Dog Health

There are several causes of blood in a puppy's stool. Blood in the stool may be indicated by an obvious bright red color. Tarry-black soft droppings also indicate the presence of blood in the stool.

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.

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.

Diabetes is a chronic disorder in which the body can't properly use insulin to metabolize sugar, leading to high blood sugar levels and high amounts of fat in the blood. If left untreated, type 2...

Keeping a dog's teeth clean is an important part of her overall health, although it is often overlooked by many pet owners. Dogs can have the same types of dental disease as humans, and can also...

Proteins are groups of amino acids that perform specific functions within a dog's body. Proteins help build muscles, repair tissue and transport oxygen in the blood. There are essential and...

Canine renal failure is most often seen in older dogs, although it can affect dogs of any age. Renal failure occurs when the kidneys become diseased and begin to lose their ability to function...

The BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, is often tested as a measure of kidney function. Urea is one of the waste products that build up in the blood when the kidneys are not capable of performing...

Canine Red Cell is a food supplement for dogs and is widely available in liquid form. Its unique combination of vitamins, minerals and iron provide several healthy benefits for dogs of every breed.

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, you're likely going to be asked to take frequent blood samples at home to test the dog's blood glucose levels. This allows you to adjust the amount of...

Glucose paste can be found in most human pharmacies and used at home to restore normal blood glucose levels in dogs. When blood sugar levels drop, animals can have seizures, become comatose, and...

A low platelet count in dogs is often found when a complete blood count (CBC) is run. This finding may be indicative of various conditions in dogs, therefore it will often prompt the veterinarian...

The function of the kidney is to rid the body of waste produced during metabolism. Removal of waste takes place within the kidneys through a system of nephrons. Contained in each nephron is a...

Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are two waste products filtered by the kidneys, which takes place through a system of nephrons. Contained in each nephron is a glomerulus (filtering...

The most common test involving the bone marrow in dogs is a bone marrow biopsy. A biopsy is helpful to confirm or rule out certain medical conditions, therefore it is a test that veterinarians...

The function of the kidney is to rid the body of waste produced during metabolism. Removal of waste takes place within the kidneys through a system of nephrons. Contained in each nephron is a...

Although several years ago the diagnosis of diabetes in dogs was considered a life sentence, the good news is that today diabetes not only can be controlled, but also dogs can lead normal lives....

In dogs, low platelet levels is a condition referred to as thrombocytopenia. It occurs as a secondary condition, following primary issues such as cancer or an infection. Healthy dogs typically...

A balanced diet is critical for a dog's overall health. Understanding the importance of iron in a canine diet, and the function of iron in a dog's health, is key in determining whether an iron...

Diabetes is a serious health concern for pet owners, as it can lead to a shortened lifespan for cats and dogs. Warning signs of the condition include increased appetite and water consumption as...

Hyperlipidemia is an excess amount of fat in a dog's blood. Although fat levels normally become elevated for a short time after a meal, some dogs have a metabolic abnormality that does not allow...

Amplodipine besylate is a prescripion medication used to treat hypertension in both humans and dogs. Despite its effectiveness at reducing blood pressure levels, amlodipine poses a risk for side...

High blood cholesterol in people gets a great deal of attention, but your dog can also develop high cholesterol. Dogs can suffer from hyperlipidemia, or what is commonly called high blood...

Low blood sugar level is a condition called hypoglycemia. In dogs, this is sometimes referred to as sugar fits. Symptoms include listlessness, stupor, seizures, inability to wake up or coma,...

Canine immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a condition where your dog's immune system destroys its blood platelets, the blood cells responsible for blood clotting. Because this poses a risk for...

Yorkshire terrier puppies, like all other dogs and humans, can fall victim to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Puppies who are plagued with this disorder can suffer from fatigue, seizures and...

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed to treat pain, swelling and inflammation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its use in humans and dogs, with...

Dogs very rarely have heart attacks in the same way that humans do. Heart attacks are most commonly caused by a blockage in the arteries. This is usually due to high cholesterol or fat buildup...

While a dog's life seems luxurious, dogs can be candidates for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure can lead to vision problems and even blindness. Knowing the...

In rare instances, operating on a sick dog is the only way to save its life. In other instances, however, the risks outweigh the reward.

Canine hemangiosarcoma ranks among the most aggressive cancers, affecting primarily the heart and spleen. Because this form of sarcoma targets blood vessels, it tends to grow and metastasize...

Blood clotting is necessary to your dog's survival; without it the smallest cut could let him die from blood loss. Too much blood clotting, however, can block circulation to his heart, brain or...

High blood pressure in dogs can only be diagnosed by a vet. If your dog has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you can choose to put him on prescription medication or try a holistic...

Mast cell tumors are clusters that grow in the benign or malignant tissues of dogs. They typically reside on the skin, in the blood stream, the gastrointestinal system or the liver. A mast cell...

Cancer of the spleen in dogs occurs primarily in dogs between the ages of nine and eleven years old. German shepherds have a propensity to develop cancer of the spleen. The medical term for...

Potassium in a dog's body is important in all body functions on a cellular and non-cellular level. If potassium levels become too high for any reason (hyperkalemia), animals can suffer...

Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia in dogs is a condition that occurs when the dog's blood glucose or blood sugar level falls below 70 milligrams per deciliter. When this happens, dogs will show...

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, also known as immune mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA, occurs when your dog's immune system destroys red blood cells. Without these cells, your dog's tissues become...

A dog can suffer health problems over their lifetime. Finding blood in your dog's stool for can be cause for alarm. The condition is usually caused by a number of factors such as intestinal...

A nosebleed, or epistaxis, in a dog can be frightening for the pet's human guardian. There are many possible causes for a nosebleed--some very serious and some not so. However, the first steps are...

Canine blood infections can be dangerous and difficult to treat, and they should be taken very seriously. When diagnosed quickly, closely monitored treatment of canine blood infections can lead to...

Veterinarians will usually recommend a complete blood screen and chemistry panel for dogs prior to surgery and or for those animals showing symptoms of disease. These tests check organ function...

Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum (effective against many different bacteria) antibiotic originally developed for humans, but now widely used in animals. Chloramphenicol penetrates deeply into...

Shock in dogs occurs when the flow of blood decreases to a level that is below what is needed to stay alive. Septic shock refers to the origin of the shock. This type of shock occurs from an...

Warfarin, coumatetralyl and brodifacoum are classified as coumarins. Coumarins are anticoagulents, chemicals that interfere with the production of blood clotting factors. These chemicals are...

January of this year, my Boston Terrier – Rose came down with hemolytic anemia. The cause of her anemia is still unknown. Because I did not recognize her anemia quick enough, it almost cost her...

Your dog's kidneys filters out toxins in her body, regulate her salt, phosphorus, calcium levels and blood pressure and manufacture hormones that help to produce red blood cells. When a dog's...

Blood pressure is a regulatory action of the dog's body. The normal value for a dog is taken when he is not stressed. Stress-like exercise can affect blood pressure, changing the acceptable value....

To keep your dog healthy, it's important to take him to the veterinarian for shots and for checkups. Dogs can contract a variety of illnesses, many of which are treatable if diagnosed early.