Tripawds Podcast Episode #135: Rene is joined by returning guest Dr. Casara Andre, a Colorado-based veterinarian specializing in behavioral health and veterinary cannabis medicine. This is a thoughtful, science-based discussion for Tripawd caregivers who want to better understand cannabis medicine and how it may fit into their pet’s care plan.

Dr. Andre shares how cannabis is currently being used in veterinary practice, what has changed since the early days of CBD-only products, and why the recent AVMA report on cannabis and veterinary medicine is an important step forward, but not a complete solution. Together, they explore how cannabis can support Tripawds dealing with pain, anxiety, sleep disruption, and post-surgical recovery, while emphasizing the importance of proper guidance, product safety, and veterinary oversight.

Discover how cannabis interacts with common medications, why lab reports and certificates of analysis matter, and how pet parents can advocate for safer, more effective care options. Dr. Andre offers practical insight into using cannabis as part of a holistic, team-based approach that supports not just the animal, but the entire household during recovery and long-term care.

Key Takeaways

• Cannabis medicine is legitimate, but it requires guidance and product quality matters.
• Cannabis can change how other medications work, so veterinary oversight is essential.
• Pet parents play a key role by asking questions and advocating for safe, transparent products.

Resources

• Veterinary Cannabis Consulting: www.veterinarycannabis.org
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): www.avma.org
• Tripawds Cannabis Corner: tripawds.com/tag/cannabis

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram.

Tripawds Podcast Episode #134: Amputation pain in cats is complex and often misunderstood. Veterinary pain specialist Carl Bradbrook shares how the Zero Pain Philosophy shapes modern feline pain management and recovery.

Pain after amputation can look very different in cats, and it is often harder to recognize and manage than many pet parents expect. In this episode of Tripawd Talk Radio, Rene speaks with Carl Bradbrook, a UK veterinary anaesthesia and pain management specialist and co-founder of the Zero Pain Philosophy. Together, they explore how amputation pain develops, why nerve pain and inflammation play such a big role, and how pain can begin even before surgery takes place.

This conversation focuses on cats and covers pre-surgical pain control, hospital pain management, medications commonly used before and after surgery, signs that pain is not well controlled at home, and what phantom pain can look like in feline amputees. Carl also shares why healing takes longer than many people realize and why pain management often needs to continue well beyond the first couple of weeks.

This episode is designed to help cat parents ask better questions, recognize red flags sooner, and feel more confident advocating for their cat during recovery.

Key Takeaways

• Amputation pain in cats often starts before surgery and can involve both inflammation and nerve pain, which is why early and ongoing pain control matters.
• Cats hide discomfort well, so changes in behavior, posture, appetite, and facial expression are often the best clues that pain is not well managed.
• Pain management does not end when stitches come out, and many cats need continued support well beyond the first two weeks to heal comfortably.

Resources

Zero Pain Philosophy: zeropainphilosophy.com

Feline Grimace Scale: tripawds.com/2021/03/31/amputee-cat-in-pain

Tripawd Cat Pain Management Tools: tripawds.com/2022/01/12/tripawd-cat-pain

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram.

Tripawds Podcast Episode #133: Veterinary surgical oncologist Dr. Maureen Griffin from the Colorado State university Flint Animal Cancer Center shares her work as part of a collaborative oncology team advancing cancer care for dogs and cats.

With this in-depth conversation Dr. Griffin reveals how veterinary cancer treatment is becoming more precise, less invasive, and more informative for pet parents facing difficult decisions.

Dr. Griffin explains how minimally invasive surgery can reduce pain and recovery time, and how sentinel lymph node mapping helps identify early cancer spread that imaging alone may miss. We also discuss how these techniques can sometimes be performed during the same procedure as tumor removal, reducing the need for multiple surgeries.

Key Takeaways

• Minimally invasive cancer surgery can mean smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery for pets
• Sentinel lymph node mapping helps identify where cancer is most likely to spread first
• CT scans are valuable, but may not detect early lymph node metastasis
• Pet parents can and should ask about staging options and referral centers when navigating a diagnosis

Resources

CSU Flint Animal Cancer Care Center: csuanimalcancercenter.org

Tripawds Foundations Course: tripawds.circle.so/c/foundations

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram.