Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
Chronic ear problems are common conditions in dogs and among the most mishandled by veterinarians. These problems are probably the most common chronic conditions that we see. Many clients have preconceived notions of the causes and treatments. They draw on what ear infections are like in people. Or they assume that this is a condition with which their dog has…
A change in behavior can alert you to important changes in your dog’s health. Tora’s story makes two essential points about the significance of behavioral changes and avoiding the assumption trap when deciphering the situation. Why did Tora suddenly stop responding to her mom? Was she being stubborn? What if the reason your dog doesn’t respond to your requests is…
There is the adorable heat tilt that dogs do when you talk to them. And then there is the head tilt that is a sign of a problem. How do you tell the difference? The head tilt we all love can vary from side to side, in response to an interesting stimuli. The dog is looking at the source of…
Dogs shake their head in response to an irritation–pain, itch, tickle, or a bug bite. Excessive head shaking is a common sign of an ear infection. Titan is a big boy. He’s six years old and weighs about 130 pounds. He has a heart of gold. Titan has been shaking his head regularly every morning for years but it didn’t…
Should one clean their dog’s ears regularly? I am one of the people who don’t like fixing what isn’t broken. I don’t bathe my dog unless they need it and I don’t fuss with their ears unless there is a problem. Some dogs do need regular ear cleaning, though—especially if they are prone to ear infections—quite frequently. Further information: Instructions…