Hip dysplasia in dogs is a condition in which the hip joint doesn’t develop sufficiently to support the leg bone. This results in gradual joint deterioration over time as the leg bone bumps and grinds against it.
Most pet parents know how important physical exercise is for their dogs. Without a daily walk, run or cycle, most dogs go stir crazy. They drive their parents insane with barking, chewing, pacing and other destructive behaviors. What many pet parents don’t know is that mental stimulation is as important for dogs as physical exercise. Brain work can calm dogs, tire them out, make them more confident problem solvers. They also meet their innate canine needs and keep canine cognitive dysfunction (dementia) at bay. Interactive toys and puzzles are simple tools to get your dog’s brain working.
Who doesn’t love bulldogs? That cute, squashy face and those sad eyes are enough to melt the coldest heart. But before you go out and buy a puppy, have a heart and consider the health problems that are becoming increasingly common (and increasingly severe) in bulldogs and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds.
Veterinary acupuncture is becoming increasingly more commonplace as veterinarians and the general public become more aware of the benefits of acupuncture when it comes to treating a variety of medical conditions. Acupuncture can even treat serious conditions, like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) – slipped disc.
First aid isn’t a substitute for veterinary care, but sometimes your dog needs urgent attention before you get to the vet. For example, your dog may unearth an old box of rat poison and need emergency action fast. Or your dog could be hit by a car and you may have to do some patch work before you can get him in the car. Knowing first aid for dogs is a life saver.
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, and you feel strongly about the moral choice you’ve made, then you face a conundrum when it comes to pet food. On the one hand, you may be loath to support the meat industry in any way, including meaty dog foods. On the other, you’re concerned about the implications a vegan diet would have for your dog’s health.
Dogs, like people, are vaccinated against certain diseases to prevent infection or minimize the severity of infection. Vaccines are credited with lowering the incidence of certain diseases in dogs. This is one of the reasons why vets are so concerned about any controversy that surrounds pet vaccinations. If people decide that dog vaccinations are overrated, there could be a resurgence of diseases previously under control.
The more scientists learn about dogs, the more we discover that our kinship with them is closer than we first imagined. Psychologically, they share many traits with us. One of these traits is the capacity to experience stress. And, like us, prolonged stress causes them to get gray hair.
There are 7.5 billion people in the world and an estimated 525 million dogs (cat population estimates are too “fudged” to have value). Approximately 86.4 million cats and 78.2 million dogs call America home. And they all have a significant environmental impact.
There are two words dreaded by anyone who works with puppies: Parvo and distemper. They are deadly diseases that can kill puppies quickly (with suffering) or more slowly (with more suffering). Vaccinating dogs is one way to prevent the diseases, but so is knowledge.