Articles with dog health advocacy

Euthyroid Sick Syndrome in Dogs: When Is Hypothyroidism not Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine (hormonal) diseases I see in dogs. It occurs most frequently in middle-aged (4-10 years old) medium to large-breed dogs. Breeds that are commonly affected include Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, and Airedale Terriers. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland secretes less thyroid hormone than normal. It…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

Dog Care and Trust: How Do I Know When There Is Something Wrong with Cookie’s Foot?

Many dogs tend to hide pain and discomfort. That doesn’t mean you cannot detect the signs if you observe carefully. I believe that the degree to which dogs share with us when something is bothering them is a matter of trust. If that is so, Cookie trusts us explicitly. Cookie and I have entered a new level of trust and…

by Jana Rade

Pre-Anesthetic Blood Tests: Jack’s Test Reveals Kidney Failure

Many illnesses can go from undetectable to potentially deadly (particularly when combined with surgery and/or anesthesia) over the course of just a few weeks. Having fresh blood work provides insight into your dog’s overall health making sure that they can handle anesthesia safely. It is important to adjust the treatment plan if the blood test reveals any abnormalities. Knowing is…

by Jana Rade

Veterinary Care Decisions: The Other Side Of The Coin – The Cost Of Defensive Medicine

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 makes a decision regarding a patient’s care not simply based on what is best for that patient but also taking into consideration a perceived need to cover his or her white-coated backside in…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

Canine Fur Analysis: What Fur Can Reveal and Differences between Labs

There was more than one reason I wanted to run a canine fur analysis for Cookie. I wanted to make sure her diet provides everything she needs, particularly when it comes to minerals. Cookie is on a raw diet so I am not worried about proteins or vitamins. It is the minerals that can be a challenge. I also wanted…

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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