Which Mushrooms Are Toxic To Dogs?
After a few days of heavy rain, mushrooms have popped up all over your backyard. If you have a dog who eats everything, tender mushroom caps may be impossible for them to resist. While many are harmless, some species of mushroom are highly toxic to dogs. Keep these tips in mind when letting your dog […]
Dog-Friendly Spring Cleaning: 7 Tips To Avoid Toxicity in Dogs
With springtime in full swing, many of us are feeling the urge to freshen up our living spaces. After we put away winter clothes and get rid of clutter, it’s time to break out all things lemon-scented and flower-fresh. But as pet parents, we have to take extra steps to make sure our spring cleaning […]
Vomiting Diagnosis in Dogs
Symptoms of vomiting in pets As easy as it is to tell that your pet is vomiting, it is difficult to find out why. The symptoms of vomiting in pets include the following: Retching Gagging Drooling Weakness Weight loss Dehydration with skin tenting, tacky mucous membranes, sunken eyes Constipation Aspiration pneumonia Diagnosing the cause of […]
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs
Signs of a urinary tract infection in your pet include lethargy, loss of appetite, increased frequency of urination often with smaller amounts at a time, straining at urination which may be painful leading to vocalization, inappropriate urination in the home or outside the litterbox, bloody urination, and often a strong offensive odor to the urine. […]
Dog Arthritis Symptoms
Canine and feline arthritis symptoms Pain Limping Loss of interest to play or walk Difficulty rising Difficulty with stairs Snaps when petted Some symptoms of arthritic dogs and cats are that the pet may have lame or stiff joints. They may also have swollen and painful joints that creak. Some pets hide their arthritis pain, […]
Spring Allergies – Pollen Allergies In Dogs
In the springtime, grass, trees, flowers, and other plantlife release pollen spores into the air to produce seeds and fruit. Just like humans, cats and dogs can be allergic to pollen from one or more plant species. Unlike humans, though, these allergies do not manifest as respiratory symptoms like sneezing or watery, itchy eyes. It’s […]
Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Abnormal hips cause an abnormal gait so that dogs with hip dysplasia often “bunny hop” or use both back legs simultaneously to hop when they run. Canine hip dysplasia symptoms can include difficulty getting up from a sitting position, climbing stairs, and squatting to urinate or defecate. Dogs with hip dysplasia tend to have a […]
Submissive Urination Symptoms in Dogs
Symptoms of submissive urination A dog with submissive urination or incontinence urinates when greeted or approached. Your dog might also roll on his or her back and urinate, or stand and dribble when greeted. This may occur in your home when guests visit, or when you are out walking your dog and your dog is […]
Feeding Your Large Breed Puppy for Healthy Growth
If it seems like your large breed puppy is growing up before your eyes, it’s not your imagination. Large to giant breeds can gain between five and fifteen pounds each month until they reach their adult size at about 18-24 months old. Around half of the calories your pup consumes are used to form all […]
Symptoms of Limping in Dogs
What are the signs and symptoms in limping dogs and cats? Crying Pain when getting up Pain when moving Favoring the affected leg The symptoms of limping include crying or pain upon getting up or moving, along with favoring of the affected leg in varying degrees, which in severe cases may result in holding the […]
Cancer Symptoms in Dogs
Signs & symptoms of cancer in dogs and cats Symptoms of cancer in dogs and cats can be difficult to recognize as cancer because many times cancer symptoms will mimic other diseases or illnesses in our pets. That is why it is so important to take pets for yearly or twice yearly physical exams, especially […]
What Causes Seizures in Dogs?
Seizures in dogs and cats are abnormal brain activity. They can be very subtle or they can cause violent convulsions. Seizures occur when nerve cells (neurons) in the brain malfunction and become excited, firing without control. Most cat and dog seizures occur at night or when they are resting. Seizures can occur once and never […]
Symptoms of Heartworms in Dogs
Heartworm disease symptoms Pets with heartworm disease often cough. They find it difficult to exert themselves and don’t enjoy exercise. Most pets lose weight, and some develop episodes of fainting. Cats with heartworm disease develop asthma-like symptoms and their hearts enlarge. Unfortunately heartworm disease in cats is often fatal once signs of the disease occur. […]
Does Poison Ivy Affect Dogs?
You’ve probably heard the adage, “leaves of three, let it be!” and you may even have had an itchy, blistery rash after brushing up against the wrong plant. But can poison ivy, sumac, and poison oak affect your cat or dog? While pets are less likely to experience direct skin exposure thanks to their fur […]
Do Dogs Need Heartworm Medication Year-Round?
If you’re running low on your pet’s heartworm preventative, you might be wondering if it’s okay to skip a few months over the winter. The truth is, no matter where you live, you should protect your pets against heartworm all year. It’s a widely circulated myth that pets can only contract heartworm disease in the […]