Dog Eye Tearing

Excessive eye tearing in dogs, also called epiphora, is the result of an overflow of tears from the dog’s eyes. In certain breeds of dogs (e.g. poodles, spaniels, malteses, pugs, etc.), eye tearing is a natural condition. The bronze staining of the hairs around the dog’s eyes is due to a compound in the tears…

Dog Ear and Hearing Problems

Deafness is often difficult to assess accurately, mainly because pets are not able to tell us when they have trouble hearing. Usually, it is their failure to obey our commands or respond to familiar noises that first alerts us to a deafness problem.

Compared to humans, dogs and cats have a much…

Dog Ear Mites

Ear mites are small parasites (called Otodectes cyanotis) that can infest the ear canals of both dogs and cats, causing severe itching which leads to self-trauma. In most cases, this is due to an allergic reaction to the mites. Affected ears usually have brown or black, crusty debris in the ear canals. Sometimes the skin…

Dog Diarrhea and Loose Stools

Dog diarrhea (i.e. frequent loose stools) occurs when food travels through the digestive system too quickly, resulting in insufficient moisture being absorbed. This usually happens when the dog’s intestines become irritated and inflamed. Diarrhea Causes and Symptoms

Many things can cause dogs to have diarrhea. Intestinal parasites, viral and bacterial infections, changes in…

Dog Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes in both humans and dogs is a disorder of metabolism that results from functional or absolute insulin deficiency. This means that the dog’s pancreas is either producing less insulin, or that the cells upon which the insulin acts are not accepting the insulin in the receptors normally, so effectiveness of the insulin is reduced.

Insulin…

Dog Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease is an umbrella term that refers to a number of diseases that often occur when a person or dog is exposed to too much of a steroid hormone called glucocorticoids). Cushing’s disease occurs when the body produces excessive amounts of steroid, usually because of a pituitary gland problem (e.g., a tumor or excessive growth), adrenal…

Dog Cuts and Wounds

It is not uncommon for a people to be confronted with a wounded dog at some time. Wounds can be classified as either open (i.e. a break in the skin) or closed. First aid for the management of any open wound involves two steps: Step 1 – Stop Bleeding

If an open wound is bleeding, the first…

Dog Demodectic Parasites (Mange)

It is common for dogs to have the Demodex canis mite living on their skin. The tiny cigar-shaped parasite burrows into the skin, yet most healthy dogs show no signs of infection. However, in dogs with defective immune systems, the mites can multiply causing a disease called demodectic mange or demodicosis. Medical research studies suggest that certain…

Dog Coonhound Syndrome

Dog coonhound paralysis is also termed Idiopathic Polyradiculoneuritis, and is essentially a sudden onset inflammation of the nerves outside of a dog’s spinal cord and brain. It is termed coonhound paralysis since the condition was first recognized in coonhounds, which as the name implies, is a breed that is a coon hunter. Some cases have a history…

Dog Constipation

Constipation can occur in both cats and dogs, particularly as they get older. Constipation occurs when defecation becomes difficult or is absent. When feces stays in the intestines longer than is necessary, too much moisture is absorbed from the stools, causing them to become dry and hard. This makes the stools difficult to expel. As a result, your dog…

Dog Cognitive Dysfunction: Senility

Is your dog pacing at night? Or is she snappy with the kids? How could our beloved dog lose housetraining after all these years? Why is he staring into space and seems disoriented? Why is she howling? Our dog just lies around and ignores us! These are all important questions and concerns that owners of senior dogs frequently ask…