Debarking is a veterinary surgery that involves removing tissue from the dog’s vocal cords. This results in a dog’s voice being quieter, when done properly. It does not stop barking as the word debarking implies, but the bark now sounds like a whisper, and is thus not irritating to neighbors of dog owners that frequently…
Dog mange is a skin condition that creates severe pain and itching for canines. Along with the discomfort, mange can also lead to scaling and scabbing that can become infected. The root cause of dog mange is the presence of mites that burrow into the skin and cause the body to attempt to expel the invaders and…
Veterinarians will sometimes prescribe metoclopramide for dogs that are suffering from nausea. Although the drug is formulated for humans, vets will often prescribe it as an off-label treatment for dogs with digestive problems. Metoclopramide can also be used to treat dogs after a surgery or as they are going through chemotherapy. In both cases, it helps…
Phenylpropanolamine for dogs is a drug that is often prescribed for urinary incontinence. It increases the strength of the muscles in the bladder and the urethra, which in turn prevents the leakage of urine. The use of phenylpropanolamine has some known side effects and complications that dog owners should discuss with their veterinarian. There are some restrictions…
Although not all dogs howl at sirens, it is quite a common problem for owners. Howling is a form of communication, but it is not always easy to determine what the dog is trying to say; it may be a sign of distress or it may be intended as a signal to other dogs. Two…
Older dogs can get a disease very similar to human Alzheimer’s disease. They can become disoriented and forget once-familiar people, animals and surroundings. This is called Cognitive Disorientation Syndrome (CDS). Symptoms of CDS, or Alzheimer’s disease in dogs, include getting lost in familiar places and not greeting people as enthusiastically as they once did. Also, CDS…
Cancer in pets like cats and dogs is fairly common. Dogs tend to develop cancer at about the same rate as human beings do, while cats are diagnosed somewhat less frequently. Unfortunately, cancer is the cause of death for about 50% of all pets over ten years. Some common indicators of cancer in pets are…
Dogs do not sweat like humans, from the surface of their skin, to regulate their body temperature. Instead, dogs open their mouths and pant to reduce their body temperature. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the act of releasing saliva that cools down a dog. Panting allows oxygen into the body and helps evaporate…
Dogs do not see everything in black and white; however, they do not have a full spectrum of color vision like humans. The ability to see different colors is a result of neuron cells in the eye that send signals to the brain after recognizing a color. Human eyes contain three types of cells that…
As more pet owners become concerned about additives and other mysterious ingredients found in commercial dog food, many are choosing to make dog food at home. Homemade dog food is actually easy to prepare, with many of the ingredients costing much less than premium dog foods. However, it is important to make sure that the…