This week I listened to a webinar by Dr. David Aucoin entitled “Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance MRSA to MRSP: A Growing National Problem”, sponsored by Bayer HealthCare Animal Health. Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus is usually a reverse zoonosis. That means pets get infected by people. If infected, most pets will clear themselves of MRSA within two weeks …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Ally of the 101st Airborne On ABC News With Charlie Gibson
Watching tonight’s newscast, I saw a wonderful story on Ally. She was found as a quite young and abandoned puppy. Without the kindness of our soldiers she surely would not have made it. The 101st Airborne in Afghanistan adopted the little pup. It sounds like she won them over fast and made a great contribution …
Continue reading “Ally of the 101st Airborne On ABC News With Charlie Gibson”
Name The Foregin Body
Last summer, I examined a dog for lameness. The owner noticed something in the dog’s back paw and brought her in. Look at the pictures closely. Name the foreign body and describe how you would remove it. Diagnosis: Lawn Mower Spring According to the owner, the foreign body is a spring from his lawn mower. …
Determining The Age Of Young Kittens
When people bring young kittens into the clinic, the first question I am asked is ‘How old are they?’ Here are the guidelines I use to determine age in very young kittens. 1) In normal development, kittens open their eyes around two weeks of age. The kittens pictured below are less than two weeks old since …
Great Horned Owl Saved By Wild At Heart
On July 27, 2009 the staff at Capital Insight Partners, LLC discovered a Great Horned Owl outside their window. The poor thing laid next to the building with her right wing stuck out in an abnormal position. She was dazed and in shock. Thanks to the quick response of Wild at Heart, Ariel is still alive today. …
California Sea Lions – Name The Zoonotic Disease They Carry
On a trip to San Fransisco and Monterrey, I spent time watching sea lions (Zalophus californianus) nap in the warm sun. The females had given birth in June and then spent the summer nursing their pups. The little ones grow rapidly on the rich milk. The males keep a watchful eye over their territory. They are much larger than the females and darker in color. …
Continue reading “California Sea Lions – Name The Zoonotic Disease They Carry”
The Winning Name Is Keanu!
With all the wonderful suggestions to choose from, my husband and I had a thoroughly difficult time choosing a winner. After much thought and deliberation, we chose the name Keanu. It is the Hawaiian word for breeze. This fits him perfectly as he ‘breezes’ from one room to another. Congratulations to VT for the suggestion! She …
Warning For Animals On Vetsulin Manufactured By Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health
Recently, I received an e-mail alert from the FDA’s Center For Veterinary Medicine. I believe it warrants sharing with people who love diabetic animals. The injectable insulin product Vetsulin manufactured by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health may contain inconsistent amounts of crystalline zinc insulin. This can result in either over or under dosing a patient on the medication. If your …
H1N1 Transmited From Humans To Pet Ferrets And A Cat
Recently, the American Veterinary Medical Association notified its members about three cases of H1N1 in pets. Two ferrets and a cat contracted the virus from their human family. One of the ferrets and the cat recovered with supportive care. Unfortunately, the other ferret died from the disease. So far, there has been no documented spread of …
Continue reading “H1N1 Transmited From Humans To Pet Ferrets And A Cat”
Black Long Hair Kitten Has A Home!
The ‘Thinker’ has a home!This section of the blog is called “The Vet’s Pets”. So here it is that I announce the following great news; my husband and I decided to adopt the black long hair kitten! He is an easy-going guy who should fit in nicely with our other cats. Every day, I place …