Right now the United States Department of Agriculture is considering a proposal to crack down on puppy mills. Because of a loophole in the law, many dogs live in filthy conditions with no medical care. The females are bred back to back which means after they whelp a litter of puppies, they are bred again …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Tips For People Who Are Allergic To Pets
As a veterinarian, I receive calls from distraught pet owners who think they have to get rid of their pets because a family member is allergic on a regular basis. It breaks my heart to see these pets ripped from their homes when there are other options available. In my experience, some physicians recommend getting rid of …
Shar Pei Wrinkles and Mucinosis
Shar peis are known for their wrinkles, deep dermal folds that make them look like the Michelin Man. What causes the wrinkles? Hyaluronan the major compoment of mucin. Shar peis have a genetic defect that leads to excess production of hyaluronan, formerly called hyaluronic acid. Although the excess hyaluronan makes this breed of dog very …
You Make The Diagnosis: Shar Pei Health Problems
This beautiful girl is Lulu, the most well behaved Shar pei I have ever met. She greets everyone with a sniff before retreating to her gaurdian’s side. Shar peis are known for their wrinkles and rough coats which may cause a rash in humans. Name the most common health problems associated with the Shar pei breed of …
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Dogs Provide Help For Veterans With PTSD
In honor of memorial day, I thought I would highlight the role animals play in helping our veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Here in Arizona, the nonprofit organization Soldiers Best Friend matches dogs with soldiers who suffer from this debilitating problem. Once a soldier is accepted into the program, they are matched with a dog …
Dogs are Chick Magnets
The first time I heard one of my clients refer to his dog as a ‘chick magnet’, it surprised me. But the more I thought about it, the more I agreed. When I am walking, I am naturally attracted to people with pets. The pet is an ice breaker, a conversation starter for people who …
Dominance Based Aggression in Dogs
Dominance based aggression which is also referred to as impulse control aggression or conflict aggression is the last type of canine aggression. Frankly, I don’t care too much which term is used as long as people understand how dangerous it is to interact with dogs with this kind of aggression. These dogs are bullies! They …
Resource Guarding Aggression in Dogs
Resource guarding is a common form of aggression in dogs. The dog protects valuable resources such as food, toys, treats, furniture, blankets, other dogs and even people. For this reason it is also known as possessive aggression. The dog protects its possessions with a growl or stare. If the warning is ignored, they may escalate to biting. Prevention …
Anxiety Based Aggression in Dogs
As discussed in my prior post, some dogs become aggressive due to fear. These animals live by the slogan, “The best defense is a great offense.” Some dogs become aggressive after a specific incident such as being attacked by another animal. The other common cause is anxiety. Anxiety causes fear in both humans and animals. …
Fear Based Aggression Toward Other Dogs
Over the years, I have worked with many dogs who became aggressive toward other dogs after being attacked. These attacks usually occur during puppyhood when the dog is more vulnerable. Afterward, the victim is afraid of other dogs who look like the attacker. They often freeze, look away, try to escape and refuse to eat when confronted by …