Ask A Vet Columnist Jim Kenyon has practised as a veterinary surgeon for 37 years.
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Jim Kenyon
So, just what is a vet?
This is the first column in a monthly series in which Jim Kenyon will answer readers' questions about animals and animal care. Read more
Woof Woof Like Salmon Woof
Ever wondered what your pet is thinking? Does it have a particular request for dinner, or stories to tell? Well, here's your chance to gain some insight. Read more
Musher and Dog, Racing as One
It all started with a group of friends at a bar; in the North, it often starts that way. The Iditarod was considered the longest and toughest race in the world. And it probably was at the time Read more
Photo: Istockphoto
Choosing the Best Packaged Food For Your Pet
The current trend is towards "natural," "organic" and other such words. But what does this really mean and what is the best food for your pets; or yourself, for that matter? Remember, the best advertisement isn't necessarily the best food. Read more
Lots of Surprises for a Vet on the trail of the Yukon Quest
A friend gave me a newspaper from Finland a couple weeks ago, and there was a two-page spread on The Yukon Quest. No idea what it said, but it does show how well the race is known around the world. And with the first signs of snow, perhaps it's time Read more
A Day in a Vet's Life
There's a lot of serious stuff in my profession, as with many others, but sometimes things just happen that get pretty funny. Read more
Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are common to both humans and animals. There are a lot of these, but it's always surprising to find that people don't understand which is which. Read more
The Virtues of Vaccination
The way vaccines work is that they expose the animal (or human) to a form of a disease before the actual disease occurs. This can be done in a variety of ways and using a wide variety of techniques. Read more
The Knees Have It
This seems to be knee month. There have been lots of questions about dogs and their knee problems. This is a common problem in dogs, particularly the larger and more athletic breeds. Read more
Aging Pets
The last few weeks I've been getting a lot of calls and emails about older dogs. When we have pets that have a significantly shorter lifespan than us, this is a pretty common problem to face. Read more
Thyroid Problems
One of the more common problems that veterinarians deal with involves the thyroid gland. The thyroid is in the neck and has to do with controlling metabolism. The problem is found in dogs and cats. It is probably a more common problem in dogs, Read more
Common Cat Poisons
Cats are different. Most people know this. You're either a cat person or a dog person. As the old saying goes, dogs are companions, cats have staff. While this is true, they are also very different in many other ways. Read more
Most Common Dog Poisons
We've talked about poisoning in pets several times, but since there has been a lot of interest in the subject, I decided to throw out some basic facts. First, poinsettias are not poisonous. This is a myth that actually dates back to 1919 when a 2-ye Read more
Emergencies & Pet Peeves
One of the most common emergency calls that vets get is for seizures in dogs. Other animals can have seizures, but most of the calls involve dogs. Most people know roughly what epilepsy is, but much of the disease remains a mystery to most. Read more
A Pet for Christmas? Think Carefully
It seems to be that time of year again, when people want to give presents to friends. It's also that time of year to really think about what they're giving and what the gift really entails. A tie or a pair of earrings can be used or put in a drawer. Read more
Photo purchased from: Istockphoto.com
Breeding and Feeding
I've had a few people ask about breeds of dogs. All breeds are man-made to one degree or another. The biggest thing in looking for a purebred dog is to ask yourself why the breed was developed. Some breeds were developed for a particular trait and yo Read more
A Little Horse Sense
Afew people have asked about horses, and with the white fluffy stuff sticking to the ground in the last week or so, maybe this is a good time to take a look at these guys. I've worked with horses for almost 40 years, but always from the ground. Last Read more
So, just what is a vet?
This is the first column in a monthly series in which Jim Kenyon will answer readers' questions about animals and animal care. Read more