The most frequent cause of constipation in dogs is lack of appropriate fiber in the diet. Just like humans, dogs can sometimes have difficulty passing stool if their diet is not particularly fiber rich. When given the appropriate amount of fiber, this type of constipation tends to end within a day or two. Another common cause of…
While it is unhealthy for a human to be overweight, the same goes for dogs. You may not think much of your dog being overweight, but having too many extra pounds piled on can lead to medical issues. Before any health problems can develop, there are steps that you can take not only to help…
Recent statistics show that approximately 15% of people have allergies to pets, and dog allergies are among the most common. People who have these allergies generally have bad reactions to either the dog’s saliva or dander from the skin; the allergy is rarely from the dog’s fur. Though there is not one single breed of dog known to be…
Dry skin in dogs is an awful situation, especially because the animals can’t verbally convey their discomfort and make themselves feel better. The constant scratching and licking can also drive their owners crazy — it’s even worse when dogs have metal tags, bells or loops on their collars because they jingle whenever the dog scratches. There…
Paralysis in dogs can have a number of causes, including injury, disease, and exposure to toxins. Congenital diseases, injury, and tumors of the central nervous system are common causes of paralysis in dogs. A number of medical conditions, some infectious, some not, can cause paralysis in dogs. Even bites from ticks can lead to canine paralysis in some cases….
In dog shows, you will see dogs displayed in dog groups. Dogs tend to be grouped together by similarities in behavior, or some common features. Dog groups are not necessarily always correct and are, rather, human attempts to group dogs together by commonalities. Yet some dogs, like terriers for instance, are grouped as terriers, but…
Different types of dog emergency care include managing bleeding, replacing fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea, and treating broken bones. In addition, dog emergency care can be facilitated in the home, a veterinarian’s office, animal hospital, or animal shelter. Clinical employees or volunteers of dog facilities should be trained in dog emergency care and should undergo periodic training to keep…
There are three types of dogs that have long, corded fur which resembles dreadlocks. The Puli, Komondor, and Bergamasco shepherd all have this mop-like appearance. Their high maintenance cording requires special care to keep from becoming matted and smelly. These dogs do not shed, so they are good for those with allergies. The Puli is probably the most…
When people talk about endangered dogs, they are typically referring to endangered dog breeds, but this concept is itself problematic because dog breeds are often human constructions. The endangerment of dogs of a specific appearance does not imply a loss of the potential for dogs that look that way to exist in the way that…
There are numerous flea treatments for dogs and cats, each with their own merits. Most commonly people now prefer topical medications like Advantage® or Frontline®, which are applied once monthly and tend to kill most fleas. For a bad flea infestation, these may not work adequately and may need to be applied more frequently. Augmenting…