For those of you looking for a fun activity to share with your dog, let me recommend the sport of flyball. Two teams of four dogs compete against each other over a series of three hurdles. When the starter says go, the lead dog for each team is released. It runs and jumps over three …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Five Scottsdale Kittens And Mom Need A Home
I need your help. Five beautiful kittens and their mother need homes. There are four boys and one girl. The poor mom was abandoned when the owners moved. That makes me want to scream! The foster contacted me asking for help in placing them. The kittens were born April 21st after their mom, who was injured and been out on …
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Update – Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life
Many people have been kind enough to ask how the book is going so here is a quick update. The process has been most gratifying. To hear the joy the book is bringing to animal lovers is both a thrill and a relief! The first request by a reviewer came from New Zealand Changing Hands …
Thanks To All Volunteers Working To Save Oil Spill Birds And Wildlife
As I watch the pictures of birds coated with oil flash across my television screen, my heart aches for all the living creatures who call the gulf coast home. I feel especially bad for the pelicans who were making a comeback from brink extinction. Working with wildlife is a bittersweet endeavor because of the high death …
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Texas Mountain Laurel Is Toxic To Animals
The Texas Mountain Laurel is a popular plant because of its purple flowers and artificial grape smell. Unfortunately, the entire plant is toxic to animals. The plant contains grayanotoxin, a toxin that binds to sodium channels in cell membranes and changes the permeability. It affects the nervous system as well as skeletal and cardiac muscle. Common …
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Grapes And Raisins May Cause Renal Failure In Dogs And Cats
Many of the foods humans enjoy are not good for pets and some are quite harmful. Raisins and grapes are in this category. Although the toxic principle has not been identified, it appears that the flesh of raisins and grapes contains a poison that causes renal failure in dogs and cats. After ingestion, the animal develops high blood calcium …
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New Federal Website For Reporting Adverse Reactions To Animal Food And Drugs
On May 24th, 2010 the Food and Drug Administrations teamed up with the National Institutes of Health to launch a new website called the Safety Reporting Portal. The site is designed to allow veterinarians and pet owners to report adverse reactions to pet food and treats. It also allows manufacturers of animal drugs to report …
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Great News For Pete The Moose
Great news, Pete the Moose has been given a new lease on life thanks to the Vermont state legislature and the untiring efforts of many people. As you may recall, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife ordered the preserve in which Pete lives to close or euthanize Pete and the other animals. In their infinite wisdom, …
Summer Travel With Pets
With Memorial day right around the corner, people are planning their summer getaways. Some will go to the beach to frolic in the surf. Others will head to the mountains for a relaxing hike. And many will head to their cabins on the lake for undisturbed family time. If you plan on bringing your pets, it is …
Coated With Fur Video
Two weeks ago, I met with the video professionals at Master Video Disc and Design. My hope was for them to create an interesting trailer for the new book. They dug into my image archives with zest. Rocky and Janita took the raw materials I gave them and created a wonderful short video clip. They are also a joy …