Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Watching an itchy pet scratch to the point of self-mutilation is an agonizing and all-too-common experience for dog owners. The veterinary visits that usually (and should!) follow often result in a diagnosis of allergies. While allergies are extremely common in dogs, owners should be aware that this very fact can sometimes lead vets to diagnose an allergy when something else…
The medical establishment, at least on the human side of things, has been preaching the gospel about the benefits of physical therapy for a long time. One of my family members recently had hip replacement surgery. Her doctor went so far as to say that he could perform a flawless procedure, but if my Aunt didn’t hold up her end…
Do you live in or travel to areas that are home to venomous snakes? Do you know how to protect your dog from snake bites? I’ve been neighbors with rattlesnakes, copperheads, and water moccasins, and have treated dogs that have been bitten by some if not all of these species. These cases can be incredibly rewarding or heartbreaking. It all…
Most dog owners are aware that antifreeze containing ethylene glycol (EG) is dangerous stuff. But, do you know exactly how antifreeze wreaks havoc in a dog’s body? I didn’t think so (I had to look up a few of the finer points too). Let’s review how the dog’s body absorbs, metabolizes, and excretes ethylene glycol. The information is essential to…
If you spend much time on websites dedicated to canine nutrition, you’re bound to run into a debate over Salmonella. In general, veterinarians have considered salmonellosis (a disease caused by infection with Salmonella bacteria) to primarily be a problem in dogs that are fed raw or undercooked meats. However, the Diamond pet food recall shows that to protect both dogs…