Dogs and Leptospirosis A disease potentially harmful to dogs, leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira interrogans. Omni-present in the environment because it’s borne by numerous animals, including rats and skunks, raccoons, feral cats and domestic livestock, the organism is carried in their kidneys and excreted through their urine. Dogs will often contract the disease by swimming in stagnant water or by drinking from contaminated puddles of water. Known to ex

How many times have we humans heard the expression, “You’re only as old as you feel”? And why is it that some days, despite our actual age, we feel younger than we are, while other days, we feel older, much older? So it is with our canine companions. What constitutes a senior in one breed may be an adult in another – with plenty of room for peppiness in both. Although most veterinarians agree that a dog is considered “senior” around the age of 7, what matters more is the size

Canine parvovirus (CPV), commonly referred to as parvo, is one of the most serious viruses that puppies, adolescent and mature dogs can contract. Why? Because this potentially fatal virus is especially difficult to kill, is able to exist for an extremely long time in the environment, and is shed in very large quantities by infected dogs. There are two slightly different strains of canine parvovirus: CPV-2a and CPV-2b. While both cause the same disease, CPV-2b is associated wi

A puppy-proofed home is a pet-safe home whatever the age of your new dog. Before those front paws cross your threshold for the first time, your home must be a health zone, not a hazard zone. Begin the process of pet-proofing by walking through your home, room by room, searching methodically for things a dog might climb, knock over or pull down, and either secure, remove or store them. Keep all trashcans behind closed and latched doors and wastebaskets (covered if possible) ou

A single bite from a single infected mosquito can cause an otherwise healthy dog to develop heartworm disease and potentially die. A heartworm is a parasitic worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an affected dog. The worms travel through the bloodstream, damaging arteries, and vital organs as they go, before arriving at the lungs and heart approximately six months after that initial mosquito bite. Several hundred worms can live in a sing

As unpleasant as the prospect may seem, planning for emergencies may mean the difference between life and death for the canine member(s) of your human family. Simply put: if a situation is dire for you, it’s equally dire for your dog. If you live in an area prone to such natural disasters as tornadoes, earthquakes or floods, plan accordingly. Determine in advance which rooms are “safe” rooms -- easily cleaned areas like utility rooms, bathrooms and basements. Because access t

Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney or renal failure, is one of the most common age-related conditions in senior dogs. Unlike acute kidney failure (occurring suddenly, it’s mainly caused by the ingestion of a toxic substance like antifreeze or by an inadequate flow of blood to the kidneys), chronic kidney failure is a progressive disease in which a dog’s kidney function declines over months, even years, before any symptoms appear. Small breed dogs may show ea

If you’re presently working from home, like millions of other dog owners, the success of this “new normal” – however long it lasts – will depend as much on you as on the personality of your particular pup. Dogs are essentially creatures of habit. And while they may relish your unexpected availability – whether it’s to play with them, pet them or snuggle with them -- they may also suffer from separation anxiety once you return to work. It’s vital then to promptly establish a r