VETzInsight

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

VETzInsight

One Down, Three to Go
July 19, 2025
In the Galapagos: A Different Type of Medicine
July 5, 2025
Standards of Care: A Moving Target
May 20, 2025

We live in a litigious society and no one has a standard of care that can be easily defined
My Invisible Dog
March 19, 2025

I thought I was a responsible pet owner. Auggie Doggie caused me to rethink this almost daily.
Heat Stroke Havoc: Horses and Cows and Pigs, Oh My!
March 19, 2025

"Heat stroke? Horses get that?"
Dying: A Tale of Two Species
March 19, 2025

As a daughter and as a veterinarian, it's not easy to watch my father die.
Black Wings
October 28, 2024
Don’t Blame the Janitor
January 27, 2024
In the Hollow
October 31, 2023

The downed cow's owner somehow thought "over the ridge, just before the trees" was a near reasonable address to give the vet at 5:30 on an October evening.
Watch out for Dog Holes
July 14, 2023

Digging is normal canine behavior
Who Goes First in the ER?
July 7, 2023

It may not be who you think
Hot Cars Are Not for Dogs - but They're OK for Defrosting Fish
June 19, 2023

Heat stroke can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate treatment
Hot Cars Are Not for Dogs - but They're OK for Defrosting Fish
June 19, 2023

Heat stroke can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate treatment
The Opioid Crisis Affects Pets, Too
May 5, 2023

It was the simplest thing to give Gucci a dose of naloxone
Oil in Water
October 28, 2022

The thief in the kayak heard only a strangled slurp as the bow of the now empty dinghy nuzzled into his boat's side
Nonverbal Cues Help Us Better Understand Dogs
October 7, 2022

Dogs deal with issues in making friendships too
Geriatric Pet Care is Not for the Faint of Heart
July 27, 2022

Caring for a geriatric pet comes with a new set of challenges
The Obese, Large-breed Dog Spay
July 15, 2022

Some veterinarians' most dreaded surgery is spaying an obese, large-breed dog
If I Could Talk to the Animals
July 1, 2022

As soon as he put the dog on the table, everything changed: "Who's my good boy?"
Fighting like Dogs and Cats
June 10, 2022

What kinds of things can happen when a dog decides to take on a cat?
Writing Neurotic Instructions for Dog Sitters
May 6, 2022

That's why nothing untoward happened that did not involve tuna particles
Why Are Asymptomatic Carriers Important?
March 4, 2022

An asymptomatic carrier is infected with a disease but has no signs of it
Video Recording in Exam Rooms
February 11, 2022

If you want to record anything in an exam room, be on the up-and-up about it
A Flash of Blood and Euthanasia
February 4, 2022

Bandy was my best friend in a world that was wildly out of my control
SARS-CoV-2 in Pet Hamsters (and a Massive Over-Reaction)
January 21, 2022

Short term isolation would allow the virus to be naturally eliminated in an individual hamster or group
An Indirect Effect of the Pandemic
January 14, 2022

A week too easily became a month and then six.
Finding a Dog Trainer
January 7, 2022

Pay close attention to the training your trainer has received
Zoonotic Infection from Household Aquarium
December 10, 2021

There's a need to balance costs vs benefits, and being proactive vs paranoid
Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Pregnant Humans
November 19, 2021

I felt like I would be the poster child for Who Develops Toxoplasmosis
A Potential Dog-Origin Coronavirus in People
November 12, 2021

“Relax, but pay attention”
Beyond the Fire's Edge
October 22, 2021

As I stumbled over the rocks, wiping sand and ash from my eyes, something large loomed in my periphery
Respiratory Disease Outbreaks In Dogs
October 15, 2021

We’re still not sure what’s going on
Deafness Shouldn’t Be a Death Sentence
October 8, 2021

Training him isn't all that different from a hearing dog
Why Can't I Get My Pet Seen?
October 1, 2021

It was one thing to give the job 110% when the pandemic started and we were all in this together
Meet Dog X: What would you do?
September 17, 2021

I took an oath to protect animals and Frank was in (some) danger.
Death Under Anesthesia
September 10, 2021

The shelter patients I'm talking about are far from young and healthy
Simple Questions May Be the Hardest
September 3, 2021

The ability to euthanize has been a blessing and at other times a curse
Canine Rabies Imported into Canada from Iran
August 20, 2021

The dog was imported on July 1 and started showing signs of rabies on July 11
Kennel Cough Vaccination in Dogs: Human Health Risk?
August 13, 2021

People with cystic fibrosis should avoid exposure to live veterinary bacterial vaccines
Pets and Evacuation Planning
July 30, 2021

Anyone, anywhere can be affected by a natural (or unnatural) disaster
An Open Letter to My First Patients
July 23, 2021

Each of the earth's critters is still a little patient
Would You Bet Your Life on Pretty Sure?
July 16, 2021

Will he get rabies and die terribly because he didn't do anything when he had the chance?
COVID-19 and Animal Visitation Programs
July 9, 2021

What’s the risk of animal visitation programs? People.
Animal Victims of the Human Opioid Crisis
July 2, 2021

Pets and veterinarians are occasionally being used as pawns
Cheating Isn't Winning
June 25, 2021

What meaning does winning have if you have to cheat to get there?
Purchasing a Puppy? Buyer Beware
June 18, 2021

Puppy Lemon Laws outline the options for the buyer of an ill puppy
Confessions of a Needle Weenie
June 11, 2021

Oh, the irony of a tattooed veterinarian blanching at having blood drawn
Diagnosing Diabetes with My Feet
June 4, 2021

The sooner treatment is started, the sooner things will improve
Sit. Stay. Listen. Training the Owner to Train the Pet
May 28, 2021

“I cannot undo in 30 minutes what you have not done for 6 months.”
Pandemic Pets
May 21, 2021

For some people, the love was temporary, like a summer fling
When Should I Spay or Neuter My Pet? It’s Complicated
May 14, 2021

The answer "When should I spay/neuter my pet" is "It depends"
Language Matters: The False Dichotomy of Kill/No-Kill
May 7, 2021

Shelters are not “kill” and “no-kill.” They are “open admission” and “limited admission.”
SARS-CoV-2 in Animals: Another Update
April 30, 2021

Infection of cats and dogs isn't rare, but severe disease is
Children of Veterinarians
April 23, 2021

"Ms. Kinder, there's dog feces in the sandbox," said the young Claire.
A Lot Can Happen in a Year: Musings on the VCPR
April 16, 2021

Treating a pet without a valid VCPR can land a veterinarian in a hot kettle with the licensing board
Are You an Aptronym, Too?
April 9, 2021

Hi, I'm Dr. Woolf, like the animal
Keep the Easter Bunny Out of My ER: Avoid these Easter Pet Hazards
April 2, 2021

Eating lilies can kill cats within 1-2 days
Veterinarians' Perfectionism Can Drive Suicide
March 26, 2021

I'm a perfectionist, and I'm trying very hard not to be
Dog-to-Person Transmission of Staph pseudintermedius
March 19, 2021

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a bug that’s found in and on most dogs
When Vets Are Allergic to Pets
March 12, 2021

About 20% of polled veterinarians have allergies to cats or dog
The Cat's Meow
March 5, 2021

Meowing beyond kittenhood is believed to be a language designed for interacting with humans
Clinical Hope: Two Dogs, Three Universities and a Cancer Trial
February 26, 2021

"I was anxious to get into this trial"
COVID-19 and Overdue Dog and Cat Vaccines
February 19, 2021

Does being overdue for a vaccine mean you have restart the primary vaccination series?
More Again on COVID-19 Scent-Detection Dogs
February 12, 2021

My current answer is... maybe... in some situations... potentially.
When Kitty Bites the Hand that Feeds Him
February 5, 2021

I suspect they inadvertently taught him to bite
Ducklings and Donuts
January 29, 2021

