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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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Learning About Integrative Veterinary Medicine

Many of my clients are interested in what I call “complementary” therapies, which may also be called "integrative" or "holistic" medicine. I dislike the term "alternative medicine" because it fails to indicate that therapeutic techniques such as acupuncture,... READ MORE

Oct 24, 2012 / (2) comments

Headed to the Wild West Veterinary Conference

I am writing this as I fly to Reno, NV to attend the Wild West Veterinary Conference (what an awful name!). Why did I pick this conference over all others, do you ask?   READ MORE

Oct 23, 2012 / (3) comments

No Pain, No Jane

Marijuana is back in the news here in Colorado. My home town is going to be voting on whether or not to reverse a ban on medical marijuana that went into effect in February of this year, and all Colorado voters are being asked to give the thumbs up or down to legalizing pot in the state.   READ MORE

Oct 22, 2012 / (2) comments

The Ties that Bind Dogs and People: Part Two

Yesterday, I introduced a study1 that was recently published in PLoS ONE. Today, let’s look at the results and what they mean for dogs and people. When the researchers analyzed the videos of the dogs under all the varying conditions, they found that when left to their own devices, 73 percent... READ MORE

Oct 18, 2012 / (3) comments

The Ties that Bind Dogs and People: Part One

I read through an interesting study last week that attempted to answer the question of what human cues a dog responds to most when it comes to picking between two options. The paper is not an easy read, so I think I’ll try to paraphrase it here for you. I apologize for any errors of interpretation... READ MORE

Oct 17, 2012 / (2) comments

Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Nurse?

This week is National Veterinary Technicians Week, and I’d like to use the opportunity to recognize all that veterinary technicians do to improve pet health and wellbeing. I work in a specialty practice, meaning that I meet many of my clients and patients as a result of referrals from primary... READ MORE

Oct 16, 2012 / (10) comments

A Little Plant Research Can Save Lives

I consider myself a relatively intelligent person, but from time to time I still wonder at my own stupidity. Okay, maybe "stupidity" is too strong of a word, but a few years ago I had an experience that made me give myself a big ol’ dope slap. I am not much of a plant person. My care-giving... READ MORE

Oct 15, 2012 / (1) comments

Wild Horses Sold Out Again

I adopted a wild mustang back in 2006. At the time, I lived on a couple of acres in Wyoming with two horses (and the rest of my family). Tragically, my mare Harper colicked and died one weekend. We were all heartbroken, but nobody suffered as much as my gelding Atticus. The two of them were best of friends.... READ MORE

Oct 11, 2012 / (5) comments

A View into an Outdoor Cat's Life

I admit it; I don’t always follow my own advice. For example, I dutifully counsel my clients to keep their cats indoors, citing health benefits for the cats themselves (and the lower veterinary fees that result) as well as the goal of protecting native wildlife. But my cat goes outside.   READ MORE

Oct 10, 2012 / (7) comments

Losing Your Cat to Brain Disease

Dogpeople, a member of our community, recently related the following sad story:   We just lost our otherwise perfectly healthy 5-year-old cat to a Brain Tumor. We are still in shock, and I am truly kicking myself for not noticing any changes prior to her pacing and head pressing that came up this... READ MORE

Oct 09, 2012 / (4) 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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An Early Start to Allergy Season
If your dog or cat has increased the amount of scratching, licking, and chewing,...
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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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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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An 'Intrigue' of Kittens
Dr. Jennifer Coates found herself stumped last week when trying to remember the name...
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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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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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