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How To Get The Most From Your Senior Dog’s Vet Appointment

As our dogs age, their health needs and problems change, too. As your dog approaches his senior years, vet visits are likely to change as a result. Each vet visit is an opportunity to find out how your dog’s health is doing and how you can help him live for many more healthy, happy years. It does take a little bit of preparation, but we’re here to help you get the most from your senior dog’s vet appointment. When you … Read more

From The Vet: What You Can Do Now To Make Winter Easier For Your Pup

Winter is coming, and preparing your pet for the challenges ahead is essential. Cold temperatures, snow, and ice create unique challenges for dogs, especially those accustomed to the comforts of indoor living. Dogs of all ages, breeds, and health statuses can feel the effects of winter, but older pets, underweight pups, and those with osteoarthritis are particularly vulnerable. Start planning now to ensure your furry friend stays comfortable and safe through the coldest months of the year. Here are some … Read more

From The Vet: 5 Simple Hacks To Make Life Easier For Senior Dogs

What better way to show your love than to make every day just a little easier for your loved one? As your dog ages, there are predictable changes that happen commonly, and fortunately there are things that you can do to make daily life less difficult for your dog if you know how. #1 – Making Floors Safer Senior dogs lose flexibility and balance as part of brain and nerve aging and sometimes, navigating on today’s popular slick hardwood and … Read more

From The Vet: 7 Signs Of Dog Arthritis You May Not Have Noticed

Arthritis (inflammation of the joints) is a very common diagnosis for pets and people. It is known to cause pain and stiffness, developing from normal wear and tear or occurring as a result of injury in the past. It is diagnosed by a veterinarian from physical exam findings and radiographic evidence. Signs Of Arthritis In Dogs Here are 7 signs that you might not have noticed in your dog that could herald arthritis. It is very important to know that … Read more

Ask A Vet: Why Is My Dog Scooting?

People think watching a dog drag his rear across the floor (aka “scooting”) is either gross or funny (or both) and I would agree that it is gross, since I know a lot about dog butts! Your dog is not doing the “sit and spin” to amuse you. He is more likely either itching or in pain. Your dog has glands located on either side of her rectum, which create a very strong smelling secretion. Similar structures in the skunk … Read more

Ask A Dog Trainer: How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Licking Everything?

Dog licking everything

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. While most of us don’t mind a gentle lick from our furry friend now and then, a dog that constantly licks can be exhausting. Some dogs only lick themselves or humans, but others may lick random objects, furniture, or even the floor. No one wants a big spot of dog saliva on the couch. Plus, obsessive licking … Read more

Army Veteran Reunited With His Retired Bomb-Sniffing Dog After 6 Months Of Separation

When Ali, a bomb-sniffing Dutch Shepherd, was forced to retire due to his age back in December, his handler, Troy Sutton, was still in Iraq and worried that he would never see Ali again. Luckily, K-9 Hero Haven stepped in and helped Ali transition into retired life while Sutton finished his time in Iraq. Sutton had served in the United States Army for 24 years but now works for American K-9 Detection Services, where he works with dogs to sniff out bombs … Read more

10 Things You Might Be Doing That Make Your Vet Crazy

Veterinarians truly want to do what’s best for the pets in their care, but sometimes owners do things that make the otherwise rewarding career of being a vet frustrating or disheartening. You try to give your dog the best care possible while being a good person in the process, but sometimes your love for your dog may cloud your vision and cause you to say or do things that drive your veterinarian crazy. Are you guilty of doing any of … Read more

Vocal Pit Bull Throws Adorable Tantrum At The Vet

Carl is not a fan of the vet, and he’s making sure that his human parents know it. As responsible owners, we know we sometimes have to do things our dogs don’t like. Brushing teeth, baths, taking pills – things that are for the best for our dogs, even if they don’t understand it. That doesn’t mean they have to take it lying down, though, and they often don’t! After an injury to his leg, Carl’s dutiful parents took him … Read more

What You Should Know Before Your Dog Goes Under General Anesthesia

Everyone worries when their dog has any type of surgery, even if it’s as routine as a spay, neuter or teeth cleaning. Just like with humans, vets put our pups under general anesthesia in order to relax their muscles and prevent them from experiencing pain during the procedure. While giving dogs anesthesia is commonplace in veterinary hospitals, there are still some things that pet parents should know in order to help avoid complications. So while administering the medication should be … Read more

