By Caroline Coile Is it possible for a parasite to affect your dog’s behavior? Maybe. Look at the case of the gray wolf and toxoplasmosis. In a study that encompassed 26 years of data on more than 200 gray wolves from Yellowstone National Park, researchers found that wolves infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii developed markedly increased [...]
Gonadectomy is the most common surgery performed on dogs in the United States, with about 64% of all dogs gonadectomized. This surgery involves removing the gonads; that is, the testicles in males and ovaries (and uterus) in females. For many years dog owners and veterinarians believed gonadectomy of dogs increased a dog’s odds of a [...]
On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee will hear public testimony on SB 268, allowing for pre-hospital treatment and transportation for police K-9s injured in the line of duty if no human needs transport or ambulance services. The American Kennel Club (AKC) values the contribution that working and detection dogs make to [...]
By Caroline Coile It’s long been known that dogs with the extreme-white color pattern, especially Dalmatians, have greater incidence of deafness. This deafness, called congenital sensorineural deafness, has been reported in up to 30% of Dalmatians. Extreme-white color patterning, which dog breeders know as Sw, causes a mostly white coat with few or no patches of color. [...]
By Caroline Coile Many short-legged dogs suffer from herniated spinal discs, in which the disc ruptures and compresses or injures the spinal cord. This acute condition can lead to rear-end paralysis and incontinence. Conservative treatment is usually with strict cage rest, pain medication and physical therapy. If that doesn’t work, surgery to remove the disc is [...]
By: Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued their fourth update on diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) – this time, in the form of frequently-asked questions about this serious heart disease. To make sure pet owners have the most accurate and up-to-date information, I thought this would be a good [...]
Morris Animal Foundation announced it is funding four new studies focused on two common health issues in dogs – ear infections and obesity. “Chronic, sub-acute diseases in dogs often are overlooked for research funding,” said Dr. Kathy Tietje, Vice President of Scientific Operations at Morris Animal Foundation. “These new studies focus on common disorders affecting [...]
The American Kennel Club has learned that New Jersey Senate Bill 1803, which seeks to prohibit declawing procedures from being performed on cats and other animals unless deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian, has been moved to the Senate Economic Growth Committee. Please see updated committee contact information below. The American Kennel Club [...]
The NAVC shares tips for your pets during heart health month. Your dog’s heart speeds up every time you get home, ready for a game of fetch or cuddles on the couch. To keep your furry best friend active and happy for as long as possible, it is important to care for their health year-round. [...]
If you’re planning something romantic this Valentine’s Day, remember to protect the ones you love – the furry ones. The toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline want to warn pet lovers about the dangers posed by various common romantic gestures, such as massage oil, candles, flowers and yes, especially chocolate. “Valentine’s Day is a holiday [...]