“Can we keep only one or two of them?”
Sympathizing with Human Health Care Providers
January 22, 2021

It's hard to work where you’re lacking supplies, inadequately staffed, and making life-and-death decisions daily
Your Dog’s a What?
January 15, 2021

No longer is your dog a mongrel or a mismate, but rather it’s a “breed”
Masking the Problem
January 8, 2021

Be sure to not leave a facial mask – especially a used one – within reach of your dog
One Last Hurrah
December 11, 2020

Why do some pets have a last rally just before their euthanasia appointment?
Holiday Gifts for Veterinary Clinics
December 4, 2020

What can you do to show your appreciation to your veterinary team during the pandemic?
Giving Thanks for our Pets
November 25, 2020

The VetzInsight team thought this year would be a good time to voice our reasons for being thankful about our own pets.
Team Bird-Cat: Partners in Picky Eating
November 20, 2020

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for picky eaters
Backyard Poultry Salmonella Update
November 13, 2020

Any human-to-animal contact has a mixture of risks and benefits (just like any human-to-human contact)
On the Tip of the Tongue
November 6, 2020

Amazingly, it’s not just tongues that can get caught
Things that Go Urp in the Night
October 29, 2020

As I neared the bathroom, something raked across my calf. I jumped, teleporting against the wall, heart pounding.
Does My Cat Have Asthma?
October 23, 2020

A brief description of the basics in feline asthma
Why Would a Little Puppy Need to See a Veterinary Behaviorist?
October 15, 2020

When puppies have extreme reactions to new experiences, they don't outgrow them
Alaskapox Virus -- Yes, That’s a Thing
October 9, 2020

Emerging disease always emerge for one of a few reasons
Unblocking a New Perspective
October 2, 2020

That softball was his bladder, and he was completely blocked
How to Achieve World Peac… – SQUIRREL!!!!
September 25, 2020

"Daddy! We found a baby squirrel and I’m sure it’s mom abandondeded it and if we don’t do something it will die!"
Persistence is Her Middle Name
September 18, 2020

The act of listening and watching for her physical cues is a valid avenue of communication
Uncle Mikey’s Maxims
September 11, 2020

I was sure I’d screwed up tremendously and had failed Uncle Mikey’s expectations
The Dog After the Grief
September 4, 2020

7 years later, Part 4 of Euthanizing Aggressive Dogs: Sometimes It's the Best Choice
Is CPR Worth it in Pets?
August 28, 2020

A vet school study showed only a 5% rate of discharge from the hospital after CPR
Getting Outside with Our Four-Legged Friends
August 19, 2020

Getting outside with our pets can be a necessary reminder of all of the beauty the world has to offer
Why this Veterinarian Shouldn't Have a Pet
August 14, 2020

Aren't the morals of an animal doc with no animals a bit suspect?
What’s so Special about General Practice?
August 7, 2020

When asked what I want to do as a veterinarian, I give one of two responses depending on the audience
I Used Cracker Barrel Syrup in a Clinical Setting, and I’d Do it Again
July 31, 2020

Any puppy or kitten who comes into the ER is hypoglycemic until proven otherwise
CBD Use in Pets: A Graphic Explanation
July 24, 2020

Can I use CBD products for my pet or not?
The Unusual Reason I Chose Veterinary Medicine
July 17, 2020

I did not always dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Another Canine Importation Debacle, and Another Canine Importation Rant
July 10, 2020

As long as people are willing to buy dogs from places that bring in cheap breeding stock from overseas, the problem isn’t going to go away
Managing Atopic Dermatitis: A Graphic Explanation
July 3, 2020

Atopic dermatitis means your dog is allergic to something in their environment.
Forget Where’s Waldo - Where’s Wallace?
June 26, 2020

We turned a big corner in the Take Your Dog to Work Day marathon when Wallace became the unofficial face of VIN on the road.
Four-Legged Therapists
June 19, 2020

My first important therapist, Cinder, began seeing me when I was about six years old
COVID-19 Scent-Detection Dogs
June 12, 2020

It would be really cool to have a dog hanging out at the entrance of busy places, picking out infected people
Spring 2020 Trivia Quiz
June 5, 2020

It's another trivia quiz and not one question has anything to do with COVID-19 or the election!
Nuking My Cat (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love I-131)
May 29, 2020

I can’t even trim Steve’s nails, so the thought of giving her pills twice a day made me anxious
Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs?
May 15, 2020

Stem cell therapy transplants stem cells back into the body. Is it good for dogs?
COVID-19 in Animals: Odds and Ends
May 8, 2020

Pug owners should relax (some have apparently already asked about getting rid of their dogs)
You, Too, Can Be a Foster Failure
May 1, 2020

A number of foster families have become “foster failures” during the pandemic
Pets and COVID-19 Fears
April 24, 2020

The risk of pets being a source of COVID-19 in a household is exceptionally low with some basic practices
My Least Favorite Room in the Hospital: Isolation
April 22, 2020

A tiny patient behind glass is hard to monitor, even with cameras and baby monitors
Responding to the Anti-Vaccination Culture
April 17, 2020

Associating autoimmune problems with rabies vaccines has little evidence
Proper Pandemic Petiquette During COVID-19
April 10, 2020

The days of the nail trim are temporarily suspended
COVID-19 in a Tiger
April 6, 2020

Don’t over-react
Pets of people with COVID-19: What to do if the owner can’t care for them?
April 3, 2020

The main goal is to reduce contact of the animal with new people and new environments
COVID-19 in a Cat: Belgium
March 27, 2020

I don’t have any more concern today than I did before this report
Fearmongering During a Pandemic is Very, Very Bad
March 19, 2020

Hand sanitizers will not kill your pets because it has different ingredients than antifreeze
Vigilance against Pestilence
March 13, 2020

Apply tool, pull tick out, and listen to it scream for mercy
Puppy Hate: Isn’t There a Word for Judging Something Before You Know It?
March 6, 2020

It's easier to hate an abstract idea than a breathing, licking example
What Does Cockfighting Have to Do With Backyard Chickens?
February 28, 2020

The best way to prevent VND from spreading like a wildfire is strict biosecurity
Modified-live Pet Vaccines and Immunocompromised Owners
February 21, 2020

Most of the modified live vaccines used in dogs and cats pose no risk to people
Wounded by Wildfires
February 14, 2020

Burns have causes beyond wildfires and are seen with some regularity by veterinarians
Novel Coronavirus and Wildlife Markets
February 3, 2020

The harder question is, “What should be done about wildlife markets?”
Stunk by the Skunk
January 27, 2020

I really did not want to get on a plane smelling like skunk
Decrease Your Cat Allergies by Vaccinating Your Cat
January 20, 2020

Can you vaccinate your cats so you're less allergic to them?
Dr. Enema, Your Lube is Ready
January 13, 2020

Sometimes the poo just won't come
A Microbiome Rant
January 6, 2020

We don't really know what we're looking at
Dealing with my own Mistakes
December 16, 2019

What have I learned?
The Bodacious Misery of Giardia
December 9, 2019

Her sickest patients had been to a petting zoo
Nothing Bleeds Like a Cut Ear
December 2, 2019

A bit of blood looks like a shocking amount when splattered over white brick
Veterinary Holiday Skills
November 25, 2019

Veterinary skills I possess are exercised at Thanksgiving in particular
High Anxiety: Pot and Pets
November 19, 2019

Veterinary ERs can use a concentrated fat solution to treat cases of severe pot intoxication in dogs
When Antibiotics Fail - and They All Will
November 18, 2019

Stop referring to a coming post-antibiotic era as it is already here
Protect your Pet from Medication Errors
November 11, 2019

Sadly, I have seen a lot of veterinary medication errors
Consideration for Classroom Critters
November 4, 2019

