If your pet has eaten something poisonous, your veterinarian may recommend that you make your dog throw up. Here’s how to do that. Knowing how to make a dog throw up might save you an expensive trip to the emergency clinic or even save your dog’s life. Before showing you how to do this, it is important to note that there are times when you should NOT make your dog vomit. When Throwing Up Is Not a Good Idea Believe or not, some dogs are capable of swallowing things that could do a great deal of damage if vomited back up. Every year, veterinary radiologists have a contest showing incredible radiographs of things dogs have swallowed. There is always at least one Labrador retriever who somehow managed to get a steak knife down! Sharp objects, even ones as small as a sewing needle, are best left for your veterinarian to deal with. Caustic liquids, both alkaline and acidic, can damage the delicate esophageal mucosa if thrown back up. Along with liquids, remember things like batteries can leak if they were chewed on before being swallowed. A third major class of “do not make your dog throw this up” objects includes oils such as gasoline, kerosene, or cooking oils. These liquids are very easy for a dog to aspirate and can cause potentially deadly aspiration pneumonia. Vomiting also can be dangerous for dogs with certain conditions. If your dog is having a seizure, you need to go to the veterinary clinic ASAP—do not try to make him throw up. The same…
Vaccinating your dog against rabies could be a matter of life and death. With a fatality rate of nearly 100 percent, rabies is the deadliest infectious disease on the planet. Once the signs of infection appear, there are no treatment options. But thanks to widely available and highly effective vaccines, rabies infections have become extremely uncommon in dogs in the United States. Keeping rabies at bay isn't just a big deal for dogs—it's important for humans too. That's because rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can pass from dogs (and other animals) to people. And it's just as deadly in humans as it is in dogs. How Is Rabies Transmitted? The rabies virus is present in the saliva of an infectious animal and is most often transmitted to another animal via bite. Though less common, the virus can also spread when infectious saliva comes into contact with a scratch or open wound or with a mucus membrane (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contact with the blood, urine, or feces of a rabid animal is not a cause for concern. Once the rabies virus is transmitted to a new host, it travels through the nervous system from the site of infection to the brain. During this time, which can take several weeks, the infected animal won't have any clinical signs and can't infect any other animals. But when the rabies virus reaches the infected animal's brain, it multiplies and moves into the salivary glands. It's at this point that most animals begin showing signs of infection. All mammals…
The puppy vaccination series can help save your dog’s life. Learn all about which shots your dog must have and which you might want to consider. We’ve all been through it—a set of vaccinations at a young age. Vaccines are designed to introduce something similar to a viral disease so the body builds up an immunity and will more effectively fight against invasion if the virus strikes for real. And just as doctors recommend vaccinations for humans to ward off potentially fatal diseases, veterinarians recommend all puppies get some standard shots in their first year. The puppy vaccine series is one of the first steps you will likely take with your veterinarian, so let’s take a look at what that entails. How Many Vaccines Will My Puppy Need? Determining which dog vaccines are absolutely necessary will vary depending on where you live and your dog’s lifestyle. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has established a set of canine vaccination guidelines that vet practices use to outline which vaccines dogs should receive. Some are core vaccines, which should be given to all dogs, while others are needed in certain environments or for dogs routinely involved in certain activities. “Gone are the days of ‘one size fits all’ vaccines,” Kathryn Primm, DVM, of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee, says. “If your veterinary team is not asking you about your pet’s lifestyle, make sure you explain. There are core vaccines recommended by the AAHA guidelines that every pet needs, but there are many that are great for some and less indicated for others.” “We follow…
