• Rethinking healthy ageing in dogs with Dr Matthew Muir
    Aug 5 2025
    In this episode Dr Sarah Howard discusses healthy ageing in dogs with Dr Matthew Muir. Topics discussed include: The reason ageing is currently a hot topic.What leads to an increased lifespan and better quality of life?Diet changes that can impact ageing in dogs.Dr Muir discusses what we should avoid in order to increase lifespan.Matthew goes into details of what dogs' diets should look like to prevent disease.How often should we be feeding our pets?What happens to the gut microbiome as dogs get older? Dr Muir delves into supplements that can be beneficial for ageing and emerging tools that are becoming available.The importance of preventative medicine - proactive vs reactive care.Accelerators of biological ageing. Additional resources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11991408/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11675035/https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1355560/full https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11505706/ https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/18/11/564https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4936929/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22216092/ Adams VJ, Watson P, Carmichael S, Gerry S, Penell J, Morgan DM. Exceptional longevity and potential determinants of successful ageing in a cohort of 39 Labrador retrievers: results of a prospective longitudinal study. Acta Vet Scand. 2016;58:29. doi:10.1186/s13028-016-0204-8Cupp CJ, Jean-Philippe C, Kerr WW, Patil AR. Effect of nutritional interventions on longevity of senior cats. Int J Appl Res Vet Med. 2007;5(3):133–149Bermingham EN, Patterson KA, Shoveller AK, Fraser K, Butowski CF, Thomas DG. Nutritional needs and health outcomes of ageing cats and dogs: is it time for updated nutrient guidelines? Anim Front. 2024;14(3):5–16. doi:10.1093/af/vfae008Jackson J, Radford AD, Belshaw Z, Wallis LJ, Kubinyi E, German AJ, Westgarth C. Using veterinary health records at scale to investigate ageing dogs and their common issues in primary care. J Small Anim Pract. 2025;66(2):81–91. doi:10.1111/jsap.13809Creevy KE, O'Neill DG, Promislow DEL. Morbidity and mortality in elderly dogs – a model for human aging. BMC Vet Res. 2022;18(1):456. doi:10.1186/s12917-022-03518-8Lewis TW, Wiles BM, Llewellyn-Zaidi AM, Evans KM, O’Neill DG. Longevity and mortality in Kennel Club registered dog breeds in the UK in 2014. Canine Genet Epidemiol. 2018;5:10. doi:10.1186/s40575-018-0066-8Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM, Mantz SL, Biery DN, Greeley EH, Lust G, Segre M, Smith GK, Stowe HD. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;220(9):1315–1320. doi:10.2460/javma.2002.220.1315Guelfi G, Capaccia C, Tedeschi M, Bufalari A, Leonardi L, Cenci-Goga B, Maranesi M. Dog aging: a comprehensive review of molecular, cellular, and physiological processes. Cells. 2024;13(24):2101. doi:10.3390/cells13242101Laflamme DP. Nutritional care for aging cats and dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2012;42(4):769–791. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2012.04.002Hall JA, Jewell DE. Feeding healthy beagles medium-chain triglycerides, fish oil, and L-carnitine offsets age-related changes in serum fatty acids and carnitine metabolites. PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e49510. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049510Bermingham EN, Patterson KA, Shoveller AK, Fraser K, Butowski CF, Thomas DG. Nutritional needs and health outcomes of ageing cats and dogs: is it time for updated nutrient guidelines? Anim Front. 2024;14(3):5–16. doi:10.1093/af/vfae008Bray EE, Zheng Z, Tolbert MK, McCoy BM, Kaeberlein M, Kerr KF; Dog Aging Project Consortium. Once-daily feeding is associated with better health in companion dogs: results from the Dog Aging Project. GeroScience. 2022;44(3):1779–1790. doi:10.1007/s11357-022-00575-7Palaseweenun P, Hagen‐Plantinga EA, Schonewille JT, Koop G, Butre C, Jonathan M, Wierenga PA, Hendriks WH. Urinary excretion of advanced glycation end products in dogs and cats. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2021;105(1):149–156. doi:10.1111/jpn.13347Yang L, Yang L, Cai Y, Luo Y, Wang H, Wang L, Chen J, Liu X, Wu Y, Qin Y, Wu Z, Liu N. Natural mycotoxin contamination in dog food: a review on toxicity and detoxification methods. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023;257:114948. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114948Bridglalsingh S, Archer-Hartmann S, Azadi P, Barbier de La Serre C, Remillard RL, Sunvold GD, Bartges JW. Association of four differently processed diets with plasma and urine advanced glycation end products and serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products concentration in healthy dogs. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2024;108(3):735–751. doi:10.1111/jpn.13927Marchi PH, Vendramini THA, Perini MP, Zafalon RVA, Amaral AR, Ochamotto VA, Da Silveira JC, Dagli MLZ, Brunetto MA. Obesity, inflammation, and cancer in dogs: review and perspectives. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:1004122. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.1004122Schmid SM, Hoffman JM, Prescott J, Ernst H, Promislow DEL, Creevy KE; Dog Aging Project...
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    54 mins
  • Feline Triaditis with Professor Caroline Mansfield
    Jul 1 2025

