Health

Bird flu is making the news a lot lately, and you may wonder if dogs can catch bird flu. Also called avian flu or referred to as H5N1, this virus has the potential to expand its horizons beyond birds to humans and other mammals. As of this writing, no dogs have become clinically ill or died from this recent strain of H5N1 bird flu.

What is gastropexy? Gastropexy is a surgical procedure done to “tack” or attach the stomach to the body wall, so it can’t flip or twist. Bloat—a dangerous condition technically called “gastric dilatation and volvulus (GVD)”—is when the dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists. It is life-threatening. If the stomach flips, the odds of a good outcome go down dramatically.

Nasal mites in dogs are unusual mites that can be responsible for sneezing, difficulty breathing, and other hard to diagnose respiratory problems.

By the time they’re three years old, most American dogs have an active dental disease, and its treatment can be expensive. Dog dental insurance might save thousands of dollars in dental care.

A dog’s eyes can appear red or bloodshot for many reasons—some of which are minor and will quickly resolve, and others which are much more serious.

Sucralfate is a human medication used off-label in dogs for ulcers, vomiting, and irritations along the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the small...

The first symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs are subtle. Your dog may seem less active and not eating well. He may be coughing a bit. Don’t dismiss these signs as the dog is just getting old. These changes could indicate congestive heart failure, and the earlier it’s diagnosed the better the prognosis.

Famotidine is a stomach-acid reducer that is sometimes used “off label” in dogs. “Off label” means the medication is not approved by the FDA for use in dogs, but veterinarians may prescribe it. Famotidine is available as an injectable that can be administered at a veterinary hospital and an oral form that is available over the counter (OTC).

Symptoms of GERD in dogs include regurgitation, decreased appetite, difficulty swallowing, and acting uncomfortable. Some dogs with GERD may have a chronic cough. You may also notice that your dog’s bark sounds different than it used to. One of the classic symptoms experienced by dogs with GERD is that they are more likely to regurgitate than vomit (see sidebar). However, conditions that cause chronic vomiting may lead to the development of GERD.

With hyperthyroidism, the dog’s metabolism speeds up. You may notice your dog drinking more water (and increased urine), losing weight, constipation, and showing signs of increased activity. With the dog’s overall metabolism too high, many of the dog’s body systems are affected. Some dogs will vomit and have diarrhea along with an increased appetite.

While dogs can’t have Down Syndrome, they can possess chromosomal abnormalities that lead to conditions similar to that disorder. These include developmental disabilities, difficulty with coordination, as well as distinct physical features such as a flattened face, shorter limbs, and smaller stature.

Hydrocortisone can be used topically in dogs, but its use should be limited. It should be used only on intact skin, not open wounds, or infected skin.