Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Dogs
Hair loss in dogs and cats can appear as areas without hair (bald patches or alopecia) or areas with thinning hair. There may also be changes in the skin with increased pigmentation, redness, swelling, crusting, flaking, or moist oozing and discharge. There may be an unpleasant odor. If hair loss is caused by malfunction of […]
Lymphoma Symptoms in Dogs
Symptoms of lymphoma (lymphosarcoma) in dogs and cats Symptoms of lymphoma in dogs and cats may vary and often mimic many other illnesses depending on the organs involved and the length of time before diagnosis. Non-specific symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, increased thirst and/or urination, fever, shortness of breath, fluid buildup in […]
5 Signs Your Dog Is Suffering From Spring Allergies
If your pet has mild symptoms that come and go with the seasons, they might have spring allergies, most likely caused by pollen. In the spring, flowering trees, weeds, and other plants release pollen into the air to reproduce with nearby plants. Airborne pollen can enter your dog or cat’s system anytime they go outside, […]
From Our Holistic Vet: Why Dogs Need Year-Round Heartworm Prevention
There is nothing more disheartening than when a canine companion comes down with a preventable disease such as heartworm infection. Given the nature of mosquito transmission and with warmer ambient temperatures, transmission season is increasingly lengthening to include all areas of the United States, so that using monthly heartworm preventatives year-round is becoming increasingly important. […]
Symptoms of Hot Spots in Dogs
Hot spots (flea allergy dermatitis) symptoms Compulsive biting Licking Chewing that looks like corncob nibbling Scratching around the head & neck Bald areas Hot spots on dogs Dogs with fleas often bite compulsively. They chew up and down their limbs as if they’re nibbling on a corncob because they are so itchy. Dogs also roll […]
Symptoms of Vaccine Side Effects in Dogs
Symptoms of vaccine side effects in pets Pet vaccination is increasing in number and frequency, and as a result, illness after vaccination has been on the rise in sensitive dogs and cats. Unfortunately, most traditional veterinarians are not adequately trained to recognize acute and chronic vaccination reactions in pets. Typical vaccine reactions may range from […]
Canine Distemper Symptoms in Dogs
Symptoms of canine distemper Fever Runny nose Eye discharge Pneumonia Vomiting Diarrhea Depletion of white blood cells (lymphopenia) Seizures Paralysis Spasmodic muscle jerks (myoclonus) Muscle tremors Eye problems Hardening of paw pads Unusual tooth enamel About half of dogs infected with distemper fight the infection so quickly that they do not appear ill. Some dogs […]
Why Does My Dog Need Annual Heartworm Testing?
It’s time to stock up on your cat or dog’s heartworm preventatives – but first, you must see your veterinarian for a prescription. Before your vet will write that prescription, your pet will need a negative annual heartworm test. If you’ve been giving your pet their preventive on time every month, you might wonder why […]
When To Switch From Puppy Food To Adult Dog Food
Your dog’s nutritional needs change throughout their lifetime. The food that helped your once-tiny puppy grow into a thriving adult may no longer be what they need to maintain their best health. Here’s how you can decide when it’s time to graduate from puppy food to an adult formula. What Are The Differences Between Puppy […]
Treatment for Toxicity for Dogs
Toxicity in pets requires supportive treatment Some toxins have a specific antidote, but most do not. For example, the antidote for Tylenol (acetaminophen) toxicity is N-acetylcysteine. The antidotes for the heavy metals mercury and arsenic are dimercaprol (BAL) and D-penicillamine. Because many toxins do not have specific antidotes, the treatment is considered “supportive.” Supportive treatments […]
Rabies in Dogs
What is rabies? Rabies in dogs and cats is a deadly viral disease spread by infected pets and wildlife, usually by biting. Rabies causes fatal illness because it attacks the nervous system, changing how the brain functions and how animals behave. Rabies is easily spread from animals to people (zoonotic disease), but it can be […]
What Is Demodectic Mange in Dogs?
Demodectic mange is a red, itchy skin infection that is caused by mites. The demodex mite lives on a particular host, so one form of demodex mite (demodex canis) lives on dogs and another (demodex cati) on cats. Humans have their own form of demodex mite. The demodex mite is not rare — it is […]
How To Stop Summer Ear Infections in Dogs
During the dog days of summer, you may look forward to barbecues, swimming, hikes, and – uh oh – yet another trip to the vet. If red, itchy, smelly ears are the bane of your dog’s summer fun, read on to learn why dogs get so many ear infections in the summer and how to […]
Symptoms of Glaucoma in Dogs
The early signs of glaucoma in dogs and cats can include: Dilated pupils Increased tears Squinting Avoiding light Cornea becomes cloudy Congested vessels on the eyeball Blindness Due to some of these symptoms being common for both inflammation and increased pressure, it is very easy to confuse inflammation of the eye (uveitis) with glaucoma. Glaucoma, […]
Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms in Dogs
Congestive heart failure symptoms in dogs & cats Symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs and cats vary depending on whether left and/or right-sided heart failure is present. The most common clinical signs are decreased endurance and exercise, intolerance, lethargy, coughing, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases and/or those with right-sided heart failure, symptoms may […]