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 Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is frequently referred to as pink eye. Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane on the inner part of the eyelids and the membrane covering the white of the eye) develops when blood vessels in the eyes and inside the eyelid become congested with blood. It often results from chronic damage to the cornea from infection, lack of tears, or foreign…

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

A Primer on Liver Cancer in Dogs

Liver cancer is most common in older dogs. Liver tumors can either originate in the liver—primary liver cancer, or can reach the liver from other areas through metastasis Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells from the primary tumor site move to other parts of the body—such as the liver—via the blood or lymph fluid. What does it look…

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

A Primer on Cysts in Dogs: What Are Cyst?

Cysts are hollow sacs containing liquid or solid material. Some tumors have cystic centers, but this discussion covers only cysts that are not cancerous. Common cysts in dogs include: follicular cysts sebaceous cysts congenital cysts and cysts secondary to trauma Follicular cysts are particularly susceptible to secondary infection by bacteria. Follicular cysts These cysts present as single bumps or nodules…

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

A Primer on Anesthesia in Dogs: What Do You Need To Know About Anesthesia?

When your dog‘s medical procedure requires anesthesia, it’s normal to be nervous. In addition to concerns about the procedure itself, dog owners usually have many questions about anesthesia: What kind of anesthesia will you use? What are the side effects? How do you administer it? Will my dog feel any pain at all? Can you perform the procedure with a…

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

A Primer On Congestive Heart Failure

In congestive heart failure (CHF), the heart does not contract as well as it used to. As a result, it cannot pump the blood well enough to keep up with the needs of the dog’s body. The heart and circulatory system transport oxygen and nutrients to all parts of your dog’s body. The heart has four chambers: a right atrium…

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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