Visiting Vet: Leptospirosis vaccines
When I was a child, I don’t remember there being anti-vaxers. I do remember the early equivalent of robo-calls, when the John Birch Society barraged our town with their anti-fluoridation campaign. Although I am...
Visiting Vet: Why was Wolfy not eating?
I had known Wolfy most of his life. He was a feisty old Pomeranian mix, and when his family said he wasn’t acting like himself, I wasn’t too worried. At least not at first....
Visiting Vet: Holiday hazards
It feels like all the stories I have to tell right now are sad stories. It’s the “holiday season” — a time when veterinarians traditionally face many hard situations. Families who want to keep...
Dogcharmer: Pet me, pet me, pet me
Dear Dogcharmer,
I have a 2-year-old Airedale named Winston. He’s loving, smart, and a pleasure to live with, except when anyone comes to visit. Then he’s really annoying, a real pain in the ass. It’s...
Visiting Vet: The good new days
I probably spend too much time on social media, but I really enjoy connecting with veterinarians all across the country, or even around the world. There are Facebook groups for vet moms, Jewish vets,...
Misty Meadows: Humans, horses, connections
Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center’s website home page proclaims, “Changing lives, one horse experience at a time.” The program on this Center’s breathtakingly beautiful property offers transformative experiences that go far beyond learning how...
Dogcharmer: It’s mine
Dear Dogcharmer,
I have a three-year-old PBGV and a three-year-old Lab mix, Gina and Phoebe, both females. They were adopted as puppies at the same time, and are as close and happy with each other...
Visiting Vet: Acid reflux in dogs
Fifteen years ago I had a patient named Bianca — an exceptionally nice Portuguese water dog with an exceptionally dedicated owner. I was at that point in my career where I was confident of...
Engaging with our kitties
I’ve had cats my entire adult life, and Sprout is my current lovebug. I adore her. I pet, brush, and feed her. Although she likes scrunched-up, brightly colored pipe cleaners, her favorite toy is...
Dogcharmer: The jolt of an e-collar
Dear Dogcharmer,
I have a Bichon named Tom (please consider the name an honor, as opposed to offensive) who gets nuts when he sees another dog. I've tried everything, including getting a trainer, with less...
Visiting Vet: Time is of the essence
It was Friday morning. I was tired. I was recovering from a nasty cold, and had been up most of the night coughing. “I’ll take it easy this morning,” I thought to myself as...
Dogcharmer: Training a tween
Dear Dogcharmer,
My name's Tim, and I have an 8-month-old Doberman named Noah. I read all your columns, and he's the dyslexic dog who looks in the mirror and sees God instead of dog. He...
Visiting Vet: Keeping Halloween pet-friendly
Early on in my career, I had two wonderful employees, Beth and Midge, who had wicked senses of humor. Despite the stress of veterinary practice, we laughed a lot at work. Of course, dressing...
Dogcharmer: Confront the goblin
Dogcharmer Tom,
My name's Ryan. I'm a Marine. I served in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was the champion boxer in my division for three years running, and I skydive for fun. I got a 3-year-old...
Visiting Vet: Swallowed batteries
My dog Quinna is an odd dog. We think she is part Labrador retriever, part beagle, part something else. Now, we all know how Labs love to eat, and like many dogs, they are...
Dogcharmer: What’s that smell?
Dear Dogcharmer,
I have a mini poodle named Frankie. She's lovely in every way, except that she constantly rolls in disgusting stuff — the worse the smell, the happier she is. Plus she spends forever...
Visiting Vet: Lone star questions, answered
Fifteen years ago, I attended a conference about ticks presented by Dr. Susan Little, one of the country's top authorities on veterinary parasitology. I had been practicing on the Vineyard for a quarter-century, and...
Dogcharmer: ‘Dog Training, It Ain’t An Accountant’s Job’
Dear Dog Charmer Tom,
Our Afghan, Carlos, is a sweetheart with people and dogs, when he's off leash. He's ok with people when he's on leash, but clearly not relaxed. But if a dog comes...
Visiting Vet: Solving mysteries
Blanche, a 12-year-old Labrador mix, first came to see me for an emergency last December, when her owner noticed the old girl exhibiting stranguria. That’s the technical term for slow, painful straining to urinate....
Visiting Vet: No pain in the neck
Velma came to see me as an emergency one summer afternoon. Her owner was confident she knew what the problem was. “I think she has a sore neck from roughhousing with other dogs about...