Dog Health: The Questions Owners Actually Ask

Growing up with a Golden Retriever, I remember hearing people explain that the black spot on his tongue was the result of Chow Chow bloodlines somewhere in his breeding. Like most kids, I believed what I heard, but it tu

Acupuncture is one of the most common natural therapies used by holistic veterinarians.

If you’re a dog owner, you’re probably aware that canine companions, like humans, can be allergic to different types of food or things in the environment, such as grass or pollen. But what about being allergic to other a

In early March 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the COVID-19 novel coronavirus is a global pandemic. In the panic over the spread of the virus, people are worried not only about their own health but the

Is everything in a dog’s world black and white? That idea that dogs can’t see color was widely accepted for decades, but new research and conclusions about canine anatomy and behavior have shown that while dogs can’t see

Dear AKC: When I take my floppy-eared dog to be groomed, he sometimes comes back shaking his head like his ear is bothering him. It appears to be a little irritated. He does occasionally get ear infections. Is there any

Early socialization is important for helping puppies grow up into well-rounded adults. But it’s also important to keep your puppy safe. Unvaccinated puppies are vulnerable to dangerous illnesses like parvovirus, leptospi

Recent news reports from Wisconsin about a rare infection spread by cats and dogs have caused concern among pet owners. Capnocytophaga, as hard to treat as it is to pronounce, is a common bacteria found in our pets. Whil

Aging is a natural part of life, even for dogs. Their pace slows, their naps increase, and their coats may get gray. Giant breeds like the Mastiff are considered seniors by 6 or 7 years old, whereas toy breeds like the Y

Dogs are susceptible to many diseases transmitted by contact with infected dogs or wildlife. Here are the common canine diseases:

As a breeder, you know that a puppy can go from happily playing to feeling under the weather within a matter of hours. After several litters, you may know the symptoms that indicate a minor illness versus symptoms that c

A few years ago, a photo showing what appears to be dozens of ladybugs embedded onto the roof of a dog’s mouth was shared around social media, warning pet owners. But should dog owners be worried about letting their dogs

It’s summertime, and what could be better than a day at the beach with your best canine pal? For your dog, you should pack beach-friendly dog gear, like canine sunscreen, fresh water, insulated dog bowl, dog water bottle

AKC guidance on dog grooming.

Big, brave, and beautiful, Great Danes hold a special place in our hearts. But despite their larger-than-life persona, this giant breed has a relatively short life span.

Merck Veterinary Manual guidance on selecting a dog - dog owners.

Keeping your dog healthy takes more than just daily feeding and exercise. To be healthy, dogs require regular veterinary checkups, grooming, and a safe home environment.

Puppies can leave their mother at about 7–8 weeks old. At this point, they can feed themselves. Puppies need a lot of care, including vet visits, feeding, socialization, and training.

Merck Veterinary Manual guidance on behavior modification in dogs - dog owners.

Merck Veterinary Manual guidance on behavior problems in dogs - dog owners.

The function of white blood cells (also called leukocytes) is to defend the body against infection. There are 2 main types of white blood cells formed in the bone marrow: phagocytes and lymphocytes.

Anemia occurs when there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells, which can be measured by red blood cell count or hemoglobin concentration. It can develop from loss, destruction, or lack of production of red bloo

Merck Veterinary Manual guidance on blood parasites of dogs - dog owners.

Bleeding disorders may be present at birth (congenital) or occur later (acquired). Defects in blood clotting proteins usually show up as delayed bleeding and bruising deep in tissues, while platelet defects usually show

Leukocytes, or white blood cells, include neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils (see ). These cells vary with regard to where they are produced, how long they circulate in the bloodstream, and t

Malignant lymphoma is a common cancer in dogs. It is a progressive, deadly disease caused by the harmful growth of lymphocytes. Lymphoma most commonly arises from lymphoid tissues in the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes,

Lameness is a sign of illness, not a specific disease. It may indicate a disorder in the musculoskeletal system. Signs of musculoskeletal disorders include weakness, lameness, limb swelling, and joint dysfunction. Nerve

Myopathies are diseases that primarily cause damage to muscles or muscle tissues. They may be present at birth or occur due to nutritional imbalances, injury, metabolic disturbances, cancer, or ingestion of a poisonous s

Bone disorders can be developmental, infectious, nutritional, or due to bone tumors, trauma, or unknown causes.

