Neurologic conditions are serious, but we talked with an expert who assured us: Your dog can recover and go on to live a happy life. Just like for us, back problems in dogs can be annoying, debilitating, and most of all painful—especially when it comes to IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). IVDD can cause as little as minor back pain for your dog, but sometimes it can be much more severe, says Michael Petty, DVM and author of Dr. Petty's Pain Relief for Dogs: The Complete Medical and Integrative Guide to Treating Pain. The key for treating your dog is to keep at it. Your dog can recover and continue to live a happy life. Don't think you need to opt for euthanasia right away. "These cases can take a long time," he says. "... Be patient." What is IVDD? Intervertebral discs are the hockey puck-like pads or material that sit between your dog's vertebrae. Their outsides are fibrous while the insides are made up of more of a gelatin-like consistency, Petty says. The discs are there to provide a cushion for your dog's spine as she moves around. Petty offers up two main causes of intervertebral disc disease. One is simply age. The "jelly" part of the discs will dry up as your dog gets older, making them more susceptible to rupturing or breaking. That's IVDD. Younger dogs can sustain IVDD from an impact, exercise, or action that causes excess pressure on an intervertebral disc, causing it to rupture, Petty says. Symptoms of IVDD in Dogs These can run the gamut from…

Life with one of these special pups can be so rewarding and will help you become a better communicator, caretaker, and human being. Like humans, dogs can lose their hearing and face the challenges of hearing impairment. But luckily, dogs can live a happy, healthy life even without perfect hearing. Whether you're thinking about adopting a hearing impaired dog, or have recently discovered that your dog is going deaf, here is some important information that will help you learn about what exactly causes deafness in dogs and how to properly care for your canine companion. Common Causes of Deafness In Dogs Congenital Birth Defect There are many potential reasons for deafness in dogs—the most common one being anomalous or congenital causes, says Daniel "Blake" Webb, DVM, neurologist, and neurosurgeon at Southeast Veterinary Neurology. Research shows that congenital deafness affects 5–10 percent of dogs in the United States. "This is contributed to by birth malformations or degeneration of the structures of the inner ear that can happen in the womb or shortly after birth," Webb explains. A lot of that, believe it or not, can be tied back to breed and the color of a dog's coat. Dogs who have piebald (mostly white hair with some spots), roan (a mix of whites, grays, and other colors), merle (dark-colored spots on top of lighter colors), and white colored coats are more prone to congenital hearing loss. Take Dalmatians, for instance. Some studies show that 11 percent of all Dalmatians are unilaterally deaf and 5 percent are bilaterally deaf. Other dog breeds prone to deafness include English cocker spaniels, Australian cattle dogs, English…

Our pets can't talk to us to tell us what's wrong or when they don't feel well. Here, a veterinarian shares nine signs that show your pet needs immediate medical attention. Here's what to look for. One Friday around midnight, my dog Rio started acting strange. The 9-year-old Labrador retriever mix refused to take his medicine, even with it tucked into his favorite food. Then he kept circling the fence line when my husband, Bryan, and I let our dogs out for one last potty. We called to Rio and coaxed him with food. But the dog who lives to please wouldn't come. I looked at Bryan with dread. "Something is seriously wrong," I said. "We have to go to the ER. Now." Thank goodness we did. Over the course of a harrowing weekend, the team at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in metro Denver saved Rio's life. It turned out he had severe colitis, a dangerous inflammation in his colon. I wept when I got the call that they'd stabilized his condition. Gail Golab, DVM, PhD, and chief veterinary officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association, says unusual behavior in dogs and cats may indicate an underlying medical issue. "In nature, it can be self-preserving to minimize signs of pain and weakness, so signs of pain in animals can sometimes be subtle," she says. "If a problem is detected in its early stages, it's more likely to be treated and resolved with less expense, less difficulty, and a greater likelihood of success." 9 Signs You Need to Get Your Pet to the…

