The Dr. Molly Says Podcast

Dr. Molly Brinkmann

Hey friends! I’m Dr. Molly Brinkmann (@drmollysays), a small animal veterinarian, lifelong animal lover, and your go-to source for all things pet health. Welcome to The Dr. Molly Says Podcast! I’m probably already obsessed with your pet, and I want to help you understand veterinary medicine in a way that’s fun, relatable, and actually makes sense. Each week, I’ll break down important pet care topics, debunk common myths, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at life as a vet. Because let’s be real—life is hard, but dogs help… and so does knowing how to take the best care of them. Grab your coffee (or tea), snuggle your pup (or cat, I guess), and join me every Wednesday at 9 AM EST on all platforms (and YouTube)!

  1. 7H AGO

    When to See a Vet Specialist (+ Why Your Pet Isn’t Getting Better) | with Dr. Nicole Fein

    This week on Dr. Molly Says, we’re coming to you LIVE(ish) from a very not-fancy hotel room in Orlando… I’m joined by my friend and internal medicine specialist, Dr. Nicole Fein, and we’re diving into everything from what internists actually do to the reality of specialty vet care (plus a few unhinged tangents… obviously). We break down how someone becomes a board-certified veterinary internist (spoiler: years of chaos + 16-hour exams), the types of cases they see all the time (yes… so much poop), and a hot take you might not expect: more diagnostics ≠ better medicine. We also get into: When it’s actually time to see a specialistThe relationship between pet owners, general practitioner veterinarians, and specialists (it’s a throuple, not a love triangle)Why some cases should be referred sooner (and what can go wrong when they’re not)The real cost conversations that need to happen in vet medWhy internal medicine is basically the “everything that doesn’t make sense” specialty PLUS: Dr. Nicole explains her viral “baby talking patients” videos (yes, including “mouth meat” 💀), we discuss cuteness aggression, and share what really happens behind the scenes at the vet. And of course… we end with Global Pet Expo chaos: piglet parades (aka Frenchies in wagons), influencer pets, and why veterinarians are just trying their best out here. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome + recording from a hotel bed00:02:00 What is Global Pet Expo?00:03:00 Meet Dr. Nicole Fine (internal medicine specialist)00:07:00 How you become a veterinary internist (aka years of torture)00:14:55 What cases internal medicine actually sees00:18:30 Favorite cases (Addison’s, immune disease & emergencies)00:21:00 What a typical day looks like (and why it’s so communication-heavy)00:23:00 When should you ask for a specialist referral?00:26:00 GP vs specialist dynamics (the “throuple” conversation)00:33:50 Cases that should be referred sooner00:37:00 Cost conversations & setting expectations00:39:00 Making specialty care more accessible00:42:30 Trends in cases + city vs rural vet med00:46:00 IVDD, surgery vs medical management00:49:00 Viral baby talk videos explained (yes… really)00:55:00 Global Pet Expo chaos (piglet parade, influencer pets)00:59:00 Outro --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------

