Good nutrition is vital to keeping your pet healthy. The right food can prevent many problems and diseases while the wrong food can actually cause them. With so many companies and varieties to choose from, selecting which food to purchase can be difficult. The following list are factors to consider when selecting one for your pet. …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
You Make The Diagnosis: Coughing and Gagging Dog
Pictured below is the mouth of a friendly Labrador Retiever who needed dental X-rays and a periodontal treatment. When he was being intubated, examination of the back of his throat revealed an abnormal right tonsil. While I was examining the tonsil for a good place to biopsy it, I found the abnormal structure being held …
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Firestarter Logs Are Dangerous For Pets
With the return of cold weather, stores are stocking firestarter logs again. Although this product is great for the fireplace, it can be dangerous for pets. Firestarter logs are not toxic per se, in that they do not directly poison an animal who ingests it. (Please note that logs that burn with special colors may …
5-fluorouracil and Pets
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an anti-cancer medication commonly prescribed by dermatologists to treat basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis on the skin of humans. Unfortunately, this medicine is highly toxic to animals. Pets develop gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms. Gastrointestinal signs include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, intense abdominal pain and sometimes, sloughing of the intestinal lining. The neurologic …
National Veterinary Technician Week
I am privileged to work alongside two terrific young women who deeply love animals. They are also outstanding medical professionals. So during this National Veterinary Technician Week (October 11th-17th) I thank and celebrate Abbey Santos, CVT and Michelle Thomson for the gift they are to animals and to me. Thanks as well to all who serve …
Dog With Mast Cell Tumor Responding To Masitinib Mesylate
Last week, I wrote about a dog named Molly suffering from Mast Cell cancer. The cancer spread all over her body making surgical removal impossible. She had large tumors in her chest that made it difficult for her to breathe. The cancer spread to multiple locations on her skin including one large tumor under her right …
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Our First Anniversary At Arizona Skies Animal Hospital
A year ago today, I purchased Arizona Skies Animal Hospital located in Cave Creek, Arizona. I remember walking into the clinic on the first day wondering what the future would hold? It has been an outstanding year filled with great animals and clients. With tremendous hard work by Abbey Santos and Michelle Thomson, the clinic has …
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Masitinib Mesylate Treatment of Mast Cell Tumor in a Dog
Mast cell tumors are one of the most common tumors I see on the skin and subcutaneous tissues of dogs although they can occur anywhere. Mast cells are part of the immune system and are found all over the body. Mast cell tumors occur when the inhibitory signal is lost and a mast cell replicates …
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Airport Rest Areas for Dogs
Travel with dogs can be a lot of fun. Especially since more hotels cater to our canine companions. It used to be that finding a place to exercise a dog at an airport was a real challenge. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act provision for service animals, all airports must provide animal relief areas. …
You Make The Diagnosis: Dog Iris Abnormality
Pictured below is a closeup of the right eye of a dog. Look closely at the eye and then answer the following questions: Name the abnormal structure found in this eye. Will this condition cause problems? What breeds of dogs are most commonly affected? Diagnosis: Iridociliary (Uveal) Cyst Iridociliary cysts are pigmented transparent structures which occur in …
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