Educational Articles
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Dogs can be amazing family members and greatly enrich our lives! Adding a dog to the family is also a serious commitment, and research before choosing a dog will help set the family and the dog up for success. This handout goes over some factors to consider when selecting a dog.
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Fading puppy syndrome describes puppies that decline in health and die within about two weeks of birth. Neonatal puppies are fragile and so there can be many causes of this syndrome including birth defects, inadequate care from the mother, poor health status of the mother and/or infectious diseases. As well as addressing a specific cause, treatment focuses on maintaining hydration and warmth while providing adequate nutrition. Environmental hygiene is extremely important.
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The goal of feeding growing puppies is to lay the foundation for a healthy adulthood. Proper nutrition is critical to the health and development of puppies, and it directly influences their immune system and body composition. Work with your veterinary healthcare team to give your puppy the best chance for success at growing into a healthy adult dog.
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Orphaned puppies need extra care to compensate for the absence of their mother, and this article outlines the basics, including how and what to feed, how to monitor their weight, how to help them eliminate, and how to keep them safe from infection.
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Food-related aggression describes aggressive behavior when a dog is approached while eating. Dogs give subtle signals of discomfort first; these signals are your dog's attempts to communicate a need, politely and clearly. Recognizing these signs when they are subtle and intervening early is vital for preventing or addressing food-related aggression.
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Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time with plenty to consider. In this handout you will find general care advice for your puppy, including nutrition, play, chewing behavior, housetraining, socialization, nail trimming, and basic first aid.
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Giardia is a microscopic, parasitic organism that causes an intestinal infection in humans and animals called giardiasis. Giardiasis can be an important cause of diarrhea in animals, but many infected dogs never develop any signs of illness.
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A head halter, also known as a head collar, can provide better control and safety for some dogs. For head halter training to be successful, a proper fit is required, along with gentle leash handling and positive reinforcement training.
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Canine herpesvirus (CHV), or canine herpes, is a systemic, often fatal, disease of puppies caused by the canine herpes virus (CHV). Treatment of neonatal puppies is usually unsuccessful and most infected puppies die before medical help can be sought. Older puppies and adult dogs have a better prognosis if clinical signs are mild.
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Hookworm is a parasitic infection of the gastrointestinal tract. The parasites have hook-like mouthparts they use to anchor themselves to the lining of the intestinal wall. This handout outlines clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
