Why Is My Cat’s Nose Running? Feline Upper Respiratory Infections Explained

Marty and Laura tackle a listener question about runny noses in cats and kittens — and it turns into a deep dive on feline health essentials every cat owner needs to know.

Topics covered:

• Common causes of feline upper respiratory infections (herpesvirus, calicivirus, chlamydia, Bordetella) and why herpes virus is a lifelong condition that flares under stress
• What FVRCP means and why keeping up with your cat’s vaccines matters — even for indoor cats
• Why cats “fall off the veterinary radar” after kittenhood and why that’s dangerous
• The risks of bringing stray or new cats into a home with existing cats without testing first
• Feline leukemia (FELV) and FIV: how they spread, what a positive test means, and why a $100 blood test can save your resident cat’s life
• Vaccine safety in cats: injection site sarcomas, non-adjuvanted vaccines, and why Marty prefers the intranasal FVRCP
• Convenia — the 14-day injectable antibiotic that can save you from trying to pill your cat twice a day
• Feline asthma vs. upper respiratory infections, and when a cough means it’s urgent
• Practical tips: gabapentin for vet visits, carrier training and at-home hygiene clips

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

Spring Gardening Hazards Your Pets Will Definitely Find

Spring means gardens, chemicals and curious pets — a combination that can turn dangerous fast. Veterinarian Marty and host Laura break down what every pet owner needs to know before heading outside this season.

In This Episode

The ASPCA’s toxic plant database is your first stop before planting anything new — it’s free, searchable and includes photos. Not all “toxic” plants are equally dangerous: some cause a numb tongue, others can be fatal. Knowing the difference saves you money and panic.

For chemical hazards, herbicides are generally low-risk for dogs, but insecticides can affect the nervous system immediately. Always keep product packaging — the label often has an 800 number that connects you to free poison control support.

Marty makes a strong case for keeping Clevor on hand if you have a dog that eats everything. One eye drop, three minutes, done — no risky hydrogen peroxide needed.

And yes, skunk season is here. The de-skunking formula (peroxide + baking soda + dish soap) only works if you apply it to a dry dog first. Don’t skip that step.

Key Takeaways

1. Bookmark aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
2. Save the ASPCA Poison Control number with a credit card nearby
3. Stock your garage: Clevor, baking soda, peroxide, dish soap
4. Baby wildlife? Leave it. Put it back. Move on.

Brought to you by Veterinary Village — enhancing the quality of animal and human lives throughout Wisconsin and Dogg!t – find your new puppy now!

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

When You Can’t Get Into the Vet: Safe Home Remedies for Dogs — and What to Never Try

Getting a veterinary appointment can feel impossible right now — but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Dr. Marty Greer joins Laura Reeves to walk pet owners through the everyday products that are genuinely safe to use at home, and the ones that could land your dog in a serious emergency.

In this episode:

Dr. Marty covers the full medicine cabinet — what helps, what harms, and when to stop treating at home and get to a clinic fast.

1. Never use these: Xylitol in any form, ibuprofen, Tylenol (especially in cats), Sudafed and decongestants, and any prescription medication without veterinary guidance
2. Safe for kennel cough: Robitussin DM (guaifenesin + dextromethorphan) and saline nasal spray for congested brachycephalic breeds
3. Safe for allergies and skin: Benadryl, Claritin (loratadine), Dawn dish soap, hydrocortisone cream, lidocaine gel, and diaper rash ointment for sore hindquarters
4. Safe for GI upset: Famotidine (Pepcid), meclizine (Bonine) for nausea and vestibular syndrome, simethicone (Gas-X) for bloat prevention, Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate with caveats, and canned spinach to help pass small sharp objects
5. Safe for wounds: Saran wrap, socks, duct-taped bandaging, and Epsom salt soaks for foxtails in the feet
6. Foxtail warning: Feet are manageable at home — but foxtails in the nose, ears, or eyes need same-day veterinary care, and in the lungs they are a life-threatening emergency

Bottom line: These are stopgap measures, not substitutes for veterinary care. Use them to buy time, keep notes on what you tried and always be kind to your veterinary team — they’re doing their very best.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

Pancreatitis in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Pancreatitis is one of the most painful and misunderstood conditions affecting dogs — and one of the most common reasons pets end up hospitalized. Dr. Marty Greer, who has personally survived four bouts of pancreatitis, joins Laura Reeves to walk pet owners through everything they need to know, from early warning signs to long-term management.

1. What the pancreas actually does — and why problems with it affect everything from digestion to blood sugar
2. Acute pancreatitis — warning signs to watch for (vomiting, severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dehydration) and why up to 30% of severe cases can be fatal
3. How it’s diagnosed — CBC, chemistry panel, and the more accurate cPLI test (80–90% accurate), plus why x-rays won’t help but ultrasound can
4. Treatment — why this is a hospitalization situation: IV fluids, nothing by mouth for 72+ hours, pain management, anti-nausea medication, and supportive care
5. Breeds at higher risk — miniature schnauzers, dachshunds, miniature poodles, Cavaliers, Cocker Spaniels, and others
6. Chronic pancreatitis and diabetes — how repeated flare-ups can scar the pancreas and eventually lead to Type 1-equivalent diabetes requiring twice-daily insulin injections
7. Insulinoma — the rare pancreatic tumor that causes blood sugar to crash and can trigger seizures, and what treatment looks like
8. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) — most common in young German Shepherds, the TLI blood test to ask for, and how it’s managed with pancreatic enzyme supplements

