Vet Candy – Veterinary Lifestyle, News & Learning

Can a Veterinary Neurologist Beat the News? Dr. Lauren Koos Takes the Brain Smarts Challenge | WVC Nashville 2026

Can one of veterinary medicine's top neurologists outsmart the week's biggest headlines?
On this special WVC Nashville 2026 edition of Brain Smarts, hosts Caitlin and Clay Palmer put Dr. Lauren Downey Koos—clinical neurologist at BluePearl Veterinary and WVC Nashville headliner—through Vet Candy's fast-paced veterinary trivia showdown.
From CRISPR-engineered screwworms to augmented reality surgery, a $230 million veterinary teaching hospital, and the surprising science behind your cat's slow blink, Dr. Koos breaks down what's hype, what's real, and why these stories matter to veterinarians.
Along the way, she tackles rapid-fire questions, shares specialist insights, and proves that even neurologists can be stumped.
In this episode:
Colorado State University's game-changing $230 million veterinary expansion
The USDA's $105 million plan to stop the New World Screwworm
Could augmented reality become the future of veterinary surgery?
The science behind why slow blinking at cats actually works
A lightning-round made just for veterinary neurologists
Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, student, or simply obsessed with veterinary medicine, you'll walk away with surprising facts, practical takeaways, and a few laughs.
About Dr. Lauren Downey Koos
Dr. Lauren Downey Koos is a clinical neurologist at BluePearl Veterinary in Franklin, Tennessee, and a featured speaker at WVC Nashville 2026, where she'll share the latest advances in veterinary neurology.
About Brain Smarts
Brain Smarts is Vet Candy's fast-paced veterinary news game show, where the brightest minds in veterinary medicine compete against the week's biggest headlines. Think Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!—but for veterinarians.
Don't miss WVC Nashville 2026!
Join thousands of veterinary professionals August 15–18 in Nashville for four days of world-class CE, hands-on labs, networking, and the biggest names in veterinary medicine—including Dr. Lauren Koos. Sign up here: https://www.viticusgroup.org/wvc-nashville?utm_campaign=45126685-WVCN26%20-%20Vet%20Candy&utm_content=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29&utm_source=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29
Subscribe to Vet Candy for weekly veterinary news, research, expert guests, and trivia that every veterinary professional should know.
 
#veterinarypodcast #vetcandy #veterinarian #veterinarymedicine #animalhealth

Dr. Stephen Carey Has Main Character Energy on Brain Smarts

Can an internal medicine specialist outsmart the week's wildest veterinary headlines?
On this episode of Brain Smarts, hosts Caitlin and Clay Palmer welcome Dr. Stephen Carey, veterinary internal medicine specialist and Associate Dean at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, for a fast-paced game comedy show.
 
Sign up for WVC Nashville here: https://www.viticusgroup.org/wvc-nashville?utm_campaign=45126685-WVCN26%20-%20Vet%20Candy&utm_content=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29&utm_source=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29
 
From surprising research and bizarre animal stories to the latest breakthroughs in veterinary medicine, Dr. Carey puts his knowledge (and sense of humor) to the test. Along the way, you'll hear about some of the biggest stories shaping the profession and get a preview of one of the featured speakers at WVC Nashville 2026.
Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary student, technician, or simply love veterinary medicine, this episode delivers laughs, learning, and plenty of unexpected moments.
In this episode:
Veterinary news trivia and current events
The latest research making headlines
Funny facts from the world of veterinary medicine
Dr. Stephen Carey's journey as an educator and clinician
A preview of WVC Nashville 2026
Subscribe to Brain Smarts for new episodes featuring veterinary experts, news, trivia, and the stories everyone in vet med is talking about.
 
 
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The Mystery of the Cat with the Big Belly — and the Team That Figured It Out | Vet Candy Podcast

Vet Candy's Medical Mysteries with Dr. Courtney Campbell Episode: The Mystery of the Cat with the Big Belly
A cat walks in with an acutely enlarged abdomen and a history of "not doing right."
That's it. That's all you have.
What do you do next?
On this episode of Vet Candy's Medical Mysteries, Dr. Courtney Campbell sits down with veterinary technicians Peter Carlos and Jaycee to unpack one of the most unforgettable cases they have ever worked together. A cat. A big belly. A story that takes more turns than anyone in that exam room expected.
Peter and Jaycee were there from the beginning. They know exactly what happened. And they are ready to tell it.
Press play. You will not believe what happens next.

