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

Euthyroid Sick Syndrome in Dogs: When Is Hypothyroidism not Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine (hormonal) diseases I see in dogs. It occurs most frequently in middle-aged (4-10 years old) medium to large-breed dogs. Breeds that are commonly affected include Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, and Airedale Terriers. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland secretes less thyroid hormone than normal. It…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

Dog Care and Trust: How Do I Know When There Is Something Wrong with Cookie's Foot?

Many dogs tend to hide pain and discomfort. That doesn’t mean you cannot detect the signs if you observe carefully. I believe that the degree to which dogs share with us when something is bothering them is a matter of trust. If that is so, Cookie trusts us explicitly. Cookie and I have entered a new level of trust and…

by Jana Rade

Weather and Dog Arthritis: Effects of Weather on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Conditions in Dogs

“The dog ate my homework” may not work as a viable excuse with teachers, but “this weather is killing me” definitely resounds with physical therapists! Yes, weather affects arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in human beings as well as animals! What aspects of weather play a role? I’m not a meteorologist, but having spent summers on a farm as a…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Why Is My Dog Gaining Weight: Is It the Food?

Let’s address gradual unexplained weight gain in dogs. The potential causes are different than when the weight gain happens suddenly. How fast something happens is an important part of the picture. The more acute the onset, the more urgently you need to seek answers. With weight gain, the faster it happens, the closer you are to an emergency situation, particularly…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Dog Poisoning: Don’t Panic. Don’t Panic … Too Late—Our Call To Pet Poison Helpline

When your dog gets ill, it is stressful enough. But what if you suspect poisoning? Unfortunately, dogs can get poisoned by many things. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the top 10 most frequently reported poisonings are: foods (chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins) insecticides rodenticides human NSAIDs household cleaners human antidepressants fertilizers acetaminophen amphetamines veterinary pain meds The above list was published…

by Jana Rade

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer, dog health advocate, writer, and author. 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 in 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 how to 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 save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners . What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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