder. Marty and Laura walk through those life stages and some of the things that we can do to ease or utilize those times that we have with our dogs. Everyone says it's too short, and they're right. So we talk about some ways to look at it differently and to understand it better."Teenagers need to learn boundaries," Marty said. "Teenage...2025-03-1939 min

The Marty & Laura Show13 — Aquariums Raise Serotonin and Create BeautyAquarium authority (and audio engineer extraordinaire) Lance Woodruff joins Laura while Marty is on a globe-trotting tour of meetings.Lance walks us through Laura's "box of fish" and everything above and beyond in the colorful and spectacular world of home aquariums.Filtration, salt or freshwater, fish friends (and frenemies!), tank size, and decorations—we cover the basics of Aquarium 101.The Eclipse filter – everything in one top for the aquarium:https://www.marineland.com/products/aquariums/bio-wheel-aquarium-kit.aspxMore beginner information on Marineland filters:https://www.marineland.com/info...2025-03-1236 min

The Marty & Laura Show12 — Cats 101: Essential Guide to Understanding Your Kitty’s Needs & BehaviorMarty takes Laura and listeners through the entire pantheon of cat life! “Cats are not small dogs and dogs are not big cats,” Marty says. “So cats are a species unto themselves, and they have their own special wants, needs, desires, techniques, food, everything. It's a little different with the cat.“This is why a spay or neuter in a cat at six or eight months is very appropriate. Now, I don't like to see them spayed or neutered when they're itty-bitty babies. I still think that there's some risk that goes with that. You know, tho...2025-03-0536 min

Pure Dog Talk676 – Brucellosis or CHV? Deadly Diseases for PuppiesBrucellosis or CHV? Deadly Diseases for Puppies Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves for a Veterinary Voice topic that can be devastating for breeders and deadly for puppies. Brucellosis and CHV (Canine Herpes Virus) can both decimate a litter. “If you lose even a single puppy in a litter, have testing done on that puppy,” Greer said. “Have a necropsy done of some form at your vet clinic or at a referral center or at a reference lab, so that you find out what happened because you can't learn from it if you bury your mistakes. You can't...2025-03-0333 min

The Marty & Laura Show11 — Emergency Yes or No: Life Saving InformationMarty and Laura take a deep dive into what does and does NOT constitute an emergency for your pet."Your dog scratching at his ears, not an emergency. You can wait. Cat can't urinate. That is an emergency," Marty says.With the nationwide difficulty finding and accessing emergency services for our pets, a little bit of knowledge can save you an enormous amount of time, grief and frustration. From bloat to dog fight to bloody stools, we take you through the details of what can and can't be managed at home....2025-02-2636 min

The Marty & Laura Show10 — Understanding Blocked Cats: Causes, Symptoms, What to DoMarty takes us to school on understanding blocked cats.“Cats have a very serious medical condition when they cannot urinate. And you can only imagine how A, painful, and B, dangerous, that is, for cats, and it's almost always male cats. I can tell you, I can count on one hand the number of female cats I've seen obstructed, but male cats, pretty commonly. It accounts for about 3 % of all veterinary hospital admissions, so it is a common disorder.“If you have a cat that's urinating inappropriately, male or female, blood in the urine, not in t...2025-02-1929 min

The Marty & Laura Show09 — Unintended Consequences of Early Spay/NeuterMarty and Laura tackle some tough topics around when and whether to spay or neuter our pets.Research has shown that early spay/neuter in dogs causes an increased incidence of several cancers as well as cruciate ligament tears and increased odds of both problematic and nuisance behaviors.“They don't routinely spay and neuter dogs in the European countries and they don't have a pet overpopulation problem. They don't have a mixed breed overpopulation problem. So when I've traveled in Europe and you go places on the train or go to a restaurant or a ca...2025-02-1239 min

The Marty & Laura Show08 — Ticked Off: The Parasites Your Pets Pick Up!Marty and Laura get waaaaaay into the creepy, the crawly, and the one-celled organisms… All of your pets’ potential parasites in one itchy episode.Learn about a “tick quest,” “tick nests” that could be under your bed, the potential role of ticks as vectors for diseases up to and including cancer, and more parasitology than you even knew was out there.Catch up on the life cycle of fleas, the scourge of heartworm and mosquitoes, even “Kissing Bugs.” Then venture into the “bowels” of veterinary medicine with updates on one-celled organisms and actual worms that attack our pets....2025-02-0551 min

