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To throw or not to throw?

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,…
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Overweight dogs live less

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…
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Puppies thrive when exercise is age appropriate.

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…

Heads Up Obedience - Physical Ramifications?

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…
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Sporting Dog? 8 ways to prevent injuries

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…
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3 ways to prevent pain caused by muscle injuries.

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…
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The #1 thing you can do for your fur buddy

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…
Man and older lab
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12 Tips to help your Senior Fur Buddy live a full life

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…
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Mobility issues? 6 Subtle clues your pet is struggling

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…
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After surgery/injury - Will his muscles return to normal?

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…
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Soft tissue injuries and their effect on your pet's joints

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…
Dog digging on beach
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Your dog's sexy 6-pack - core essentials!

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…
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5 Ways You Can Help Keep Your Fur Buddy's Mouth Healthy

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…
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Iliopsoas Injuries - Signs of pain

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…
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Iliopsoas muscle? Never heard of her....

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…
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How does PlaqueOff Animal work?

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.    
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Joint Looseness and Hip Dysplasia

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…
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"I think the eyes and smile say everything" - Andrew O'Dell

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…
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What is Tartar? Is it Bad for my dog and cat?

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…
Julie's new puppies
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Hip Dysplasia and whelping boxes?

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…
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Prevent Teeth Problems at Every Stage of Your Dog’s Life

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…
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5 Easy Ways To Help Prevent Joint Problems in Dogs

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…
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Is your dog's breed a high risk for dental disease?

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…
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Spay or Neutering? Keep Pets' Joints in Mind

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…
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What are your fur buddy's teeth used for?

Let's take a closer look at your fur buddy's teeth - or canine dentition! The cuteness of puppy nibbling on your finger. This is a delight with a limited shelf life, but puppies' teeth are sharp fraught with peril. As we know, puppies grow,…
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Overcoming Puppy Teething Troubles

Puppy's teething troubles have a nasty pointy end and can be quite sore. Caution: Puppy's teething is like meeting Jurassic Park raptors - cleverly disguised as a ball of cuteness. Your puppy won't hunt you down and eat you, but when you’re…
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Stomach Acid and Probiotics

This is a frequent question about probiotics: How to protect these beneficial bugs from harsh stomach acid as it passes through to the intestines? There is more to this question than meets the eye. Probiotics are live bacteria present…