Articles with second opinions

Common Dog Misdiagnoses: Skin Issues

Veterinary (and human) medicine is at least as much of an art as it is a science. What does this mean for dog owners? You should consider any diagnosis that your dog receives to be a “work in progress.” No vet would intentionally misdiagnose a dog. However, certain diseases are notoriously difficult to pin down. If your dog is not…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

IVDD Diagnosis in a Dog: Bulging Disc and The Importance Of A Second Opinion—Jingle’s Story

When the cushioning disc between the spinal vertebrae bulges or herniates and press on the spinal cord, it is referred to as intervertebral disc disease. It is an extremely painful condition and it can lead to lameness, weakness, and paralysis; not to mention a severe reduction in quality of life. Thank you, Luanne, for sharing Jingles’ story. Jingles’ story Jingles…

by Jana Rade

Unresolved Cough in Dogs: Kupo’s Story. What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog?

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection in dogs. It is a lay term for an infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) complex. Even though the symptoms are similar, the term paints a picture different from a common cold, doesn’t it? The underlying infection behind kennel cough can be bacteria, viruses, or a combination of both. Some of these microorganisms are more commonly…

by Jana Rade

Muscle Wasting in Dogs: What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog? Allie’s Story

What would you do if your dog started losing muscle mass without an obvious reason? Allie was as sweet as a Maltese can be. A beautiful, loving little girl. On the surface, Allie seemed perfectly fine. Her appetite was good, she wasn’t losing weight. While her weight remained stable, Allie kept wasting before her mom’s eyes. Allie was losing muscle…

by Jana Rade

Canine Hind End Paralysis: R.G.’s Hind End Lameness and Paralysis. What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog?

Paralysis is the partial or full loss of body movement. Symptoms of canine hind end paralysis can vary in severity. Mild neurological deficit leads to weakness and knuckling. Full paralysis results in a dog dragging their rear legs. Associated problems include pain, potty accidents, inability to urinate or constipation. R.G. was a happy, active girl, until one day she suddenly…

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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