Alternative treatments

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

HBOT Treats Spinal Issue: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Heals Diamond

Dogs can be affected by spinal conditions from the neck to the mid and lower sections of the spine. Dachshunds are one of the breeds most susceptible to spinal problems. The treatment for severe cases is laminectomy–surgical decompression of the spinal cord in the affected area. What if your dog went through the surgery but continued to have issues? Thank…

by Jana Rade

Scientific Evidence Behind Canine PT: Where’s The Beef?

Is there scientific evidence to back up using canine physical therapy? Quite a few years ago, a funny commercial appeared on television for Wendy’s, the famous American hamburger fast-food chain. It featured a little elderly lady picking up the top hamburger bun and peering down at the sandwich. She frowns, raises her chin, and yells, “WHERE’S the BEEF?!!!” Remember it? …

by Susan E. Davis PT

Assessing Lameness in Dogs: Measuring Leg Circumference—Cookie’s PRP Treatment for Partial Cruciate (CCL/ACL) Tear and Leg Circumference

Muscle mass measurements are a useful tool to evaluate the use of limbs. The following methods can estimate muscle mass: limb circumference measurements ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) Measuring leg circumference is an option that is readily available and affordable. Further information: Assessing and Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes Jasmine’s vet always said that…

by Jana Rade

Dog Wounds and Manuka Honey: Our Experience Using Raw Manuka Honey for Wound Care

Honey is a bacteria-killing power house. Since ancient times, honey has been used to prevent wounds from getting infected. To learn more about the incredible powers of honey, check out the Honey: Bacteria’s Worst Enemy video. Honey Honey is a fluid that bees make from the flower nectar. Bees produce honey as a food source to maintain them through the…

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.

View Full Profile →