Vet Buzz

Welcome to the award winning Vet Buzz, DogTrekker.com's pet health blog with the latest in veterinary medicine, valuable tips and seasonal guidelines to keep your dog safe and healthy at home and on the road. Whether it is caring for an elderly dog, holistic approaches to health care, toxic algae blooms or tick and rattlesnake warnings, our Vet Buzz contributors have you covered.

Future DogTrekker Gets A Check-up

If you have a specific condition or issue you would like to research, either scroll down through the stories below or use the Site Search box that can be found at the top left of every DogTrekker.com page. Stay safe, live healthy.

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Diets for Diabetic Dogs

Check-up Time

Written by Lori Wells-Bauer
Pet Nutrition Counselor
Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care
Reno, Nevada

Diabetes Mellitus in dogs can occur at any age. However, diabetic dogs are usually 4-14 years of age and most are diagnosed at roughly 7-10 years of age [1].

Whether your dog has been recently diagnosed or you are interested in preventing the disease, one of my favorite recommendations is to give home cooking a try. At the end of this article, I’ve provided readers with an easy to make, fully balanced, diabetic friendly recipe. more »

How to Remove A Tick

By Chris Pitts, RVT, Broadway Animal Hospital

Ticks are gross. They carry diseases, and they are literal blood-sucking parasites. Their entire life is dedicated to waiting until an unsuspecting host walks by, jumping on said host and sucking them dry. Eww. more »

The Pros and Cons of Sleeping With Your Dog

By Aaron Teixeira, Shelter Behavior Manager at the San Francisco SPCA There are many myths about letting your dog share your bed, as well as possible concerns and benefits. The most harmful myth is that it’s important is establish dominance by not letting your dog into your bed, and that doing so will cause behavior problems. I assure you, this is not the case. Unfortunately, some dog trainers and a few behavior “experts” are still trying to convince dog owners that dominance theory applies to pet dogs. I can also assure you that your dog is not planning to take over the world by sleeping in your bed. more »

Good and Bad of Dog Kisses

By Chris Pitts, RVT, Broadway Animal Hospital

Think your dog may be a good candidate for the Valentine's Day kissing booth? Let's take a quick look at what goes on inside your dog's mouth before you sign him up. more »

Winter Woes and Wags

By Aaron Teixeira, MSc
Shelter Behavior Manager, SF SPCA

With winter now in full effect, cold rain, snow and ice can complicate our dogs’ exercise routines. Regardless of the weather, it is important to remember that our dogs still need daily exercise for physical and mental wellbeing. more »

Paring Down Your Portly Pup

By Chris Pitts, RVT at Broadway Animal Hospital

Feeling like your dog might be a little plump? If you can't see a waistline on your dog. If you cannot feel his ribs under his chubs, then you might be right. more »

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

Photo: lightsoutfilms

By Dr. Jeannine Berger, SF SPCA Veterinarian & Behavior Specialist

If you’ve ever owned a dog, you’ve probably seen him eat grass and wondered why. A study in 2008 characterized factors that contribute to grass eating in dogs, and it found that nearly 80% of owners reported their dogs ate grass and 68% of them ate grass on a frequent (daily or weekly) basis. Furthermore, less than 10% of dogs appeared sick before eating grass and the vast majority of dogs who do eat grass tend not to vomit afterwards. Therefore, the old myth that “dogs eat grass to relieve an upset stomach” doesn’t quite appear to be true. more »

Choosing a Final Good-Bye Away from the Vet's Office

By Dr. Jeannine Berger, SF SPCA Veterinarian & Behavior Specialist

After giving us a lifetime of unconditional love, devotion, and loyalty, dogs carry only one fault. And that one fault is that they just don’t live as long as we often hope. So, after receiving a lifetime of beauty and selflessness, how do we honor them in their darkest hour? In fact, one of the most compassionate actions we can take is knowing how and when to give them a kind, gentle death. And as bittersweet as the choice may be, planning ahead and being prepared for a pet’s euthanasia often helps make it a very compassionate decision. more »

Shedding Concerns

By Dr. Sophie Liu, SF SPCA Resident in Behavior Medicine

Aside from being the largest organ, skin also plays a critical role in health and, equally, is reflective of your dog’s health. Because of selective breeding, many dog breeds have developed different types of fur with varying maintenance and grooming requirements. All dog coats, however, require a balance of high quality nutrition and some level of grooming care to ensure a healthy skin barrier and a normal coat. more »

Vet Buzz: Keeping Your Dog Cool On Hot Summer Days

Ah....

By Dr. Chris Pitts, RVT, of Broadway Animal Hospital

Dogs love summer fun just as much as we do. But being trapped in those fur coats without the ability to sweat can prove troublesome in the hotter months. To take away the worry of overheating your furbaby, here are a few tips. more »

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Vet Buzz Contributors

Dr. Bill Barboni of Marin Pet Hospital with his dogs, Rip and Billy. See Dr. Barboni's profile.

Chris Pitts, RVT,
of Broadway Animal Hospital.
See Chris Pitts' profile.

Dr. Angela Gaeto with dog
Dr. Angela Gaeto, DVM, of the Helen Woodward Animal Center community in San Diego County. See Dr. Gaeto’s profile.

Dr. Melissa Robinett of Bel Marin Animal Hospital in Novato. See Dr. Robinett's profile.

Dr. Erin Troy of Muller Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek. See Dr. Troy's profile.

Dr. Rhonda Stallings of Arroyo Veterinary Hospital, Sonoma. See Dr. Stallings' profile.

Dr. Pamela Bouchard of Animal Hospital of Cotati. See Dr. Bouchard's profile.

Dr Berger
Jeannine Berger, DVM, DACVB, Veterinarian & Behavior Specialist, San Francisco SPCA. See Dr. Berger's profile.

A veterinarian with a dog
Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM, of Holistic Veterinary Care. See Dr. Richter's profile.

Dr. Shannon Leggieri DVM, Marin Pet Hospital
Dr. Shannon Leggieri, DVM of Claremont Veterinary Hospital, Oakland.

Dr. Sophie Liu DVM, SF SPCA
Dr. Sophie Liu, DVM of SF SPCA, San Francisco. See Dr. Liu's profile.