Dog Care

This canine tooth sustained more than a little chip in a collision with another dog at high speed; it broke nearly in two. While the dog did not exhibit any signs of pain, veterinary dental x-rays showed that the pulp of the tooth sustained damage and the tooth had to be extracted. Photo by Nancy

Dogs of breeds that were originally developed to hunt or herd tend to thrive on high-mileage exercise plans, making them great partners for jogging or hiking. Photo by Jordan Siemens, Getty Images Your dog’s age, overall health, and breed define her exercise sweet spot. Puppies and young adults need more exercise while older, ill, or

If you witness your dog eating a wild mushroom and there are more of the mushrooms in the area, pick one or two or at least take some clear pictures of the mushrooms. If your dog begins to exhibit symptoms of poisoning, having a sample or a photo to identify the fungus will be helpful.

Watching your dog have a seizure or an episode of syncope can be a scary experience, and these events can look very similar. We discussed seizures and their causes here. But the causes and treatment of syncope episodes are different, so it is important to know how to tell them apart. Syncope: Syncope episodes are

Fluoxetine is a medication prescribed by many veterinarians for dog aggression. Credit: Tatyana | Getty Images. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is FDA-approved for treating separation anxiety in dogs. It is also sometimes prescribed for aggressive dogs, general anxiety, and compulsive disorders in dogs. Fluoxetine is commonly known under its brand

Blue-green algae is deadly to dogs. You can identify it through “foam, scum, mats, or streaks” on the water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The algae produce one of the most powerful natural poisons known. How Much Blue-Green Algae Is Toxic A tiny amount of the toxin – literally a

Split, torn, peeling, or broken nails can occur at any age, and they’re no fun for dogs who limp in pain, bleed, lick or chew their damaged nails, or simply hurt. Split nails disrupt a dog’s coordination, interfere with walks and play dates, and can become infected. For an overview of the best treatment of

If your dog sort of, well, stinks and you don’t want to give a real bath, you may ask yourself, “Can I use dry shampoo on my dog?” The answer is simple: Yes, you can use dry shampoo on your dog. The bigger question is, “Should you use dry shampoo on a dog?” Dry shampoos

When you cut your dog’s nails, only clip a little off at a time. If the dog’s nails are still too long, trim again in a week. Firn | Getty Images Your dog’s nails provide traction and digging power even when they are short. The longer they get, the higher the risk that they may

We have all heard the old adage, “You are what you eat.” The same can be said for our dog’s poop and its color. If your dog munches on grass or you add canned pumpkin to one or more of his daily meals, these additions can cause green or orange poop. But there are times

Pica in dogs is when your dog eats abnormal things, as in stuff that isn’t food. Pica is a compulsive behavior in people, and it may be in dogs, too, but science hasn’t proven that. For true pica, your dog must eat the item, not just chew it (poop eating is a separate issue). Pica

Fluoxetine is a medication prescribed by many veterinarians for dog aggression. Credit: Tatyana | Getty Images. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is FDA-approved for treating separation anxiety in dogs. It is also sometimes prescribed for aggressive dogs, general anxiety, and compulsive disorders in dogs. Fluoxetine is commonly known under its brand

Does your dog have a tender, raised, round, red nodule between his toes that’s obviously causing him pain? This cyst on your dog’s paw is most likely what’s commonly called an interdigital cyst. “Interdigital cyst” is a misnomer; cysts are thin-walled sac that contains fluid. The painful lumps found between a dog’s toes are more

Vitamin E is good for dogs, but information about vitamin E dosages may make your head spin. Suggested dosages of vitamin E for dogs appear to be all over the place. To make matters worse, dosages may be listed in International Units (IUs) or milligrams (mgs). Piling on to the confusion is that there are

If the words you use to describe your dog or your training methods align with your philosophy of creating a kind and nurturing relationship with your dog based on mutual trust and respect, you’re likely to behave accordingly. Think carefully about the words you and/or your instructor use and discard those that prompt you to

Watching your dog have a seizure can be a frightening experience. Time stands still in that moment and you feel helpless – but there is something you can do. Seizures in dogs can have many different causes or triggers, so having your dog evaluated by his veterinarian can help find the problem and thus, appropriate

Applying heat to an arthritic dog’s joints can be as simple as warming a moist towel in the microwave and wrapping him in it or letting him lay on it. Human heating pads can be set too high if you aren’t careful. If it feels hot to you, it’s too hot for your dog. Credit:

Intestinal blockages (bowel obstructions) are not uncommon in dogs. Usually, the patients are young dogs, because they like to eat dumb stuff! As dogs mature they tend to outgrow this eat-anything behavior, but in the meantime, we must prevent ingestion of said dumb stuff by puppy-proofing our homes, using crates or exercise pens to contain