Tag Archives: dog wellness

Here’s why… Your puppy is a product of its parents’ genes. These provide the blueprint for appearance, temperament and behavior.  This is why a Jack Russell looks and acts like a Jack Russell, and a Labrador looks and acts like a Labrador.  If you want a dog that will look and act like a Labrador, you Read More

Since when does “just a minute” only apply to humans? We dogs say it too, except when we do, you humans get angry. You let us off the rope thing to go run around and play and then you ask us to come back at the most inconvenient of times, just when we are having the best fun – playing with other dogs or chasing small fluffies. When we don’t respond, you get mad and tell us how bad we are, but apparently you don’t understand that when we hear our name, look back at you and then continue with our game, we’re also saying “just a minute”. By the way…..how long is a minute?

The bad news is that diabetes is way up in dogs and cats. The good news is that diabetes is considered treatable (as mentioned, cats may even go into remission). However, in order to treat, appropriate diagnosis is necessary.

Some highly active dogs need a helping hand to settle down before going to sleep at night. I have a highly active sport dog, and we often do training, tricks, and play in the evening to engage his mind and body to keep him out of trouble. This helps to keep his active mind and Read More

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have partnered on a new initiative to enhance awareness of and promote early diagnosis of Lyme.

September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month. Do you fit the bill of a responsible dog owner? Check out Victoria Stilwell's article highlighting five ways you can spot a responsible dog owner.

Dogs deserve to run with reckless abandon, these were my thoughts early this morning as I watched two doodles run free in the yard as I sipped my coffee. As I watched them run I wished that all dog owners could have a physical fence for their dogs as it is a vital part of Read More

According to a new study, dog owners over the age of 65 have fitness levels a decade younger than their actual age. This is not the first study to document the positive effects that a dog can have on the elderly, but it is the first to carefully compare the levels of physical activity between older Read More

Researchers may have accidentally stumbled upon a cure for parvovirus, a deadly disease that is highly fatal to puppies and immunosuppressed dogs. A company in North Dakota was trying to cure flocks of dying geese at Schiltz Goose Farm in South Dakota, the largest goose producer in North America. The geese turned out to be Read More

New and emerging pet toxicities are a topic I always find intriguing in the realm of veterinary medicine. After all, I’ve treated my fair share of unusual toxic exposures while working in emergency veterinary hospitals and also in my own Los Angeles-based holistic house call practice. I have treated poisonings from dietary supplements, marijuana and Read More

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) energy healing is a gentle, painless, yet powerful modality that works on animals and humans alike. I use Reiki on many of my canine clients and have always seen wonderful results. Reiki can be used in conjunction with all other holistic medical or therapeutic techniques as well as with traditional medical treatments Read More

Answers to some of the most puzzling questions about breast cancer might walk on four legs. Veterinary oncologists working with a program at the University of Pennsylvania are treating mammary tumors in shelter dogs with the hope of learning about the progression of breast cancer in humans. Mammary tumors are extremely common in female dogs, Read More

So, my dog Cardiff has cancer. My own pooch, who has overcome three bouts of Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) in his nearly nine years of life now has a fatal disease. If you’re first reading of this, I started the chronicle of Cardiff’s cancer journey in my last petMD Daily Vet article,Can a Veterinarian Treat His Read More

Finding the right food to feed your dog has never been more difficult. Ironically, this is because we live in an era when we have never had so much to choose from in the dog food aisle. Manufacturers both giant and small are producing more and more variations of foods theoretically targeted at everything from Read More

As a dog owner, there are many decisions you have to make related to your pet’s health. Should I get my dog spayed or neutered? Should I keep my dog on monthly preventatives? How should I groom my dog? Which vaccinations should my dog receive? These are just a few of the common questions pet Read More

Whether you have a puppy or a senior dog, it is paramount that you keep an eye on the many health issues which can cause major problems. Puppies are especially prone to certain diseases and illnesses as a result of their infant immune system. Monitor your puppy’s behavior, bowel movements, and overall demeanor, and report Read More

You are what you eat – and the same goes for your dog. If you eat a low quality diet or consume too much food, chances are you are going to put on weight and not feel so good. When a dog is showing stress or anxiety based behaviors such as aggression or is highly Read More

Exercise is a huge part of a dog’s life, especially if you have a high-energy or high-drive dog. Regardless of your dog’s breed or age, all dogs need physical exercise in order to stay healthy, happy, and well-balanced. Physical activity encourages the heart and lungs to work harder and requires the use of muscles that Read More

Keeping your dog physically stimulated and in shape is an important part of dog wellness, but it is also crucial to provide mental stimulation and enrichment for your dog. Thanks primarily to our collective commitment to better understanding our dogs through the study of behavioral science, modern dogs are very fortunate to live in a Read More

The health and general wellness of our dogs plays a huge role in their behavior and the nature of our relationship with them. An integral part of responsible ownership, dog wellness is a commitment to the health and the highest level of nutrition in their lives as well as an understanding of how to properly Read More

Recently, reports of what seems to be an emerging virus have come from multiple states, including California, Michigan, and Ohio. As of October 3, 2013, circovirus has been confirmed in two dogs that have died in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Another four dog deaths in Ann Arbor are suspected to have been in part due to circovirus related illness.