Vital Feed

Strollers aren’t just for children anymore.  Now, there are strollers specifically made for dogs.  And not just little dogs - strollers are available for most dogs, regardless of size, shape, or physical condition.  And strollers are so versatile that you can walk, jog or even bike ride with your favorite furry companion in tow.  Older or disabled dogs still enjoy family...

Some animals have a hard time getting adopted from traditional shelters, particularly if they are handicapped, injured, or have a serious medical condition. That’s where Animal Lifeline in Des Moines, Iowa steps in. As a special needs, no-kill shelter - the only one of its kind in Central Iowa – Animal Lifeline rescues animals who need medical or rehabilitative care before they...

There are many conditions that produce weakness and can lead to knuckling or dragging of the front and hind paws and limbs.  Conditions that can affect the hind legs include degenerative myelopathy (DM), sciatic nerve injury, disc disease, and spinal cord injury.  Brachial plexus and radial nerve injuries can cause front paw knuckling or limb dragging. A fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) can affect either...

Overview Intervertebral disk (IVD) disease in the dog is a common clinical disorder manifested by pain, a partial loss of limb function, paralysis, and sometimes a loss of feeling in the hind limbs. IVD disease can occur in the neck (cervical) area, the middle of the back (thoraco–lumbar region) or in the lower (lumbosacral) region of the back. It occurs...

A dog's backbone is made up of individual bones, or vertebrae, that form a tube, within which the spinal cord is protected. Discs are the joints that connect the vertebrae to one another. They are soft in the center and have a tougher outer layer. The spine helps bear the weight of the animal and also needs to move in...