Archive for the ‘Pet Health’ Category

Bob Jagendorf on Flickr

I do love the celebration atmosphere. The noise… oye. That can be annoying. Maybe I am  just getting old or maybe it is because I have lived with noise-phobic dogs for so long. It is still a fun holiday though, and I am wishing you all fun and safe this holiday weekend! Leave the dogs inside.

More (lots more) info on my About.com Veterinary Medicine site here: fireworks and thunderstorms.

Don’t forget about dogs and summer heat – burnned pads, heatstroke, and noise. Be sure to check out the Hot Dog Checklist to keep your best friend safe this summer.

Senior pets are near and dear to me. Who can resist those soft eyes, full of trust and love? While it is sometimes more “work” to care for a senior pet, I always consider it an honor. A celebration of a life well-lived.

But what if the senior pet is cranky, gets “lost” in the house, or doesn’t seem to respond to you? It may be a condition called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) or in simpler terms, senior dementia. I recently did an interview with Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me? on this topic: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: A Vet Explains

Learn more: about senior dementia, also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD).

Share your story about living with a pet who has senior dementia.

Related Reading:

• Anipryl – Help for Senior Pets?
• Caring for Senior Dogs
• Celebrate Senior Pets! Show us your senior dog or cat
• Readers Respond – Viewer-submitted stories on a variety of topics

Photo: In Memoriam by normanack on Flickr

Encouraging news for dogs (and humans) with this new vaccine-based cancer therapy. This method utilizes the host’s immune system to find and kill cancer cells.

The canine melanoma vaccine, ONCEPT ™, by Merial, was granted a conditional license approval by the USDA in March 2007. Today, CNNMoney reported that the USDA has granted full licensure for this anti-tumor vaccine.

Enter the operating room and see a canine castration, more commonly known as dog neuter surgery. This procedure utilizes sterile technique and requires general anesthesia, most often maintained with inhalation (gas) anesthetic.

Photo: Dog neuter surgery © Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM

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Has your dog experienced anal sac problems (i.e. “scooting”) or other diseases of the anal area? If so, one of my Twitter pals, Edie Jarolim, also known as @WillMyDogHateMe, needs your help.

What she is looking for:
For an article about diseases of the anal area for Your Dog magazine, the newsletter of the Tufts University veterinary school, journalist Edie Jarolim is looking to interview owners of dogs who:

a) have been trained to express their dog’s anal glands by their vet and do it regularly
b) have had their dog’s anal sacs removed because they got infected regularly
c) have had their dog successfully treated for  perineal hernias
d) have had their dog successfully treated for perianal fistulas

Please contact Edie at ejarolim at mac.com if you fall into any of these categories and would be willing to discuss  either via email or phone.

Edie’s contact info:
Edie Jarolim
Pet Travel Correspondent, KVOA TV
Author: AM I BORING MY DOG (Alpha/Penguin, 2009)
http://willmydoghateme.com
http://ediejarolim.com