Alternative treatments

Dog Knee Injuries: Why The Second CCL Often Goes Too

Have you ever wondered about the impact of improper use of an injured limb on the rest of the body and how other areas are affected? Dog knee injuries are no exception. The canine knee or “stifle” is the most problematic joint in the dog. Source: The Dog Health Handbook The stifle is a complex joint starting with the rounded…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Dog CCL Injury Grading: Cruciate Tears “All or None, or Partial?”

Cruciate ligament tears are a topic of prime concern with any canine species-at-risk. In some cases, despite efforts to prevent tears, they still occur. Injury mechanism Unlike in a human knee, in dogs, the cruciate ligament tends to tear gradually. As humans are bipedal, upright walkers, the knee’s anterior cruciate ligament is situated horizontally in relation to the ground. This…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Weather and Dog Arthritis: Effects of Weather on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Conditions in Dogs

“The dog ate my homework” may not work as a viable excuse with teachers, but “this weather is killing me” definitely resounds with physical therapists! Yes, weather affects arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in human beings as well as animals! What aspects of weather play a role? I’m not a meteorologist, but having spent summers on a farm as a…

by Susan E. Davis PT

PRP for Partial Cruciate Tear: Pearl Is Running Again

Dogs with different clinical conditions with different outcome goals, including musculoskeletal conditions, can benefit from platelet therapy. Pearl’s story Pearl was found as a stray on the streets. She was a bloody little malnourished baby girl. Veterinarians were not able to determine exactly what caused her leg disfigurement. However, because of the scar tissue and the scarring around her torso,…

by Dr. Jeff Schaffer

Tips for a Healthy Dog: My Favorite Things for Keeping A Dog Fit and Healthy

Owners are always on the lookout for ways to keep their dogs in top shape. Keeping your dog fit and free from pain will ensure a lifetime of good health. Here is a list of my favorite things to help maintain good fitness and joint health, based on years of experience with products and resources while finding out which are…

by Susan E. Davis PT

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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