A Wound That Wouldn't Heal: Dr. Joya Griffin's Strangest Dermatology Case Ever | Vet Candy Podcast

Vet Candy's Medical Mysteries with Dr. Courtney Campbell 
Every dermatologist has that one case. The one they still think about. The one that made them question everything they thought they knew.
This is hers.
On this episode of Vet Candy's Medical Mysteries, Dr. Courtney Campbell sits down with Dr. Joya Griffin — Kentucky veterinary dermatologist, specialist, and star of Nat Geo Wild's Pop the Vet — to talk about the strangest dermatology case she has ever seen in her career. What walked through the door, what it looked like, what everyone thought it was, and what it actually turned out to be.
You will not see this one coming.
Dr. Griffin has built a career finding answers where others couldn't. But this case? This one stopped her cold.
Press play. You won't believe what happened.

This Mysterious Veterinary Case Left Even the Specialists Stumped | Medical Mysteries with Dr. Courtney Campbell

Think you've heard every veterinary case imaginable? Think again.
On this episode of Mysteries with Dr. Courtney Campbell, veterinary criticalist Dr. Carey Hemelgarn joins us to share the most bizarre medical case of her career. What started as a puzzling presentation quickly evolved into a diagnostic mystery filled with unexpected twists, surprising clues, and a conclusion that left everyone stunned.
Follow along as Dr. Hemelgarn walks through the case step by step, revealing how careful investigation, clinical expertise, and a little detective work uncovered the truth behind one of the strangest patients she has ever treated.
You won't believe how this story ends.

Your Relationship With Food Is More Important Than Your Diet | Living Well with Dr. Jessica Turner ft. Caitlin Kiarie

Most of us grew up in a world that taught us food was either good or bad, earned or undeserved, something to control or something to feel guilty about. And for a lot of veterinary professionals — people who spend their days taking care of everyone else and not always great at taking care of themselves — that relationship with food gets complicated fast.
In this episode of Living Well with Dr. Jessica Turner, Jessica sits down with Caitlin Kiarie, a registered dietician who has made it her work to help people untangle their relationship with food and build something healthier, more sustainable, and a whole lot less punishing than whatever diet culture has been selling.
They talk about what a healthy relationship with food actually looks like in practice — not in theory, not on a meal plan, but on a real Tuesday when you are exhausted and it is 8pm and you have not eaten since noon. Caitlin breaks down the difference between nourishing yourself and restricting yourself, why so many high-achievers struggle with food in ways they never talk about, and what it means to eat in a way that actually supports the life you are trying to live.
If you have ever finished a long shift and eaten whatever was in arm's reach and then felt bad about it, this conversation is for you. If you have ever been on a diet that worked until it did not, this conversation is for you. If you have ever wondered whether the way you think about food is actually serving you — this one is definitely for you.
No calorie counts. No food rules. Just an honest, practical conversation about something that affects every single one of us every single day.
Living Well with Dr. Jessica Turner is a Vet Candy original. New episodes on Vet Candy Radio and wherever you listen to podcasts.
 
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She Has a Specialty Practice, a TV Show, a Business, and Two Kids. Here Is How Dr. Joya Griffin Actually Does It.

Living Well with Dr. Jessica Turner Featuring Dr. Joya Griffin
How does a board-certified veterinary dermatologist, small business owner, mom, and Nat Geo Wild television personality actually hold it all together? The honest answer is the best part.
 
Dr. Jessica Turner sits down with Dr. Joya Griffin, one of the most recognized veterinary dermatologists in the country and a familiar face to anyone who has seen her on Pop Goes the Vet, for a conversation about what it really looks like to build a career and a life at the same time. Not the highlight reel. The real version.
 
