If you're feeling ill, there's nothing better than cuddling with your dog to improve your spirits. But what if your symptoms include a sore throat, and you're diagnosed with strep? Can dogs get strep throat? If so, is strep throat in dogs contagious to people? Strep throat, an infection marked by swollen tonsils and difficulty […]

It's hard enough for humans to administer eye drops to themselves. But how do you give them to your dog? Although eye drops are important for various eye issues, it's challenging to gain your dog's cooperation. You don't want to waste expensive medication or potentially make your dog uncomfortable by holding them down. What is […]

I have a spayed, female, four-year-old dog who hasn't urinated in the house since she was four months old. Suddenly, after she's been resting for a while, I find wet spots in her bedding. Dogs, like humans, can experience several problems when it comes to urination. One problem, called pollakiuria, is the need to urinate […]

Are you noticing your dog has a runny nose and a sudden, harsh cough that sounds like a goose honking? There's a good chance they're suffering from an upper respiratory infection. You might dismiss a cough as something that will pass in a few days. While this is often the case, these types of infections […]

Beets are packed with nutrients. But as healthy as they are for humans, are beets safe for dogs? Yes, they are, when served fresh and in moderation. Beets are found in some commercial dog foods. Are Beets Good for Dogs? Beets are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including Vitamin C, potassium, folate, and magnesium. […]

We all want our dogs to live for as long as possible, so it can be scary to think of them developing an illness like heart disease, which affects their daily functioning and life expectancy. Heart disease is a condition that dogs are either born with (congenital) or develop (acquired) through a combination of factors […]

The time when the unexpected happens to your pet is scary, stressful, and panic-inducing. While it can be hard to stay calm in these situations, one thing you can do ahead of time is to find an after-hours emergency vet before you have an emergency. But if you need one now, here's what to do: […]

Fresh and dried cranberries are popular human snacks. Many owners may want to share these with their dogs, especially around Thanksgiving. But can dogs eat cranberries safely? The answer is both yes and no. Fresh or cooked cranberries, when plain, are not inherently toxic for dogs. When fed in moderation, they are generally safe and […]

Have you found a little lump on your dog while cuddling with them on the couch? The first thing is, don't panic. It's not unusual for masses to develop on a dog's body throughout their lifetime; more often than not, they aren't malignant. However, that doesn't mean it's something to ignore. Having your veterinarian evaluate […]

Kara A. Kolster DVM DACT Theriogenologist, Springfield Veterinary Center, Glen Allen, Virginia, USA The results of a thorough semen analysis as well as breeding history may help determine the cause of subfertility in a stud dog. However, in over 50% of cases the underlying cause may not be known. In these cases, management of living […]