Articles with emergencies

Are Bug Stings an Emergency?

Our guys got their share of bee stings. While painful and distressing, most bug stings indeed are not an emergency. The last time when Cookie stepped on a bee, she was very unimpressed. She was limping, shaking her foot, I could see it hurt a lot. Typically, I give Benadryl, but because Cookie was showing major signs of pain, I…

by Jana Rade

Is Head Pressing an Emergency?

Does the notion of your dog pressing their head into corners or against objects sound like not a big deal to you? Ok, I concede this sounds quite weird and more like a trick question than something that could be an emergency situation. Surely this sounds harmless enough? Not so fast. What does head pressing indicate? Head pressing indicates damage…

by Jana Rade

Is Dog Choking an Emergency?

If your dog is choking, they need help right away. There is no doubt about that. The bottom line, however, is that they need help much faster than you can get them to a vet. You need to perform first aid before seeking veterinary assistance. First aid for a choking dog You need to man up (or is it person…

by Jana Rade

Is Dog Coughing an Emergency?

You should see a vet if your dog is coughing persistently. Most of the time, though, it doesn’t need immediate medical attention. However, depending on the overall circumstance I might see a vet the same day or early the next. Particularly if a cough seems bothersome to my dog. Such as with Jasmine who one day started coughing after a serious…

by Jana Rade

Is an Unresponsive Dog an Emergency?

Unresponsive dog is not a dog that is disobedient but a dog that doesn’t react to stimuli. Your dog’s body might be unable to react, or their brain function is compromised. They might be extremely weak, unconscious, in a state of stupor or in a coma. A dog so unwell that they are not responding is an emergency. Rufus’ story…

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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