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Educational series on this topic
Arthritis Learning Series
Recognizing, diagnosing, and managing joint pain across a pet's life — from the earliest signs through medications, supplements, home setup, and long-term comfort.
Advanced Arthritis Treatments
Acupuncture, shockwave, PRP, stem cells, joint injections, and hip surgery — what the evidence really shows.
Canine Allergy Learning Center
Why dogs itch, the three types of allergies, recurring ear infections, paw licking, and hot spots — explained the way a veterinarian works through them.
Foreign Body Ingestion Learning Series
What happens when a dog swallows something they shouldn't — from the first hours through symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, and recovery.
Marijuana Toxicity Learning Series
What THC does to pets, what happens at the veterinary hospital, and what recovery and prevention look like at home.
Canine Seizures Learning Series
What a seizure looks like, what mimics one, how veterinarians diagnose the cause, and what living with epilepsy really involves.
59 articles for "dogs"
Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs and cats, yet the earliest signs are often mistaken for normal aging. Learn what happens inside an arthritic joint, which pets are at risk, and how early treatment can protect comfort and mobility.
Jul 30, 2026 · 10 min read
Recognizing Arthritis: The Signs Your Pet May Be Trying to Tell You
Most pets with arthritis never cry or limp dramatically. They simply stop doing the things they love. Learn the subtle signs of joint pain in dogs and cats, why pets hide discomfort, and when it is time to schedule a veterinary examination.
Jul 30, 2026 · 12 min read
How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?
How do veterinarians know it's really arthritis? Diagnosis comes from putting the pieces together: your story, the physical examination, gait evaluation, and—when appropriate—X-rays. Learn what each step reveals and why early diagnosis matters.
Jul 30, 2026 · 10 min read
Weight Management: The Most Powerful Arthritis Treatment You're Probably Overlooking
Medications matter, but if I could recommend only one thing for an overweight pet with arthritis, it would be helping them reach a healthy body weight. Learn why fat is inflammatory, why every pound matters, and how to lose weight safely without losing muscle.
Jul 30, 2026 · 9 min read
Exercise & Physical Rehabilitation: Motion Is Medicine
For most pets with arthritis, the goal isn't less movement—it's better movement. Learn which activities help, how physical rehabilitation and laser therapy fit in, how to exercise a cat, and when to stop.
Jul 30, 2026 · 9 min read
Arthritis Medications: Finding the Right Treatment for Your Pet
What's the best arthritis medication? Usually, there isn't just one. Learn how multimodal pain management combines medications, weight management, rehabilitation, and supplements—and why safety and realistic goals matter.
Jul 30, 2026 · 8 min read
NSAIDs for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: Benefits, Risks, and What Every Pet Owner Should Know
Are NSAIDs safe for long-term arthritis treatment? Learn how these medications reduce joint inflammation, what improvements to expect, which side effects to watch for, and why they should never be combined with human pain relievers.
Jul 30, 2026 · 9 min read
Adequan®: One of the Most Underused Arthritis Treatments in Veterinary Medicine
Adequan® Canine is one of the few FDA-approved medications designed to support joint health, not just relieve pain. Learn how it works, how it's given, which dogs benefit most, and why it's often overlooked.
Jul 30, 2026 · 7 min read
Librela® for Dogs: A New Way to Treat Arthritis Pain
Librela® is a monthly injection that blocks Nerve Growth Factor to reduce arthritis pain in dogs. Learn how it works, who it helps, what to expect, and the reported side effects to discuss with your veterinarian.
Jul 31, 2026 · 9 min read
Adequan®, Librela®, and NSAIDs: Which Arthritis Treatment Does My Dog Need?
NSAIDs, Adequan®, and Librela® each treat arthritis in a completely different way. Learn what each one does, how they compare, and why combining them is often the most effective approach.
Jul 31, 2026 · 8 min read
Joint Supplements for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: What Actually Works?
Do joint supplements really work? A veterinarian walks through the evidence behind glucosamine, chondroitin, ASU, MSM, green-lipped mussel, UC-II®, omega-3 fatty acids, and CBD — plus how to choose a quality product and which supplements I recommend for dogs and cats.
Jul 31, 2026 · 16 min read
Home Modifications for Arthritis: A Home That Works With Your Pet
Your pet's home environment can be as important as medication. Learn room-by-room changes — non-slip rugs, supportive beds, ramps, accessible bowls and litter boxes, and support harnesses — that make everyday life easier for arthritic pets.
