Dr. Melissa Magnuson, The Conscious Vet

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Dr. Melissa Magnuson, The Conscious Vet Dr. Magnuson, The Conscious Vet, is your source for reliable pet & vet care info from a trusted vet!

07/14/2026

Have you ever noticed that animals don't seem embarrassed by failure?
A cat misses a jump and tries again.
A dog gets a cue wrong and keeps learning.
Humans often do something very different.
In this week's Lessons Across Species, I reflect on a surgical complication that stayed with me for years—and what animals have taught me about mistakes, shame, and self-forgiveness.
The Stories Humans Tell About Mistakes is now available on Substack.

Today's the day!I'm excited to be speaking this afternoon at the AVMA Convention!Continuing to learn, teach, and collabo...
07/10/2026

Today's the day!
I'm excited to be speaking this afternoon at the AVMA Convention!
Continuing to learn, teach, and collaborate with colleagues is one of the best parts of this profession, and I'm grateful to be part of this year's conference.
If you're in Anaheim for AVMA, I hope you'll stop by and say hello!

07/09/2026

Meet Sprout. 🐢 He may be one of my tiniest patients today, but he won't stay that way for long!
Sprout is a baby red-footed tortoise weighing less than one ounce. With proper care, he could eventually grow to weigh 15–30 pounds.
It's always amazing to remember that even the biggest tortoises start out this small.
Have you ever seen a baby tortoise this tiny?

07/08/2026

The art. The artist. 🎨
In veterinary medicine, some patients leave a lasting impression...Others leave hair.
Prezley's patient definitely left her both today. 😂
Do you have a pet that leaves its own "art" everywhere it goes?

07/07/2026

Someone asked me recently what my favorite surgery is.
My answer? Castration.
It got a laugh, but it also started one of the most interesting conversations I've had in a long time. This week's Lessons Across Species isn't really about surgery. It's about what veterinary medicine has taught me about hormones, learned behavior, and why biology and behavior are not always the same thing.

Sometimes the most important lesson comes from a rooster that never stopped crowing. Read this week's Lessons Across Species on Substack.

Fireworks may be one of our favorite Independence Day traditions, but for many pets they're one of the most stressful ni...
07/04/2026

Fireworks may be one of our favorite Independence Day traditions, but for many pets they're one of the most stressful nights of the year. More pets go missing around the Fourth of July than almost any other holiday because frightened animals can panic and run.

If your pet is anxious about fireworks:
🇺🇸 Keep them indoors before the fireworks begin.
🇺🇸 Create a quiet, comfortable space away from windows.
🇺🇸 Turn on the TV, music, or white noise to help mask loud sounds.
🇺🇸 Make sure their collar, ID tags, and microchip information are up to date.
🇺🇸 Skip the barbecue scraps, alcohol, and glow sticks—they can all be dangerous for pets.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

I'm excited to be speaking at AVMA Convention 2026!AVMA Convention 2026📅 July 10–14, 2026📍 Anaheim, CaliforniaI'll be jo...
07/03/2026

I'm excited to be speaking at AVMA Convention 2026!

AVMA Convention 2026
📅 July 10–14, 2026
📍 Anaheim, California

I'll be joining veterinary professionals from across the country to share ideas about how emerging technology can help veterinarians communicate more effectively, reduce administrative burden, and spend more time where it matters most—caring for pets and the people who love them.

Continuing to learn, teach, and share knowledge is one of the most rewarding parts of this profession, and I'm looking forward to being part of this year's convention.

If you'll be attending AVMA in Anaheim, I'd love to see you there!

My colleague at one of my other hospitals sent me this photo: A fennec fox recovering after his neuter procedure. And ho...
07/02/2026

My colleague at one of my other hospitals sent me this photo: A fennec fox recovering after his neuter procedure. And honestly... can we talk about those ears?
Fennec foxes are the smallest fox species in the world, but their ears can grow up to 6 inches long. Those impressive ears help them dissipate heat in the desert and detect prey moving beneath the sand.
They're remarkable little animals, and patients like this never stop amazing me.

I was very happy to receive this photo. I was slightly less happy that I wasn't the one who got to meet him. 💛

Have you ever seen a fennec fox in person?

07/01/2026

Can you guess what was inside this Smithsonian duffel bag?

A green tree python. 💚
And honestly, the bag felt rather fitting. Some animals look like they belong in a museum exhibit.
This is one of them.
Green tree pythons are one of those species that stop people in their tracks. That incredible green color isn't edited, enhanced, or filtered. It's completely natural and helps them blend into the trees of their native habitat.
Whether you're a fan of snakes or not, you have to admit the color is striking.

06/30/2026

Dogs notice more than we think they do.
In this week's Lessons Across Species, I explore how stress, fear, and anxiety can move through a household—and why the anxious dog isn't always the one creating the anxiety.

Have you ever noticed your pet reacting to your mood?

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72 Range Road
Windham, NH
03087

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