Doctor Help! My Dog ate Chocolate!

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Chocolate is a very common toxicity in dogs. Dogs are far more sensitive to compounds found in chocolate; caffeine and theobromine cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, hyperthermia (a high temperature), seizures and a variety of other symptoms. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are far more toxic than milk chocolate or white chocolate; in general, the darker the chocolate, the higher the toxicity. Chocolate toxicity is dependent on the amount the dog ate, and the size of the dog. petmd.com has an excellent calculator that will will help you determine whether your dog ate a toxic amount or not. If you dog ingested chocolate in the immediate past (less than a 1/2… Read More Continue Reading
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Dog Nutrition from A to Z

Pam
We know how much you love your dog and you want what is best for him. Let’s take a look at different foods and how they can play a role in keeping Fido healthy. Apples Apples are good for dogs It turns out that apples are as good for your dog as they are for their owners. Apples are high in fiber and vitamin C. They are low in calories and high in polyphenols, which work like antioxidants in the body. However, when giving apples to dogs, less is more. Too many apples can give diarrhea to dogs. Just be sure to remove the seeds before giving your dog apples… Read More Continue Reading

How to Care for Your New Dog

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Getting a new dog is sure to be an exciting event for you and your family. However, this excitement can turn into anxiety if you don’t know the right way to care for your new family member. He or she needs more than food and water to keep them happy. It takes a bit of planning and preparation to make sure that your new dog will thrive in their new surroundings. Gather Your Supplies A dog crate is an important tool to have, especially in the beginning. Some people may think the crate to be like a jail cell, but this is a common misconception. A dog enjoys having a… Read More Continue Reading

Bathing Tips For Your Dog

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Whether you are between grooming appointments or on a strict budget, sometimes you need to wash your dog at home. To prepare, assemble your bathing tools: towels, wash cloth, shampoo and bath fresh mist, and comb. It is also helpful to have some treats on hand to reward your dog for good behavior during the grooming session. I like to dilute the shampoo for ease of application – you can use any plastic squeeze bottle. Simply pour the soap that you are going to use in the bottle and add water – a 5:1 dilution works well for me. If you are using heated water (which is always nice!), check… Read More Continue Reading

Doggie Breath can be Bad for Your Dog’s Health

Pam
Bad Doggie Breath isn’t just offensive, it is a serious health problem. Dogs can have the same dental problems as people, such as periodontal disease or broken teeth. Periodontal disease causes inflammation in the pockets which leads to bone loss around the tooth. These pockets become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Every time a pet with periodontal disease chews, the infected gums inject bacteria into the bloodstream, which weakens the immune system and puts extra wear and tear on the internal organs, especially the kidneys and heart. The good news is that routine oral care can save your pet unnecessary pain, will save you money, your pet will live longer and… Read More Continue Reading

What is Parvo?

Pam
Parvovirus is a highly infectious viral disease that plagues our canine companions.  Once a dog is infected there is no cure, only supportive care unless the dog clears the virus, and without treatment, parvo kills almost every young dog it comes into contact with. Parvovirus steamrolled into the spotlight in the 1970’s, and killed many dogs of all ages. Today, parvovirus is mainly a problem in puppies and young dogs with immature immune systems. This is because most older dogs have been vaccinated or have gained immunity through natural exposure.  Parvovirus lives in the environment in fecal matter or vomitus from infected dogs. Parvovirus is like the undead plague of… Read More Continue Reading

Hypothyroidism

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Hypothyroidism is unfortunately very common, so there is a likelihood that some of you have a hypothyroid dog, or know someone who does. Hypothyroidism is a result of low circulating thyroid hormone, which lowers metabolism and affects almost every system in the body. The good news is that it is easily treated. Levothyroxine is a safe, relatively inexpensive treatment but it does require a prescription and followup blood tests to make sure your dog is dosed properly.  This extra layer of caution is necessary because too much thyroid supplementation causes hyperthyroidism, which can be just as detrimental to your canine’s health.  If provided with the appropriate amount, you should notice a… Read More Continue Reading

Arthritis: Your Pet Doesn’t Have to Live in Pain

Pam
Dogs are living longer than ever, but with extended life span comes old age challenges. It is an unfortunate fact that joint issues are very common, affecting a significant percentage of dogs and is a source of chronic discomfort. If you notice changes in your dog’s mood or activity level, it may be that he or she is experiencing joint pain associated with arthritis. Many pet parents share with their veterinarian how difficult it is to watch their canine companions slow down, encounter problems standing or climbing into a vehicle.  Pet parents may also notice that their dogs are just not as expressive as they used to be or doesn’t… Read More Continue Reading
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How to Help an Itchy Dog

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Skin and coat problems are the number one reason why pet owners take their animals to a veterinarian. From allergies to dry skin, to infected ears or excessive shedding, the majority of veterinary complaints are on the outside of the dog. Why are skin and coat problems so common among dogs? A likely culprit is overall poor skin health. Skin is a huge organ and in order to function correctly, it needs a lot of nutrients, including protein, fatty acids, mineral and vitamins. In addition, hair requires a lot of protein to grow and maintain a shiny appearance. If the body perceives that it isn’t getting enough nutrients, the skin is… Read More Continue Reading

Lyme Disease and Your Dog

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Spring fever has people and dogs itching to get outside. Thawing mountain trails and meadows newly green beckon your dog to romp and explore, but new research on ticks and Lyme disease will have most owners tightening the leashes. Before you kill all the outdoor fun, however, let’s see what the facts are about Lyme disease in dogs. Lyme disease was first described in 1975 when an unusual outbreak of rheumatoid arthritis occurring in children was reported in Lyme, Connecticut. Lyme disease is caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria are carried by ticks which transmit the infection when they feed on animals and humans. The disease is… Read More Continue Reading