I work at a large hospital located in central Phoenix. For the last two weeks, we have seen a surge in parvovirus infections in puppies. While some of them were not vaccinated to prevent the disease, I am also seeing some dogs who were vaccinated. Here is the problem, in an effort to save money the …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many products including gum, mints, candy and even baked goods. When dogs ingest this compound, it causes insulin release from the islet cells of the pancreas. The insulin causes a drop in blood sugar. The drop is dose dependent which means the bigger the dose the more severe …
Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions
Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions (FORL’s) are a common, painful problem in cats. In this disease, the cat’s own body destroys their teeth by resorption. In the early stages, the gums are inflamed around the affected tooth as the outer layer of cementum is destroyed. As the disease progresses, more layers of the tooth are destroyed all the way down to …
You Make The Diagnosis: What is special with this dog’s vulva?
Last week, I had the privilege of examining a darling Beagle. She stood patiently on the table for me while I looked in her eyes, ears, mouth and listened to her heart. When I parted the lips of her vulva to look into her vagina, I encountered something unexpected. Please examine the picture below then …
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Desert Dog Police K9 Trials are April 13th & 14th, 2013
This is one of the best annual events in Scottsdale. For a donation of $1 you can witness police, military, government and security dogs display their immense talent and lust for biting handlers in protective gear. While the handlers look to have fun, the dogs have even more. They love their work as evidenced by the tail (or …
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Common Injuries In Cats Who Fall Out Of Buildings
During my internship at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, I was introduced to a condition in cats called ‘High-rise syndrome’. When people open their windows to enjoy the fresh air, some cats accidently fall to the sidewalks below. On the first nice day of spring, I remember the senior veterinarian saying, “It’s going …
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Prebiotics for Dogs and Cats
I find the term ‘prebiotics’ to be a bit misleading. Since the term ‘Probiotics’ refers to the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines, it is natural to assume that the term prebiotics refers to a precursor of the bacteria. It doesn’t. The term prebiotics refers to a special type of fiber that can be broken down for energy …
Probiotics for Animals
Probiotics are bacteria that are given to animals or people to establish a healthy population of microbes in the intestinal tract. In order to be effective, these microbes must survive the acidic environment of the stomach as well as the bile secreted by the gall bladder in the intestines. They must also survive any medication the patient …
Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church Blesses Animals
On Saturday, April 13th, 2013, Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church located in Cave Creek, Arizona will host a blessing of the animals. The event starts at 10:00am and all animals receive a St. Francis medal. According the church, they host this event to celebrate God’s creation. Here is how they describe it: “When …
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You Make the Diagnosis: Name This Gum Condition in Dogs
Pictured below is the mouth of dog who was having surgery. The clear trach tube seen extending from his mouth is used to pass a mixture of oxygen and an anesthetic gas into the lungs. It is gently tied around the dog’s head to keep it from slipping out. Look closely at the dog’s mouth then answer the following questions: What …
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