Pawer Women Series: Interview with Dr. Jean Dodds
Have you ever dreamed of owning your own dog business? Maybe you’ve considered a career related to dogs but aren’t sure where to start, need some encouragement, resources or just a paw in the right direction.
In 2011, Fidose of Reality started a series titled, “Paw-er Women.” These are women who are following dreams, making a difference, being role models, and more: all in the name of dog. We are making this an annual event, and this year we had so many women in mind for the slots that we are naming ELEVEN Paw-er Women. You can read the paw-er women we chose in 2011 here. We are very honored to kick this series off with our first “Paw-er Woman,” Dr. Jean Dodds.
Dr. Dodds is to me what the Pope is to Catholics. She speaks, I listen, I apply, she is masterful, educated, an eternal lifelong imparter of knowledge, and creating new trails in animal medicine. We’ve written about Dr. Dodds here on Fidose of Reality and we are thrilled she granted us this interview. Here is the first of eleven in the series:
Fidose of Reality: What an honor to have you gracing the pages of Fidose of Reality. Dr. Dodds. For readers who are unfamiliar with you, can you share some more information about yourself?
Dr. Dodds: My name is W. Jean Dodds, DVM and I live in Santa Monica, California. I run Hemopet and teach at seminars for professionals and the pet caring public.
Fidose: What is your business and how long have you been doing it?
Dr. Dodds: Hemopet is the only national canine blood bank serving North America and Hong Kong; we are non-profit and rescue greyhounds retired from the racing industry and adopt them as family companions after serving in our unique, licensed facility (see Greyhound Adoption site on our Hemopet web site for a virtual tour); we have been open since 1991. Hemopet also runs a national and international vet diagnostic program from our Hemolife Division, and recently launched NutriScan, patented salivary diagnostic test for food sensitivity and intolerance. The national Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable trust is run gratis from the Hemopet office.
Fidose: What advice would you give others wanting to pursue their pet/dog-related business?
Dr. Dodds: Stick to your dream goals and aims with passion, integrity and commitment.
Fidose: What is your background with dogs and why this business? Had it been a long-time dream?
Dr. Dodds: I’ve been a veterinarian for almost 50 years, and started as a dog fancier and part-time breeder of sporting dogs (Vizslas, Pointers, and English Setters)while a veterinary student. I went on to be the AKC Delegate for the Pointer Club, worked closely with pet breeders and guardians all these years by focusing on their heritable and other disease conditions. I developed a unique , patented vet diagnostic tests to help pet guardian and dog/cat/horse breeders. I started vaccine titer testing in the late 1990s in lieu of automatic annual booster vaccinations.
(We need to chime in here, we are smitten with Dr. Dodds and learn from her eternally)
Fidose: What are some resources (websites, etc) that you can refer readers to who want to do their own business in the pet sector? In other words, what sites/info helped you?
Dr. Dodds: There are many I consult but it depends on the question being addressed. Do use the AVMA, AHVMA, AHVM Foundation, AAHA and AKC sites plus Google for specific questions.
Fidose: What is the most fun part of what you do?
Dr. Dodds: Everything – but most of all to see pets and their guardians stay well and be happy.
You must learn more about Dr. Dodds. It is because of Dr. Dodds and my dog’s veterinarian, aka hero, Dr. Steven Gloates, that I can honestly say my dogs live longer and healthier lives.
Visit www.hemopet.org, www.nutriscan.org and www.rabieschallengefund.org.
Fidose of Reality also wants to mention Dr. Dodds’ latest book is a resource no dog parent should be without. We are reading it now and it is so educational, is packed with so much information, you will be glad to have picked up a copy. We are so thrilled for our pawer women!
My now 1 year old puppy has been battling IMHA for about 3 months now and is finally starting to stabilize but since he is so young we are concerned about relapsing. I heard that you have an above average knowledge of this disease and was hoping you could lend some advice and possibly consult. Thank you for your time and consideration and we would love to hear from you soon!!
My White Highland Terrier is now 14 years old, she had a reaction to the parvo virus immunisation when she was 8 years old and developed IMHA within a few days. We were referred to a veterinary hospital in WInchester, the specialist was amazing, she was treated in the hospital with steroids and a range of other drugs plus blood transfusions, we nearly lost her but eventually she came home. She was on medication for approximately 12 months. She has not had any relapse to date, however we do not allow her to have any type of vaccination, or flea or worm treatments. She does not associate with other dogs.
Oh gosh I know all too well about IMHA. So many Cockers get it and yes, I am seeing more and more dogs with it. You are so smart to monitor to not give too many vaccines.
Hey Dr. I understand you are an expert in IMHA is the anyway I might be able to email you to speak to you about this my baby is in the hospital and my Dr. Believes that this is what she is battling.
Thank you for you time.
Hey! My name is Tianna and my 7 year old
Shih Tzu is very ill. A little over a year ago she had a blood transfusion and came back home perfectly normal.
Pale gums, no energy, not eating, the first time there was a lot of shedding. This time same symptoms, no shedding.
She was never diagnosed but we paid a crap load of money! I’m thankful after having the transfusion it has lasted up until now but her iron is very low just from looking at her gums. Need help!!
My 2 1/2 yr old Pom has just been diagnosed with IMHA. We used to live in Tustin, and have had my other poms in your clinic and Dr Kavanagh . I consider both of you to be experts, perhaps the best dog doctor I have ever met. We have recently moved to Nor Cal,Lake county just north of Napa. I wish we were still living in Orange county when any dog questions come up.
Does my dog have a chance to recover from this? Our vet up here is pretty knowledgeable, and mentioned today that her platelets are close to normal. She started Molly on Prednisolone and she is eating some but wants to rest, common for this condition I understand. Blood transfusion is next step?
I look forward to your reply,
Sincerely
Doug Murray
Doug, you need to contact Dr. Dodds directly at hemopet.org – this is an article featuring her and she won’t see your questions. Best wishes, as my dog has something similar.
Hi my 13 year old male neutered cocker has been diagnosed with imha I first noticed something wrong when he missed a meal I took him to the vet and they immediately put him on a drip ran a blood panel and diagnosed an ear infection was the trigger, he has no tumours liver was good kidneys good he did have an enlarged spleen which is typical in imha this happened Wednesday it is now Saturday we ran a blood panel late Friday WBC 21.39, RBC 2.35, hot 18.45, there are so many numbers not sure what would help you, he is on prednisone, metronidazole, and 5 mg cap of aspirin. Last night I monitored his breathing we started at 26 breaths per min down to 20 which I believe is ok, yesterday was the first day he did not eat, this morning we ate some chicken breast and dry toast and lots of water. His gums don’t have much colour, we will do another blood panel in 3 days. My question to you is is there anything I can give him holistic to help progress or any suggestions you have
Erica, my dog is 9 years young, a male Cocker, and he was diagnosed with IMT which is similar. He was diagnosed in October and you can read our journey here:
I am not a vet, but I do recommend you join the IMHA/IMT Facebook group I am in as well as my Club Cocker Facebook group. I am posting the links below. How are your dog’s platelets and did they do a tick panel? It has to be sent to an outside lab. They test for things like anaplasmosis and more. My dog has anaplasmosis due to a tick bite and that caused his IMT. He is now stable and thriving.
I hope this helps. I also recommend you get a second opinion from a university hospital or internal medicine specialist who is well versed in this disease.
Club Cocker Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClubCocker
IMHA Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6228146980/
IMT Journey to Read: https://fidoseofreality.com/help-for-dogs-fighting-imt-immune-mediated-thrombocytopenia/