The Dr. Molly Says Podcast

Dr. Molly Brinkmann
  • 4.8 (58)
  • Pets & Animals

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. 6d ago

    How I Designed a Vet Clinic Built for Both Pets AND People

    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 💛 --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------

  2. Sep 2

    The Biggest Red Flags at a Veterinary Clinic, What Veterinarians Wish Pet Owners Knew, and Our Emergency Vet Success Stories w/ Dr. Tannetje Crocker

    This week on Dr. Molly Says, I’m hanging out with our FIRST repeat guest, Dr. Tannetje Crocker! We’re talking about veterinary medicine, practice ownership, motherhood, social media, and what it’s really like trying to build a business while juggling everything else. Then we get into YOUR questions…from choosing the right veterinarian and veterinary clinic red flags to dental health, supplements, arthritis, emergency cases, and more. Plus, we talk about how pet owners can better support their veterinary teams and share some of the craziest cases we’ve seen in emergency medicine. 😂 Basically, it’s two veterinarian friends talking about the realities of vet med, business, pets, and everything in between. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 00:00 Dr. Tanja Is Back! 04:31 Opening a New Veterinary Surgery Practice 14:15 Answering Your Pet & Veterinary Questions 17:13 The Pros & Cons of Being a Vet Content Creator 23:40 Balancing Motherhood & Practice Ownership 29:31 What Pet Owners Should Ask Their Veterinarian 47:58 Veterinary Clinic Red Flags 56:47 Crazy Emergency Vet Stories 01:02:43 How to Support Your Veterinary Team --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Follow Dr. Tannetje Crocker: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dr.tannetje.crocker  ---------------------------------------------------------------

  3. Aug 26

    Pet Vaccines 101: Parvo, Distemper, Lepto, Lyme & More

    This week on Dr. Molly Says, we’re going to vet school! Well… kind of lol.  We’re doing a Vet School for Pet Owners episode because I firmly believe educated pet parents are the best pet parents, and today, we’re talking about something that every dog and cat owner has probably dealt with at some point: vaccines. I’m breaking down the diseases we vaccinate our pets against, what those diseases actually do, and why your veterinarian recommends the vaccines they do. Because “your dog needs the distemper combo” is helpful information… but knowing what that vaccine is actually protecting your dog from? Even better. We get into: What the infamous distemper/parvo combo actually protects dogs fromWhy distemper can be so devastating, including the neurologic form that can show up weeks or months laterWhy parvo is basically the absolute worst and why it’s so incredibly contagiousWhat leptospirosis is, why it’s now considered a core vaccine for dogs, and why it’s not just a “farm dog” diseaseThe truth about the kennel cough vaccines (and why they don't necessarily prevent every single cough)Canine influenza, Lyme disease, and which dogs may benefit from those vaccinesThe vaccines cats need, including herpesvirus, calicivirus, and feline panleukopeniaWhy feline leukemia vaccination is especially important for outdoor catsWhy some vaccines are recommended every year while others can be given every three years Basically, if you’ve ever sat in your veterinarian’s office and thought, “Okay, but what exactly are you vaccinating my pet AGAINST?” - THIS episode is for you. LOVE YOU GUYS 💛 Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome y’all!! 00:52 Why Pet Owners Should Understand Vaccines 02:01 Dog Vaccines: What Are We Protecting Against? 02:25 Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza & Parvo 03:28 Canine Distemper 08:59 Adenovirus 11:21 Parvovirus 17:00 Parainfluenza & Kennel Cough 8:57 Dog Core Vaccine Schedule 19:41 Leptospirosis 24:10 Bordetella & Kennel Cough 26:01 Canine Influenza 28:13 Lyme Disease 30:07 Cat Vaccines 30:42 Feline Herpesvirus 33:21 Feline Calicivirus 34:34 Feline Panleukopenia 36:25 Feline Leukemia Virus 38:30 Final Thoughts & Vaccine Q&A --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------

  4. Aug 19

    The Truth About Heartworm Disease Every Dog Owner Should Know

    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 disease01:20 What heartworm actually is03:58 How mosquitoes transmit heartworm07:18 The heartworm life cycle explained11:10 What heartworms do inside the body15:57 Early signs of heartworm disease17:34 Right-sided heart failure & caval syndrome20:13 Wolbachia bacteria & why it matters for treatment22:30 How veterinarians diagnose heartworm disease25:45 Heartworm treatment explained30:39 Why treatment is expensive (and dangerous)31:39 Heartworm prevention myths debunked32:28 How heartworm preventatives actually work34:24 Ivermectin, resistance & prevention options36:30 Why year-round prevention matters37:43 Why your vet recommends annual heartworm testing38:31 Indoor dogs still need prevention39:20 LOVE YOU GUYS 💛---------------------------------------------------------------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/drmollysaysTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysaysFollow the podcast:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod---------------------------------------------------------------

  5. Aug 12

    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 taking a little trip down memory lane!!! We’re working hard behind the scenes on the clinic right now (more on that soon 👀), so while we’re in the thick of it, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes with my friend and internal medicine specialist, Dr. Nicole Fein. 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 specialist* The 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 med* Why internal medicine is basically the “everything that doesn’t make sense” specialtyPLUS: 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 bed 00:02:00 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 sees 00:18:30 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 sooner 00:37:00 Cost conversations & setting expectations 00:39:00 Making specialty care more accessible 00:42:30 Trends in cases + city vs rural vet med 00:46:00 IVDD, surgery vs medical management 00:49:00 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/drmollysaysTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysaysFollow the podcast:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod

  6. Aug 5

    The Truth About Corporate Owned Veterinary Clinics (What Pet Owners Need to Know)

    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 medicine00:02:26 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 industry00:12:27 Why veterinary costs have increased over the years00:15:17 What actually happens after a practice is bought out00:20:02 Why I'm hopeful about the future of private practice00:23:29 How pet owners can support independent veterinary clinics00:25:25 The hidden cost of unhealthy dog breeds00:31:37 Final thoughts + What comes next --------------------------------------------------------------- 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

  7. Jul 29

    Kidney Disease in Pets: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

    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!!! --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------

  8. Jul 22

    Everything You Need to Know About Yorkshire Terriers (From a Vet!)

    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 --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------

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4.8
out of 5
58 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)!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Molly Brinkmann
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Molly Brinkmann
  • Show Website
    The Dr. Molly Says Podcast

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