DOG HEALTH AND MEDICINE

Back in December 2019, before anyone had ever heard the term “social distancing,” telemedicine remained largely at the margins of veterinary care. The concept of providing medical services to a pet without an in-person visit was out there, to be sure. The American Veterinary Medical Association even had guidelines for the use of technology such […]

“She has a sensitive stomach” is a common refrain heard by veterinarians. People want to know why their otherwise healthy dog vomits or has diarrhea or flatulence on a not-infrequent basis. The symptoms are not life-threatening or even terribly severe. The dog soon returns to herself. But owners are rightfully concerned. And food manufacturers are […]

If you see excessive dandruff on your dog’s body, he’s not unkempt. Rather, something has gone awry. “This is not about observing mild dandruff on a black dog — any white flecks on black hair are probably going to show,” says Tufts veterinary dermatologist Ramón Almela, DVM. “The stress of visiting the vet can also […]

Information has been changing very fast when it comes to the spread of COVID-19, but as of this writing, there have been no reported cases of dogs with the disease infecting people. There have in fact been very few reported cases of dogs with the virus at all, and in those situations, it appears that […]

ectopic [ek’täpik] adjective (medicine): in an abnormal place or position. ■ Your puppy is now close to a year old, but she is still frequently dribbling urine inside the house. Or she keeps getting urinary tract infections (UTIs). What could be going on? There is a reasonable chance that one or both of her ureters […]

It looks like a nasty red bump between two toes. You’ll tend to see one on larger breed dogs — Labrador or golden retrievers, English bulldogs, pit bull terriers. But cocker spaniels and pugs get them, too, and in fact no breed is immune. Medically, they’re called interdigital cysts — interdigital meaning that they’re between […]

Q. My 7-year-old terrier licks his paws constantly, as if they are itching. My groomer said it is just a dog’s habit, but I’m wondering if there’s something more going on. It’s pretty incessant. Henry Killings Carson, California Dear Mr. Killings, A. Take your terrier to the veterinarian. Occasional paw licking is plain old dog […]

All of a sudden your dog’s head seems like it’s in a permanent tilt. And his eyes are darting to and fro, making him look as though he is literally in a wild-eyed frenzy. He may also be having trouble balancing himself. Is he having a stroke? A seizure? Some other dangerous brain-related episode? Chances […]

There was once a time that dogs did not even get pain medicine for procedures like spaying or neutering, says Tufts veterinary pain specialist Alicia Karas, DVM, who currently serves as hospital director of Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties. But the veterinary community has made great leaps during the last several decades both in […]

People who are diagnosed with diabetes are automatically advised to limit and carefully count their carbohydrates — not just those from the sugar in...

Q. I enjoyed your article in the April issue about new cancer treatments on the horizon. I’ve also heard there is something called a...

Q. Usually the letters after a veterinarian’s name are DVM. But sometimes I see VMD. Is that a typo? Julie DeVito Levittown, Pennsylvania Dear Ms. DeVito, A. Nope,...