Dig In with Dr. Steph (2024)

23/09/2021

It's spooky season, and also a great time to celebrate our spooky cats 🐈‍⬛
October is , and there are more black cats in shelters than any other coat color. While there may be multiple reasons for that, superstition should not be one of them. Here's a few reasons why black cats are a great addition to your home -
🎃They are cuddly and lovable just like any other cat!
🎃 No need to lint roll your black leggings
🎃 They look spooky at Halloween but are likely just goofy/playful/purry biscuit machines like Pancake here 👇
🎃 They need homes and are overlooked in shelters!

Many shelters will have occasional special adoption pricing for black cats during this time - so if you're considering a new feline friend, look no further! 🖤

14/09/2021

It was a busy week last week! 🥵
I went home feeling tired, but thankful to be able to help people and their pets and keep them together. I have really enjoyed my time at VEG so far for that reason.
September is month at VEG, where each day a different hospital across the US donates its proceeds to its own fund and to a charity! The VEG Cares fund goes directly to underserved pets in the community - and each hospital has their own fund to dedicate to the cause.
is hosting our Dare to Care day tomorrow, September 15, but accepts donations to our VEG Cares fund at all times! Stop by VEG Alpharetta tomorrow to join the fun, and learn about our 5k in October and some fun giveaways this month!
For more information, see my latest blog post in my bio 👆 or send me a message! I'm proud to be part of a company that gives back to the community at every opportunity ✌️

03/09/2021

Good morning from me, Mugsy, and this quiche Lorraine ☀️
Used some garden rosemary to season this veggie quiche! A classic quiche Lorraine has bacon, but this one started with onions cooked in butter and ended up being a pretty tasty breakfast 😊
Mugsy got her own little bite of plain egg this morning since onions are a no-go for our pets, so don't be tempted to share ❌
Check out the link in my bio 👆 for the recipe!

01/09/2021

What a beautiful September 1! 🌞
The pups supervised the planting of our backyard herb garden. Excited to use some of these for some savory bakes! Thinking about a quiche Lorraine for breakfast this week.... 🤔
Remember to make sure your plants are pet safe! A few of our pet safe plants out here include rosemary, basil, and dill. Happy gardening! 🌿

20/08/2021

💧 DRIP
It's rainy today, which called for some comfort - and these glazed Earl Grey bundlets did the trick!
This recipe uses the same cake base used in my Earl Grey cupcake recipe, but I made a simple vanilla glaze instead of the blackberry buttercream, and these cute little silicone bundt molds that make them so much more fun 🥰
For the recipe, check out my Earl Grey cupcake recipe 👆 in my bio 👆 , grab a warm cup of tea, and get creative!

27/07/2021

We ❤️ a happy story in the ER!
This sweet kitten was found and rescued by a good samaritan who brought him in and took on his care. He had a painful eye infection leading to severe damage. After an enucleation (surgical removal of the eye) he's feeling much better! He'll do just fine with his one eye
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He's now in foster care and on the way to recovery! We're rooting for you little one! 😻

13/07/2021

Starting a new chapter this week 🚀
If you haven't heard of VEG, it's an emergency veterinary hospital that keeps pets and their owners together through the process. I'm excited to be a part of the team and help more animals in our area! 🤩

09/07/2021

Study buddies 😺
Did you know that your vet never stops studying? Even after four years of undergrad + four years of school + however many years of specialty training they take, there's always something new out there to learn or brush up on. In fact, we're required to acquire a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain our license. ✅
What does that mean to you as a pet owner? It means we're always striving to bring you the most up to date information as we make recommendations, and those may change over time. It also means you can trust that we've put in the time and effort to bring that to you! 🤓

08/07/2021

Leftover July 4 berries make a great galette 🤩
This dessert is meant to look rustic, so don't worry too much about how perfect your folds turn out! It's best served with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Yum 😋
Check the link in my bio 👆 for the recipe!

04/07/2021

Happy 4th! 🧨🦅🇺🇲
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday! And since I work in the , here are a few tips to keep your pets safe this weekend:

🧨 Anxiety related to fireworks is one of the big reasons for ER visits this holiday - pets may get loose and wander/run, resulting in injuries or vehicular trauma. It's a good idea to keep your pets inside today! If you've got an anxious pet make them a safe space in the home, play some calming music, and give medications only if prescribed by your vet.

