A new dental vaccine is now available to help you keep Fido’s teeth pearly white and free of disease. The Porphyromonas Vaccine is available through licensed veterinarians as another tool to ward off canine periodontal disease and promote good oral health. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs show signs of oral [...]

Where the old school rule of thumb was that all dogs needed all vaccinations, these days, veterinarians are taking a different tact when it comes to doling out shots. For example, I have a dog and two cats, so while we lean toward more canine vaccinations because she’s outside a lot, the cats get less shots [...]

Gardening may be one of your favorite activities, but it can also be a place full of dangers for your pooch.   If you decide to bring new plants or flowers into your garden beds, first check to be sure they aren’t poisonous or deadly to pets if ingested (see below for toxic plants, such as lilies, daffodils and [...]

According to the ASPCA, cocoa mulch is a no-no for gardeners who have dogs. In “Cocoa Bean Mulch As A Cause Of Methylxanthine Toxicosis In Dogs” by S. Hansen, H. Trammell, E. Dunayer, S. Gwaltney, D. Farbman, and S. Khan, they point out the dangers of using cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, as [...]

I live in Sacramento, Calif., and just a hop, skip and a short drive away is the town of Davis, which offers one of the best veterinary teaching hospitals in the country (UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine).  They also feature the UC Davis Veterinary Blood Bank. That’s right–your pooch can donate the gift of [...]

Those sticks of gum we humans rely on to freshen up are very dangerous for dogs. Xylitol, an ingredient used in sugar-free chewing gum, as well as some candies, chewable vitamins and throat lozenges, is highly toxic to our furry friends. If your pet has ingested anything that might contain xylitol, immediately call your veterinarian and/or [...]

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is used to save human lives, but did you know it also works on your dog? More importantly, for your pooch, there is no 911 to call if something happens, so it’s vital that you can revive your pet if you’re not near an emergency pet hospital. The American [...]

Most of us know the signs of a happy dog–the telltale tail wag, the goofy “smile”, etc. But what about the signs of health issues? After all, animals are pretty good at hiding their ailments from us, so it’s our job to be on the lookout for issues. DogAge® offers tips for a monthly home [...]

When you hit the road with your furry friend, it’s important to have a first aid kit handy for minor emergencies. Gather the following items together and store them in a lunch box or any other durable container you’d like. Toss it in your car, and whola! You’ll need: A muzzle (or a 2-foot-long strip [...]

This week (May 18 through 24) is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and although the majority of attention-getting dog bites pertain to dog v. human, I can attest to the fact that dog v. dog bites are just as traumatic and harrowing. I know of what I speak, because when I was a child, I was [...]