Pure Dog Talk672 – Lumps and Bumps: From Benign to BadLumps and Bumps: From Benign to Bad Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves for a deep dive on the various lumps and bumps we see on our dogs, from benign to bad, from histiocytomas to osteosarcoma. “Histiocytomas are really, really common. And they are really scary looking because there are these pink bumps that show up on young dogs and they come seemingly out of nowhere. It's usually on the head, neck or on the feet, the front legs. You're gonna be afraid that it's something like a mast cell tumor. And mast cell tumors are bad, te...2025-02-0335 min

The Marty & Laura Show07 — The Ultimate Guide to Vaccines for Pets!Marty and Laura work through what vaccines to give, when, and to which pets. We have science-grounded, fact-based, experience-tested knowledge for everyone.Marty’s observations:I think there's a lot of misunderstandings about vaccines, and I hope we can help clarify some of that information. I'm going to start off by saying that I don't want to come off sounding like I'm pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine.When Jean Dodds and Ron Schultz started talking about vaccinations being given more frequently than they needed to be, I was one of the first people that got on...2025-01-2943 min

The Marty & Laura Show06 — Protecting Pets from Bird Flu: The Risks of Raw FoodsMarty and Laura discuss recent concerns and listener questions regarding "bird flu" and the potential harmful impacts on pets and humans. Bird flu (H5N1) has caused the death of pet cats, wild cats at a sanctuary, and at least one person in the US. Marty’s recommendation is to feed a prepared diet. If pet owners insist on feeding non-commercial food, they should be sure it is properly cooked to kill potential pathogens.From the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):Preparing food:For poultry: Cooking poultry and eggs to an int...2025-01-2224 min

The Marty & Laura Show05 — Puppy Paws & Pro Tips: Training, Nutrition & Potty Made EasyPuppies under six weeks of age need four meals a day. Most people don't get their puppies until they're at least seven to 10 weeks old. By seven to 10 weeks, three meals a day is appropriate. They should be fed three meals a day until they're six months old. At six months, you can drop to two feedings a day. Two meals a day are appropriate after six months of age for the rest of their lives.Until then, feed three meals a day because their stomachs, colons, and intestinal tracts are small. The rule of thumb is...2025-01-1537 min

The Marty & Laura Show04 — Easy Fix for Top Reason People Rehome PetsEasy Fix for Top Reason People Rehome PetsHot Take #1: Crate training is a good thing. It's an amazing thing. It's a great tool. And Hot Take #2: Housebreaking is really simple when you crate train your dog.“It’s not easy, but it’s simple and it’s absolutely essential, because the number two reason people don’t keep their dogs is housebreaking issues. Number one is biting, and number two is housebreaking. In the cat world, it’s the other way around. Cats that don’t use the litter box—that’s the number one issu...2025-01-0827 min

Pure Dog Talk668 – Pro Tips on Raising Orphaned PuppiesPro Tips on Raising Orphaned Puppies Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves to discuss how to raise orphaned puppies. How to help dams not reject their puppies, increase milk production and deal with mastitis are all covered. Pro tip number one is avoid having orphaned puppies, Greer notes. Increasing the dam’s calcium intake, using Adaptil collars and saving placental fluid after a Csection are on Greer’s list of ways to encourage the dam’s maternal instinct to kick in. Pro tip number two is helping dams increase their milk production. “I don't know what there is magic...2025-01-0644 min

The Marty & Laura Show03 — Integrating Your New Pet Into Your HomeWe have advice for both dogs and cats and maybe even some small critters. Cats do better when they are brought into the home at the same time and age.“When you double the number of cats, you quadruple the number of litter box issues that you have,” Marty says. “Number one, cats need to have one litter box per cat plus a spare, no matter what. So if you have eight cats, you need nine litter boxes. “If you think you're just going to bounce a new cat into the household, then it's all going to...2025-01-0133 min

The Marty & Laura Show02 — Dogs, Cats and Rats: Which Pet is Right for You?Dogs, cats, and even rats are on the topic list for Marty and Laura today as they discuss how to choose the best pet to fit your home and family. They’ll guide you through the process of finding the perfect companion for your lifestyle, making sure your new pet is a good match for your home and everyone in it."Home is where someone runs to greet you when you walk in the door." Let’s make sure that someone is the right fit! Marty blows up Laura’s brain with news about cat collar...2025-01-0139 min

