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You may not know that your dog has anal glands. They are located on either side of your dog’s rectum and produce a very pungent fluid. These same structures are slightly modified for use by a skunk to spray, so you can imagine that they are capable of some real stink! For dogs, they seem to serve little purpose other than marking and identification. Their scent tags his body and his feces as his to all who might be interested. … Read more

Stinging, biting insects are a part of summer we could all do without, but chances are, if you and your dog spend time outside, you will encounter one. Dogs are very curious by nature and often have their faces and mouths in places they do not belong. Some dogs are even tempted to snap at wasps and bees and are stung inside their mouths. A bee or wasp sting is usually not a very big deal to most dogs. It … Read more

 Have you ever come in the door to a blizzard of pillow stuffing? What about the garbage can turned over or the items knocked off the counters? Does it seem like whenever your dog is left to his own devices, he finds mischief? It may seem like it, but it is not always so simple. Think about your dog like the animal that he is and not a little human. He is wired to survive. Humans used to be a … Read more

Our live stream video has spurred a lot of excellent questions. There is always a lot of talk about allergies in pets. That’s because allergic disease is extremely common among dogs. You can view the video by clicking here. Many people assume that an allergic dog will sneeze and have itchy eyes like we do. But actually, an allergic dog is much more likely to have itchy feet. Affected dogs will lick their feet and sometimes pull at their nails … Read more

We laugh when we see photos of very large dogs trying to curl up in tiny dog beds. We wonder why in the world that big dog would choose to lie on that little bed when there is a bigger one visible in the photo. To try to explain this phenomenon we have to look at who the dog is. In such a situation, there are clearly at least two dogs in the environment and one is large and one … Read more

Some dogs will eat feces or “poop” from other dogs or even their own poop, and sadly, almost every dog will eat a cat’s fecal material. This behavior is called coprophagia and it is very hard to train away. So why in the world do they do it? Coprophagia is considered normal behavior (although gross) in canines. All of the reasons why dogs engage in coprophagia are not known, but there are some pretty good theories why dogs eat feline fecal … Read more

We humans see certain behaviors in our dogs and think they are cute, but some of these behaviors, (like tail chasing) can be a compulsion. Compulsions are irresistible urges to behave a certain way and occur very repetitively and often. These behaviors are defined as abnormal because they seem to lack purpose and can impact the quality of life in a negative way. Dogs can be an excellent model for human disorders and compulsive disorder is no exception. Multiple studies … Read more

When someone new arrives on the scene, dogs are alert. Some may even act aggressively or defensively. Dogs are animals and all animals are wired in a way that supports the best chances of survival. If you watch nature shows, you have probably seen wolf packs interact. They respond swiftly to the arrival of a strange wolf and are instantly on their guard for the intentions of the newcomer. New animals could represent a threat to the group as an … Read more

Sometimes you glance up and your dog is staring intently into your eyes. It is as if your dog has something to say to you. Studies indicate that canine species communicate with each other by gazing. Dogs specifically seemed to have evolved to look at humans’ faces even more than socialized wolf counterparts.1 I understand you. Do you understand me? Perhaps your dog not only has something to say to you, but feels that he is also gaining information from … Read more

We are all familiar with a dog’s response when the door bells ring. Some dogs really flip out, but all dogs react in some way to the sound. Have you ever really considered why that is? Much like Pavlov’s dogs who associated the sound of a bell with being fed, your dog knows the sound of the doorbell represents a change. Pavlov’s bell made the dogs salivate in anticipation of feeding and the doorbell sound is a learned association for … Read more

Some people say that dogs are like potato chips and no one can have just one, but is this really a good thing? Can a single dog be happy? Should you have more than one dog? Like so many things, the answer is not one size fits all. It lies in the individual dogs and the individual environment. If you have a lot of time for your dog and can provide regular playtime and exercise, you are probably all your … Read more

Dog lovers know in their hearts that being around dogs is good for them, but did you know that there is scientific proof? Science is really catching up with what we already know and research dollars are being invested in proving the value of the human-animal bond. Here are just a few of the reasons everyone should have a dog.   Dogs Make You  Exercise and Improve Your Cardiovascular Health Dogs need exercise and mental stimulation and so do you, … Read more

Let’s face it, you can learn a lot from poop. It can be an outward manifestation of your dog’s overall health that you can easily check yourself. So take the time to get the “scoop on the poop” every day. What does the poop tell you? Color Poop is brown, right? Well, yes, but the actual color can depend on several factors. If there are dyes in the dog food, it can affect the color of the stool and still … Read more

