Articles with alternative treatments

Canine DLE Alternative Treatments: Alternative Treatments For Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) in Dogs

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) in dogs is an autoimmune disease. The dog’s immune system attacks the skin in the area of the face and specifically nose. Our dear friend Jana has written about this before in the article Collie Nose: Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) In Dogs She explained it well and provides the symptoms here The first signs typically are…

by Dr. Daniel Beatty, DVM

Canine Cryo- and Heat Therapy: Should I Use Ice or Heat, Doc?

A client with an injured dog is leaving the office after treatment and asks “Should I use ice or heat on that, Doc?” This question is asked of me a lot. I deal with orthopedic issues and pain in most of my patients. A great therapy to do at home that is very inexpensive to relieve pain is either cryotherapy…

by Dr. Daniel Beatty, DVM

Canine Wheeled Carts: Mobility Aids – Wheelchairs for Dogs

Believe it or not, canine wheeled carts are a controversial subject. Does getting a wheelchair for your dog mean the beginning of the end? Is it unnatural? Or a gift of mobility and quality of life? I literally draw a deep breath and steady myself whenever I feel the necessity to address wheeled carts with clients. I never know what…

by Susan E. Davis PT

PT for Dog Gastrointestinal Disorders: Can Physical Therapy Help with my Dog’s Digestive Issues?

Can physical therapy help with pancreatitis, constipation, colitis, and many other digestive disorders your dog might face? Your veterinarian is the first point of contact for help with these issues. Any gastrointestinal disorders require evaluation by a primary care specialist for diagnosis instruction on proper nutrition, medication, and supplements Physical therapy is adjunctive care for internal disorders. However, it can…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Frailty Syndrome in Geriatric Dogs: Physical Therapy and Home Care to Reverse Frailty

What is frailty syndrome in geriatric dogs and what can I do about it? What is the frailty syndrome? You might assume this refers to dogs that are overweight and are at risk for arthritis, loss of mobility, metabolic disease, etc. While obesity is a common problem with older dogs, there is another condition I will highlight here: frailty in…

by Susan E. Davis PT

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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