The Marty & Laura Show01 — Why The Marty & Laura Show is the Ultimate Pet Health ResourceGet the inside scoop on Marty and Laura’s backgrounds, including a fun twist where Marty interviews Laura!Hear about Marty’s journey back to college at 50 to pursue her law degree, why The Marty & Laura Show is a better source of pet advice than Dr. Google, and how a conversation in the women’s restroom sparked the idea for the show!Marty and Laura bring their unique brand of pet knowledge to the larger pet-loving public in The Marty & Laura Show, launching on Jan. 1, 2025.We’re excited to bring you these fun, fact-bas...2025-01-0125 min

Pure Dog Talk658 – Resources for Veterinary Medicine Practices and StaffResources for Veterinary Medicine Practices and Staff Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves with advice for veterinary medicine practices, vets, techs, staff and clients alike. “The veterinary field is full of really, genuinely great people in a way that we don't see in a lot of other career choices. It's an amazing field to be in,” Greer said. There are, though, plenty of challenges for staff and clients both. “Most veterinarians come out of veterinary school without a lot of experience, they understand how to do the medicine, they don't know how to do the business part. I reme...2024-11-0431 min

Pure Dog Talk654 – Corporate Takeover of Veterinary ClinicsCorporate Takeover of Veterinary Clinics Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves for a very current conversation about corporate takeover of veterinary clinics. “The trend to purchase veterinary clinics has been going on for probably about 12 to 15 years,” Greer said. “It started with just a couple of consolidators. It's now up to about 80 and some of the consolidators have consolidated. So we now see some of these groups recapitalizing and then moving on and being sold to another consolidator. “So it's been kind of interesting to watch and frankly pretty scary. Just before COVID, the prices of veterinary clinics...2024-10-0731 min

Pure Dog Talk649 – Veterinary Advice on Free Whelping Following C-SectionVeterinary Advice on Free Whelping Following C-Section Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves for a deep dive on the question of when your female has had a C-section and you breed her again. Is it safe to have the bitch whelp her puppies naturally? This question comes from a listener request. “The most important thing to ask is why did you have a C-section in the first place,” Greer said. “If you had a C-section in the first place, because she's a Bernese Mountain Dog or because she's a Bulldog or a Frenchie or maybe a Clumber or a C...2024-09-0234 min

Pure Dog Talk645 – Puppies and Kids: Expert Insight on Best PracticesPuppies and Kids: Expert Insight on Best Practices Dr. Marty Greer, DVM and host Laura Reeves talk about bringing home your new puppy, introducing it to your children, how puppies and children interact appropriately, and how to make that be a really positive experience. “The first place I would start,” Greer said, “is if you don't already have a breed that you have selected and you have children, pick a breed that's good with kids. “You know, why start off with something that's likely to set you up for a failure when you could get, oh, let's say a Labrad...2024-08-0528 min

Pure Dog Talk640 – Drinking from a Firehose: Puppy Enrichment Weeks 5 to 8Drinking from a Firehose: Puppy Enrichment Weeks 5 to 8 Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves for a continuation of their conversation about puppies and neonates. Puppies raised properly are given the best possible start to their future. Today’s topic is enrichment, all of the things that we can do in the five to eight week period between “their eyes are open, they're eating solid food, they're probably weaned or close to it” and go-home day. Laura asks, “What's happening in those little tiny puppy brains in that five to eight week period?” Marty’s response is, “They're taking in the...2024-07-0135 min

Pure Dog Talk637 – What Your Puppies’ Poopy Tells YouWhat Your Puppies’ Poopy Tells You Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for an extended conversation about puppy poopy. Color, consistency, contents and coating of the puppy’s stool give detailed information about its gut health. They also discuss prevention and treatment of common intestinal upset. “A yellow, softened, seedy stool is absolutely normal (for the first two weeks),” Greer said. “It's not that they've eaten anything that shouldn't be in there. That's just normal milk curd being digested and the normal color with the digestive enzymes.” [caption id="attachment_12956" align="alignleft" width="483"] Puppy stool samples and what the...2024-06-1147 min

