Small Companion Articles

Dog Breath Knock You on Your Butt?

Is your dog’s breath enough to knock you on your butt sometimes?  How about more times than not?  Have you ever looked in their mouth […]

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Cancer in Dogs and Cats; Making Connections

Cancer in the dog and cat is ever increasing in our veterinary society, often mirroring that which is evident in people.  These cases create significant […]

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What Dog Food Should I Feed?

What  dog food should I feed? There are a lot of choices out there for consumers to buy as far as convenient foods to feed […]

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What is the Best Joint Supplement for My Dog?

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What is the best joint supplement for my dog?  That is a very common question that I would entertain from my veterinary clients over the […]

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Gas, bloating and GI upset in Dogs

Our canine companions are no different than you or I, or for that matter horses.  We all have a gastrointestinal tract that sometimes can get out of whack, not functioning at desired levels, resulting in gas, diarrhea, bloating and even intermittent vomiting at times.  It can be difficult to contend with, especially in the middle of the night or if your pet is left unattended by day while you work, coming home to a mess.  Why does this happen and is there something we can do or not do to improve the situation?

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Assisting the Geriatric Canine Patient

We all age, including our canine companions.  The goal is to age gracefully.  Quality of life is far more important than quantity of life, although both would be ideal, right?  Is it possible to improve not only quality but also longevity?  The answer to this is yes, but the right approach needs to be taken, making it more of a lifestyle than a passing fad or just a regimen. Our canine pets depend on us to make the right choices.  The more understanding we have, the more informed we are in the choices we make.

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Ears & Rears; Allergy Problems in Pets

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“Ears and Rears”, a common entry made by our technician or receptionist into the patient file pertaining to purpose of visit for that day.  In many cases, the problems came in two’s, implying pet problems with both ears and rear end, but in other times, we had a problem in just one of the two areas.  Ear and anal gland problems are very common in companion animal veterinary practice, each having their own distinct underlying causes and frustrations.  Although there is no remedy or ‘cure all’ that will totally eliminate these complaints, with more understanding, we can implement changes and even dietary or supplement regimens to produce easier management.

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Canine Hip and Back Pain; Management Options

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Our canine companions are not immune to joint concerns, but like us, they often live with day to day discomfort and pain.  They want to go, jump, play, but are limited in what they can do. The hips and even back are main sources of problems, creating moderate pain, limited range of motion and creating a modest dependence on pharmaceutical medications just to keep them moving.  Their problems are very similar to ours, as humans. We have choices and options which may provide a higher level of quality of life.  All we have to do is understand the process and see the possibilities.

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Canine Cruciate Injury & Management

Lameness and discomfort are very common in our canine companions, especially as they get older, but cruciate ligament injuries often top the list.  Cruciate injuries are not specific to the older dog, but more common in any aged pet, especially if they are large breed and active.  Given the high prevalence of these types of injuries, the expense and hassle behind cage resting, we have to dig deeper to determine possible contributors and supplementation that can be implemented to improve the odds of a full recovery.

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Joint Health In Dogs; Prevention & Management

Almost 7 out of 10 people have at least one dog in their family.  They can be of the working class, assisting with hunting or even protection, or in most cases, they are perceived as members of the family.  It is interesting to see the status of the family dog change over the past two decades, which is a good thing, as they have moved up in ranks to more of a social companion for many, following us around with our every task and move.  As we see the changing status and increasing level of meaning in our lives, it becomes even more important to provide for their health in the best ways possible.  Just like us, dogs have joints that will gradually deteriorate secondary to osteoarthritis, which can create much discomfort for them and us.  They often suffer in silence, trying to please us, but it is needless as there are options available to assist in maintaining not only their comfort, but their overall health.

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Ear Infections in Pets; How to Manage

Scratching, digging and rubbing their head on the ground can all be signs of an ear infection in your pet.  The problem can be not only irritating for the pet, but also for the owner as it can often mean a loss of sleep at night for both parties.  Ear infections are more common in dogs than cats with many causes and predisposing conditions.  In most cases, the problems are easily resolved with medications, but in others, the condition can be recurrent, happening over and over again.  The good news is that there are options!

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Managing Stress in the Horse and Dog with Ashwaghanda

Stress. It impacts us all, no matter if we are a human, pet or a horse, leading to anxiety, behavioral problems and many negative health implications. It affects us all on different levels and considering the health effects, the best option would be to just eliminate stress, but that is not always possible.  The impact to our health is obvious and well known, but often we neglect to realize the same impact on our pets and equine companions.  Those effects are real, but the question comes as to what is the best way to manage them?  Let’s take a look at one promising option.

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Skin Allergies and Itching in Dogs

The itching, the scratching and more often than not, there is a foul odor noted with your dog. They seem miserable and uncomfortable most of the time, often requiring multiple visits to your veterinarian.  You’ve checked them for fleas.  Skin infections have been addressed, but the problem still persists. What is the cause?  Why do they scratch and why do they always smell irregardless of multiple baths?

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