    59 min
  2. EP38 - The Truth About Veterinary Dentistry w/ Dr. Amy Thomson

    12/17/2025

    EP38 - The Truth About Veterinary Dentistry w/ Dr. Amy Thomson

    Text me your question or inquiry here! Hey friends! This week on the pod, we’re digging into one of the most important — and often overlooked — areas of veterinary medicine: dentistry. From why dental care still makes so many vets hesitant, to what actually happens during a COHAT, to everyday things like brushing, chews, and dental wipes, we’re breaking it all down in clear, practical, real-world language. We’re joined by Dr. Thomson, who shares insights from her residency, mobile practice experience, and years in veterinary dentistry. Do you have a question or inquiry for me? Send me a text from the link above, ask me on any social media platform, or email drmollysayspod@gmail.com! Episodes of The Dr. Molly Says Podcast are on all podcast services along with video form on YouTube! Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/5d574928 TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/2p9kjd9d YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/mr3jradc TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 01:20 Dr. Thomson 04:25 Hot Take 04:53 Dr. Thomson’s Residency 09:30 Why Vets Are Hesitant Of Dentistry 11:53 Dr. Thomson’s Current Practice 14:18 Mobile Practice 20:10 Why Veterinary Dentists Are Needed For 23:10 Endodontics in Pets 25:55 Fourth Premolar Tooth 29:02 What Are Good Things for Dogs to Chew On 32:18 Brushing Your Pets’ Teeth 42:09 Using Dental Wipes 43:49 COHAT Basics 52:06 When Should COHAT Start 58:05 COHAT in Cats 1:01:55 Dentistry and Orthopedics 1:03:46 Rapid Fire Questions 1:11:27 Dr. Thomson’s Biggest Advice 1:15:53 Outro

    1h 17m
  3. EP33 - Equity in Vet Care, COVID Chaos & Private Practice Reality w/ Dr. Ranetta Perkins

    11/05/2025

    EP33 - Equity in Vet Care, COVID Chaos & Private Practice Reality w/ Dr. Ranetta Perkins

    Text me your question or inquiry here! Hey friends! This week on the pod, we’re taking you inside one of the most inspiring and eye-opening veterinary journeys out there — and trust me, you’re going to walk away with a whole new appreciation for the heart, grit, and community behind vet med. We’re joined by the incredible Dr. Ranetta Perkins, a Nashville veterinarian who has done it all — from lab animal medicine and exotics to building her own small-animal practice right in the heart of downtown. We dive into what it’s really like to run an independently owned clinic in a big city, care for pets from all walks of life, and support pet parents who may be struggling, including those experiencing homelessness. Whether you're a pet parent, vet professional, or just someone who loves stories of resilience and purpose, this episode has something for you. Grab your tea, settle in, and get ready to fall in love with Little Urban Animal Hospital and the powerhouse leading it. Do you have a question or inquiry for me? Send me a text from the link above, ask me on any social media platform, or email drmollysayspod@gmail.com! Episodes of The Dr. Molly Says Podcast are on all podcast services along with video form on YouTube! Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/5d574928 TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/2p9kjd9d YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/mr3jradc TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 01:23 Dr. Ranetta Perkins Intro 04:15 Lab Animal Medicine 07:00 Exotic Animal Practice 10:27 Dr. Perkins’ Small Animal Practice 16:20 Operating during COVID 20:23 Dr. Perkins’ Staff 25:06 What’s It Like Being in Downtown Nashville 26:40 What Makes Little Urban Unique 28:23 Pet Care for the Unhoused 34:30 Private Practice Costs 39:50 Knowing When to Adjust Prices 41:08 Distributors Charging Fees On Products 44:00 Ordering Goods as a Small Clinic 46:00 People Getting Priced Out of Owning Pets 49:10 Feeling Judged For Pet Care Costs 50:30 Working in the Service Industry 52:41 Corporate Owned Vs. Private Practice 55:57 How To Compete as a Private Practice Owner 1:00:03 Message for Pet Owners 1:02:35 Increase in Women Practice Owners 1:06 01 Social Media 1:07:20 What Breed Would Dr. Perkins Be 1:09:20 Vet Student Mentality 1:12:03 Outro

    1h 13m
4.8
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

Hey friends! I’m Dr. Molly Brinkmann (@drmollysays), a small animal veterinarian, lifelong animal lover, and your go-to source for all things pet health. Welcome to The Dr. Molly Says Podcast! I’m probably already obsessed with your pet, and I want to help you understand veterinary medicine in a way that’s fun, relatable, and actually makes sense. Each week, I’ll break down important pet care topics, debunk common myths, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at life as a vet. Because let’s be real—life is hard, but dogs help… and so does knowing how to take the best care of them. Grab your coffee (or tea), snuggle your pup (or cat, I guess), and join me every Wednesday at 9 AM EST on all platforms (and YouTube)!