In classooms, consider animal welfare and inherent risks to children
Night of the Dogs
October 28, 2019

All three dogs leapt and hung on by their teeth, trying to get at its great, thick neck
Strangles and Horse Shows: Cancellation vs Infection Control
October 21, 2019

It’s just common sense: infection control 101
Safety First with Treats, Toys and Earthworms
October 14, 2019

The key to offering treats is moderation
Catching a Live Mouse from Two Cats
October 7, 2019

Some of my favorite patients have been mice but I don't want a wild one loose in my home
20 Questions of Animal Trivia
September 23, 2019

Test your knowledge!
Bat on a Plane…What to Do?
September 16, 2019

The bat was caught with a cup and a book, and locked in the cabin bathroom
Bloody Interesting: The Amazing Properties of Blood
September 9, 2019

Your pet's blood is a shapeshifting, cancer-fighting biker gang that keeps him alive and healthy
Arachnophobes, Start your Engines!
September 2, 2019

What do you do if your pet is bitten by a spider?
Self-victimization and Animal Neglect
August 26, 2019

Animal neglect can happen when owners are in bad shape
Listening to our own Breed Advice
August 19, 2019

Even veterinary professionals have to do breed research
Take the Responsibility for Vaccinating
August 12, 2019

Old Yeller wouldn't have died if he'd gotten his rabies shots
Don’t Make my Mistake: Prevent Heatstroke
August 5, 2019

When I was a teenager, our family accidentally killed our dog
Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: What Is It?
July 29, 2019

The post-exposure rabies vaccine is no longer a long, painful ordeal
The Weekly Cluster
July 22, 2019

It's the unexpected in the land where the unexpected is the coin of the realm
Is It a Rescue Group or an Animal Hoarder?
July 15, 2019

Animal rescues morphing into hoarders is one of the fastest growing types of animal abuse
Teach Puppies before Training them
July 8, 2019

Make it easy for puppies to do the right thing
“Dad, a Chick Pooped on Me”
July 1, 2019

I'm not against animals in schools or backyard poultry. I'm just against being stupid.
The Limitations of Being a Specialist
June 24, 2019

No general practitioner would ever miss a case of kennel cough
Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?
June 17, 2019

Help turtles survive our infrastructure
Are Veterinarians Required to Report Animal Cruelty?
June 10, 2019

No one wants to report suspected animal abuse while doubting the validity of that decision
Brucella canis Updates: US Dogs, Canadian Person, and Lots of Canadian Dogs
June 3, 2019

Brucella canis is of greatest concern in imported dogs and dogs from commercial breeders
Game of Phones
May 28, 2019

It's not just about the doctor's time, it's also about your valuable time
Rat Bite Fever from Pet Rats
May 20, 2019

Both bites and scratches are implicated as sources
Staying Ahead of the Dog Flu
May 13, 2019

Vaccination recommendations can change due to circumstances
Ticks . . . Ick
May 6, 2019

There's a new kid in town
The Stranglehold of Strangles
April 29, 2019

Strangles is a bacteria-borne nightmare
Raw Food, the FDA, and Salmonella
April 22, 2019

You may have heard about raw food diets for dogs and cats.
3 Bigs and a Little
April 15, 2019

With 3 Newfs and a Pom, we have 408 lbs of dog
The Sweet Truth about Dogs and Chocolate
April 8, 2019

Chocolate ain't all that bad for dogs - depending on the type of chocolate, that is.
The Perils of Pointy Pets
April 1, 2019

Human-pet-companion relationships aren’t always safe for all parties
Death Cap Mushrooms on Parade
March 25, 2019

Death Caps are being seen more often across the country
Drunk Raccoons?
March 18, 2019

If it's not rabies or distemper, it could be plain old drunkenness
Photographing Faceless Black Animals
March 12, 2019

I bet a lot of your photos of black pets look like black blobs too
Twilight Pets (Vampires Not Included)
March 4, 2019

Why do crepuscular pets wake you up when you’re sleeping?
Jeepers Creepers! What's up with those Feline Peepers?
February 22, 2019

Knowing what to keep your own eyes peeled for can help you identify potential problems in your cat's before they become serious.
What Do you Do after your Pet’s Cancer Diagnosis?
February 19, 2019

There are many different types of cancer and they behave differently in the body
Endangered Panthers and a Domestic Cat Virus
February 11, 2019

Outdoor cats need particular care in areas with wild felids, particularly endangered species
Heart Parts: Pericardial Effusion
February 4, 2019

Imagine trying to take deep breaths wearing a jacket four sizes too small
Resist Using Antibiotics Incorrectly
January 29, 2019

Think of trillions of bacteria holding up little "Resist!" signs and chanting "Say it loud! Say it clear! Bacteria are welcome here!"
Sheep Make Joy and Sweaters
January 21, 2019

Like 6th graders, sheep flock together by instinct to protect themselves
Wash your Hands and Save a Skunk
January 14, 2019

We’re all one big population of animals that can periodically share diseases
Through a Veterinarian's Eyes
January 7, 2019

We can ruin almost any meme, movie, commercial, or story by looking at it with veterinary eyes
New Year's Resolutions to Benefit your Pets
December 31, 2018

The new year is a perfect time to make changes that will earn big rewards in your pet's life
Holiday Bites
December 17, 2018

The rabies-related response to a bite is nothing new, but it still causes a lot of confusion
The Joys of Living with an Older Dog
December 10, 2018

We find humor and sweetness in living with an old dog
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas...but not a Puppy
December 3, 2018

If a pet is truly wanted there are some great options to put under the Christmas tree
“I Could Never Give Them Up”
November 12, 2018

I went into this knowing he wasn't staying
Suicide Affects Veterinary Technicians Too
November 5, 2018

Words can hurt more than we realize
Through the Door Darkly
October 29, 2018

"A rustle downstairs jumpstarted my heart. I dove back under the comforter, blood pounding in my ears."
What Kids Learn from Pets
October 22, 2018

Pets teach children bits and pieces of how life works
Campylobacter Outbreak from Pet Store Puppies (and an Antibiotic Rant)
October 15, 2018

55% of treated puppies received antibiotics when they weren't sick
Moving with Pets
October 8, 2018

Let my student days be an example of how not to move your beloved pets
Bailey the Gutless Wonder and the Cone of Shame
October 1, 2018

A dog can break open her spay incision with bad consequences
Taking Pains for your Pet's Happiness
September 24, 2018

Animals show pain differently than we do
Veterinary Reality TV Isn’t Real
September 17, 2018

Are veterinary reality shows any better than police dramas?
"We Sent your Dog to a Farm"
September 10, 2018

I always wonder what other lies they told me
Prevent Vaccine-associated Sarcoma
September 4, 2018

Some vaccinations can cause a cancer to form where the vaccine was given to a cat
Fighting like Cats and Dogs
August 27, 2018

Actual fighting is rare
Medical Mistakes as Seen on TV
August 20, 2018

Too often the science is just so wrong!
Cat-Proofing Your Home -- Because Resistance is Futile
August 13, 2018

Cats don't actually give a hoot about our expectations
Hairy Horses and Glands Gone Wild
August 6, 2018

Every spring it got worse. 'Seriously!' I glared at my horse, spitting out a mouthful of fuzz and looking at the drifts of horse hair in the pen. 'I could make a pony out of all of this!'
May the Force Feeding Not Be with You
July 30, 2018

Pets who are not eating need to be nutritionally supported, but not with force feeding
Do Bugs Need Drugs?
July 23, 2018

Antimicrobial resistance is a problem in human and veterinary medicine
My Dog Chews my Stuff
July 16, 2018

I shouldn't leave anything where she can reach it
So You Want to Marry a Veterinarian
July 9, 2018

Veterinarians often expend their emotional energy during the workday
In the Dead of the Night at the Veterinary Clinic
July 2, 2018