🧨 It's tempting to share our cookout food with our pets, but corncobs and chicken bones are common intestinal foreign bodies that cause obstructions. Fatty foods can also cause pancreatitis - so treat your dog to dog treats only and keep the people food away!

🧨 Keep lighter fluid, matches, fireworks, sparklers, etc out of reach of pets.

🧨 Don't allow your pet to drink pool water, be mindful of their boundaries near pools to avoid them falling in, and be aware of the temperature of the pavement to avoid your pet burning their paws 🐾

Stay safe out there!

03/07/2021

Happy 4th weekend! 🎇
Today I made some festive berry mini pavlovas - they look and taste like a cloud ☁️ mine are filled with cookie butter and topped with freshly made whipped cream!
This is the type of dessert that looks fancy and complex but is actually pretty easy to make! If you've got time to bake low and slow, you can make these at home.
Check out my website in my bio 👆 for the recipe!

02/07/2021

Veterinarians - we're like doctors, but our white coats have more dog hair on them 🥼🐕
I remember my white coat ceremony in vet school. Being able to put on that fresh coat and think about my future career was such an exciting day! But just as our white coats are a bit more tattered and worn than they were that day, our career doesn't always look like a pristine and linear path.
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The field of medicine is messy. It's a science - which means we're always learning something new today that we didn't know yesterday. The human touch that your doctor brings to your pet's care comes in the form of a series of decisions - not only what's most up to date in the literature, but also how your pet's care looks in the context of concurrent problems, your pet's well-being, your finances, and what you're comfortable with. Every case is a little bit different, and that's the beauty of it. We're here learning and growing every day to help your pet live their best life 💟

18/06/2021

🥳 GIVEAWAY time! 🥳
Thanks SO much for your support!
I'm partnering with Little Cup of Heaven Cafe and Bakery LLC on Instagram to send you some swag and say thanks!! Click the link below to see the rules and enter! 🥰 Closes Monday, June 21 ✨

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQOQ9x9JwNA/?utm_medium=share_sheet

16/06/2021

Happy summer 🍉
I am by no means an amazing cookie decorator, but it was fun to learn a couple solid recipes for outlining and flood icing yesterday! It's like a little art project that you get to eat 😋
I may, however, need to start taking volunteer cookie eaters with all this dessert in my house 😂

15/06/2021

https://youtu.be/zuwlfhI5Y7A

Special guest video is up! 🎥
Did you know that you can become a specialist in veterinary medicine, just like at a human hospital? Cardiologists, neurologists, internists...they're all out there for your pets! And veterinary technicians who work in these settings can come with specialized training as well.
🏥
In this video, I had the honor of interviewing Angelina Sims, CVT - she's a former internal medicine & critical care technician, and now the owner of Little Cup of Heaven Cafe & Bakery in Jacksonville FL. We talk about what it was like to work in specialty veterinary care, as well as what her career in baking looks like now!
👆 Link in bio for the interview, and check out the Recipes tab for her lemon bar recipe! 🍋

14/06/2021

👩‍⚕️ Colleagues 👩‍⚕️
I am lucky to have found support through my colleagues and friends in my career so far. It is so valuable to have someone to talk through challenges with, and to bounce ideas off one another.
Career support comes in many forms, including mentors, teachers, internmates, and coworkers. The coolest part is that you may be a source of support to someone else at the same time, even if you don't have as much experience in the field, and even if you don't feel that you have guidance to offer. There is a lot of value in having the latest information coming out of school too ✨
Who are your supporters? Tag 'em ⬇️
Lookin' at you ❤️

12/06/2021

Stay cool this summer 😎
It is HOT out there already, and heat stroke is a real thing! Our dogs may push themselves further than they should this season, so keep a couple things in mind while you keep an eye out:

☀️ Make sure pets have shade and water access when outside

☀️ Supervise your pets outside to make sure they're not getting too hot

☀️ NEVER leave pets in a hot car alone. Overheating while stressed can be quickly fatal.

☀️ Test the temperature of asphalt with your feet before walking your pets across. Paw burns really do happen!

☀️ Signs of heat stroke in pets include excessive panting, dry/sticky gums, abnormal gum color, collapse, confusion/disorientation, and even seizures.

☀️ On your way to get veterinary treatment, cooling the body should be controlled by pouring cool (not cold) water over the body, feet, or head and providing constant airflow to encourage evaporative cooling.

