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AKC: Health

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Entries in this blog

Do Dogs Need Sunscreen?

Humans often take precautions to protect themselves from the sun, but should we be doing the same for our dogs? Can dogs get suburned? The answer is yes. Just like people, dogs are prone to sunburn and to other complications and diseases associated with sun exposure. Taking certain safety measures can lower your dog’s risk of developing serious sun-related medical issues. This includes choosing a dog sunscreen that’s formulated for your best friend. Sun Risks Sunburn isn’t just painful for do

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Why Do Dogs Drool? When It’s Natural and When It’s Cause for Concern

Drippy, slobbery, and sloppy, drool is a fact of life for certain dog breeds. In fact, all dogs drool occasionally. Just like barking or chasing squirrels, it’s part of the canine package. But what should you do if there’s a large amount of slobber, and how do you know when it’s healthy or if there’s something more serious going on? Typical Drooling Drool, or as it’s known in the medical field, ptyalism, is an excessive flow of saliva that has accumulated in the mouth/oral cavity. It is seen c

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What Happens When a Dog Reverse Sneezes?

Reverse sneezing is a condition that affects all types of dogs, but more commonly smaller dogs such as miniatures, Terriers, and brachycephalic breeds. It is a “paroxysmal” respiratory response, meaning that it comes in spasm-like episodes. What Is Reverse Sneezing in Dogs? Reverse sneezing is a fairly common respiratory event in dogs, but is rarely seen in cats. It is suspected to be caused by irritation or inflammation of the nasal, pharyngeal, or sinus passages. It may be a way for the dog

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Five Common Questions New Puppy Owners Have

You’ve done all the new puppy owner preparation: You researched and asked questions about the right breed for you, you selected a responsible breeder from whom to acquire your puppy, you puppy-proofed your home, and you spent more hours than you’d care to admit watching videos of dog training tips on AKC.tv. Good job getting off to a great start as a responsible dog owner! You’re probably also wondering: How is it possible for something to be so cute? Hate to disappoint you, but we haven’t crac

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When Should I Call the Vet?

Your dog is an important member of your family, but unlike human family members, a dog cannot complain if they are in pain or feeling under the weather. It’s hard to determine if a dog’s limp is an injury, or sudden loss of appetite is a symptom of a serious illness. How do you know when to reach out for medical help or seek emergency care? As an experienced veterinarian, I ask my patients to notice key warning signs, but it’s important to have this conversation with your own veterinary practic

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Ringworm in Dogs — Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

With so many parasites out there, it is tempting to lump ringworm in the same category as hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Despite its name, however, ringworm is not actually a worm—it is a fungus. This fungal infection is common all over the world and infects almost all species of domestic animals, including dogs, which is why dog owners should know the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for ringworm. What Is Ringworm? Ringworm, as the fungus is commonly called, is named

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Why Do Dogs Pant?

If you’ve ever seen your dog panting in the summer, you know it’s because she’s trying to cool down. Or, if you have a breed such as a Pug or Bulldog, you’ve most likely seen your dog pant frequently. This heavy breathing is normal, due to their short snouts. However, there may be other, more serious causes for panting that every dog owner should be aware of. Overexertion Dogs who are excited or are engaging in heavy exercise (like running or playing fetch) will pant, much like a human can bec

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How to Remove a Tick from Your Dog

Removing a tick from your dog, or worse — ticks — may not be pleasant, but it’s important to do it promptly and correctly. Once you know how to remove a tick, it will be a fairly easy process. Because they can carry infectious organisms, every year ticks infect thousands of animals and people with illnesses like Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis, among others. Pathogen transmission can occur as quickly as three to six hours after a bite occurs, so the sooner you remove the tick the les

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How to Know if Your Dog Is in Pain: Signs of Discomfort

Wild and domestic animals show pain in a variety of ways. Their inability to communicate does not in any way diminish their potential to experience hurtful and unpleasant stimuli. Pain in dogs can be caused by a variety of conditions including, injury, trauma, or an underlying issue, like canine arthritis. Be watchful for subtle queues that your dog is feeling pain. Obvious Signs of Pain in Dogs Anxiety Agitation Vocalization Trembling Restlessness Increased breathing rate Subtle Sig

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Fever in Dogs: Causes, Signs, and Treatment

You’re probably familiar with the tried and true method many dog owners have relied on to see if their dog has a fever: Feel his nose. If it’s wet and cold, he’s fine. If it’s hot and dry, he probably has a fever. Simple, right? There’s nothing wrong with using this old-time gauge, but sometimes it’s more complicated than that, and the nose test alone is often not enough for an accurate assessment of the presence of fever. What Is a Dog’s Normal Temperature? Unlike people, who have a normal te

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Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

If your older dog is drinking and urinating more than usual, it could be caused by a variety of reasons. One cause your veterinarian may test for is Cushing’s disease (CD), also known as hyperadrenocorticism. This condition, usually caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland, is far more common than we realize, but because of the complex diagnostic testing required, it’s underdiagnosed. Treatment is expensive and ongoing, and it requires consistent monitoring. You may have heard of the stress hor

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How to Pool-Proof Your Dog’s Coat

Dogs who take frequent dips in the family pool may suffer from dry, itchy skin and a dry, dull coat because the chemicals in pool water strip the skin and coat of their natural oils. Chlorinated water may also have a slight bleaching effect on dark coats, and could even turn lighter coats (gasp!) greenish. To avoid these nasty side effects without banning your eager retriever from the pool (as if that would work), do just these simple things. During pool season, spray your dog’s coat with a coa

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Why Do Wet Dogs Smell So Bad?

