Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Loss of appetite in dogs can be a sign of a life-threatening condition. When Aspen lost her appetite, it was the first visible sign of her leukemia. Here is her story. Aspen’s story We didn’t know Aspen was seriously ill. We had decided to take her to see Dr. B because she didn’t seem to be herself, and she was…
Normal body temperature for dogs is around 100.5-102.5°F (38-39.2°C). Hypothermia sets in when the body loses heat faster than it can generate heat. In dogs, I consider a body temperature of under 99°F (37°C) to be evidence of early/mild hypothermia. We usually think of exposure to cold environmental temperatures, particularly combined with windy and/or wet conditions, as the cause of…
Shaking or trembling falls into the category of “it depends.” It’s one of the things when knowing your breed, your dog, and individual circumstances is essential. For example, my daughter’s Chi shakes even when she gets excited to see somebody. Indeed, some small dogs shake or tremble at the drop of a hat. Yet, small dogs are also highly susceptible…
Ear infections in dogs typically secondary to another underlying condition—most commonly allergies. Unless addressed, chronic ear infections will continue to worsen as the tissues change due to the condition. Thank you, Brook, for sharing Phoenix’s story. Phoenix’s story Phoenix is a fourteen-and-a-half-year-old male yellow Labrador Retriever. I received him from the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides when my first…
Coughing is a natural response to irritation or abnormality in the airway. A cough is the body’s way of clearing the airway. When the effort is successful, the coughing stops. However, if the problem persists, so does the cough. Which also tells you when you should be concerned. Our dogs often cough a few times when drinking from a bottle…