Dr. Griffin opens up about navigating the demands of a specialty practice, raising a family, running a business, and stepping into the public eye in a way that very few veterinarians ever do. She talks about the pressure that comes with visibility, the boundaries that make everything else possible, and the mindset that keeps her grounded when the plates are spinning.
If you have ever wondered how the women who seem to have it all actually manage it,  this episode is the answer you were looking for. And it is a lot more honest than you might expect.
Living Well with Dr. Jessica Turner is a Vet Candy original. New episodes available on Vet Candy Radio and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
🎙️ Listen on Vet Candy Radio: myvetcandy.com
📺 Watch Pop Goes the Vet on Nat Geo Wild
 
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The Perfectionism Trap: Learning to Let Go on Living Well with Dr. Jessica Turner

Perfectionism often wears a convincing disguise. It looks like ambition, discipline, and high standards, qualities that are not only celebrated, but expected in many professional environments. Yet beneath that polished surface, perfectionism can quietly erode confidence, increase anxiety, and make even small decisions feel overwhelming.
In this episode of Living Well on Vet Candy Radio, Dr. Jessica Turner sits down with clinical psychologist Ellie Fuentes to unpack the reality behind perfectionism and, more importantly, how to manage it in a healthier, more sustainable way.

All Creatures Episode 3 — Fangs on the Farm: the Chupacabra Files and the invasive tick terrorizing livestock | Vet Candy

Something is draining the cattle dry at the Goshen Stampede. The locals say it is the Chupacabra. The veterinarians say it is something far worse — and a whole lot smaller.
Welcome back to All Creatures — the scripted dramatic podcast series from Vet Candy that wraps real veterinary science inside stories you genuinely cannot stop listening to. Episode 3 takes on invasive species, forensic veterinary investigation, and the creeping horror of a tick that clones itself — all set against the glorious backdrop of a Connecticut rodeo, deep-fried everything, and one beloved Airstream named Cloudy.
Fangs on the Farm: The Chupacabra Files.
Brought to you by PRN Pharmacal.
Dr. Greathouse and Dr. Smalls were just supposed to enjoy the rodeo. Bull riding. Chainsaw competitions. Fried food of questionable origin. A perfectly normal weekend. But when prize cattle start turning up dead — drained of blood with surgical precision and not a wound in sight — the cryptid rumors start flying and the real investigation begins.
The Chupacabra is a great story. The truth is scarier.
Featuring the brilliant forensic expertise of Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, the pathology wizardry of Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw, and a bombshell from tick expert Dr. Risa Pesapane, this episode unravels one of the most genuinely alarming emerging threats in livestock medicine — the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. Invisible to the naked eye. Pesticide-resistant. Capable of cloning itself. And perfectly capable of draining an entire herd.
Oh — and there is also a con artist selling Chupacabra merchandise and deep-fried Chupacabra Balls. Because All Creatures has never been just one thing.
Featuring recurring cast members Quisha Brown, Vasko Kostovski, Angela Sojanovska, and Martin Manev alongside series leads Caitlin Palmer and Clay Palmer — and one unforgettable rodeo finale that nobody saw coming.
🎙️ What makes this episode stand out: A fully scripted dramatic story with professional actors, immersive music, and cinematic sound design Real veterinary science from a forensic investigator, a pathologist, and a tick specialist woven seamlessly into the narrative A storyline ripped from actual emerging disease headlines — the Asian longhorned tick is a genuine and growing threat to livestock across North America Humor, heart, and a dramatic Airstream sacrifice in the name of public health
🔥 What you will learn in this episode: What Haemaphysalis longicornis is, where it came from, and why it matters for livestock and companion animal medicine How parthenogenetic reproduction makes the Asian longhorned tick unlike any other tick species established in North America The clinical presentation of severe tick infestation and what extreme blood loss in cattle actually looks like How forensic veterinary investigation works — and what Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore's real-world VetStigator expertise brings to an unusual case Why invasive species cases require rapid interdisciplinary response and how that plays out in practice What your clients need to know about tick surveillance and early detection before a small problem becomes a herd-level crisis
Whether you are a veterinarian trying to stay ahead of emerging parasitology, a veterinary technician who wants to understand the real threat landscape for ticks and livestock, a large animal practitioner who has been watching the Haemaphysalis spread with growing concern, or someone who just wants a wildly entertaining hour of audio that also happens to make you smarter, Episode 3 of All Creatures delivers everything you came for and a few things you did not expect.
Stream it free at myvetcandy.com/all-creatures Also available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and your favorite podcast platform.
This is Vet Candy. We do things differently.
👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Vet Candy content!
#VetCandy #AllCreatures #Chupacabra #FangsOnTheFarm #AsianLonghornedTick #HaemaphysalisLongicornis #VeterinaryPodcast #VeterinaryMedicine #VetLife #VetStudent #LivestockMedicine #InvasiveSpecies #ForensicVeterinary #VeterinarianPodcast #VetMed #ScriptedPodcast #VeterinaryEducation #VetTech #PRNPharmacal #MarthaSmithBlackmore #AleksandraZuraw #RisaPesapane
 
Join hundreds of thousands of veterinary professionals who trust Vet Candy for the latest in clinical updates, continuing education, and expert advice. Whether you're looking for the newest product recommendations, cutting-edge clinical treatments, or tips on work-life balance, Vet Candy has everything you need to stay at the top of your veterinary game. With fresh content delivered weekly, we're here to support your journey.
 