Jul 31, 2026 · 11 min read
Common Myths About Arthritis: Separating Fact From Fiction
Aging isn't painful, a wagging tail doesn't rule out pain, and exercise doesn't wear joints out faster. Dr. Rene' separates arthritis fact from fiction.
Jul 31, 2026 · 8 min read
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis in Dogs and Cats
Can arthritic pets still walk? Should dogs climb stairs or jump on the couch? Do orthopedic beds help? Dr. Rene' answers the most common arthritis questions.
Jul 31, 2026 · 8 min read
Advanced Arthritis Treatments for Dogs & Cats: When Traditional Care Isn't Enough
When weight management, exercise, and pain medication are no longer enough, advanced arthritis treatments may help. A veterinarian explains each option, what the evidence actually shows, and which pets are most likely to benefit.
Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read
Acupuncture for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: Can Tiny Needles Make a Big Difference?
Is veterinary acupuncture real medicine or placebo? A veterinarian explains how acupuncture may reduce arthritis pain in dogs and cats, which pets are good candidates, what a session is like, and what the evidence shows.
Aug 1, 2026 · 6 min read
Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for Arthritis in Dogs: Using Sound Waves to Reduce Pain
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves — not electricity — to reduce pain and support healing in arthritic joints and injured tendons. A veterinarian explains how ESWT works, which dogs benefit, and what the research shows.
Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Dogs with Arthritis: Can Your Pet's Own Blood Help Their Joints?
Platelet-rich plasma uses your dog's own concentrated platelets to deliver growth factors into an arthritic joint. A veterinarian explains how PRP works, which patients may benefit, what the procedure involves, and what the evidence shows.
Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read
Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis in Dogs: Can Regenerative Medicine Help?
Stem cell therapy is one of the most talked-about — and most overpromised — arthritis treatments. A veterinarian explains what stem cells do, how treatment works, what it costs, and what the evidence really shows.
Aug 1, 2026 · 8 min read
Joint Injections for Arthritis in Dogs: Treating the Joint from the Inside
Joint injections place medication or biologic products directly inside an arthritic joint. A veterinarian explains hyaluronic acid, corticosteroid injections, what the procedure involves, and which pets are good candidates.
Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) in Dogs & Cats: A Different Approach to Hip Pain
An FHO removes the painful ball of the hip joint so a fibrous false joint can form. A veterinarian explains which dogs and cats are good candidates, why rehabilitation determines success, and how FHO compares to total hip replacement.
Aug 1, 2026 · 9 min read
Total Hip Replacement for Dogs: When Replacing the Joint Is the Best Option
Total hip replacement removes the arthritic hip and replaces it with an artificial joint. A veterinarian explains which dogs are candidates, what recovery involves, the risks, and why THR has some of the strongest evidence in veterinary orthopedics.
Aug 1, 2026 · 8 min read
Choosing the Right Arthritis Treatment: How Veterinarians Build a Plan
With medications, supplements, rehabilitation, regenerative medicine, injections, and surgery all on the table, how do veterinarians decide? A veterinarian explains how an individualized, layered arthritis plan is built — including how budget fits in.
Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read
The Three Types of Allergies in Dogs
Flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies, and food allergies — how they differ, how they overlap, and why the distinction changes treatment.
Jul 30, 2026 · 14 min read
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Ear Infections?
Recurring ear infections are usually a symptom — not the real problem. Learn how allergies, yeast, bacteria, and ear anatomy drive the cycle, and how to break it.
Aug 1, 2026 · 15 min read
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Skin Infections?
Understanding bacterial and yeast skin infections in dogs — why pyoderma and Malassezia keep coming back, and what skin cytology reveals.
Aug 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Why Do Steroids Work So Well—And Why Don't Veterinarians Want to Depend on Them?
Understanding prednisone, dexamethasone, and steroid injections for dogs with allergies — why they work so fast, and why repeated use carries risk.
Aug 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Apoquel® for Dogs: Everything Pet Owners Should Know
How Apoquel works, how fast it controls itching, side effects, safety and cancer questions, and how veterinarians decide when to use it.
Aug 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Cytopoint® for Dogs: Everything Pet Owners Should Know
How Cytopoint works, how quickly it may relieve itching, how long it lasts, its safety profile, and when veterinarians recommend it.
Aug 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Apoquel® vs. Cytopoint®: Which Allergy Treatment Is Right for My Dog?
Apoquel and Cytopoint both treat allergic itching in dogs, but they work differently. How veterinarians compare them, when each may be preferred, and when they may be used together.
