Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet)

Dr. Karyn is originally from Queensland, Australia, and has resided in the UK for the past 10 years. She graduated from The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science in 2010, and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. Karyn is passionate about using experience, evidence, and working with pet owners to provide the best solutions for pets. She also believes in making reliable information about animal health accessible to everyone. 5 cats and 4 dogs let her share their home with her and her husband, and when she is not practising as a veterinary surgeon, she spends her time writing, gardening, and cleaning up pet hair!

Dogster_Barking News_Kevin Costner Sings the Praises of Vets

Kevin Costner Sings the Praises of Vets and Helps Raise Money for Pets Affected by the California Wildfires

At this year’s VMX, the world’s premier veterinary expo in Orland, FL, the critically acclaimed star and director of Dances With Wolves, Field of Dreams, and television’s Yellowstone gave an emotional speech to the people of the veterinary world who have touched the lives of hearts of billions of people around the world, including his

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Poppy, Ned and Fred sharing a peaceful moment

I’m Renaming Dog Breeds: Meet the Snorties, Yappers & Fluffballs

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. Looking on from the relative safety of the UK, I have been experiencing feelings of shock, bemusement, and disbelief over some of the recent changes that have been implemented across the pond. But

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australian shepherd dog standing on grass

Dog Anatomy 101: Understanding Your Dog’s Body (Vet Answer)

Have you ever found yourself wondering how many teeth a dog has? Or whether their front legs have elbows or knees? It sounds like you could use a crash course in canine anatomy. Don’t worry, we’re not going to get too lost in the nitty gritty details or look at things at a cellular level,

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a tattoo of Ned and Fred

Tattoos With Tails: How Dr Karyn Honors Her Furry Family Members

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. We all have different ways of expressing ourselves and different ways of honoring or memorializing our pets. For me, part of that expression is through artwork on the skin: tattoos. When I was

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Werewolf Syndrome Warning Issued

Is Your Dog At Risk? Werewolf Syndrome Warning Issued After Treat Recall in Europe

Dog owners are on high alert after the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) issued a warning on 31st December 2024, regarding several Barkoo brand dog treats following an outbreak of ‘werewolf syndrome’ in several European countries. Some news agencies are reporting as many as 50 cases and 15 deaths, but these figures

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Two little snuggle-bums

What Is It With Chihuahuas and Burrowing? Dr. Karyn’s Experience With Ned & Fred

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. One thing I try to avoid in veterinary work is stereotyping dogs. Although breed and genetics can, and do, influence temperament, it is far from the only factor, and you cannot predict canine

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mother dog and her puppies outdoor

Do Mother Dogs Miss Their Puppies? Our Vet Explains

Nothing warms the heart quite like seeing a mother dog snuggling up with her adorable litter of puppies, but we know that this will eventually have to end. Once puppies are weaned, strong, and independent, it’s usually time for them to say goodbye to their mother and siblings and join an eagerly awaiting family. If

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Tasty tootsies

Mmm, Feet… Why Do My Dogs Like Licking Me? The Attraction & Whether It’s Normal

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. I don’t think there’s any doubt that, despite having many shared food interests, dogs and humans do not always see eye to eye about what should go in one’s mouth. There are dogs

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Fred in the middle of a reverse sneeze

Fred’s Reverse Sneezing: Why He Does It & Why I’m Not Worried (with Video)

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. Fred, one of two adorable Chihuahuas who light up my life on a daily basis, has some pretty strange habits. His obsession with his toy donuts, his paralysis when picked up, and his

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Poppy, Ned and Fred sharing a peaceful moment

The Best of 2025: Dr. Karyn’s 5 Favorite Posts

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. As we enter that bleary-eyed confusing period between Christmas and New Year, I thought I’d take this chance to look back over the highlights of my year spent documenting the various antics and inspiration

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Ned beneath the tree

All I Want For Christmas Is Food: Dr. Karyn’s Dogs Enjoy Turkey & Stuffing

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. For many, this time of year is full of excitement and joy, but for others, it can be a time of feeling stressed and overwhelmed. And Ned is one of the latter. The comings

