DOG HEALTH AND MEDICINE

[From Tufts November 2011 Issue]

My golden has just been diagnosed with pigmentary uveitis. I never heard of it and wonder how many other dogs may have it. The vet eye doc said it is genetic. Is that true? Could it have been diagnosed before the secondary glaucoma and cataracts have destroyed my dogs sight? I do not know my 12-year-old dogs background as he was a rescue from animal control when he was about a year old.
Claudia Mullen
Lake County, Florida

[From Tufts July 2011 Issue]

A myth persists that dogs who live indoors with only brief trips outside don't need protection against heartworm. The reality about the disease — which is spread by mosquitoes — comes down to simple mathematics. "Dogs bitten by more mosquitoes are at increased risk of developing heartworm disease when compared with dogs bitten by fewer mosquitoes," says Michael Stone, DVM, a specialist in internal medicine at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

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[From Tufts July 2011 Issue]

Warm weather encourages owners and dogs to spend more time outside. While summer offers outdoor fun, it's easy to overlook dangers that could harm your dog, says Scott Shaw, DVM, a specialist in emergency and critical care at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Fireworks top the list for risky business. "Dogs shouldn't be around fireworks at all," Dr. Shaw says. "They can chase thrown fireworks and get burned or injured." Some fireworks contain toxic substances that can poison dogs if chewed or swallowed. The explosions also can scare them. "The same dogs that are afraid of thunder will freak out on the 4th of July," he says.

[From Tufts August 2011 Issue]

Last year I purchased a 3-month-old mahogany colored poodle with green eyes - a beautiful dog. I have had mostly springer spaniels for many years, and this guy has a habit that stumps me.Cappy will take my wrist or hand gently in his mouth and rub his tongue across my skin. I have asked many experts what he is doing, but none can come up with an answer except, He owns you. Is there some reason he does this?
Irene Byington
Shelter Island, N.Y.

[From Tufts December 2011 Issue]

Folk wisdom has long held that a warm, dry nose means a dog is sick. Veterinarians frequently hear the comment from owners, says Michael Stone, DVM, a specialist in small animal medicine at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, but the truth is that its a fallacy in most cases.

Snoring has been an age-old problem in dogs and people. In both instances, it can be a harmless nuisance or a sign of an anatomical problem. In most cases, a dogs snoring is not a major cause for alarm, says Elizabeth Rozanski, assistant professor of emergency and critical care at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The key is to determine what is considered normal for your dog. …

My 1-year-old male golden retriever has just been diagnosed with panosteitis, and I have been searching for more information on it. Im told it is more common in shepherds and wolfhounds. My vet said its a bone inflammation that may stay with him for two to five years. We have changed his breeder-recommended kibble (evidently, the protein amount is higher than the original). He is now on a senior blend, 50 mg of Deramaxx for…

Restoring a dogs health requires a partnership between owner and veterinarian. The veterinarian selects the appropriate medicine and relies on the owner to give the medicine in the correct dose at the right time for the full duration. Far too often, the medicine stays in the refrigerator or the medicine cabinet because an owner lacks the confidence to administer it or tires of struggling with his dog to accept the medicine.

[From Tufts December 2010 Issue] This is the first of an occasional column by best-selling author Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, DACVB, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cummings School. When Bernie was first brought to see me, he was 2 years, 10 months old. His owner, a charming older woman living alone, clearly doted on Bernie. A castrated male, Bernie was first acquired by the woman from a breeder when he was 8 weeks of age. He…

[From Tufts January 2011 Issue] Its easy to spot problems with the muzzle - the dogs snout - because the signs are readily discernible. The skin or nose may exhibit depigmentation, ulcers, scaling, itchiness or redness. The muzzle includes the nasal planum, or nose; the nasal cavity, or interior of the muzzle; and the skin and bone overlying the nasal cavity. Diseases of the nasal cavity are usually associated with sneezing, bleeding and discharge from the nostrils.…

"Jessie was one of a kind," says Bill Tidman of his shepherd/collie mix. "Other than my wife, she was my best friend.""She was just...

Q We have a Samoyed, about nine years old and in good health. Recently, he was shaved head to tail for an accumulation of burrs. Our previous groomer had not been brushing him well (its quite an event to brush him-he has a huge mane of white fur and a lot of undercoating), and the new groomer ended up having to shave him almost completely, even around the neck area. There were burrs embedded everywhere.