The Dr. Molly Says Podcast

This week on Doctor Molly Says, we're diving into one of the biggest conversations happening in veterinary medicine right now: corporate ownership of veterinary practices.

If you've seen posts claiming that "Wall Street owns your vet," or wondered why veterinary care seems to be getting more expensive every year, this episode is for you. This isn't a simple issue, and I wanted to share the perspective of someone who's worked in both corporate and privately owned practices.

We start by talking about what private equity actually is, why investors have become so interested in veterinary medicine, and how corporate buyouts have changed the landscape of the profession. I also explain why I think the conversation online is missing some really important context—and why your veterinarian is almost never the villain in this story.

Then we talk about older generations of practice owners, why veterinary care was historically underpriced, how better equipment and better pay for staff have changed the cost of running a clinic, and why some price increases were honestly inevitable.

If you've ever wondered why vet bills have gotten more expensive, whether corporate practices are "bad," or what the future of veterinary medicine might look like, I hope this episode gives you some clarity.

LOVE YOU GUYS 💛

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome back + Why we're talking about corporate veterinary medicine
00:02:26 What private equity is (and why it's buying veterinary practices)
00:05:30 Corporate medicine vs. private practice: what's the real concern?
00:07:34 How we got here: the history behind today's veterinary industry
00:12:27 Why veterinary costs have increased over the years
00:15:17 What actually happens after a practice is bought out
00:20:02 Why I'm hopeful about the future of private practice
00:23:29 How pet owners can support independent veterinary clinics
00:25:25 The hidden cost of unhealthy dog breeds
00:31:37 Final thoughts + What comes next

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod 
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028

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Follow Dr. Molly:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays

Follow the podcast:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod

This week on Doctor Molly Says, it's just me, and we're finally tackling a topic so many of you have been asking me about for a long time: kidney disease!

We start with kidney disease 101: what your dog or cat's kidneys are actually doing back there (hint: way more than you'd think), and why these little bean-shaped organs are so vital to basically every system in the body.

Then we get into the two big categories: acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. For acute kidney injury, I'm walking you through all the surprising culprits; lilies, antifreeze, grapes and raisins, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, too much vitamin D, certain mushrooms, dehydration, heat stroke, anesthesia risk, heart disease, urinary obstructions, and one I get on my soapbox about: leptospirosis. I really want more of you to understand what "lepto" is and why vaccinating for it matters, especially if your dog has ever had unexplained kidney failure.

Then we dig into chronic kidney disease: why it's so common in cats, why symptoms can be sneaky and subtle until it's fairly advanced, and all the bloodwork markers your vet is actually looking at (creatinine, BUN, SDMA, phosphorus, potassium, urine specific gravity, and protein) when they tell you your pet's kidney values. I also break down IRIS staging, which helps guide how often we monitor and treat.

Finally, we talk treatment because while we can't "cure" chronic kidney disease, there is SO much we can do to slow it down and keep pets feeling good for a long time: prescription kidney diets (and why they're not the internet villain people think they are), hydration strategies, subcutaneous fluids, blood pressure management, and more.

If you've ever gotten "the kidney talk" from your vet and left confused, or you just want to understand your pet's aging kidneys a little better, this episode is for you.

LOVE YOU GUYS 💛

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome back + We're finally talking kidney disease!
00:05:02 Acute kidney injury: toxins that cause it (lilies, antifreeze, grapes & more)
00:10:15 Leptospirosis: the soapbox on vaccination & missed diagnoses
00:15:17 From acute injury to chronic kidney disease
00:20:21 Decoding kidney bloodwork: creatinine, BUN & SDMA
00:25:14 Kidney disease in cats
00:30:15 IRIS staging: how vets grade kidney disease
00:35:12 How do we treat kidney disease
00:40:00 Thanks for listening!!!

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod 
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028

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Follow Dr. Molly:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays

Follow the podcast:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod

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This week on Dr. Molly Says, we're back with another dog breed deep dive!!! You guys loved the last breed episode so much that we had to do it again, and this time it's extra personal: we're talking about the Yorkshire Terrier, in honor of my patient (and honorary muse) Sophia, who bosses everyone around and 100% deserves her own bow collection. 💅

But first, a quick PSA/clarification on the clinic front: after all the love (and questions!) on the open-concept ER clips from Veg Emergency Group, I wanted to walk you through exactly how it's laid out so you know it's not just one big room where everyone's staring at each other lol. More clinic footage coming soon!!!

OK let's get into Yorkies: did you know they were NOT bred to be fancy lap dogs?! Scottish textile workers brought them into Yorkshire to hunt rats and mice in mills and coal mines — literal blue collar pest control that somehow became Victorian royalty's favorite accessory.  We get into breed standard (under 7 lbs, no such thing as an official "teacup" or "micro" Yorkie, sorry), temperament (bold, smart, opinionated, shockingly athletic, and yes big barkers), and the grooming commitment that comes with that gorgeous coat (daily brushing please!!).

