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

ER & Surgery

Get Your Dog to Rest After Surgery

Stay, and "Leave It." One can also work on increasing the duration of these behaviors at this time.üToss your dog's kibble onto a "snuffle mat" to increase the amount of time it takes him to sniff out and consume each nugget. These washable mats are easy to make or can be store-bought.üDr. Jessica Hekman uses trick training and scent-work exercises (seen here) to keep her usually busy English Shepherd
Toad Swell on The Lawn After Meeting Siberian Husky

My Dog Ate a Frog (or Was It a Toad?)

If your dog swallows a toad or frog immediately flush the dogs mouth with running water to reduce poison ingestion and contact your vet or poison control.
A dog sticks its head into a paper shopping bag looking for items.

Xylitol Poisoning

Xylitol poisoning can cause hypoglycemia in 10 to 15 minutes. If you think your dog has ingested xylitol contact ASPCA poison control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Post-Surgical Procedure Protective Collars or “Coneheads”

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.
dog cone alternatives

Comfortable Dog Cone Alternatives

Are the classic plastic cones really all that bad? It depends on which dog you ask. Some dogs seem to accept the weight of the heavy plastic, the restricted visibility imposed by the opaque material, the need for increased clearances around the house, and even being gouged by the thick plastic tabs that are supposed to be belted by the dog's collar at the base of the cone. Today there are a number of alternatives to the classic Elizabethan collars to prevent a dog from licking a wound, aggravating a hot spot, tearing out his surgical stitches, or removing a bandage. The alternatives offer a dog greater comfort, better mobility, and improved visibility.

Regaining What Was Almost Lost

first discovered Petey at their local humane society shelter in 1990. Scheduled for euthanasia the next day

How to Prepare for An Emergency Animal Hospital Visit

If you have a dog, emergencies are inevitable. Dogs are prone to injuries, ingestion of toxic substances, and illnesses. Are you prepared in an emergency? Do you know what to do and what not to do? After nine years as an emergency veterinarian, I've seen it all! Here are my top tips for helping your emergency-room veterinarian help your dog.

Should You Race to Take Your Dog to the Emergency Vet Clinic?

the odds are good that your dog's symptoms will resolve with time.

True Veterinary Emergencies

Dogs can be real stoics, and it can be hard to tell if they are in pain or feeling poorly. Your best bet is to pay close attention to your dog when she is healthy – note subtle things, like how she holds her body, the quality of her coat, the vibrancy in her eyes – so you can notice when she's not feeling her best.
Anaphylaxis in dogs is a medical emergency just like it is in humans.

Anaphylaxis in Dogs

Anaphylaxis in dogs is an immediate, severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Potentially fatal symptoms can appear as quickly as within 5 minutes of exposure.

Older Dogs and Surgery

Some are reluctant to perform surgery on old dogs because of anesthesia risks or complications, but these risks are minimal in the case of most lipomas. Modern anesthesia protocols are far safer than they used to be, and complications are generally minor, usually limited to superficial infection or delayed healing. There is no reason not to remove lipomas from older dogs when they interfere with their quality of life.

12 Tips to Avoiding Trips to the Emergency Vet

Every year, thousands of dogs are treated in emergency veterinary hospitals across the country. I know; I spent nearly a decade as an emergency-room veterinarian. I always found it interesting that many of the most common injuries and illnesses I saw in emergency practice were also some of the easiest to prevent! Many of these problems can be avoided with a little common sense and preventative medicine.

Latest Blog

How “Bird Flu” Could Threaten Your Dog

The “bird flu”, or avian influenza, has been around for a long time; it’s circulated in wild birds since the late 1990s. But like all viruses, it mutates over time—and influenza viruses are known to mutate very quickly. What’s more, some emerging strains are deadlier than others.