Kink is a 12 ½ year old mixed-breed dog who was adopted at the age of 2 years from the island of St. Kitts in the West Indies. He did not start his agility career until the age of 9 due to Allison’s education path and frequent moves around the country. But Kink loved the […]

What you may consider simply an indulgent spa service can actually benefit your pet’s mental and physical health. Massage may reduce stress and anxiety, increase circulation, decrease pain, and strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Also, it can help to identify new growths at an early stage. The best part? You don’t even […]

When we think about the activities of our dogs, usually we picture their play, their “jobs” or their quiet repose on our laps or couch. However, in all animals the ability to stand quietly at rest is critically important for health and soundness. Many dog owners don’t realize that the reason their dogs flop down […]

by Sandra MurrayReprinted from: Essential Elements, ShowSight Magazine   Reprinted from: Essential Elements, ShowSight Magazine As a youngster she had won her breed’s National Sweepstakes. Not long after that win, she finished her championship with three 5 point majors, all at large regional specialties. During her specials career she earned multiple Group placements and Best […]

The first-ever Breeders Symposium, held on Saturday, July 17, 2004 in Raleigh, N. C. provided attendees with the golden opportunity to learn how to breed better dogs as well as gather the most current information available for improving canine health through advances in veterinary medicine. Jointly sponsored by the American Kennel Club and the Canine […]

Back pain is a common condition in the canine world. From traumatic spinal injuries to intervertebral disk disease, back pain can affect all sorts of breeds, although some may be more at risk than others. As owners, we want to know what we can do to help our dogs cope, whether the pain is temporary or chronic. Weight […]

Dr. Patrick Mahaney is a veterinarian and certified pet acupuncturist who provides holistic treatment for canine cancer patients. He has shared shares his expertise via AOL’s Paw Nation, PetMD’s The Daily Vet, Pet360’s PetLebrity News, Pet World Insider, and Victoria Stilwell’s Positively.com, among others.  He co-hosts Holistic Vets on the Radio Pet Lady Network. We asked him […]

The individual journeys that dogs and their handlers take to the American Kennel Club Obedience Classic in Orlando follow a variety of paths. Whether their goal is to achieve a perfect performance or to build an enduring relationship, their hard work will be on display when they compete on December 15 & 16. All 243 […]

What you may consider an indulgent spa service can benefit your pet’s mental and physical health. Massage may reduce stress and anxiety, increase circulation, decrease pain, and strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Also, it can help to identify new growths at an early stage. The best part? You don’t even have to […]

You might have noticed your older dog slowing down in recent years. Maybe he is playing less and sleeping more. Although this might seem normal for an aging canine, arthritis could be to blame. What Is Arthritis? There are several different types of arthritis that can affect dogs, but the most common is osteoarthritis — […]

Even under the best circumstances, a dog's life is too short. It's a difficult subject, but one every pet owner must face eventually. As the end of your dog's life approaches, whether due to illness or old age, you might be contemplating some difficult choices. But while euthanasia was long considered the most humane option […]

Holistic medicine treats the person (or, in this case, animal) as a whole: mind, body, spirit. It uses several different practices, including acupuncture, massage, herbal remedies, chiropractic treatment, aromatherapy, nutrition, acupressure, and even sound therapy to address a variety of ailments and conditions. Americans spend more than $30 billion a year on alternative treatments for […]

Dogs are known for their stoicism, and even the most loving owner might miss signs that their pet is suffering. Progressive, persistent pain that creeps up on a dog is often tricky to spot. Referred to as chronic, it can dramatically impact their quality of life. Understanding the Differences Between Acute and Chronic Pain Dr. […]

Acupuncture is one of the most common natural therapies used by holistic veterinarians. The practice involves stimulating the nervous system by penetrating “acupuncture points” with needles, injectable liquids (such as vitamins or homeopathics), or electrical stimulation. Acupuncture is most effective for dogs suffering: Musculoskeletal problems such as hip dysplasia, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, and […]

