Seizures In Goldendoodles: How Common Are They & What To Do
Canine seizures are life threatening and frightening. Here’s what to do if your dog has one.
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Dog Euthanasia: When Is the Right Time? Should You Be Present?
The decision to euthanize a dog is the hardest decision that one ever will face as a dog owner. Deciding whether to be present for a dog’s final moments can be almost as difficult.
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Borborygmi In Dogs: Causes, Reasons & What To Do
A few weeks ago, my family (which consists of Denise, Buster, and me) was sleeping in together. Denise and I both had the day off, and Buster is retired, so we were taking advantage of the opportunity to laze around. I was awakened by a horrible noise. Â The window was open, and I assumed that
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Dog Anal Glands: Everything You Need to Know (Ask a Vet)
They’re unpleasant, but they’re a fact of life. Here’s what happens when they don’t function properly.
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Is Permethrin Safe For Dogs? Facts & FAQ
My editor at Dogster recently forwarded some promotional materials to me. The materials were from a company that makes dog beds, blankets, car seat protectors, furniture such as cots, and clothing. The products have a twist: They are impregnated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide. It also is an insect repellant. It is an ingredient
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Xylitol Poisoning In Dogs: Signs, Treatments & Prevention
Dogs and humans share many similarities in medicine and physiology; the similarities are far more numerous than the differences. But the devil is in the details, and when it comes to xylitol, the details make all the difference. Look up xylitol for humans and you will see long lists of uses and benefits. Look up
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Will My Dog Catch a Disease or Fleas at the Vet’s Office? Keep Your Pup Safe
I recently received a letter from Donna. In the letter, she raises a few interesting points. I would like to know if my dog will be OK. She was at the vet and had a good checkup, but before the appointment this lady came in and placed her dog right beside my dog, then proceeded
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Lymphoma In Dogs: Causes, Signs & Treatment
When I was in my final, clinical year of veterinary school, I rotated through the oncology department. My first oncology patient was a Golden Retriever. Several days before coming to the Davis teaching hospital, the owner had noticed that the dog had developed several lumps. The dog had gone to his family veterinarian, who identified
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At Least 34 Beagles Died to Prove the Safety of My Dog’s Arthritis Medicine
Horses are said to grow long in the tooth as they age. I sometimes quip that dogs do the opposite. As they chew and play with balls (especially abrasive tennis balls) and toys, their teeth wear down. Elderly dogs often grow short in the tooth. My very good pal Buster is growing metaphorically short in
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My Dog Ate A Rib Bone: What Should I Do?
Several months ago, a very nice lady brought her very nice Golden Retriever to my office. The unfortunate dog did not feel well. The well-meaning owner had wanted to give her dog a special treat. She cooked a beef knuckle bone and gave it to the dog. An hour later, the bone was gone. An hour
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What If My Dog Has A Seizure When I’m Not Home? What To Do
Not long ago I treated a 3-year-old French Bulldog in the middle of the night. The unfortunate dog had suffered a seizure just before he was taken to my office. It was the dog’s first seizure. As is typical for such a situation, the dog’s owner had a great deal of epinephrine and cortisol running through his
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When To Take A Puppy To The Vet For The First Time? Facts & FAQ
A reader named Jeannine recently sent me this question through Facebook: I will be bringing home a puppy soon. She will be 8 weeks old and will have had her initial vaccinations/vet visits. When should I next take her to the vet? It is very exciting and inevitably challenging (but very worth it) to have a new puppy
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How To Make My Dog Vomit Without Hydrogen Peroxide: Safety Facts & FAQ
Halloween marked the official start of canine chocolate season, which peaks around Christmas and finally tapers out a short while after Valentine’s Day. Chocolate ingestion, of course, occurs year round, but between these holidays, I note a surge of people who call my office asking for advice on how to make their dog vomit. Decontamination —
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French Bulldog Teeth Problems: Common Issues, Prevention & Treatments
Several weeks ago, a gentleman came to my clinic with his English Bulldog. The first thing the man said was, “I think he has a dental abscess.” Dental abscesses are one of the many unpleasant and unhealthy end results of untreated dental disease. In dogs, a primary feature of dental disease is infection. It is
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My Dog’s Tooth is Turning Purple, What’s Wrong? Facts & FAQ
If your dog, like mine, enjoys fetching and retrieving, I have a recommendation: Buy a Chuckit. What a genius invention — there is no need to get your hand slimy with dog drool, and the device allows for superhuman throwing distances. Heck, with a Chuckit you don’t even need to bend over to pick up
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Seizures In Older Dogs: Why Do Older Dogs Have Seizures?
