Why do some dogs develop tear stains? Continue reading »
May 042012
Pets make my life more enjoyable every day. Whether I’m discovering a “surprise” in my shoe, stroking a soft kitty belly, or writing with a cuddly critter on my lap, every moment I spend with them is a delight. They often make me laugh. They rarely make me cry, though, I must admit, some of the heroic pet stories I discovered online for this blog post series certainly did. It appears pets will do anything to save the humans they love –even learn to dial the telephone. Continue reading »
May 032012
The larynx is a little structure made of cartilage that sits in the throat and opens into the trachea, or windpipe. When the animal breathes in, the cartilages that make up the larynx are pulled apart to allow air to flow through. When the animal swallows, the larynx closes up to force food into the esophagus rather than into the airways. Laryngeal Paralysis in dogs is a condition whereby due to dysfunction of the nerve or muscles that control the larynx, the laryngeal cartilages are not pulled apart when the animal breathes. Continue reading »
May 022012
As dogs get older, their fur may gray. They become less mobile, and their senses are less acute. These are changes that naturally occur with age, in dogs as well as humans. However, if you’ve noticed that your senior dog seems to be confused, is acting distant, or has a dramatically altered personality, another issue may be afoot. Whether referred to as dementia or canine cognitive dysfunction, physical and chemical changes in the brain are the cause. The result is a deterioration of your beloved pet’s ability to think, learn and remember. Continue reading »
The problem of money… Money is a nice sight most of the time, just not when it’s in your dog’s stomach. Did you know that coins can be poison for dogs? Continue reading »
3 week old Hannah (a domestic short hair) weighs 10 oz!
Special thanks to Maria Baglio for sharing this delightful picture with our subscribers!
To submit a photo for our next issue’s contest, email petoftheweek@petassure.com. Please be sure to include your and your pet’s name.
Dixie, 3-year old Jack Russel, is just waiting to play!
Special thanks to Raymond J. Ellis for sharing this delightful picture with our subscribers!
To submit a photo for our next issue’s contest, email petoftheweek@petassure.com. Please be sure to include your and your pet’s name.
I’ve noticed my dog eating grass. Is he trying to calm his upset stomach, or is this a myth? Continue reading »
Guest Post: Elliot Harvey’s Natural Health Column:
Spring- the rebirth of long dormant vibrant colors, the aromatic smell of flowers, the call of the blue jay, lush vegetables on the vine, fruiting trees. It is a time when nature pours forth all of her glory and beauty. It is also the dawn of a new season—flea season. Continue reading »
Apr 172012
The trachea, or windpipe, is made up of several cartilage rings joined together by ligaments. Tracheal Collapse, or Dynamic Airway Disease, is a condition whereby weakening of the cartilage rings causes collapse of the trachea and a dynamic reduction of the tracheal diameter. The narrowing of the trachea means that airflow, and therefore breathing, becomes more difficult in affected dogs. A collpased trachea in dogs occurs mostly in middle-aged to older small and toy breed dogs.
Symptoms of a collapsed trachea in dogs include a chronic dry cough which is made worse by excitement, stress, heat and exercise, especially when on a collar and leash. Difficulty breathing in dogs in these situations may also be noted. In more severe cases, collapse may occur. Respiratory infections can occur secondary to tracheal collapse, and in these cases, the cough will be productive and the pet may be unwell.
Diagnosis of the disease can be done using x-rays or bronchoscopy, which involves using a tiny camera to visualize the airways with the pet under anaesthetic. There are 4 grades of the disease, with grade 4 being the most severe, and bronchoscopy can be used to establish the severity in each case.
In milder cases, any secondary infection should be treated, a harness should be used instead of a collar, and any stressful situations or overheating should be minimized. Lifestyle changes, such as walking the pet only during the cooler part of the day using a harness should be instituted. If the affected dog is overweight, weight loss is very important to improving its breathing. In very severe cases, surgery may be an option, and this is an area of veterinary surgery that is currently being developed.
Did your dog ever experience difficulty breathing? Was the diagnosis a tracheal collapse or something else? Tell us about it in the comments!
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