Could an Ancient Chinese Medical Therapy Work for Your Dog? Acupuncture is one of the most common natural therapies used by holistic veterinarians. The practice of acupuncture involves stimulating the nervous system by penetrating “acupuncture points” with needles, injectable liquids (such as vitamins or homeopathics), or electrical stimulation. Acupuncture is most effective for dogs suffering: […]

It’s a pitiful sight. Your dog’s tail is squeezed between his legs, he’s straining against his leash like he’s being pulled over a cliff, his eyes are pleading up at you: “Pleeease don’t make me go to the vet’s office!” Dogs who dread going to the veterinarian have an uncanny way of sensing when it’s […]

The Michigan House of Representatives will likely soon consider a bill that makes numerous changes to the state’s veterinary laws. These changes include amending the definition of “practice of veterinary medicine”.  Current law states that practicing veterinary medicine includes “prescribing or administering a drug, medicine, treatment, or method of procedure.”  As passed by the House […]

Just like their owners, dogs are susceptible to minor injuries and are not immune to getting cuts, scrapes, or burns. But can you use Neosporin® on dogs? The answer isn’t completely straightforward. In some instances, applying the topical, antibiotic ointment can help heal your dog’s wound, but there are situations when it is not advisable or […]

We had Jaco less than 10 months when it happened. Jaco was a German Shepherd Dog exported from the Czech Republic when he was 16 months old. I wanted him to be my next scent-detection dog, a partner in the work I’ve done for more than a decade, finding the missing and the dead. He […]

One of the amazing things about dogs is their noses and their ability to detect and remember scents, long after being exposed to the original odor. When a person is pregnant, the hormones in their body are likely to alter their scent in some way. So, can dogs sense pregnancy? Because of their keen sense of smell, […]

Make no mistake about it, Joe Pete is a stellar search and rescue dog. But the plucky 9-year-old Doberman Pinscher also gives new meaning to the word rescue. “There is a saying that you get the right dog at the right time,” says owner-handler Cris Bean, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. “I had always been a busy […]

Orthopedic problems in dogs, like hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament ruptures, can be painful and costly to treat. But when detected early and given proper veterinary attention, affected dogs have a high chance of a successful outcome. Also, proper testing by breeders helps to prevent these problems in offspring. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Jennie led […]

Update: Recent research has suggested that sweet potatoes, while not poisonous, may not be appropriate for a dog's diet.  From the UC Davis School of Medicine: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an alert about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as […]

Everyone agrees that the worst thing about dogs is that they don’t live long enough. But these easy, common-sense tips can help extend the time we have with our canine pals. 1. Find the Right Breed What’s your perfect dog? Like a spouse, a dog is a partner who will be with you for a […]

Owning a dog is one of the greatest pleasures and highlights of our life. But there is a downside to loving a dog, and that’s the huge difference between our life expectancy and theirs. “Everyone wants to live as long as possible, and we want the same for our family members and pets,” says Dr. […]

Are you a canine instructor who works for other training companies? Do you think about working with dogs in a facility that you own and operate? When professional dog trainers imagined running a top-notch canine center, they made a big move.  The result? Two successful, state-of-the-art centers devoted to enriching dogs' relationships with their owners. Here's how […]

Green-lipped mussels (GLMs) might be something you have never heard of, or sound like something you could order at your favorite seafood restaurant. But these unique shellfish are a type of mollusk found off the coast of New Zealand that is packed with nutrients. So, how could they help our dogs who suffer from joint […]

Senior dogs face many health problems such as arthritis and cognitive decline, but cancer is, unfortunately, one of the most common. Although one in four dogs will develop cancer at some point in their life, this disease will strike almost half of all dogs over the age of 10. According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, it's the leading cause of death in […]

Dogs with three legs/tripods or tripawds as they are sometimes referred to, are increasingly common and can live fit and active lives. A growing number...

There’s probably only one time in his life when Reas finished last. That’s when he was the final puppy in a litter of five to go to his new home three years ago. That was obviously not his doing. Four other owners passed over him for various reasons. And now the muscular, 51-pound Whippet, owned […]