I will never forget the first time I witnessed a seizure. I was about 12 years old, and I was in my childhood kitchen with my mother and my cat (yes, this article is about dogs, but bear with me). The cat walked into the middle of the room, and then adopted a distant, disoriented
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Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) In Dogs: Causes, Signs & Treatments
In January, I wrote about a dog who swallowed a penny. The dog suffered a number of complications, including anemia, due to the toxicity of the penny’s zinc. Acute (sudden onset) anemia can occur as a complication of zinc toxicity. However, zinc toxicity is not the only cause of acute anemia in dogs. There is
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My Dog Ate An Edible, What Should I Do!
Recently I have noted another uptick in the number of people contacting me about marijuana intoxication in dogs. For the record, I am not a veterinary toxicologist. I am, however, a veterinarian who practices in a part of the country where marijuana, although not technically legal, might as well be. One of my first memories
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Ask a Vet: Is a Dog’s Voice Changing a Symptom of Rabies?
Several years ago I signed up for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s so-called “Clinician’s Outreach” mailing list. Members of the list receive updates from CDC about emergent disease threats. Obviously, one needn’t be a physician to subscribe. Anyone who is interested can sign up. Over the years I have observed CDC’s response to a
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Ask a Vet: What’s the Strangest Vaccine Reaction You’ve Ever Seen?
A puppy came to the emergency vet with frightening symptoms. Were they caused by a vaccine or was something more serious going on?
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How To Remove Foxtail From Dog Paw: Simple Steps
Foxtails hurt dogs all over. These stories illustrate the dangers of canine public enemy No. 1.
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Can A Spayed Dog Get Pyometra? Facts & FAQ
This dog showed symptoms of a uterus infection, but she was supposedly spayed. What happened?
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Ask a Vet: Does Trifexis Really Kill Dogs or Is It a Myth? Facts Explained
A TV news report says a common heartworm and flea preventative may be killing dogs — but it has all the hallmarks of an unfounded rumor.
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What To Do When People Feed Your Dog Treats? Important Considerations
People sometimes offer things that dogs can’t safely eat; that can cause problems.
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Zinc Neuter for Dogs: What Is It, Safety & Ethics
I believe the procedure still has big problems — and its renewed push looks like it has more to do with profit than revolutionizing sterilization.
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Dystocia In Dogs: Causes, Signs & Diagnosis
It’s dystocia — when a dog can’t deliver puppies — and I hate it largely because of bad owners.
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Why Are Foxtails Bad For Dogs? Facts & FAQ
Foxtails hurt dogs all over. These stories illustrate the dangers of canine public enemy No. 1.
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How To Help a Bulldog Breathe Better: Tips & Tricks
Dr. Barchas, I have a Bulldog. He has a dry hacking cough and some choking. Because I can’t afford to take him to the vet, what can I give him to help with his coughing? Ronald Fort Worth, Texas I think Bulldogs are really cool. They always have big, fun personalities. But humanity has not
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Does Getting a Second Dog Help With Separation Anxiety? Facts & Considerations
Here is a question I recently received by way of my website, drbarchas.com: Hi Dr. Barchas, I adopted a rescue dog about four months ago. She is a year old now and is anxious and destructive when left alone in the house. She demonstrates excessive salivation and has been very destructive. As a result, she
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Is a Foxtail in My Dog’s Nose Making Him Sneeze? What to Watch Out For
Here’s a question I recently received: I went camping with my Chihuahua in Bodega Bay six weeks ago. I noticed some thorns on the nose. I have taken the dog to a vet in Santa Fe and NYC because he violently shakes his head, sneezes, and hits his nose on ground maybe one to three
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