“You’ve got the cutest little baby face” crooned many singers over the years, but do we really choose who we love based on their facial characteristics? A recent group of researchers thinks we do, at least for our dogs.¹ Dogs are descended from wolves, although our modern dog differs significantly from his lupine ancestor. ² Some people believe that wolves who were more tolerant to human presence took advantage of scavenging opportunities to become the dogs we know today. But then … Read more

Studies have shown that dogs are able to sniff emotions and dog lovers instinctively know it’s true. But did you know that dogs have asymmetrical noses when it comes to fear odors? The suggestion is that they can “feel” or perceive emotional scents differently depending on the source. If you are the source, your dog’s sensitivity is very different than other sources. Although studies in the past have reported asymmetries in the nostril use of dogs when sniffing various emotion based … Read more

Hip Dysplasia is a term that we are all somewhat familiar with, but do you really know what it is? It is an important source of pain for our dogs. Affected dogs often act stiff or sore on their rear legs. They may have difficulty rising or walking on slick surfaces. They may also resist jumping onto furniture or into vehicles as the disease progresses. Sometimes, dogs are so brave that they hide their pain from hip dysplasia completely, but … Read more

There have been numerous articles and posts about the high number of pit bull type dogs in shelters all over the country. Statistics have been reported as high as 80% of dogs in shelters are speculated to be pit bull type dogs, but according to whom? We know that shelters are not able to feasibly afford to DNA test all their dogs. So veterinarians and shelter staff are left with trying to visually speculate their breed. Up until now, no one … Read more

There are so many different flea products available on the market, both through veterinarians and over the counter. It is hard to name one specific product as the best flea product. Don’t expect to find one that will be preferred by everyone. However, the two basic formulations, topical and oral, do have some pros and cons. You’ll need to consider these when you decide what will work best for you and your dog. Topical Flea Products Topical means that the … Read more

Guess what! Veterinarians are humans too. We give you advice and we know the right recommendations, but sometimes being human trumps being a veterinarian. It might make you feel better to know that we face the same struggles you do. Here are some things that you might not expect from me: I forget to brush my dog’s teeth. A dog’s teeth should be brushed every day. Dental plaque can become dental tartar in 36 hours, so it is best to … Read more

Home remedies are popular for otitis externa (ear infections) in dogs. The reason for this is that ear infections are often due to underlying issues, like allergic diseases. Thus, they tend to recur and become chronic. People often get frustrated and want to avoid a trip to the vet, which is where a home remedy for a dog ear infection would come in. But first, you’ll need to understand what dog ear infections are. What are Dog Ear Infections? Ear … Read more

You love your dog and want her to live long and well. You might hear people mention dental hygiene and you know that you are supposed to go to your own dentist. You might even know that dogs need dental care too, but you probably do not really know how important it is. It is truly a life or death issue. When your dog pants in your face and you want to plug your nose, you think it’s just “dog breath”, … Read more

As the days grow shorter and colder and we are stuck inside (with everyone else), viruses and colds run rampant. We all have a stash of cold and flu medications that we turn to for congestion or a runny nose, but did you know that some of these can really hurt your dog? Whether you are tempted to “home medicate” your dog or he helps himself to the medications on the counter, medications that are tested safe for humans may … Read more

We have all seen the sad faces of dogs lying balled up on the cold ground tied to a tree or post. These days, it is fortunately becoming less common. Most people know that it is not good for a dog to be tied all the time and social media helps highlight the plights of such mistreated animals. Hypothermia is a very real threat for animals restrained from seeking good shelter. Tied pets are certainly at risk. They are not … Read more

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in human is characterized by episodes of depression during the period where day length is shorter. There have been many therapies tried to treat SAD in humans, ranging from light therapy to cognitive behavioral therapy. The people that suffer from SAD report significant impact to their quality of life. Our dogs live closely with us and experience the seasonal changes much as we do. Dog owners report mood and behavior changes in dogs during the winter. Could … Read more

If your household contains more than one dog and there is conflict between them, it makes life a little less peaceful for everyone. We are supposed to be the superior species in the relationship with our dogs, but sometimes it is easy to expect dogs to function like people. Our human tendencies make us want to identify the underdog and lift him up, but is this the way to end the war? Dogs exist with a definite hierarchy and feel … Read more

When you go to find a new fur-ever friend, you want to stack the odds of a good match in your favor. There are things that you need to think about for each candidate. This dog will be your best friend and constant companion for 13-15 years (depending on his size and breed background) and you might not consider all the factors in the excitement of adoption. Find out everything that you can about each dog. The staff at the … Read more

If you are like most dog people, you have a pile (or a box or basket) full of “dog stuff”. (Mine is actually labeled “dog stuff”) But it needs to be sorted and streamlined for the new year. How can you decide what should stay and what should go? Here is the list of items to throw out right now! 1. Retractable leash It is hard enough for our dogs to learn our boundaries, but when the boundaries constantly change, … Read more

