Dr. Liv

04/20/2025

Happy Easter

04/20/2025

New hobby project for us, will have to learn some chicken medicine (hopefully not too much). We have some splash Australorp babies now, and will be getting silkies later this week. Limited by four chickens in our city, but excited to have the four! Siegen will be making some of videos to teach others about the process.
(You can be jealous of all the fur glitter on my clothes )

04/02/2025

03/28/2025

Yep, they all just hang out together 💞

03/28/2025

Do you ever feel like someone is watching you…
😂

03/02/2025

Thoughts about cat litter since Everclean changed their formula….
I have five litter boxes in my house. I scoop 1-2 times daily. They’re all stainless steel. Since Everclean changed their litter, I have researched the top litters and tried them out in different boxes. I would say BoxiePro is the clear winner for decreased smell and least tracking. The old Everclean would follow in at second (but not to be trusted since they changed formulas). Tidy cat naturally strong was ok, not as sucktastic as the cheaper tidy cats. And although not a top recommended brand, I had to try the light weight Tidy Cat bc I abhor carrying litter… but sadly it came in last place at absorbing odors. But it was very light and fluffy and created a completely different Zen garden aesthetic when tending to the Zen garden of litter box tidying.
Any other brands people recommend for odor control and least tracking? While light weight would be ideal, I’d rather have odor control… also no walnut or those litters as they don’t work in my house (tried thise too)- they attract ants and my dogs. I’m thinking BoxiePro unless someone else has high recommendations!

02/23/2025

Happy tripod photosynthesizing 🌞

02/23/2025

Thoughts on chronic active hepatitis, copper storage disease and renal insufficiency….

Even though my practice is now limited to sports medicine, rehab and integrative therapies, I still will always love internal medicine. I love the puzzles and how all the internal systems work together. I would probably still be doing it if the actual practicing of general practice veterinary medicine didn’t burn me out so much…. clients blaming you for things out of your control, not willing to do the work up needed, causing you for being in it for the money (believe me, this would NOT be our line of work if we were going after money), and just being unkind. That being said, here is the set up for my Doberman with chronic active hepatitis with copper storage disease and secondary renal insufficiency as a result of the copper chelation therapy. All her meds, plus supplements, plus four meds that have to be given on an empty stomach, two of which are twice a day and one that can’t be given with the others. Which amounts to one med starting two hours before breakfast, another two one hour before breakfast, breakfast meds with supplements, another med given an hour before dinner and meds and supplements with dinner. Plus only filtered water to reduce any copper, and a prescription diet. It sounds like a lot but she’s dialed in now and living happily despite her diagnosis. It takes awhile to dial everything in but I’m sharing because if you have a Doberman (or other breed) diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis +/- copper storage disease, they can have a normal and long life. Just have to find how to best support them 💞

02/14/2025

This is my place with my relationship with Les’ dog.
She climbs on top of me and arranges herself this way. Every. Time. For reference, he always gets the other end
(and to save you from zooming in, my watch shows Les laughing at my comment that I need to get chickens).

02/13/2025

Warning for water dogs around Sarasota and Manatee Counties….

Rare fungal infection 'Pythiosis' kills at least 4 dogs in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

02/13/2025

I have the best job. This kiddo literally turned so I could help his back feel better with the laser therapy. Severe hip dysplasia but still going strong- well managed with weekly rehab, lean body weight ablnd staying active 💪
Bet you wouldn’t guess he’s 10 yrs old. 💞

10/09/2024

We loved this little guy from the moment I saw him at the shelter I was volunteering at. I brought him home on our anniversary, and guessing he was about eight weeks old, gave him Les’ birthday to share. A unicorn, a male calico, Les named him Maneki Neko. He had been with us for fourteen years, many of which he spent the center of attention, as Counter Cat. Sadly we lost our little guy to pulmonary fibrosis, and no amount of medical care could save him. We tried 💔 Our hearts are broken and raw, and it’s so difficult to imagine having to live life without our tortilla stealing buddy. I wish you find the bestest Figs scrubs box wherever you are, until we meet again, you will always carry a piece of my heart… we love you, Neko.

10/04/2024

https://iditarod.com/eye-on-the-trail-remembering-stuart-nelson-jr-dvm-its-all-about-the-dogs/

Stu Nelson, a soft spoken man, but a giant in the world of sled dogs and adventure, passed away unexpectedly in late September near his home in northern Idaho. Dr. Stu Nelson has served Iditarod – both sled dogs and mushers for 38 years. Iditarod is all about the dogs and so was Nelson! He’s as ...

10/04/2024

💔 The Iditarod will never be the same 💔

https://iditarod.com/the-itc-mourns-the-loss-of-head-veterinarian-dr-stu-nelson/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR21vX04GYY01JTBoxRAbBBh-rL8zFwj0pVfJuYjDZh7SVlRrewSlRB0C_8_aem_ix_l6i7tbkEcN8vEfHDqXw

It is with great sadness that we announce that the Iditarod’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Stuart Nelson, passed away earlier this week in Idaho. Dr. Stu Nelson, Jr. has been a part of the Iditarod Family and an integral part of The Last Great Race® for 38 years and will be missed tremendously.

07/31/2024

“Determination has always been a more powerful ally than motivation. “
-Dr. Liv

06/30/2024

Percy Superman has taken the form of the vessel he was poured into. Clearly cats are liquid.