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PODCAST

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett

Dr. Beth Barrett

Pets. People. Practice. Welcome to The Independent Vet — the podcast that helps you give your fuzzy family the best life possible. Hosted by Michael Dargie, join veterinarian Dr. Beth Barrett every other week as they dig into all things pet care: from puppy training and senior cat nutrition to parasite prevention and what to pack in your pet"s first aid kit. Whether you"re a new pet parent or a lifelong animal lover, you"ll find expert advice, surprising facts, and real-life insights from a working

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

28:47

Dog Days in the Water

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/08/06

Swimming, Splashing & the Stuff Nobody Warns You About Season 1 · Episode 12 Run time: ~29 minutes Host: Michael Dargie Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM Michael has spent a lot of summers with wet dogs. Billy, his Staffordshire-boxer cross, was built — as Michael puts it — like a torpedo with the buoyancy of a brick; he'd wade into the river happily and never once swim. Skaya the husky would fetch logs, actual floating logs, until somebody made her stop. And Heidi, the shepherd cross, spent an

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26:17

Worms & Wildlife: Echinococcus Multilocularis in Alberta

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/08/04

Season 1 · Episode 11 Run time: 26 Minutes Host: Michael Dargie Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM Every so often a topic comes with a name so intimidating that people avoid talking about it altogether — and that, Dr. Beth Barrett says, is exactly the problem. Echinococcus multilocularis sounds like a spell from a fantasy novel (Michael gives it a heroic run and lands somewhere around "Alec-Kabam"), but most Albertans know it by its friendlier alias: the fox tapeworm. Here, it's really more of

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44:54

Keeping Your Cat Mentally Fit

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/07/09

Season 1 · Episode 10 Run time: 44:44 Minutes Host: Michael Dargie Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM Michael has been a cat person his whole life, and for most of it he assumed cats basically ran themselves. Food in the bowl, litter in the box, sunbeam for napping, everyone's happy. Turns out that under the sleepy little loaf is a tiny tiger — an animal hardwired to spend its day stalking, climbing, and pouncing. And when that brain has nothing to do, it finds its own entertainment. In this

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01:02:01

Summer Safety For Your Fuzzy Friends

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/06/24

Season 1 · Episode 09 Run time: ~1 hour 2 minutes Host: Michael Dargie Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM Summer is one of the best seasons for making memories with your pets—but it can also be one of the most dangerous. In this episode of The Independent Vet, Michael Dargie sits down with Dr. Beth Barrett to discuss the hidden hazards that arrive with warmer weather and how pet owners can keep their furry family members safe. From heat stroke and wildfire smoke to blue-green algae, ticks,

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35:14

Behind the Barn: Meet the Team

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/05/21

Season 1 · Episode 08 Run time: ~35 minutes Host: Michael Dargie Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM Episode Description Ever wonder who all those people are at your vet clinic — and what they each actually do? In this special "Behind the Barn" episode, Michael pulls back the curtain at Barrett Veterinary Practice with Dr. Beth Barrett to introduce the full team that cares for your pets. From Tammy at the front desk to the Registered Veterinary Technologists who run anesthesia, x-rays and lab work,

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38:15

Spay, Neuter, or Wait?

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/05/06

Spay, Neuter, or Wait? The Independent Vet — Season 1, Episode 7 Released May 6, 2026 Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM Host: Michael Dargie Runtime: 38:15 Episode Overview In this episode of The Independent Vet, host Michael Dargie sits down with Dr. Beth Barrett of Barrett Veterinary Practice to unpack one of the most common—and most debated—questions in pet care: when should you spay or neuter your pet? What starts as a seemingly simple topic quickly becomes a thoughtful conversation

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32:40

Pet Dental Health

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/04/06

Yes, your pets need to brush too. Bad breath might seem like a small thing—but it's often your pet's way of telling you something more is going on. In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Dr. Beth Barrett to talk about dental health—one of the most overlooked parts of caring for your pet. What starts in the mouth doesn't stay there. Dental disease can quietly impact your pet's heart, kidneys, and overall quality of life. Dr. Beth walks through what's really happening beneath the surface, why

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40:22

Fleas, Ticks & Parasites: What You Need to Know in...

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/03/31

Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM — Barrett Veterinary Practice Host: Michael Dargie Runtime: ~40 minutes Spring has arrived in Alberta — and so has tick season. In this episode, host Michael Dargie gets the full picture from Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM, on the creepy crawly world of fleas, ticks, and parasites that every Alberta pet owner needs to understand. Triggered by a listener letter from a panicked dog owner who found a tick after the season's first warm walk, Michael and Dr. Beth break down

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43:07

Equine Nutrition Demystified

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/03/06

Horse nutrition can feel complicated. Grain, hay, supplements, fiber, protein … it's easy to get overwhelmed trying to do the best for your horse. In this episode, Dr. Beth Barrett breaks down the fundamentals of equine nutrition so horse owners can make confident, practical feeding decisions. From why fiber is the foundation of a horse's diet to common feeding mistakes and supplement myths, this conversation brings clarity to what horses actually need to stay healthy. Whether you're caring for a

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43:02

Puppy & Kitten 101: What Every New Pet Parent Needs...

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/02/25

In this episode, Dr. Beth Barrett lays out the essentials every new puppy or kitten guardian should know. Whether you've just brought home a wiggly eight-week-old pup or a curious little kitten, those first few months matter more than most people realize. Dr. Barrett begins with the basics: what's normal, what's not, and why early veterinary visits are about far more than vaccines. She explains how foundational care in the first year sets the stage for a lifetime of health. From parasite prevention

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40:49

What's The Best Diet For My Pet?

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/02/11

Episode Summary If you've ever stood in the pet food aisle feeling completely overwhelmed by the options—grain-free, raw, organic, life-stage formulas, food that costs more than your own groceries—this episode is for you. Dr. Beth Barrett breaks down the fundamentals of pet nutrition across dogs, cats, horses, and even goats, sharing science-based guidance on what "well nourished" actually looks like for each species. From the critical role of macronutrients and micronutrients to why cats absolutely

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34:38

How To Help You Pets Live Longer: Healthy Habits From...

The Independent Vet with Dr. Beth Barrett ·

2026/01/27

Welcome to the very first episode of The Independent Vet, the podcast that helps you give your fuzzy family the best life possible. In this episode, Dr. Beth Barrett—veterinarian and owner of Barrett Veterinary Practice—answers one of the most common questions new pet parents ask: "What do I need to know when bringing home a new puppy or kitten?" Dr. Beth shares what matters most in those first few weeks, including: When to schedule your first veterinary visit Puppy and kitten vaccination

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