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[From Tufts October 2010 Issue]

Dogs dont speak English, Russian, Spanish, Japanese or any other human language, for that matter. That doesnt mean they cant communicate with us. In fact, as any savvy dog owner knows, dogs can be quite proficient at communicating their desires. One of the first, most important communications that most owners want to teach their dogs to offer is I have to go out!

Paying attention is the key to successful interspecies communication. Some humans seem to think that their dogs should make the effort to understand English quickly, without realizing they need to make an effort to understand what their dogs are communicating.

Shouting the message

[From Tufts November 2010 Issue]

We had dinner at a friends one evening several years ago. She shares her home with an Australian cattle dog who is the love of her life. They enjoy many mutual communications, not just the I have to go out one. However, Luke the dog has a Ph.D. in I have to go out! and isnt afraid to use it.

Just as we sat down to eat, he barked at the door to go out. Linda rose to let him out and rejoined us. Three minutes passed and Luke barked to come back in. Linda excused herself from the table and opened the door for him again. Five minutes later he was barking to go out again, and Linda obliged. She calmly interrupted her meal no less than a dozen times to cater to his demands. It would make me crazy to live with this. She never turned a hair. Lukes repeated trips outdoors were his entertainment. Regular veterinary exams showed he had no health problems.

[From Tufts November 2010 Issue]

We recently got a 9-year-old border terrier from a breeder. She is a great little dog - affectionate and well trained. She had a seizure last week that made her very stiff and shaking. It lasted about three to four minutes.

After it passed, she was herself again and suffered no ill effects that I could see. We took her to the vet, and he said he heard about this - it is called canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome - but he did not know very much about it. The breeder told me that our dog had a seizure about five years ago.

I am very concerned because we do not know how to handle this. Is it dangerous and life threatening? Can anything be done about it? If you have any information or suggestions, it would be most appreciated.

My 8-year-old Norwegian elkhound has a sebaceous cyst problem. I have anywhere from 6 to 12 removed every year. I know the breed is known for this problem. Is there anything I can do or give her that will help prevent or reduce these cysts?

The holidays are fast approaching. The prospect of friends and family dropping in for festive visits looms large, and youve procrastinated on your commitment to teach your dog better company behavior. Your biggest concern: Your dog is quite vocal about announcing guests and sharing party conversations. Last year was a nightmare, and you have vowed not to repeat the experience. What can you possibly do in a few short weeks?

[From Tufts December 2010 Issue]

Obesity has become a major public health threat, increasing at a rate faster than anyone could have imaged, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Twenty-seven percent, or 72 million, of U.S. adults are obese. Nine states had obesity rates of 30 percent or more last year, compared to three states in 2007.

At the same time, the FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine says obesity among dogs is also increasing at an alarming rate. Estimates are that 25 to 44 percent of dogs are clinically obese.

[From Tufts December 2010 Issue]

Want to start an exercise program with your dog? Its easy. Take your dog for a walk. Every day. Twice a day if you can manage it. If youre both out of shape, check with your own doctor and your dogs veterinarian, then start slowly and build up.

We believe in starting where youre at, says Robert F. Kushner, MD. If youre a couch potato, start off with bite-size pieces: 5-, 10- or 15-minute walks.

[From Tufts August 2011 Issue]

My black male standard poodle is 2 years old. Since September he has had clusters of seizures, from two to five of them within a 24-hour period about every three weeks. Hestarted taking 98.2 milligrams of phenobarbitol twice a day,and 200 milligrams of zonisamide were added twice a day by our vet because symptoms were worsening.

[From Tufts August 2011 Issue]

I was eager to read the article in your March issue by Edie Jarolim concerning vaccination choices [Vaccinations present an array of choices/The vet can help determine the best course based on health and life stage, March 2011] but was disappointed that no mention was made of the possibility of auto-immune encephalitis as a reactionto vaccinations.

I got my beautiful little Annie, a Maltese, at 4 months of age in August 2009. In November of that year, about two and a half weeks after her booster shot, she was diagnosed with auto-immune encephalitis. After a month-long battle that included an MRI, hospitalizations, seizures and more, I had to put her to sleep at only 8 months of age. It was a devastating loss and I am immensely concerned that it could happen again.

[From Tufts November 2011 Issue]

I have two cockapoos who will be 2 years old in December. Ever since we got them, they have suffered from carsickness. It takes only about five minutes of riding before one of them vomits. We want to drive to Florida in November but dont want them sick all the way down. Is there anything that can stop this?
Linda Becknell
Richmond, Ill.

[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 December 2011 Issue]

I would like to give my dog more exercise by bike riding with her. She is about 20 pounds and can outrun me (who cant?). Any advice? I dont want to get hurt or hurt her.
Mark Benjamin
Elkins Park, Pa.

Taking your dog on a bike ride can be a great way to give her some quick exercise. However, the practice can be dangerous for both dog and owner, and its definitely not for every dog. Here are some pointers: