The Healing Power Of The Outdoors?

Can something as simple as spending time outdoors promote your dog's health and healing?(Of course by outdoors I don't mean a little cramped yard at your city dwelling. Neither I mean tossing your dog out in the yard, regardless of the location, and leaving them out there.)If your dog is healthy and doing well, the difference will be likely subtle enough that you might not even notice it. When your dog is ill, however, the change can be quite dramatic.Every...

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What Caused Murphy's And Ruska'sPneumothorax?

by Nancy Kay, DVM    I refer to that week as the “Murphy and Ruska Show” in honor of two delightful patients who arrived at my doorstep one day apart, each with a life-threatening disorder called pneumothorax. “Pneumo” means air and “thorax” refers to the chest cavity, so “pneumothorax” is air within the chest cavity.If you’re scratching your head wondering, “Isn’t there supposed to be air in the chest cavity?” here’s what you need...

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Veterinary Highlights: AHVMA Independent Research Foundation

"There isn't any money in the cure, the money is in the medicine"—Chris RockThe AHVMA (American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association) Foundation has been around for quite some time, but it is now steering in a new direction. The foundation will now support independent research into alternative veterinary medicine.Image Acupuncture for AllThe main criticism of alternative veterinary treatments is the lack of scientific evidence. “Show me a study,”...

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This Is What Jasmine's Episode Looks Like

This is what Jasmine's episodes generally look like. It is not easy to watch, much less in real life.One of the most important things that is not seen in this video is her desire to be outside. It seems that's where she wants to be. When outside, she wants to dig a hole to lay in, except she hardly ever actually lays in it (not during these episodes, otherwise she loves to use the holes she digs)Being outside either makes her feel better or offers enough distractions to make it appear that way. Though if I just sit with her on the lawn she...

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Dog Cartoon Of The Week:Started Out In Obedience School

*** Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good...

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Living With A Cushing's Dog: Viva's Story

Viva's story is shared with us by my good friend @Kenzo_HW. Check out his blog, it's got awesome information on Hovawarts, tracking, nose work and lot's of other great stuff. It's just over a year ago when Viva was diagnosed with Cushing's disease. And all that time she thrived on the prescribed daily medication - 120mg of Vetoryl, or Trilostane. Every quarter Viva was tested and the results were excellent. Such a test consist of an ACTH stimulation...

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Adoption Monday: Roxanne, Labrador Retriever Mix, Deerfield, NH

Check out this beautiful girl at Mary's Dogs Rescue & Adoption!Roxanne is a gorgeous 2 year old Lab mix with the most beautiful brindle/blonde/golden highlights sprinkled all over her fur. These highlights help make Roxanne an absolutely stunning dog!As if looks aren't enough, though, Roxanne chooses to show off her great personality at all times. Roxanne is great with people and other dogs. She can run with the big dogs, play with the medium...

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BAT (Behavioral Adjustment Training) For Dog's Fear Of Bicycle

Jessie pulled the bicycle over on herself. She was now scared even when a bike was standing in the driveway, and she was in the house. This is her first series of training sessions.Observe what behaviors she adds as she gets more stressed.BAT is from Grisha Stewart's operant approach at www.functionalrewards.com to help dog's get over fears and learn to self-calm in stressful situations. *** Donna Hill has a degree in zoology and a teaching degree. She has 20 years experience in adult and child education and enjoyed teaching people how to observe...

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If It Was Easy, It Wouldn't Be Jasmine

I guess we had a good run for a little too long ... over a year, until a couple months ago. After the recent stressful events before and after Jasmine's treatment, things settled down. For a while.The verdict was that her joints were doing well but the muscles of the rear end were still agitated and required physical therapy and time.It didn't take Jasmine long, however, to find new ways to make things more interesting. Off and on she started favoring...

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Veterinary Highlights: Surgical Treatment For Dogs With Mitral Valve Disease?

Mitral valve disease is the leading cause of heart failure in dogs. The commonly affected breeds are Miniature poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.Colorado State University is developing a surgical treatment involving mitral valve implantation. A bioprosthetic is implanted inside the original diseased valve. Sounds nice and neat, however, it's not all that simple. It is at experimental stage...

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Motor Oil - Cure For Demodectic Mange?

 by Simon Tong You may have heard this one before: “If your dog has demodectic mange, just get some motor oil and rub it on the infected parts. It’ll get better, trust me!”What would happen if you pour motor oil all over your dog? For starters, there’re severe rashes that will result due to skin irritation. The motor oil will also cause extensive skin damage, because your dog’s skin will actually absorb all the toxic chemicals from it.But...

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Dog Cartoon Of The Week: Women's BFF

*** Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good...

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10 Things You Didn't Know About Your Dog's Immune System

Courtesy of Avivagen Animal Hea...

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Adoption Monday: Oreo, Border Collie Mix, Dumont, Co

Oreo is a sweet 6 month's old Border Collie mix.She is a bit unsocialized and skittish, but a lovely girl.She recently went missing for 8 days at the Golden Gate Canion. She is now staying with a foster family and she is looking for a forever home. For more information contact Charlie's Place Shelter or my friend Roxanne of Champion of My Hea...

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Shaping A Recall: Training Come Command

Observe your dog to find out what activities and materials she likes to (and can safely) interact with and use these to strengthen your recall.*** Donna Hill has a degree in zoology and a teaching degree. She has 20 years experience in adult and child education and enjoyed teaching people how to observe animals in nature as a nature interpreter, field biologist and train-the-trainer for presentation skills and now applies her knowledge and skills to help people and their dogs. She helps people with disabilities to train their own service...

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Why I Dislike Inflammatory Bowel Disease

by Jennifer Coates, DVMDiseases that require surgery to reach a definitive diagnosis are frustrating to deal with.  No matter how persuasive I try to be, owners are understandably reluctant to think that biopsying some internal bit of their sick dog is a great idea. Now the shoe’s on the other foot, so to speak.I recently adopted a pup with just such a condition – inflammatory bowel disease.  I feel your pain.Inflammatory Bowel Disease...

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Veterinary Highlights: Non-Surgical Sterilization

Multnomah County Animal Services has recently launched a trial using Zinc neutering, a new way of neutering male dogs. Non-surgical castration?The method consists of local injection a compound of zinc gluconate and arginine, which destroys sperm-producing cells without greatly impacting hormone levels. Proponents say it’s a much cheaper and less invasive alternative to surgery. The compound was developed by Ark Sciences, dedicated to providing the least invasive, non-surgical sterilization processes possible.Ark Sciences maintains that substituting...

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What Can Make Our Vet's Day

”I remember from my last dog how they can hide pain, so when she was getting tired after a big walk I wanted to get it checked out while it was still a small problem and easier to manage.”This is how the owner of a middle aged, bouncy, happy, playful, dog introduced their reason for visit. There was no vocalization of pain, and no limp. Close observation showed a moderate reduced range of motion at the hips and a mild pelvic swing. Palpation...

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Dog Cartoon Of The Week: What Happened To Unconditional Love?

*** Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good...

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