Hip dysplasia is an abnormal development of the hip joint in large dogs. It is characterized by a loose joint and subsequent degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis). Excessive growth, exercise, nutrition, and heredit

The joint cartilage in freely moving joints may degenerate over time, leading to loss of joint movement and, in many cases, pain. This condition is characterized by thinning of cartilage, buildup of fluid within the join

Paralysis of a leg often results from damage to the peripheral spinal nerves. Paralysis of a front leg is usually associated with injury to the nerve roots in the neck or shoulder, injury to the network of nerves found d

Inflammation of the meninges, the membranous covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) often are seen simultaneously (meningoencephalitis), although either can devel

Rabies is a viral infection of the nervous system that mainly affects carnivores and bats, although it can affect any mammal. It is caused by the rabies virus. It causes sudden, progressive inflammation in the brain and

Each species of animal has its own unique type of teeth, depending on what type of food the animal normally eats. For example, a meat-eating animal, such as a cat, has quite different teeth than a grass-eating animal, su

Many of the dental disorders of dogs are similar to those found in people. Proper dental care, including preventive methods like tooth brushing, can help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.

Vomiting is the forceful ejection of the contents (such as food, fluids, or debris) of the stomach and upper small intestine. It is typically preceded by other signs, such as nausea, excessive drooling, retching, and for

Diseases that affect the stomach and intestines are common in dogs. They include infectious diseases such as bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases and noninfectious disorders, such as tumors, bloat, and obstruction.

Many parasites can infect the digestive system of dogs (see table: Gastrointestinal Parasites of Dogs). The most common ones are described below. Some gastrointestinal parasites of dogs can also cause disease in people (

A dog's ear is responsible for hearing and balance. It has three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

The ear canal carries sound to the eardrum. The most common disorder of this canal in dogs is otitis externa—inflammation of the ear canal’s lining.

The eyes of animals, including dogs' eyes, function much like yours. Animals also develop many of the same eye problems that people can have, including cataracts, glaucoma, and other problems. It is important for your do

Severe prolapse (slipping out of place) and/or bulging of the eye can be caused by trauma. It is common in dogs. The chances of a good outcome depend on the severity of the injury, the breed of dog, depth of the eye sock

Slightly more than 10% of the animals examined by a veterinarian have some form of cardiovascular disease. Unlike diseases of many other organ systems, cardiovascular diseases generally do not go away but almost always b

Treatment of cardiovascular disease should be specific for the type of disease. Some defects can be repaired or corrected with surgery, while other conditions can be managed with medical therapy using one or a combinatio

Heart failure is not a specific disease or diagnosis. It is a syndrome in which severe dysfunction results in failure of the cardiovascular system to maintain adequate blood circulation. There are limited and specific me

Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal, but preventable, infection caused by a worm parasite, Dirofilaria immitis. The organism is transmitted by mosquitoes, which carry the heartworm larvae (called microfilariae) from

The pancreas is composed of several types of cells that have distinct functions involved in the production of hormones and digestive enzymes. The exocrine pancreas produces enzymes that are essential for the digestion of

The pituitary gland is located near the center and bottom of the brain. It produces a number of critical hormones that control many parts of the body, including several other endocrine glands. Because of this central rol

Immune-deficiency diseases have serious consequences and often lower the body’s defenses against infection. Some are inherited, and others are caused by viral infections or cancer.

Cancer occurs when cells grow out of control. This can happen with the cells of the immune system. The tumor cells do not usually perform normal functions, which leads to immunodeficiencies.

Lungworm infections in dogs are usually caused by the tracheal worm Oslerus osleri. They have been found in the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Great Britain, France, and Australia. Adult lungworms live

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and airways that causes breathing difficulties and deficiency of oxygen in the blood. There are many possible causes. The most common cause of pneumonia is a viral infection of t

In both animals and people, fever may indicate infection, inflammation, an immune-mediated disease, or cancer. Determining the cause of a fever requires a history, physical examination, and sometimes laboratory or other

Malignant hyperthermia is seen mostly in pigs, but it has also been reported in dogs (especially Greyhounds), cats, and horses. This syndrome is characterized by abnormally high body temperature and muscle contraction th

Several reproductive diseases can affect male dogs. This section discusses the most common of these disorders.

