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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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Most Lab Chimps are Headed for Retirement

Back when I was in high school and still trying to figure out what I wanted to do career-wise, I spent a summer working in a lab at the Uniform Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD. I was part of a research team that was looking into the safety and efficacy of a potential... READ MORE

Jan 31, 2013 / (3) comments

Cats Can Learn to Sleep at Night

Some people say cats are naturally nocturnal animals (most active at night), others that they are crepuscular (most active at dawn or dusk). In either case housecats have a tendency to be awake when their owners are not, which can lead to conflict. Have you ever been woken up by a frisky kitty who... READ MORE

Jan 30, 2013 / (3) comments

Information – The Currency of Veterinary Medicine

Pet owners are looking for veterinary care across the entire spectrum of what’s available. Some want what is the current "state of the art" regardless of price and prognosis. Others think spending thousands on a pet that has been diagnosed with a terminal disease is crazy. The problem,... READ MORE

Jan 29, 2013 / (10) comments

New Study Investigates Illnesses Caused by Chinese Chicken Jerky

We’ve talked a lot about the subject of jerky treats made in China being linked to illnesses in dogs and cats. The lack of progress in determining a causative agent has been frustrating for pet owners and veterinarians alike. Now, a team of veterinary toxicologists and pathologists associated with... READ MORE

Jan 28, 2013 / (3) comments

Suffering ≠ Pain for Sentient Beings

This summer, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) adopted a "Sentient Beings Position Statement." It reads:   The American Animal Hospital Association supports the concept of animals as sentient beings. Sentiency is the ability to feel, perceive or be conscious, or to have... READ MORE

Jan 24, 2013 / (9) comments

Beware the Diagnosis of Psychogenic Alopecia

Recently, I was doing some research for another article when I stumbled upon this intriguing study: “Underlying medical conditions in cats with presumptive psychogenic alopecia.” Okay, "intriguing" might be a little over the top, but diagnosing a cat with psychogenic alopecia... READ MORE

Jan 23, 2013 / (4) comments

When a Good Horse Goes Bad

My horse, Atticus, is acting like an idiot. Let me set the stage. Up until a few months ago he was living at a perfectly acceptable boarding facility. He was out on pasture 24/7 with a large herd. They had shelter, an automatic waterer, grass, hay … all the basics. I wasn’t looking to... READ MORE

Jan 22, 2013 / (3) comments

An Update on the AVMA and Homeopathy

Last month I wrote about the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) plan to consider a resolution, submitted by the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, to discourage veterinarians from treating their patients with homeopathic remedies. On January 5, the AVMA House of Delegates... READ MORE

Jan 21, 2013 / (2) comments

Defining an Adoptable Animal

Animal shelters are between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Many have limited resources and more animals in need of placement than people who are willing to adopt them. This leads to tough decisions like determining if money and time should be spent making an animal with health or behavior problems... READ MORE

Jan 17, 2013 / (7) comments

Why Didn't I Think of That?

In response to a post from a couple of weeks ago, barbccl mentioned using a pill identifier website to check a friend’s cat’s methimazole refill when the pills looked different than they had previously. I’d never heard of a pill identifier website, so decided to check one out.   READ MORE

Jan 16, 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...
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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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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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Veterinarians and Owners Need to Listen
Dr. Jennifer Coates was going over the comments that you all left on her survey a...
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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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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)
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8% (15 votes)
Other
6% (12 votes)
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12% (23 votes)
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