As I crept down the dark hallway, flashes of lightning lit the way
Can my Dog Get Swimmer’s Ear?
June 25, 2018

Dogs can’t tell us that they feel like a 10-ton weight is inside their ear canal.
Why Are my Dog's Toenails Breaking?
June 18, 2018

Have you examined nutrition as the cause?
Tick, tick, tick…Check!
June 12, 2018

80% of ticks are found on a dog's head, legs, neck, and chest
A Tale of Two Spays
June 4, 2018

Human and canine/feline recovery is very, very different
Got Goat, Will Travel
May 28, 2018

What about when they have to go to the bathroom?
Will you Test my Tick?
May 21, 2018

Tick-wise, we’re in a different world now
Ring around the Rosie: Ringworm
May 14, 2018

“It’s spreading like the plague!”
Saying Goodbye
May 7, 2018

Saying goodbye is never easy, regardless of how or when it happens.
A Royal Pain in the Butt
April 30, 2018

Most pets keep their anal glands excreting smoothly...but not all
Animal-associated Deaths in the United States
April 23, 2018

1610 deaths were reported, or about 200 per year
Old Horses at Home: Feeding
April 16, 2018

Just like us, horses can’t eat like college students forever
Broken Bone on Thursday, Surgery on Tuesday
April 9, 2018

Orthopedic surgeries are a mix of physics, carpentry and biology
A Veterinarian by any Other Name
April 2, 2018

A 30-year veterinary school reunion brings surprises
My Dog's Feet Smell like Fritos
March 26, 2018

We are diligent owners of a food-allergic dog
The Dangers Children Can Cause Pets
March 12, 2018

My children aren’t the only ones to facilitate a critter jailbreak
The Safest Way to Break up a Dog Fight
March 5, 2018

Our instincts can fail us in these situations
More Emotional Support Animal Ranting
February 26, 2018

Balancing true need with peoples’ self-centered behaviour is increasingly difficult
Listen to Me: I Need to Give My Dog Away
February 16, 2018

Dad taught me the importance of listening to people
Make it Sew? To Suture or not to Suture
February 12, 2018

Sometimes the best thing for a wound is to not repair it
The Scoop on Poop
February 5, 2018

The scatological truth is that poop concerns cause veterinary visits
Should you use Cheerful Blue Cleaners in Toilets?
January 29, 2018

Toilet slurping has far less severe consequences than in the past
Old Horses at Home: (Not) Long in the Tooth
January 19, 2018

As your horse enters old age, dental exams become even more important
Why Do Cats Pee in the House? Part 2: The Veterinarian’s Perspective
January 15, 2018

Cats are probably where the term “pissed off” originated
Why Do Cats Pee in the House? Part 1: The Pet Owner's Perspective
January 8, 2018

Inappropriate elimination is a common reasons for cats to go to shelters
What’s up with Canine Leptospirosis?
December 15, 2017

The incidence of Leptospirosis seems to have increased
Chewing Bones is Bad, Bad, Bad for Teeth
December 7, 2017

Dogs end up with root canals or having important back teeth extracted
A Rose by any other Name
December 4, 2017

Think carefully about the name you bestow upon your new pet
E-Collars Are so much Fun! (But for Whom?)
November 27, 2017

E-collars are an essential tool in veterinary medicine
Holiday Gluttony
November 20, 2017

Most holiday pet hazards revolve around food, glorious food
Along the Treatment Highway
November 13, 2017

Treat and Manage is the detour that takes you way off the Highway of Life
Super Bowl Syndrome Can Be a Dog’s Undoing
November 6, 2017

Looks like you'll be watching the game in the ER waiting room
Odin's Murder
October 30, 2017

The dreams started that night (Halloween fiction)
The Ick Factor
October 23, 2017

Everyone - even veterinarians - has a threshold for ick of some sort
The Real Cost of a Cute Nose
October 16, 2017

"A lot of what I do is trying to deal with bad genetics.”
Acclimating your Horse to the Vet Visit
October 9, 2017

Help the horse associate new things with comfort and treats
Acclimating your Pet to the Vet Visit
October 2, 2017

Take many short car rides and don't go to the veterinarian
Boobies for Newbies: Mammary (Breast) Cancer in Companion Animals
September 29, 2017

In dogs or cats spayed before sexual maturity, mammary cancer is virtually unheard of
Why Mothers Refuse to Mother
September 25, 2017

This isn’t an entirely uncommon scenario
Come Play with Me!
September 18, 2017

Play is a mind-body activity
Comments and Policies
September 15, 2017

Why they are what they are
Who Says Alcohol and Veterinary Medicine Don’t Mix?
September 11, 2017

There are typical uses, and then there's Old Milwaukee
Eating Dinner with Veterinarians
September 5, 2017

The meat on the non-veterinarian’s plate can become an anatomy specimen
My Life as a (Veterinarian’s) Dog
August 28, 2017

Donating blood isn't the only thing I do "in the name of science"
Age Isn’t A Disease, But…
August 18, 2017

Many clients focus on potentials risks of anesthesia and avoid treatments requiring it
Mostly, Lipomas in Dogs Look Bad but Aren’t Bad
August 14, 2017

Usually they're nothing more than a minor cosmetic problem
Don't Fall Victim to the By-product Panic
August 7, 2017

You should be cheering, rather than sneering, at by-products
Your Dog Ate WHAT?
July 31, 2017

Dogs view the world as edible until proven otherwise
Horse Housing Hazards
July 24, 2017

Horses make toddlers and teens look like masters of caution and self-preservation
Kennel Cough: What the Hack?
July 17, 2017

Dogs can get kennel cough anywhere
Top Five Owner Must-Haves
July 10, 2017

Keep your pet happy and healthy and your relationship solid
What do Test Results Really Mean?
June 30, 2017

Which ones are necessary? How much can I trust the results?
I Don’t Wanna and I Don’t Have to
June 26, 2017

I refuse treat a dog whose behavior is too aggressive for safety
It's Take your Dog to Work Day!
June 16, 2017

Know your dog and your colleagues before bringing Fido in
Solving Feline Potty Problems
June 12, 2017

Doing the detective work is important
Pet Perils of Primavera
June 5, 2017

Nasty surprises hide amongst the green shoots of spring grass
The Great (Tortoise) Escape
May 30, 2017

They found a tunnel under the tortoise house
A Hot Mess: Heating Pad Injuries
May 22, 2017

Heating pad burns can be horrific
Pup Lick Relations
May 15, 2017

Is it safe or hazardous for dogs to lick human faces?
Can't We All just Get Along?
May 8, 2017

Teach children how to approach and play with dogs
Veterinary Guilty Pleasures
May 1, 2017

The number one guilty pleasure is popping something icky
Not Cool, Bro(methalin)
April 24, 2017

Bromethalin is like some relentless, vicious psycho-killer
Serving the Service Dog
April 14, 2017

Babysitting a service dog involves complexities that don’t arise with other pets
No Running: Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast
April 10, 2017

In emergencies, no shouting. No throwing. No drama. No running.
To Help or Not to Help
March 24, 2017

She couldn't legally be treated without the owner's permission
Parrot Phones and Pet Profiles: Keeping in Touch with your Veterinarian
March 20, 2017

Patient portal applications can be great
Tincture of Time: Watchful Waiting
March 13, 2017

Our propensity is to link unrelated events
Flesh-Eating Disease and Horse Slobber
March 3, 2017

Remember to wash your hands
What Do You Do When Ear Drops and Oral Antibiotics Don’t Work?
February 24, 2017

Continually dumping antibiotics in won't resolve chronic ear infections
Do you Have a Vet yet? You Do, Don’t You?
February 20, 2017

Having a vet is not always part of the whole having a pet thing.
Those Pesky Veterinary Myths
February 13, 2017

The Universe, in its wisdom, did not create a vomiting species.
Kindergarten is for Kittens
February 6, 2017

