Dogs

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Ear odor is just one indication that your pup may have developed a problem. Be sure to check your pup’s ears often, whether their ears are short and pointy or big and floppy. Also, be aware of any unusual dog behavior. Is your pet paying more attention than usual to his ears? “An infected ear can become a source of torment for a dog, which can lead to scratching and even bleeding inside the ear flap or the gradual closure of the ear canal,” explains Dr. Levy. “Other signs include scratching, head shaking, and rubbing the ears along the floor.” If an infection is left chronically untreated, surgery may be required.,Jump to section Note Your Dog’s Behavior Get an Exam Talk to Your Vet About an At-Home Solution Clean off Dirt and Keep the Ears Dry

The sun! The sand! The surf! Beach days are even more fun when your furry friend is along for the ride.  Taking some time to prepare for your beach trip and knowing what to expect once you get there makes for a safe and happy excursion. Here are tips for taking your dog to dog-friendly beaches. 

Deworming in dogs uses medications called anthelmintics to target and eliminate parasites, such as hookworms and tapeworms, from a dog’s body.,Jump to section What Is Deworming in Dogs? Which Worms Are Most Common in Dogs? How Do I Deworm My Dog? Types of Deworming Medicine for Dogs Side Effects of Deworming a Dog How Often Should I Deworm My Dog? How Do I Prevent Worms in Dogs?

While most dogs are fluffy, sometimes our four-legged friends are a little more … naked. Hairless dog breeds might be the minority, but there is a lot to love about them. For one, many hairless dogs might be a good fit for certain people who are allergic to dogs (though no pup is completely hypoallergenic). Here’s what to know about bringing home a hairless dog. 

“Vomiting is generally always abnormal and is a vague sign that can be due to many causes, some of which are more serious than others,” says Samantha Kent, DVM, medical director of VEG ER for Pets in Encinitas, California.  The most common reasons for puppy vomiting include: Eating too fast: When puppies gobble down their food too quickly, it can lead to regurgitation (throwing up undigested food soon after eating).  Dietary indiscretion: Puppies are naturally curious and might eat non-food items, such as poop or garbage, which can upset their stomach, says Joshua Smith, DVM, owner of Pawspital Animal Hospital, in Meridian, Idaho.  Food sensitivities or diet changes: Switching your puppy’s food too quickly or feeding something that doesn’t agree with their stomach (treats, people food) can lead to digestive upset. Intestinal parasites: Roundworms, hookworms, and other parasites are common in puppies and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. Infections or illness: “Puppies are still building their immune system and are more vulnerable to viruses or bacteria that can cause nausea and vomiting,” Dr. Smith says. The most serious cause of vomiting in puppies is parvovirus. Foreign object ingestion: If your puppy swallows a toy, sock, or other non-food object, it can cause a bowel obstruction, leading to vomiting. Motion sickness: “Some puppies get carsick just like some people do,” Dr. Smith says. “The motion from a ride can make them feel nauseous, leading to vomiting.” Toxins or poisoning: Ingesting toxic plants, household cleaners, an overdose of supplements or ingestion of medications (veterinary or human, over the counter or prescription), or human foods that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, can lead to vomiting.  Underlying health conditions: Rarely, certain congenital issues (birth defects) such as liver disease or kidney problems can lead to vomiting in puppies.,Jump to section Why Is My Puppy Throwing Up? 9 Possible Causes Puppy Vomit Color Chart How Can I Help My Sick Puppy at Home? When Should I Take My Puppy to the Vet? FAQs About Puppy Vomiting