    Professor Caroline Mansfield joins us again to discuss all about feline triaditis.

    Topics discussed include:

    • What exactly is triaditis?
    • Understanding the underlying cause of this condition.
    • Challenges of diagnosing triaditis and multi-organ involvement.
    • When are antibiotics indicated as part of the management plan?
    • Correcting dysbiosis as part of the management plan.
    • Clinical signs to look out for with feline triaditis.
    • Duration of inappetence for hepatic lipidosis to develop.
    • Professor Caroline Mansfield's go-to diagnostic tools.
    • Treatment strategy when managing triaditis.
    • The importance of diet as part of the management protocol.
    • Long term prognosis for cats with triaditis and follow-ups required.
    • Caroline's top 3 tips!

    To register for Professor Caroline Mansfield's webinar on the impact of the microbiome on non-GI diseases, go to this link - https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d50a6d23-31b2-4481-9324-0f1dbabcfe19@afa78dff-85bb-46f3-b036-b43bcf79c497

    To listen to Professor Mansfield's previous podcast on management of digestive disorders, go to this link https://omny.fm/shows/pure-animal-podcast/episode-encore-management-of-digestive-disorders-w

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    44 mins
  • Episode Encore- The importance of the gut microbiome with Dr Susan Armstrong
    Jun 3 2025

    In this episode, we discuss the importance of the microbiome with Dr Susan Armstrong.

    Topics include:

    • What made Sue turn to Veterinary Science and alternative therapies.
    • Why cancer and auto-immune diseases are of particular interest to Dr Armstrong and what treatment modalities she uses for them.
    • The role and importance of a healthy microbiome.
    • What are we eating that upsets the balance of the microbiome?
    • Can a microbiome evolve to require different types of food?
    • Do dogs need to be omnivorous?
    • Dr Sue explains the difference between microbiomes in different species.
    • The importance of prebiotics and probiotics.
    • How probiotics can help with respiratory and bladder problems among other conditions.
    • Sue’s insights in the use of probiotics in behavioural conditions.
    • Can probiotic strains found in human products be useful for other species?

    To register for Professor Caroline Mansfield's webinar, please register on this link - https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d50a6d23-31b2-4481-9324-0f1dbabcfe19@afa78dff-85bb-46f3-b036-b43bcf79c497

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    51 mins
  • Neutering insights with Dr Nicole Rous
    May 6 2025

    In this episode, we chat to Dr Nicole Rous about the latest insights on neutering and the recommendations veterinarians should be giving pet owners based on the latest research.

    Topics discussed include:

    • Why do vets recommend for pets to be neutered?
    • How has neutering recommendations changed in the last 5-10 years?
    • Dr Nicole discusses the most appropriate age for desexing.
    • Duration of a heat and what should pet parents expect.
    • Dr Rous delves into the reasons why neutering recommendations have changed over time.
    • The role hormones play in bone growth and musculoskeletal conditions.
    • Changes pet owners should be making if their pet is desexed early.
    • The impact oestrogen has on the gut microbiome and neurotransmitters.
    • Dr Nicole explains what part neutering plays in cognitive dysfunction.
    • Do neutering recommendations differ for cats?
    • The importance of feeding a good diet.
    • Health risks and signs pet owners should be aware of if their pet is not neutered.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    58 mins
  • Episode Encore - Medical Management of Osteoarthritis with Dr Stephen Fearnside
    Apr 1 2025

    In this episode encore, we revisit our chat with Dr Stephen Fearnside on medical management of osteoarthritis.

