More toes on the back feet than the front?
Q: I’ve noticed my dog has five toes on each of his front feet and four on each of his back feet? Is
that normal?
Buddy...
Don’t Try to Remove the Porcupine Quills Yourself!
Porcupines don’t live in the south (except for the mountains of Virginia) but do reside in the rest of the country. And where they...
Dogs Who Don’t Exercise Regularly Appear At Much Greater Risk for Dementia
An inactive dog is between six and seven times likelier to have dementia than a dog of the same age and breed who engages...
Short Takes November 2022
Bladder Cancer: Much More Serious In Dogs
n Any type of malignant tumor is serious, of course, but the good news for people is that...
Antibiotics Losing Their Effectiveness in Dogs, Too
You’ve probably heard of antibiotic resistance — the ability of bacteria that are causing an infection to resist the workings of the antibiotics prescribed...
Dear Doctor November 2022
Braces for Fido
Q: My vet said my young dog needs braces. Can that possibly be right?
Elsie Schwartz
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Ms. Schwartz,
A: Yes. It’s not for...
What Looks Amusing May Be a Sign of Ill Health
Perhaps you’ve seen the online videos of dogs with an adorably goofy-looking gait. They put one front leg very decidedly in front of the...
How Not to Diagnose a Food Allergy
Your dog’s skin often seems to irritate her — she either scratches or licks excessively. Or she somewhat frequently experiences digestive issues in the...
Donate Your Dog to Science — From Home
The Dog Aging Project, a national research effort to learn how to foster healthy longevity in canines and, by extension, in people, is looking...
Short Takes: September 2022
Brush Your Short-Haired Dog, Too
Even short-haired breeds like beagles and boxers require regular brushing, not just Afghans and collies. Why?
Brushing doesn’t just make...
What to Watch For After Your Dog’s Vaccinations
Tens of millions of pets are vaccinated without any problems every single year. You should never hesitate to have your dog receive the vaccinations...
What’s a Veterinary Technician?
Imagine if someone who didn’t go to nursing school could pass her or himself off as a nurse, work in a hospital or doctor’s...