Pure Dog Talk632 – Expert Tips for Expanding Puppies’ MindsExpert Tips for Expanding Puppies' Minds Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for their ongoing conversation about raising puppies. This month they’re talking week four, when the puppies’ minds are exploding with new sensory input. [caption id="attachment_12902" align="alignleft" width="528"] From Dr. Greer's "Canine Reproduction and Neonatology"[/caption] “When the puppies first open their eyes, first open their ears, we should have gentle lighting, we should have gentle sounds,” Greer said. “We shouldn't just have this loud TV with Rambo on. So, you know, things like just have the lights starting to come up, their visi...2024-05-0739 min

Pure Dog Talk629 – Neonates Deep Dive: Caring for the Dam and HypocalcemiaNeonates Deep Dive: Caring for the Dam and Hypocalcemia Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for a continuation of their ongoing conversation about neonates. The discussion today includes hypocalcemia and eclampsia, how much calcium to supplement and when. “For some bitches, you need to continue (calcium supplementation) until the puppies are weaned,” Greer said. “It depends on the size of the bitch and the size of the litter. The smaller the bitch and the bigger the litter, the more you need calcium. It tends to be... in small breed bitches that develop hypocalcemia, eclampsia, that that tends...2024-04-1537 min

Pure Dog Talk623 – Managing Your New Puppies’ Critical First 72 HoursManaging Your New Puppies’ Critical First 72 Hours Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss managing the critical first 72 hours with new puppies. A recurring theme with breeders and new litters is the term “fading puppy.” “(Fading puppy) is basically we're just lumping a bunch of stuff together and calling it fading puppy,” Greer said, “because we don't necessarily have a confirmed diagnosis. We may not have a diagnosis yet. We may never have a diagnosis, but it is not a diagnosis. It's just a description of a puppy that fails to thrive. And I think that a bette...2024-03-0438 min

Pure Dog Talk619 – Puppy Evaluation System Developed by a Woman Ahead of Her TimePuppy Evaluation System Developed by a Woman Ahead of Her Time [caption id="attachment_12746" align="alignleft" width="360"] Virginia Apgar, who named the newborn evaluation system.[/caption] Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for their ongoing puppy discussion. This month Greer shares the story of Virginia Apgar, who named a now-famous newborn evaluation system after herself. Apgar was a human anesthesiologist who graduated from medical school in the 1930s, Greer noted. “She was the first female anesthesiologist admitted to the College of Anesthesiology back in an era where there were no women doctors. There were no women a...2024-02-0539 min

Pure Dog Talk614 – Neonates: Hypoxia, Hypothermia, Hydration, Hypoglycemia614 – Neonates: Hypoxia, Hypothermia, Hydration, Hypoglycemia Dr. Marty Greer DVM joins host Laura Reeves to talk about the four H’s that constitute critical care of neonates: Hypoxia, Hypothermia, Hydration, Hypoglycemia. “The four H's are hypoxia which is oxygen,” Greer said. “Hypothermia which is temperature, hypoglycemia which is glucose and hydration which of course is hydration or dehydration. So we've got those four parameters and basing the rest of the discussion on that, we can get started with some pretty important things that you can do at home to measure, to manage. It doesn't do you any good if you can't manage it...2024-01-0134 min

Pure Dog Talk610 – Canine Influenza Outbreak and How to Manage It with Dr. Marty GreerCanine Influenza Outbreak and How to Manage It with Dr. Marty Greer Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss the current Canine Influenza outbreak, how to manage it and how it became an overnight sensation in the public. “Well, partially it's media, partially it's misinformation, courtesy of the media,” Greer said. “And partially there was a lack of vaccine. The vaccine insufficient supply appears to have been corrected or is being corrected. “So, things are better. In 2004 when this first happened, we didn't have any vaccine and no dogs in any part of the world that we...2023-12-0432 min

Pure Dog Talk606 – Protecting Breeds Into the FutureProtecting Breeds Into the Future Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss AKC’s newest service for preservation breeders. Greer was actively involved in AKC’s development of the Purebred Preservation Bank, taking the idea from the Otterhound Club of America. We had the conversation with Joellen Gregory early on about the Otterhound’s semen bank, and AKC has taken this and developed it into something that's available for all parent clubs. “(PPB will allow) AKC to fund the long -term storage of semen that no longer has an owner that wants to manage it,” Greer said...2023-11-0634 min

