Dog Health

Heart failure in small breed dogs, such as the Pomeranian, occurs when the mitral valve fails, allowing the blood to wash backward in the heart, causing it to enlarge and become less efficient.

Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans are known as Zoonotic diseases. Humans who contact a zoonotic disease from their cat or dog may experience mild or very serious symptoms.

Urinary crystals in dogs form due to an abnormal pH and usually due to an infection. Unlike cats, dogs rarely form struvite crystals from urinary excretion of dietary minerals alone....

A tumor of one or both adrenal glands in canines causes an overproduction of cortisone and other hormones. This, in turn, leads to symptoms like increased thirst and appetite; increased urine;...

Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from nasal and sinus congestion. This condition is irritating and uncomfortable, but also very treatable.

Meloxicam is the common name for a drug approved for both human and veterinary use. Metacam is the veterinary formula and Mobic is the human formula. Both are NSAIDs (non-steroidal...

L-asparaginase is a chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of lymphosarcoma, lymphocytic leukemias and mast cell tumors in dogs. Although side effects are rare, some dogs may experience one...

Heartworms are contracted by pets through a mosquito bite. Once the animal has contracted the disease, it can be very severe and also difficult to treat. It is much easier to prevent heartworms...

Older dogs run the risk of developing seizures from brain tumors. Seizures cause a wide range of debilitating symptoms, but medications can manage the condition.

The pet store chain PetSmart has teamed with Banfield Pet Hospital to provide basic veterinary care in over 650 PetSmart stores across the United States. On top of grooming, veterinary, and...

Hairballs are a common problem many pet owners associate with cats, but hairballs affect dogs as well. Hairballs occur when a dog licks his fur and that fur enters his digestive tract creating a...

Nature has blessed us with many natural cures for flea and worm outbreaks. Although many chemical anti-parasitic remedies are on the market, natural remedies for worms and fleas have fewer side...

Fleas feed on the blood of people, dogs, cats and other animals. They like to live on dogs and cats, but may live on people and other animals if there is no dog or cat around. If you find one flea...

You’ve offered your dog a meal and he turns his nose up at it? Sometimes you have to attempt several different methods to stimulate a stubborn dog’s appetite. Assuming you are feeding your dog...

Making homemade dog food is not as hard as one might think. Homemade dog food has many advantages over store bought food. Good healthy servings of the freshest meats and veggies translate into a...

Promectin is a medication that is used to treat parasitic infections in cattle, and can also be used to kill mange mites in dogs. There have been side effects associated with the use of this...

Dog urine, even in a healthy animal, smells foul. Because of this, it is unhealthy for humans to be exposed to the smell constantly. Dog urine also transmits various diseases which can be...

For dogs with urinary incontinence, veterinarians can prescribe Proin to help dogs' sphincters regain muscle tone that will prevent urine leakages. Proin does have some side effects, however.

It is not unusual for older dogs to experience the pain of arthritis. Low-dose aspirin, also called "baby" aspirin, is one method of managing that pain. While prescription drugs such as Rimadyl or...

EMLA cream is a lidocaine and prilocaine cream used to numb the skin. It is a local anesthetic commonly used to prevent pain in situations such as the insertion of intravenous catheters (IVs) or...

Dry, itchy skin on a dog is no fun for the dog or for its owner. There are many easy and natural remedies that can remove the dry flakes and encourage the development of healthier, moisturized dog...

Ringworm is one of the most common fungal infections that can show up in cats, dogs and humans. Typically, it appears on the scalp or skin, but can sometimes show up on the nails. Luckily, it is...

Dogs are susceptible to many of the same cancers that humans get, and they usually strike middle-aged and older dogs. Because of this, cancer and chemotherapy drugs are often tested and used on...

In addition to typical cuts and scrapes, many dogs develop cysts and growths on their paws and require treatment with antibiotics.

