Articles by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM are veterinarians and contributing writers to the Merck Veterinary Manual. The included articles were originally published with the permission of WebVet. That website doesn't exist since and I am honored to preserve the articles on my blog.

A Primer On Pyometra: Uterine Infections in Dogs

Pyometra is a bacterial infection in the uterus of dogs. It is a serious and frequently life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment. The risk of pyometra is highest in intact dogs or dogs on any hormone-based therapy. Pyometra is most likely in young to middle-aged dogs, but it is most common in older dogs. It usually develops about 1-2 months after…

by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

A Primer On Corneal Damage in Dogs

Corneal damage is common in dogs. The cornea is a very thin, transparent layer of tissue that forms the front part of the eyeball. The eyelids protect the cornea, and the tear film nourishes the cornea and keeps it moist. How it happens The cornea can become damaged by: an eye infection foreign objects (such as sand or splinters) dry…

by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

A Primer on Oral Tumors in Dogs: Is the Lump in My Dog’s Mouth Benign or Cancerous?

Oral tumors are common in dogs and range from benign masses such as viral papillomas to aggressive malignant tumors. Malignant oral tumors frequently recur and spread to other parts of the body, even with aggressive therapy. Types of oral tumors Benign papillomas are pink swellings on the gums or other parts of the mouth and have a “wart-like” appearance. Most…

by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

A Primer on False Pregnancy in Dogs

False pregnancy is a common problem in dogs. During the estrus or “heat” cycle: in an intact female dog estrogen levels increase the vulva swells and produces a bloody or straw-colored discharge The hormone changes ensure willingness to accept a male for breeding. Toward the end of the heat cycle, progesterone levels increase, preparing the uterus for an anticipated pregnancy.…

by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

A Primer On Ringworm in Dogs: What Are the Bald Patches on My Dog?

Despite its name, ringworm (also known as dermatophytosis) is caused by a fungus, not by worms. Fungi, known as dermatophytes, can infect your dog’s hair and dead skin, leading to bald, scaly areas with broken hairs. These areas can show up simply as patches or as rings. What does it look like Ringworm shows up most often on the feet,…

by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of American and an award-winning 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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