From daily tooth brushing to an annual dental cleaning, these tips can help you care for your dog’s dental health throughout his lifetime. Cleaning your dog's teeth is a key part of caring for your pet. But dental care can often be overlooked until there's some kind of a problem, like a sore tooth or bleeding from the mouth. Just like with any health concern, though, it's better to be proactive than reactive. "Having a dental procedure done is one of the best preventative care steps you could take for your pet," says Katie E. Kling, DVM, DAVDC, a clinical assistant professor at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. "We can improve our pets' quality of life by helping them have more comfortable, better functioning mouths that are healthier." How to Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean Ideally, Kling says, pet owners should aim to brush their dog's teeth daily, or every other day. But Kling admits this isn't the norm. "The very best way to keep your pet's teeth clean is to brush them daily, which is usually not what people want to hear. And it's something that we as pet owners, most of us have a hard time doing consistently," Kling says. In addition to regular teeth brushing, an annual professional teeth cleaning under anesthesia is the best way to clean the plaque that is under the gumline. Dogs who are high-risk for periodontal disease—like toy breeds or those with shorter noses (known as brachycephalic breeds)—should make a professional dental exam part of their annual routine, since dogs with smaller mouths are…
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a safe over-the-counter medication you can give your dog. Learn the appropriate dosage, uses, and side effects. Diphenhydramine, widely known by the brand name Benadryl, is an antihistamine that blocks H1 receptors. While drug chemistry may not be your favorite hobby, good old Benadryl may come to the rescue for your dog in a couple of situations. Can you give a dog Benadryl? Yes, it is perfectly safe when given at the correct dosage. Can You Give a Dog Benadryl for Itching? Yes, you can! Bug bite reactions and environmental allergies are two of the most common reasons to give Benadryl to dogs. Benadryl can also be helpful for anxiety about events such as thunderstorms or fireworks, for motion sickness, or as part of treatment for mast cell tumors. If your dog contracts heartworms (don’t forget that monthly preventive!), Benadryl may be given to help lessen the risk of reactions to treatment. For allergies, Benadryl is most effective if given before your dog is exposed to the thing that sparks his allergy. It’s obviously difficult to plan for nasty bug bites, but if your dog has seasonal allergies, you can start giving Benadryl at the time of year when she usually has issues. If it’s being used for thunderstorm anxiety or motion sickness, give the Benadryl about a half hour to an hour ahead of the event so it can start working before your dog becomes stressed or nauseous. How Much Benadryl Can You Give a Dog? Thankfully, diphenhydramine has a fairly wide safety margin in dogs. A safe…
Diagnosing Cushing’s syndrome can be a frustrating process, but with proper treatment and care, affected dogs can live out the rest of their lives happy and healthy. Your dog has been looking bloated and his once shiny coat is faded and falling out. Plus, he’s constantly panting, drinking water, and starting to have accidents all over your house. Your veterinarian thinks he might have Cushing’s syndrome. This condition will require surgery or lifelong medication, but the good news is your dog can get back to his normal self! What Is Cushing’s Syndrome in Dogs? Cushing’s syndrome, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is when your dog is producing too much cortisol in his body. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that helps your dog’s body respond to stress, control weight, fight infections, and regulate blood-glucose levels. While some cortisol is necessary for a normal, healthy life, too much or too little of it can wreak havoc. Cortisol production is controlled by two kinds of glands. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in response to stress. The ACTH then stimulates the adrenal glands, located next to each of your dog’s kidneys, to produce cortisol. As cortisol levels in the blood rise, the pituitary gland senses that and stops producing ACTH to prevent the production of too much cortisol. This is called a negative feedback loop. Cushing’s syndrome occurs when a malfunction in this loop causes too much cortisol to be produced and circulated in the body. Why is hyperadrenocorticism called Cushing’s syndrome? This is a nod to Dr. Harvey…
The word "cancer" can be one of the scariest words in the English language for pet parents. But there is hope, because if caught early on, many types of cancer are treatable. Be watchful for these warning signs of the disease to get the best outcome for your dog. Modern preventive veterinary care has helped our dogs to live longer, healthier lives. We can prevent diseases like heartworm, distemper, parvo, and rabies. Sadly, as our pets live longer, the risk of them developing cancer increases due to a variety of factors. Currently, it's estimated that one in four dogs will develop some type of cancer during their lifetimes. Like many health problems though, the earlier you notice and act on a possible cancer diagnosis, the prognosis is often better and the treatment less costly. Common Signs and Symptoms of Cancer in Dogs Many of the common early signs of cancer are subtle and nonspecific. It's important for you to know what’s “normal” for your dog so that you can quickly identify any changes. When in doubt, remember that your dog has multiples of many body parts, so you can compare legs, ears, eyes, etc. to regularly check for any abnormalities. Growths or Tumors The National Canine Cancer Foundation recommends checking your dog for lumps or bumps on the 14th day of every month. This guide from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine is a handy reference for identifying what to look for. One of the easiest things to notice in terms of potential cancer is a mass or growth. Lumps found on your dog’s legs may be…
