Diagnoses

Loss of Balance in Dogs: Phoenix’s Loss of Balance and Ability to Walk. What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog?

Phoenix was a fourteen-year-old Labrador Retriever. One day he lost his balance and started falling over. What can cause loss of balance in dogs? The list is relatively long. Some potential causes include injuries stroke poisoning infections neurological issues immune-mediated conditions cancer What happened with Phoenix? Phoenix was a service dog and a great companion. But then scary things started…

by Jana Rade

Scratching and Restlessness in Dogs: Teddy’s Story. What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog?

Teddy is a sweet, 2-year-old Cavalier Springer Spaniel. Do you know what to make of excessive head scratching in this breed? Teddy’s story Cavalier Springer Spaniels are true love bugs. One look at them makes your heart melt. Teddy found his forever home when he was 19 months old. He was a gentle boy and a wonderful companion. First symptoms…

by Jana Rade

Unexplained Weight Loss in GSDs: Beaner’s Weight Loss. What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog?

Beaner was a 10-year-old German Shepherd mix. When Beaner started losing weight, her mom didn’t think much of it because she was trying to get Beaner a bit thinner–weight loss was what they were trying to accomplish. Weight loss, however, was soon followed by other symptoms. Beaner started shedding more than normal and her skin was becoming dry and flaky.…

by Jana Rade

Nosebleeds in a Dog: Buddy’s Nosebleeds. What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog?

Nosebleeds in dogs are not common. The dog’s nose won’t bleed as easily as a human one does. If your dog’s nose starts bleeding, it isn’t likely they just bumped it on something. There are many potential causes for canine nosebleeds but minor trauma isn’t one of them. Potential causes of nosebleeds in dogs include: serious trauma foreign bodies clotting…

by Jana Rade

Excessive Scratching in Springer Spaniels: Ella Has Allergies and an Ear Infection? What Would You Do If It Was Your Dog?

What if your Cavalier Springer Spaniel was scratching excessively but not show any evidence of a skin issue? Ella was a 4-year-old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She was the love of her mom’s life. Those two were inseparable and deeply bonded. First symptoms When Ella was about 2-years-old, she started scratching herself more than usual. Nothing major, just enough…

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.

View Full Profile →