Think your dog has been poisoned? Learn the signs and what your vet can do. There are many toxins, plants, chemicals, or food that can be poisonous to your dog. Common causes of poisoning in dogs can be found in your bathroom cabinet, in the backyard, in spoiled food scarfed on a walk, and human food that’s stolen off the counter or dropped from the kitchen table. No matter what the toxin is or where it came from, here's what you need to know to notice potential signs of poisoning and take quick steps to help your dog survive. Signs of Poisoning in Dogs Beyond a mangled plant, empty bottle, or missing food, there are many clinical signs that could indicate your dog has eaten a toxic food, chemical, poisonous plant, or spoiled dog food. The following is not a complete list but gives you a general idea of common signs to look for if you suspect your dog has been poisoned, and things your veterinarian can find with proper testing and a complete physical exam. A dog eating a toxic plant is a common reason for pet owners to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's hotline, according to Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT and senior director of the center. The situation can be extremely urgent, depending on the plant. "Most common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and seizures," Wismer says. "In severe cases, ingestion of poisonous plants can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, and cardiovascular problems. Clinical signs of poisoning in a dog may include: Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, diarrhea, extreme salivation, loss…

This article will help you decide if your dog needs CPR and how to perform CPR on your dog in an emergency.v The ability to perform dog CPR, the acronym for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an important skill for dog owners to have. Hopefully, you will never need this skill but if you do, it can be a lifesaver. A good way to prepare yourself to learn this skill is to watch a video. As with many things, it will be easier to translate the written steps into actions if you have seen them done before. This video from the American Veterinary Medical Association gives you a quick overview. And this program from Cornell offers an in-depth look. Evaluate Whether Your Dog Needs CPR Before you perform CPR on your dog, you need to evaluate him. While CPR can save a life, it can also cause some damage. You don’t want to perform CPR on your dog unless it’s necessary. If your dog is alert and observing you, he doesn’t need CPR. He may need medical care if he was just hit by a car, but CPR isn’t on his list of “must be done right away” tasks. In fact, he may resent your attempts to do so! Never attempt CPR on a seizing dog–you have a great risk of being injured yourself. Check Breathing If your dog is very still, check for breathing and a pulse. Respirations may be quiet and soft, but you can watch for the rise and fall of his chest or feel for air movement from his nose. If your…

Spaying and neutering are routine but serious surgeries that have many health benefits. Make sure you have all the facts on what the procedures might cost and what the options are for your dog. Typically, the decision to spay or neuter your dog is an important one you make early on in your pet’s life. Spaying a female dog and neutering or castrating a male dog are widely considered the best ways to control the pet population and can actually keep your dog healthier and help her live a longer, happier life. “In addition to helping prevent pet overpopulation, altering your pet can improve the overall health of your pet and help reduce bad behaviors like marking,” Preston Moore, Iowa State Director, State Affairs for The Humane Society of the Americas, says. But even if you believe in the benefits of the procedures, you may have some questions about how much it costs to spay or neuter a dog. And the truth is, it isn’t cheap. But animal lovers and advocates don’t want finances to be a barrier to making the decision to get your dog spayed or neutered. Some organizations, usually nonprofits or government agencies, have raised money through donations to offer spaying and neutering surgeries at a lower cost for people who typically would not be able to afford such a procedure for their pet. Whether you pursue these low-cost options or take your dog to your veterinarian, find out what spaying or neutering will cost and pick the right course of action for you and your dog. What’s…

Spaying is an important procedure that has benefits beyond preventing pregnancy. Raising a puppy is a big job. You need to provide them with socialization opportunities, teach them where to potty (no, not on the living room carpet!) and train them to listen to basic commands, and make sure you’re staying on top of critical vaccinations and well-puppy checks. But perhaps one of the biggest decisions you’ll face before your pet’s first birthday is whether to spay your sweet girl. Talking with a veterinarian is a great first step in navigating the information available and making the right decision for your pet when it comes to spaying. “There is no perfectly right answer about whether or when to spay a female dog,” says Pam Nichols, DVM, president-elect of the American Animal Hospital Association. “It involves a good conversation with a trusted veterinarian about the reasons to spay, the health risks, and benefits of both spaying and not spaying. The conversation is different for every size and breed of pet, and for every client and their tolerance for certain behaviors and their ability to manage their pet’s environment.” Nicohols said in the “old days” vets were mostly in favor of spaying between 4 and 9 months old and defaulted to taking out the ovaries and uterus. “Now we get to decide when and which surgery is best based on the individual pet and pet parent.” As you navigate your female dog’s early months, take some time to learn all about spaying and your options so that you’re prepared to make the best decision for your…

