The Dog Health Handbook Blog

Dog Health problems are sometimes a mystery since many symptoms are associated with the same illnesses. Our goal is to provide up to date information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of common dog health care issues. This way you as an owner can have an informed conversation with the dog health professional or veterinarian. The Dog Health Handbook is not a substitute for professional care, particularly since very dog has needs which are unique.

Dec 23, 2023

Information and Tips For Dog Debarking

Our vets discuss the numerous debarking techniques such as: training, via the use of medications and special canine debarking collars.

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May 02, 2020

How To Protect Your Dog's Joints | Dog Health Handbook

Types of dog joint problems and tips for how to protect your dog's joints.

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Apr 05, 2020

How To Prevent Excessive Shedding in Dogs | Dog Health Handbook

Tips for how to minimize excessive shedding in dogs. Causes and tips for reducing dog hair loss.

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Dec 31, 2018

Dog Health Handbook Guide To Canine Behavior And Diseases

The Dog Health Handbook is a guide to the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of canine behavior problems, diseases and conditions. Ask our Vet a Question.

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Jun 26, 2018

2018 Guide to Buying the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair. Buying tips and reviews.

2018 Guide to buying the best vacuum for pet hair. Reviews and buying guide. See our picks for best upright, canister and small pet vacuum cleaners.

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Jun 23, 2018

Dog Scabies Picture Podcast and Treatment Advice

Dog scabies guide. Hear our podcast, see a picture and read about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of scabies on dogs.

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Jun 23, 2018

Ask A Veterinarian A Question

Veterinarian questions can be asked online from either a paid service or by submitting a question to our site. We'll answer 1 dog vet question free every week.

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Mar 04, 2018

Treating a Dog Mast Cell Tumor

Dog Mast Cell Tumor

Reader Question - Dog Mast Cell Treatment: We have a 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier that started limping. We thought it was needing his nails

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Mar 04, 2018

Causes of Puppy Diarrhea

Reader Question: Treatment for Puppy with Diarrhea and Roundworms Hi Andrea, I have a Maltese/bichon cross pup, Matilda, who is 14 weeks old. I bought

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Dec 31, 2017

Canine Lung Cancer Symptoms

Canine lung cancer symptoms tend to be generalized and difficult to associate with lung cancer in dogs specifically. Respiratory problems such as a cough that doesn't respond to treatment is an early indicator that dog lung cancer may be the underlying cause of the condition.

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Aug 30, 2017

Dog Slipped and Swelling Not Going Down

Hi, I have an 8-year-old cross breed Rottweiler, Alsatian. A good month ago my dog was jumping at the tv and slipped on my wood flooring. Since then

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Jun 07, 2017

Dog Poop Problems: How To Diagnose Stool Problem

Reader Question: How to Diagnose a Dog Stool Problem My 7-year-old lab mix has been dropping quarter-size pieces of poop. It usually happens after she

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Jun 07, 2017

Diagnosis of a Chronic Dog Skin Problem

Rebels skin problem

Reader Question: How to Diagnose a Chronic Dog Skin Problem I love my dog! Rebel is a great 15-year-old English Cocker with chronic skin problems all

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May 14, 2017

Does my Golden Retriever have a skin infection?

Reader Question on Possible Skin Infection Followed by Suggestion From Our Vet I was out of town for 3 days and when I came back I noticed a scab about

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May 14, 2017

Can you help with my dog's cloudy eye problem?

Dog's Bad Eye: View 1

Reader Question on Cloudy Eye Followed by Suggestion From Our Vet We bought our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (female), Teal, at Pet Land in June or July

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May 06, 2017

Guide to Cancer in Dogs: Types, Treatment, Diet and More

This guide provides information on the symptoms and treatment options for the many forms of canine cancer and provides additional resources such as clinical trials.

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Apr 28, 2017

Does my dog have canine fungus or mange?

Reader Question on Treatment for Skin Sores Followed by Suggestion From Our Vet My dog is a female 4-year-old Formosan Mountain Dog. She just came out

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Feb 16, 2017

Canine Cancer Diets Guide: Commercial and Homemade

Recommendations for commercial and homemade canine cancer diets. Review the latest research and recommendations for dog cancer diets.

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Nov 28, 2016

Dark Growth on Dog's Rear Right Paw

Slip foot Growth 1

Can you tell me what this growth is on my dog's foot? He has been licking it. My dog is 9 years old, a Chorkie, a bit overweight and is on a diet now

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Nov 28, 2016

Cyst on Dachshund Stomach

Reader Question: Treatment for a dog skin cyst or mass. About 2 - 3 days ago, I noticed this uneven growth near his little pipi (neutered). It is right

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Jun 14, 2016

Dog Hemangiopericytoma Tumor Diagnosis and Prognosis

Reader Question: Does my dog have a cancerous tumor? I think my 7-9 year old Basenji has hemangiopericytoma type of cancer. She has a large growth subcutaneous

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Jun 14, 2016

Does My Dog Have Cushings Disease?

