Articles with dog health advocacy

SDMA Kidney Function Test: Veterinarian Share Opinions and Experience With The New Way Of Monitoring Kidney Health In Dogs

SDMA kidney function test is the newest test for evaluating kidney health in dogs. It has been around for a while now so I figured it’s time to ask veterinarians how they feel about it. Have you been using the new kidney function blood test [SDMA]? How would you rate its usefulness? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the…

by Jana Rade

Canine Kidney Function Screening: Checking Your Dog’s Kidney Function

Everything in your dog’s body has a distinct job. The kidneys perform several vital tasks, including filtration of waste and toxins and essential regulatory functions. Kidney function is assessed based on values that reflect how the kidneys are able to do their job. Measuring blood levels of nitrogenous wastes and compounds (azotemia) The two familiar values that belong in this…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Canine Dental Health: Veterinarians Answer Whether Chewing Promotes Dental health

Dogs love to chew. It gives them something to do, and it can keep them out of trouble. Or it can get them in trouble if you disagree with their choice of objects to chew on. Could chewing benefit dental health? See what veterinarians answered. Does chewing promote dental health? The answer of course is, it depends. Why chewing should help…

by Jana Rade

Canine Dental Care: Look at Those Snappers, Will You?

A vast majority of dogs suffer from some level of periodontal disease by the time they become three years old. Dental disease doesn’t affect only the mouth; it can have negative impact on the entire body. You can read more about that here: Bad Breath in Dogs: When Bad Breath Can Kill! There are ways to prevent or delay periodontal…

by Jana Rade

Making the Best of Wellness Exams: Cookie’s Latest Check-Up

How do you spoil your dog? Do you think that regular wellness exams qualify? Most people love to spoil their dogs. If you want to spoil your dog in a meaningful way, don’t forget the things they can appreciate, and don’t forget wellness exams. There are few things you can do for your dog to increase their chances of 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 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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