Articles with dog conditions

CCL Surgery Complications: My Love Is Sleeping At My Feet

Any surgery can bring complications. CCL surgeries are no different. Every type comes with a list of potential complications; some more predictable and avoidable than others. This story was submitted by one of my readers, who wishes to remain anonymous. It is not fair that some dogs have been dealt such terrible cards. But love overcomes much! My love and…

by Jana Rade

Syringomyelia in Dogs: The Dark Cloud Of Syringomyelia⁠—Fight For Ella

Syringomyelia is one of mankind’s “great gifts” to dogs–Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to be specific, although it can affect other breeds as well. Thank you, Annie Mac, for sharing Ella’s story. As we selectively breed for our own specific purposes, it is our dogs that end up on the short end of the stick. I believe that we should, for…

by Jana Rade

Canine Spay and Neuter: To Neuter Or Not To Neuter… That Is The Question

Do you know the risks and benefits of neutering or not neutering your dog? Apologizes to William Shakespeare, but the decision of whether or not to spay or neuter a dog is a big one for owners. Just like any medical procedure, there are pros and cons, risks and benefits. You should understand these before making a final decision. Unfortunately,…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

Canine Viral Infections—Parvo: Cosmo’s Battle with Parvovirus

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is one of the big questions. However, even the experts who believe that we are over-vaccinating our dogs agree that there are at least three infections for which vaccination is a must. These are rabies, parvovirus, and canine distemper. Canine parvovirus Canine parvovirus is an acute, highly contagious disease that is often deadly,…

by Jana Rade

Canine Spondylosis: The Many Faces Of Arthritis—Viva’s Story

Spondylosis is a type of osteoarthritis that affects the spine. It is common in older dogs, although dogs with early stages of the disease will often show no symptoms. It is characteristic of abnormal bony growths, or osteophytes, around the joints between vertebrae. Osteophytes/bone spurs Osteophytes are bony growths that form in response to damage to a joint. These are…

by Jana Rade

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of American and an award-winning author. 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 in 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 how to 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 save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners . What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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