Addison's Disease, also called hypoadrenalcorticism, is a condition that occurs in dogs who do not produce enough cortisol in their bodies. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that aids in...

Pet owners wishing to help relieve arthritis pain and symptoms in their animals need to make an appointment with their veterinarian to discuss possible treatment options. They would also do well...

Several dozen antibiotic medicines are available for use in dogs. Each requires a prescription. Eighteen of these medicines are prescribed regularly. Six of them are inexpensive to buy ($.40 per...

Acupuncture is a natural therapy that has been used to relieve pain and disease for over four thousand years. By stimulating specific areas called "meridians," acupuncturists are able to promote...

You’ve offered your dog some medication in pill form and they aren’t cooperating? Instead of making this process miserable for both you and your dog, give these ideas a try. *Always be cautious...

Many pet owners give dogs Vitamin C to boost their immune systems. In fact, Vitamin C is added to many dog foods (in part, as a preservative) and is often prescribed by veterinarians to boost...

According to Cherrybrook.com, coconut oil benefits come from the oil's medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which provide an immediate source of energy for weak muscles. As an antioxidant, coconut...

Before worrying about exactly how you will give your dog his medicine, be sure to read the labels on the bottle and refer to any instructions given by the veterinarian. Specifically, you must note...

Many dogs can suffer from weakness in their back legs. A visit with your veterinarian can help you rule out possibilities. There are several different reasons why your dog may suffer from hind leg...

Veterinary experts do not know exactly what causes canine bone cancer, but some dogs are more at risk of contracting the disease if they have experienced a bone fracture, or have had surgically...

The treatment for canine skin disease depends upon the cause of the condition. The causes of skin disease in dogs include: bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasite infestations,...

In dogs, dry skin means itchy skin. It can lead to discomfort and scratching until the skin is bleeding. Dry skin is caused by various factors. Most common are fleas, bathing too often, allergies,...

Dogs with advanced kidney failure have strict dietary requirements. These can be met using a variety of diets. However, whether the dog is fed a natural/raw diet, a homemade diet or a commercially...

Your dog has an eye problem, and your veterinarian has recommended that you consult a veterinary ophthalmologist. Or maybe you need a second opinion for a particular treatment. Your veterinarian...

Are you looking to get health insurance for your pet now. There are a few important steps to take to get the proper health insurance for your pet.

People tend to assume that what we see, our dogs see the same things. Or we pass around a generalization like "dogs are color blind." Neither of those is true. While dogs have good...

Dry skin on a dog usually indicates that he is suffering from a nutritional imbalance, the effects of poor quality commercial dog food or a niacin deficiency. Improving a dog's diet is the least...

Dogs display symptoms of allergies on their skin and in their eyes. The discomfort these allergies cause can alter a dog's behavior, sometimes making her more aggressive than normal. If you notice...

The shoulder joint of the dog functions like a ball-and-socket. The head of the humerus (the bone extending from the shoulder to the elbow) is rounded and acts as the ball fitting inside of the...

Mange is a group of skin diseases caused by mites. Though mange is most commonly seen in dogs, it can also affect humans and other mammals.

Dogs are naturally curious animals and spend a lot of their time sniffing and tasting anything that crosses their paths including your indoor and outdoor greenery. Ingesting the wrong plant or...

Crohn's disease is a term for a specific form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In dogs, this condition occurs when the immune system overreacts, causing an over abundance of certain cells...

Corticosteroids such as prednisone are used by veterinarians to alleviate the symptoms of many illnesses, including allergies, dermatitis, various cancers and inflammatory bowel disease....

Pet guardians and those who work with animals quickly saw that Avon's Skin So Soft products repelled fleas. Exactly why the products work isn't known, but there's something about the woodsy...

Any dog can develop allergies at some point, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Some canines are more prone to allergies including terriers,...

Sucralfate (Carafate) is a prescription medication that is used in the prevention of stomach ulcers in dogs. There have been some side effects associated with the use of Sucralfate.