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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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New Help for Overweight Pets

Two conclusions from the latest survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention are downright scary:   1. 53% of adult dogs and 55% of cats are classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarians, and 2. 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners think their pets are at a healthy... READ MORE

Feb 28, 2013 / (17) comments

To Neuter or Not to Neuter?

I have a headache. I just read an article entitled "Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers." It was well-written, did an admirable job of summarizing previously relevant research, and reported some important findings. Why then, you might be wondering, did... READ MORE

Feb 27, 2013 / (27) comments

Cats Needed for Stem Cell Study

I’ve been on a regenerative medicine kick, writing several posts recently about stem cells, platelet rich plasma, and gene therapy. This up and coming field tantalizingly offers the possibility of addressing the underlying cause of many serious and chronic conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, autoimmune... READ MORE

Feb 26, 2013 / (0) comments

Safety for Abuse Victims and their Pets

My husband used to joke that if I ever threatened to leave him, he knew all he had to do was grab Owen and I would never go. Owen was my forever dog — the one that is always number one in your heart. He came into my life when I was 19 and in college and saw me through several boyfriends, graduation,... READ MORE

Feb 25, 2013 / (2) comments

Temperament Testing for Shelter Dogs and Cats

Many animal shelters make use of temperament testing, which gives them the ability to put potential pets into broad categories according to their personalities (e.g., responsive, shy, nervous, playful, or independent) with the hopes of better matching them to owners. Pets that are found to have behavioral... READ MORE

Feb 21, 2013 / (6) comments

Strangles in Horses

Mention the word "strangles" to a horse person and they may cringe. The disease is so dreaded because once it is diagnosed on a farm, the you-know-what really hits the fan.   READ MORE

Feb 20, 2013 / (2) comments

My Dog Needs a Dental – What About Yours?

February is Pet Dental Health Month, and I’m taking advantage of the discount offered at a local veterinary clinic to get my dog Apollo’s teeth cleaned. He is a boxer with one of the worst underbites you’ll ever see. Because his teeth don’t meet up the way they should, tartar... READ MORE

Feb 19, 2013 / (1) comments

A Cure for Diabetes in Dogs?

Can you picture a future where diabetes can essentially be cured with a one-time injection? This reality may not be as far off as you might think. In fact, it looks like some dogs with type one diabetes have already been cured of their disease.   READ MORE

Feb 18, 2013 / (2) comments

Tales of Love for Valentine's Day

It’s Valentine’s Day, so how about some tales of love … from the animal world. I’m not talking about owners who love their pets; that’s almost a given (or should be). I want to hear about animals that obviously love each other. I’ll start us off with a tale from... READ MORE

Feb 14, 2013 / (5) comments

Antifreeze Just Got Safer (But Not Safe)

Last November, I wrote a two part post about the danger that ethylene glycol containing antifreeze poses to pets and talked a little about "animal-friendly" antifreezes that contain a bittering agent (denatonium benzoate) to make them taste bad. I’ve got good news! On December 13, the... READ MORE

Feb 13, 2013 / (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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Dog Panting – Normal or Not?
Dogs pant. They pant when they’re hot, they pant when they’re excited, they pant...
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The Truth About Pit Bulls: Part 1
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Most Commented Articles

The Truth About Pit Bulls: Part 2
In part 2 of Dr. Jennifer Coates’s discussion on the Pit Bull breed, she discounts...
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It’s Difficult to Regulate Diabetics
Difficult to manage diabetic patients end up on unusually high doses of insulin but...
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Dogs and Cats Get Bipartisan Support
Pet owners in Colorado have reason to celebrate this month, after two new bills were...
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The Truth About Pit Bulls: Part 1
Dr. Jennifer Coates has written before about breed specific legislation. Today she...
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PETMD POLL

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

Spot-on meds
60% (132 votes)
Oral meds
15% (32 votes)
Tick collars
7% (16 votes)
Other
6% (13 votes)
N/A (I do not use tick preventives)
12% (27 votes)
Total votes: 220
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