Pancreatitis in dogs is an insidious condition. It is a potentially life-threatening condition, yet the symptoms may not be very obvious at first and even if they are, are common enough that they are usually dismissed or mistaken for something less serious. Read more about Pancreatitis.
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Little is known about doggy dementia. In fact, most dog owners dont know this condition exists. Doggy dementia is otherwise known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). It is a degenerative brain disease in older dogs, mirroring Alzheimer's disease in humans.
Most
common of all is getting stuck in corners and not knowing how to
reverse out – basically their brain only have forward gear and no
reverse gear. Some walk for hours; Chloe the piglet, in her final
months, would walk from 1am to 5am or 7am. Initially medication worked
but over time, her body got immune to these sleep meds and she became
invincible 😊 Thankfully we loved her just the same <3 |
Sparkly teeth, but at what cost?  We’ve all seen fellow dog owners proudly showing off their pup’s gleaming smile after a trip to the groomer. It looks impressive on the surface but here’s the important bit: dental scaling is actually a medical procedure, one that vets perform under local or general anaesthetic. So it does raise a few questions. If your groomer managed to do it while your dog was wide awake, how exactly did that work? Was your dog restrained the entire time? Was it uncomfortable or even painful for them? And how long did they have to stay completely still (something most dogs aren’t exactly famous for). There’s also the issue of what’s really being cleaned. A groomer’s “scaling” only polishes up the surface. It doesn’t reach the roots, the gums, or any of the hidden trouble spots. So while your dog may look as though they’ve got a dazzling set of teeth, beneath that shiny surface there could still be decay, infection, or gum disease quietly brewing. It’s worth remembering that dental problems can cause significant pain for dogs even if they’re very good at hiding it. That’s why scaling and polishing should only ever be carried out by a qualified vet where it can be done safely and thoroughly. So before booking your dog in for a quick “teeth clean” outside of a veterinary practice, think carefully about what you might be subjecting them to. A proper dental procedure is about more than appearances – it’s about your dog’s comfort, safety, and long-term health. |
Does your dog have bad breath?  Do you find that you recoil from your pup when they come in for a cuddle? Bad breath is quite common in our canine companions — especially as they grow older — and can be a sign of serious health issues in your pooch. What Causes Bad Breath in Dogs? While it's perfectly normal for your pup to have some smell on their breath from eating, playing with toys and just generally living their lives, this smell can sometimes grow into a stink that repels all but the bravest pup parents. And while you may be tempted to just grin and bear the smell, more often than not the stink in your dog's bad breath is actually a sign of an underlying health issue that is causing the smell. There are a number of different possible causes of bad breath in your dog, but the most common are kidney disease, liver disease and oral health issues. Kidney Disease If your pup's bad breath smells like feces or urine, it may be a sign that they have recently eaten poop (which is something you should look into on its own) or a symptom of kidney issues. If your dog's kidneys aren't working properly to filter and process toxins and waste materials, their buildup in the pup's body may be contributing to the bad smell of their breath on top of harming your dog's health. Liver Disease If your dog has recently developed seriously bad breath and their new scent is accompanied by concerning symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, they may have a liver disease at the root cause of their symptoms. Oral Health Issues The most common cause of bad breath in dogs, oral health issues is an umbrella term including health issues ranging from tooth decay to gum disease and oral infections. Regardless of the precise cause, bacteria and food debris build up over time in your pooch's mouth if not regularly cleaned away, creating plaque and a persistent smell. If your dog's breath smells a little bit, it is likely caused by emerging oral health issues. Although if they are left unchecked, the smell will become much stronger and your pet's oral health and wellbeing will continue to decline. How to Treat Bad Breath in Dogs? The reason why your dog has bad breath will largely influence the kind of treatment they will require. Since bad breath is a sign of an underlying health condition rather than a health problem itself, it should dissipate once the underlying problem is successfully treated. That being said, whenever you notice a change in the smell of your dog's breath you shouldn't assume its cause or that it is normal. Bring your pup to your vet as soon as possible for examination and diagnosis, since a number of causes of bad breath can be very serious health issues. Treatments at your vets can range from prescription medications, specialized diets, therapies and even surgeries to help treat your pet's condition depending on what part of their body it affects and its severity. |
What is a brachycephalic breed?! Pickles was the first pug we have ever rescued and she is a brachycephalic dog breed. Brachycephalic breed are dogs that have a shortened skull, short nose and a flat face. Because of this look many of these dogs sadly suffer from breathing and other related problems. Some popular brachycephalic dog breeds are Shih Tzu, Pug, Pekingese, Japanese Chin, English Toy Spaniel, French bulldog, Chow Chow, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Boston Terriers, Boxers and the Bullmastiff. These breeds are incredibly popular and the most common issue they suffer from is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome or BOAS which is caused from an over-crowding of the face due to the shape of the jaw and nose. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a respiratory disease which is caused by a dog’s short and narrow airways. This condition affects dogs, who are often born with it, but can be worsened by being overweight or after surgery for other problems. The short nose and narrow nostrils of these breeds can make breathing difficult. Dogs may have noisy breathing sounds, exercise intolerance and may become breathless during activity. Heart problems may also be present in these breeds as the heart must work harder to pump blood from the body to the lungs due to their difficulty in oxygenating the blood properly because they have narrowed airways which limits airflow into their lungs. Treatment may include physical therapy to help with breathing. Medications that open the airways and decrease inflammation can be used. Surgery is an option for those dogs whose symptoms are severe. Dogs that are brachycephalic have a variety of respiratory problems associated with abnormal brain development. These include stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, retrognathia and micrognathia. The stenotic nares can make breathing difficult for puppies and young dogs due to the fact that their nostrils are smaller than usual. The elongated soft palate can cause a dog to snore loudly because it reduces the space available in the throat for airflow. When this occurs excess vibration causes snorting. If you do have a brachy breed there are some important things to consider in terms of care :
Other things to consider with brachy breeds include:
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