Fully Vetted

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.

JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC

Sarcoptic vs. Demodectic Mange in Dogs

I commonly get questions from owners after their dogs have been recently diagnosed with mange. I usually get blank looks to my inevitable response, "What type of mange?" Their answers are typically, "There’s more than one?" and "Does it matter?" On both counts, the... READ MORE

Feb 22, 2012 / (8) comments

Are Our Pets Capable of Loving Us?

I just had an interesting conversation with the manager of my horse’s new barn. We were swapping stories and our outlooks on all things equine when he said, "I think one of the biggest mistakes that people make is thinking that their horses love them." I’m sure I made some sort... READ MORE

Feb 21, 2012 / (36) comments

Best and Worst of Westminster Dog Show

As I write this, I have the live UStream feed of the Westminster Dog Show open in another window on my computer. Right now, the English Bulldogs are on the floor. Not my favorite breed from a veterinary perspective (any breed that has lost the ability to give birth on its own has some serious issues),... READ MORE

Feb 20, 2012 / (27) comments

James Herriot is Dead

I’m on vacation this week. To free up a little extra time, I thought I’d "recycle" one of my favorite posts from last year when I was blogging on the Daily Vet. If you’ve already seen it, take the day off with me; if not … read on. READ MORE

Feb 16, 2012 / (3) comments

Asthma in Cats and Horses

I’m getting ready to go on vacation. The meeting with the new pet sitter is scheduled for tonight, and I’m starting to throw things into a suitcase. First in, as always, was my daughter’s nebulizer. She has asthma. We don’t use the nebulizer often, but it’s one of those... READ MORE

Feb 15, 2012 / (6) comments

The Hambone Award

Here, and over on the Daily Vet, we’ve recently had a couple of "brisk" discussions about the pros and cons of the increasing corporate presence within veterinary medicine. No matter what your opinion is on this subject, one thing that large companies inarguably can do well is collect... READ MORE

Feb 14, 2012 / (2) comments

Putting a Price on a Pet's Worth

Have you all been following the Texas court case about the dog that was mistakenly euthanized at a local shelter? It has been getting a lot of press because the Texas Second District Court of Appeals allowed the owners to sue for the dog’s sentimental and not just its economic value. READ MORE

Feb 13, 2012 / (63) comments

Bilious Vomiting Syndrome in Dogs

One of the frustrations associated with being a veterinarian is the all-too-common request for free advice. My problem isn’t really with the "free" aspect of it; I just know that chances are I’m not going to be able to tell you anything definitive about your pet’s condition... READ MORE

Feb 09, 2012 / (11) comments

The Genetic Origin and History of Speed in the Thoroughbred Racehorse

I seem to have genetics on the brain lately. I’ve written a couple of posts about the evolution of the domestic dog, and now I just have to tell you about a paper outlining the genetic origins of Thoroughbred race horses that I came across today. READ MORE

Feb 08, 2012 / (4) comments

Is a House Call Vet Right for You?

One of the things I hear most frequently from cat owners is how much their pets hate visiting the veterinary hospital. Certainly, some dogs feel this way too (I try not to take it personally), but I’m constantly amazed by many dogs' "glass half full" approach to life. READ MORE

Feb 07, 2012 / (3) comments

< PREV PAGE

About fully vetted

Jennifer Coates, DVM

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.

EXTENDED BIO