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Thanks for watching All Creatures Episode 3 — Fangs on the Farm: the Chupacabra Files and the invasive tick terrorizing livestock | Vet Candy

All Creatures Episode 2 — Feathers, Fear, and Flu: the hunt for Mothman and the truth about avian influenza | Vet Candy

Something is out there. And it has feathers.
Welcome back to All Creatures — the scripted dramatic podcast series from Vet Candy that turns the most urgent issues in veterinary medicine into stories you cannot stop listening to. Episode 2 takes on one of the most critical animal and public health threats facing the veterinary profession right now: avian influenza.
Feathers, Fear, and Flu: Join Us on the Hunt for Mothman.
The elusive Mothman has been spotted. The flu is spreading. And the team is about to discover that the truth about avian influenza is stranger — and more dangerous — than any myth. All Creatures Episode 2 pulls you into a world of suspense, science, and zoonotic disease, where the stakes are real even when the story is fiction.
Based on a short story by Dr. Jill Lopez and voiced by professional actors Clay and Caitlin Palmer, this episode brings together an extraordinary team of real experts woven into the narrative — epidemiologist Dr. Patrick Carney from Cornell University, veterinary pathologist Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw, practice manager Quisha Brown, and veterinary technician Keyana Beamon. The result is a listening experience that is as scientifically grounded as it is genuinely thrilling.
🎙️ What makes this episode stand out: A fully scripted dramatic story with professional actors, immersive music, and rich sound design Real expert insights from an epidemiologist, a veterinary pathologist, a practice manager, and a veterinary technician A zoonotic disease narrative that is as relevant as today's headlines A reminder that in veterinary medicine, collaboration is not optional — it is everything
🔥 What you will learn in this episode: What avian influenza is, how it spreads, and why it matters for veterinary professionals The zoonotic implications of avian flu and what that means for your practice and your clients How to recognize, respond to, and communicate about avian influenza in a clinical setting Why interdisciplinary teamwork is the most powerful tool veterinary medicine has when facing a disease outbreak The real science behind one of today's most urgent animal and public health threats — told through a story you will not forget
Whether you are a veterinarian trying to stay ahead of emerging disease, a veterinary technician who wants to understand the zoonotic landscape better, a practice manager thinking about outbreak preparedness, or simply someone who loves a good story with real stakes, Episode 2 of All Creatures delivers education, entertainment, and genuine clinical relevance in a single listen.
Stream it free at myvetcandy.com/all-creatures
This is Vet Candy. We do things differently.
👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Vet Candy content!
#VetCandy #AllCreatures #AvianInfluenza #Mothman #FeatFearAndFlu #VeterinaryPodcast #VeterinaryMedicine #VetLife #VetStudent #ZoonoticDisease #BirdFlu #VeterinarianPodcast #VetMed #ScriptedPodcast #VeterinaryEducation #VetTech #BoehringerIngelheim #NexGardPLUS
Join hundreds of thousands of veterinary professionals who trust Vet Candy for the latest in clinical updates, continuing education, and expert advice. Whether you're looking for the newest product recommendations, cutting-edge clinical treatments, or tips on work-life balance, Vet Candy has everything you need to stay at the top of your veterinary game. With fresh content delivered weekly, we're here to support your journey.
🚨 Don't miss out! Make sure to subscribe  to stay updated on all our latest podcasts: tiny.cc/px9bnz
Let's connect and grow together!
✅ Subscribe to our channel for new content every week
✅ Join Vet Candy for exclusive insights and community:
https://www.myvetcandy.com/join
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Thanks for watching All Creatures Episode 2 — Feathers, Fear, and Flu: the hunt for Mothman and the truth about avian influenza | Vet Candy