-
Protect Your Pets from Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a serious condition for humans and for your pets and taking measures to prevent it can spare your dog from serious pain and suffering.
-
Parvo
Parvo is a virus that attacks and kills the cells which make up the lining of the digestive system. This virus is significantly more common in puppies than adult dogs. It can exist in the environment for up to 9 months and is highly contagious. Adult dogs can carry parvo and leave it behind in the environment.
-
Canine Breast Cancer
50% of dogs will contract cancer within their lifetimes. Canine cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental death in dogs. Canine breast cancer is extremely common--according to a study in Norway, canine breast cancer makes up approximately 53% of malignant cancers in female dogs… and it is highly preventable.
-
Canine Diabetes
Diabete mellitus is characterized by an insulin deficiency, which means the dog's body cannot properly metabolize sugars, resulting in too much glucose in the dog's blood and not enough in the dog's cells. Just as in humans, dogs can develop 2 types of diabetes.
-
Avoiding Pet-Related Health Hazards
Did you know that there are many diseases that can spread between companion animals and humans? It is important that pet owners understand the illnesses that humans can catch from animals so that proper measures are taken to stay healthy. Take some time to learn the best ways to avoid becoming infected with these diseases.
-
Pet Health Insurance
A major consideration one must keep in mind when deciding to bring home a pet is whether or not one can afford to pay for the care of that pet. What about the event of an accident or severe illness? If you don’t want to risk breaking the bank to maintain the health and wellbeing of your beloved pooch, you should consider purchasing pet insurance.
-
When to See the Vet
New dog owners, much like new parents, often have trouble deciding when it is necessary to seek medical attention for their dog. The most basic rule of thumb is, if your dog is displaying behavior uncharacteristic of his normal actions, call the vet. Get to know your dog well enough that you can spot disconcerting changes in behavior.
-
Why Spay or Neuter Your Dog?
Companion animal overpopulation is reaching critical levels in the United States. 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each year. Five to seven million pets end up in shelters annually, approximately 60% of which are eventually euthanized. Spaying and neutering are the only 100% effective methods of birth control for dogs.
-
Paw Care
Dogs’ paws are an often overlooked part of the animal’s anatomy, which is unfortunate because their continued welfare is vital to the overall health of the dog. Dogs with paw pain may not be inclined to exercise as much, leading to joint issues, obesity, excess nervous energy, muscle atrophy, and other problems.
-
Living with Separation Anxiety
Does your dog bark, howl, and cry whenever you leave the house? Do you constantly come home to destroyed furniture, shoes, pillows, and general mayhem? Has your pooch ripped your blinds to shreds and convinced your neighbors you’ve left him home alone for days, even when you’ve been gone 20 minutes? If so, your dog might have separation anxiety.
-
Glucosamine and Your Dog
“Dog’s lives are too short… Their only fault, really,” said Agnes Sligh Turnbull. She, like anyone else who has owned a dog, understands that one of the few downsides of owning a dog is that you will eventually have to watch him grow old. There are measures one can take to keep Fido healthy, one of which is supplementing his diet with Glucosamine.
-
Coping with Storm Anxiety
Does your dog panic in the hours before and during a thunderstorm? Storm anxiety can be displayed with relatively minor symptoms like trembling, panting, and drooling; more intense symptoms like hiding, whining, and inappropriate elimination; or even extreme symptoms like destructive behavior, and self injury.
-
Choosing a Vet
Choosing a vet is no different from choosing a new doctor for your family. It is preferable to consistently visit one vet so your dog is more comfortable and the care provider has a more complete history of your dog’s medications, conditions, and immunizations, so you want to choose a vet you’ll be comfortable with for the life of your dog.
-
Canine Bloat
Canine Bloat is the common name for a not-uncommon and extremely dangerous condition in dogs called Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, or GDV. GDV has taken the lives of many an unwary owner’s beloved pet, and though much is still unknown about the causes, and thus prevention of Bloat, education remains your best defense.
-
Cancer Prevention
We are being rewarded for advances in veterinary science and knowledge with extra years of love and affection from our dogs. However, with an increase in dogs living into advanced years, there is also an increase in the incidence of the diseases that strike in the winter of our companions’ lives, one of which is the ever-dreaded cancer.