The socialization period is thought to end around seven weeks
String Theory for Cats
January 30, 2017

Long stringy things are especially dangerous for cats
Living with a Dog with Megaesophagus
January 20, 2017

Bear is my second dog with megaesophagus
Making Life or Death Decisions is Painful and Scary
January 16, 2017

Make your decisions based on your life at that point in time
Feline Myths
January 6, 2017

Some of the most popular myths are easily debunked
What Would You Do, Doc?
January 2, 2017

The question is based on trust so I feel privileged
This Fungus is Everywhere and Wants to Kill Everyone
December 27, 2016

Blasto can pretty much do what it wants, where it wants and look like anything
Can One Letter be the Difference Between Life and Death?
December 19, 2016

This case that could have gone all kinds of wrong
Why do Animals have Moustaches with GPS?
December 12, 2016

Vibrissae help animals navigate in dim light
The "Trainwreck" Incident
December 5, 2016

The ICU chart is never a place for humor
Cat Clowder Cuisine Conundrum
November 28, 2016

Sharing is caring, but not for medical diets
Coughing, Coughing, Coughing, But Why?
November 21, 2016

The first thing that jumped out was the loud heart murmur
Say NO to Sago!
November 14, 2016

The toxic sago palm resembles a pineapple having a bad hair day
Squirrels as Pets: A Really Bad Idea
November 7, 2016

Squirrels and other wild animals make lousy pets for numerous reasons.
Don't Feed the Wildlife
October 31, 2016

Once, the swarm had been controlled by the local bats.
How to Love your Local Shelter
October 24, 2016

A shelter is a community’s animal resource center
Is Giardiasis Getting Too Much Attention for Diarrhea?
October 17, 2016

Only a small percentage of dogs and cats develop diarrhea
Blood Glucose Curves Help Keep Diabetic Pets on the Straight and Narrow
October 10, 2016

Being regulated lets the kidneys do a happy dance
Diseases We Shouldn't See
October 3, 2016

The list isn't limited to illnesses caused by viruses
Is there a Health Risk with Urban Chickens?
September 26, 2016

The simple answer is: we don't know.
Hospice for Pets - Is it Right for You?
September 19, 2016

It was a peaceful ten days for Daizy, but not for my friend
How to Lead a Cat to Water AND Make Him Drink it
September 12, 2016

Cats who eat a dry diet need more water than those on canned food.
What Would you do with an Injured Stray? Part 2
September 6, 2016

The pressure and moral issues can become overwhelming
What Would you do with an Injured Stray? Part 1
August 29, 2016

Injured strays are some of the most divisive and hard fought cases
Diagnostic Crotch Sniffing?
August 19, 2016

Is training dogs to find bacteria in urine a good thing?
What if? Communicating CPR Status
August 9, 2016

The success rate of CPR in getting pets home and functional is low
Is Your Indoor Cat Completely Safe? Think Again…
August 1, 2016

Living as a house cat doesn’t rule out bad things happening
Seizures: When the Brain Misfires
July 21, 2016

Seizures are frightening things to experience
Euthanizing Aggressive Dogs: Sometimes It's the Best Choice
July 18, 2016

Some dogs aren't wired correctly, and no amount of training or medication can fix that
Outfoxing the Foxtail
July 11, 2016

Foxtails act like tissue-destroying missiles trailing bacteria
New Superbug in Dogs and Cats: mcr-1
July 5, 2016

mcr-1 may leave you with zero treatment options
When the Patient Is our Own
June 27, 2016

Knowledge and access to information can be a two-edged sword
Skunky McSkunkface: Skunk Spray Can be Lethal
June 20, 2016

That stinky spray can - rarely - cause hemolytic anemia
Real Vets Use Duct Tape: And Other 'Tails' of Veterinary Improv
June 13, 2016

Vets learn the art of medical equipment improvisation
There’s a Test For That Tick! But Is There a Need?
June 6, 2016

Some tick testing results are not useful
Speedos and Kitty Upper Respiratory Infections
May 31, 2016

Perhaps some infected cat sneezed on the purple Speedo
Form and Function: Choosing Healthy Pets
May 23, 2016

Any animal you get should fit into your lifestyle
Rebekah and the Very Bad, Terrible, Awful Visit to the V-E-T
May 16, 2016

I'm horrified that I took five pets to the same appointment
Patience, Grasshopper: Let's Not Jump to Conclusions
May 9, 2016

If your trainer says to go to the vet, do not be mad
Cat Fight! Is Détente Possible When the Fur Flies?
May 2, 2016

Even cats who have been BFF's for years can become enemies
A Veterinarian's Medical Advice for Humans
April 25, 2016

To take care of your pets in a crisis, you have to take care of yourself
Benadryl and Orange Fanta Make a Bitter Pill
April 18, 2016

Have a clear plan for getting medicine into your animal
Why Vets Have Clinic Cats
April 8, 2016

Clinic cats are more than goodwill ambassadors
Lying Down with Dogs (and Cats!)
April 4, 2016

Opinions on sleeping with pets range from desired to disgusting
When Touch Hurts: Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
March 21, 2016

There is no silver bullet to treat this syndrome
The Unkindest Cut
March 14, 2016

Prepare for when your horse injures himself: not if, when
Zika Virus and Animals
March 7, 2016

Maybe, but there's no evidence animals can get sick from exposure
When Love Hurts: Demystifying a Cat’s Love Bites
February 29, 2016

Some people don’t enjoy this mouthiness
Adopting Out Aggressive Dogs
February 17, 2016

Don't do it!
Why Cats Lick People: It's Not just a Matter of Taste
February 16, 2016

Does your cat slowly devour you like a lollipop?
Confections of a Dangerous Kind: Xylitol
February 8, 2016

Xylitol does the sugar-impersonating bit too well
Raccoons make lousy pets. Really.
February 1, 2016

Nothing stops them from chomping flesh when they want to
Von Willebrand’s Disease: Inconvenience or Deal Breaker?
January 25, 2016

Vonnie was the perfect puppy except for her one tragic flaw
I Don’t Know Why: Idiopathic Disease
January 18, 2016

"Idiopathic" sounds so definitive. Sadly it ain’t necessarily so
Our Understanding of a Disease Changes over Time
January 11, 2016

Thanks to medical research we always learn more
My Veterinary Support Group: Clients Helping Clients
January 4, 2016

Margie, it's Dr. Johnson. I have another one. Time to talk?
Christmas with the Cat
December 21, 2015

There's tinsel in the litter box, hairballs 'neath the tree
"It’s a Natural Cure, Doc"
December 14, 2015

Every supplement is labeled a dietary supplement - and therefore unregulated
Popping the Corn Myth
December 7, 2015

Grain-free pet food is a fad, like salad shooters, shake weights, or hula hoops
If You Have to Ask...
November 30, 2015

We want to hide from potential bad news
The Eight Most Vital Things Pet Owners Need
November 16, 2015

Taking care of a pet means a lot more than just putting down a bowl of food
You Want me to Brush my Dog’s Teeth?
November 9, 2015

I told clients to brush their pet's teeth but never did it myself
Caught Between a Rock and a Soft Spot
November 2, 2015

After writing about TNR, I'm still not sure which side I'm on
Releasing the Hounds from Hell
October 26, 2015

He loved to hang two or three heads out the window; he loved the wind on his faces, the cool air, and the sounds of car wrecks behind him
On the Corner of No Diagnosis Ave. & Desperately Sick St. the Shops Sell only Misery
October 19, 2015

Unlike TV, in real life you don't always get a diagnosis
Bite Back at Rabies
October 12, 2015

Bats are the most common cause of rabies in people
The Most Dangerous Poison: The Unknown
October 5, 2015

There's no readily available toxin panel like you see on TV. TV lied to you.
Flying the Friendly Skies with a Fake Service Dog
September 28, 2015

