On Saturday, April 11th at the Tucson Expo Center in Tucson I am pleased to be speaking at a wonderful event called Adopt Love Adopt Local. The principal goal is to help 200 animals find loving homes. Animal rescue groups and animal related vendors have joined together to make this one day event possible. See “pets of all breeds, …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Tips For Helping Cats Lose Weight
Weight gain and obesity are big problems for indoor cats. The sedentary lifestyle combined with plentiful food really packs on the pounds. Excessive weight causes a host of health problems including diabetes, osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease in cats just like it does in humans. Here are my tips for dieting overweight cats: 1) Feed canned food, …
Roxie’s Feline Weight Loss Challenge
When I purchased Arizona Skies Animal Hospital on Oct. 1, 2014, I negotiated a lovely cat as part of the deal. Roxie is a short-haired white cat with a little patch of black on her forehead. This kitty found clinic life a bit nerve-wracking. She hid behind the x-ray table during the day only coming …
Dogs Alert People To Food Allergens
Food allergies are a serious problem for many people in the United States. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, food allergies have increased from 3.5% in 1999 – 2001 to 5.6% in 2011 – 2013 for children and teens. The reactions differ from rashes and hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. For those with severe allergies, leaving …
Transitioning Outdoor Cats To An Indoor Life
Transitioning an outdoor cat to life in the great indoors can be challenging. The cat may try to dart out an open door or protest all night when the rest of the family wants to sleep. Remember, this is a stressful time for both the cat and their new family. In my experience, the process of …
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Why Does Tartar Seem to Accumulate Faster After a Dental Cleaning in Dogs and Cats
Why does tartar seem to accumulate after a dental cleaning in dogs and cats? Before the cleaning, it took several years to form. After the dental, it returns in several months. The answer is age. As dogs and cats age, they experience several changes that accelerate the formation of dental calculus and disease, namely decreased …
Dental Implants for Dogs and Cats
When a dog or a cat loses a tooth, the space can be filled with a dental implant. Veterinary dentists are replacing missing teeth with implants just like human dentists do for people. For working dogs that use their mouths to apprehend suspects, retrieve prey or pick up keys for people with disabilities, dental implants …
Periodontal Disease in Dogs and Cats
Ask a veterinarian what is the most common dental problem in dogs and cats and they will immediately answer periodontal disease. According to veterinary dentist, Dr. Jan Bellows, 85% of cats and dogs 4 years and older have periodontal disease. This painful disease leads to tooth loss with time. Here is how it works: Stage1: …
When Is It Time to Euthanize a Pet?
As a veterinarian, people often come to me for counsel on when it is time to euthanize their pet. These caring people face a tough dilemma. On the one hand, they do not want to rob their pet of life. On the other hand, they do not want their pet to suffer. It is a tough decision that …
Million Cat Challenge Hopes to Improve Adoption Rates of Shelter Cats
Across the United States, euthanasia rates for dogs surrendered to shelters are decreasing dramatically while those for cats are improving at a much slower rate. Two veterinarians, Dr. Julie Levy from the University of Florida Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program and Dr. Kate Hurley from the University of California, Davis have launched “The Million Cat Challenge” …
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