Canine Education

What is urinary incontinence? Urinary or urethral incontinence (UI) is the loss of control of urination. It is usually observed as involuntary urine leakage. What are the clinical signs of urinary incontinence? The most common clinical sign is pooling or spotting of...

What is a testicular tumor? A testicular tumor is a tumor that develops from a disordered uncontrolled growth of cells within the testicles. The three most common types of testicular tumors develop from germ cells (cells that make sperm), Leydig cells (cells that...

What is an umbilical hernia? An umbilical hernia is a protrusion (outward bulging) of the abdominal lining, abdominal fat, or a portion of abdominal organ(s) through the area around the umbilicus (also called the navel or belly button). The umbilicus in dogs and cats...

My puppy bites my hands, my legs, my children's legs - anything he can get his mouth on. What is going on?Your puppy is teething, the same way that human babies and children grow new teeth during their development. Like a human, your pup first grows a set of baby...

What is meant by spaying or ovariohysterectomy? Spaying is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure known as an ovariohysterectomy. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed completely in order to sterilize a female dog. Some veterinarians...

What is cryptorchidism? Cryptorchidism is the medical term that refers to the failure of one or both testicles (testes) to descend into the scrotum. The testes develop near the kidneys within the abdomen and normally descend into the scrotum by two months of age. In...

When should my puppy visit the veterinarian? Most puppies will visit the veterinarian at six to eight weeks of age for a health exam and to begin vaccinations and parasite treatment/preventives. This is also a great time for you to discuss your puppy’s vaccination...

What is pyometra? Pyometra is a serious and life-threatening infection in the uterus. The condition must be treated quickly and aggressively. Pyometra is a secondary infection due to hormonal changes in a female's reproductive tract. Following estrus (heat),...

The old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, can be directly applied to canine health care. Avoiding an illness is always better than treating it, and when it cannot be avoided, intervention is always more effective if started sooner rather than...

My dog sheds all the time and sometimes he gets sores where he has chewed himself. My veterinarian says he may have allergies and may need a special diet. How can his diet make a difference in his skin and haircoat? As early as 1953, veterinarians recognized the...

As a modern society, we understand the importance of food quality in maintaining or improving our health. We know that we need to eat good quality food in the appropriate quantity and balance for optimal health. Currently, questions are being raised about the...

What is neutering? Neutering (also known as castration) is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure during which both testicles are removed in order to sterilize (make infertile) a male dog, therefore stopping its ability to reproduce. Why should I have...

What is a microchip? Today, microchip technology is found everywhere, from computers and cell phones, to implants in wild animals for tracking their movements, to pet microchips that provide identification information. Different types of microchips work in different...

What is hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism is a condition of inadequate thyroid hormone levels that leads to a reduction in a dog's metabolic state. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common hormonal (endocrine) diseases in dogs. It generally affects middle-aged dogs...

I have been told that my dog has hip dysplasia, but she isn't lame. Is that diagnosis correct? Hip dysplasia is a deformity of the hip that occurs during growth. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. During growth, both the ball (the head of the femur, or...

What is a gastropexy? A gastropexy is a surgical procedure that is sometimes performed in large breed dogs to prevent gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat. A gastropexy may be performed prophylactically (as a preventive measure in a healthy dog...

What is a food allergy? A food allergy is one of the most common allergies or hypersensitivities known to affect dogs. In a pet with an allergy, the immune system overreacts and produces antibodies to substances that it would normally tolerate. In an allergic reaction...

The population of senior dogs is increasing. Better nutrition, safer lifestyles, and improvements to preventive health care have contributed to this trend. While old age is not a disease, the body changes associated with aging make older dogs more vulnerable to...

Is it okay for me to feed my dog raw food? Is that better than feeding prepared dry or canned food? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stand united in their...

Why does my dog urinate on objects? Dogs can communicate using pheromones—chemical messengers that are recognized by members of the same species. Dogs learn about each other through pheromones, especially those in the urine. This is the reason dogs spend so much time...

Why is neutering dogs recommended? Many male animals are neutered (castrated) as a best practice for health and handling. Castration is often considered part of responsible pet ownership. Much research has been done about the health and behavioral impacts of...

How do I choose the best diet for my pet? With so many pet food options available, it can be hard to choose just one. There are a number of things to consider as you and your veterinarian choose a diet for your pet. Consider your pet’s life stage Match your pet’s life...

What is GDV? Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening disorder most commonly seen in large, deep-chested dogs, although any dog may be affected. In its early stage, the stomach fills with gas, causing a simple gastric dilatation or "bloat"....

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex condition involving inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints. Dogs with OA experience pain and inflammation in various joints that interfere with the activities of daily living. OA is diagnosed through a thorough physical...

Primary vaccination is essential to prevent the once common deadly diseases in puppies. However, recent research indicates that not all vaccines require yearly boosters. There is no evidence that annual booster vaccination is anything but beneficial to most dogs....

The proper administration of eye medications is essential for your pet's prompt recovery. Make sure that you wash your hands both before and after administering the medication to avoid contamination and prevent the possible spread of infection. If your dog's eye is...

The proper administration of eye medications is essential for your pet's prompt recovery. Make sure you have carefully read the medication label and understand the prescription instructions. If you have any questions, contact your veterinarian prior to administering...

Topical ear medications are often necessary to adequately treat inflammatory or infectious ear conditions. Some dogs will tolerate the administration of liquids or ointments into their ears, while others will not. Before you begin It is important to remember that your...