Failure of Passive Transfer of Immunity
Red noses probably aren't all that common in reindeer. There are more serious problems. I received a call from my neighbors who were raising a reindeer calf they had named Cocoa. Cocoa weighed just 20 pounds and was dehydrating from diarrhea since his mother had neglected him. Fortunately for Cocoa, I had some experience with reindeer and realized he had not received any antibodies from his mother's milk, a condition [...]
Splat the Dog
It was just another Wednesday when the door to my clinic first opened and a man and his son ran in carrying a black and white limp dog. The dog looks like it had sustained some trauma so we rushed him right into an exam room and began asking questions and giving her physical. It turns out that this dog just ran out in front of him on the [...]
A typical day for Doctor Holly
In 1997, Studs Terkel wrote "Working," a book describing what people did while at work. I love my work. So, I thought it might be fun to go over a day in the life of a veterinarian. I picked a day from last week. Here's the play by play, leaving out the routine, but necessary vaccination appointments: I arrive at the practice much later than usual - 10 a.m. [...]
Brutus the Dog
Maria and Brutus walked into my office with Brutus stopping periodically to scratch on his way in. I saw the look of dismay on Maria's face as she approached the front desk. I overheard her discussion with Jean Ann desk how Brutus has had a skin problem for so long and she's tried everything. She doesn't think I'll be able to help, but she's here anyway. Brutus sat patiently [...]
The benefits of steroids for dogs.
Matt brought Almond to my clinic because of some crusty skin on the bridge of her nose. She also seemed a bit quieter than usual. Almond is a five-year-old golden retriever, who loves to play ball. She usually has an energy level than I am envious of but today she seemed rather tired. Some crusty skin on the face might make a human a bit down, but Almond didn't look in [...]
Shirley the Horse
I was heading out to a farm for some routine vaccinations and health papers for a hackney pony who pulled a cart competitively. Victory was no ordinary pony. She was the product of generations of hard work and a family's pride and joy. Shirley was Victory's owner who I had come to know and admire. She had lost her husband years before I had met her, and had managed an [...]
Thank you to those who serve!
People who choose to be in the military are often a special breed. They are tough and heroic and often willing face hardships that many of us would run from. I occasionally get the pleasure of seeing the softer side of those folks. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Rob, who's great physical shape and army green attire gave away his military background. He came in for some [...]
Parvo is a preventable disease.
My grandmother used to say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Those words have been so true this week. I have seen several, very similar cases. "How could she have parvo? She's had a parvo shot." This was the question asked by Josh and his wife Crystal who brought Velvet to my office. Velvet is one of the most beautiful 8-month-old chocolate labs I have [...]