Pure Dog Talk601 – Add Years to Your Dog’s Life with One Simple StepAdd Years to Your Dog’s Life with One Simple Step Dr. Marty Greer DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss how every pet owner can add years to their dog’s life with the simple step of avoiding obesity. “It's a difficult conversation,” Greer said. “It's difficult for veterinarians to bring it up. It's difficult for clients. So all the way around, it's a challenging process and we have to be very careful, as veterinarians, that we don't insult anybody because our role is not there to be body shaming their pet, but rather to be that advocate f...2023-10-0235 min

Pure Dog Talk600 – Mentors, Mentees and All the LoveMentors, Mentees and All the Love Welcome to Pure Dog Talk. I am your host Laura Reeves, and today is episode 600. Like holy podcast palooza Batman. There has been an awful lot of water under the bridge since November of 2016. If you haven't, you should make a point to watch the Live@Five episode with Mary Albee from this month, where we talk about the creation of pure Dog talk. Everything from what to name it to her dragging me kicking and screaming into the role as host. It's pretty epic conversation. And for everybody who's listening, just...2023-09-2529 min

Pure Dog Talk597 – Puppy Strangles, Pyoderma and Neonatal OphthalmiaPuppy Strangles, Pyoderma and Neonatal Ophthalmia Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss some of the weird and scary diseases that can affect our puppies, including puppy strangles, puppy pyoderma and neonatal opththalmia. Puppy Strangles “Essentially what it is, is it's an allergic reaction or an over immune reaction to bacteria that are normally found on the skin. So we normally see streps and staph on the skin of mammals. Puppies, humans, whatever. And in a small population of puppies, we see this allergic reaction. And the reason we call it strangles is be...2023-09-0431 min

Pure Dog Talk593 – Taking on the Taboos: Learn the Inside Story of Veterinary ProceduresTaking on the Taboos: Learn the Inside Story of Veterinary Procedures Dr. Marty Greer, DVM and host Laura Reeves take on the recently taboo subjects of veterinary procedures such as bark softening, tail docking, ear cropping and dewclaw removal. Greer covers the how, when and, importantly, WHY of these procedures. Debark Some people call it urban bark. Some people call it bark softening. It kind of gentrifies the term a little bit because you're really not taking away the bark. You really are softening it. And there's a lot of misconceptions about it. I've heard all...2023-08-0736 min

Pure Dog Talk588 – Kidney Diseases: Symptoms, Causes and TreatmentsKidney Diseases: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for a deep dive on diseases that affect the kidneys in dogs. They cover symptoms of kidney problems, causes and treatments for various common kidney issues. “The symptoms that most people catch first are a change in water consumption, an increase in water consumption and increase in urination,” Greer said. “Now, that's not the only reason that dogs can need to drink more and urinate more, and what goes in must come out. So those usually go hand in hand. “The most common things are chan...2023-07-0337 min

Pure Dog Talk584 – Veterinary Industry Struggling with Overwhelming Staff ShortagesVeterinary Industry Struggling with Overwhelming Staff Shortages Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to review her presentation at the NAIA conference on the struggles of overwhelming staff shortages in the veterinary industry. “It is estimated that the veterinary industry is 40,000 people short, not just veterinarians but veterinary staff,” Greer said. “It's a lot of people. So, if you divide that up into every state, that's a lot of people that your veterinary clinics are suffering with trying to get by without. So that's veterinarians, that's receptionists, that's managers, that's everyone. “So again, I know we've talked about th...2023-06-0541 min

Pure Dog Talk579 – Dr. Marty Greer on Autoimmune Hemolytic AnemiaDr. Marty Greer on Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, this year’s Westminster Kennel Club and Trupanion Vet of the Year, joins host Laura Reeves to discuss Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in dogs. “Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is, as it sounds, an immune mediated disease,” Greer said. “But what it doesn't exactly describe is that in this particular disease, the target cells for the immune response are the circulating red blood cells. So in a patient that has autoimmune hemolytic anemia… people have it, dogs have it. Not as often in cats…. basically the body attacks its own red blood ce...2023-05-0139 min