Pretending a pet is a service dog is illegal in Florida
Hey, Who Let these Pests in Here?
September 21, 2015

One flea is all it takes to start a reaction
The Infinite Sadness of HappyTail
September 14, 2015

When the tail wags the dog, the resulting tale is sometimes one of woe.
The Infinite Sadness of HappyTail
September 14, 2015

When the tail wags the dog, the resulting tale is sometimes one of woe.
The Infinite Sadness of HappyTail
September 14, 2015

When the tail wags the dog, the resulting tale is sometimes one of woe.
The Eyes Have It
September 7, 2015

Eyes are deceptively complex
The Eyes Have It
September 7, 2015

Eyes are deceptively complex
Saying Yes to Drugs
August 31, 2015

Sedation makes stressful and painful procedures less uncomfortable and scary
Pets, Kids: Is there a Difference?
August 24, 2015

Yesterday I realized that control is an illusion
Killed by a 'Wart': Don't Let Entropy Do in your Dog
August 17, 2015

Doggie lumps start in mid-life with a little giblet you find while petting
Think Your Pet is Grouchy? Maybe She Is Ouchy!
August 10, 2015

Animals in pain don’t send out the same signals as humans
The Great Escape
August 3, 2015

He had somehow forgotten to close the garage door all the way
You're a What? What's a Pathologist?
July 27, 2015

Cells are put onto on a slide and evaluated for disease microscopically
Cats, Cat Carriers, and Related Angst
July 20, 2015

There's none of this convenient business of opening the car door and having Rover hop in
The Parrot's Tale
July 13, 2015

Nikolai's awesomeness results from tons of socialization and work
Companion Animals Soak up the Bad AND Good
July 6, 2015

Pets have a body-mind component to health and illness
Caught by the Red Herring Trap
June 22, 2015

The trick is to pay attention without getting too hung up on any one thorn
I got Afterbirth on my Nice Shoes, Dangit!
June 15, 2015

The devil may wear Prada, but probably not during a C-section
X-rays are Black and White but they aren’t Black and White
June 8, 2015

An X-ray is uncertainty made manifest
To Yelp or Not to Yelp
June 1, 2015

Online reviewers may not have the same preferences as you
Nothing is Routine
May 25, 2015

A lot can go sideways when we expect “routine” to yield a predictable outcome
Get off the 'Net and Phone a Vet
May 18, 2015

For urgent concerns, don't email or text: speak to a live person
Like Fish, your Vet Never Leaves School
May 11, 2015

Vet school is just the basic beginning of medical education and training
Help your Pet by Helping Yourself
May 5, 2015

Take care of yourself first and your pet will be better off
Sniffles, Snuffles, and Crud: ACHOO!
April 27, 2015

Our four-legged friends are also burdened by the snurfly schnoz
Sniffles, Snuffles, and Crud: ACHOO!
April 27, 2015

Our four-legged friends are also burdened by the snurfly schnoz
Dogs Don't Get Heart Attacks, But They Do Get This
April 20, 2015

Hemoabdomen cases seem to come out of nowhere
Why Do I keep You? Let me Count the Ways
April 13, 2015

Admit it - sometimes even you wonder why you have pets
Natural Pet Food from Mother Nature
April 6, 2015

In commercial food in the U.S., "natural" means nothing
What's in a Name?
March 30, 2015

What animals' names say about their owners
Fleas and Ticks: How one Hot Scientist and her Pocket Protector Help your Pets
March 23, 2015

Protect your pets from the utterly unaesthetic unappealingness of disease-carrying fleas and ticks
ADR: Learning from History
March 16, 2015

“Well, Doc, y’know...he just ain’t doin’ right.”
Signs of Cancer
March 9, 2015

Cancer happens when normal cells don leather jackets and go on a vandalism spree
Spring Training
March 2, 2015

Animals fall out of peak condition during winter
How to Trust an ER Vet you just Met
February 23, 2015

Pre-screen your veterinary ER options to be ahead of the game
Gotta Get those Annual Exams
February 16, 2015

Not to stress anyone out, but they could save your pet's life
Why Whiskers is Whisked off to the Back Room
February 9, 2015

Most owners in a back room get in the way and booger up the routine
A Four-Legged Mentor
February 2, 2015

I was created by a horse
The Weekly Train Wreck
January 26, 2015

The default means of reacting to any event is to vociferously overreact
Even Big Burly Guys Faint at the Vet's
January 19, 2015

At the clinic, vets see a pattern to the pre-fainting routine
Is it Beauty or is it Disease?
January 12, 2015

It's hard for veterinarians to appreciate the simple joy of nature's creatures
Happy New Year!
January 5, 2015

You, Dear Readers, began sharing your stories in comments and we became a community
Tinsel the Serial Killer
December 22, 2014

Tinsel twists and tangles within the confines of the contracting intestine
To Dress or not to Dress
December 15, 2014

I’m tempted to throw a robe – or four – over my jammies in the hope that I can sleep-treat the cat
Cats in Dryers and Other Unsafe Warm Places
December 8, 2014

The long-term consequences of seeking warmth
I'm Moving and can't Take my Pet
November 24, 2014

Pets are not disposable, but they shouldn't be an unwanted anchor either
Why is There a Cat on my Computer?
November 17, 2014

Cats don’t care how they get your attention as long as they get it
The Cremains of the Day
November 10, 2014

Where do the remains of euthanized pets go, and what happens to them along the way?
Training Aggressive Dogs
November 3, 2014

Punishment-based training is inappropriate yet the dominance theory persists
My Last House Call
October 27, 2014

Halloween fiction for those who dare
Caught by a Collar!
October 20, 2014

Best prevention is for dogs to play without wearing collars
A Love Letter to Veterinary Technicians
October 13, 2014

Vet techs are a lifeline connecting you, your vet, and your animals
He Was Fine Until Yesterday
October 6, 2014

Vets hear this even when a pet is wiping their feet on Death’s doormat
Chasing Zebras
September 29, 2014

Zebras get attention. When was the last time you saw a brown horse trending on Twitter?
The Poisons in your Purse
September 22, 2014

Pets are always curious as to what’s in your purse or backpack
Top 10 Cat Mistakes
September 15, 2014

What are the top ten mistakes made by owners of cats?
Compliance is Teamwork
September 8, 2014

If one member of the team doesn’t engage, the game tends to fall apart
I’m Not Chicken To Tell You I Have A Beef About What Many Cats Eat
September 2, 2014

Maybe beef, lamb, and seafood aren’t the best choices for most cats
Just Because we Can do it, Should we?
August 25, 2014

Sometimes pursuing a diagnosis or treatment may not be in everyone’s best interests
"My Dog was Abused!"
August 18, 2014

In almost all cases, the “abuse” was never a witnessed event, just a supposition
Side Effects: The Other Side of the Coin
August 8, 2014

Some side effects are beneficial, some are weapons-grade bad
Nuclear Cat Poop
August 4, 2014

I131 is a smart bomb that detonates inside the thyroid
The Gods of Venipuncture and Other Veterinary Superstitions
July 28, 2014

Veterinarians have deeply held "rules and rituals" - superstitions!
On The Road Again... With Your Four-Footed Friends
July 21, 2014

Traveling with pets can add some spice to a trip
Broken Brachycephalics: What’s Wrong with Bulldogs?
July 14, 2014

It's hard to bring down a bull if you’re breathing through a coffee stirrer
A Horse's Arch-Nemesis: Laminitis
July 7, 2014

A horse’s foot is a funny thing, and not the good Billy-Crystal-hosting-the-Oscars kind of funny
How much Kitty Vomit is too much?
June 23, 2014

Vomiting and hairballs are normal once or twice a month - but not more
C is for Conflict (Resolution)
June 16, 2014

