Dog health advocacy

Canine Leptospirosis Vaccination Decisions: Endemic Spread and Risk-Based Choices

Leptospirosis a zoonotic bacterial disease that affects many species, including dogs. The infection can cause mild flu-like symptoms or can turn into a life-threatening disease. Leptospirosis responds well to antibiotics—if treatment starts early. The real problem is recognizing it in time. Early symptoms often look like a mild flu—lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting—so diagnosis is frequently delayed. By then, the bacteria…

by Jana Rade

Melanocytoma in a Dog: Cookie’s Eyelid Bump that Was Not a Cyst

A melanocytoma is a benign tumor of cells that produce pigment—melanocytes. Only a histopathologist can determine the difference between a melanocytoma and a malignant melanoma. As a general rule, tumors of the pigment-producting cells are usually benign where the skin is covered by fur and malignant in bare-skin areas such as lips or nail beds. The one exception are eyelids…

by Jana Rade

My Dog Is in Heat: Signs, Management Tips, and What I Needed to Learn

We adopted Pepper, our new lovely Rottweiler mix, two weeks ago. I knew she was two years old and intact. Without any further details, I wondered when she might go into her heat cycle. As it turns out—right now. Most dog parents never experience their girl going into heat because of standard early spay and neuter. We’ve never had an…

by Jana Rade

Why Trim Dog Nails: The Domino Effect of Untrimmed Nails

Nobody likes trimming their dog’s nails. However, it’s okay to cheat. You can teach your dog to use a scratch board, or have a professional take care of it. However, skipping trimming entirely and letting those nails grow unchecked can trigger a cascade of health problems. We have just adopted a new girl. It was destiny that she should become…

by Jana Rade

Veterinary Medical Records: Access to Your Dog’s Medical Information–To Whom Do Your Dog’s Records Belong?

Do you have a hard time acquiring your dog’s labs and appointment notes? Or does your vet provide you a copy of everything readily? Online veterinary medical records Jasmine’s vet keeps web-based medical records. Online records are the best thing since sliced bread. I really loved having the constant full access to all medical information and discussions. Anything. Any time.…

by Jana Rade

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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