Babesiosis is a tickborne disease that can affect dogs. Although the disease is seen worldwide, including in the United States, much of the what we know about babesiosis is from Europe. Babesiosis is primarily transmitted through a tick bite but can infect puppies in utero and be spread by dog bites through saliva. The tiny parasite that causes babesiosis attacks and destroys red blood cell, causing anemia. While most dogs develop a slowly progressing illness with minimal symptoms, some dogs show an acute, aggressive illness. An important consideration with babesiosis is that infected dogs nev ..read more

Dogs who spend a lot of time licking near the base of his tail are often suffering from anal gland issues, allergies, or both. Allergies, especially a food allergy, can cause inflammation of the anal glands, which is irritating to the dog. Other potential causes of a dog licking the base of the tail include fleas in the area, hot spots, perianal fistulas, and perianal tumors. If your dog is licking back there a lot, take a good look at the general area yourself. The dog’s licking implies something is uncomfortable. The sooner you get a veterinary diagnosis and appropriate treatment the sooner ..read more

Cerenia is a lovely little wonder drug for vomiting in dogs. It works by blocking a neurotransmitter in the brain that triggers the vomiting reflex, and it works really well. Cerenia is FDA-approved to treat uncomplicated, acute vomiting (in dogs and puppies 8 weeks or older) as well as to prevent motion sickness (in dogs and puppies 16 weeks or older). The Cerenia injection for dogs is a particularly fabulous therapeutic modality for acutely vomiting dogs. Sometimes when dogs are vomiting, they can’t hold anything down, including the medications that could help them. When your veterinarian gi ..read more

Leptospirosis is caused by the bacteria Leptospira. Several species of mammals can become ill with leptospirosis, including dogs and humans. Leptospira bacteria are found worldwide. Leptospirosis in dogs can be prevented through proper vaccination. The initial series is two vaccines given three to four weeks apart. After the initial series, the leptospirosis vaccine is administered once a year. As with any vaccine, your dog may experience lethargy, reduced appetite, and soreness after receiving the leptospirosis vaccine. In rare circumstances, dogs that receive the leptospirosis vaccine may ex ..read more

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne disease that can infect dogs. A variety of ticks can carry the rickettsial bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs, which means the illness has a wide range and is not limited to the Rocky Mountain area. The first case I ever dealt with was on Long Island, N.Y. Signs of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Symptoms that a dog has Rocky Mountain spotted fever are initially similar to many illnesses, including other tick-borne diseases. Joint pain, a drop in appetite, and fever are common. Some dogs will show gastrointestinal signs. A sign m ..read more

You should be concerned if your dog starts dropping weight without any effort by you. No increase in exercise and no change in diet. Before you jump to cancer concerns, let’s look at simple solutions for why your dog is losing weight first: Parasites. Take a fresh fecal sample to your veterinarian. While internal parasites are more likely to cause weight loss in puppies, even adult dogs can be dragged down by a heavy parasite load. If your dog is losing weight, it makes the most sense to get that fecal sample, so you know what you’re dealing with and can deworm for that parasite. Whipworms can ..read more

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in dogs. Fortunately, we can help protect our dogs from Lyme disease with preventive measures and using a vaccine sometimes called a “tick shot for dogs.” Of course, this is a vaccine that is only effective against Lyme disease in dogs, not all tick-borne diseases. Tick-borne diseases are on the rise, including Lyme disease. You can help protect your dog from ticks and Lyme disease if you: Use a highly effective flea/tick preventative. Wear tick-repellent clothing. Promptly check for and manually remove attached ticks from our dogs ..read more

If your dog tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), your veterinarian may recommend surgery. That can be stressful for you, your dog, and your wallet. If you want to avoid surgery for your dog’s torn ACL, you may wonder if you can use an ACL dog brace and give your dog reasonable comfort and care. The answer: Yes, but you must purchase a good ACL brace for your dog. Note: Dogs don’t have an ACL. They have a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), so the correct diagnosis is a torn CCL, but the terms are used interchangeably. Wondering if your dog has a torn ACL, the signs of an acute ACL rupture a ..read more

Dramamine, a brand name for the drug dimenhydrinate, is an antihistamine that is used off-label in many dogs for vestibular problems, including carsickness and senior dog vestibular disease. With its antihistamine properties, this medication also may help with mild itching. For some dogs, it can act as a mild sedative, too. Dramamine is not an FDA-approved medication for dogs, which means its use is considered off label, and there is no official Dramamine dosage for dogs. A better choice might be an FDA-approved treatment like Cerenia. The dosage for Dramamine for a dog is based on the dog’s w ..read more

Dog pain medication can be divided into two broad categories: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which alleviate pain by reducing inflammation, and analgesics, which provide pain relief through a variety of mechanisms. Pain medications for dogs are not interchangeable. Some pain relievers that you use for yourself can be harmful or even toxic to dogs. And an analgesic that was prescribed for another pet in the home may not be the right type or dose for the one who is currently exhibiting pain. When choosing the most effective medication for your dog, your veterinarian will weigh a ..read more