Sometimes conflict is inevitable it can be necessary and useful
Dissed by your Cat
June 9, 2014

Claire The Cat didn't always hate living with us
My Neighbor Poisoned my Dog!
June 2, 2014

Malicious poisoning accounts for only 200 cases a year in the U.S.
The Monster in the Medicine Cabinet
May 26, 2014

Pets poisoned by their owner’s medications
Why Should I Give her Back?
May 19, 2014

A collarless, unkempt dog or cat may be lost, not abandoned
Tip Toe through the Toxic Tulips
May 12, 2014

Some outdoor plants are toxic to cats and dogs
Old MacDonald Had a Backyard
April 28, 2014

Researching the needs of urban livestock helps avoid breaking your cardiac organ or pocketbook
The Best Things in Life
April 14, 2014

The initial cost of an animal is more of a down payment than a price tag
The Pet Parent Trap
April 7, 2014

He’s a dog and he’s loved, but he’s not my son
“He Just Went off to Die, Doc”
March 31, 2014

Dogs and cats don't wander off to die to spare our feelings
On Shaky Legs: Another Look at Foaling Season, Part 4 – It's a Foal!
March 24, 2014

The mare and foal need a post-natal exam even when they both look fine
On Shaky Legs: Another Look at Foaling Season, Part 3 – Foaling Day!
March 17, 2014

Over 90% of deliveries are normal; the others can get spectacularly bad in a hurry
On Shaky Legs: Another Look at Foaling Season, Part 2 – Breeding and Gestation
March 10, 2014

You know it's not going to be that easy, right?
On Shaky Legs: Another Look at Foaling Season, Part 1
March 3, 2014

Breeding horses is an expensive, time consuming, often frustrating, and risky business
The Nightmare That is Blocked Cats
February 24, 2014

If the flow of pee stops, waste products build up and start pickling the works
Antibiotic Resistance: What’s in it for me?
February 18, 2014

Antibiotic resistance means that, over time, the power of antibiotics to kill bacteria wears off
Listening to Van Gogh’s Heart
February 10, 2014

His early life taught children why it is cruel to abandon animals
Dog Toys Are Fun! (Right?)
February 3, 2014

There are two distinct schools of thought regarding playing "rope toy tug" with your dog
Cat Hoarding: How Many is Too Many?
January 27, 2014

We removed 156 cats that first day, in the terrible heat in a small, stinky house
The Nightmare of Colic
January 20, 2014

As the leading cause of death in domestic horses, colic is nothing to scoff at
The End of the Story
January 13, 2014

Lesson: Keep scheduled follow-up appointments
Oh Poop, it's Parasite Mayhem
January 6, 2014

Not all animals are equally susceptible to parasites
Dr. Google: Never Available for a Consultation
December 30, 2013

Dr. Google doesn't care if his advice harms your pet
Your Pet's New Year's Weight Loss Resolutions
December 23, 2013

Mammals were not designed to sit around relentlessly popping cookies, cheese, or Snausages into their maws
Pet Guests for the Holidays
December 16, 2013

Is it in everyone's best interest for you to bring your pet on this trip?
Who Knew?
December 9, 2013

Seemingly innocent objects, under the right conditions, can pose serious hazards
Crash Test Doggies
December 2, 2013

When tested, the vast majority of dog car restraints failed
Ruff Love
November 25, 2013

Pets can cement or stress a couple's romantic love
Cat Food: On Land or At Sea
November 18, 2013

There's no scientific proof kibble is bad for healthy cats
Doctor, You Aren’t Listening to Me... What if I Do Nothing?
November 11, 2013

Consider what responsibilities you’re willing to take on and what you’re not
The Boneyard - Failing Better
November 4, 2013

Mistakes and traumas compost into fertile soil
The Headless Horse
October 28, 2013

The horse rears, hooves pawing the mottled sky. At the apex of its neck, a bloody stump oozes black in the moonlight.
I’m Calling the Colonel! My Chicken Tale
October 21, 2013

The upside and downside to chicken ownership
Checking Society's Vitals -- the Many Hats a Veterinarian Wears
October 14, 2013

In a closet full of hats, the only one the public usually sees is the “treat sick critters hat.”
Speaking Civilian, not ‘Medicalese’
October 7, 2013

If you're unsure what's going on, ask your vet to explain in clear English
I am Cat Furniture
September 30, 2013

I often find myself covered in cats without realizing that they’re there until I need to move
You're Fired!
September 23, 2013

What ghastly deeds could provoke a mild-mannered veterinarian to fire a client?
Five Top Tips for Surviving or Avoiding the Veterinary ER
September 16, 2013

Veterinary emergency visits are rarely pleasant for man or beast.
The View from Under a Horse
September 9, 2013

Safety comes first and the first step in safety is communication
Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine: Star-Crossed Lovers
September 3, 2013

Two specialists illustrate how their disciplines are two sides of the same coin
What do we Tell the Kids?
August 26, 2013

Some tactics work better than others for explaining death and pet loss to children
Hair Today and Not Gone Tomorrow
August 19, 2013

Brush the hair out to eliminate using the floor as a middleman
Horsing Around
August 5, 2013

Every year over 170,000 horses become unwanted in the U.S.
After the Loss, Pet Owners Tell their Pet's Story
July 29, 2013

Grieving people talk about their pet's life at euthanasia
Oh, Crap! My Patient is Better!
July 15, 2013

Sometimes when patients get better, things get worse
Is it Time to Get a Dog or a Cat?
July 8, 2013

Mistakes happen when circumstances or wallets aren't ready
Some Pig
July 1, 2013

Fat, uncontrollable pigs are not happy pigs
Surprise! Some sneezes go backward
June 24, 2013

Definitely no need here for a 3 a.m. ER visit
Poop Parity: Just Pick it up
June 17, 2013

Pick up someone else's poop for karma points
Getting your Goat
June 10, 2013

Goats do not see themselves as pets
Dog vs. Porcupine: Same Winner Every Time
June 3, 2013

The dog is guaranteed to lose
Joint Concerns
May 27, 2013

Arthritis doesn’t have to be a game-ender
Pilling Your Pet: Let the Pills Go in, Let Healing Begin!
May 20, 2013

If you can't get the pill into the patient...
Eliminating the Impossible: Diagnostic Tests
May 14, 2013

Medical cases are like mystery stories
Slithering Snakes!
May 6, 2013

Prevention is soooo much easier than treatment
An Answer to Cancer?
April 29, 2013

Unlocking new information on aging may help prevent cancer
Flabbalanche! Obesity Impacts Pets, Too
April 22, 2013

Avoid having a pudgy pug or a Rubenesque Rottweiler
IMHA: Four Letters You Never Want to Meet
April 15, 2013

It can happen with remarkable speed
Mats in the Cat can Drive you Bats
April 8, 2013

A mat can be the opening act for inflammation and even infection.
Spring Fever
April 1, 2013

Spring means vaccines for many mammals and discussions with veterinarians
The Wrong Herbs for Your Herbivore: When Plants Attack
March 25, 2013

Eliminate these items from the large animal lunch menu
Recalls of Pet Food and Treats in U.S. are (Mostly) Voluntary
March 18, 2013

Until recently, the FDA hasn't had the legal teeth to force recalls
No Guarantees
March 11, 2013

Medicine is a bit of a gamble
Gum Can Kill your Dog? GUM? Seriously?! Oh, and GRAPES, too? Great! Just great!
March 4, 2013

Some toxins make chocolate look like candy
Performing Pet Treatments at Home
February 25, 2013

What can and can't or shouldn't be done at home
Cliff Diving through a Cloud of Expectations
February 19, 2013

There is enough trouble in the world without borrowing it
For Love and Money
February 11, 2013

Getting slapped across the face with the “Ohmygod I can’t afford this” fish
Blood Clots: A Stroke of Bad Luck
February 4, 2013

