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 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

A Primer On Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Squamous cell carcinomas are cancers that arise from squamous cells. Squamous cells are one of the three cell types that make up epithelial tissue—skin cells. These cells are flat and appear throughout the body. They are present in large numbers on dogs’ skin, nose, mouth, ear tips, and nails. They also form the lining of many body cavities. Image Online…

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

A Primer On Hot Spots: Acute Moist Dermatitis in Dogs

Dogs can develop skin rashes from a number of causes, including allergies, fleas, and bacterial or fungal infections. Sometimes a rash seems to pop up overnight. You’ll find a red, moist, weeping area on the skin—a “hot spot.” The formal name is acute moist dermatitis. Introduction Hot spots are most common in long-haired dogs. However, any breed can develop them.…

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

A Primer On Ear Hematomas

A hematoma is a localized swelling filled with blood. It is caused by a break in the wall of a blood vessel Ear hematomas in dogs are not uncommon. Dog ears come in many sizes and shapes. Some are big and floppy. Others are smaller and pointy. Unfortunately, all dog ears have the potential for developing an ear hematoma in…

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

A Primer On Addison’s Disease: What is Addison’s Disease in Dogs?

In dogs, the main cause of Addison’s disease is an immune process. Often, dogs develop Addison’s disease when their immune system destroys adrenal tissue. Addison’s disease can sometimes develop as a side effect of overtreatment for Cushing’s disease. Further, Addison’s disease can result from suddenly stopping long-term steroid treatment without a gradual withdrawal period. For example, other less common causes include:…

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 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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