Key Takeaways The toxic ingredient in chocolate is theobromine which dogs can’t metabolize normally. Pancreatitis is also a risk of ingesting chocolate due to its high fat and sugar content. Just 30g milk chocolate/kg body weight puts your pooch at risk of chocolate poisoning. Hallowe’en is almost upon us, and fun-size chocolate candies are all … Read more
Key Takeaways: Common clinical signs are gastrointestinal upset, depression, weakness, and dark urine 15g garlic/kg body weight can cause significant changes in blood parameters Some breeds are more susceptible – eg, Akita, Shiba Inu, Japanese Chin, and Korean Jindo Signs of toxicity can take days to appear, depending on how much was ingested Garlic-associated poisoning … Read more
Key Takeaways Theobromine is the toxic ingredient in chocolate that causes problems for dogs Just 1oz of dark chocolate can be toxic to small and medium-sized pooches Chocolate affects the heart, nervous and gastrointestinal systems and can cause organ failure Chocolate poisoning is rarely fatal, but this is due to rapid treatment, and you should … Read more
Key Takeaways Advil (Ibuprofen) is one of the most common human medications causing toxicity in dogs Call your veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog has eaten some Advil (ibuprofen) Just one small dose can cause toxic signs such as gastrointestinal disturbance Advil, a commonly used over-the-counter human medication, contains the active ingredient ibuprofen. … Read more
Key Takeaways: Rat poison tends to be seen as a tasty treat by our canine companions, so make sure to keep it well out of reach. 4 broad types of rat poison commercially available in the USA in 2022. Immediately call your veterinarian and the dog Poison Helpline to determine how much your dog has … Read more
Your pooch has just developed an intense itch. You’ve searched every strand of their fur and can’t find a single flea, so why is your pup scratching too intently? Itching, also called Pruritis, is a common sign of skin disorders in our canine companions. The most common cause of Pruritis is allergic skin diseases through … Read more
One of the most common complaints canine patients present to me with are skin problems, usually pruritus (itching). Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an itchy skin disease caused by an allergic reaction to either an environmental or dietary allergen. This reaction presents as intense itching, rubbing, licking, and chewing at a patch or patches on a … Read more
You’ve just found some fleas on your pooch (and they’re scratching like crazy) but alas you don’t have any flea treatment left and you’re wondering what you can use to dispatch these pesky creatures. Flea shampoos don’t need a prescription to purchase but that doesn’t mean they don’t work – the instructions need to be … Read more
Having an itchy pooch can be incredibly distressing for both them and you, their pawrent. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to see your veterinarian immediately, but you want to provide some relief for your best furiend. This is where your own medicine cabinet comes in – hydrocortisone cream, to be specific. If you’ve read other … Read more
As a veterinarian, it’s heartbreaking to see my patients suffering, and this is especially true when I have patients with a nasty skin condition that causes them to chew and scratch so intensely that they start to mutilate their body and lose clumps of hair. These can also be incredibly challenging cases to treat, and … Read more
We’ve all had an itch at some point in our lives, now imagine that as a constant in your life; one from which you cannot get any relief. That’s what our pooches with allergies are going through, intense pruritic lesions that severely impact their quality of life, even waking them up from their sleep and … Read more
Did you know that your pooch could be allergic to dog shampoo? Well, more specifically, they can be allergic to certain ingredients in some shampoos. Luckily, I don’t see this very often in my patients. It’s possibly more common for a dog to have an adverse reaction to a product if they’re already suffering with … Read more
Parasite treatment options are vast and it can be difficult to navigate all the articles online; it can be almost overwhelming. You just want to do what’s best for your fur-baby while effectively killing the most common dog nemesis – the flea! Fleas and ticks carry disease, can cause allergic skin reactions, and are in … Read more
Doggy dandruff is similar to that of human dandruff. If your pet is itchier than usual or is shedding “snowflakes” on their bed or your lap then it’s possible they have dandruff. The term “dandruff” is one we use to describe dead skin cells that have sloughed onto the coat. Skin cells naturally die and … Read more
Some days it feels like every second patient has anal gland issues. These range from simply full glands, just starting to cause issues all the way through to abscesses. I recently saw a Yorkie-poo patient with a burst abscess, poor little tyke was in so much pain he needed to be sedated to have a … Read more
If your dog suffers with their anal glands then expression by your veterinarian may be required occasionally. Depending on the specific situation, your dog may be in some pain after having their glands expressed. This is mainly in cases where the pooch is suffering with impaction, abscess or sacculitis (inflammation of the sac itself) and … Read more
Does your canine companion suffer with anal gland issues? Problematic anal glands are a relatively common complaint among my patients and one of the nutritional methods I advise is to add some pumpkin to their diet. One study has suggested that up to 12% of pooches will suffer from some anal gland complaint at some … Read more
Allergies, a word that strikes fear into many dog parents; it’s incredibly stressful watching your best friend scratching their skin raw until it bleeds or having a tummy upset if they so much as sniffing a treat. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive review on the best dog food for allergies to help you … Read more
Joint pain is one of the most common issues we see in aging dogs and causes significant mobility issues. Not all dog joint supplements are created equal and research is needed to choose the best ingredients for your pet’s particular needs. Most commonly included active ingredients are glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric & MSM. At a Glance: … Read more
The skin makes up to 24% of your pooch’s body weight, acting as a protective barrier, skin plays a role in temperature regulation, environmental protection, and producing important substances including vitamin D. Skin is exposed to challenges daily including temperature and moisture extremes, particularly in the winter months when it’s cold and wet outdoors, while … Read more