Corpulent Canines?

Our dogs depend on us to put food in their bowls. And, more often than not, we are putting in too much! I have assessed the weight on hundreds of dogs of a variety of breeds over the past year at seminars all over the country and a conservative estimate is that about 50% of the dogs that I see are overweight; approximately 25% are actually obese. These are not couch potato dogs. These are dogs whose owners expect them to jump in obedience, to run over rough ground in retrieving tests, and to perform in agility. And we are seeing the sad results: ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments (often both legs), severe degenerative arthritis in dogs in their prime, degenerative disk disease, and many more conditions that are caused by, or exacerbated by, excess weight. Read more »

Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete

One Veterinarian’s Opinion

Those of us with responsibility for the health of canine athletes need to continually read and evaluate new scientific studies to ensure that we are taking the most appropriate care of our performance dogs. This article provides evidence through a number of recent studies to suggest that veterinarians and owners working with canine athletes should revisit the standard protocol in which all dogs that are not intended for breeding are spayed and neutered at or before 6 months of age. Read more »

Teeth Can Do More Than Bite

Teeth can make your dog sick, very sick. When they are not cared for properly, the resultant plaque and tartar accumulation and periodontal disease are breeding grounds for bacteria that travel to other parts of the body, damaging the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and other organs. A recent article in Dog World by Shawn Messonnier DVM stated, “Periodontal disease is actually the most common cause of infectious disease in dogs and cats.” An article by M. Christine Zink DVM PhD said, “Periodontal disease is, in fact, the most common reason for kidney failure in dogs.”
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