Pure Dog Talk578 — Temple Grandin to Headline NAIA Conference in PortlandTemple Grandin to headline NAIA Conference in Portland Patti Strand, founder of the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) joins host Laura Reeves to discuss the lineup of speakers at the conference scheduled for May 26-28 in Portland, OR. The annual NAIA conference kicks off under the banner “Preserving Our Breeds: Preparing for the looming dog shortage.” Strand shared her excitement about the keynote speaker, Temple Grandin, who has been actively involved in animal welfare for decades. Strand said that Grandin’s most recent book “really speaks to me. It's called ‘Visual Thinking, the hidden gifts of people who think in p...2023-04-2429 min

Pure Dog Talk575 – Ears: Yeast, Bacteria and Dr. Greer’s Mind-Blowing Tip for Hair RemovalEars: Yeast, Bacteria and Dr. Greer’s Mind-Blowing Tip for Hair Removal Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for important information on maintaining healthy ears in our dogs, diagnosing and treating ear infections and her *mind-blowing* tip for hair removal from the ear canal. “Ears are complicated,” Greer said. “It's not just go pick up a tube of Panalog and you're going to fix the whole problem. It is not that simple. I wish it were. Everybody wishes it were. Clients don't understand why we have these chronic, recurrent, never-ending problems. “Ears can be as simple as … the p...2023-04-0333 min

Pure Dog Talk571 – Skin is Your Dog’s Largest Organ, Keep it Healthy!Skin is Your Dog’s Largest Organ, Keep it Healthy! Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for a deep dive on skin problems in our dogs, how to avoid them, what causes them and how to treat them. Pro Tip? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In previous episodes, Marty and Laura discuss allergies and external parasites, but today’s topic covers hot spots, seasonal alopecia, demodex and other skin disorders. “The skin, believe it or not, is the largest organ of the body,” Greer noted. “So, it accounts for an important part of ou...2023-03-0633 min

Pure Dog Talk567 — Canine Bladder Stones: Diagnosis and TreatmentCanine Bladder Stones: Diagnosis and Treatment Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for a deep dive on bladder stones in dogs, how to diagnose and treat them. The following information is provided by Dr. Greer. Bladder stones are the quintessential “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. By this, we mean that a dog can have a bladder symptoms that are caused by a bladder stone, or the bladder infection can cause bladder stones to form. Which then becomes a vicious cycle. There are two basic types of bladder stones – the first, struvite stones associ...2023-02-0630 min

Pure Dog Talk560 — Lessons from Orlando and Holiday MusingsLessons from Orlando and Holiday Musings The extravaganza of purebred dogs that is the AKC National Championship week in Orlando has come to a close. I skipped the last couple years with the pandemic and all that entailed, so it was really good to be back with the people I so rarely get to see. I think we all learn something new each time… Like how it’s possible to walk 10 miles and never see the sky…. Or just how many shiny suits St. Johns actually makes…. Or what we jokingly refer to as “snacks in Orlando” … where a cheeseburger...2022-12-2021 min

Pure Dog Talk558 — Holiday Gift Guide, SuperZoo and Small Business SaturdayHoliday Gift Guide, SuperZoo, and Small Business Saturday Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, and host Laura Reeves throw out some GREAT ideas for holiday gift-giving for the animal-loving family. Greer's recent trip to SuperZoo and strong support for Small Business Saturday provide heavy influence on the list! Find links below to many of the products mentioned on the podcast and more. Small Business Saturday Gift certificate for your vet Gift certificate for your groomer Tips for the groomers Goodies for your veterinary clinic – remember them when it ISN’T a holiday! NAIA Giving Tuesday Gift certificate for free...2022-12-0535 min

Pure Dog Talk554 – Dr. Marty Greer’s Passion Project & Anniversary EpisodeDr. Marty Greer’s Passion Project & Anniversary Episode Dr. Marty Greer, DVM and host Laura Reeves celebrate their fifth anniversary of sharing important veterinary topics on Pure Dog Talk. Greer’s passion project is Breast Cancer Awareness in dogs. “People sometimes forget that dogs get breast cancer too,” Greer said. “It's not an uncommon kind of cancer to find in dogs, unfortunately. It is definitely linked to spaying at an older age. But, in spite of that, there are still some significant benefits in waiting to spay. So that's a whole ‘nother topic. “But essentially we see it in middle age...2022-11-0731 min