Aug 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Why Benadryl® Usually Doesn't Work for Itchy Dogs
Antihistamines still have important uses in veterinary medicine, but most dogs with chronic environmental allergies need more. Why Benadryl disappoints, and when it does help.
Aug 20, 2026 · 8 min read
Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Really Help Dogs with Allergies?
Fish oil won't cure allergies or stop itching overnight, but it can support a healthier skin barrier over time. How EPA and DHA work, how long they take, and why dosing matters.
Aug 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Allergy Testing for Dogs: What It Can—and Can't—Tell You
Allergy testing doesn't diagnose allergies. It identifies environmental allergens so an individualized immunotherapy plan can be created for a dog already diagnosed with atopic dermatitis.
Aug 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Allergy Shots for Dogs: Can We Actually Change the Disease?
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the one allergy treatment designed to change the immune response itself rather than control today's itch — how it works, who it helps, and why it takes months.
Aug 21, 2026 · 9 min read
Elimination Diet Trials in Dogs: The Only Proven Way to Diagnose a Food Allergy
Food allergy can't be diagnosed from blood, saliva, or hair tests. Here's how a properly performed elimination diet trial works, why strict feeding matters, and why the food challenge confirms the diagnosis.
Aug 21, 2026 · 9 min read
Why Flea Prevention Is One of the Most Important Allergy Treatments Your Dog Will Ever Receive
Most owners of flea-allergic dogs never see a flea. Here's why one flea bite can cause weeks of itching, how flea allergy dermatitis is diagnosed, and why year-round prevention is allergy treatment.
Aug 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Bathing an Allergy Dog: One of the Most Overlooked Allergy Treatments
How often should you bathe a dog with allergies? Here's how bathing removes environmental allergens, why shampoo contact time matters, and how conditioners, wipes, and paw care fit in.
Aug 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Environmental Management for Allergy Dogs: How to Reduce Allergens at Home
You can't remove every allergen, but you can lower your dog's allergen load. Washing bedding, vacuuming, HEPA filters, humidity control, paw wiping, and flea prevention all add up.
Aug 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Is My Dog's Allergic Reaction an Emergency?
Most allergies are uncomfortable—not life-threatening. Learn to recognize facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, collapse, and anaphylaxis, and know when your dog needs immediate veterinary care.
Aug 28, 2026 · 7 min read
My Dog Ate a Sock: The Complete Veterinarian's Guide to Intestinal Blockages, Surgery, and Recovery
Did your dog swallow a sock? Learn when it may pass on its own, when an intestinal blockage is likely, what symptoms to watch for, whether vomiting should be induced, and when emergency surgery may be needed.
Jul 23, 2026 · 18 min read
My Dog Ate a Sock (Part 3): How Veterinarians Diagnose an Intestinal Blockage
How do veterinarians know if a swallowed sock is causing an intestinal blockage? Learn why socks don't always show up on X-rays, when ultrasound is helpful, when endoscopy is an option, and why some dogs need surgery even if they seem to be feeling better.
Jul 23, 2026 · 16 min read
What Happens After My Dog Eats Marijuana? Understanding THC Toxicity in Dogs
If your dog ate marijuana, a THC gummy, edible, or vape product, symptoms may not appear immediately. Learn the timeline of marijuana toxicity, common signs, when to seek emergency veterinary care, and why being honest with your veterinarian can make all the difference.
Jul 23, 2026 · 12 min read
Going Home After Marijuana Toxicity: Recovery and Prevention for Dogs
Most dogs recover completely after marijuana toxicity with prompt veterinary care. Learn what to expect during recovery at home, warning signs that require another veterinary visit, how to prevent future THC exposures, and answers to common questions about cannabis poisoning in dogs.
Jul 23, 2026 · 14 min read
My Dog Had a Seizure: The Complete Veterinarian's Guide to Understanding Canine Seizures
Watching your dog have a seizure can be terrifying. Learn what happens during a canine seizure, why dogs paddle, drool, or lose bladder control, when a seizure is an emergency, and what you should—and shouldn't—do to keep your dog safe.
Jul 23, 2026 · 16 min read
My Dog Had a Seizure (Part 3): Was It Really a Seizure? Conditions That Can Look Like Seizures in Dogs
Not every episode of collapse or shaking is actually a seizure. Learn how veterinarians distinguish seizures from fainting, vestibular disease, tremors, strokes, and other conditions, and why a cell phone video may be one of the most valuable diagnostic tools you can bring.