    Topics include:

    • How did Dr Fearnside end up as a Veterinary Specialist.
    • The importance of rehabilitation in osteaoarthritis.
    • An insight into Steve’s favourite cases.
    • Common presentations of cases of osteoarthritis and how vital it is to have a management plan.
    • The benefits and limitations of joint replacements.
    • A holistic approach to arthritis management in dogs that are not surgery candidates.
    • Dr Fearnside takes us through the 3 pillars of managing arthritis and his approach to each of them.
    • Steve explains therapeutic laser therapy and how it works.
    • Which supplements should we be using before the onset of arthritis and which supplements can help to manage arthritis.
    • The challenges of getting pet parents to adhere to a management plan.
    • The role of regenerative medicine in the future.

    You can find Dr Fearnside at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH).

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    55 mins
  • Differences between cats and dogs in terms of their microbiomes with Professor Caroline Mansfield
    Mar 4 2025

    In this episode, Professor Caroline Mansfield discusses the differences between cats and dogs and their microbiomes. Topics discussed include:

    • The way the microbiome is established in dogs and cats.
    • Differences in the composition of the microbiome between the different species.
    • The reason why cats have a more diverse microbiome.
    • Which diets are best for cats' microbiomes?
    • Are there any differences between indoor and outdoor cats' microbiomes?
    • Ways to counteract microbiome changes as pets get older.
    • Is fiber supplementation beneficial for cats?
    • Should dogs and cats be supplemented with different prebiotics and probiotics?
    • How to support cats' microbiomes with gastrointestinal morbidities.
    • The impact of obesity on the microbiome.

    Register for Dr Nicole Rous' webinar 'Neutering Reimagined: Five Fresh Insights for Clinical Practice' here https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/13818e56-a376-4458-a151-efcd6fb8b4d7@afa78dff-85bb-46f3-b036-b43bcf79c497

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    48 mins
  • Rethinking diarrhoea: fresh insights and solutions with Dr Nicole Rous
    Feb 4 2025

    Dr Nicole Rous joins pureANIMAL again to discuss acute diarrhoea management in dogs and cats.

    Topics discussed include:

    • Common cause of acute diarrhoea in dogs and cats.
    • Why are dogs so susceptible to dietary changes?
    • Biggest misconceptions when treating diarrhoea in pets.
    • Supporting pet parents in making informed decisions to manage their pet's diarrhoea.
    • What foods should we be feeding pets with gastrointestinal symptoms?
    • The difference between cats and dogs.
    • The weed, feed and reseed framework.
    • The benefits of Saccharomyces boulardii.
    • Dr Nicole explains postbiotics - what are they and how they work?
    • Gut soothing herbs that can be added to the management of acute diarrhoea.
    • The future of microbiome mapping.
    • Dr Rous talks through the items pet parents should have in a home first-aid kit to manage diarrhoea.

    Register for Dr Nicole Rous' webinar 'Neutering Reimagined: Five Fresh Insights for Clinical Practice' here https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/13818e56-a376-4458-a151-efcd6fb8b4d7@afa78dff-85bb-46f3-b036-b43bcf79c497

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    55 mins
  • Episode Encore - Management of Digestive Disorders with Dr Caroline Mansfield
    Dec 31 2024

    In this episode encore we discuss the management of digestive disorders with pureANIMAL ambassador Dr Caroline Mansfield. Topics discussed include:

    • What made Dr Mansfield want to become a veterinarian and what sparked her interest in gastroenterology.
    • Projects Caroline has been involved in throughout her career.
    • Dr Mansfield’s current canine microbiome and chronic enteropathy study.
    • Effects of diet on diet-responsive enteropathies.
    • Dr Caroline talks about her project on ‘Modifying the gut-brain axis to improve outcomes in shelter animals’.
    • Probiotic benefits in decreasing stress in dogs.
    • Common feline digestive disorders Dr Mansfield gets presented with and how she manages them.
    • When are probiotics indicated in feline digestive disorders?
    • When to reach for prebiotics or synbiotics?
    • Dr Caroline specifies the indication for Metronidazole.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    51 mins