Canine Health & Nutrition

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Canine Health & Nutrition Articles

Hypothyroidism, or Just Plain Obesity?
Hypothyroidism is a disease suffered by both humans and dogs. In dogs, the disease is seen most commonly in middle-aged females. Some dog breeds, such as Cocker spaniels, Golden and Labrador retrievers, Dachshunds, and Doberman pinschers, are predisposed to hypothyroidism, but this condition is extremely uncommon in cats. [full article]

Before Visiting the Dog Park
If you're a dog owner fortunate enough to live near a dog park, you know they are fun places for your dog to play with other dogs. Summer is a great time to visit a dog park for fresh air, healthy exercise, and socialization for both dogs and people. [full article]

Words You Don't Want to Hear
Osteosarcoma and lymphoma: two words you hope to never hear coming from your veterinarian. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and lymphoma (a disorder of white blood cells) are the most common types of cancer in dogs. But thanks to the efforts of two veterinary oncologists at the University of Illinois, Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, these evil enemies of our four legged family members have a tough battle ahead. [full article]

Hip Dysplasia: Treatment Options for Large Dogs
Hip dysplasia: You've probably heard the term, but what does it mean? Hip dysplasia is a progressive degenerative condition of the pelvic joint that can lead to severe lameness and pain in large breed dogs. It can be very debilitating, but with the help of several ingenious surgical techniques, the function of the leg can be restored-sometimes almost to normal capacity. [full article]

Can Fido Have Food Allergies?
The Centers for Disease Control recently reported that four out of every one hundred children have a food allergy. Just as in humans, the other furry, four-legged family members can have food allergies as well. Dr. Domenico Santoro is a dermatology resident at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. He says, "food allergies are much less common than flea and environmental allergies, but dogs can have them." [full article]

Elbow Dysplasia: When Fido's Funny Bone Makes Him Limp
Joint disease is a problem faced by many canines today. Hip dysplasia is the one most people are familiar with as a cause of rear limb lameness. Its front limb counterpart is elbow dysplasia. "Elbow dysplasia has only been recognized as a disease in the last 10-15 years. In contrast hip dysplasia has been diagnosed for the last 30 or 40 years," explains Dr. Diane Dunning, a veterinary orthopedic specialist formerly at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. [full article]

Bladder Stones: An Uncomfortable Problem
Urinary tract infections are a very uncomfortable problem for humans and animals alike. In pets, especially cats, urinary tract infections can sometimes be accompanied by bladder stones, which can both initiate and promote infection in the bladder. [full article]

Bloat is a Tricky Problem for Dogs
People can pig out on Halloween goodies, or anything else for that matter, without it coming back to haunt them. But, for some dogs who overindulge, even on plain old food and water, their stomach may inflate like a balloon and twist on itself -- a canine horror story. Food is sometimes the cause of a dilated stomach, but often a dog's stomach will mysteriously dilate, or bloat, for no known reason. Either way, bloat is a medical emergency, and the puffed-up pooch will need veterinary help as soon as possible. [full article]

Brain Exercise Keeps Older Dogs Sharp
As dogs age, they may experience loss of mental sharpness, a condition known as geriatric cognitive dysfunction, similar to geriatric dementia in humans. According to Dr. Thomas Graves, an internist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, signs of cognitive dysfunction include altered interactions with people, decreased activity, "accidents" in the house, disorientation, change in sleep patterns, and loss of learned behaviors. [full article]

This Summer, Take Cody and Max Along for the Ride
At the mention of "car ride" Cody's ears perk up and her tail wags wildly. To Cody, a six-year-old black lab mix who has been my companion on two cross-country journeys and several weekend camping trips, those two little words mean squirrel-chasing, tongue-flopping fun is in the not-so-distant future. [full article]

Cushing's Disease: A Threat to Older Dogs
Cortisol is an essential hormone for normal body function and is released in times of illness, stress, pain, and injury to help the body cope with these stressful events. When an excessive amount of cortisol is produced, however, the effects can be harmful and even fatal. [full article]

Degenerative Joint Disease and Your Limpy Pooch
Every time I take Cody to her favorite dog park, she runs around like crazy -- slobber flying, smiling from Labrador ear to ear. But the next day, I usually notice, she pays for all that squirrel chasing with a slight limp in her right forelimb. It doesn't slow her down much, but makes it me wonder if our trips to the dog park should be replaced by a kinder, gentler activity. [full article]

Does My Dog Need Depends?
Many owners find themselves in a panic when their dogs begin urinating inside the house. No one likes the messy clean up and the lingering scent of urine. Urinary incontinence affects many pets but often goes ignored and untreated. [full article]

Exercising With Your Pet
Kimo Huffman keeps himself in shape with regular exercise, running five miles most days. The regular exercise is great for his body mass index, the health of his heart and his general attitude about life. In fact, if he misses a regular run he tends to be a little sluggish and cranky. The regular exercise is pretty good for his owner, Liz Huffman, of Denver, Colo., as well. [full article]

First Rate Food Choices for Fido
Dog foods are all alike, right? Though some are labeled "for all stages of life," it is doubtful that these are the best choice. The fact is that the nutritional needs of dogs change throughout their lives and can even change depending on their environment. [full article]



Kidney Copes With Chronic Renal Failure
Chronic renal failure is the most common kidney problem in dogs and cats. Though it is a condition that worsens with time, special care and treatment can help keep your pet feeling good. Chronic renal failure can be congenital, genetic, acquired, or of unknown cause. Cats, especially Maine Coon, Abyssinian, Siamese, Russian Blue, and Burmese breeds, are more commonly diagnosed with chronic renal failure than are dogs. [full article]

Lifestyle Changes Relieve Pet's Arthritis Pain
Veterinarians now believe that overweight dogs with painful hips and lameness caused by osteoarthritis may improve by weight reduction alone. Obesity is the No. 1 nutritional disease in dogs and is an important risk factor for osteoarthritis in humans, so it makes sense that slimming your hefty dog can be a huge relief. [full article]

Sending Your Dog the Wrong Message?
"Objectionable pet behavior is the No. 1 reason people have unsatisfactory relationships with their dog," says Dr. Rolan Tripp, veterinarian and behaviorist who spoke on animal behavior to veterinary students at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. More dogs die as a result of behavior problems than all preventable medical problems combined. Frustrated owners simply give up, and their untrained dogs often end up in animal shelters with uncertain fates. [full article]

Separation Anxiety
Ever wonder what your dog does when you're not at home? Perhaps he is taking a nap on your bed (and drooling on your pillow), chewing on your favorite pair of shoes, or terrorizing the cat. But people whose dogs suffer from separation anxiety are lucky if their house is still standing when they return home! [full article]

Dog's Itchy Skin Can Indicate Allergy
Just like people, dogs can suffer seasonal skin allergies to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and insect bites. According to Dr. Karen Campbell, chief of specialty medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, there are effective ways to diagnose and treat skin allergies. [full article]