Atopic dermatitis in dogs: itch treatment and Hugo’s story
Hugo’s story and current approaches to canine atopic dermatitis: itch relief, diagnosis, nutrition, skin care and careful interpretation of individual experience.
Cystitis in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and home support
When a dog suddenly asks to go outside every few minutes, squats repeatedly, passes only a few drops of urine or has blood in the urine, it is very easy to think “cystitis” straight away. Sometimes a bacterial bladder infection really is the cause. But not always. Urinary crystals or...
Dog ate chocolate: how dangerous is it and what should you do?
Your dog ate chocolate. The first thought is usually: how bad is this? The answer depends more than anything on three things: what type of chocolate, how much, and how large the dog is. A small piece of milk chocolate in a large dog is not the same situation as...
Raw fish for dogs: whole prey, omega-3 and real nutritional value
A single small Baltic herring can be far more than a piece of fish flesh. When a dog eats the entire fish, including skin, head, eyes, soft tissues, bones and organs, it receives several kinds of animal tissue at once. That is what makes whole fish such an interesting addition...
Vitamin D for Dogs: What Does 25(OH)D Show and When Should Supplementation Be Considered?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for dogs, but this is one of those cases where “more is better” simply does not apply. Dogs need vitamin D, among other things, for normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism and to support bone health. Vitamin D receptors are also found in cells of...
Dog vomiting: when can you monitor at home and when does your dog need a vet?
Your dog vomits once, looks at you, shakes it off, and five minutes later asks for food. Panic? Usually not. With vomiting, however, there are always two questions: is there a red flag that needs prompt veterinary attention, and if not, how can you gently support an upset stomach and...
Apoquel and its safety: what do we actually know?
Apoquel is probably one of the best-known medications for itching in dogs. In some dogs, its effect can be impressively fast: a dog that was licking, chewing and scratching itself yesterday may be noticeably less itchy after a short time. That matters. Severe itching is not merely uncomfortable. A dog can...
Lipoma in Dogs: When to Worry and What New Science About Nerves Is Showing
I know quite a few dog owners who have at least once found some kind of “lump” under their dog’s skin. And even when reason says it is probably nothing serious, the brain usually reaches the word tumour in about three seconds. A lipoma in dogs is one of the...
Probiotics: a Waste of Money?! When Do They Help and When Are You Just Paying for a Pretty Jar?
These days, probiotics are recommended for almost everything. Dog has diarrhea? Probiotic. Had antibiotics? Probiotic. Gas? Probiotic. Sensitive stomach? Probiotic. Stress? Probiotic again. And on the pet-store shelf, jars stand side by side: one promises one billion, another ten billion, and a third contains such a bacterial army that the packaging makes it look as if...
What Can Dogs Not Eat? 10 Dangerous Foods
Dogs are remarkably talented at finding exactly the thing they should not eat. Chocolate left on a table, sugar-free chewing gum found in a handbag, or rising yeast dough in the kitchen can turn into a veterinary emergency within seconds. At the same time, not all “dangerous foods for dogs” are...