Vet Talk

Monday, August 2, 2021

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
Animal Victims of the Human Opioid Crisis
July 2, 2021

Pets and veterinarians are occasionally being used as pawns
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.”
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
Veterinarians' Perfectionism Can Drive Suicide
March 26, 2021

I'm a perfectionist, and I'm trying very hard not to be
When Vets Are Allergic to Pets
March 12, 2021

About 20% of polled veterinarians have allergies to cats or dog
More Again on COVID-19 Scent-Detection Dogs
February 12, 2021

My current answer is... maybe... in some situations... potentially.
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
Vigilance against Pestilence
March 13, 2020

Apply tool, pull tick out, and listen to it scream for mercy
Novel Coronavirus and Wildlife Markets
February 3, 2020

The harder question is, “What should be done about wildlife markets?”
A Microbiome Rant
January 6, 2020

We don't really know what we're looking at
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
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
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
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
“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
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
Game of Phones
May 28, 2019

It's not just about the doctor's time, it's also about your valuable time
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
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!"
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
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
Suicide Affects Veterinary Technicians Too
November 5, 2018

Words can hurt more than we realize
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?
Medical Mistakes as Seen on TV
August 20, 2018

Too often the science is just so wrong!
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
A Tale of Two Spays
June 4, 2018

Human and canine/feline recovery is very, very different
Animal-associated Deaths in the United States
April 23, 2018

1610 deaths were reported, or about 200 per year
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
More Emotional Support Animal Ranting
February 26, 2018

Balancing true need with peoples’ self-centered behaviour is increasingly difficult
Chewing Bones is Bad, Bad, Bad for Teeth
December 7, 2017

Dogs end up with root canals or having important back teeth extracted
Along the Treatment Highway
November 13, 2017

Treat and Manage is the detour that takes you way off the Highway of Life
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
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
Age Isn’t A Disease, But…
August 18, 2017

Many clients focus on potentials risks of anesthesia and avoid treatments requiring it
Horse Housing Hazards
July 24, 2017

Horses make toddlers and teens look like masters of caution and self-preservation
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?
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?
No Running: Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast
April 10, 2017

In emergencies, no shouting. No throwing. No drama. No running.
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
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.
Making Life or Death Decisions is Painful and Scary
January 16, 2017

Make your decisions based on your life at that point in time
What Would You Do, Doc?
January 2, 2017

The question is based on trust so I feel privileged
Can One Letter be the Difference Between Life and Death?
December 19, 2016

This case that could have gone all kinds of wrong
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
Hospice for Pets - Is it Right for You?
September 19, 2016

It was a peaceful ten days for Daizy, but not for my friend
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
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
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
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
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
My Veterinary Support Group: Clients Helping Clients
January 4, 2016

Margie, it's Dr. Johnson. I have another one. Time to talk?
"It’s a Natural Cure, Doc"
December 14, 2015

Every supplement is labeled a dietary supplement - and therefore unregulated
If You Have to Ask...
November 30, 2015

We want to hide from potential bad news
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 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
Saying Yes to Drugs
August 31, 2015

Sedation makes stressful and painful procedures less uncomfortable and scary
Think Your Pet is Grouchy? Maybe She Is Ouchy!
August 10, 2015

Animals in pain don’t send out the same signals as humans
You're a What? What's a Pathologist?
July 27, 2015

Cells are put onto on a slide and evaluated for disease microscopically
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
What's in a Name?
March 30, 2015

What animals' names say about their owners
ADR: Learning from History
March 16, 2015

“Well, Doc, y’know...he just ain’t doin’ right.”
How to Trust an ER Vet you just Met
February 23, 2015

Pre-screen your veterinary ER options to be ahead of the game
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
The Weekly Train Wreck
January 26, 2015

The default means of reacting to any event is to vociferously overreact
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
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
The Cremains of the Day
November 10, 2014

Where do the remains of euthanized pets go, and what happens to them along the way?
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
Chasing Zebras
September 29, 2014

Zebras get attention. When was the last time you saw a brown horse trending on Twitter?
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
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
The Gods of Venipuncture and Other Veterinary Superstitions
July 28, 2014

Veterinarians have deeply held "rules and rituals" - superstitions!
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
C is for Conflict (Resolution)
June 16, 2014

Sometimes conflict is inevitable it can be necessary and useful
My Neighbor Poisoned my Dog!
June 2, 2014

Malicious poisoning accounts for only 200 cases a year in the U.S.
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
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
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
The End of the Story
January 13, 2014

Lesson: Keep scheduled follow-up appointments
Dr. Google: Never Available for a Consultation
December 30, 2013

Dr. Google doesn't care if his advice harms your pet
Crash Test Doggies
December 2, 2013

When tested, the vast majority of dog car restraints failed
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
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
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
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
Dog vs. Porcupine: Same Winner Every Time
June 3, 2013

The dog is guaranteed to lose
Eliminating the Impossible: Diagnostic Tests
May 14, 2013

Medical cases are like mystery stories
An Answer to Cancer?
April 29, 2013

Unlocking new information on aging may help prevent cancer
No Guarantees
March 11, 2013

Medicine is a bit of a gamble
For Love and Money
February 11, 2013

Getting slapped across the face with the “Ohmygod I can’t afford this” fish
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
A Sore Spot
January 7, 2013

Soring is a sadistic practice that produces unrelenting pain and psychological trauma
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
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?
I Don't Know
October 15, 2012

Sometimes it's best for the vet to say "I don't know."
The Cause isn't Always the Cause
October 8, 2012

In biology, effects rarely have one cause.
Big Choices, Big Money
September 19, 2012

Money can get very big very quick in an emergency.
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.
Use of NSAIDs in Horses is Tricky
August 6, 2012

NSAIDs should be handled with proper supervision, accurate, evidence-based dosing
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.

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