Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Are pain and itch just intensified versions of the sense of touch? Are Pain and Itch the Same—or Different? Pain and itch play an important protective role. They alert dogs to harmful stimuli and irritants. When these sensations become chronic, however, they cause suffering. For years, scientists have tried to determine how closely itch and pain are related. Historically, researchers…
Normal body temperature for dogs is around 100.5-102.5°F (38-39.2°C). Hypothermia sets in when the body loses heat faster than it can generate heat. In dogs, I consider a body temperature of under 99°F (37°C) to be evidence of early/mild hypothermia. We usually think of exposure to cold environmental temperatures, particularly combined with windy and/or wet conditions, as the cause of…
In my last post, I talked about venomous snake bites. Today, something a little less scary (for most folks, at least)… spider bites. I should start out by saying that after the great majority of spider bites, owners won’t have the slightest idea that anything is amiss. Your dog might be a little itchy around the bite site, but rather…
Every summer, veterinarians warn about the dangers of excessive heat for dogs. Why is heatstroke so dangerous? Heatstroke is characterized by a body temperature between 106 and 109°F (normal is 101.5°F give or take a degree). It is most likely to develop under one or more of the following conditions: hot and humid weather combined with exercise and/or a lack…
We all know that vomiting is bad, but many dog owners don’t understand exactly how much damage severe or prolonged vomiting can do to a dog’s body. Dehydration Severe vomiting causes direct loss of water from the body but equally important is the fact that it prevents dogs from holding down and absorbing water that they try to drink to…