When discussing a dog's health, we tend to talk more about the liver, kidneys and digestion than the lymphatic system, although in my view even those subjects do not receive enough attention. The lymphatic system is often overlooked despite its important role in the body's clean-up processes, immune defence and...
Faddy was recently found to have a heart problem and was prescribed furosemide to help remove excess fluid from his body. As this is all still quite new, I do not want to draw major conclusions about his story or add facts that we simply do not have yet. His...
This time, I want to share my own experience of how easily we can fall into the trap of thinking, “I simply have an older dog at home.” I know Faddy inside out. I know his quirks, habits and characteristic behaviours almost without thinking. Yet last week, I realised that when...
Dehydration in dogs can develop more quickly in summer than we might expect. Hot weather, activity and constant panting make the body work harder and increase the need for fluids. The problem is that a dog cannot always tell us when they are thirsty or feeling unwell. By the time...
We all know that our dogs will grow older one day, but admitting it is not always easy. Especially when they still rush to the doorbell, their eyes light up for a treat and every now and then they produce an especially joyful puppy jump. Irene and I were recently...
This time, let’s look at something very ordinary that still attracts a surprising amount of conflicting advice: bathing a dog. I know very caring dog owners who have not bathed their dog for years because “dogs should not be washed too often” or simply because the dog does not enjoy...
Aging does not mean a dog has to stay on the sofa. To preserve muscle mass and function, an older dog needs suitable movement, adequate nutrition and a reason to keep taking part in the world around them. As a dog ages, the body changes. They may sleep more, move more...
For decades, spaying and neutering dogs was often treated as a fairly simple choice: if a dog was not going to be used for breeding, the ovaries or testicles were removed. This prevents unwanted litters and reduces the risk of several diseases of the reproductive system. For me, the question has...
Parasite control is often discussed in very simple terms: drops, a tablet, a collar, a dewormer or a ‘natural’ product. In reality, parasite control is a very broad concept: some products are intended for parasites that live on the dog, such as ticks and fleas, while others target worms or...
Fenton was diagnosed with pannus two weeks before his 9th birthday. My first thought, honestly, was: why now? Pannus is often described as an eye disease that develops in middle age in German Shepherds and other predisposed breeds, but the actual age range is broader. For example, in a retrospective...
