While a lot of cysts and tumors are non-cancerous or benign, there is always the chance that this one is malignant and potentially fatal. The earlier you detect cysts and tumors, the better the prognosis. So it’s important to regularly handle your dog thoroughly all over her body so you can immediately detect any new lumps or bumps.
Your bouncing, bounding bundle of furry joy is now getting on in years. Fortunately, due to better healthcare practices and improved nutrition, our furry friends are living far longer (and happier!) than they were just a few decades ago. Senior pet food that has been specifically developed may help alleviate some age-related problems. However, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for all.
Bad news for dog parents is that summer is snake season, which means that humans and dogs are at risk of snake bites. While the prospect of being bitten, no matter the snake, is not a happy one, the fact that venomous snakes abound across the entire continental US makes it somewhat worse (Alaska is not plagued by snakes – they have the sense to avoid the extreme cold).
Many of the more energetic among us like to go jogging (or running if they are even more athletic) for fun. And they like to go out with a running companion – of the furry 4-legged variety. In fact, many people get dogs with the aim to go running with them.
It’s never easy watching the ones we love struggling through epilepsy; the seizures are frightening to watch and the confusion and disorientation following a seizure are heartbreaking – and that is true regardless of whether your loved one is an epileptic child, parent or dog.
Tail docking is the process of removing a section of a dog’s tail, usually for cosmetic reasons, leaving a stub behind. The practice is banned outright in most of Europe, and the remaining European countries allow it only for special cases, which are defined under law and can only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon. Tail docking is, however, legal throughout North America, although members of certain veterinary associations in Canada are prohibited from performing the procedure, and a total ban is set to follow in 2017.
Heartworm disease: Doesn’t sound pleasant, does it? Well, it’s not but, unfortunately, it’s a big risk for many dogs in the US, and as global weather conditions change, that risk is growing. Heartworms can be fatal if left untreated or if it goes undetected for a long time. Even with treatment, the risk of long-term damage can affect your dog’s health for the rest of her life.
Who doesn’t like some pretty flowers, shady trees and decorative shrubs? Not many people, that’s for sure. And even if you don’t have a garden, chances are good you still like to have some plants in the house. They brighten things up and give an air of freshness, so where’s the harm? There could be a great deal of harm, actually, if you have pets. Some of the prettiest and most common garden and house plants and flowers are toxic to dogs and cats (and other pets, including horses, rabbits, and hamsters).
What is the quintessential image of a happy relationship with your dog? Throwing a stick in a field, right? There’s the joy of your dog bounding to collect the stick, the joy of racing back to you with a goofy grin on her face and the joy of spending time in delicious sunshine with your best friend.
