There is a myth that some breeds of dogs are hypoallergenic. I wish this were true, but sadly it is not. One common view is that dogs with continuously growing coats like poodles and bichons are less antigenic than other breeds. Although this has some conceptual appeal, there is no scientific evidence to support it. As a veterinarian, I see …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Dog Allergies – Intradermal Tests, Serum Allergy Tests And Food Trials
Once a dog has been diagnosed with allergies (allergic dermatitis), the next step is to determine the specific cause and remove it. Dogs may develop allergies to a number of things, far too many to list here. The most common causes I see are dust, corn, wheat, wool and grass, but it really depends on …
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Dog Allergies – History and Clincal Signs
With spring right around the corner, I thought it was time to do a series of blog posts on allergies. Allergies may develop at any age but typically dogs start showing signs around two or three years of age. The symptoms are usually seasonal at first and progress slowly over time. The typical history goes …
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Miniature Schnauzer – Common Blood Problem
This beautiful puppy is a Miniature Schnauzer named Heidi. Schnauzers are a popular companion dog because of their energetic and affectionate personalities. It is very important to keep this breed of dog fit like her owner’s do with Heidi. Obese Schnauzers are prone to developing a blood disorder that may lead to serious problems. What is …
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Dog Covered With Ticks
Last summer, a woman found this dog wondering the streets of Phoenix. Filthy matted hair covered his body and he smelled like garbage. When we removed his hair, a new problem emerged. Ticks! They covered his body. It was the worst infestation I have ever seen. We used a spray to kill the ticks and then removed them with slow steady traction. …
Raw Diets For Pets – The Freezing Myth
Recently, I’ve had several people ask me about raw pet diets commonly called BARF. When I first heard about this diet, the letters stood for “bones and raw food”. Now the marketing has changed to “biologically appropriate raw food”. In these discussions, I have learned that many people believe freezing makes raw diets safe for their pets. This is …
Pete The Moose Needs Our Help
Those of you who live on the east coast are probably already familar with Pete the moose. For those who don’t know the story, Pete was attacked by dogs when he was five days old. Thanks to the wonderful nursing care of David Lawrence, he survived the ordeal. Today he is the picture of health. Unfortunately, the Vermont …
Holiday Kitten Update
I realized today that I have not posted an update on the kittens in a long time. Sorry! Myka (the tabby) and Jerry (the short hair black) continue to thrive in their new homes. No one wanted the long hair black kitten because of his shy personality. When around a potential adopter, he hid. When I gave him …
Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life – Read The First Chapter
For the past year, I spent most of my free time writing a book called Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life. I turned it over to the editor for the final time last week. What a relief! A friend told me writing a book is like living in the desert and they keep moving the …
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Contest – Design The Book Cover
For the last year I’ve been working on a book titled Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life. The book celebrates animals and the amazing bond we share with them. Set in a veterinary practice, the book chronicles my experience in the first year of owning a clinic. It recounts joyful stories such as saving a …