by Vivian Flint @2015 Ask any English Shepherd owner what first attracted them to the breed and their list will include the dogs’ medium size, keen intelligence, and general usefulness. But, given time, they inevitably mention how much they appreciate being involved in a breed that does not require docking. So it might be […]
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Category: Health & Genetics
What Aging Dogs Need
by Dr. Jennifer Bailey I confess, I am a sucker for a greying face and kind eyes. I consider myself a connoisseur of senior pets, as the last two dogs I have adopted have been over the age of seven. As such, I have become well versed not only professionally, but also personally, in the […]
Sharing Life With Senior Dogs
by Kona Lang Looking out of my office window, I realize how fortunate I am to have an east view from the 15th floor of a building in Anchorage, Alaska. The picture window faces the Chugach Mountains and to the left I can see the Alaska Range. There is not one day where the […]
The What, When and Why of Vaccinations
by Christine L. Merrill, DVM, DACVP, PhD Janet Shlanta’s Iris (and friends) If you pay attention to the press, you can’t help but notice that more and more people are questioning the necessity of vaccination. The 2014 measles outbreak, which began in an amusement park in California and spread across the United States affecting over […]
Hot Weather Tips
© 2012 by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ty Taylor. Reprinted with permission. Christa Brelsford’s Raina When dogs get hot and tired they are at greater risk for injury. Water can boost a dog’s endurance by 75 percent, so plan ahead. Set up water stations when you are going to be working in areas long distances from […]
Pain Management Without Pills
by Nancy Whitlock, CVT, reprinted with permission Does your pet have difficulty getting up from a lying position? Has he or she been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease? There are great options to help your pet that don’t involve having to give another pill. Heat and cold therapy, acupuncture, underwater treadmill, physical therapy, […]
USDA Herding Dog Study
@Linda Rohem, reprinted with permission, originally published in AHBA newsletter When reading the book The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior by Clarence Pfaffenberger, I was intrigued to find a reference to a project involving herding dogs that had taken place just before World War II under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The […]
Ear Treatment
Below is an ear treatment used for years by breeders. This treatment should not take the place of seeing a doctor. It’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian before using any home remedy. “Blue Power Ear Treatment” 16 oz lsopropyl Alcohol 4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder 16 Drops 1% Gentian Violet […]
Vet Visit Stress Tips
by Grisha Stewart, MA, CPDT, reprinted with permission from City Dog Magazine, Spring 2015 Issue The dog tries to pull away before he even gets to the door. Once inside, he skitters into the waiting room, paws scrambling on the slippery floor, eyes wide and focused on getting back outside. He’s shivering, panting, and his […]
Ticks
It’s that time of year. by Merijeanne Hollingsworth Ticks are blood-sucking fiends. They live on the blood of unsuspecting innocent victims, and sometimes leave them sick or dead. Not by “nosferatu” power, but by disease. They are also just gross. There is actually one tick that is poisonous, but (fortunately) not too common in […]