Pure Dog Talk545 – Intussusception and Other GI AccidentsIntussusception and Other GI Accidents Dr. Marty Greer, DVM is back with host Laura Reeves to discuss Intussusception and other GI related accidents that may affect our dogs. “Intussusception is when the intestinal tract invaginates, or folds up on itself, so accordions on itself,” Greer said. “So, a piece of the intestine slips into another piece of the intestine, all aligned. And unfortunately, what happens when that occurs, is the blood flow is compromised to that part of the intestines and very quickly the dog gets into trouble. “(They have) vomiting, diarrhea, they look really sick, really fast. So, it d...2022-09-0530 min

Pure Dog Talk540 — Dr. Marty Greer’s Deep Dive on Umbilical HerniasUmbilical Hernias – What are they and what does this mean? Dr. Marty Greer, DVM shares a deep dive into the question of hernias, different types, and whether dogs with hernias should be included in breeding programs. By Dr. Marty Greer, DVM An umbilical hernia is a weakness or opening in the muscle wall of the abdomen where the umbilical blood vessels pass prior to birth. Frequently abdominal fat is in the hernia but the skin is intact across the hernia, so there are no exposed abdominal organs. The fat may be omentum or part of the falciform ligament. Th...2022-08-0133 min

Pure Dog Talk532 — Breeder, Buyer, Vet: Let’s TALK!Breeder, Buyer, Vet: Let’s TALK! Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, best-selling author, dog breeder and practicing veterinarian, is back with host Laura Reeves to talk about the delicate and critical communication protocols, best practices and successful strategies for Breeders, Puppy Buyers and the Buyers’ Veterinarian. “This is a challenge,” Greer said. “How do you have that three-legged stool and make it all work?” Reeves questions, “How do we set our puppy buyers up for success? Is their language that we can send home with that puppy buyer, that they can then take to their veterinarian to help bridge this three leg...2022-06-0542 min

Pure Dog Talk527 – Pre-Breeding Veterinary Exams and Why They MatterPre-Breeding Veterinary Exams and Why They Matter Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss pre-breeding veterinary exams for female dogs and why they matter. Among the important clinical observations may be vaginal strictures. “I think stricture kind of lumps together a couple of different disorders that probably shouldn't really be categorized together,” Greer said. “But we don't know where else to put them. So, a stricture is, by definition, the inability of the vaginal vault or vaginal opening to stretch adequately to allow either a natural mating with a tie and a penis or the vagina...2022-05-0233 min

Pure Dog Talk523 – Special Reproductive Considerations for Rare BreedsSpecial Reproductive Considerations for Rare Breeds Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss some of the special reproductive considerations for rare breeds. Rare dog breeds offer specific challenges for their breeders including health concerns, limited gene pools, DNA testing mazes and infertility issues. April is Rare Breeds month here at Pure Dog Talk! Watch for upcoming episodes with deep dives into Norrbottenspets, Chinooks and Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. “Pick one thing a year that you're going to try to work through in your breed,” Greer said, quoting from Dr. Ian Dunbar. “Pick what your priorities are. You have to...2022-04-0429 min

Pure Dog Talk519 – Spinal Cord Injuries and Diseases on Veterinary VoiceSpinal Cord Injuries and Diseases on Veterinary Voice Dr. Dan Griffiths, DVM, joins his wife Dr. Marty Greer, DVM to discuss trauma and diseases of the spine in this month’s Veterinary Voice. “As far as spinal injuries or spinal conditions go in dogs,” Griffiths said, “I kind of look at it as there's about three or four things that can cause it. One is trauma, as you've been saying. It can be from hit by car, can come from a dog-on-dog type thing where they run into each other, it can be a running dog falling into a hole...2022-03-0730 min

Pure Dog Talk515 — Doing Battle Against Giardia and CoccidiaDoing Battle Against Giardia and Coccidia Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves to discuss how breeders and dog owners in general can do battle against the dreaded "bad potty bugs," giardia and coccidia. These single cell organisms can become endemic, Greer notes. "You can't get rid of it (on your property)," Greer said. "And that's the bad news. There's no really great treatment for either of them. There's nothing you can do that's going to disinfect your way out of it. We can't vaccinate our way out of it. So we need to talk about all...2022-01-3133 min

Pure Dog Talk510 – Tackling a Stinky Problem with Dr. Marty GreerTackling a Stinky Problem with Dr. Marty Greer Dr. Marty Greer, DVM and host Laura Reeves tackle a stinky problem – the dog’s anal glands. Greer explains how to express them, what to do if they are infected or impacted and stinky stories from the trenches. “They're the same glands that are the scent glands on a skunk, the scent glands in a ferret,” Greer said. “The ferret ones are, of course, removed if ferrets are going to become pets. They serve as a communication function among animals. So for instance, when the skunk is upset or angry or being a...2022-01-0324 min