Learn to recognize any signs or symptoms that may indicate heart disease, or worse—congestive heart failure. Proper diagnosis and treatment of heart disease or other heart conditions can help keep your dog’s heart beating for many years to come That characteristic “lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub” of a heartbeat is a fundamental sound of life for all animals—and it’s one we all hope remains strong and steadfast for many years. But just like with us humans, it’s possible for our four-legged friends to fall victim to heart disease. The thought of heart disease affecting your dog can terrify any pet owner, but it’s important to keep tabs on your pup's heart health so that you are able to recognize any signs that may indicate heart disease, or worse—congestive heart failure—and get your pup the right kind of treatment for any heart conditions that he may be diagnosed with. Here’s what you need to know about heart disease in dogs, how to recognize the signs, and ways to help prevent heart disease so that your dog can live his best, happiest life for many years to come. What is Heart Disease & Heart Failure? The heart is divided into different parts to pump blood throughout the body. The right side, made up of the right atrium and ventricle, directs blood to the lungs so that the blood cells can pick up oxygen, which is then delivered back to the heart. Then the left side, which contains the left atrium and ventricle, pumps the newly oxygenated blood throughout the rest of the body through…
These pesky parasites could be a problem for outdoor cats—but there are preventative measures you can take. You see the word, and it just makes you cringe. Lice. Ick! Those itchy elementary school days are long gone, so why should you even think twice about these weensy pests, much less about cat lice? Cat lice is actually a rather rare condition among pampered indoor cats with adoring pet parents and a terrific veterinarian. But if they go outside regularly, or you're the kind of person we admire greatly who's caring for a cat colony or involved with kitty rescue, here's what you should know. How Can Cats Get Lice? Good news, cats can't get lice from humans. Better news? We can't get lice from cats, either. Frank Hurtig, DVM, is the director of veterinary technical services at Virbac US. He says lice are species-specific. "Lice are very particular about the host they'll live on, so the lice that live on cats don't live on other animals and vice versa." Unfortunately, these parasites are highly contagious within the same species. Hurtig explains the life cycle of cat lice: Lice attach their eggs to the base of hairs on the cat. When new lice hatch, they live the rest of their life on that cat unless they happen to brush off to another cat. Lice eggs can fall off the hairs when a cat is being brushed or combed and be transmitted to another cat that is subsequently brushed or combed. Adult lice mature and reproduce in about three weeks after hatching from an egg, or nit. They become…
Cat skin conditions are common and may cause itching, scratching, licking, or hair loss. It’s important to recognize the signs of common skin problems like ear mites, fleas, and dermatitis early so you can treat the issue quickly. Is your cat itching, licking, or biting herself like crazy? That’s a red flag your cat may have a skin condition. Your cat’s skin can become irritated for a number of different reasons, from parasites to allergies to dry skin. Here’s how to spot some of the most common cat skin conditions. Fleas If your cat starts scratching in summer, you might have a flea problem. These tiny, blood-sucking bugs live on furry animals like your cat and are widespread in warmer weather. Fleas typically bite your cat in areas hardest for your kitty to groom—the head, neck, back, and base of the tail. It’s difficult to see fleas because they’re tiny and move fast. But you might find flea “dirt” (their waste) in light-colored fur. Your vet can prescribe medications to kill and prevent fleas. Some are topical flea treatments that you apply to your cat’s skin, while others are given orally (by mouth). Also, to completely get rid of the fleas it’s important to thoroughly clean items that flea eggs like to hide in, like bedding, clothing, and furniture. Allergic Dermatitis (Cat Allergies) Allergies in cats are a common cause of itchiness. A cat with allergic dermatitis becomes obsessed with grooming. They may also develop small scabs and hair loss. According to Aimee Simpson, VMD, medical director of VCA Cat Hospital of…
