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The best in health, wellness, and positive training from America’s leading dog experts

First Aid

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair for Dogs: Your Options

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The truth is, we do not have a perfect solution for cranial cruciate ligament tears in dogs. Research is constantly evolving and we are still in search of the perfect fix. In humans, a synthetic or biologic ligament is placed where the damaged ligament used to sit. This was tried in dogs, but the outcomes were never good. The replacement ligaments were just not well tolerated. Consequently, something different had to be done.

Torn Cruciate Ligaments in Dogs

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A cranial cruciate ligament injury in a young, healthy dog is typically an athletic injury. In older dogs, it is usually an injury of chronic wear and tear. This explains why its so common for a dog who has damaged the CrCL on one side to then tear it on the other side. When you take one back leg out of commission, the work load shifts to the other, increasing the strain on the ligaments of the good leg.
cleaning dog wounds

Natural Remedies for Cleaning Dog Wounds

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Your dog just had surgery, stepped on broken glass, caught her tail in a door, has a puncture wound, got bit or scratched, tangled with barbed wire, or has an abrasion that came from who knows where. You want the wound to heal quickly without bleeding, pain, or infection. The following strategies help achieve that result.
One young freelancer sitting in his office with his dog

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Marijuana (Edibles, Weed, Vape Cartridges, etc.)

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Eating any product containing THC can be dangerous for your dog. While the amount and type of marijuana product consumed determines how serious the situation is, dogs who have eaten cannabis need to get to a vet.

Can I See Your Dog’s ID?

It is wise to make sure your dog is always wearing identification, with up-to-date contact information! Ideally, your dogs tags have enough information that anyone who might find your dog could contact you directly, 24/7, in the event that she darts out, gets lost on a hike, etc. There are many options for you to employ!
Knowing how to do CPR on a dog can help to save a furry friendly member of your family.

How to Do CPR On a Dog

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Dog owners who know how to perform rescue breathing, or CPR on a dog very well may make the difference between their dog passing away and living a long life.

Reporting Dogs’ Adverse Reactions is Your Duty

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It seems that is rare for a week to go by that we dont hear about - or even experience - yet another pet illness or reaction to animal food, drugs, vaccines, or pesticides. At times, Whole Dog Journals articles and blog posts will include the advice to report any adverse events. And its excellent advice - so heres when, how, and why you should report these events.
A yellow ting to the skin and gums is one of the clearest sign of liver disease in dogs.

Liver Disease in Dogs

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Signs of liver disease can include lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bruising of the skin (small patches of bruising are called petechiae; larger patches are called ecchymoses), abdominal distention, weakness, and a yellow tint to the skin and gums (called jaundice or icterus).
A dog stung by bee in eye with the eye swelling shut and interfering with vision.

Dog Stung By A Bee? Here’s How to Treat It

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Hives, wheals, and welts are a moderate reaction to stings. Just like their human counterparts, dogs who have been stung can break out in unsightly hives. These are usually very itchy and uncomfortable. The first sign often noticed is the dog rubbing along furniture or scratching at the face and eyes. The hives may manifest as bright red streaks or lumps all over the body or be confined to a single place.
dog being held upside down

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Motion Sickness

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meant to help the vestibular apparatus develop properly. This is thought to help prevent vestibular disease and motion sickness later in the puppy's life."
A cut dog paw requires medical treatment.

Dog Paw Cuts and Scrapes: How to Treat a Paw Injury

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Your dog's paw pads act much like the soles of sneakers, protecting your dog's foot and cushioning each step. Paw pads are tough, but they can still be cut by sharp objects or worn off if your dog runs hard on rough terrain. What should you do when your dog cuts or tears a pad?

Distemper in Dogs

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The clinical signs of distemper in dogs occur in stages and in three main body systems: the upper respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the central nervous system. Initially, a dog may show signs consistent with upper respiratory disease: coughing, sneezing, high fever, lethargy, and nasal and eye discharge.