Dogs

Leptospirosis is a disease that’s caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria, also referred to as leptospires. It’s part of a group of bacteria called spirochetes, which also includes the bacteria that are responsible for illnesses like syphilis and Lyme disease. (Leptospira itself does not cause these diseases, however.) Though it is most often diagnosed in dogs who are over 2 years old, it can impact puppies more significantly if they should catch it. It’s also a disease that can affect humans, which means your dog can pass it on to you if they become infected. “The bacteria are typically spread through the urine of infected animals, as well as contaminated water sources, soil, or food,” notes Andrea Johnston, DVM, board-certified small-animal veterinary internist based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and medical board member at The Vets. Symptoms include: Lethargy Vomiting Decreased appetite Diarrhea Fever Bruising Edema (swelling of the limbs or abdomen) Bleeding from the gums Blood in the urine, stool or nose Jaundice If your dog contracts leptospirosis, it’s considered a medical emergency. Sarah Wooten, DVM, veterinarian in Silverthorne, Colorado, says that infected dogs and people can develop fatal liver failure or kidney (renal) failure and are very infectious to other dogs and people.,Jump to section What Is Leptospirosis in Dogs? What Is the Leptospirosis Vaccine? Pros and Cons of Leptospirosis Vaccine Leptospirosis Vaccine Cost FAQs About the Leptospirosis Vaccine

Cancer can disrupt much of a dog’s digestive process. Depending on where the tumor or tumors are located, cancer itself can cause digestive symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Vomited material may be blood-tinged or have a “coffee-grounds” appearance from partial digestion of the blood in stomach acid. Cancer of the intestinal tract may cause bright red blood in the stool or dark, tarry stools (called melena), depending on where in the intestinal tract the cancer is present. Cancer in the mouth can cause drooling, sores, and difficulty chewing. Cancer treatment can also cause digestive issues such as decreased saliva production (known as xerostomia or dry mouth) as well as mouth ulcers and some of the same effects as cancer, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In other words, a dog’s quality of life can be greatly diminished by both cancer and its treatment. Some parents of dogs with cancer are so anxious to comfort and show love to their furry friend they overfeed their pet. Others feed their pup potentially improperly balanced diets or home-cooked meals, says Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for dvm360. Both are blunders that could make the dog ill or even promote cancer growth, Dr. Christman says. That’s why it’s vital to consult with a veterinarian, oncologist, or animal nutrition specialist to ensure you feed your dog the proper diet.,Jump to section How Does Cancer Affect a Dog’s Digestive Process? Why Diet Is Important When Your Dog Has Cancer Dog Cancer Diet: What To Feed a Dog With Cancer Best Foods for Dogs With Cancer Foods To Avoid

It’s no secret that dogs are man’s best friend. From spending time together at home or adventuring outdoors, the fun never ends. Spoil your four-legged fur baby with this no-bake trail mix bar that’s a tasty treat for your favorite pup.

Therapy dogs and their owners become volunteers who visit hospitals, schools, hospice, nursing homes, libraries, shelters, disaster areas and other places where dogs are asked to provide comfort, affection, love and happiness to people in need.,Jump to section What Is Dog Therapy? What Requirements Are Needed To Become a Therapy Dog? How Does My Pet Receive an AKC Therapy Dog Title? How Do I Prepare My Dog To Pass the AKC Therapy Dog Test? Where Can We Go To Deliver Dog Therapy?

As your dog is watching you put the finishing touches on your gingerbread house, silently (or maybe not-so-silently) begging for a taste, you may be thinking to yourself, “Can dogs eat gingerbread?” The short answer is no.  While delicious to humans—and quite fun to decorate during the holiday season—gingerbread is off-limits for dogs.  We asked two vets—Courtney Deer, DVM, emergency and critical care veterinarian at 1st Pet Veterinary Centers in the Phoenix area; and Danny Sack, DVM, veterinary surgery resident at MedVet Columbus in Worthington, Ohio—for their take on why gingerbread isn’t safe for dogs and what to do if your pup manages to sneak a bite. 

