Articles with dog health advocacy

Pain Management For Dogs: Types of Pain Medications for Dogs And What They Do

The two main issues with pain in dogs are recognizing pain in your dog and what to do about it. “What can I get over the counter to help my dog’s pain,” is one of the most frequent questions on dog forums. And yet, that’s not what we’ll be talking about today. Two main types of pain Pain falls into two…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Dog Poop Contents: What Is the Stuff in My Dog’s Poop?

What else other than color and consistency should you look at when examining your dog’s stool? Mucus Healthy poop should not have any coating on it. Sometimes you’ll find poop covered by a slimy substance – mucus. Mucus is produced in the intestine to lubricate and protect the gut lining, but it usually isn’t noticeable on feces. Mucosal surfaces in…

by Jana Rade

Canine Heartworm Disease: Veterinarians Share Insights About Heartworm Disease And Prevention in Dogs

Do you think your dog might be at risk of contracting canine heartworm disease? Do you think it’s something to worry about or not so much? Is your dog on preventative, or do you think they don’t need one? I asked my veterinary friends. Question: Have you seen heartworm-positive dogs in your area? Do you feel that dog owners underestimate…

by Jana Rade

Tailored Veterinary Solutions: Thinking Outside The Box

Standard treatments and approaches address most conditions your dog might face. But one size doesn’t always fit all. There are times when your dog will benefit from a tailored solution. You should be able to discuss alternative options with your veterinarian. Grab your best tool for communicating with your veterinarian here. Looks like the boils, altered mental status, and heart…

by Jana Rade

Dog Health Internet Research: Should You Curb Your Internet Research Enthusiasm?

Is internet research a good thing, or is it a bad thing? The internet is a wonderful tool. But make sure you use reputable sources and a discerning mind. I research things on the internet all the time. But, at the end of the day, internet research bought Jasmine years she wouldn’t have been with us. Is internet research a…

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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