Parvo In Dogs – 5 Things Dog Owners Need To Know

Most pup parents, especially those who’ve adopted puppies, have heard of the dreaded Parvovirus aka Parvo in dogs ( parvo for short). Even if you don’t know much about how it spreads or what the symptoms look like, you probably know that the illness is highly contagious and can be fatal. Luckily, there are preventative measures you can take, and early diagnosis may have a more promising prognosis than you previously thought. We here at iHeartDogs got in touch with … Read more

Bloat Kills Nearly Half The Dogs It Affects; Here’s What You Can Do About It

You may have heard of dogs getting “bloat,” but do you know what it actually is? How about it’s mortality rate? What about warning signs and ways to prevent it? We hate thinking about our dogs getting sick, but in life, some things are inevitable. All we can do is try our best to prevent certain conditions and know warning signs for early detection and treatment. We are our dogs’ advocates, and when it comes to keeping them healthy, knowledge is power! Read … Read more

New State Law Would Allow Pet Owners To Write Off Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Vet Bills

Every pet owner knows that our four-legged family members can be expensive to care for, especially when it comes to vet bills. While we know that our companions are worth the cost, paying for medical treatments can still be a burden, especially when an unexpected or emergency situation comes up. There are many pet parents who’ve even had to opt for euthanasia over expensive treatments when dire circumstances arise, with money playing a big role in making the heartbreaking decision. In … Read more

Vet Offers Free Services To Homeless Owners & Their Dogs

For some people who are homeless, a dog is the only family that they have. What’s worse, many shelters don’t allow dogs, forcing homeless pet owners to make a decision: spend the night in a warm shelter with a bed and a meal, or stay cold and hungry on the streets so as not to abandon their dogs. Of course, most choose the latter. Realizing that there was a huge lack of resources for homeless pet parents, vet student Ruby Shorrock, along with … Read more

Ask A Vet: Why Is My Dog Jealous Of My Spouse?

Anyone who spends time with dogs knows that they can act jealous. Dogs can act jealous or protective over items or people. It can become a big problem when the object of the jealousy is a spouse. This type of jealousy is damaging to the bonds between both people and dogs. For human beings, jealousy is thought to be a complex emotional and cognitive response. Some have said that jealousy is too intricate for dogs to feel, but most dog … Read more

From The Vet: 3 Things Every Husky Owner Should Watch For

Siberian Huskies are energetic, fun, and sociable dogs. They are typically very healthy and interested in anything that you are. Certain diseases and disorders seem to crop up more frequently in particular breeds of dogs, known as breed associated disorders. Each type of dog has its own list, but many of the issues are shared by multiple breeds, and very few are exclusive to a single breed. Here are a few things that Husky owners should know about.   1. Skin … Read more

The Top 5 Reasons Dogs End Up At The Vet–And How To Prevent It

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. You take your pooch for her annual check-up, but some ailments warrant more than just a once-yearly vet visit. According to a pet insurance company and an Ontario-based vet, we’ve compiled some of the most common reasons pets go to the doctor. Life is certainly unpredictable, but the more you know, the more you can try to … Read more

Ways To Help Your Dog When He’s Laid Up

It’s never fun to have a sick or injured dog on your hands. They know they don’t feel well, but you can’t explain to them that all those things you do – some of them painful or uncomfortable – are going to help them. You can explain to a child that the cough syrup will help them sleep, the cast will help them heal, or that not putting weight on that leg will ease the pain. Unfortunately, you can’t explain … Read more

Here’s How An Integrative Health Approach May Be The Best Option For Your Pet

These days, we are all looking for ways for our pets to live longer, happier and healthier lives. Advances in veterinary medicine are going a long way to help animal lovers accomplish these goals. However, often the approach to solving a patient’s medical issues is still archaic in nature. You take your pet to the vet for a specific reason, say she’s having trouble walking, and the vet focuses solely on the area the symptoms seem to be coming from, … Read more

Intern Discovers The REAL Reason Behind Dog’s Paralysis Just Before He Is Euthanized

When this Portland, Oregon family’s beloved dog suddenly became paralyzed, it seemed that the only way to ease his suffering was euthanasia. The Fate family’s dog, named Ollie, was a perfectly healthy pup until he mysteriously began to succumb to paralyzation. Despite being thoroughly checked and analyzed, vets were puzzled as to what had caused the sudden paralysis. “Anything from cancer to trauma, or a fracture of a vertebra or a spinal fracture. Any one of these could have caused … Read more

Breaking News – FDA Provides Update on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its ongoing investigation into pet illnesses and deaths in animals that ate jerky pet treats. This update includes the latest information about complaints of illnesses, test findings, and measures taken by the agency to identify the cause of the illnesses and deaths. Reported cases have been on the decline in recent years. Since the FDA’s last update in September 2014 and through the end of 2015, there have been 200 reports received. … Read more

