Vital Feed

If Your Dog's Gait is Changing, Check for Elbow DysplasiaDon't miss the video at the bottom where Dr. Karen Becker discusses four types of canine elbow joint problems that fall into the general category of “elbow dysplasia.” "Elbow dysplasia" is a catchall term used to describe one or more inherited developmental abnormalities in a dog's elbow joint.Generally speaking, elbow dysplasia...

Identifying shoulder injuries in dogs at times can be challenging considering that the dog’s shoulder is part of the dog’s forelimb and it can be tricky finding the exact origin of the dog’s pain. Shoulder injuries in dogs cause similar symptoms of many other disorders of the leg and therefore may not be readily recognized. Affected dogs may show vague...

While all dogs should have a basic soundness, their construction varies depending on breed and purpose. Understanding a dog’s conformation requires looking at the canine from all angles. Even though there is nothing you can do to change your current dog’s genetics, you can prevent injury and work on strengthening weak areas. Let’s be honest: We are not Honey Boo...

Have you ever observed your dog's posture when sitting? Standing up from an improper or poor sitting position applies greater lateral bending forces to the knees and hocks, and doesn't activate correct muscles. So how can we achieve a proper sitting position? What is a proper sitting form (right photo) The dog should: sit squarely, with hips, knees and hocks aligned...