Stay safe (and cool) out there! 💙

09/06/2021

Looking to treat your best friend? 🐶
This recipe is one that your pup CAN eat!
My dog treat recipe is made with several pet-safe people foods, including peanut butter (check label to make sure there's no xylitol!), blueberries, and applesauce. They're quick to mix up, easy to bake, and fun for your pups!
Check out my Pet Safe People Foods video on my website to follow along with the recipe ☀️

07/06/2021

Did you get a new family member this year? 🐶
Many animal shelters have reported large increases in adoption rates during the pandemic, some of which were left with empty kennels from so many pet adoptions! With so many new dog owners out there, many of whom are home to be present with their dogs during this time, a lot of dogs have become used to always having us around. So what happens when the world opens back up, and we have to think about being away from home during the day?
🤔
Dogs may start to exhibit signs of separation anxiety, which is a diagnosis based on behaviors exhibited when they are left alone - vocalizing, chewing/scratching/destructive behaviors, and inappropriate elimination to name a few. Here are a few points for dealing with separation anxiety:

💙 Reach a diagnosis. There are a few differentials for behaviors such as these, and separation anxiety is just one of them. Talk to your vet about the situation to help determine what's likely going on.

💙 Record your dog's behavior. Journaling behaviors or taking videos of behavior can be really helpful in identifying the problem, as well as tracking progress.

💙 Consider options for your dog's daytime routine. Can they come to work with you? Stay with a friend or relative? Of course, this isn't always possible, but there may be more options out there than staying home.

💙 Talk to your vet about creating a safe space at home for your dog. This is often an area that they choose to go willingly and sleep. Be sure to talk through crating options with your vet, as some dogs exhibit confinement anxiety and crating can be a source of distress that requires training rather than an immediate solution for the problem.

06/06/2021

Sunny days ahead ☀️
Lina's lemon bars are bright, sweet, tart, and just the summery bite you need this season! They're easy to make and even easier to cut up and share 🥰
Check out my website above for the recipe, and stay tuned in the next few days for my video where Angelina and I talk about what her job as a critical care and internal medicine technician was like, as well as her new endeavor opening !

04/06/2021

It's !
💽
Did you know that only 3-4% of dogs, and less than 1% of cats arriving at shelters are microchipped?
😳
A microchip is a small device implanted under your cat or dog's skin, usually at the time of spay/neuter, that stores owner contact information. When a stray pet is brought into a vet clinic or shelter, they will often be scanned for a microchip to try to return them home. When pets go missing, they may lose their tags or collars - so a microchip takes care of this problem!
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One thing to keep in mind is the differences between microchip companies and registration. Make sure that if your pet does have a microchip, you keep their registration active so that your info is always saved!
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03/06/2021

First aid Mugsy to the rescue 🏥
(Ignore our messed up floors...)

Today I got together some of my pet first aid kit! It includes:
❤️ Bandage material, gloves, medical tape
❤️ Tools (bandage scissors, tweezers, thermometer)
❤️ Ice pack (instant)
❤️ Antihistamine
❤️ Kwik-stop powder
❤️ Antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and betadine wipes

Other useful items may include saline flush, a syringe, a flashlight 🔦
A first aid kit is by no means a replacement for taking your pet to the vet for care, but these supplies can definitely come in handy when you need them before transport! If you have everything together in one place it's easy to find or have available for people watching your pet.

01/06/2021

"A day spent snuggling a puppy is not a day wasted."
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- okay, I made that quote up. Trying to justify the way I've spent my morning so far... 😴
I hope your day includes puppy snuggles!
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29/05/2021

Mornin' ☀️
Breakfast bakes are the perfect way to wake up this weekend! Pair with your breakfast beverage of choice and some fresh fruit 😋
If you haven't seen my recipe for cinnamon sugar knots, check them out on the Recipes page of my website! They're fun to make and enough to feed the whole crew this holiday weekend 🍓
www.dogtorsteph.com

28/05/2021

Pre-Dogtor Steph 🐶
A few (okay, several) years ago, I was a very excited pre-vet student ready to take on a new career. I had no idea what challenges, growth, heartbreak, and joy I would go through on this journey, but it has been worth the effort.
If I could give my past self advice going into the field, I would want to say a few things. So to those of you who are entering the veterinary field, graduating vet school, or considering the career path, remember this:

❤️ You are capable. Medicine is a humbling career, but you do have the knowledge and abilities necessary for this job. Really, you do.

