Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital

Starting February 1, 2008, we’re proud to have Dr. Sophie Steele join our esteemed veterinary team.

Dr. Sophie Steele is an accredited veterinarian with over 8 years of experience working mostly in San Diego county. She attended the University of California at Davis where she earned a B.S. in Animal Sciences in 1995, then completed her veterinary degree at U.C. Davis in 1999. Over time, Dr. Steele has developed a special interest in soft tissue surgery, dentistry and ophthalmology, and works mostly with dogs and cats.

Prior to joining RSFVets, she and her husband Dr. Brad Steele constructed a state-of-the-art animal hospital and pet hotel in North County. In 2006, the Steele’s sold their practice to allow more time for family, travel, and seeking out new professional endeavors.
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On the day after Thanksgiving Mr. Miles cradled a middle-aged Miniature Schnauzer in his arms, explaining, “Jelly won’t eat, and she keeps barfing.” Mr. Miles insisted that Jelly meant no harm at his in-laws’ dinner party when she snatched the turkey and consumed a significant fraction of it, including some of the stuffing.

On examination, Jelly was dehydrated and nauseated. When I pressed on her painful abdomen, she grunted, then retched, bringing up a puddle of yellow bile. Because of her dehydration and intractable vomiting, I hospitalized Jelly, placing her on IV fluids to rehydrate her while awaiting test results to assess her condition. (more…)

Mrs. Dodson showed up with circles under her eyes for her cat’s annual exam - she was clearly tired. As the cat carrier’s door jostled I heard Tipper yowl and suspected why Mrs. Dodson might be losing sleep.

Tipper was wide-eyed and slightly thinner than I remembered. As I discussed his medical history with Mrs. Dodson, it turned out that indeed, Tipper had been up at night with frenetic meowing by his food dish. Breakfast time in Tipper’s mind crept earlier and earlier, now into the wee hours of the morning. “And,” she included, “he vomits sometimes after he eats.”

During my physical exam I noted that Tipper lost a pound and a half, had an elevated heart rate, and I could feel a small nodule on his throat.

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The following is based on a true story, but details have been changed to protect the privacy of the clients and patients.

Mrs. Rosner was frantic when she called to report that their cocker spaniel, Monty, had just appeared at the back door with a baby rattlesnake in his mouth. She and her husband were pretty sure that it had bitten him on the muzzle, so they rushed Monty to our hospital right away. As I entered the treatment area, I could see that Monty was panting and uncomfortable. After carefully examining him for any puncture wounds that might indicate a snake bite, I noticed two tiny spots of blood on his muzzle.

To evaluate the severity of this bite, we drew a blood sample to run tests. When I looked at a drop of his blood under the microscope, I found further evidence that the snake venom was at work. The red blood cells, normally round and smooth, had formed spikes on their outer membranes. We sometimes see these damaged cells, called echinocytes, as a result of a rattlesnake bite. Also, the remaining tests showed that Monty’s blood wasn’t clotting properly. (more…)