Eye swelling

Extraocular Myositis In Dogs: The Whites Of My Dog’s Eyes Are Swollen

Extraocular myositis (EOM) is a relatively uncommon condition. It affects Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and other retrieving or large-breed dogs. Despite how alarming it looks, extraocular myositis (EOM) in dogs is non-painful and not infectious. What exactly is extraocular myositis? EOM is an immune-mediated inflammation of the muscles behind the eye, not the eyeball itself. These muscles control eye movement.…

by Jana Rade

Eye Injuries in Dogs: Buzz’s Story of a Sore, Red Eye

Canine eyes are incredibly vulnerable, and even the smallest injury can lead to serious trouble. When your dog injures their eye, it is always a reason for concern and reason to consult with a veterinarian. Causes of eye injuries in dogs include scratches, blunt force, foreign bodies, abnormally growing eyelashes, or abnormal eyelids. Jasmine had to have her renegade eyelash…

by Jana Rade

Ataxia in a Dog: What Turned Out Not Being An Adverse Drug Reaction After All—JD’s Story

When your dog suddenly becomes unsteady on their feet, it is a scary thing to witness. The medical term for it is ataxia but that is not a diagnosis. It is simply describing the situation. What can cause ataxia? The problem can originate in: inner ear brainstem spinal cord brain There can also be systemic causes such as changes in…

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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