Seizure Disorders in Dogs
Watching your dog experience a seizure is both frightening and disturbing, especially if it is unexpected. There is collapse, involuntary movement, and often loss of consciousness followed by a period
Storm and Other Noise Phobias
Storm phobia, or fear of storms, is a common behavior in dogs. Many dogs are terrified of the noise and react by hiding, pacing, panting, trembling, peeing, pooping, drooling, and
Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs
Sarcoptic mange, also called scabies, is an itchy disease in dogs caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var canis). Sarcoptic mites are small and not visible to the naked eye.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Dogs
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a fairly rare chronic and potentially-fatal autoimmune disease. The dog’s immune system fights itself by forming antibodies that “protect” it against its own cells and
Steroid Use in Dogs and Cats
Most people are familiar with cortisone and may even know that it is a steroid but, even though steroids are commonly prescribed to both people and animals, much more knowledge
Swimmer’s Tail in Dogs
Swimmer’s tail is known by many names, including limber tail, cold water tail, dead tail, broken wag and sprained tail. These names all refer to the same condition: a suddenly
Sleeping and Resting Respiratory Rates of Dogs and Cats with Heart Disease
Many heart diseases, when severe enough, result in congestive heart failure. When the left side of the heart is diseased, this presents as a build-up of fluid in the lungs,
Spina Bifida in Dogs and Cats
Vertebrae and the Spinal Column In vertebrates, the delicate spinal cord (the part of the central nervous system connecting the brain to the rest of the body) is surrounded and
Skin Biopsies in Dogs and Cats
What is a Skin Biopsy? In a skin biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed through minor skin surgery. The skin is then examined under a microscope by a
Shar-Pei Recurrent Fever Syndrome
Also called swollen hock syndrome, Shar-Pei auto-inflammatory disease (SPAID), or familial Shar-Pei fever syndrome (FSF). It would seem the Chinese Shar-Pei might have enough issues to contend with, given its