There are many reproductive diseases that can affect female dogs. The most common diseases are discussed in this section.

The frequency of mammary tumors in different species varies tremendously. The dog is by far the most frequently affected domestic species, with a rate that is about 3 times that found in women. About half of all tumors i

The skin is the largest organ of your dog’s body. It provides a protective barrier against the environment, regulates temperature, and gives your dog its sense of touch. Depending on the species and age, the skin may be

Successful treatment of skin disorders requires identification of the underlying cause. Not surprisingly, many treatments for skin diseases are applied directly to the skin surface (topically). It may be the preferred me

Like people, dogs can be allergic to various substances, including plant particles and other substances in the air or substances in food. These substances are called allergens. Allergens are substances that, when inhaled

Fleas are small wingless insects that feed on animal blood. In addition to being a nuisance, they can also transmit diseases and cause allergies or anemia. There are more than 2,200 species of fleas recognized worldwide.

Flies are winged insects that are usually just an annoyance, but they can transmit disease and cause problems in animals. They belong to a large, complex order of insects called Diptera. Flies vary greatly in size, food

Alopecia is the partial or complete lack of hairs in areas where they are normally present. Hair loss is a sign and its underlying cause must be determined for the condition to be successfully treated. If a dog has hair

Lice are small, flightless insects that live in the hair or feathers of animals and people. There are 2 basic types of lice. Biting or chewing lice (order Mallophaga) infest both birds and mammals. They feed mostly on sk

Mange is caused by microscopic mites that invade the skin of otherwise healthy animals. The mites cause irritation of the skin, resulting in itching, hair loss, and inflammation. Most types of mange are highly contagious

A parasite is any living thing that lives in, on, or with another living thing (known as a host) and that depends on the host for its food and shelter. While the parasite benefits from this relationship, the host does no

Ringworm is an infection of skin, hair, or claws caused by a type of fungus. In dogs, about 70% of ringworm cases are caused by the fungus Microsporum canis, 20% by Microsporum gypseum, and 10% by Trichophyton mentagroph

In dogs, seborrhea is a skin disease that is characterized by a defect in keratinization or cornification of the outer layer of the skin, hair follicles, or claws. Keratinization is the process in which the protective ou

Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that attach themselves to animals and people. Once attached to a host, ticks feed voraciously. As they feed, ticks can transmit a large number of diseases, including Rocky Mountain spott

Tumors are abnormal growths of cells. Tumors affecting the skin or the tissue just under the skin are the most commonly seen tumors in dogs. Skin tumors are diagnosed more frequently than other tumors in animals in part

Merck Veterinary Manual guidance on fungal infections in dogs - dog owners.

Infectious canine hepatitis is a contagious, worldwide disease of dogs. Signs can range from mild fever and mild inflammation of the membranes inside the mouth, nose and eyes, to severe illness involving weakness, a shar

Mycobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium bacteria. Mycobacteriosis can affect many animal species and was a major disease in both people and domestic animals before modern control measures.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a disease that affects both people and dogs and is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. This disease occurs in certain parts of North, Central, and South America and is spread mainly

The total number of red cells, and thus the oxygen-carrying capacity, remains constant over time in healthy animals. Mature red blood cells have a limited life span; their production and destruction must be carefully bal

Platelets are small, cell-like particles produced in the bone marrow and then released into the blood. They function to start the formation of blood clots. Platelets gather where bleeding occurs and clump together to for

Facial paralysis in dogs may result from injuries caused by rough handling or other trauma, such as automobile accidents, inner ear infections, hypothyroidism, tumors, and unknown causes. Paralysis on one side of the fac

Tick paralysis is a rapidly progressive motor paralysis caused by a toxin in the tick's saliva that attacks the nervous system. Certain species of ticks are known to cause tick paralysis. People (especially children) and

Deafness can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later from infection, injury, or changes to the cochlea.

