Do you and your pet hate needles? Rani Therapeutics is developing a robotic pill that may replace injectable medications. Currently, many medicines must be injected into the body to be effective. Insulin is a great example. If given in pill form, the digestive enzymes break down insulin, rendering it useless. To combat this, medications are …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Apoquel (Oclacitinib Maleate) for Treating Allergies in Dogs
Treating dogs with allergies can be difficult. Ideally, I like to test them to see what is causing their allergies and then remove those elements from their environment. If the allergen can’t be removed, I place the dog on desensitization therapy by injecting the dog with small amounts of the allergen. But not all dogs respond to …
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Cats Who Attack Visitors At The Door
When I have visitors to the house, my cats head for their favorite hiding spot. As soon as the guests leave, they come running for attention. But not all cats behave this way. Some cats have the opposite response. Instead of hiding, these cats actually attack any visitor who dares enter their domain. As the aggression and injuries …
Coated With Fur: A Blind Cat’s Love Launch Party
Tuesday, Feb. 11th was the launch party for my second book, Coated With Fur: A Blind Cat’s Love. We gathered at Changing Hands Bookstore. The night started with fun stories about the human-animal bond as well as some of the animals in the book. After the talk, we celebrated with cupcakes and a book signing. For …
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You Make The Diagnosis: Name This Eye Condition In Dogs
Pictured below is a dog who presented on emergency for an eye problem. This little guy was trying to steal a toy from another dog. The family heard him yelp and found him looking like this. Examine the image below carefully then answer the following questions: 1) What is this condition called? 2) Can it be …
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Pet Dental Health
Many years ago, the American Veterinary Medical Association dedicated February to promoting dental health in pets. When I am in the clinic working with animals, most dogs and cats I see over the age of four have some sort of dental problem. In dogs, I see chipped teeth, inflamed gums and lots of tartar on the teeth, …
Coated With Fur: A Blind Cat’s Love Launch Party
You are invited! If you find yourself in Arizona next Tuesday February 11th, please join us at 7:00 p.m. for the Launch Party. We will celebrate animals and this new book – the second in the Coated With Fur series. I am eager to hear if you like the book. So please join me at Changing Hands Bookstore as we …
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Protect Your Pet During the Superbowl Game
Super Bowl Sunday is here again with all the food and festivities. Before the party begins, take a few minutes to protect your pet. Here is a list of the most common accidents I see on Super Bowl Sunday:1) Dogs and cats hit by cars – When guests arrive, pets sometimes escape through open doors and …
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Signs of Glaucoma in Animals
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Although this was primarily started to promote human eye health, I think we should also include animals. Glaucoma in all species, means an increase in ocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve. In a normal eye, the fluid of the eye, aqueous humor, drains out of the eye …
Ingested Batteries Are Harmful to Pets
Everything these days seems to have some sort of battery. Smoke detectors, hearing aids, computers, mobile phones, remote controls and even car keys all have batteries. Unfortunately, batteries are extremely toxic to animals. Most batteries contain a strong acid or alkaline material that will burn any tissue it contacts. Some batteries emit an electrical current …