Key takeaway: High-fat meals are a well-known trigger, but pancreatitis can strike without an obvious cause — especially in middle-aged, overweight females of susceptible breeds. If your dog is vomiting and seems painful, don’t wait. This is not a condition that resolves on its own.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

Neck Lumps, Ear Hematomas & “Happy Tail”: What That Sudden Swelling Might Mean

You wake up, look at your dog, and—boom—there’s a new lump on the jaw or neck. Before you spiral to “it’s cancer” or shrug it off as “no big deal,” Marty and Laura break down the most common causes of sudden swellings (from abscesses to salivary cysts), when it’s urgent, and what your vet can do to get answers fast.

On this episode of The Marty & Laura Show (brought to you by Doggit), Laura and Marty walk through the “lumps that shouldn’t be there” checklist—what’s benign, what’s serious and what needs a same-day call to your veterinarian.

You’ll learn:

1. Common culprits behind jaw/neck lumps:abscesses,hematomas, andsalivary cysts—often after chewing sticks or bones
2. When swelling is an emergency:fever + not eating/drinking= get seen fast
3. Why recurrent abscesses may mean aforeign bodyis still hiding (hello, plant material)
4. Foxtails and other “mean seeds”: where they lodge, why they’re risky, and how tools like theOutFoxed hoodcan help
5. How enlargedlymph nodescan be reactive…or signal something systemic likelymphoma
6. Puppy strangles (juvenile cellulitis):what it looks like and why early treatment matters
7. Ear hematomas: what causes “cauliflower ear,” treatment options and why dogs may never have a totally “normal” ear again
8. “Happy tail/crate tail” injuries: why they’re such a bloody mess and how vets try to manage them

Pro tips mentioned: keep a dedicated pet thermometer at home, and don’t panic—get the swelling checked and let diagnostics guide the next step.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

How Much Does a Well-Bred Puppy Really Cost? Breaking Down Smart Puppy Buying

What does it really cost to responsibly breed a litter of puppies—and why does that matter to you as a buyer? In this episode of The Marty and Laura Show, Laura and Dr. Marty walk through the real numbers behind well-bred dogs and explain why “you get what you pay for” is more than just a saying.

If you’re contemplating a new puppy, this episode is your behind-the-scenes look at what responsible breeders invest long before a puppy ever goes home.

Dr. Marty outlines the three major categories of pre-breeding health screening: genetic (DNA) testing, comprehensive veterinary exams, and phenotype testing such as OFA hips, elbows, cardiac and eye clearances. These tests—along with brucellosis screening, infectious disease panels, and breed-specific evaluations—can easily total thousands of dollars before breeding even begins.

From there, the costs stack up: progesterone timing, stud fees, shipped semen, artificial insemination, pregnancy confirmation, C-sections, puppy care, microchipping, vaccinations, and health certificates. And that’s assuming everything goes right.

Laura and Marty also discuss the long-term value of purpose-bred dogs: predictable temperament, early socialization, breeder support for the life of the dog, and often fewer behavioral surprises.

A puppy isn’t a toaster—it’s a 10–15 year commitment. This episode helps you make that investment wisely.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

Health-Tested Parents Increase the Odds of Healthy Puppies

In this episode of The Marty and Laura Show, Laura and Marty explain why choosing a puppy from health-tested parents gives you the best chance at a long, healthy life together.

They break down what “health tested” really means — and why a simple vet check is not the same as proper genetic and structural screening.

In this episode:

1. The difference betweenDNA (genotype)andOFA/specialist exams (phenotype)
2. How to verify results throughOFA and CHIC
3. Why microchips matter in accurate reporting
4. The truth about “hybrid vigor”
5. What responsible breeders should provide — including contracts and documentation
6. Why a “cheap” puppy can cost far more in the long run

Bottom line:

Health-tested parents don’t guarantee perfection — but they significantly increase the likelihood of a healthy puppy. Educated decisions stack the deck in your favor.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

Does My Dog Have a Drinking Problem?

Excessive drinking and urination in dogs can be alarming—and it’s rarely something to ignore. In this episode, Laura Reeves and veterinarian Dr. Marty Greer take a deep dive into polydipsia and polyuria (PD/PU), breaking down the most common causes, the less common “zebras,” and the critical diagnostic steps every dog owner should understand before restricting water.

Brief Show Notes:

1. Common causes of excessive thirst in dogs: kidney disease, diabetes, Cushing’s
2. Less common (but serious) causes including lepto, hypercalcemia, Addison’s, and psychogenic polydipsia
3. Why urine testing is just as important as bloodwork
4. The danger of restricting water without a full veterinary workup
5. How leptospirosis affects dogs (and people) and why it’s now considered a core vaccine
6. Early kidney disease, protein loss, and why prescription kidney diets matter
7. Practical management tips for “water-obsessed” dogs—after medical causes are ruled out

A must-listen for dog owners dealing with excessive drinking, chronic kidney concerns, or confusing diagnostic results—and for anyone who wants to better advocate for their dog’s health at the vet.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.