Can one of veterinary medicine's top neurologists outsmart the week's biggest headlines?

On this special WVC Nashville 2026 edition of Brain Smarts, hosts Caitlin and Clay Palmer put Dr. Lauren Downey Koos—clinical neurologist at BluePearl Veterinary and WVC Nashville headliner—through Vet Candy's fast-paced veterinary trivia showdown.

From CRISPR-engineered screwworms to augmented reality surgery, a $230 million veterinary teaching hospital, and the surprising science behind your cat's slow blink, Dr. Koos breaks down what's hype, what's real, and why these stories matter to veterinarians.

Along the way, she tackles rapid-fire questions, shares specialist insights, and proves that even neurologists can be stumped.

• Colorado State University's game-changing $230 million veterinary expansion
• The USDA's $105 million plan to stop the New World Screwworm
• Could augmented reality become the future of veterinary surgery?
• The science behind why slow blinking at cats actually works
• A lightning-round made just for veterinary neurologists

Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, student, or simply obsessed with veterinary medicine, you'll walk away with surprising facts, practical takeaways, and a few laughs.

About Dr. Lauren Downey Koos

Dr. Lauren Downey Koos is a clinical neurologist at BluePearl Veterinary in Franklin, Tennessee, and a featured speaker at WVC Nashville 2026, where she'll share the latest advances in veterinary neurology.

About Brain Smarts

Brain Smarts is Vet Candy's fast-paced veterinary news game show, where the brightest minds in veterinary medicine compete against the week's biggest headlines. Think Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!—but for veterinarians.

Don't miss WVC Nashville 2026!

Join thousands of veterinary professionals August 15–18 in Nashville for four days of world-class CE, hands-on labs, networking, and the biggest names in veterinary medicine—including Dr. Lauren Koos. Sign up here: https://www.viticusgroup.org/wvc-nashville?utm_campaign=45126685-WVCN26%20-%20Vet%20Candy&utm_content=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29&utm_source=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29

Subscribe to Vet Candy for weekly veterinary news, research, expert guests, and trivia that every veterinary professional should know.

#veterinarypodcast #vetcandy #veterinarian #veterinarymedicine #animalhealth

Can an internal medicine specialist outsmart the week's wildest veterinary headlines?

On this episode of Brain Smarts, hosts Caitlin and Clay Palmer welcome Dr. Stephen Carey, veterinary internal medicine specialist and Associate Dean at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, for a fast-paced game comedy show.

Sign up for WVC Nashville here: https://www.viticusgroup.org/wvc-nashville?utm_campaign=45126685-WVCN26%20-%20Vet%20Candy&utm_content=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29&utm_source=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29

From surprising research and bizarre animal stories to the latest breakthroughs in veterinary medicine, Dr. Carey puts his knowledge (and sense of humor) to the test. Along the way, you'll hear about some of the biggest stories shaping the profession and get a preview of one of the featured speakers at WVC Nashville 2026.

Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary student, technician, or simply love veterinary medicine, this episode delivers laughs, learning, and plenty of unexpected moments.

In this episode:

• Veterinary news trivia and current events
• The latest research making headlines
• Funny facts from the world of veterinary medicine
• Dr. Stephen Carey's journey as an educator and clinician
• A preview of WVC Nashville 2026

Subscribe to Brain Smarts for new episodes featuring veterinary experts, news, trivia, and the stories everyone in vet med is talking about.

#veterinary #veterinarypodcast #veterinarymediciine #funnypodcast #smartpodcast

Vet Candy's Medical Mysteries with Dr. Courtney Campbell Episode: The Mystery of the Cat with the Big Belly

A cat walks in with an acutely enlarged abdomen and a history of "not doing right."

That's it. That's all you have.

What do you do next?

On this episode of Vet Candy's Medical Mysteries, Dr. Courtney Campbell sits down with veterinary technicians Peter Carlos and Jaycee to unpack one of the most unforgettable cases they have ever worked together. A cat. A big belly. A story that takes more turns than anyone in that exam room expected.

Peter and Jaycee were there from the beginning. They know exactly what happened. And they are ready to tell it.

Press play. You will not believe what happens next.