What if you could know—before you ever give a pill—whether your dog or cat is likely to have a bad reaction? In this episode, Dr. Alice and Janet sit down with Dr. Katrina Mealey, Associate Dean for Research at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, NIH-funded researcher, and Inventor of the Year for her groundbreaking genetic test that flags pets at risk for serious adverse drug reactions.

Dr. Mealey explains the science in plain English: a natural “gatekeeper” protein called P-glycoprotein (coded by the MDR1 gene) protects the brain and body by pumping out potentially toxic compounds. When a pet carries certain MDR1 mutations, many common medications—prescription and OTC—can reach dangerous levels. We cover how the cheek-swab test works, how to get it for your pet, which breeds are most affected, why dosage matters  ...