An unspayed female dog who is ovulating and ready to breed is commonly referred to as being “in heat.” Here’s what you should know about the dog heat cycle. If your sweet little girl is not yet spayed, don't be caught off guard if she gets her period. You should be in the know about the female canine heat cycle, called estrus—including the signs of a dog in heat and how long a dog stays in heat. When Do Dogs Go Into Heat? This time of fertility and breeding can be a fact of life for your dog at a surprisingly young age. Lonna J. Nielsen, DVM, of Winterset Veterinary Center in Winterset, Iowa, says, "The timing of the first heat varies by the size of the dog. It can be as soon as 6 months of age for small dogs or 1.5 years for giant breeds. Having an intact [non-neutered] male in the house will bring heat in faster for a female. It can be as young as four months for small dogs!" Stage 1: Signs a Dog Is in Heat The first signs your dog is in heat are the swelling of her vulva and bright red bloody discharge. "There will be lots of licking," Nielsen says. A dog in heat can bleed for around 7 to 10 days. During this first stage of the reproductive cycle, the female will not accept a male. Stage 2: When Your Dog Can Become Pregnant Once the bleeding stops, the second stage of the dog heat cycle has begun. Many people make the mistake of thinking their dog's…

While it can be tempting to reach for over-the-counter medications like Tylenol when your dog is in pain, an accidental overdose isn’t a risk worth taking. Tylenol is the brand name for the drug acetaminophen, used in humans to reduce fevers and for pain relief. It can be tempting to reach for this common household medication when your dog is in pain, but dogs do not process medications the same way humans do. Can You Give Your Dog Tylenol for Pain? Short answer: No. Technically you can give acetaminophen at an appropriate dose provided by your veterinarian, and it will provide pain relief for your dog. But should you give your dog Tylenol for pain? No. The safest choice for your dog is to visit your veterinarian to get a pain medication that is intended for use in dogs that will be less likely to give your dog harmful side effects. Potential Risks Involved With Giving Your Dog Tylenol Liver damage Kidney damage Dry eye Tissue damage due to poor oxygen delivery Tylenol might interfere with other medications or prevent your dog from being immediately switched to a safer medication Dogs with other health conditions may experience toxicity at lower doses than healthy dogs What Do I Do If My Dog Accidentally Eats Tylenol? Contact your veterinarian or a poison helpline such as the Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. If you know the dose that your dog consumed, that will be helpful. If you do not know how much he got, immediate intervention should be made to make sure he doesn't experience severe…

Whether it's chocolate chip cookies, Hanukkah gelt or hot cocoa, one thing's for sure: Those treats are meant for you, not Fido. A lot of pet owners know that chocolate is a no-go but don't really know the reason it's bad for them—or how much chocolate is dangerous for dogs. Why Chocolate Is Toxic for Dogs Here's the scoop: Chocolate contains two compounds—caffeine and theobromine—that can cause life­ threatening heart or breathing problems in dogs. Signs of toxicity typically appear within 6 to 12 hours of ingestion and may include abnormal thirst, restlessness, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures and rapid breathing. (Chocolate is also high in fat, which may lead to gastrointestinal distress like vomiting or diarrhea, though this is less likely to be serious.) The holidays are a particularly tricky time of year to keep sweets away from your four-legged friend. Not only is chocolate likely to be more abundant in homes, you may also be less vigilant about making sure your canine can't get his paws on it during this busy time of year. (Think: the box of chocolates put on the coffee table for guests or a batch of brownies left to cool a little too close to the edge of the counter.) Your best defense is to be alert to these risks and store treats out of reach—but accidents can happen. What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate Whether you need to rush to the vet depends on the type of sweet and the size of your dog. White chocolate contains minimal amounts of the toxic compounds, milk chocolate…