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.

We’ve got you covered, top to bottom and inside out! Lol

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

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 board with it in 2002. So, three years after they started, I had already put my personal dogs on a three-year vaccination protocol and was then ready to move forward.

We felt in 2002 that it was appropriate to change from an annual vaccine for distemper, for parvo, and for some of these vaccines that historically had been given on an annual basis, to a three-year rolling protocol. But I had people signing consent for that because it was really not cutting edge; it was bleeding edge at that point.

We're going to break this down into some detail as we go through this, but overall, many of the vaccines in many of our pets can go to a less frequent system. And then, during COVID, vaccine hesitancy became a bigger deal. It happens on the human side. It happens on the veterinary side.

One of the big concerns is that, about 30 years ago or so, there was this big hoopla about vaccines causing autism in children, right? And that still floats around out there, even though it has been disproven, and we don't see autism in dogs or cats.

So, we need to make sure that we are all understanding the reason for vaccines and the reason to be thoughtful about what vaccines your pet needs based on their lifestyle and their immune response.

That being said, I think that vaccines have probably saved more lives in the world than any other medical breakthrough. You can look at anesthesia, you can look at sterile surgery, you can look at chemotherapy, you can look at all kinds of different medical breakthroughs that have happened, and yes, they are all really important. I mean, I wouldn't want to have my appendix out without anesthesia, without sterile surgery, and that saves lives.

But if you think about the number of lives, veterinary and human, that have been saved by vaccines preventing disease, I don't see that there's anything that has happened medically that's been a more significant breakthrough. So, I want to preface my remarks with, ‘I have a huge respect for vaccines.’ I have a huge respect for vaccines on the human side and on the veterinary side, but they need to be given thoughtfully and wisely.

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

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 internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses. People should separate uncooked (raw) poultry from cooked foods and foods that won't be cooked. Cook all poultry and poultry products (including eggs) all the way before eating. More information about the safe handling and cooking of poultry can be found here: Chicken and Food Poisoning

For beef: Cooking beef to the appropriate internal temperature kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses. Cook all beef products thoroughly before eating. Ground beef should reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F, and whole cuts of beef should reach 145°F, then rest for 3 minutes. Refer to CDC's safer foods table for a complete list of safe internal temperatures.Separate uncooked (raw) beef from cooked foods or foods that won't be cooked to prevent cross-contamination.

Unpasteurized (raw) milk safety: Choosing pasteurized milk and products made with pasteurized milk is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Unpasteurized (raw) milk and products made from raw milk, including soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, can be contaminated with germs that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, or death. Pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, like avian influenza A viruses, in milk. Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it.

Anyone, even healthy adults, can get sick from drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk. Based on the limited research and information available, we do not know at this time if avian influenza A viruses can be transmitted to people through the consumption of raw milk and products (such as cheese) made from raw milk from infected cows.

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