Going on a vacation can be an exciting time! That is, until your excitement is met with frustration as you try to coax your pet into her dog carrier. No matter how hard you try, your dog might bolt at the sight of her carrier. Or maybe she hesitantly makes her way in, but spends the whole trip crying. Sound familiar? The good news is that traveling with your dog does not have to be a stressful experience—for you or her! The key is to teach your dog to love her carrier, no matter the circumstances. Waiting until your bags are packed and you’re ready to walk out the door would be a bad time to introduce your pup to her carrier, especially if in the past, it was only used for negative experiences. Joan Hunter Mayer, Certified Personal Dog Trainer, encourages dog parents to create positive associations between dogs and their crates. “The crate needs to represent a fun, enjoyable and safe space—a place she can call home.” A couple of great options for pet travel are the Petmate Navigator Plastic Kennel or the Petmate Soft Sided Pet Kennel Cab & Carrier. Here are some tips to make sure your dog slowly, but surely, begins to find comfort in her dog carrier, making traveling with your dog an enjoyable experience for all. Get rid of the negative association. When preparing for pet travel, you first want to make sure that you get rid of any negative association that might be tied to dog carriers. If in the past you have only used the dog carrier to go to the vet (or somewhere else your dog fears), then it’s no surprise that your dog would automatically assume that instead of going on an exotic getaway, she’s about to get sent to the cold vet’s office! Mayer puts it best when she advises to “keep it out and around, available for them to spend time in it—at least until they have that positive association with it. You want to avoid taking it out to go somewhere unpleasant. Otherwise, the dog might create a negative association with it.” If you find your dog struggling to acclimate as you work on the positive reinforcement, don’t let her out at the first sign of crying. Mayer suggests, “If your dog is whining for attention, wait until she calms down and is quiet before opening the door to let her out. You don’t want to inadvertently reinforce attention-seeking behaviors.” Put treats and more inside the crate. Once you have slowly begun to eliminate the negative association, focus on strengthening the positive association that your dog is slowly beginning to attribute to her dog carrier. For example, take some time to feed her meals inside of her pet travel carrier. Leave it out and keep your eye on her. If you see her slowly make her way into it, reward her with her favorite dog treats! Or make sure to keep some of her favorite toys waiting for her in her carrier. Another tip Mayer recommends is to “have your dog in a crate next to you while you watch a movie, read, or are working on the computer. Remember to give the dog a chew bone or stuffed Kong, and drop treats in occasionally.” It won’t be long before your pooch gets excited for any upcoming pet travel you have planned! Have dress rehearsals. Now that your dog has begun to replace that negative association with a positive one, the final step is to practice, practice, practice! Before leaving for your trip with your dog, slowly begin to take her on small adventures in her carrier, whether it’s to the park or for some quick errands. By this point, she shouldn’t automatically assume she is going straight to the vet. Although she may still be a little hesitant, continue to give her positive reinforcement to strengthen her understanding that it is a safe place for her. Mayer points out that “dogs should be relaxed before going in and not kept in there for any great lengths of time—unless traveling where this might be the only option. Double-check with the vet to determine the maximum time for your specific dog. Puppies need to be let out more often than older dogs. However, senior dogs might need to relieve themselves more often.” Once you have rehearsed pet travel and have checked in with your vet, when the day finally arrives for your big trip, it should be easy sailing! Whether you’re flying or driving, be mindful of the time your pup spends inside her dog carrier to avoid any negative associations being relinked to the carrier. Lots of treats and love won’t hurt either! Some additional accessories that might come in handy are the Petmate Airline Travel Kit and VetriScience Composure Behavioral Health Bite-Sized Dog Chews. Whether you need an extra treat to ensure you pup stays calm or simply want to make sure she is as comfortable as possible with food and treats, these products will have you ready to go. Bon voyage!

Capstar® is an oral flea medication for cats and dogs. The flea treatment works quickly, is highly effective, and is safe for daily use during a flea infestation. It’s so fast-acting that fleas will begin dying within 30 minutes of the first dose. So, how does Capstar® kill fleas? The active ingredient, nitenpyram, is an insecticide that wipes out adult fleas. The nitenpyram enters your pet’s bloodstream and when a flea bites your furry BFF, the flea ingests the nitenpyram. The insecticide then attacks the flea’s nervous system, causing paralysis and then death. It may sound a little gruesome at first—until we remember that we’re talking about fleas here! Then it sounds pretty good.,Jump to section What Is Capstar®? And How Does Capstar® Work? Capstar® Side Effects and Adverse Reactions Capstar® Recommended Dose How To Administer Capstar® for Dogs and Cats How To Store Capstar® Important Capstar® Considerations Don’t Forget Flea Prevention FAQs About Capstar for Dogs and Cats

They may have a built-in fur coat, but your pet is definitely feeling the days and nights getting colder as much as you are. So, why not make their favorite spot in the home extra-warm and cozy with a brand-new plush winter blanket? But don’t purchase just any ole blanket. For tips on choosing a winter blanket for your furry friend, we turned to Chewy’s own Bed & Furniture Product Developer Jill Lazinsky, who shared five things to consider while browsing winter blankets: Where you live The size of the blanket The material Your pet’s health needs Your décor

When someone decides to adopt a pet, you’ll often hear them describing exactly what they’re looking for—a very specific breed, size and age, or at least they have an idea of certain traits they expect their new addition to have. “Why adopt a shelter dog,” they may wonder, “if I have such a specific pet in mind?” Yes, animal adoption is a big deal—you’re welcoming a new furry family member to their forever home—so you want to make sure you make the right decisions. But that doesn’t mean you should skip the shelter. Despite many incorrect myths about shelters and rescues, they’re home to animals who would make amazing pets, no matter what attributes you’re looking for. “At least once a week, I talk with someone who believes at least one of these myths in some form or another,” says Meredith Bowen, adoptions specialist at Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill pet rescue and adoption center in Atlanta, one of this national animal welfare organization’s regional centers. Believing these dog shelter myths could mean that some perfectly amazing dogs get overlooked. Bowen, a dog shelter insider, explains some of the most common myths and the truths behind them. Spoiler alert: These truths are all great reasons why you should adopt a shelter dog.

The most common infectious cause of coughing in dogs of all ages is a condition called kennel cough. It is also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, and is caused by a variety of infectious bacteria and viruses. Kennel cough causes a dry, hacking cough that is often confused for gagging. It has also been described as a honking cough, and is common in young dogs, shelter dogs or dogs who spend a lot of time around other dogs at shows, parks, boarding, or day care facilities. The other common cause of infectious coughing in dogs is dog flu. There are two types of canine influenza now found in North America. As is typical of respiratory infections where disease is spread by coughing and sneezing, dogs who are out and about being social are the most likely to be exposed and get ill.,When you hear your old dog coughing, it’s natural to be concerned. Senior dogs can cough for many reasons, from inhaling a mild irritant to suffering from severe heart disease. But you can’t necessarily determine the severity of the issue from how severe the cough is, which makes it difficult to know whether your dog has a serious illness or is just experiencing a common cold. That’s why we’re breaking down nine common reasons why senior dogs cough, with details of what coughing looks and sounds like for each, plus tips on when to see a vet.