When crisis strikes in the mountains, it is great to know that dedicated dogs and people stand ready to risk their lives to save ours. Last week I attended the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association Conference at the beautiful Keystone Resort. It was a tremendous conference and I’m pleased that the veterinary profession continues to evolve …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Cancer Detecting Pets on Fox 10 News
Here is a link to tonight’s Fox 10 News in Phoenix. It is a wonderful story about a special cat named Tigre and one grateful veterinarian. The human-animal bond has many facets. Here are two cancer patients who were diagnosed by animals. http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/only_on_fox/cancer-detecting-pets-9-19-2011
What Is The Best Diet For A Dog With Cancer?
Unfortunately, there is no one perfect diet for dogs or people with cancer. Each patient needs to have a diet formulated to meet their individual needs based upon the type of cancer, treatment protocol being utilized, body condition (overweight, underweight or healthy weight), other medical conditions, environmental factors and individual preference. In 1930, scientists discovered that cancer cells metabolize large amounts of glucose into …
Continue reading “What Is The Best Diet For A Dog With Cancer?”
How to Keep Dogs Out of the Litter Box
Yesterday, a blog subscriber asked me how to keep her dog out of the cat’s litter box. Since this is such a common problem, I decided to dedicate an entire blog post to preventing coprophagia (eating feces). There are two basic methods for treating this problem: 1) Use a coprophagia deterrent Cat feces contain a lot of …
A Veterinarian’s Opinion On Doggy Doors
With people working long hours away from home, more families are installing doggy doors for their canine companions (and the feline variety for cats). Although doggy doors are convenient, they also have risks. It is important to weigh the risks versus benefits before installing one. Here are common problems associated with doggy doors:1) Allows uncontrolled entry …
You Make The Diagnosis: Cats And Flowers
Pictured below is a magnificent arrangement of flowers. Although the flowers are beautiful, one type is highly toxic to cats. Which flower is poisonous? What are the symptoms of toxicity? Diagnosis: Lily (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) Lilies from the Lilium and Hemerocallis species contain a toxin that causes renal diease in cats. (The two orange flowers with brown …
Be Careful Wearing Nail Polish Around Tortoises
Tortoises have excellent color vision. In addition to the colors that humans observe, they also see into the ultraviolet spectrum according to Ronald Orenstein, author of Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins: Survivors in Armour. Because of this wonderful gift, people need to be careful when interacting with tortoises. I have heard of tortoises mistaking painted toenails for …
Continue reading “Be Careful Wearing Nail Polish Around Tortoises”
Desert Dog Police Canine Trials
Last spring, I attended the Desert Dog Police Canine Trials in Scottsdale, Arizona. The highlight of the event was watching Kaos and Athos, two dogs who came to visit me in the hospital. Pictured below is Kaos performing protection work. Once he bit the agitator’s knee through the hole in the door, he never let …
Dr. Nelson’s 2011 Animal Charity Grant
In honor of World Veterinary Year, I am offering to speak for free on behalf of an animal charity in any of the 50 United States. The deadline for applying is August 31st, 2011. Since it’s coming fast, I wanted to offer a reminder of this grant. I hope to make it a wonderful gift for …
You Make The Diagnosis: Ring-tailed Lemur Unusual Behavior
Pictured below is a Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) from the Honolulu Zoo. Native to Madagascar, these primates live in troops lead by a core group of females. Name a unique behavior observed in Ring-tailed lemurs. Diagnosis: Air Scent Fights Ring-tailed lemurs engage in stink fights. According to the Cougar Mountain and National Zoos, lemurs possess scent glands on their wrists. …
Continue reading “You Make The Diagnosis: Ring-tailed Lemur Unusual Behavior”