Jul 23, 2026 · 14 min read
My Dog Had a Seizure (Part 4): How Veterinarians Diagnose the Cause of Seizures
How do veterinarians determine why a dog had a seizure? Learn how physical exams, neurological exams, blood work, MRI, spinal fluid analysis, and other diagnostic tests help identify the underlying cause of seizures and guide treatment.
Jul 23, 2026 · 18 min read
My Dog Had a Seizure (Part 5): Treatment, Seizure Medications, and Living With Epilepsy
How are seizures in dogs treated? Learn when anti-seizure medication is recommended, how common medications work, what monitoring is needed, how to keep a seizure diary, and what life looks like for dogs living with epilepsy.
Jul 23, 2026 · 20 min read
My Dog Had a Seizure (Part 6): Living With a Dog That Has Seizures
A seizure diagnosis doesn't mean your dog's adventures are over. Learn how to safely live with canine epilepsy, from medication routines and travel to swimming, boarding, long-term prognosis, and building a happy, fulfilling life together.
Jul 23, 2026 · 16 min read
My Dog Ate Chocolate: How Much Is Dangerous and What Should I Do?
If your dog ate chocolate, don't panic—but don't ignore it either. Learn which types of chocolate are most dangerous, how toxicity is calculated, what symptoms to watch for, and when to seek emergency veterinary care.
Jul 23, 2026 · 12 min read
Top 10 Household Toxins That Send Dogs and Cats to the Emergency Room
Many of the most dangerous pet poisonings begin with ordinary products found on kitchen counters, bathroom shelves, bedside tables, and inside cabinets. Learn the ten household toxins every dog and cat owner should recognize—and why you should never wait for symptoms before seeking help.
Aug 3, 2026 · 9 min read
Why Is My Pet Having Trouble Breathing? Common Causes Explained
Breathing problems don't always start in the lungs. Learn the most common causes of breathing difficulty in dogs and cats—including heart disease, asthma, pneumonia, collapsing trachea, pleural effusion, and more—and understand why prompt veterinary evaluation is so important.
Jul 23, 2026 · 16 min read
My Dog Ate Grapes or Raisins: How Dangerous Is It and What Should I Do?
If your dog ate grapes or raisins, don't wait for symptoms before calling your veterinarian. Unlike many toxins, grape poisoning is unpredictable, and even small amounts can lead to life-threatening kidney failure in some dogs. Learn what to do immediately and why early treatment is so important.
Jul 23, 2026 · 12 min read
Dr. Rene's Pet-Safe Houseplant Shopping List
Looking for pet-safe houseplants? Use this veterinarian-approved shopping list to find plants that are generally safe for dogs and cats, learn which plants to avoid, and know what to do if your pet chews on one.
Jul 23, 2026 · 6 min read
What Fruits and Vegetables Can Dogs and Cats Eat? A Veterinarian's Guide
Wondering if your dog or cat can eat apples, bananas, blueberries, carrots, pumpkin, or other fruits and vegetables? Learn which foods are safe, which should only be fed in moderation, and which are dangerous for pets.
Jul 23, 2026 · 10 min read
My Dog Ate a Mushroom in the Yard! A Veterinarian Explains What You Need to Know
If your dog ate a wild mushroom, don't wait to see if symptoms develop. Learn why mushroom poisonings are unpredictable, what to do immediately, which signs require emergency care, and how veterinarians diagnose and treat mushroom toxicity.
Jul 23, 2026 · 11 min read
Pet-Friendly Houseplants: A Veterinarian's Guide to Safe Plants for Dogs and Cats
Love plants but worried about your pets? Discover which houseplants are safe for dogs and cats, which common plants can be toxic, and what to do if your pet chews on a houseplant.
Jul 23, 2026 · 10 min read
Why Is My Cat Itchy? A Veterinarian's Guide to Feline Allergies
Cats don't always show allergies the way dogs do. Overgrooming, hair loss, scabs, and head or neck scratching can all be signs of allergic skin disease — but allergies aren't the only reason cats itch.
Aug 21, 2026 · 11 min read
Cushing's Disease in Dogs
What It Means, How We Test for It, and What Treatment Involves
Aug 24, 2026 · 12 min read
My Dog Chewed a Vape Pen (Part 3): Recognizing the Signs of Nicotine Poisoning
What does nicotine poisoning look like in dogs? Learn how nicotine affects the brain, heart, muscles, lungs, digestive system, and behavior, why symptoms change over time, and when emergency veterinary care is needed.
Jul 23, 2026 · 15 min read
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