Researchers have developed a gene therapy that restores dim-light vision in dogs with a congenital form of night blindness, offering hope for treating a similar condition in people. View the source article
Mastitis in dogs is not as common as in other species, such as cattle, but if left unchecked, the condition can lead to life-threatening consequences. To ensure the health of nursing dogs, breeders should be aware of the signs and management options.
Karen Von Dollen, DVM, of NC State College of Veterinary Medicine offers suggestions on what to look for in your bitches after whelping to catch and treat mastitis early for the quickest resolution.
What is Mastitis?
Mastitis is an infectio
Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial illness that can be transmitted to humans, dogs, and other animals by certain species of ticks. It is caused by the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that is carried inside a tick and gets into a dog or person’s bloodstream through a tick bite. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can travel to different parts of the body and cause problems in specific organs or locations, such as joints, as well as overall illness.
Give
German shepherds are predisposed to congenital idiopathic megaesophagus (CIM), an inherited disorder where a puppy develops an enlarged esophagus that fails to move food into their stomachs. Puppies with the condition regurgitate their food and fail to thrive, often leading to euthanasia. Researchers have now developed a genetic test for the disease that German shepherd dog breeders can use to reduce the risk that puppies in future litters will develop the disease. View the source article
Have you ever taken your dog out for a potty break and turned your back, only to discover your canine pal chomping on a large mouthful of grass? While you might panic and think about the vomit you’ll be cleaning off the carpet later, this behavior is not always cause for alarm. But why do they do it, and how do you know when it’s a problem? And are there ways to get dogs to stop eating grass?
Reasons Dogs Eat Grass
There are a variety of reasons why dogs find grass to be a delicacy. These
Blood belongs in blood vessels, so when it makes an appearance anywhere else on or around our pets, we worry — and with good reason. Blood in dog stool is a symptom of a wide range of conditions. Some are more serious than others, but knowing what you’re looking at can help you communicate more clearly with your veterinarian.
Blood in Dog Stool
The first thing you should do if you find blood in your dog’s stool, whether the stool is formed or loose (like diarrhea), is to call your veterina
Taking care of a senior dog can present a lot of challenges for pet owners. Your canine companion is moving more slowly. His coordination and eyesight aren’t what they used to be — and neither are his bones. To help your aging dog get around better, here are some ways you can make your home more accessible.
High Places
One of the first things you’ll notice as your dog gets older is that he’ll have trouble jumping or climbing onto things that used to be a breeze for him. Couches, beds, chai
Distemper is one of the most serious diseases your dog can get. It is also one of the most preventable. Here are the facts, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention methods that every dog owner needs to know about distemper.
What Is Canine Distemper?
Canine distemper should sound familiar to you if your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations. Veterinarians consider the distemper vaccine to be a core vaccination, along with the parvovirus, canine adenovirus, and rabies vaccines.
The di
External parasites live on the outside of a dog’s body. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), at some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites, on their skin or in their ears. These parasites can cause serious skin problems or carry disease. Modern medicines make treatment, control, and prevention of many external parasites much easier than in the past.
Fleas
Fleas are tiny wingless insects
For all the joy and excitement of bringing home a new puppy, potty training can be enough to make you wonder what you were thinking. In fact, one of the most popular questions on The AKC GoodDog! Helpline is how to potty train a puppy. The goal of potty training is simple, but the details can be confusing, like whether to use puppy pads or even an indoor doggy bathroom.
Having your dog go outside is the ideal solution, but potty pads can sometimes play a role in successful potty training. For
Early on the second Sunday of March, at 2 a.m., most Americans will experience the loss of one hour’s sleep when their clocks skip ahead for Daylight Savings Time. Many of us will adjust by sleeping in, drinking a second cup of strong coffee, and changing the time on our clocks and watches.
Although our dogs don’t understand the time change, they will need to spring ahead with their humans and accommodate a new routine. How does this affect them? And how can we make it easier for our dogs to
A study has confirmed what is believed to be the first published account of the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a house cat. The viral sequence was a close match to strains circulating in the Philadelphia area at the same time, underscoring the virus's ability to jump from one species to another without acquiring significant mutations. View the source article
If you’ve ever lost a shoe to your dog’s teeth, you know how much dogs love to chew. It relieves the pain of teething, exercises jaw muscles, and cleans teeth. Chewing is also great for beating doggy boredom and can help your dog relieve anxiety or frustration by giving them something enjoyable to focus on. Thankfully, there are all kinds of chew toys on the market; however, edible chews are some of the most exciting. How do you know which ones are safe for your dog? This guide to choosing the p
An analysis of data from more than 11,000 older Japanese adults suggests that seniors who own a dog may be at lower risk of disability than those who have never been dog owners. View the source article
Some dogs take to music right away, even howling along to their favorite tunes. Other dogs tend to retreat from these sounds in fear. The fact that pleasant sounds can capture a dog’s attention is something people know intuitively and science confirms it.
If you listened to a recording of dogs and their owners, you’d probably hear what is known as motherese or baby talk (e.g. “Gimme kissies”). People tend to adjust their volume and cadence when speaking to their dogs. And dogs take notice, ba
Agility dogs lacking core strength from routine physical exercise may be more susceptible to one of the most common canine knee injuries, a cranial cruciate ligament rupture, which is similar to an ACL tear in humans. According to a research survey documenting activity and injury odds of more than 1,200 agility dogs, just about any physical exercise seems to lower the risk of rupturing the ligament, but some exercises seem to increase the risk. In addition, the size and shape of the dog -- and t
Oral hygiene is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Poor oral hygiene can lead to serious life-threatening conditions including kidney, liver, and heart muscle damage. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 80 percent of dogs show signs of canine periodontal disease as early as age three.
Practicing good dental care at home will lead to more than sweeter-smelling kisses; your dog will live a happier, healthier, and longer life. Thankfully, cleaning your canine com
This is a story about vultures, feral dogs, rabies -- and piles of rotting animal carcasses. Buckle up. But in the end, it's about the power of conservation to keep ecosystems, even urban ecosystems, in balance, benefiting the people who live there. View the source article
A common complaint among new puppy owners is that their puppies are constantly biting their hands. Although this behavior can be alarming or overwhelming, it’s extremely natural.
Puppies understand the world around them by putting things into their mouth. Biting and mouthing are normal puppy behavior and aren’t generally a cause for alarm or concern, and it certainly doesn’t mean your puppy is aggressive. Some puppies (and breeds) are naturally mouthier than others, but all puppies should be
Researchers have been exploring the genetic origins of the Scandinavian grey wolf population, which was founded by only three immigrating wolves. The scientists show that, after five generations of inbreeding, between 10 and 25 per cent of the original genetic variation has been eliminated. View the source article
The Super Bowl is almost here. As your family is getting ready to cheer on your favorite team at this weekend’s big game, don’t forget to make plans for how to support your dog during game day gatherings. With a little preparation, you’ll be able to keep your dog happy and safe while you enjoy football.
Don’t Pass the Snacks
One of the big risks to dogs at Super Bowl parties is the snacks. Unfortunately, most of the foods that we enjoy eating during Super Bowl parties are dangerous for our dog
New research finds that dogs being walked in nature reserves contribute a significant amount of nutrients to the environment through their feces and urine, which researchers warn could negatively impact local biodiversity. View the source article
Mice are typically used as models in advanced prostate cancer research, but the profound differences between them and humans has long bedeviled the translation of findings from the animal to success in people. Dogs however are the only other animal that suffers from a significant incidence of prostate cancer, and researchers are finding them much more enlightening subjects in identification of drugs that show promise for human patients. View the source article