Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her colleague Dr. Erin Achilles, Senior Veterinarian and Specialist in Cardiology at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Together, they discuss how veterinary cardiologists play a critical role in helping pets live longer, healthier lives.

Topics include:

·What veterinary cardiologists do and when your pet should see one
·Common types of acquired heart disease in dogs and cats
·How to monitor your pet’s resting respiratory rate and why it matters
·Types of congenital heart disease seen and treated at AMC
·Tips to maintain your pet’s heart health

Also on this month's show:

·Trending animal story about how an Austrian cow, Veronika, has dazzled cognitive biologists through multi-purpose tool use
·Animal news, including research showing spider monkeys creating a complex social network to better find and gather food
·Pet Health Listener Q&A: How to know if your pet is experiencing hearing loss; understanding medication instruction labels; and whether one type of kitty litter is better than the rest

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.