Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Vomiting is a common occurrence in dogs and can be a major concern for their owners. There are many causes of vomiting. Vomiting can range from being an isolated incident of little concern to a major threat to your dog’s health. But how do you determine the difference? Firstly, you need to determine whether your dog is truly vomiting. Is…
Changes in behavior are one of the most misunderstood and overlooked symptoms. In fact, most of the time, behavior changes are not considered a symptom at all. If you were to remember just one thing, remember this – every change is significant. That absolutely includes any changes in the way your dog acts. Listen to what your dog is telling…
Many people think of chronic pain in the same way they think of acute pain. However, in reality, there is a world of difference between the two. Let’s start out with a basic definition of both terms. Acute pain is the type of sudden, very real, and sometimes a very severe type of pain. It results from something like a…
Cortisol is a vital hormone from the glucocorticoid family of steroid hormones. Cortisol is primarily produced by a dog’s adrenal glands. In health, cortisol plays a critical role in the dog’s ability to cope with stress. It stimulates glucose production and the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to provide fuel for the body. Cortisol also suppresses the immune system.…
Xylitol is a type of carbohydrate from the class of sugar alcohols (polyols). Sugar alcohols have a lower caloric density than traditional sweeteners like table sugar. However, they still impart a sweet taste to foods. As well as the bacteria found in the mouth doesn’t break down sugar alcohols, which makes them less likely to cause tooth decay in people.…