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Although it would be nice if your vet could immediately spot potential problems with your dog during his or her annual check-up, the fact of the matter is that 15 minutes a year is not enough for the vet to see changes that could indicate an illness. As your dog’s guardian, you have a responsibility to spend enough time with your dog to give the vet sufficient information to keep the animal healthy.
A Veterinary Checkup
Be Your Dog’s Advocate
In her book Speaking for Spot Dr. Nancy Kay, a...
Sleep 17 hours or so, eat a few tasty morsels, play outside a little, cuddle all night in a comfy bed. How could this be stressful? You might be surprised at the things that can cause your dog anxiety, but if you don’t educate yourself about it, you’re missing out on an important way to help your dog be even more comfortable.
Confinement can be a stressor for your dog.
Spend just a few minutes thinking about life from your dog’s point of view. Every morning, his best friend gets up, throws...
How do you know when to breed a dog? When is it “safe” to allow males around your female? What can you do to prevent unwanted litters? Read on for the answers to these and other questions regarding your dog’s heat cycles.
Puberty
Yes, it’s true. Dogs go through puberty just like people do, and prior to this milestone, your bitch cannot become pregnant. Although large dogs tend to have a later puberty than small dogs, anywhere between six and 24 months is considered...
Sad, but true: dogs can get diabetes just as humans do, and they suffer from the side effects every bit as much as humans do. Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires diligence on your part to give your dog as many healthy, happy years as possible in spite of his malfunctioning pancreas.
What is diabetes?
Known formally as diabetes mellitus, this is a disease that prevents the dog’s body from properly using carbohydrates to fuel his body’s cells. In a normal body, the pancreas...
The male reproductive system in a dog is made up of the scrotum, testicles, epididymides, deferent ducts, spermatic cords, prostate, penis and urethra. Understanding the structure and function of these organs can help you identify when any problems crop up which may need veterinary attention.
Elements of the reproductive tract
Hanging between the dog’s hind legs is a sac known as the scrotum which holds and protects the testicles. The scrotal pouch is divided into two separate areas by...
Although your dog relies heavily on his nose and ears to learn about the world, he does use his eyes to help him get around and to know when he is supposed to bark at the squirrel running along the fence. So, what happens when your dog’s eyes get sick? How will you know when he needs to go to the vet? And what can you do to keep your dog’s eyes healthy?
Normal Canine Eye Structure
Each eye sits in a bony structure of the skull known as an orbit and is made up of three layers. The outermost...
Does your dog scratch his ears and whine? Does she shake her head a lot? These are symptoms of a possible ear infection, and it’s your job to relieve his pain and prevent the infection from coming back.
If you dog scratches his ears a lot, it could be a sign of an ear infection
Canine Ear Structure
The ear is divided into three sections. The innermost portion, known as the inner ear, is involved in both hearing and balance, while the middle ear and external ear are strictly for hearing. ...
Bringing home a new puppy can be joyful but also challenging. There are so many things to consider. Where will the puppy sleep, where will they spend most of their time, what toys do they need? The list of questions is endless. The challenge is magnified if your puppy has diarrhea.
Different causes
Puppies can have diarrhea for a variety of reasons. Sometimes just being taken from the litter and put into a new home can be stressful enough to trigger puppy diarrhea. In this case the symptoms may...
Herbs can benefit every member of your family – even your pets. Make a few herbal treats and keep them happy and healthy too!
Breath Fresh Dog Biscuits
Parsley and mint do wonders for doggy breath and general mouth health. Don’t overdo the mint in this recipe unless your dog really loves the taste.
Take one cup each of whole wheat flour, ground oatmeal and cornmeal and mix well together. Finely chop four-five sprigs of fresh parsley and a sprig of mint. Mix the herbs into the meal mixture. Add...
Is your dog looking a bit fluffier than usual? It could be that he’s packed on a few extra pounds due to overeating and lack of activity. Even though you may love him just as he is those extra pounds can increase his risk of developing a variety of health problems including diabetes and arthritis. There are a variety simple steps you can take to help your favorite canine lose weight. Keep in mind that an overweight pet is an unhealthy one. Here are some practical ways to help your overweight dog...