We also talk nutrition and then the big one: health issues to know before you bring one home. Dental disease and retained baby teeth, patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, liver shunts, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, pancreatitis, mitral valve disease, cataracts. It's a lot, but knowledge is power, and it's exactly why ethical breeding and health testing matter so much.

Plus: are Yorkies actually good family dogs? (Yes, with the right training and expectations!) What to look for (and avoid!) in a breeder, and why Sophia may be a princess but could probably also thrive as a farm girl.

LOVE YOU GUYS 🐾

Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome back to Dr. Molly Says! + new Figs scrubs drop
3:06 – Yorkshire Terrier episode: meet Sophia + breed history
7:57 – Breed standard, appearance & temperament
12:52 – Grooming & nutrition
18:00 – Yorkie health issues: dental disease, patella, tracheal collapse
22:19 – More health issues: liver shunts, Perthes disease, heart & eyes
26:15 – Are Yorkies good family dogs? + breeder tips + Sophia's send-off

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod 
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028

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Follow Dr. Molly:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays

Follow the podcast:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod

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Hi friends! This week's episode is a quick one because by the time you're watching this, I'll be in Jamaica! But before I left - I recorded an episode about something a lot of you have been asking about: my new veterinary practice!

I know I've mentioned it here and there, but I've never actually sat down and told you the whole story — how it came to be, what it's going to look like, and why I'm doing this instead of just... not (spoiler: there was a corporate buyout involved, and honestly, that was my sign 😅). 

I give you all the details about some special features in the new practice:
Why our exam rooms have their OWN exterior doors (hint: anxious dogs and achy senior dogs will thank us)
The comfort room - a private space with its own entrance specifically for euthanasia appointments, so families don't have to walk back through the lobby afterward
"The vet bar" - basically a nurse's station meets open pharmacy window, so you can actually SEE the care happening as you walk through

Then we finish off chatting about the real timeline (soft opening tentatively September 1st, grand opening party September 19th — mark your calendars!), hiring updates, and why I believe so strongly in private practice vet med.

If you've ever wondered what actually goes into opening a vet clinic — or you just want to nose around the design decisions with me — this episode is for you!!!!

If you want to see visuals of everything I'm describing, come find me on socials; I'm @drmollysays and the clinic is @thelocalvets. And if you've got questions about the practice, please send them in! I'd love to do a Q&A episode as we get closer to opening.

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome back + why today's episode is just me
00:04:27 The building, the layout & what our clinic will look like
00:09:57 Design details — porches, the comfort room & full transparency
00:15:32 Opening timeline, hiring updates & the mystery new vet
00:20:52 Private practice vs. corporate vet med (and how you can help)
00:22:00 LOVE YOU GUYS 💛

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod 
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028

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Follow Dr. Molly:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays

Follow the podcast:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod

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This week on Dr. Molly Says, it’s just me… and we’re talking about one of the most important diseases in veterinary medicine that somehow still manages to be one of the most misunderstood: heartworm disease. 

I know, I know… heartworms aren't exactly the sexiest podcast topic BUT if you've ever wondered, "Does my indoor dog really need heartworm prevention?" or "Is heartworm prevention actually safe?" or "Can't I just skip it during the winter?"… we're answering all of it.

We start with Heartworm 101 (don't worry, I'll make parasites as fun as they can possibly be 🤝). We talk about how dogs actually get heartworms, why mosquitoes are the real villains here, and how these parasites somehow manage to make their way from one tiny mosquito bite all the way into your dog's heart and lungs. (Nature is... honestly kind of terrifying.)

Then we get into the questions I hear every single day in practice.
How heartworm disease actually develops
Why your dog can have heartworms for MONTHS before showing any symptoms
The scary complications veterinarians worry about (including caval syndrome)
What heartworm treatment actually looks like... and why we'd all rather prevent it than treat it
How heartworm preventatives actually work (because they don't work the way most people think they do)
Whether indoor dogs really need heartworm medication (spoiler: yes 😅)

If you've ever had questions about heartworm prevention (or you've seen one too many TikToks trying to convince you it's more dangerous than heartworm itself) this episode is for you.

LOVE YOU GUYS 💛

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome back! Why we're talking about heartworm disease
01:20 What heartworm actually is
03:58 How mosquitoes transmit heartworm
07:18 The heartworm life cycle explained
11:10 What heartworms do inside the body
15:57 Early signs of heartworm disease
17:34 Right-sided heart failure & caval syndrome
20:13 Wolbachia bacteria & why it matters for treatment
22:30 How veterinarians diagnose heartworm disease
25:45 Heartworm treatment explained
30:39 Why treatment is expensive (and dangerous)
31:39 Heartworm prevention myths debunked
32:28 How heartworm preventatives actually work
34:24 Ivermectin, resistance & prevention options
36:30 Why year-round prevention matters
37:43 Why your vet recommends annual heartworm testing
38:31 Indoor dogs still need prevention
39:20 LOVE YOU GUYS 💛

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod 
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028

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Follow Dr. Molly:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysays
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysays

Follow the podcast:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod

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