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Benadryl

Benadryl Overdose In Dogs: Our Vet Discussed 5 Signs & What To Do Next

You may be aware that there are a few human medications that can be given to dogs, however, this should NEVER be done without first checking the safety and dosage with your vet. Dogs metabolize medications very differently to humans, which can mean that they are a lot more sensitive to some, and need higher

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Checking up Fred

How to Do a Health Check at Home: Dr. Karyn’s Tips & Checklist (with Video)

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. Recently I was working on a Dogster article called “How Do I Know If My Dog Is Healthy?” and it made me think about the examination I perform when I’m giving a dog

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Kodah is very keen on the rubber stick

Sticks & Stones May Break Your Bones…and Seriously Injure Your Dog

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. I’m probably showing my age here, but I remember if I ever came home from school, crying about what some horrible person had said to me, my mother would always tell me to

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woman petting her dog

How Do I Know If My Dog Is Healthy? Our Vet Discusses 12 Ways to Tell

Apart from hilarious video clips and adorable photos, one of the main reasons dog owners turn to the internet is to make sure their dog is okay. Of course, there is no substitute for a physical examination by a vet, but what if you are just wanting some reassurance that your dog is healthy? Every

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Belgian Shepherd licking newborn puppy after birth

My Dog Is Bleeding After Birth: Vet-Explained Risks, Signs & Next Steps

When a dog gives birth, their human carer usually puts a lot of thought into getting ready for the delivery and where the puppies are going to be put when they arrive, but quite often we don’t think about what could go wrong during or after delivery. Becoming familiar with the normal, and not so

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Sweet Dreams Are Made of Donuts

Fred’s Security Donuts: Strange Things That Make Him Special (with Video)

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Fred is the weirdest dog I’ve ever known. Husband and I often refer to him as being ‘broken’, meant only in the most affectionate way

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Ned and Fred sunbathing in the yard

Dr Karyn’s 10 Commandments For Successful Puppy Parenting (Part 2)

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. Last week, I shared part one of my 10 do’s and don’ts for raising a happy, well-adjusted puppy. If you missed it, click here to catch up. Ready for the final five commandments?

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Ned and Fred sunbathing in the yard

Dr Karyn’s 10 Commandments For Successful Puppy Parenting (Part 1)

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. Bringing a new puppy into the home should be a happy and exciting time, but it’s also an important period of training and socialization. I believe that when it comes to raising puppies

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A cute alert black dog listening with one ear raised

5 Sounds Only Dogs Can Hear: Vet-Analyzed Canine Hearing Range

We’ve heard people talk about ‘sounds that only a dog can hear’, and we all know that our dogs can hear the rustling of a chip packet from a mile away, but what are the real facts about a dog’s sense of hearing? Although the superior intellect and brain capacity of humans have allowed us

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Border collie with stitches after hip surgery

How to Check & Care For Pet Stitches After Surgery: Our Vet Explains Stages of Healing

When you bring your pet home from surgery, it’s normal to have worries, questions, and concerns about how to look after them while they recover. One aspect of post-operative care is keeping an eye on their stitches, so it helps to know exactly what you need to be looking out for. The following is a

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two stacks of colorful scrunchies

My Dog Ate A Scrunchie: Our Vet Discusses Potential Risks, Signs & Next Steps

This unassuming little hair accessory, created by the late Rommy Hunt Revson,1 was an essential item in the 1980s, the subject of ridicule in the early noughties, and is back with a vengeance in the 2020s. Just as it was in the time of The Goonies, Footloose, and Ferris Bueller, you would be hard-pressed today

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Golden retriever wagging his tail

Happy Tail Syndrome in Dogs: Our Vet Explains the Signs, Treatments & Prevention

Don’t let the name deceive you – Happy Tail Syndrome is not a particularly happy situation. In fact, it can be extremely messy, challenging to treat, and expensive to resolve. One of the main problems in treating this is that it’s not usually a particularly painful condition, so the human is usually having to convince

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