Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Does the notion of your dog pressing their head into corners or against objects sound like not a big deal to you? Ok, I concede this sounds quite weird and more like a trick question than something that could be an emergency situation. Surely this sounds harmless enough? Not so fast. What does head pressing indicate? Head pressing indicates damage…
If your dog is choking, they need help right away. There is no doubt about that. The bottom line, however, is that they need help much faster than you can get them to a vet. You need to perform first aid before seeking veterinary assistance. First aid for a choking dog You need to man up (or is it person…
You should see a vet if your dog is coughing persistently. Most of the time, though, it doesn’t need immediate medical attention. However, depending on the overall circumstance I might see a vet the same day or early the next. Particularly if a cough seems bothersome to my dog. Such as with Jasmine who one day started coughing after a serious…
Unresponsive dog is not a dog that is disobedient but a dog that doesn’t react to stimuli. Your dog’s body might be unable to react, or their brain function is compromised. They might be extremely weak, unconscious, in a state of stupor or in a coma. A dog so unwell that they are not responding is an emergency. Rufus’ story…
Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re reading this because your dog’s gums are pale, yes, it is an emergency. Now, yes, different breeds have differently colored gums. My dogs’ gums are very dark, mostly black. Other breeds have gums that are straight pink. Become familiar with what your dog’s normal gum color is. Pale gums are gums that are…