ASK AKC  Dear AKC: My seven-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever is beginning to limp on his right rear leg. He doesn't want to put any weight on it. About two years ago, he had surgery on his left knee to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament due to an injury. Is it possible the other knee will need […]

He's been your loving companion for a long time. He's still by your side, but he's not as frolicsome or attentive as he once was. It's inevitable -- your beloved pet is growing old. His needs are changing, and he will depend on you more than ever to keep him healthy and comfortable. Most dogs […]

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 […]

Some veterinarians view low-energy lasers as a noninvasive alternative treatment of arthritic inflammation and chronic pain in dogs. It’s not a panacea, but combined with other treatment, it can ease your dog’s arthritis pain. Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a common degenerative disease in which cartilage wears away and inflammation, swelling, and joint deformity all result. The […]

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: […]

For a variety of reasons (including better nutrition, advances in veterinary medicine, and a more health-conscious American public) domestic dogs are living longer lives. As a result, veterinarians and dog owners are just now learning to manage an array of canine geriatric problems. For older dogs, three main factors can greatly influence longevity: Diet and […]

Gander Raises Awareness of Service Dogs’ Healing Magic     When the 2014 winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards of Canine Excellence (ACE) were presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships, the roll call included a former shelter dog who almost lost his life and a military veteran who nearly took his own life. Gander […]

  From our friends at Vetstreet We know you love your pet unconditionally and strive to take good care of him, but even the most experienced owners can sometimes harm their dogs or cats and not even realize it. Here are a few mistakes you might be making, but don't worry, we've also included advice […]

Healthy aging starts with providing proper nutrition throughout a dog’s life, but it is never too late to begin feeding a healthy diet to help increase your old dog's time with you. Here are some tips on feeding senior dogs from the AKC Canine Health Foundation: Get out the measuring cups: One of the keys to […]

While the benefits of pet ownership far outweigh the costs, every responsible dog owner should know that along with love and companionship comes financial responsibility. In today’s challenging economic times it pays to save wherever you can. But saving money doesn’t mean you need to skimp on your pet. The AKC offers the following preventative […]