Tumors can develop from structures lining or supporting the ear canal—skin, earwax and oil glands, bone, connective tissue, muscle, or deeper skin layers. Tumors of the external ear canal and pinna are more common than t

Dogs, like people, can develop glaucoma. Glaucoma occurs when an imbalance in production and drainage of fluid in the eye (aqueous humor) causes a buildup of fluid that increases eye pressure to unhealthy levels. The inc

Allergic pneumonitis is an acute or chronic allergic reaction of the lungs and small airways. The lungs “overreact” to the presence of a parasite or other irritant, causing inflammation and a longterm cough. There is oft

The canine nasal mite, also known by the scientific names Pneumonyssoides caninum or Pneumonyssus caninum, has been reported worldwide. All breeds, ages, and sexes of dogs appear to be affected, although one report sugge

The diaphragm is a layer of muscle that extends across the base of the chest. Contraction of the diaphragm causes the lungs to expand and fill with air. A diaphragmatic hernia is a condition in which a break in the diaph

The larynx is the part of the throat often called the “voice box” in humans. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It may result from upper respiratory tract infection or by direct irritation from inhalation of du

One of the most common upper respiratory tract malfunctions is rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose) or other damage to the nasal mucous membranes. It is often associated with sinusitis, or inflamma

An abscess, or localized infection of the skin, between the toes is also called an interdigital furuncle. It is similar to a severely infected pimple or boil on the face. These painful, pus-filled blisters often occur in

This disease is seen worldwide but is more common in the tropics. It is known by a number of names, including “strawberry footrot.” Among companion animals, it is seen most frequently in horses. Dogs and cats rarely have

Hyperpigmentation is a darkening and thickening of the skin seen in dogs. It is not a specific disease but a reaction of a dog’s body to certain conditions.

Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation within the skin that provokes the desire to scratch. Itching is a sign, not a diagnosis or specific disease. The most common causes of itching are parasites, infections, and

Nasal dermatoses are diseases of the skin on or near the nose. The nose itself is often referred to as the nasal planum. Some of these conditions are sometimes known as Collie nose or nasal solar dermatitis, depending on

Photosensitization is a clinical condition in which skin is oversensitive to sunlight; this condition is not sunburn. Certain molecules present in the skin are energized by light. When the molecules return to the less en

Pyoderma literally means “pus in the skin.” It can be caused by infection, inflammation, or cancer and is common in dogs.

Actinomyces bacteria normally live in the mouth and throat. Several types can cause disease, called actinomycosis, in dogs:

Amyloidosis happens when abnormal protein material called amyloid builds up in organs. Some forms of this disease are genetic and are inherited (for example, Chinese Shar-Pei have increased risk). Other cases happen afte

Merck Veterinary Manual guidance on anthrax in dogs - dog owners.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect the whole body. It can cause fever, low white blood cell counts, eye and nose discharge, digestive signs, lung inflammation, and brain inflammation. I

Canine herpesvirus infection is most dangerous for newborn puppies, in which it can be severe and often fatal. In adult dogs, it can cause respiratory problems, eye disease, inflammation of the vagina in females (causing

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by many different species and variants of Leptospira bacteria.

Melioidosis is a bacterial infection that affects both people and animals. It is caused by infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterium found in soil and water in regions such as southeast Asia, northern Austral

Neosporosis is caused by infection with the protozoal parasite Neospora caninum, which has been identified in dogs, cattle, horses, and other animals. The parasite needs dogs, however, to complete its life cycle.

Nocardiosis is a long-term, bacterial infection caused by Nocardia bacteria. These organisms are commonly found in soil, decaying plants, and other environmental sources. Infection usually occurs when bacteria enter the

Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the inside of the abdomen. It is a serious condition in dogs and is often life-threatening, with about half to two-thirds of affected dogs dying. It

Plague is a sudden and sometimes fatal disease caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria. It is mainly spread through fleas that live on rats and other rodents. This is the same disease known as the black death, which caused ma

Tetanus is caused by a toxin made by bacteria that block nerve signals, leading to severe muscle stiffness or spasms and extreme responses to stimulation. This toxin is produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria found in de

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a microscopic protozoal parasite that infects people and other warm-blooded animals. It is found worldwide.

Tularemia is a disease that can affect people as well as many wild and domestic animals. It is caused by Francisella tularensis bacteria, which produce toxins in the blood.