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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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Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Sometimes clients and patients become friends, and this can make breaking bad news more difficult than normal — and it’s never easy. This was the case with a gentleman and his two dogs I worked with when I practiced in Wyoming. I think I must have seen his two chocolate labs at least once... READ MORE

Apr 11, 2012 / (2) comments

Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats

I’ve written previously about cognitive dysfunction in dogs, and while we don’t see cats suffering from this age-associated condition to the same degree, it is still common and severe enough to be worthy of our attention. Studies have shown that 28 percent of cats between the ages of 11 and... READ MORE

Apr 10, 2012 / (4) comments

Repeating Laboratory Tests – It’s Not (Always) About the Money

I had a phone conversation with a client over the weekend that did not go as well as I would have liked. Granted, the gentleman was very upset because we were ultimately trying to determine whether or not it was time to euthanize his beloved dog, but I just never felt like I got through to him about... READ MORE

Apr 09, 2012 / (13) comments

Metabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles

Unlike some veterinarians, I like dealing with reptiles. Not so much because I enjoy working with the creatures themselves (they’re certainly interesting, but I don’t really see their allure as pets), but because their diseases often stem from errors in their feeding or general care.   READ MORE

Apr 05, 2012 / (1) comments

The Legality of Ferrets

As I talked about in a post a couple of weeks back, ferrets can make wonderful pets. But for some people the most important question that needs to be answered before acquiring one does not center on their suitability as a companion, but their legality.   READ MORE

Apr 04, 2012 / (4) comments

Flame Retardant Chemicals in House Dust Linked to Hyperthyroidism

Yesterday I talked about some exciting new research into a potential cause for a type of kidney disease in cats. Today … on to another disturbingly common feline disease: hyperthyroidism.   READ MORE

Apr 03, 2012 / (1) comments

A New Cause for Some Cases of Feline Kidney Disease?

We talked recently about canine distemper and feline distemper and how the former is caused by a morbillivirus while the later, despite also being called “distemper,” is actually caused by a parvovirus. New research has shown that cats have their own type of morbillivirus after all and that... READ MORE

Apr 02, 2012 / (2) comments

Don’t Overlook the Possibility of a Diaphragmatic Hernia

Trauma is tricky. Some problems are readily evident after an injury — bleeding, broken bones, etc. Others hide, lulling owners and veterinarians into a false sense of security. And some conditions, like diaphragmatic hernias, can fall into either category.   READ MORE

Mar 29, 2012 / (3) comments

Insulinomas in Ferrets

I lived with two ferrets back in my vet school days — a little female who liked nothing better than to hide under the couch and surprise people by nipping their ankles when they sat down and a big sweet boy (with the politically incorrect name of Louis Ferretkhan) who loved to cuddle. They weren’t... READ MORE

Mar 28, 2012 / (8) comments

What is Preventive Care?

Spring is a busy time for veterinarians. For the large animal folks out there, spring means calving/lambing/foaling season (take a look at Dr. O'Brien’s related and hilarious post if you haven’t already).   READ MORE

Mar 27, 2012 / (3) 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...
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It's a Boy!
Dr. Coates has a new pet member of the family. His name is Bernie, and he’s a Betta.
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Lucky Number 13: Rottweilers as Guide Dogs to...
Veterinarians at the Murphy Foundation’s Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies...
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Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law
Veterinarians need your help; many of them are currently on the lam from the DEA....
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Most Commented Articles

A Couple of Law Updates
In today’s Fully Vetted, Dr. Coates updates readers regarding developments on two...
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Preventing Heartworm Disease
Dr. Coates has written many times about heartworm disease but today she thought she’d...
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Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law
Veterinarians need your help; many of them are currently on the lam from the DEA....
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An 'Intrigue' of Kittens
Dr. Jennifer Coates found herself stumped last week when trying to remember the name...
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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)
12% (22 votes)
Total votes: 188
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