Reader Question: Does my beloved Golden have Cushings Disease? My dog Chip is 8 and is thirsty all the time, eats the same, pants and seems very ill

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Jun 14, 2016

Treating Black on Dog Skin

Reader Question: How do I treat and diagnose dark spots on dog skin that are only partially responding to treatment Hi Dr. Coates, I adopted a 10 pound

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Mar 21, 2016

Lesions under Dog's Eyes

Tears Can Cause Lesions Under Dog Eye

Reader Question: What is causing lesions under my dog's eyes? I have a solid white, deaf boxer/american bulldog. She developed brown spots on her skin

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Jan 01, 2016

Dog Giardia Treatment | Dog Health Handbook

Conventional and natural dog giardia treatment approaches. Steps for avoiding reoccurence along with recommended natural and prescription medications.

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Jan 01, 2016

Giardia in Dogs Guide | Dog Health Handbook

A guide to Giardia in dogs. Learn about the diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of canine giardia in adults and puppies.

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Jan 01, 2016

Diet for a Dog with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Reader Question: Best diet for IBD in dogs My 9 year old Bichon has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel disease. In the past 1 1/2 years, it has been

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Nov 27, 2015

Dislocated Eye in Dog

Dislocated Dog Eye

How to Treat A Dislocated Dog Eye Hello, My dog recently is experiencing a very nasty problem and I was wondering if you could help me out. He is a

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Nov 10, 2015

Dog Vaccination Schedule: Canine AAHA Recommended Vaccines

Follow this dog vaccination schedule. Learn about the core (required) and non core dog vaccine suggested by the AAHA now. Free brochure.

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Oct 01, 2015

Canine Lice

Reader Question: Last night I saw a very small wiggly little insect on my dog when I was checking him for fleas. It was about 1/8 to 1/4 in. long maybe

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Oct 01, 2015

Treating a Dog Skin Growth

Reader Question: I have a 9 y/o Rhodesian Ridgeback, with a solid, round, black, dime sized, mobile (not fixed to anything deep), raised growth on his

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Sep 10, 2015

Dog Ear Plugs Guide: Noise & Swimming Protection

Recommended dog ear plugs recommendations for protection from noise (fireworks, hunting, planes) or water (swimming). Video and pictures.

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Jul 08, 2015

Labrador Third Eye Lid Inflammation Normal or a Problem?

Reader Question: Are Red Dog Eyes a Problem at Night? I just adopted a beautiful, 6 year old, black lab mix from a local shelter. Since she is my first

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Jul 04, 2015

Dog Skin Tumors: Pictures and Treatment

This guide explores the diagnosis and treatment of dog skin tumors and various treatment options. Review pictures and tips.

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Jun 10, 2015

Canine Urinary Tract Infection Signs and Treatment

Guide to canine urinary tract infection signs and treatment.. Learn what to expect from your vet. Dog UTI prevention tips.

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Jun 02, 2015

Dog Adrenal Glands: Symptoms and Treatment

Read about the role of the adrenal glands and adrenal tumors in triggering conditions such as Cushing's disease and Addison's disease.

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Jun 02, 2015

Dog Heart Murmur: Grades and Treatment

Guide to the Dog heart murmur. Learn about types of canine heart murmurs, grading, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. Breed predispositions.

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May 28, 2015

Dog Knee Injuries

Dog knee injuries and their treatment. Infomration on common causes and dog knee problem treatment approaches.

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May 28, 2015

Dog Eye Ulceration and Red Dot

Our dog had a minor eye ulceration and was given eye ointment for treatment. Approximately 4 days later, he developed what appeared to be a scab on his

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May 28, 2015

Canine Fecal Incontinence

Canine fecal incontinence guide. Understand the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of fecal and bowel incontinence in dogs.

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May 28, 2015

Home Remedies Dog Ear Mites

Home remedies dog ear mites can be an effective way to treat mites in the outer ear. Several home remedies for canine ear mites are described here.

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May 20, 2015

Cloudiness in Dog Eyes

Signs of lenticular sclerosis in dog eyes

Reader Question and Vet Response: Cloudy Dog Eyes My dog Ginger is starting to have cloudiness in both eyes. She has is about 11 years old. She has never

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May 20, 2015

Red Bumps on Dog Stomach

Red Skin Bumps on Stomach

Reader Question: Pimples on dog stomach My dog has developed several red bumps on his groin area (and one on his chest) in the last couple of days. They

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Apr 23, 2015

Canine Glaucoma Can Progress to Blindness in 24 hours!

Our 8 yr old Saint Bernard, Clara is a goofy, spoiled member of our family. One Sunday morning, after attending church we noticed that she looked like

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Feb 03, 2015

Dog Diarrhea Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

This guide discusses diarrhea in dogs and what it can be caused by such as parasites, infection etc. Also discussed are treatment options.

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Jan 12, 2015

Canine Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Guide to canine arthritis. Podcast, pictures and FREE brochures on home and prescription medications and pain relief options. Free brochure and fact sheet.

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Jan 11, 2015

Dog Anal Gland Problems and Urination

Would very full anal glands prevent a small female poodle from completely emptying her bladder and thus lead to regression in house training? Vet Comments

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Jan 11, 2015

Dog Anal Glands That Constantly Drain

After going to vet yesterday and finding out our Catahoula/Great Dane does not have impacted anal glands, there is still an anal gland fluid that is draining

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Jan 11, 2015

Canine Anal Gland Problems and Hyperthyroidism

Our dog is being treated with antibiotics and warm compresses for an enlarged anal gland. As part of her assessment, significant weight loss was found

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Jan 11, 2015

Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Dogs

The vets found protein and blood in the urine and that the soloxin had no effect on the thyriod. She is now coughing up green flem and balding still symmetrically

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