❤️ You are not alone. You will build and continue to grow bonds with colleagues and friends that will keep you grounded, help you brainstorm when you can't figure it out, and keep you doing your best.

❤️ You can't pour from an empty cup. Remember the boring, mundane self care tasks that are absolutely necessary to keep yourself well. Drink the dang water bottle.

Congratulations to all the new dogtors starting out their careers this year! Remember that your colleagues are all here for you and cheering you on 🤩

23/05/2021

Summer's almost here ☀️
Although my videos are on hold while my house is out of commission, I couldn't resist sharing one of my favorite recipes with you!
🍓🫐🍒
These are Earl Grey cupcakes with a blackberry buttercream. Lightly sweet and fragrant, these are a great addition to a summer picnic or get together. Even my husband (who doesn't have a sweet tooth) likes these! The buttercream is naturally colored by these gorgeous blackberries, and I like to garnish with fruit and mint leaves for extra color.
🍰
The recipe is up on my website at www.dogtorsteph.com - Be sure to check it out!

22/05/2021

How do I start if I'm afraid to fail?
🌸
I find that this question for me is often accompanied by asking myself, is it too late for me?
The answer, of course, is no! It's never too late to start something that may bring you joy. But what if I start, and I suck?
😬
As someone who went through vet school (any recovering perfectionists out there?), I have an inherent tendency to avoid things that I'm worried I won't be good at. Especially things that would be visible for the world to see.
My first batch of macarons was an absolute disaster- and I often bake things that turn out very differently than I thought they would. 😂 anyone? I wish I had photos to share, but I remember feeling ashamed of my failures - I didn't want to document something that embarrassed me.
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The truth is, all of us try and all of us fail, whether you see it or not. It's easy to give up when it feels like you aren't good at something. I'm in the same boat with you!
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I'm here to tell you to keep trying - take a break if you need one, talk it out with someone you trust, but keep trying. Focus on forward progress. You may find that it lead you to something that brings you purpose. ✨

19/05/2021

Anyone else have a judgmental office cat?
😹
Grey likes to keep me company - and by that I mean stare at me while I look at . What's that, you ask?
🦠
Cytology is the interpretation of an aspirate of cells. If your pet has a lump or bump, a mass or suspect disease within a (reachable) body cavity, or fluid buildup, your vet may recommend using a needle and syringe to get a small sample of cells. The cells are then sprayed onto a slide, stained, and sent to a clinical pathologist.
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Traditionally, clinical pathologists learn with and use microscopes to look at the cells. However, is a growing field in veterinary medicine and there are many digital options out there today!
📺
For my vet friends, offers monthly online rounds and goes over some interesting cytology cases - check them out!

11/05/2021

Borrowed a kitchen, but I got to bake today! 😍
These are cereal milk macarons - a vanilla shell with fruity pebble-steeped milk buttercream. Fun to make and to eat!
😋

10/05/2021

💧Essential oils and our pets 💧
Essential oils are popular these days, and they've been used for many different purposes in the household - for cooking, for aroma, and people sometimes apply them to their skin or ingest them. Let's remember one important thing - your pets are not humans!
❌
Several essential oils can have toxic effects in dogs and cats - including tea tree oil, wintergreen, pennyroyal, and more, and are sometimes used in an attempt to treat skin conditions or prevent fleas/parasites. These oils are absorbed across the skin and orally, and metabolized by the liver. Toxicity associated with these oils may look like drooling, vomiting, ataxia (wobbly or irregular gait), respiratory distress, and liver damage.
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Oil diffusers may cause respiratory irritation in your pets, and if they have any underlying respiratory conditions (such as feline asthma), it can cause even worse symptoms.
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Only use products on your pet that are recommended by your vet, and ask your vet before introducing a new product. Parasite preventatives in the form of prescription products are safe and effective, and medical treatment for skin conditions or vet approved products avoid the toxic potential that essential oils carry!
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For more information, check out the ASPCA Poison Control Center website or Pet Poison Helpline website. You can find links to their sites on my website at dogtorsteph.com 😺

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06/05/2021

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong." -W.R. Purche

It's ! 😺🐶
Remember to hold your furry friends close this week - we need them just as much as they need us 🥰
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04/05/2021

