Veterinary School for Everyone: Caring for Cats and Dogs

Gain helpful insights such as what sort of time and financial investments you will need to make, a typical lifespan, and what sort of environment you should provide for the most common pet breeds. Arming you with the basics of what to expect when you get a cat or dog (or both) allows you to make an educated decision about whether pet ownership is right for you.

Whether you’re bringing your first pet home or introducing a new pet to a household full of other animals and/or children, the best way to positively integrate a new animal is to be prepared. Packed with valuable tips to help you set your household and new pets up for success, Dr. Lee also includes advice for what to do if the new pet just doesn’t mesh.

Dr. Lee moves on to the next step in conscientious pet ownership: pet care. Covering topics such as training and exercise (yes, even for cats), creating an enriching environment, health care, and more, you’ll gain a toolbox of tips and techniques that will help you feel both prepared and empowered to take on the responsibility of owning a pet.

This lesson focuses on what to look for, questions to consider, and ways you can, well, vet your vet. She also provides invaluable tips to help get an anxious animal to the clinic with less stress, and how to (and why you always should) advocate for your pet when talking to the veterinarian.

Vaccines are a source of controversy, and it’s no different with pet vaccines. Dr. Lee provides a realistic look at the pros (and less common, the cons) of the most common vaccines, as well as how often to get them, potential reactions and side-effects, and why different types of pets may have different vaccine needs.

Dr. Lee educates you about the risks of parasites, as well as the best ways to avoid them. While not all pests are fatally dangerous, no one wants to deal with a flea infestation. Dr. Lee provides a factual overview of why this isn’t true and the best way to get ahead of a parasite invasion.

When it comes to your pet’s reproductive organs, there’s a lot to know about—the more informed you are about the facts, the easier it is to make the right decision for you and your pet. Dr. Lee covers the pros and cons of spaying and neutering, the effects on your pet’s health and behavior, and the best age for the procedure.

In this lesson, Dr. Lee covers some important aspects of keeping your feline family member healthy and happy, including important tests and preventative care, the pros and cons of indoor versus outdoor cats, and three very important—often unknown—tips for being a responsible cat owner.

Dr. Lee provides the scoop on dealing with cat poop in this lesson about litter box etiquette. While it seems like a subject that wouldn’t require an entire lesson, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths about litter boxes—from the kind of box you get and how many you need, to the type of litter you choose, to the frequency of cleaning.

Dog training is essential to help keep your dog and everyone else safe. It also helps build a bond between you and your pup. Dr. Lee outlines the most important behaviors to train, the difference between basic obedience and trick training, and common training mistakes. Additionally, she provides tips for crate and leash training, as well as helpful hints for grooming.

Dr. Lee introduces you to the basic nutritional needs of your dogs and cats, when you might need to look into special diets—such as allergies or intolerance—and provides excellent tips on what to feed and what to look out for. She also helps you determine the proper amount of food to give your pet based on size and activity.

Dr. Lee devotes an entire lesson to breaking down the various costs you might incur as a pet owner. She breaks down the benefit of making investments in pet care early, instead of paying for the ramifications of not doing so, later. Knowing what to expect and what you will potentially face can help you prepare and make better-informed decisions for your pet.

Learn about the top 10 most common medical problems for cats and dogs, as well as what you can do to potentially avoid them. Dr. Lee covers everything from dental disease to diarrhea. She also busts common myths about home remedies, such as using coconut oil for skin issues. Getting ahead of the most common maladies can help save you money and prevent your pet from experiencing discomfort.

Endocrine disorders are some of the most common and serious diseases our pets can have. Luckily, the majority of endocrine diseases are treatable, if you know what to look for and catch it early. You’ll learn how to recognize the signs of and the treatments for thyroid problems, diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease, and Addison’s disease.

Dr. Lee reviews the most effective steps you can take to get ahead of diseases and other health issues, including vaccines, setting up a safe environment, appropriate feeding and weight maintenance, and more. See how proper care, nutrition, and screening for your pets can help them live longer, more comfortable lives.

Dr. Lee outlines how simple things like leash walking your dog, keeping your cat inside, crate training your dog, pet-proofing your house, and getting your pet neutered or spayed can prevent all kinds of problems. But if you find yourself in need of a emergency vet visit, she provides you with the tools you need to ask the right questions, make educated decisions, and advocate for your pet.

Get an in-depth look at the top 10 reasons your pet might end up in the animal ER and find out what you can do to avoid them, what you can do at home, and when you should definitely seek professional help. Understanding when that visit is necessary is lifesaving (and definitely wallet-saving) information.

A simple houseplant. A prescription bottle left on the counter. A nightly pill put by the bed stand. That sugarless pack of gum in your backpack or purse. All of these pose poisoning dangers to dogs and cats. Pet poisoning is so common that Dr. Lee devotes an entire lecture to what may cause poisoning, how you can avoid it, and what to do if your pet ingests something poisonous.

Get an overview of the top 10 poisons that dogs and cats get into—including chocolate, pain killers, garden products, and lilies; how they affect your pet; and what specific treatment they may require. Dr. Lee will also cover which plants you should avoid having in or around your house.

Cancer is one of the top causes of death for geriatric dogs and cats, with an estimated 1 in 4 dogs developing tumors at some point in their life. Dr. Lee takes you through common cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. She takes you through the process of getting a diagnosis, getting treatments, and what the potential costs might be.

Dr. Lee introduces you to some of the common medical problems seen in our geriatric dogs and cats that might result in their demise. By understanding conditions such as osteoarthritis, decreased sensory and cognitive function, and skin masses, you will be better prepared to deal with them if these medical conditions become an issue.

Dr. Lee dives into the diseases that pets can pass on to humans, such as ringworm, rabies, leptospirosis, parasites, protozoal infections, bacterial infections, and even the plague. Some of these less common zoonotic diseases can be fatal. While they are not common, there is a possible risk of transmission to you and your human family.

Learn how vets assess quality of life, and what the signs of pain or a deterioration in quality of life looks like in dogs and cats. Dr. Lee expands on what exactly happens when a pet is euthanized, including logistics that a lot of people are too shy to ask about until the end. She’ll also provide some contingencies many pet owners are not familiar with such as animal living wills.

What does it take to become a veterinarian or veterinary technician? How much schooling is involved? Dr. Lee answers these questions and more as she provides a realistic and grounded look at the schooling, experience, and time and financial investment you should expect if you are interested in becoming a veterinarian or vet tech, or entering a related field.