Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Choosing the right veterinarian and knowing when to seek a second opinion can be the difference between sickness and health, and sometimes the life and death of your dog. If there is a single take-home point of my blog, it is this—your dog’s health is ultimately in your hands. Making the right decisions for your dog is your responsibility, and…
Obesity is a problem for both dogs and their parents. Yet, the most important thing you can do for your dog to keep them healthy, happy, and living longer is to keep them at an optimal weight. With all else being equal, a life-long reduction in caloric intake can extend your dog’s life by almost two years on average. In…
You may have heard the phrase “defensive medicine” used during the recent health care debate in the United States. Defensive medicine describes the situation where a doctor decides a patient’s care not simply based on what is best for that patient but also considers a perceived need to cover his or her white-coated backside in case things don’t go well.…
In my last post, I talked about difficulties diagnosing dermatological and hormonal diseases in dogs. Now, let’s take a look at conditions affecting the bones and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. Limping If a dog has a painful musculoskeletal condition, he will usually favor his affected leg. However, if multiple legs are affected, limping may not be so obvious.…
Veterinary (and human) medicine is at least as much of an art as it is a science. What does this mean for dog owners? You should consider any diagnosis that your dog receives to be a “work in progress.” No vet would intentionally misdiagnose a dog. However, certain diseases are notoriously difficult to pin down. If your dog is not…