Okay, we've got some cat stars in here 😻
THANK YOU for sending me your videos! It was so much fun listening to all the vocalizations. My new video went up on my channel today! Be sure to look out for all the special guests 😸❤️
Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you? Cats make some of the most varied vocalizations in domestic animal species! Today we're talking about a few of those and what they mean. Click the 👆 link in my bio to watch!
Our recipe this week is for my Saturday Morning Cartoon cookies, based on the Milk bar cookie recipe I learned in my baking class! I talk a little bit about the class at the end of the video if you're interested in finding out what the class is all about.
In the mean time, our home is undergoing some major renovations after a flood 😿 so baking will be on hold for a while. As always keep the suggestions coming and I'll focus mostly on Instagram and my website to get you the info you need! 😺

03/05/2021

Let's talk 🦷🪥
The visible parts of your dog or cat's teeth are the tip of the iceberg. Food, bacteria, and saliva form plaque, which mineralizes into tartar, and forms a cycle of inflammation which can lead to bone loss. A lot of that disease can happen beyond the visible part of the tooth, too. To avoid this, we usually recommend dental cleanings at least once a year for your pet. But there are also things you can do at home!

🦷 Brushing your pet's teeth even twice a week can help avoid tartar formation. Use PET formulated toothpaste, NOT human toothpaste (which contains xylitol and is toxic‼️). You can start by introducing the paste first without a brush to get your pet used to it.

🦷 Dental wipes, pads, and rinses/water additives are available for pets who don't tolerate brushing. Although not a complete substitute for the mechanical action of brushing, it may be a good option for your pet (check website below for product recommendations!)

🦷 Dental treats are a great way to reduce plaque and tartar formation! When looking for a dental treat, check for a seal by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) on the bag! And ALWAYS supervise your pets when giving treats or chews at home.

For a list of approved dental products (treats, wipes, rinses, diets) check out the VOHC website. For more info on dental disease I recommend the VIN Veterinary Partner article titled "Dental Home Care for Dogs and Cats". Here's to healthy teeth! 😁

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01/05/2021

After baking these recipes for 30 days, I got to visit a location!
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I finished the baking class about a week ago, and our first recipe was the cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow cookie - so of course I had to order one here! It was delicious of course 😋🍪

29/04/2021

I want to take a moment today to say THANK YOU 💕
This project of mine started with a love for teaching and learning. There's so much information out there today about your pets online, and it can be hard to figure out what is and isn't factual or supported by research. I wanted to find a way to bring information to you as a cat or dog owner and learn something you might not have known before. Baking is my creative outlet and a new thing I'm still learning a lot about, so it felt like a fun step in a journey we could take together.
👩‍🍳
My channel has been on a break for a little while due to a few different reasons, most recently some damage to our house that will need intense attention. In the mean time I'll bring all the tips, tricks, and facts that I can on my other platforms! I appreciate everyone's support and attention so far - thanks for sticking with me! 🥰
📸 Katey Penton Photography

28/04/2021

The Milk bar baking class has kept me busy this past month! I don't think I've gone through sugar and flour so quickly before.
🎂😳
I've learned so much about using memories and experiences to be creative in baking, and it's been a really fun and unique approach to new recipes. Here are a few of my bakes from the last 30 days!

25/04/2021

Got any talkative kitties at home? 😸
My next video will feature cat vocalizations and what they mean - and I'm looking for videos of cats chattering, meowing, purring, or trilling! If you've got them send me a message or comment and I'll be in touch!
😻
Here's my own little guy looking appalled that his mom has the nerve to pick him up 😳
As always, I'm listening to your video requests and will keep incorporating your suggestions! Keep em coming!

21/04/2021

My natural habitat: coffee in hand, pup by my side 🐶
I have never been (and likely never will be) a morning person. Luckily a lot of ER shifts happen later in the day or overnight, which helps my night owl self work at my best.
🦉
I have learned, though, that dragging my bleary self out of bed early in the mornings does really help my productivity during the day when I'm not on - so it's all about finding a balance. A coffee to plug my brain back in and my dogs' energy to motivate me in the morning have turned out to be a good combo 👍
When do you work best? Are you an early bird, a night owl, or something in between? 🐥🐓🦆🦜🦚
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20/04/2021

My channel is taking a break while my week has been busier than usual 🐝

Would I rather have missed a video this week because I was too busy snuggling my derpy scruff bear? Always 🐻 so let's pretend that's the reason!

Your regularly scheduled programming will resume shortly, so look out for the next video! I appreciate everyone's support in this fun project of mine - and as always, send me your burning pet care questions and I'll keep notes for my future topics!
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Hope you'll dig in with me!