I’m in trouble. Big trouble. I have this house guest coming this weekend. And this week she just happened to author a PetConnection feature post titled, “There’s no such thing as a ‘partially’ house-trained dog.”

It’s a problem why? Because I have a dog who’s not housebroken. There. I’ve said it: “My name is Patty and my dog is not house trained.”

Copping to it in public, however, is not...

Last month’s patient had perhaps a 90% chance of survival. Too bad I didn’t find out until after I’d euthanized her.

Just in time for Halloween, I’ve finally decided this scary story is worth telling. Equal parts cautionary tale and vehicle for personal catharsis, this patient’s case began with a near-tragedy: the owner’s.

After a personal medical emergency left her days in the hospital,...

I’m at the feed store once every week or so. Standing in line behind the same counter at which I bought my first pair of riding boots and my first leather halter, I should be feeling contentedly nostalgic. Instead I spend my time explaining...

...why a rottweiler should not receive the same dose of Ivomec as a Maltese (and that no, a quarter teaspoon measure is not good enough).

...that...

Ever wonder what it takes to keep a pet safe after surgery? In some cases it’s simple, as when a calm animal can be easily left in a comfy crate for long stretches at a time. No, it’s not ideal but it’s fair. After all, pets need a chance to heal and most won’t comply without physical restrictions on their often injurious behavior. 

Other times it’s much tougher. Crazy bouncy Labs, loudmouth...

You may not be one to scour online reviews in search of your next great veterinarian. Indeed, it’s not how I would recommend anyone find the best provider for any kind of service they might seek. Still, we all know people who use these as a starting place, or perhaps to confirm that a friend’s referral stands up to the internet test.

Veterinarians know this too. That’s why plenty of us detest...

Every animal hospital in the world is a target for this kind of problem. Owners cite behavior issues, severe pain or seizure activity that’s only in evidence in the home environment. They often exit the hospital with a paper script or a bottle of pills for their pets' troubles.

All hospitals keep track of these drugs. Smart hospitals may even let the pharmacist do it for them (at our hospital...

It never fails. I write a column that mentions a product––no matter how innocently––and the corporations inevitably come out to get me.

This time I happened to address the obvious: Carrying a Taser stun gun to prevent dog attacks in puppy park settings is a bad idea. Dogs have been known to die. Unfortunately, I phrased it like this: “Though [Tasers are] considered relatively safe for humans,...

I’m not deputized as an officer of the law and I’m no trained tax collector. I have no desire play either role in the normal course of my veterinary life. And yet I’m effectively enjoined to act as de facto dog police multiple times every day as I explain pet license policies and procedures to my confused clients.

It earns me no money––and definitely no friends––but it wouldn’t do to leave my...

Whatever your profession, you’ll have work days that will stay with you forever. Yesterday was one such adventure...in misery.

I was feeling flu-ish and crappy (a rare occurrence for me) and had decided to take the afternoon off (an even rarer occurrence). Since I don’t like to take cold meds I was sniffling into Kleenex, coughing into my elbow and handwashing obsessively when my first...

I get it all the time. Vitriolic emails and anti-pet comments are inevitable every time I attempt a small splash in a big, not-so-pet-oriented pond.

“Take your sappy pet stories and animal welfare hand-wringing elsewhere,” they’ve said, along with, “Pets are dumb animals and you’re one too!” I’ve been called a “dumb blonde,” a “Valley Girl” (really) and a crappy writer (ouch!). Lots of other...