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Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
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Q&A Comments (282)
Co-authored Articles (75)
How to
Diagnose Kidney Failure in Cats
In cats over the age of 7 years with kidney disease, having the disease is part of the natural aging process. In animals less than 4 years of age, kidney problems are more likely to be the result of a genetic predisposit...
How to
Treat Mother Dogs with Sore or Infected Nipples
When a mother dog is nursing a lot of puppies there is a chance that her nipples will get sore or infected. This can be detrimental to the mother but it can also impact the health of her puppies. If she does not allow th...
How to
Treat a Poisoned Cat
Based on data from the Pet Poison Helpline, nearly 10% of their calls from pet owners were for possible cat poisonings. Due to a cat’s curious nature and obsession with cleaning, cats can sometimes land themselves into...
How to
Create an Indoor Box Turtle Habitat
Box turtles are best kept outdoors where they have a lot of roaming area. However, that doesn't mean that you can’t provide your box turtle with a great home if you live somewhere that can’t have an outdoor enclosure...
How to
Install Wire Fencing for Dogs
Making sure your dog is secure in your backyard is important to its health and your peace of mind. Putting up a fence for your dog can be a big task, but with the right materials and know-how, you can construct a fence ...
How to
Identify a Ragdoll Cat
Ragdoll cats are beautiful animals who make great companions. Their soft coat and bright blue eyes add to their striking features, while their docile personality makes them a great addition to any family, even one with y...
What to Do If Another Dog Bites Your Dog & When to See a Vet
Tips to clean and care for a bite wound on your dog If your dog is attacked by another dog, your dog may have wounds as a result of the fight. It is imperative that you determine how serious the bite on your dog is, and ...
How to
Stop Your Cat from Attacking Your Dog
Cats and dogs both make great pets and can become the best of friends when they share a home; however, sometimes tension can develop between the two. If your cat keeps attacking your dog, it can cause stress for the whol...
How to
Treat Conjunctivitis in Cockatiels
Conjunctivitis occurs when your bird has swollen, irritated membranes around the eye. Your cockatiel's conjunctiva is the tissue between its eye and eyelid, which you can see if you gently lift up the eyelid. In a health...
How to
Tell when a Parakeet Is Sick
If you're new to owning a parakeet, you might not know what signs there are when the bird is not feeling well. Since birds can deteriorate rapidly if not tended to when sick, it's important to know the indications of a s...
How to
Determine Benadryl Dosage for Dogs
Although Benadryl is primary used to counteract allergy symptoms in humans, the medication (or a generic version) can safely be given to dogs as well. Benadryl contains the drug diphenhydramine, which works as a mild sed...
How to
Spot Signs of Illness in a Cockatiel
In the wild, birds like cockatiels don’t show signs of illness for fear of attracting predators. At home, however, such shyness often means that sick birds don’t get treatment. To make sure your cockatiel is healthy,...
How to
Help a Cat That Swallowed String
If you see your cat swallow a string, it's best to just start by taking the cat to the vet. Strings can become tangled in the cat's intestines, causing problems, such as lacerations, gastrointestinal obstructions and eve...
How to
Get Rid of Mites on Rabbits
Rabbits can be wonderful pets that add joy and fun to your life. When you own rabbits, it's important to keep them healthy so they can provide you with this joy for years to come. This requires, among other things, that ...
How to
Make a Cat Scratching Post
DIY your own cat scratching post for your furry friendScratching is an innate and necessary part of being a cat. Scratching cleans and sharpens claws and is something a cat will do regardless of the sanctity of the surfa...
How to
Kill Fleas on Dogs
Quick treatments, preventative care, and natural solutions that will keep your pup free of fleasFlea season can be a nightmare for you and your dog if you don't know how to kill fleas. Some areas also stay warm througho...
How to
Identify a Siberian Cat
Siberian cats are elegant, long-haired Russian cats. To determine if your cat is a Siberian or simply to learn more about the characteristics of Siberian cats, you can examine their physical appearance and observe their ...
How to
Treat Injured Cockatiels
Though you may take great care of your pet cockatiel, it still might get wounded. You should always take wounded birds to the vet, but you may need to perform first aid on the bird before you get it to the vet. The most ...
How to
Express a Paralyzed Dog's Bladder
Dogs with spinal cord injuries (common in some breeds, like dachshunds) frequently cannot urinate on their own. In a case such as this, the dog's bladder needs to be "expressed" on a regular basis by its owner, meaning t...
How to Take a Dog's Temperature
Check your canine companion for a fever at home If your pup is feeling under the weather, it's a good idea to check for a fever. The best way to check your dog's temperature is with a thermometer. A rectal temperature re...
