Dogs instinctively lick wounds. Something hurts, so they lick it. That’s all they can do. The idea that dogs need to lick wounds in order for them to heal is so pervasive that many people, including ancient societies, believed that dog saliva can also heal human wounds. This belief has some basis in fact, but over time has achieved mythic proportions.
To Lick Or Not To Lick Wounds
Will saliva heal wounds? As unlikely as it sounds, scientific evidence suggests that dog saliva, and even human sa
With a litter or two on the ground, a breeder’s hands are full of cleaning, weighing, handling, and much more. Having so much to do, it can be hard to catch the beginning stages of a sick puppy. Despite extensive research, first–time owners may not know the warning signs of certain illnesses and how a sick puppy might look or behave. AKC Pet Insurance has put together a quick checklist to help breeders and their new puppy owners catch the signs of illness early.
Lethargy
While puppies do
You likely know about the dangers of leaving your dog unattended in a hot car. But, what about when it’s cold outside? While you might think it’s safe to park your pet during the winter months, the potential for harm, while not as high as in the summer, is still substantial. Your dog may enjoy the winter weather and colder temperatures while on walks, but dangers still remain for dogs left unattended in cars in any weather.
Risk of Hypothermia
A car can act like a greenhouse in the summer, bec
Reading in the presence of a pooch may be the page-turning motivation young children need, suggests a researcher. A new study examines the behavior of 17 children from Grades 1 to 3 while reading with and without a dog.
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Fish oil is a dietary supplement that helps supports dogs’ hearts, joints, coats, skin, and immune systems.
High in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil can either be part of a long-term plan or a momentary dietary boost.
Always consult your veterinarian before starting your dog on fish oil or any other supplements.
Fish oil is one of the best supplements to add to your dog’s diet. Fish oil supports your canine companion’s heart health, promotes a silky coat, reduces itchy and flaky skin, and rel
Before you get a dog, it’s important that you’re ready to be a responsible dog owner. From getting a properly-sized dog crate to setting up puppy vet visits, there’s a lot of preparation to do. And if you have a female dog, that includes getting ready for your dog’s periods — or rather ‘estrus’ cycles.
Yes, female dogs have periods. Here’s everything you need to know about how to take care of your dog during their period, including when they get their periods, how often, and products you’ll nee
If your dog isn’t eating, consult a vet within 8-12 hours if there is any accompanying vomiting or diarrhea.
Absent these symptoms, there’s a few likely reasons your dog isn’t eating, including emotional issues.
While concerning, a dog not eating is an issue that often resolves itself, though it’s best to monitor closely.
It can be very concerning when your dog isn’t eating regularly. After all, a good healthy diet is a key part of a happy life. So what exactly is happening when your dog r
The legacy of these Inuit dogs survives today in Arctic sled dogs, making them one of the last remaining descendant populations of indigenous, pre-European dog lineages in the Americas.
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A team of researchers has unearthed a well-preserved Styracosaurus skull -- and its facial imperfections have implications for how paleontologists identify new species of dinosaurs. Nicknamed Hannah, the dinosaur was a Styracosaurus -- a horned dinosaur over five meters in length with a fan of long horns. Paleontologists have learned much from those horns -- because they aren't symmetrical.
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Most mammals walk at slow speeds and run or trot at intermediate speeds because these movement strategies are energetically optimal, according to a new study.
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Sheep and dog bones can be whittled into orthopedic pins that stabilize pigeons' fractured wings, helping the fractures to heal properly without follow-up surgery. Researchers describe the treatment, which is cheaper and more efficient than using metal pins for pigeon rehabilitative surgeries.
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Watch out for 'feather duvet lung' doctors have warned after treating a middle aged man with severe lung inflammation that developed soon after he bought feather-filled bedding.
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Cute, cuddly, and full of personality, puppies might just be the key to happiness. But that happiness comes with a little bit of work, especially when it comes to bathing. Fortunately, there’s a way to make bath-time enjoyable for both you and your dog. Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, an international certified master groomer and owner of Love Fur Dogs in Glencoe, Illinois, shares her insights on the best approach to bathing your puppy.
Step 1: Determine Your Puppy’s Coat Type
Before you even get you
There are a number of reasons dogs may not like playing fetch — including genetics and age
Mix it up — try playing fetch with a variety of toys to increase your pup’s interest
A great solution for many dogs is trying the “two toy” game
Maybe your dog once loved playing fetch, but they’ve since lost interest. Or perhaps they never really enjoyed chasing after balls in the first place. Whatever the case, you may be wondering what’s going on, and why your dog doesn’t seem into fetch.
Why Do
Dog owners want the absolute best for their canine companions to ensure they live healthy, happy, and active lives. The first step in achieving that goal is feeding your dog a balanced, nutritious diet. Historically, dry dog kibble and canned dog food were the only choices on the market. But over the years, raw food options have become increasingly available. Some brands, like Wellness® CORE, now even offer formulas featuring a blend of dry kibble with freeze-dried raw meats mixed right in.
Wha
As all owners know, walking your dog is a top priority to keep pups happy and healthy. Walks provide great low-impact exercise for dogs of all ages and their owners. It also allows dogs to explore the wide world that exists outside of their own backyards.
Dogs are stimulated by sights and sounds, and they want to understand their surroundings. Bringing your pup out into the world also helps desensitize them to noise and teaches them to keep calm in a crowd. What’s more, exploring as a group is
Researchers assessed how experience with dogs affects humans' ability to recognize dog emotions. Participants who grew up in a cultural context with a dog-friendly attitude were more proficient at recognizing dog emotions. This suggests that the ability to recognize dogs' expressions is learned through age and experience and is not an evolutionary adaptation.
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A new artificial intelligence (AI) technique could eventually help veterinarians quickly identify Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) dogs with a chronic disease that causes crippling pain. The same technique identified unique biomarkers which inspired further research into the facial changes in dogs affected by Chiari-like malformation (CM).
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Liver toxicity is a big problem in the drug, food, and consumer products industries, especially because results in animal models fail to predict how chemicals will affect humans. A new Liver-Chip successfully predicts how different drugs impact rat, dog, and human models, and could help get the most effective drugs to patients faster.
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Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a painful and potentially dangerous condition in dogs.
Bloody urine, difficulty urinating, and licking of the area are all signs your dog might have a UTI.
Some symptoms of UTIs may, in fact, indicate something worse, like bladder cancer or kidney disease.
You and your dog might not agree about how many treats a day they should get. But you can certainly agree that urinary tract infections (UTI) are a pain. Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable at be
A study offers new insight on how the gut bacteria of dogs interact with a healthy vs. unhealthy GI tract, which could contribute to the development of new therapies for GI diseases in both dogs and humans.
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As in humans with cancer, chemotherapy is used as a treatment for cancer in dogs.
Dogs often receive lower doses of chemo than humans, though some side effects are still experienced.
Cancer affects each dog differently, so canine chemo plans are often individualized.
Cancer is a common canine concern, affecting an estimated 25% of all dogs and 30% over the age of 7 years, according to the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF). Unfortunately, for many dogs, the disease can be fatal. For older
Handlers participating in dog sports, especially agility, are prone to knee and back injuries.
Strength and fitness training routines for handlers can help to minimize agility injuries.
Ease into any fitness training slowly to avoid injury, and be sure to always warm up first.
Competing in dog sports can be fun and physically challenging for both you and your pup. But, as with other sports, lack of proper fitness and preparation can lead to potential injury.
Dr. James Smoliga has a Doctor
