Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Kennel cough is a respiratory infection in dogs. It is a lay term for an infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) complex. Even though the symptoms are similar, the term paints a picture different from a common cold, doesn’t it? The underlying infection behind kennel cough can be bacteria, viruses, or a combination of both. Some of these microorganisms are more commonly…
Did your veterinarian answer all your questions and addressed your concerns? Are there things you forgot to ask? Don’t ever leave the vet’s office unless you’re fully satisfied that you understand what is going on with your dog. You should be walking out either with a diagnosis and a treatment plan or at least a plan of action and further…
Do you know what questions to ask your veterinarian? In the past, when I was going to a vet, whether it was for a scheduled exam or with a medical problem, I just went. What else would one need, right? Show up, bring the dog–that’s it, isn’t it? Then I came home and realized how many things I forgot to…
Do you take your dog for regular wellness exams? Or do you wait until something is wrong? Wellness exams are often an underappreciated part of preventive health care. But why go to a vet when there is nothing obviously wrong? By the time there is something obviously wrong–except for trauma or infection–it’s been going on quietly for quite some time.…
How much should you worry when your dog starts vomiting? If your dog vomits once and acts like nothing is going on, it’s likely not a concern. Vomiting repeatedly with signs of abdominal pain, however, is a different story. Mort is an Australian Kelpie and he was 3-years-old at the time. Mort is an agile, high-energy dog who loves any…