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Dr. Coates is a veterinarian based in the other “Sunshine State” – that's Colorado to the rest of you – where she lives and plays with a varied range of animals. She shares her professional and personal experiences, Monday through Friday, here on petMD's blog, the Fully Vetted. Log in for your daily dose of her insight and wisdom.
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Dogs and Cats Get Bipartisan Support

Many of you are probably aware that I live in Colorado. As a favorite bumper sticker of mine says (in response to people who look down on transplants to the state), “not NATIVE – but I got here as fast as I could.” There are many things to love about Colorado, but if you are a dog owner,... READ MORE

May 20, 2013 / (0) comments

Veterinarians and Owners Need to Listen

I was going over the comments that you all left on my survey (take it if you haven’t already) a few months ago and was shocked at the number that touched upon a common theme: veterinarians disrespecting an owner’s expertise with his or her own animal. Here are some examples of what you find... READ MORE

May 16, 2013 / (5) comments

An 'Intrigue' of Kittens

I had a funny experience last week. I was writing an article about cats and got to a point where I needed to refer to a group of them with a collective noun. I was stumped. The words “herd” and “pack” are what immediately popped to mind but were not appropriate (though I kind... READ MORE

May 15, 2013 / (8) comments

Dogs and Pickup Trucks

I’ve owned pickup trucks for the last 15 years or so. Residing in some very rural parts of Virginia and Wyoming and keeping horses on my property have made them a necessity. However, my dogs have never ridden unrestrained in the bed of a truck. I always find a way to cram them into the cab or use... READ MORE

May 14, 2013 / (5) comments

Preventing Dog Bites

May 19-25 is Dog Bite Prevention Week. I’ve been bitten several times, as I’m sure most people who work with animals have, but have never seen a specific number put to the risk that veterinarians have of being bitten. The most relevant statistic I could find was in a Centers for Disease Control... READ MORE

May 13, 2013 / (6) comments

Why Large Dogs Die Young

When I was on vacation a couple of months ago, I posted a link to an article entitled “Why Small Pups Outlive Large Dog Breeds.” Fully Vetted reader 3Dogs1Cat (great handle!) asked for more information when the research was published in the April 2013 issue of American Naturalist. Here... READ MORE

May 09, 2013 / (5) comments

It's a Boy!

We have a new family member. His name is Bernie, and he’s a Betta. You may know Bettas by their old and now geographically outdated name of Siamese fighting fish.   READ MORE

May 08, 2013 / (6) comments

Preventing Heartworm Disease

As I write this post, I’m looking out the window at about eight inches of snow on the ground, and it’s still coming down hard. Ahhh, spring in Colorado. I recently told a friend who is new to town that we don’t truly have spring around here. The weather just fluctuates between summer... READ MORE

May 07, 2013 / (9) comments

A Couple of Law Updates

I want to update you all regarding developments on two topics we’ve talked about in the past. First, horse slaughter. It looks like a facility in New Mexico will soon be open again. USDA inspectors have recently reinspected the plant, and in an interview with ABC news, Agriculture Secretary... READ MORE

May 06, 2013 / (14) comments

Old Dogs with Murmurs

Degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) is very common in older, small breed dogs. The mitral valve is one of four valves in the heart that keep blood flowing in the right direction. The “lub-dub” we associated with a healthy heart is the sound of heart valves closing and should be all that... READ MORE

May 02, 2013 / (5) comments

About fully vetted

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Photo of Dr Coates

Image credit: Jim Piraino

...graduated with honors from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. In the years since, she has practiced veterinary medicine in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. She is the author of several books about veterinary medicine and animal care, including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian. Dr. Coates also writes short stories that focus on the strength and importance of the human-animal bond, and freelance articles relating to a variety of animal care and veterinary topics. Dr. Coates lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, daughter, and various species of pets.

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Most Read Fully Vetted Articles

Why Large Dogs Die Young
When Dr. Coates was on vacation a couple of months ago, she posted a link to an article...
READ MORE
It's a Boy!
Dr. Coates has a new pet member of the family. His name is Bernie, and he’s a Betta.
READ MORE
Lucky Number 13: Rottweilers as Guide Dogs to...
Veterinarians at the Murphy Foundation’s Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies...
READ MORE
Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law
Veterinarians need your help; many of them are currently on the lam from the DEA....
READ MORE

Most Commented Articles

A Couple of Law Updates
In today’s Fully Vetted, Dr. Coates updates readers regarding developments on two...
READ MORE
Preventing Heartworm Disease
Dr. Coates has written many times about heartworm disease but today she thought she’d...
READ MORE
An 'Intrigue' of Kittens
Dr. Jennifer Coates found herself stumped last week when trying to remember the name...
READ MORE
Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law
Veterinarians need your help; many of them are currently on the lam from the DEA....
READ MORE

PETMD POLL

What do you use to prevent ticks from feeding on your pet?

Spot-on meds
60% (113 votes)
Oral meds
14% (26 votes)
Tick collars
8% (15 votes)
Other
6% (12 votes)
N/A (I do not use tick preventives)
11% (21 votes)
Total votes: 187

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