Series 10 – Episode 2

Join dog trainer and dog behaviourist Lara Shannon, with veterinarian Dr Melissa Meehan and expert guests, for evidence-based dog and cat health advice focused on prevention, early warning signs, and practical solutions to common pet health problems.

Episode 2 of Series 10 of Pooches at Play focuses on dog skin allergies, bloat in dogs, parasite control, grooming for double-coated breeds, pain and inflammation, and how lifestyle choices impact long-term pet health. The episode also highlights how dogs are helping children through animal-assisted learning programs.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• How Animal Welfare League QLD’s Story Dogs program supports literacy, confidence and emotional wellbeing through positive interactions with trained dogs.
• Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs – what causes chronic skin allergies, common symptoms like itching and inflammation, and veterinary approaches to long-term management.
• How to save money on dog food without compromising nutrition – integrative veterinarian Dr Nicole Rous shares smart feeding strategies that still protect your dog’s health.
• How your dog’s lifestyle affects parasite control – why environment, activity level, travel and wildlife exposure change flea, tick and worming needs.
• Grooming dogs with double coats – how to groom correctly to reduce shedding, protect skin health, prevent matting and avoid damaging the coat.
• Bloat in Dogs (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus) – early warning signs, emergency treatment, which dogs are most at risk, and steps owners can take to help reduce the risk.
• Managing pain and inflammation in dogs – how PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) may support dogs with chronic pain and inflammatory conditions.