How can veterinary teams handle the global rise of raw and homemade diets while keeping client trust intact?

In the first episode of our series on nutrition, interviewer Gregg Takashima talks with Marge Chandler and Grace Lin to look closely at non-traditional feeding trends. First, Marge Chandler discusses raw food facts, explaining why a dog's starch metabolism differs from a wolf's, and how unbalanced raw meals can cause weak bones, pathogen shedding, and antibiotic resistance. Then, Grace Lin looks at homemade diets, highlighting the hidden dangers of using artificial intelligence to write recipes for sick pets and offering practical ways to assess indoor pets while communicating kindly with anxious owners.

Resources & Links

• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
• Balance It Formulation Service – Software mentioned for designing safe homemade recipes.
• University of Illinois Digestibility Study – Research mentioned regarding raw food nutrient digestibility variances.
• University of Liverpool Research – Study tracking antibiotic-resistant E. coli in the faeces of raw-fed pets.
• UK Raw Pet Food Contamination Survey – Government study tracking microbiological risks and leaky packaging in retail raw food.

Contributors

• Gregg K. Takashima, DVM: Episode Interviewer; CEO of GKT Enterprises and retired Small Companion Animal Practitioner. (LinkedIn)
• Marge Chandler, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine and Nutrition), MANZCVS, MRCVS: Independent Consultant in Small Animal Nutrition and Internal Medicine at Chandler Veterinary Nutrition and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member.
• Grace (Hsiu Chia) Lin, BVSc: Founder and Veterinary Director of AVC Veterinary Hospital (Shanghai, China), and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member.

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

In the final episode of the WSAVA Podcast season produced with the WSAVA Dental Committee, interviewer Jon Tam speaks with two experts about advanced treatment strategies for managing complex dental disease in companion animals.

First, Kevin Ng discusses periodontal and endodontic disease, focusing on why these conditions are so common and often underdiagnosed. He explores how dental disease progresses, the factors that influence whether teeth can be saved, and the role of thorough assessment and imaging in guiding treatment decisions. Kevin also reflects on how clinicians balance tooth preservation with extraction, taking into account patient health, owner expectations, and long-term outcomes.

In the second conversation, Cedric Tutt examines prosthodontics and dental implants in veterinary patients. He outlines where restorative procedures such as crowns may be appropriate, and discusses the ethical and practical considerations surrounding dental implants. Cedric emphasises the importance of careful case selection, advanced diagnostics, and aligning treatment choices with animal welfare.

Together, these conversations close the series by exploring how advanced dental procedures fit into modern veterinary practice, highlighting the need to balance technical possibilities with responsible, patient-centred care.

Resources & Links

• WSAVA Global Dental Committee
• WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines
• WSAVA Educational Resources
• Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)

Contributors

• Kevin Ng, BSc BVMS MANZCVS DAVDC DEVDC – LinkedIn
• Cedric LC Tutt, Diplomate EVDC – LinkedIn | ResearchGate
• Jonathan Tam, BVSc(Massey), MANZCVS (Small Animal Dentistry & Oral Surgery) - Instagram | Instagram

Click here for the full transcript

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

In this episode of the WSAVA Podcast, interviewer Izzie Tsai speaks with two experienced clinicians about why accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective dental care, and how much disease can be missed when diagnostics are underused.

First, Ana Nemec discusses the role of dental radiography in everyday practice. She explains why visual examination alone can underestimate pathology, and reflects on the importance of image quality, technique, and appropriate case selection when incorporating radiographs into clinical decision-making.

In the second conversation, Jan Bellows focuses on early detection and routine oral examination. He explores why dental disease is frequently overlooked, the value of consistently examining the oral cavity, and how simple diagnostic tools can improve communication and patient outcomes.

Together, these conversations reinforce a clear message: careful examination and appropriate imaging are central to responsible, evidence-based dental care.

Resources & Links

• WSAVA Global Dental Committee
• WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines
• WSAVA Educational Resources
• Evaluation of extraction sites for evidence of retained tooth roots and periapical pathology
  
  

Contributors

• Ana Nemec, DVM, PhD, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. EVDC, Assist. prof. – Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
• Jan Bellows, DVM, DIPL, AVDC, ABVP (Canine & Feline Practice)
• Izzie Yi-Chin Tsai, DVM, MVM – Facebook | Blog | Instagram

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.