If blood decides to solidify and stop flowing, bad things happen
The Wild, the Weird, and the Wacky: Unfamiliar Species
January 28, 2013

Before you get that unusual pet, find a veterinarian who can treat it
Internet Pharmacies: Reaping What They Have Sown
January 21, 2013

Internet pharmacies have a downside as well as potential for saving money
Do Dogs Even Get Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
January 14, 2013

Common toxicities are from human medications
A Sore Spot
January 7, 2013

Soring is a sadistic practice that produces unrelenting pain and psychological trauma
The Mouse in the House
December 31, 2012

The fearsome list of zoonotic nightmares is difficult to digest
Loose Dogs on the Highway
December 17, 2012

We've all seen them and driven past, wincing
Why Would You Eat THAT?!!? Oh, Poop...
December 10, 2012

Coprophagy is the medical term for eating poop
Rabies Testing: Things Better Left Unsaid
December 3, 2012

Avoid having your pet beheaded
Oh, By the Way...
November 26, 2012

Certain phrases strike dread into the veterinary heart.
Using the Gift of Euthanasia Carefully
November 19, 2012

Nowhere is this issue more front and center than in the ER.
Excitingly Unusual Pets at the ER
November 13, 2012

Most ERs have exotics folks they can call for advice
Excitingly Unusual Pets at the ER
November 13, 2012

Most ERs have exotics folks they can call for advice
Steps to a Smoother Veterinary Visit
November 6, 2012

You are a key member of the veterinary team
The 24th Grade: How to Make a Veterinarian
October 30, 2012

Do you have to go to school to be a veterinarian?
An Alpacalyptic Halloween Tail
October 24, 2012

This is a dark tale, a saga of things that lurk in darkness.
What Kind of Noses? Zoonoses!
October 22, 2012

Zoonoses are not nearly as funny as prosthetic monkey faces
I Don't Know
October 15, 2012

Sometimes it's best for the vet to say "I don't know."
A Simple Line between Life and Death: The Leash
October 11, 2012

A humble item can have the power of life over death.
The Cause isn't Always the Cause
October 8, 2012

In biology, effects rarely have one cause.
The Worst Form of Animal Abuse
October 4, 2012

The most common form of animal abuse is overfeeding.
The Worst Form of Animal Abuse
October 4, 2012

The most common form of animal abuse is overfeeding.
Nature (Particularly Coyotes) May Try to Eat Your Pet
September 24, 2012

A coyote can do an astounding amount of damage to a cat or small dog
Nature (Particularly Coyotes) May Try to Eat Your Pet
September 24, 2012

A coyote can do an astounding amount of damage to a cat or small dog
Big Choices, Big Money
September 19, 2012

Money can get very big very quick in an emergency.
Big Choices, Big Money
September 19, 2012

Money can get very big very quick in an emergency.
Creepy Crawlies
September 17, 2012

Fleas have a shady, dive-bar, back-alley, sneaking-the-Twinkie-out-of-the-freezer-at-midnight taboo about them.
9/11: Remembering the SAR Teams at the Pentagon
September 11, 2012

Emergency task force teams that included SAR dogs were immediately deployed
The Puppy Mill Bust
September 4, 2012

"Smell" is insufficient to describe the palpable wave of ammonia and rotting fecal matter
Wheeling, Dealing and Healing
August 27, 2012

For most people the cost of getting their pets better again has to be paid right out of their own pockets. Nowhere is this issue fraught with more angst than in the ER and ICU.
Secrets
August 20, 2012

Veterinarians are human; sometimes they complain.
Can Paperwork be Life-Saving?
August 13, 2012

Discharge instructions cover nearly every aspect of a pet's care at home after leaving the hospital.
Use of NSAIDs in Horses is Tricky
August 6, 2012

NSAIDs should be handled with proper supervision, accurate, evidence-based dosing
Use of NSAIDs in Horses is Tricky
August 6, 2012

NSAIDs should be handled with proper supervision, accurate, evidence-based dosing
It’s The Great Undiagnosable, Charlie Brown!
July 30, 2012

Not everything that goes wrong can be neatly defined and quantified.
Zoobiquity: the Intersection of Human and Non-human Animal Medicine
July 23, 2012

Physicians learn about animal disease parallels
The Veterinarian-Client Bond
July 16, 2012

We almost never hear about the most critical bond and the one that most impacts the success of any veterinary care. The veterinarian-client bond -- yeah, I just left out the patient.
The Veterinarian-Client Bond
July 16, 2012

We almost never hear about the most critical bond and the one that most impacts the success of any veterinary care. The veterinarian-client bond -- yeah, I just left out the patient.
Why ‘The Miracle of Life’ may not be the Best at-home Science Project
July 2, 2012

What if we bred her? Just once. Let the kids see the miracle of birth.
Antibiotics: Harnessing the Power of… Mold???
June 25, 2012

Most nasty bacteria will relent if the right dose of antibiotic is used for the right amount of time.
Hoards of Herds
June 19, 2012

With livestock medicine, indications of hoarding can sometimes be a bit more subtle – people rarely have problems with horses walking on the counters or goats peeing on the carpet.
Hoards of Herds
June 19, 2012

With livestock medicine, indications of hoarding can sometimes be a bit more subtle – people rarely have problems with horses walking on the counters or goats peeing on the carpet.
The Last Words: Don't Worry, Doc
June 11, 2012

All animals come with defense mechanisms. Humans use sarcasm, pepper spray, and inappropriate humor. Dogs use teeth; cats use claws...
Dog Parks: Danger Unleashed
June 4, 2012

I noticed a mounting body count of injured dogs coming directly to the emergency room from the nearby dog park.
Dog Parks: Danger Unleashed
June 4, 2012

I noticed a mounting body count of injured dogs coming directly to the emergency room from the nearby dog park.
A Doctor’s Dilemma: How do We Keep Our Humanity?
May 22, 2012

It can be explained as, “I’m laughing to keep from crying.”
The Goat that can Eat Anything – and other Mythological Creatures
May 15, 2012

Without a doubt, the "Omnivorous Goat" is the mother of all insidious goat myths.
Happy Now, Sad Later
April 25, 2012

A human tendency can be to sacrifice long-term benefit in order to avoid pain/discomfort/expense in the short term.
Pleasantly Plump Pasture Pets
April 23, 2012

No, he is not well-muscled, stocky, deep in the heart girth, or even pleasingly plump. But being fat may not be his fault. It may not even be yours.
Dog Owner’s Guide to Peaceful Co-existence with Livestock
April 13, 2012

Dog/livestock conflicts stem from a hard-wired reality and a human inability to recognize the import of that reality: predator-prey interactions.
Dog Owner’s Guide to Peaceful Co-existence with Livestock
April 13, 2012

Dog/livestock conflicts stem from a hard-wired reality and a human inability to recognize the import of that reality: predator-prey interactions.
Muzzling Debate: What’s the Problem with Keeping Pets and People Safer at the Vet’s?
April 13, 2012

For the life of me, I can't figure out why anyone would protest the use of a muzzle.
Waiting is the Hardest Part – on the Pet
April 13, 2012

The cost and effort involved in fixing a chronically ill pet is many times what it could have been had the condition been caught early on.
How One Veterinarian Answers the No. 1 Question
April 13, 2012

As an emergency and critical care veterinarian, I have to say "What would you do if this were your pet?" is one of the most common questions that I am asked – nearly every day of practice.
Uncharted Waters: Life and Death in ICU
May 7, 2011

When faced with a sick patient, medical people (both human and veterinary, and for all I know slimy 8-legged doctors on Alpha Centauri) formulate what is called a problem list.
Uncharted Waters: Life and Death in ICU
May 7, 2011

When faced with a sick patient, medical people (both human and veterinary, and for all I know slimy 8-legged doctors on Alpha Centauri) formulate what is called a problem list.
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