There are things that you can do to help your dog live longer and better. The New Year is a great time to make plans and achieve goals. Resolve to get your dog to a healthy weight. Purina’s Life Span Study proved that normal weight dogs lived an extra 1.8 years over their overweight counterparts.1 It is more than just feeding him less. You must make sure that you are meeting nutritional needs while still reducing his calorie intake. A premium … Read more

Fear is a normal response to stressful situations, but for some dogs the fear becomes a pathologic process that interrupts normal daily life. Scientists have identified certain brain chemicals that can be quantified in a laboratory to shed light on the physiology of fear. Anxiety disorders in humans are certainly diagnosed and managed medically, but it is harder to assess for dogs because they cannot be interviewed about their fears and feelings. Cortisol is a hormone associated with feelings of … Read more

Researchers at the University of Tennessee-College of Veterinary Medicine (UT-CVM) have investigated recent outbreaks of canine distemper. Canine distemper is caused by an adenovirus that affects multiple body systems. It is highly contagious with no known cure.  We had thought that canine distemper was well controlled by our country’s history of repeat vaccination of pet dogs, but these new outbreaks are alarming. The scientists at UTCVM noticed the occurrences of distemper (thought by most to be very nearly contained) and decided … Read more

Pet owners have to choose vets before they really get a chance to know them. Since “behind the scenes” is well…behind the scenes, how can a layman know if a vet and staff are capable? Here are things that are telltale signs that your vet is doing a great job:  1. Guidelines Veterinarians are not left to their own devices to decide what is best for your pet and the best ones make an effort to stay abreast of the … Read more

We all want our dogs to live longer. Certain compounds may hold the key to our hopes. Rapamycin is an FDA approved drug for humans after kidney transplant. As early as 1977, rapamycin was used as an immune modulator in cases of immune mediated disease and to prevent rejection post organ transplant. 1 Along the way, it was discovered that some of the mouse populations treated with rapamycin exhibited prolonged life span. More than one study has been able to … Read more

The holidays are a festive time full of family, festivities and fun. Nothing can put a damper on fun like a visit to the animal ER. There are always rumors of dangers and there are real dangers, so here are some things to know about: Mistletoe Real mistletoe is very toxic to animals (as well as humans). If you hang it, make sure it stays out of reach. Symptoms of ingestion can include some very bad signs, like GI upset, … Read more

As Thanksgiving approaches, we should all think about where this country began. We all enjoy the benefits of the struggles of the early pioneers who helped this country begin. No matter where your family originated, you cannot help but be awed by the revolutionary spirit and tenacity of these founding citizens. But have you ever wondered what role animals played? Dogs are undoubtedly an important part of today’s American life. Certainly livestock played their part in the early days, but … Read more

Did you know that there are things that you do that can reduce your dog’s lifespan? You can kill your dog with kindness. See if you are guilty of any of them and make an effort to fix them for your dog’s best life. Getting Happy-Fat Obesity shortens lives and impacts overall health. Look at your dog with a critical eye. When you press on his sides, can you feel his ribs? You should be able to. Look at him from … Read more

 The role of emotions in animals is a source of controversy and discussion. Emotions that are attributed to dogs include any emotion that we humans experience. For a long time, we have assumed that dogs were not capable of thought complex enough to be defined as emotion, until now. The only scientific way we can quantify emotion is by defining and measuring the changes in the brain when an emotion is felt. Scientists have developed studies to define and measure … Read more

You love your dog and you notice when he is not feeling well. He can get into all kinds of things with his curious nose in many places. The signs of infectious illness can be very similar to the signs that humans experience. Dogs of any age, gender and lifestyle can contract an infectious disease. Infectious disease can affect almost any body system, but the most common ones are gastrointestinal “stomach bugs” and respiratory “colds”. GI signs include vomiting and … Read more

You may have read the horrific headlines about the Colombian man who was infected by tapeworms that caused a cancer-like syndrome in his body. What you may not have read though is that the man was HIV positive and immune suppressed. The cells that acted just like cancer cells, proliferating and causing similar life-threatening consequences were not the cells of the man himself (like other forms of human cancer), but instead the cells actually originated inside the parasite. This is … Read more

Everywhere you look are scary stories and threats. The threat of the Kissing Bug and the disease it carries is no different. Here is what you should know: Chagas Disease is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite lives inside an insect vector called “kissing bug”. These insects are biting bugs, so named because they like to bite people around the mouth and eyes. The parasite can infect people and dogs. Chagas Disease is much more prevalent in … Read more