Health

Thyroid Testing In Dogs

A Reference for Dog Breeders and Owners Hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrine disease of dogs which results from progressive loss of functioning thyroid tissue. While epidemiological studies are few and somewhat conflicting, it appears that hypothyroidism occurs more frequently in certain breeds and lines, especially in large breed dogs. It is usually caused by …

Rabies Law in Ontario

This article is is for the benefit of those residing in Ontario, Canada. I hope to inform residents of what the law actually states in regard to rabies vaccinations, as opposed to what popular (mis?)conception may be. I write this in celebration (sort of) of a six month crusade to have this issue clarified within …

Summary of PennHIP Research

The following is a summary of PennHIP-related research published by Smith and colleagues. References to the actual publications are given at the end of each section. Topics Measuring Hip Joint Laxity Reliability of the Method The Risk of Developing DJD Heritability Biomechanics of Canine Hip Laxity Measuring Hip Joint …

PANOSTEITIS

Revised December 2011. DESCRIPTION One of the main reasons for a young dog to be “pulled” from a show, or excused from the ring, is the sudden lameness of a condition known as panosteitis, familiarly labelled “pano” by many breeders. Of some 130+ breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club and hundreds more by some …

Lyme Disease

LYME DISEASE has been recognized in Europe for almost 100 years but was not described in humans in the United States until 1975. We have learned since then that clinical disease also occurs in dogs and, to a lesser extent, in horses, cattle, and cats, while many wildlife mammals and birds become subclinically infected and …

Elbow Disease In Growing Dogs

INTRODUCTION Elbow disease is the preferred term to be used when talking about elbow problems in growing dogs. Unfortunately “elbow displaysia” was the name given to the condition of ununited anconeal process and this term is closely linked in this way in the minds of most veterinarians and some dog breeders. Elbow disease is a …

Ethoxyquin and Other Anti-oxidants

Anti-Oxidants: Anti-oxidants are added to pet foods to protect fats from rancidity. Fat becomes rancid especially when exposed to air, heat and perhaps bacteria. Fat breaks down in two steps. Hydrolysis yields fatty acids that may improve the flavor up to a point (no more than 10%). Oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids yields ketones and …