My Dog's Symptoms : Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.

My Dog Is in Heat: Signs, Management Tips, and What I Needed to Learn

We adopted Pepper, our new lovely Rottweiler mix, two weeks ago. I knew she was two years old and intact. Without any further details, I wondered when she might go into her heat cycle. As it turns out—right now. Most dog parents never experience their girl going into heat because of standard early spay and neuter. We’ve never had an…

by Jana Rade

Canine Pancreatitis: What Causes It? Triggers Beyond Diet

The most common and well-known trigger for pancreatitis in dogs is a fatty meal or table scraps. That’s why veterinary emergency clinics see a surge in cases during holidays, when rich foods abound. But is the answer really that simple? Why some dogs can raid the garbage, devour fatty bits, and stay perfectly healthy, while others fall severely ill after…

by Jana Rade

Why Trim Dog Nails: The Domino Effect of Untrimmed Nails

Nobody likes trimming their dog’s nails. However, it’s okay to cheat. You can teach your dog to use a scratch board, or have a professional take care of it. However, skipping trimming entirely and letting those nails grow unchecked can trigger a cascade of health problems. We have just adopted a new girl. It was destiny that she should become…

by Jana Rade

Stinky Urine in Dogs: Why Does My Dog’s Pee Smell Bad?

In people, some foods, such as asparagus, can make urine smell quite weird. I don’t expect your dog eating a plate of asparagus for dinner? I am even not sure it would make their urine smell bad because Jasmine did get some asparagus in her meals and I don’t recall any noticeable changes in the smell of her pee. Of course,…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Dog First Aid Kit: What’s In Yours?

Do you have a first aid kit for your dog? Or do you think that you don’t need one? No matter how carefully you try to keep your dog safe, injuries and unlucky incidents happen. The situation doesn’t need to be life-threatening for you to benefit from having a first-aid kit on hand. I established a first-aid kit for my…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of America, and an award-winning author in my spare time. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care into my own hands. I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to finally get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to use 20 years of hard-earned experience to save others from the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way, as I did.

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