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Dear Debbie, There is an old saying, "Dogs walk on their legs, not on their x-rays." This is true, and x-rays don't do anything for Buxton's comfort. They do, however, show us if there are bony changes in the joints. Dogs can be lame and sore for muscular and conditioning reasons, as well as...

Dear Lyndsey, It is excellent that you are working with Dr. Harmon to improve Xander's overall health. I would not suggest using an insecticide such as permethrin in the ears without strong evidence of the presence of mites. If you feel you must apply something to relieve discomfort, a...

Dear Lil, Dogs of both sexes with normal sex hormones are more bold than they will be without them. Boldness, behaviourally, is the other end of the bold - shy axis. Boldness (as a behavior) may be described as a combination of desire to associate with people and a desire to examine the...

Dear Joaquin, Like us, animals are what they eat. There is a known correlation between diet, neurotransmitter production, and behaviour. There are recognised cases of seizures linked to particular allergens, including food allergens. It is important that animals with seizures are exposed to...

It's perfectly safe and normal for animals to eat insects / arachnids, as long as the insects haven't been treated with pesticides, aren't toxic insects, and are not one of the rare insects that are an intermediate parasite host. (Spirocerca lupi is a tropical parasite transmitted when dogs eat...

Maerzen is normally an affectionate dog. During this she wanted to be near me, and seemed clingy. She leaned against me even more than usual, and kept pushing herself between my legs when we went outside.

Please note that these suggestions are only for open pyometra, and I would not recommend any of them. Dr. Jones doesn't actually recommend any of them, he says they are if you can't afford anything else, or don't want conventional treatment. None of these options are as desirable as...

There are no other articles on VIN about this; apparently the follow up study to which they allude wasn't done, or didn't yield good results. Yunnan BaiYao is used successfully for subinvolution of placental sites, which makes sense. Dr. Sara

Dear Christine, The best potency of any homeopathic medicine is the one you have. It is more important to have a wide range of medicines so that you can match the medicine to the signs. You can effectively make the medicine act like a higher potency by increasing the frequency of dosing. In...

Dear Christine, Two months after the end of a heat cycle is the most common time for older females to develop pyometra, or infection of the uterus. Watch your girl extremely closely, as pyometra can worsen quickly and be life threatening. Blot her vulvar area with a tissue twice daily (before...

Dear Ive, This could be something evil, though as it is small and not bothering Xia, there is a strong likelihood that it is simply an irritation of a hair follicle. It is wise to set up a time to have it examined. However, I would apply warm Epsom salt compresses to the area for 5-10 minutes...

Dear Joaquin, I would also like to know what the physical showed, particularly the exam of the lymph nodes. Bundy's lab work shows a mild anemia. He does not appear to be making extra red blood cells to reverse this, as there is no notation that reticulocytes are present. However, this is...

I suggested three books on homeopathy during my talk. These three books are all written from a human standpoint, not veterinary. The book that I suggest that all my clients have is "The Family Guide to Homeopathy" by Andrew Lockie. It is a good way for people to use homeopathy for themselves...

Dear Angele, In order to know what treatment is most likely to resolve an aural hematoma, it is helpful to understand how and why they develop. Aural hematomas are caused by the inflammation and rupture of tiny blood vessels in the ear flap. The blood seeps between the ear cartilage and skin...

As this odous control problem is on rocks, you have lots of options! I would suggest 50 - 50 white vinegar and water with a few drops of soap in it. (A/C vinegar is actually attractive to some flies and is used in fly traps). The soap ensures that the vinegar adheres to any fatty constituents...

Dear Sheri, Dr. Jeff has good suggestions for acute pain relief. Ideally, we would like Fibi to improve so that an acute situation is unlikely. Please ask your chiropractor and acupuncturist to show you gentle massage / effleurage techniques to help Fibi. If your acupuncturist is skilled...

Dear Brianna, In a young dog, this is most likely a plugged tarsal gland. The tarsal glands provide lubrication to the eyelids, and when they get plugged due to debris or inflammation, the material can't drain. There may be another one more laterally on the lower lid, though that isn't clear...

Dear Dee, The lipase test is horribly inaccurate in dogs and cats. All it signifies is intestinal inflammation. The test that would actually indicate a pancreatic problem is based on pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, and (along with pancreatitis) is described in this article...

Dear Amelie, I certainly agree with Dr, Christina that there is no one right way to feed a pup! It is essential that the calcium - phosphorus ratio of whatever diet you choose is balanced for growth, as a Flat Coated Retriever has a lot of growing to do. I require that my pups are fed a raw...

Dear Amelie, Biting and mouthing is a natural part of puppy development. Flat Coats, being retrievers, are more mouthy than some others, though they tend to learn to inhibit their bites well. It is important to carry a toy with you that your pup likes so that you always have an appropriate...