Category: Canine family members

Fake Service Dogs

First things first, I wish to issue forth a disclaimer. As the mother of a child who relies on a wheelchair to get from point A to point B, I recognize that I am likely more sensitive about… Read More

Fear Free Veterinary Visits

Dr. Marty Becker is one of the most enthusiastic veterinarians I know, and he is an amazing advocate for the veterinary profession. Not only does he run a small animal practice in Idaho, he is a nationally recognized… Read More

Hollywood’s Impact on Dog Breed Popularity

A Belgian Malinois named Jagger plays the title role in the recently released movie, Max. As the story goes, the canine character Max has served in Afghanistan, and is returned to the United States after his Marine handler/partner… Read More

New Legislation Will Protect Pets Involved in Domestic Violence

Any member of a household, including companion animals, can become victims of domestic violence. In fact, fear of what might happen to a pet keeps some human victims from leaving their abusive situation. This is the impetus behind… Read More

Who Have You Met Through Your Dog?

For me, the most endearing thing about 101 Dalmatians is the fact that, without their dogs’ involvement, Roger and Anita would likely never have met, fallen in love, and married. Two spotted dogs named Pongo and Perdita ignited… Read More

Homeless Hotel Hounds

Admittedly, I’m a bit biased when it comes to Asheville, North Carolina. After all, this is the fun, eclectic city that wooed me to move to the southeast. Imagine my delight when I recently learned about a hotel… Read More

Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS)

Over the years I’ve developed a top ten list of my most despised diseases. Those that make it to this list tend to be diseases that are untreatable, leaving me helpless to help my patient. Such is the… Read More

Sebaceous Adenomas

One cannot discuss lumps and bumps in dogs without talking about sebaceous adenomas. These are, far and away, the most common benign skin tumors in dogs. Most dogs will develop at least a couple of them by the… Read More

Lumps and Bumps

Given the opportunity to examine an older dog, I’ll very likely find at least one or two cutaneous (within the skin) or subcutaneous (just beneath the skin surface) lumps and bumps. Such growths are common by-products of the… Read More

A Summertime Safety Reminder

Tuffy, a scruffy and adorably sweet little terrier arrived at my hospital in a state of collapse with profoundly labored breathing, purplish gums, and a temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit (the normal body temperature for a dog is… Read More