Articles by 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. Countless 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 merely 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 get a diagnosis. 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.

Distended Abdomen in a Dog: Gretel’s Brush With Scary Bloat

Should you rush your dog to the vet at the slightest sign of not feeling well? What if their stomach is swollen and hard? There are times when things are best left to resolve on their own, and there are times when not treating is the better strategy. Particularly when treatment equals drugs, such as antibiotics, steroids, and the like.…

by Jana Rade

Canine Fecal Transplants: Fecal Transplant Saves A Puppy Dying from Parvo: Felix’s Story

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FTM) treatment is a potentially game-changing addition to traditional supportive treatment for parvo. There is some emerging evidence that this treatment can make a world of difference in the chance of survival for infected puppies. Felix’s story Felix, a sweet Yellow Lab puppy, fell ill shortly after his parents brought him home from a breeder. He was…

by Jana Rade

Dog Scooting: Why Was Benji Dragging His Bum along the Ground?

Does your dog rub their bum on the floor, scooting around the house? What does it mean when dogs do that? There are a few potential causes: anal gland issues (impaction, infection, abscess, cancer) perianal fistula rectal prolapse worms skin allergies Anal gland issues, however, are the most likely cause of scooting in dogs. Other symptoms might include: reluctance to…

by Jana Rade

Trembling and Loss of Appetite: What is Wrong with Elsie?

Uncontrolled shaking or trembling in dogs is a sign of a serious issue.…

by Jana Rade

Oral Melanoma in a Dog: Laney’s Battle With Oral Melanoma

Melanoma is the most common oral tumor in dogs. Male dogs, particularly certain breeds, are most susceptible to this type of cancer. Common symptoms include: bad breath pain facial swelling excessive drooling anorexia Further information: Canine Oral Melanoma Thank you, Lisa Freeman, for sharing Laney’s story. Laney’s story Laney came to me through a friend who bred Pekingese. I had…

by Jana Rade

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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