What dogs consume daily greatly affects the outcome of their health, how they feel and if they experience lethargy. From sneaking table scraps to regularly eating too much dog food, pet parents need to be careful of what their dogs are ingesting. Paying attention to your pup’s diet and what’s in your pet’s dog food is not only important for dogs who have already been diagnosed with arthritis, but also for those aiming at preventative care. It is recommended that you include natural foods such as vegetables and fruits in their diet to boost their intake of phytonutrients and antioxidants, which leads to higher immunity against sicknesses and ailments. Dr. Jennifer Taylor, DVM, CVA of Lake Side Animal Hospital in New Hampshire, gave us her expertise on dog food for pups with dog arthritis symptoms, saying, “One of my favorite diets is Royal Canin Mobility Support JS from the Royal Canin dog food line. This diet has New Zealand green mussel (Perna canaliculus), which is rich in nutrients that nourish joint cartilage, and also aids with joint inflammation and promotes joint mobility.” This formula also has EPA and DHA to help support the joints, and an antioxidant blend to support a healthy immune system. Dr. Taylor also recommends Hill’s Science Diet Metabolic & Mobility. Not only does this formula offer joint support, but it also has L-carnitine and fiber to help reduce weight.,How Dog Food Can Help with Dog Arthritis Symptoms

Treatment for Dogs Throwing up Blood Dogs with less severe symptoms may be treated and released immediately from the veterinary hospital, but others with more severe or ongoing signs may be hospitalized for additional testing or treatment. Each case is unique, and the treatment differs depending upon the underlying cause. For example: A dog vomiting blood because of parasites will be given medication to get rid of the parasites, in addition to care for treating the symptoms. In most cases, a dog that has a foreign body lodged in their intestinal tract will need surgery. Viral infections are likely to need hospitalization and intensive supportive care. However, most dogs vomiting blood, regardless of cause, will benefit from symptomatic care. This will often include: Injections of fluids to treat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances (oral fluids are not recommended for dogs that are vomiting) Antacids to reduce stomach inflammation Anti-nausea injections to help stop the vomiting Protectants to line the stomach and help bandage irritated areas A bland diet to make it easy to eat once your dog is back on their feet As scary as it is to have your dog vomiting blood, when the cause is diagnosed and treated quickly, pets do fully recover in most cases. So when in doubt, get your dog checked out! Featured image: iStock.com/123ducu,  You hear your dog vomiting again, and at first you think they just got into the trash. But when you clean up the mess, you see that there’s blood in the vomit and you immediately start to panic. This is a normal reaction, and yes, you should call your veterinarian right away, even if your dog appears to feel fine. Dog Vomiting Blood: What It Looks Like Vomiting blood is known by veterinarians as hematemesis (hema means “blood” and emesis means “vomit”). The appearance and color of the blood in the vomit is very important. In addition to making note of what came up, you should also take a few photos and bag up a sample of the vomit, both of which could be very helpful to your veterinarian. Bright red blood that is liquid often comes from the esophagus—the tube that connects the mouth and stomach. Sometimes, if the mouth is bleeding heavily, that blood might be swallowed and then vomited back up. Dark red blood that either is clotted or looks like coffee grounds usually indicates that it has been partially digested by stomach acid, so it likely came from either the stomach or the upper part of the intestinal tract. When the vomit is foamy and pink-tinged or has small specks of blood, it’s usually a sign of irritation and in most cases is less serious than the other scenarios.

Dogs experience the world around them differently than we do. You probably already know they have a superior sense of smell and have more sensitive hearing than humans, but what about their vision? The most common myth about dog vision is that dogs can only see in black and white—and therefore, don’t have any color vision. But that’s actually not true. Because, yes, dogs can see color, just not all the colors of the rainbow.

Yes, dogs can be allergic to chicken. In fact, it’s one of the most common dog allergies, according to Shalsee Vigeant, DVM, medical director at Veterinary Emergency Group in Sugar Land, Texas. Chicken accounts for 17% of allergic reactions in dogs. (Beef reactions are the most common at 34%.) If a dog is allergic to chicken, their immune system mistakenly identifies the proteins in chicken as harmful, leading to a widespread inflammatory response. This could be due to genetic predisposition or environmental factors, and exposure to certain ingredients over time can increase the likelihood of developing an allergy, according to Sam Varon, DVM, practicing veterinarian at Broadway Veterinary Hospital in Sacramento, California.,Jump to section Can Dogs Be Allergic to Chicken? Can Puppies Be Allergic to Chicken? Dog Chicken Allergy Symptoms How Vets Diagnose a Chicken Allergy in Dogs Dog Chicken Allergy Treatment What To Feed a Dog Allergic to Chicken FAQs About Dog Chicken Allergies