We’ve all had this experience—a summer day, a drive to the lake, and a refreshing dip in the clear cool water. Then there’s the agonizing drive home, as you try to keep your eyes on the road, even as you are about to pass out from the smell of wet dog. Ever wonder what the recipe is for this particularly pungent scent? Scientists did too, and some have started sniffing around for the chemical components that raise this unique stink. Andy Brunning, a British chemistry teacher, has distilled the

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Treating and Preventing Hot Spots on Dogs

Hot spots are one of the most common skin conditions in dogs, particularly in the summer months. These painful, oozing sores can appear seemingly out of nowhere and often spread rapidly. While hot spots are frustrating to deal with, they can be treated and even prevented with the right management. What Are Hot Spots? Also known as acute moist dermatitis, hot spots are localized areas of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. Often a hot spot will begin as a small red area that owners may m

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Dog Skin Cancer: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

The word “cancer” instills fear into the heart of every dog owner, but not all growths are cancerous. The most common growth found on dogs are lipomas, which are fat cells. Also commonly found on dogs are sebaceous cysts, which can become cancerous. If your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with skin cancer, or if you are concerned that your dog might have a cancerous skin tumor or lump, it is understandable to feel worried and fearful. Your veterinarian is your best resource to help you thro

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Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs: Symptoms & How to Prevent

Tick-borne disease is a growing threat to both canine and human health. Ticks are parasites that attach themselves to animals and people, feed on blood, and transmit diseases directly into the host’s system. The disease occurs when an infected tick bites a dog or a human and transmits the disease into the victim’s body. The geographic distribution of ticks is changing due to climate change, de-foresting, and the changing living and migrating patterns of deer, birds, and rodents. This can vary y

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What You Need to Know About Giardia in Dogs

I first heard about Giardia in dogs when I was living in the Caribbean. Giardia was very common on the island where we were staying, and as I was researching what I needed to do to protect myself against the dangerous parasite I discovered that my dogs were also at risk. After speaking with my vet, I realized that Giardia was not limited to foreign countries. The parasite is found all over the world, including in the U.S., but my vet told me not to panic. Luckily, there are many things dog owne

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Ticks on Dogs: Know What to Look For

We all know that spring and summer are seasons to be on high alert for ticks. Dogs are particularly susceptible to tick bites and can also carry them into the house. Tick-borne diseases, including Lyme Disease, Canine Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Canine Anaplasmosis, and several others affect both humans and dogs. And although ticks are common throughout the country, people in some states are more at risk than others. For example, Pennsylvania and Virginia are among the 14 states

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Heartworm in Dogs: What You Should Know About the Mosquito-Borne Parasite

Heartworm is a potentially deadly parasite that is transmitted only by mosquitos, which pick up larval heartworms, called microfilaria, circulating in the bloodstream of infected animals. Dogs and other canids, such as fox, wolves, and coyote, are considered the primary heartworm hosts, but these parasites can also affect other mammals, including cats and ferrets. There are treatments available for dogs, but prevention is the wisest approach to dealing with heartworms. What Is Heartworm Disea

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Carsickness in Dogs: Causes & Tips for Preventing Motion Sickness

What Causes Carsickness in Dogs? There is usually one of two reasons for dogs to get carsick: physical or psychological. And sometimes the latter can cause the former. Just like in humans, motion sickness in dogs is related to the sense of balance. It’s most often seen in puppies, just as it’s most often seen in young children. That’s because the structures in the inner ear used for balance aren’t fully developed yet. Of course, also like humans, some dogs never outgrow the nausea and vomiting

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How to Plan for Your Dog’s Care When You Leave Town

As lockdowns lift and summer approaches, travel plans are brewing for many dog owners. If you’re taking your dog away with you, check out our recent guide to airline pet policies. But if the pup needs to stay home, you’re left with a different set of questions: where should you leave her, and with whom? How can you make sure that he’s well cared for in your absence? And what about dogs with separation anxiety? Here’s everything you need to know about preparing for your dog’s care when you leave

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How Hot is Too Hot? Heatstroke in Dogs

Dogs are notoriously bad at dissipating body heat. Watch for early signs of heatstroke (also known as hyperthermia) in your dog to avoid serious outcomes. What Is Heatstroke? When a dog’s internal body temperature goes above a normal temperature of 101.5 Fahrenheit (F), this is a fever and is called hyperthermia. When the body temperature is above 105F, the dog may be suffering from heatstroke. Dogs have only a couple of ways to cool off: blood vessel expansion and panting. When dogs pant, th

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Do Dogs Have Maternal Instincts? How Dogs Encourage Independence in Puppies

Canine mothers are the first sign of love and protection for newborn puppies. For the first three weeks after the puppies are born, the mother dog gives them her undivided attention and care. “What you’ll see on day one is a mother who doesn’t want to be away from her pups for more than a second,” says Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, Staff Doctor at NYC’s Animal Medical Center. Puppies Completely Depend on Their Mother Because they are born unable to see, hear, or walk, puppies are completely dependent on

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How to Improve Your Senior Dog’s Quality of Life

As our dogs’ muzzles start to gray and we begin to see signs of them slowing down, it’s tough not to worry about how you are both going to cope with their older years. It’s important not to bury your head in the sand, though, and remember that senior dogs can still have a wonderful quality of life for many years to come. There are also lots of ways owners can promote movement, health, cognitive function, and comfort. The Difference Between a Senior and a Geriatric Dog The senior label varies

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Steps to Prevent Pregnancy Problems in Bitches

Experienced breeders understand the importance of ensuring that a bitch is a good candidate for breeding. No pregnancy is the same, thus the importance of evaluating a bitch’s physical and nutritional status prior to breeding. It also helps to partner with a veterinarian to guide you through all facets of breeding, pregnancy, and delivery. Veterinarians who specialize in reproduction, neonatology, and genetic diseases are known as theriogenologists. At Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary M

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