Raising a puppy: Preventing object guarding

Object-guarding, a common problem with family dogs, will develop throughout puppyhood if owners allow it to. Owners may fail to notice their adolescent dog becoming increasingly possessive and protective. Some may actually encourage their puppy’s protective displays, thinking they are cute.

It is natural for dogs to protect their possessions. In the wild, a wolf would hardly pop next door…

Canine Cancer: Esophageal Cancer

Description The occurrence of esophageal cancer in dogs is very rare. It accounts for even less than 0.5% of all canine cancers. So far it has been reported only in older animals. There is no sex or breed predilection. The most commonly reported primary esophageal tumors include sarcomas (fibrosarcoma and osteosarcoma), squamous cell carcinoma and leiomyosarcoma. Infestation with the…

Your dog’s heart: keep it healthy

Veterinarians are fixing broken hearts. Just ask Daisy’s owner. Almost three years ago, the once-spry King Charles Cavalier Spaniel began slowing down. Her owner’s went through all the normal excuses: she was getting older; it was her joints; it was too hot, cold or humid. The cover-ups continued until Daisy’s owners realized their precious pooch was struggling…

Canine Cancer: Hemangiosarcoma

Description Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) also called malignant hemangioendothelioma or angiosarcoma is a deadly cancer that originates in the endothelium and invades the blood vessels. Hemangiosarcoma is more common in dogs than any other species. It accounts for 5% of all non-cutaneous primary malignant neoplasms and 12% to 21% of all mesenchymal tumors in dogs. There are three types of hemangiosarcomas: * Dermal- Found…

Canine Cancer: Salivary Gland Cancer

Description Primary salivary gland cancer is not very common in dogs. However, all the cases so far have been reported among older dogs in the age bracket of 10-12 years. No specific breed or sex predilection has been reported in dogs. The majority of salivary gland cancers are adenocarcinomas. But several other types like osteosarcoma, mast cell, sebaceous…

Canine Cancer: Ovarian Tumors

Description Ovarian tumors are almost unheard of in dogs. However, they can be categorized based on their cell origin. They are epithelial tumors, germ cell tumors and sex cord stromal cell tumors. Epithelial tumors and sex cord stromal tumors together account for 80-90% of all canine ovarian tumors. Mesenchymal tumors (originate from cells surrounding the skin, like fat, connective…

Canine Cancer: Osteosarcoma

Description Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor found in dogs. It accounts for upto 85% of all malignancies originating in the skeleton. It mostly occurs in middle aged to older dogs, with a median age of 7 years. Primary rib OS tends to occur in younger adult dogs with a median age of 4.5 to 5.4 years. Larger…

Canine Cancer: Mammary Tumors

Description Canine mammary tumors or mammary neoplasms are among the most common type of lesions found in female dogs. They arise from different types of tissues (epithelial or glandular tissues, and mesenchymal or connective tissues) in the mammary gland. Intact dogs are seven times more likely to contract the disease than ones which have undergone spaying or ovarihysterectomy (surgical…

Canine Cancer: Lymphoma

Description Malignant lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is one of the most common neoplasms (tumor) in dogs. They usually originate in lymphoid tissues, like the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. However, they can arise in any tissues in the body. Lymphoma accounts for approximately 7-24% of all canine neoplasia (formation of a new tissue) and 83% of all canine hematopoietic (blood…

Canine Cancer: Chondrosarcoma

Description Chondrosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm accounting for 5%-10% of all primary bone tumors reported in dogs. When a primary chondrosarcoma originates within a bone organ (organs of the skeletal system) it is called central or medullary chondrosarcoma but when it develops in the periosteum (membrane lining the outer surface of all bones) it is known as peripheral chondrosarcoma.

The tumor…

Mental and physical fitness

In order to be well-adjusted pets, dogs need both mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis. The desire to “keep busy” is deeply ingrained in the majority of dogs.

Working, hunting, herding and guarding breeds are not the only ones with this need. Even small breeds of dogs retain a certain amount of work ethic–for example, a Yorkie…