Here’s How To REALLY Calculate Your Pet’s Age

Chances are, when trying to figure out how old your dog is in “human years,” you’ve multiplied his literal age by 7 to get your answer. (For instance, a 5-year-old pup would be 35.) While this is a widely accepted method, as it turns out, it’s not that accurate. According to Petful, Veterinarians have come up with a new scale that accounts for your companion’s quick maturation (for instance, dogs and cats can reproduce within their first year of age), as well as the … Read more

Think Vets Don’t Have A Sense Of Humor? Check-Out These 13 Signs

The vet can be a nerve-wracking place for both people and pooches. Our dogs anxiously whimper and pace, smelling the stress of other pup patients. Our cats dodge their carriers, dreading the thought of a car ride, let alone a shot. And we do our best to calm our pets down, sometimes nervous, ourselves, at the prospect of some diagnosis or even an unexpected vet bill! That’s why we appreciate these veterinary offices that lighten the mood with their hilarious signs. … Read more

5 Ways To Continue Training When Your Pup Is Laid Up

There is nothing worse than a dog with an injury. You can’t tell him why he can’t fly around the house or explain to her why she can’t go for that two mile walk she is used to. I just went through this with my youngest dog, Merlin. At almost 3, he is full of energy and is used to doing herding or agility – or both – every day. So when he tore his paw and had to wear a … Read more

Ways To Prevent Accidental Pet Poisonings In Your Home

One of the most common and yet preventable vet bills is accidental poisoning of your pet. Since 2013, Trupanion has paid out over $2.9 million in pet toxicity claims – and that’s just one insurance company. Not to mention the thousands of pets that don’t have insurance. In honor of Poison Prevention Awareness Month (March) and National Poison Prevention Week (March 20-26), we have rounded up some simple ways to make sure your pet does not become a statistic. Proofing … Read more

Hilarious ‘All About That Spay’ Video Wins The AVMA Vettie Awards

While most of the world was celebrating the Oscars, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) decided to host their own award show, where the winners would be voted by the public! The First Annual Vettie Awards were hosted on their Facebook Page and votes were cast with the like/love/haha votes. The did not count wow/sad/angry “votes.” The rules were as follows: The video must be made by a vet, vet tech, vet student, or vet practice It can be funny … Read more

BREAKING NEWS: New Therapy For Treatment Of Arthritis In Dogs Is Now Available

PrimeGen Biotech, a pioneer in the research and discovery of practical therapeutic uses for stem cells, officially launched their subsidiary VetCell Therapeutics this week at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. The company has two types of therapies to help with canine osteoarthritis (OA) using stem cells. VetCell Therapeutics is a cell therapy company focused on generating regenerative cell therapy treatments for pets and companion animals. After more than a decade of research and development, there are two therapies available … Read more

THIS COULD SAVE YOUR DOG’S LIFE: Dog First Aid 101

Everyone knows that if there is something wrong your dog, you need to take him to the vet. But there are times when you are unable to get there, or when it might be too late by the time you arrive. For these times, it’s good to know some basic Dog First Aid, which could prevent further injury or even death until you can make it to your veterinary’s office. Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, is a world-renowned integrative veterinarian and author. … Read more

My Vet Says My Dog Has A Terminal Illness. What Can I Do?

Everyone will see the end of their life. Our dogs are no exception. But our dogs are lucky because they have us to depend on as stewards of their care. If your dog has a terminal illness, it will fall to you to face this challenge. Peace, dignity and pain free existence are all a part of this journey that we must champion for our dogs. There are some important considerations if you are a dog’s hospice guardian. First, set … Read more

Alert: Potential Danger To Dogs Is Already In Your Home

There is something in your kitchen and maybe many other rooms of your home that can seriously hurt your dog. We add it to many of our food items and we use it in utilitarian jobs around our houses. It even crops up in recreational gear. It is salt and it can be a danger to your dog. Sodium ion toxicosis is a clinical syndrome that occurs when an animal ingests salt out of balance with the amount of water … Read more

Ask A Vet: When Should I Take My Dog To The Vet? 5 Symptoms To Take Seriously

 Sometimes pets get sick and then they get better all on their own without any intervention from you or your veterinarian. But lots of times when they’re sick, if you wait to see if they’re going to get better on their own, whatever is wrong gets worse and makes your dog’s likelihood of recovery less. So how do you decide? Obviously the best way to decide is to take your dog to the vet and let the veterinary professionals tell … Read more