Pure Dog Talk506 – Pancreatitis: Acute, Chronic and Other Diseases of the PancreasPancreatitis: Acute, Chronic and Other Diseases of the Pancreas Dr. Marty Greer, DVM joins host Laura Reeves for a deep dive on Pancreatitis, a common ailment in our dogs seen during the holidays, and other diseases of the pancreas in dogs. “Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It is always an inflammatory condition. The pancreas is a very important organ in your body. It has two sections to it and it lives right outside your stomach and intestines. It does two jobs. One is it produces enzymes to digest your food and the other is it produces insulin to...2021-12-0623 min

Pure Dog Talk502 – Seizures in Dogs: Causes, Treatments and ConsiderationsSeizures in Dogs: Causes, Treatments and Considerations Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves for this month’s Veterinary Voice talking about seizures in dogs. Type of seizure, age of onset, causes and treatments are all up for discussion today. “Seizures can be actually epilepsy, which has probably got a genetic component to it,” Greer said. “Where the dog has an epileptic tendency. Typically those are going to be seen in certain breeds of dogs and they typically happen between two and four years of age for the first seizure. If we're seeing seizures or seizure type activity or episo...2021-11-0838 min

Pure Dog TalkEpisode 500!!! Celebration of Pure Dog Talk!Episode 500!!! Celebration of Pure Dog Talk! Welcome to Pure Dog Talk! I am your host Laura Reeves….. These words hit the airwaves for the first time almost exactly five years ago … Five HUNDRED times later, I still have to think about my tone and cadence and inflection. Maybe just a bit less these days lol… Sort of like you guys learning to show your dog, I am entirely self-taught how to do this job and I am eternally grateful that you all have joined me in what has been a pretty incredible journey. Today’s episode is a pure cor...2021-10-2537 min

The Good Dog PodReplay | Dr. Marty Greer DVM, JD: How to Get Your Bitch PregnantThis is a rebroadcasting of an episode that originally aired July 22nd, 2020.The two most common problems with fertility are timing (with respect to the female) and having good quality semen that’s delivered into the uterus. Another problem that’s becoming increasingly important is the nutrition of the bitch and stud dog.About Dr. Greer: Dr. Greer is a renowned author, speaker, veterinarian, and canine reproduction specialist. In addition to being the Director of Veterinary Services at Revival Animal Health, she is on the board of the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), the Society for Ve...2021-10-2023 min

The Good Dog PodObesity in Dogs with Dr. Marty GreerThis week, Laura is joined by Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, JD to discuss the prevalence of obesity in dogs. In the US, having overweight dogs has become more and more common, thus shifting the public perception of what a dog should look like. Many owners overfeed their dogs because of their love for them - their dog is hungry, so why not continue to feed them? In reality, over-feeding and under-exercising dogs can lead to many health problems, and a shorter lifespan. Laura and Dr. Greer discuss some ways to continue feeding your dog more, while decreasing...2021-09-2232 min

The Good Dog PodIdentifying and Treating Orthopedic Disorders with Dr. Marty Greer This episode of the Good Dog Pod explores canine orthopedic disorders. Host Laura Reeves is joined by renowned veterinarian Dr. Marty Greer to discuss some common orthopedic issues, as well as their symptoms, causes, and treatments. What should I do if my puppy is exhibiting orthopedic problems? Immediately contact your veterinarian, as many orthopedic issues are time sensitive and need to be treated as soon as possible. In addition to this, Dr. Greer outlines several questions you can ask yourself to better evaluate what disorder your puppy is experiencing. The breed and age of the dog is...2021-08-1125 min

The Good Dog PodDr. Marty Greer DVM, JD: How to get your bitch pregnantThe two most common problems with fertility are timing (with respect to the female) and having good quality semen that’s delivered into the uterus. Another problem that’s becoming increasingly important is the nutrition of the bitch and stud dog.About Dr. Greer: Dr. Greer is a renowned author, speaker, veterinarian, and canine reproduction specialist. In addition to being the Director of Veterinary Services at Revival Animal Health, she is on the board of the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and the Society for Theriogenology.2020-07-2223 min