Health

Trazodone is an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medication that is also used for short-term sedation. It’s not classified as an analgesic (pain-relieving medication), so why are...

An Allergen is defined as a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Anything can be an allergen to a hypersensitive individual, even water. The term has meaning only in relation to an individual who is hypersensitive to that substance.

It's hard to say which is worse: running your hand over your dog and brushing against an attached tick, or seeing a tick skitter across your dog's face. Either way, the unwelcome arachnid must go. What should you do?

Cancer profoundly alters a dog's metabolism, even before any malignancies are advanced enough to be detected; these changes persist even after remission. Ask any dog owner about his biggest health fears for his pet, and his response is likely to include cancer. It's a leading cause of death in canines and can be indiscriminate, striking young and old dogs alike.

The lampshade, satellite dish, or cone – no matter what you call it, it is hard not to alternately laugh and feel sorry for any dog wearing one. Often used after surgical procedures, these cone-shaped collars are designed to keep dogs from licking sutures or wounds, potentially opening the wounds or tearing the stitches. They are also used to keep a dog with an injury or surgical site on his head from scratching it with his paws.

Cataracts can appear in aging dogs or dogs with diabetes. Is cataract surgery for your dog the best option? Learn more.

A health exam for all adults includes a blood-pressure reading. So why not for our dogs? There are a few reasons that veterinarians save blood-pressure testing for only certain cases. Although an estimated 20 percent of humans suffer from white-coat syndrome" (temporary high blood pressure caused by the anxiety associated with visiting the doctor)

In recent years, one nutritional supplement in particular has been embraced by competitive dog owners and veterinarians for its ability to meet that challenge. Glucosamine is the best known and most commonly used supplement for prevention of lameness due to osteoarthritis (a.k.a. degenerative joint disease) – a disorder of the joints characterized by progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage.

The gut microbiome is becoming known as an important part of overall health for both humans and canines. Investing in your dog's gut health can make a big difference in their quality of life.

As with so many health problems in our dogs, the prognosis is better if kidney failure is detected early. While kidney disease can’t be reversed, the progress of the disease can be slowed, giving your dog extra lifetime with good quality.

If your dog hasn’t had a bowel movement in three days, he is constipated - get to the veterinarian.

Anal glands in dogs are two small sacks that sit on either side of the anus. They can become full which causes discomfort, and they can leak which causes foul odors.