Dog health advocacy

Dog Adrenal Hormones: What is the Difference between Adrenaline and Cortisol?

Adrenaline and cortisol are produced by your dog’s adrenal glands. Both of these hormones play a role during stress but their functions are different. Recently I read a veterinary article about elevated liver enzymes in [senior] dogs. The author wrote it from the perspective of clinical experience. Among other things, the article explained how liver enzyme elevation can be a…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Veterinary Infrared Thermography: Thermal Imaging Diagnoses Early IVDD: Jack’s Story

When it comes to infrared thermography, I have only one question. Why doesn’t every clinic have this yet? Perhaps it’s not the miracle diagnose-all method, but I think it’s pretty close to it. As well as it is 100% non-invasive and very affordable. And I find the insights it can provide amazing. What is veterinary infrared thermography? Infrared thermography detects…

by Jana Rade

SDMA Kidney Function Test: Veterinarian Share Opinions and Experience With The New Way Of Monitoring Kidney Health In Dogs

SDMA kidney function test is the newest test for evaluating kidney health in dogs. It has been around for a while now so I figured it’s time to ask veterinarians how they feel about it. Have you been using the new kidney function blood test [SDMA]? How would you rate its usefulness? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the…

by Jana Rade

Canine Kidney Function Screening: Checking Your Dog’s Kidney Function

Everything in your dog’s body has a distinct job. The kidneys perform several vital tasks, including filtration of waste and toxins and essential regulatory functions. Kidney function is assessed based on values that reflect how the kidneys are able to do their job. Measuring blood levels of nitrogenous wastes and compounds (azotemia) The two familiar values that belong in this…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Fat in Dog Nutrition: Give Me Some Bacon

What role does fat play in dog nutrition? Are fats good or bad for dogs? Ok, so bacon isn’t the best thing to feed your dog. Although I’m sure they wouldn’t complain. But what about fat in general? Should there be fat in your dog’s diet? “There better be,” says Fido. Even though his motives might be questionable, Fido is…

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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