Fur analysis

Canine Fur Analysis: What Fur Can Reveal and Differences between Labs

There was more than one reason I wanted to run a canine fur analysis for Cookie. I wanted to make sure her diet provides everything she needs, particularly when it comes to minerals. Cookie is on a raw diet so I am not worried about proteins or vitamins. It is the minerals that can be a challenge. I also wanted…

by Jana Rade

Veterinary Highlights: Analysis Of Dog Hair Reveals Hormonal Imbalance

Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a common endocrinological disorder in dogs. It is estimated that one to two dogs our of a thousand/per year will get it. The symptoms are often written off as signs of normal aging and the diagnosis is complicated. Recent research at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna has shown that…

by Jana Rade

Fur Analysis for Dogs: Toxins? What Toxins? Jasmine’s Results

Fur analysis is an underappreciated way of learning things about your dog’s health. Can fur analysis uncover quiet problems such as mineral deficiencies and toxicities, presence of heavy metals, and even state of your dog’s metabolism? Toxins? Toxins. Fascinating topic. On one hand, we have holistic vets talking about the toxic load our dogs have to bear, and on 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.

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