Dogs are good at hiding signs of oral pain, but cats are even better – cats are experts at hiding dental pain! Cats will continue to eat and act normally regardless of some serious dental disease forming in their mouths. This is why it is so very important that we have our cat’s teeth checked […]
7 Reasons Why You Need To Strengthen Your Pet ~by Dr Megan Kelly of Holsiticvet We all get told the benefits of exercise and strength training for ourselves but how many of us see the same importance for our pets? So lets see what the benefits are: 1) Helps to keep the weight off Besides […]
This is so true when we see dogs with arthritis. So strange that this degenerative joint condition is eased by the one thing it inhibits – movement! Regular movement helps manage muscular and joint pain. It keeps muscles and joints flexible. We see this happen in both dogs and humans alike. Do your dog’s joints […]
I have seen a dog have to retire from sports due to injury from simply playing ball. An I must admit that I was guilty of zealous ball throwing too. “In the past two days, I have worked with two dogs injured from overzealous ball playing, fetching, retrieving at quick paces” ~Dr. DG Torraca* According […]
Study finds overweight dogs live shorter lives. Although this is a New Research published Feb 13, 2019, it’s not new news. Pets, like people, have a shorter lifespan if overweight. But let’s see the research: Banfield Pet Hospital found that the lifespan of overweight dogs was, on average, up to 2 1/2 years shorter than […]
A puppy is not a little big dog. Their growth plates and bones are made up completely differently to an adult dog. Fact: A puppy’s immature, young body cannot endure excessive amounts of exercise stress. They will suffer long-term negative effects! Puppies have “puppy bones”. This means that the bones are still developing and […]
Some of you may know that I am actively involved in sports and competition with my dogs – I love it!. This includes obedience at a competitive level. For those that don’t know what this looks like: the dog walks on your left-hand side with his head tilted and looking up at you for the […]
Sporting dogs are mostly high drive or athletic dogs! Pet owners would just call them really active! Most high drive or energetic dogs compete in sports such as flyball, agility, dock diving or sledding. Because of their activities and energy, these dogs are unfortunately more prone to injuries. These injuries can take them out of […]
Is your dog in pain? What are the signs? Is it a muscular injury? How can I avoid muscular injuries in my dog? Jackie Crawford of Canine Muscle Works, Australia helps us address these questions below. Dogs that exercise regularly live longer and are happier. We also need to be wary of over-exercising our […]
Lack of mobility is a common cause of euthanasia in senior pets. It can also be easily avoided by helping your fur buddy live a healthy lifestyle. Young dogs easily remain active but older buddies can stay fit and strong too. By helping senior dogs stay strong and flexible, you improve their overall mobility. […]
Old age – It’s only for the brave – both human and animal! Our pets, once in their golden years, don’t run as fast and jump as high as they once did. They get a bit of grey around the muzzle and enjoy their afternoon naps more. Sometimes it’s hard for us to see or […]
The most common mobility issue in dogs is osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease (DJD). Arthritis can affect all dogs of all ages and sizes, male and female. Most pet owners only see the visual effects of arthritis in their older dogs and more often in large and giant breeds. Unlike people with arthritis, dogs […]
This is a big question: My dog has had surgery/an injury. Will his muscles return to normal – by themselves? According to Michelle Monk, leading Pet Rehab specialist with a Masters Degree in Animal Physiotherapy, the short answer: NO, THEY WON’T! This is a common question to canine physiotherapists. Most people think that muscles […]
Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscle, tendons and ligaments. They come in the form of sprains or strains and tears or ruptures. 1. Sprains and strains. Dogs spend most of their days standing on their toes, with their ankles raised and their knees often bent. Sounds awkward, but normal for them. This […]
You know that having a strong core is good for you. The same applies to your dog! A strong core goes beyond the doggy “6-pack”. Daily tasks like sitting, standing, bending to pee and poo, all need core muscles. The stronger the core muscles are, the more comfortable your dog and the less likely he will […]
It is a Universal acknowledgment that dogs may benefit from having their teeth brushed. The hard part: going from knowing to doing. Few of us have the time, discipline – or the cooperative pet – to brush teeth on a daily basis. While brushing may slow down the buildup of plaque and tartar, there are […]
DOES YOUR DOG HAVE AN ILIOPSOAS INJURY? An iliopsoas muscle injury can be daunting as it can be difficult to diagnose. Even if treatment is done appropriately, the dog uses the muscle every day in every way and it can lead to chronic discomfort. Luckily the majority do respond well to rest and treatment and […]
Dogs with groin or iliopsoas muscle issues are a common source of injury, chronic pain and lameness in a dog’s hind limb. More common than you may think! WHERE IS THE ILIOPSOAS MUSCLE? The iliopsoas muscle consists of the fusion of two muscles – the Iliacus and the psoas major. Hence: ilio+ psoas = […]
Ever wondered how PlaqueOff Animal Powder works? How does this 100% natural product help my pet? We’ve made it easy for you! this infographic explains it all.
Puppies are hip! Our previous article shows that puppies are born with perfectly, normal hips. Puppy hips are quite amazing, although they are not quite adult hips yet. Looking at their x-ray, a newborn puppy looks like it has no joints at. This is due to the ends of the long bones and many parts […]
In memory and admiration of a very grand old lady. I asked Andrew if he would mind that I dedicate a Newsletter to his beautiful girl, Jessie. Jess, a working and very active German Short-haired Pointer, passed at the very grand age of 15 years and 4 months, just last week, on 15 August 2018. His […]
Tartar is also known as dental calculus. It consists of hardened bacteria. This hardened bacteria, or tartar, occurs when dental plaque gets stuck on your pet’s teeth and then comes in contact with their saliva. So what is tartar? There are two types and one of them is more harmful than the other: […]
Hip dysplasia is one of those conditions that all dog breeders are very well aware. Responsible breeders make considerable efforts to eliminate it from their dogs for decades. Almost every breed’s parent club recommends screening breeding stock for hip dysplasia (HD). Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) in the USA was founded for this very reason. […]
From puppies to senior dogs, let’s take a quick look at dog teeth problems and dog dental care through every stage of your fur buddy’s life. Dog teeth problems — they’re not something you want for your dog. So what can you do to prevent them? Dogs can suffer from a variety of dental diseases […]
Joint pain is part of the ageing process for both dogs and humans alike. Let’s look at some ways that could slow down and possibly prevent the onset of arthritis and other joint issues for your senior dog. Joint problems are a common problem of ageing dogs. Similarly, for people, the wear and tear of […]
Many of us assume that the condition of their dog’s dental health i.e. teeth and gums, has no influence on their overall health. Nothing could be further from the truth. “The toxins from periodontal disease are absorbed into the dog’s blood stream. As the kidneys, liver and brain filter the blood, small infections occur causing […]
Whether to spay or neuter a dog is always a “passionate” topic. In South Africa, we have a large population of dogs that remain free to roam unsupervised. This is a very real problem. For this reason, this article is specifically aimed at responsible pet owners, and owners of working, active and sports dogs (our […]
